悪口

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 悪口 (わるくち) combines bad 悪 and speech 口 to denote insults or bad-mouthing.
• Basic usage: It covers speaking ill of someone behind their back and hurling abuse directly in anger.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Derogation rather than neutral criticism
  • 悪口 aims at or results in disparaging the person, unlike a factual critique of a specific action or idea.