How to say "words" in Japanese

• 語句ごくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'words' as units of language: the words and phrases making up a text or utterance, viewed as wording. Typical when discussing, looking up, or choosing the phrasing of a sentence.
  その作家さっかの文体ぶんたいは挿入そうにゅう語句ごくが多おおい。↗

  The writer has a parenthetic style.
• 文句もんくJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounIts 'phrase' sense refers to the wording chosen for something, but this use is narrow; the word is best known as 'a complaint', so it is seldom what you want for plain 'words'.
  その文句もんくは、人ひとを侮辱ぶじょくするためのものだ。↗

  The phrase is meant to insult people.
• せりふCommon
  nounCovers 'words' as spoken lines: what a character or actor says in a play, film, or story. Also used for a remark that sounds rehearsed, as if the speaker were delivering lines.
  それはこっちのセリフですよ。↗

  That's what I want to say.

Use 語句 for words and phrases as items of language or the wording of a text, 「せりふ」 for spoken lines and remarks, and avoid 文句 for plain 'words', since it chiefly means a complaint.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 語句ごくwords and phrases
• 詞しwords
• 申しようもうしようwords
• 台辞だいじwords
• お言葉おことば(your) words
• 辞じaddress (e.g. opening or closing remarks)
• 口舌こうぜつmanner of speaking
• 御沙汰ごさた(imperial) words
• 口説き文句くどきもんくchat-up line
• 文句もんくphrase
• せりふcomment
• 仰せおおせwhat you say
• 言葉ことばwords