言辞|げんじgenji[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounlanguage; speech

• Synonym言葉遣いことばづかいNeutralEveryday word for how one chooses words when speaking, as in 「言葉遣いが丁寧」; focuses on politeness, unlike the written flavor of 「言辞」.
• Synonym言い回しいいまわしNeutralA concrete turn of phrase or piece of wording, as in 「巧みな言い回し」; stresses rhetorical skill rather than speech in general.
• Synonym言い方いいかたNeutralThe most common everyday word for how something is said, the tone you take, as in 「その言い方はひどい」.
• Synonym物言いものいいNeutralOne's manner of speaking, and also an objection raised against a sumo referee's call; centers on tone.
• Synonym口上こうじょうNeutralA statement delivered orally; also the opening speech of a kabuki performance, with a ceremonial air.
• Synonym弁べんNeutralEloquence or speech-making; also a suffix naming dialects, as in 「関西弁」.
• Synonym言げんWrittenWritten word for things said, as in 「言を左右にする」; formal prose.
• Synonym口舌こうぜつWrittenWritten word for eloquent, persuasive speech, but also for empty lip service; formal prose.
• Synonym言詞げんしWrittenBookish, dated word for words and speech, now rarely used; say 「言葉」 in everyday contexts.
• Synonym口回しくちまわしNeutralOld colloquial word for phrasing or wording, now seldom used; 「言い回し」 is the normal choice.
• Synonym口言葉くちことばNeutralWords spoken aloud in conversation; stresses the spoken side, not the style of wording.
• Synonym措辞そじWrittenWritten word for the choice of words in poetry and prose; concerns written text, not spoken remarks.
• Synonym言葉付きことばつきNeutralThe tone one uses when speaking, judged by how it sounds, as in 「優しい言葉つき」.
• Synonym文言もんごんNeutralThe wording of formal documents and contracts, as in 「契約書の文言」.
• SynonymディクションNeutralLoanword for diction: clear articulation and style of wording, mostly in speeches and vocal music.
• SynonymワーディングNeutralLoanword for the wording of a text, used in professional fields such as survey design.
• Related口先くちさきNeutralMere words from the lips without substance behind them, often derogatory, as in 「口先だけ」.
• Related言葉ことばNeutralThe most common everyday word, covering language and words in the broadest sense; not tied to wording or remarks.
• Related話し言葉はなしことばNeutralSpoken language as opposed to written language; about register, not whether wording is good or bad.
• Related言語げんごNeutralLanguage as a system; an academic term, not used for a person's own wording or remarks.
• Related詞しNeutralAnother way of writing 「言葉」, read 「ことば」 with the same meaning; the kanji has a literary feel, and the word is more everyday than 「言辞」.
• Related言いよういいようNeutralA way of saying something; also in 「言いようがない」, meaning there is no way to describe it.
• Related言の葉ことのはWrittenAn elegant, old-fashioned word for words and speech; also a waka poem. Rich in poetic nuance.
• Related辞じNeutralAnother way of writing 「言葉」, read 「ことば」 with the same meaning, though this kanji is less often used; more everyday than 「言辞」.

In everyday speech, use 「言葉遣い」 or 「言い方」. 「言辞」 fits written commentary on someone's wording or remarks, as in 「不穏当な言辞」; for the wording of documents, use 「文言」.

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

1. 言葉遣ことばづかい。物言ものいい。