19
二枚舌

Forked Tongue


Meaning

Forked Tongue, Duplicity

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

You have two flat objects that make up your tongue. What kind of tongue is made up of two of anything? That's a tongue that's split, that's a forked tongue.


Reading

にまいじた

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. That's the case for the first two kanji, but 舌 actually uses the kun'yomi. Not only that, it's read here as じた, and not した.


Context

Context Sentences

政治家達の二枚舌にはもうウンザリだよ。

I'm fed up with the double-talk of politicians.

あいつは二枚舌だから気をつけた方がいいよ。

He has a forked tongue, so you should be careful.

上司は二枚舌で、「自分で考えろ!」と「言われた通りやれ!」の二つが口グセなんです。

My boss is hypocritical, often saying "think for yourself!" and "do as you're told!"


Kanji Composition