1. Quick Definition (TL;DR)
- Kanji/Kana: どの口 (どのくち) / どの口が言う (どのくちがいう)
- Romaji: Dono kuchi (or Dono kuchi ga iu)
- English Meaning: “Look who’s talking,” “The audacity,” “You have some nerve saying that,” “Which mouth is spewing that nonsense?”
- Pronunciation Guide: Doh-noh Koo-chee
2. Deep Dive: The “Otaku” Nuance
While the literal translation is simply “Which mouth?” (Dono = Which, Kuchi = Mouth), in the anime and manga world, this is the ultimate call-out phrase.
It is almost always used as a retort when someone is being a massive hypocrite. Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of “The pot calling the kettle black,” but way more aggressive.
In anime, you won’t hear this used as a genuine question about anatomy. It is a rhetorical slap in the face. The nuance here is, “Considering what you have done or who you are, your mouth has absolutely no right to speak those words.” It carries a vibe of disbelief, anger, or sharp comedy depending on the scene.
Key Point: This is often the catchphrase of the Tsukkomi (the straight man) in a comedy duo, reacting to the Boke (the funny/stupid one) saying something totally ironic.
3. Typical Situations in Anime
1. The “Hypocritical Villain” Shut-down
- Scenario: A villain stands over a burning city they just destroyed and starts lecturing the hero about “justice” or “peace.”
- The Line: The beaten-down hero looks up and growls, “Dono kuchi ga iu…!” (You have some nerve saying that!) before powering up for a counterattack.
2. The Comedic Friendly Fire
- Scenario: A notoriously lazy character (like Gintoki from Gintama) lectures a younger character about the importance of hard work and waking up early.
- The Line: The rest of the cast immediately screams in unison: “Dono kuchi ga iu kaaa!!” (Look who’s talking!!) usually followed by a paper fan smack to the head.
3. The Toxic Relationship / Rivalry
- Scenario: Character A cheats or makes a mistake, but then gets angry at Character B for a minor infraction.
- The Line: Character B snaps, using the phrase to point out that Character A has “shelved their own issues” (tana ni ageru) and has no ground to stand on.
4. Real Life vs. Anime (Can I use this?)
- Safety Rating: Rude / Risky
Do NOT use this with your teacher, boss, or strangers.
This phrase attacks the other person’s character and integrity. If you say “Dono kuchi ga iu?” to your boss who is lecturing you, you might get fired. It implies you think they are a hypocrite and you don’t respect their authority.
When is it okay?
You can use it with very close friends or family members during banter, similar to how you’d say “Oh, shut up, look who’s talking!” in English. However, even then, it can start a real argument if the other person is sensitive. Proceed with caution, Kohai!
5. Related Terms
- Omae ga iu na (お前が言うな): “You’re one to talk!” / “Don’t you say that.” (Almost identical in usage, often used alongside Dono kuchi).
- Tana ni ageru (棚に上げる): Literal: “To put up on the shelf.” Meaning: To ignore one’s own faults while criticizing others.
- Gengo doudan (言語道断): Outrageous / Absurd / Unspeakable. (The feeling you get when someone triggers a Dono kuchi moment).
- Tsukkomi (ツッコミ): The act of pointing out something ridiculous; Dono kuchi is a classic Tsukkomi phrase.
Summary
Dono kuchi is the sharp, aggressive way anime characters scream “Look who’s talking!” when facing pure audacity or hypocrisy.