舌足らず

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 舌足らず (したたらず) is a na-adjectival expression for unclear articulation or an insufficiently developed explanation.
• Basic usage: 舌足らずな話し方 modifies a young child’s indistinct articulation, while 説明が舌足らずで says insufficient explanation prevented the intention from being conveyed.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Articulation and under-explanation
  • 舌足らずな話し方 concerns speech sound, whereas 舌足らずな説明 figuratively judges information insufficient. The latter is not a physical condition of the tongue.