広言・高言|こうげんkougen[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
高言高言 is written entirely in kanji, is the more common form, and is the recommended choice for beginners.
広言広言 is a less common kanji-only variant of 高言; recognize it when encountered, but prefer 高言 when choosing a spelling.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbboasting; bragging; talking big
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 広言する（こうげんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 広言します（こうげんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 広言しない（こうげんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 広言しません（こうげんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 広言せず・広言せぬ（こうげんせず・こうげんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 広言した（こうげんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 広言しました（こうげんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 広言しなかった（こうげんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 広言しませんでした（こうげんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 広言して（こうげんして） |
| Potential | 広言できる（こうげんできる） |
| Passive | 広言される（こうげんされる） |
| Causative | 広言させる（こうげんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 広言させられる（こうげんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 広言すれば（こうげんすれば） |
| tara | 広言したら（こうげんしたら） |
| Volitional | 広言しよう（こうげんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 広言しましょう（こうげんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 広言しろ（こうげんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym自慢じまんNeutralThe everyday word for pride and self-praise about one's own things; can carry goodwill and is milder than 「高言」.
- Synonym誇るほこるWrittenWritten/formal prose; centers on taking pride in something, often positively, and can also mean having a strength or advantage — not necessarily big talk.
- Synonym豪語ごうごWrittenWritten/formal prose; centers on boldly declaring something with full confidence, as in 「優勝すると豪語する」.
- Synonym壮語そうごWrittenWritten/formal prose; centers on spirited, high-flown big talk, and mostly appears in the set phrase 「大言壮語」.
- Synonym大言壮語たいげんそうごWrittenWritten/formal prose; centers on big talk that goes beyond what one is actually capable of.
- Synonym大言たいげんWrittenWritten/formal prose; centers on exaggerated talk out of keeping with one's position.
- RelatedうそぶくWrittenWritten/formal prose; centers on talking big out of bravado, or on feigning ignorance and acting unconcerned.
- Related大威張りおおいばりCasualColloquial; centers on swaggering around and showing off, and does not necessarily involve talking.
- RelatedひけらかすCasualColloquial; showing off one's knowledge, skill or wealth with relish, through words or actions; 「高言」 is about big talk.
- Related慢ずるまんずるWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare; centers on being so full of oneself as to look down on others.
- Related慢じるまんじるWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare; means the same as 「慢ずる」, but leans toward the conceited attitude itself.
For talking big with relish in formal prose, use 「高言」, as in 「高言を吐く」. Use 「豪語」 for confident bold declarations, 「自慢」 for everyday boasting, and 「ひけらかす」 for showing off. 「誇る」 is about taking pride or having a strength; 「大言」「壮語」 are big talk, and 「慢ずる」「慢じる」 conceit.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
