How to Say ‘Smooth-talking; good with words’ in Japanese
口がうまい
kuchi ga umai
[koo-chee gah oo-mai]
💬 Usage Tip: [口がうまい] literally mentions the mouth, but it means someone is smooth with words or a good talker. Japanese uses [口] in lots of set expressions, like [口が重い] for someone who doesn't talk much.
Phrase Breakdown
口
kuchi
[koo-chee]
mouth; speech
Literally 'mouth,' but in this expression it relates to how someone talks.
口がうまい人には気をつけます。
I watch out for people who are smooth talkers.
が
ga
[gah]
subject marker
Marks 口 as the subject in the expression 口がうまい.
口がうまい人は人気があります。
Smooth talkers are popular.
うまい
umai
[oo-mai]
skillful; smooth
Means skillful; in 口がうまい, it means someone is good with words.
あの人は口がうまいですね。
That person is really smooth with words.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager