Common Japanese Idioms and Their Meanings

Did you know that some Japanese idioms make no sense when translated literally? Yet, they hold deep cultural wisdom and are commonly used in everyday conversations. Whether you’re preparing for the JLPT or just want to sound more natural in Japanese, mastering these idioms will significantly enhance your fluency. Let’s dive into some of the most useful Japanese idioms and their meanings!

Common Japanese Idioms

Japanese Idioms vs. Proverbs

Idioms and proverbs are often confused, but they serve different purposes:

Idioms (慣用句 - Kan'yōku)

Idioms are set expressions used figuratively to describe situations or emotions. Their meaning often cannot be understood by translating each word literally.

Example: 馬の耳に念仏 (うまのみみにねんぶつ)
Literal Meaning: "A Buddhist prayer in a horse’s ear"
Actual Meaning: Advice that falls on deaf ears.

Proverbs (ことわざ - Kotowaza)

Proverbs are full sentences that offer wisdom or advice based on experience.

Example: 七転び八起き (ななころびやおき)
Literal Meaning: "Fall seven times, get up eight"
Actual Meaning: Perseverance leads to success.

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50 Common Japanese Idioms and Their Meanings

Here are some widely used Japanese idioms that will help you sound more natural in conversations:

1.顔が広い (かおがひろい - Kao ga hiroi) – Well-connected; knows many people.

2.手を抜く (てをぬく - Te o nuku) – Cut corners; do something half-heartedly.

3.舌を巻く (したをまく - Shita o maku) – Be amazed or impressed.

4.腹が立つ (はらがたつ - Hara ga tatsu) – Get angry.

5.水に流す (みずにながす - Mizu ni nagasu) – Let bygones be bygones.

6.猫をかぶる (ねこをかぶる - Neko o kaburu) – Hide one's true self; act innocent.

7.猿も木から落ちる (さるもきからおちる - Saru mo ki kara ochiru) – Even experts make mistakes.

8.石の上にも三年 (いしのうえにもさんねん - Ishi no ue ni mo sannen) – Perseverance leads to success.

9.馬が合う (うまがあう - Uma ga au) – Get along well with someone.

10.腹を決める (はらをきめる - Hara o kimeru) – Make a firm decision.

11.鬼に金棒 (おににかなぼう - Oni ni kanabō) – Strengthen an already strong person.

12.塵も積もれば山となる (ちりもつもればやまとなる - Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru) – Small efforts add up to big results.

13.竹を割ったよう (たけをわったよう - Take o watta yō) – Honest and straightforward personality.

14.鶴の一声 (つるのひとこえ - Tsuru no hitokoe) – The voice of authority.

15.二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず (にとをおうものはいっとをもえず - Nito o ou mono wa itto o mo ezu) – Chase two rabbits, catch none.

16.釘を刺す (くぎをさす - Kugi o sasu) – Give a firm warning.

17.油を売る (あぶらをうる - Abura o uru) – Waste time idly.

18.目がない (めがない - Me ga nai) – Have a strong liking for something.

19.風の便り (かぜのたより - Kaze no tayori) – Hear news through the grapevine.

20.猫に小判 (ねこにこばん - Neko ni koban) – Give something valuable to someone who can't appreciate it.

21.花より団子 (はなよりだんご - Hana yori dango) – Practicality over aesthetics.

22.背に腹はかえられぬ (せにはらはかえられぬ - Se ni hara wa kaerare nu) – Desperate times call for desperate measures.

23.骨を折る (ほねをおる - Hone o oru) – Work hard.

24.一石二鳥 (いっせきにちょう - Isseki nichō) – Kill two birds with one stone.

25.尻に火がつく (しりにひがつく - Shiri ni hi ga tsuku) – Be in a last-minute rush.

26.足を引っ張る (あしをひっぱる - Ashi o hipparu) – Hold someone back.

27.歯が立たない (はがたたない - Ha ga tatanai) – Something is too difficult to handle.

28.首を長くする (くびをながくする - Kubi o nagaku suru) – Wait eagerly.

29.耳が痛い (みみがいたい - Mimi ga itai) – Be painfully aware of a fault.

30.泡を食う (あわをくう - Awa o kuu) – Be taken by surprise.

31.胸を打つ (むねをうつ - Mune o utsu) – Be deeply moved.

32.手を焼く (てをやく - Te o yaku) – Struggle with handling something.

33.鼻が高い (はながたかい - Hana ga takai) – Feel proud.

34.腹が黒い (はらがくろい - Hara ga kuroi) – Be cunning or deceitful.

35.肩を持つ (かたをもつ - Kata o motsu) – Take someone's side.

36.のどから手が出る (のどからてがでる - Nodo kara te ga deru) – Want something badly.

37.目をつぶる (めをつぶる - Me o tsuburu) – Turn a blind eye.

38.心が広い (こころがひろい - Kokoro ga hiroi) – Be generous and open-minded.

39.目が飛び出る (めがとびでる - Me ga tobidderu) – Be shocked by high prices.

40.舌を出す (したをだす - Shita o dasu) – Stick out one’s tongue in a teasing manner.

41.頭にくる (あたまにくる - Atama ni kuru) – Get extremely angry.

42.目の中に入れても痛くない (めのなかにいれてもいたくない - Me no naka ni irete mo itakunai) – Love someone dearly.

43.手を貸す (てをかす - Te o kasu) – Lend a hand.

44.お茶を濁す (おちゃをにごす - Ocha o nigosu) – Give an evasive answer.

45.頭をひねる (あたまをひねる - Atama o hineru) – Think hard about something.

46.身に染みる (みにしみる - Mi ni shimiru) – Deeply touch one's heart.

47.頭が固い (あたまがかたい - Atama ga katai) – Be stubborn.

48.手を広げる (てをひろげる - Te o hirogeru) – Expand one’s interests.

49.目を光らせる (めをひからせる - Me o hikaraseru) – Keep a watchful eye.

50.口を出す (くちをだす - Kuchi o dasu) – Interfere in a conversation.

Read More-:  How to learn Japanese

How to Learn and Use Japanese Idioms Effectively

Learning and using idioms effectively requires practice and exposure. Here are some of the best strategies:

✅ Use Flashcards

Create flashcards with the idiom on one side and its meaning and example sentence on the other. This method helps with memorization and recall. You can use physical flashcards or apps like Anki or Quizlet for a digital approach.

✅ Watch Japanese TV Shows and Anime

Japanese media is filled with idioms, making it a fun and natural way to learn them. Pay attention to dialogue in dramas, anime, and variety shows. If you hear an unfamiliar idiom, note it down, look up its meaning, and try using it yourself.

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✅ Practice Writing and Speaking

Incorporate idioms into your daily writing or conversations. Whether you’re journaling in Japanese or chatting with a language partner, using idioms in context will help solidify your understanding and improve fluency.

✅ Shadow Native Speakers

Shadowing is a technique where you repeat what a native speaker says in real-time. Try listening to Japanese podcasts, news, or YouTube videos and repeat idiomatic expressions out loud. This helps with pronunciation and natural usage.

✅ Group Idioms by Theme

Instead of memorizing idioms randomly, categorize them by theme (e.g., emotions, work, daily life). This approach makes learning more systematic and easier to recall when needed.

By incorporating these strategies into your study routine, you'll not only remember Japanese idioms but also use them naturally in conversation. Happy learning!

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FAQs About Japanese Idioms

1. How often are idioms used in daily Japanese conversation?

Idioms are used frequently in both casual and formal settings. Some are more common in spoken language, while others are mainly found in writing.

2. Can I use idioms in business situations?

Yes, but it depends on the idiom. Some idioms may sound too casual or informal, so it’s best to learn which ones are appropriate for professional settings.

3. How can I recognize idioms when reading or listening to Japanese?

Look for phrases that don’t make literal sense. If a sentence seems unusual when translated word-for-word, it’s likely an idiom.

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4. Are there idioms that are difficult for learners to understand?

Yes, especially those with cultural or historical origins. Learning their background can make them easier to remember and use correctly.

5. Are idioms tested on the JLPT?

Yes, especially in JLPT N2 and N1 levels. Many idioms appear in reading and listening sections, making them important to study if you’re aiming for these levels.

By understanding and practicing these idioms, you'll be able to enhance your Japanese fluency and cultural awareness. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be using them naturally in your conversations!