30 Common Japanese Idioms and Proverbs: Meaning & Their Usage
Japanese idioms (慣用句, kanyouku) and proverbs (ことわざ, kotowaza) are a fascinating part of the language, offering deep insight into Japan’s culture, traditions, and way of thinking. They appear frequently in everyday conversations, literature, business settings, and even pop culture, making them essential for learners who want to speak Japanese more naturally.
In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of learning idioms and proverbs, their meanings, and practical ways to incorporate them into your language studies.
30 Common Japanese Idioms and Their Meanings
Here are some frequently used Japanese idioms and proverbs along with their meanings and usage:
1. 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru)
Translation: Even monkeys fall from trees.
Meaning: Even experts make mistakes.
📌 Example:
「彼はプロのピアニストなのに間違えたね。まあ、猿も木から落ちるよ。」
"Kare wa puro no pianisuto nanoni machigaeta ne. Maa, saru mo ki kara ochiru yo."
2. 一石二鳥 (Isseki nichou)
Translation: One stone, two birds.
Meaning: Killing two birds with one stone.
📌 Example:
「通勤中にポッドキャストを聞くと、日本語の勉強もできて一石二鳥だよ。」
"Tsūkinchū ni poddokyasuto o kiku to, nihongo no benkyō mo dekite isseki nichō da yo."
If you're new to manga, be sure to check out our step-by-step guide on how to read Japanese manga to make your learning journey even smoother.
3. 口は災いの元 (Kuchi wa wazawai no moto)
Translation: The mouth is the source of disaster.
Meaning: Words can cause trouble; be careful what you say.
📌 Example:
「上司の悪口を言わないほうがいいよ。口は災いの元だから。」
"Jōshi no waruguchi o iwanai hō ga ii yo. Kuchi wa wazawai no moto dakara."
4. 七転び八起き (Nanakorobi yaoki)
Translation: Fall seven times, get up eight.
Meaning: Persevere no matter how many times you fail.
📌 Example:
「JLPTの試験に落ちても、また挑戦しよう！七転び八起きだよ！」
“JLPT no shiken ni ochite mo, mata chōsen shiyou! Nanakorobi yaoki da yo!”
5. 灯台下暗し (Tōdai moto kurashi)
Translation: It's dark under the lighthouse.
Meaning: You often miss what's right under your nose.
📌 Example:
「なくした鍵は結局ポケットにあったよ！灯台下暗しだね。」
“Nakushita kagi wa kekkyoku poketto ni atta yo! Tōdai moto kurashi da ne!”
As you read manga, you’ll notice many ways characters express gratitude. Learn the most common ones in our guide on how to say thank you in Japanese.
6. 花より団子 (Hana yori dango)
Translation: Dumplings over flowers.
Meaning: Practical needs are more important than aesthetics.
📌 Example:
「お花見に行ったけど、結局花より団子だった。」
“Ohana-mi ni itta kedo, kekkyoku hana yori dango datta.”
7. 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen)
Translation: Three years on a stone.
Meaning: Perseverance prevails; patience is key.
📌 Example:
「新しい仕事は大変だけど、石の上にも三年だよ。」
“Atarashii shigoto wa taihen dakedo, ishi no ue ni mo sannen da yo.”
8. 馬の耳に念仏 (Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu)
Translation: Buddhist prayers into a horse’s ear.
Meaning: Giving advice to someone who won’t listen.
📌 Example:
「彼に注意しても無駄だよ。馬の耳に念仏さ。」
“Kare ni chūi shitemo muda da yo. Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu sa.”
To fully capture the emotions and nuances while reading manga aloud, make sure to follow our Japanese pronunciation guide for correct sounds and intonation.
9. 見ぬが花 (Minu ga hana)
Translation: Not seeing is a flower.
Meaning: Imagination is better than reality.
📌 Example:
「期待しすぎるとがっかりするから、見ぬが花だよ。」
“Kitai shisugiru to gakkari suru kara, minu ga hana da yo.”
10. 虎の威を借る狐 (Tora no i o karu kitsune)
Translation: A fox borrowing the authority of a tiger.
Meaning: Someone who uses another’s power to look strong.
📌 Example:
「あの人は上司の権力を利用してるだけ。虎の威を借る狐だよ。」
“Ano hito wa jōshi no kenryoku o riyō shiteru dake. Tora no i o karu kitsune da yo.”
(Let’s keep going!)
11. 知らぬが仏 (Shiranu ga hotoke)
Translation: Not knowing is Buddha.
Meaning: Ignorance is bliss.
Before diving deep into manga, it’s helpful to start with basic Japanese words for beginners to build your foundation for reading and understanding.
12. 井の中の蛙大海を知らず (I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu)
Translation: A frog in a well knows nothing of the sea.
Meaning: Limited perspective.
13. 雨降って地固まる (Ame futte ji katamaru)
Translation: After rain, the ground hardens.
Meaning: Adversity strengthens relationships or situations.
14. 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず (Nito o ou mono wa itto o mo ezu)
Translation: He who chases two rabbits catches neither.
Meaning: Don't try to do too much at once.
15. 時は金なり (Toki wa kane nari)
Translation: Time is money.
Meaning: Value your time.
To complement your manga reading practice, incorporating listening exercises for Japanese learners can help you improve comprehension and pronunciation.
16. 三日坊主 (Mikka bōzu)
Translation: Three-day monk.
Meaning: Someone who gives up easily.
17. 立つ鳥跡を濁さず (Tatsu tori ato o nigosazu)
Translation: A bird leaving does not muddy the water.
Meaning: Leave gracefully.
18. 因果応報 (Inga ōhō)
Translation: Cause and effect.
Meaning: You reap what you sow.
19. 笑う門には福来たる (Warau kado ni wa fuku kitaru)
Translation: Good fortune and happiness will come to the home of those who smile.
20. 泣きっ面に蜂 (Nakittsura ni hachi)
Translation: A bee to a crying face.
Meaning: Misfortunes never come singly.
21. 釈迦に説法 (Shaka ni seppō)
Translation: Preaching to Buddha.
Meaning: Teaching something to an expert.
To truly speak Japanese fluently, combining manga reading with speaking practice is essential. Learn effective techniques in our guide on how to speak Japanese fluently.
22. 鬼に金棒 (Oni ni kanabō)
Translation: Giving a metal club to an ogre.
Meaning: Making someone already strong even stronger.
23. 長い物には巻かれろ (Nagai mono ni wa makarero)
Translation: Go along with the strong.
Meaning: Don't fight against power.
24. 猫に小判 (Neko ni koban)
Translation: Gold coins to a cat.
Meaning: Wasting something valuable on those who can't appreciate it.
25. 縁の下の力持ち (En no shita no chikaramochi)
Translation: A strong person under the floorboards.
Meaning: Someone who supports quietly from behind the scenes.
26. 棚からぼた餅 (Tana kara botamochi)
Translation: A rice cake falls from the shelf.
Meaning: Unexpected good luck.
27. 二度あることは三度ある (Nido aru koto wa sando aru)
Translation: If it happens twice, it will happen a third time.
Reading manga out loud is a great way to practice your pronunciation, but to truly master it, you should also focus on developing a natural Japanese accent.
28. 腹八分目 (Hara hachibunme)
Translation: Eight-tenths full stomach.
Meaning: Moderation is key.
29. 飼い犬に手を噛まれる (Kai inu ni te o kamareru)
Translation: Bitten by the dog you feed.
Meaning: Betrayed by someone you trust.
30. 郷に入っては郷に従え (Gō ni itte wa gō ni shitagae)
Translation: When in a village, follow the village.
Meaning: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Understanding Japanese Idioms and Proverbs
Why Learn Japanese Idioms and Proverbs?
1. Cultural Insight
Proverbs reflect the core values, traditions, and philosophies of Japanese society. By learning them, you gain a deeper understanding of how Japanese people think and communicate.
2. More Natural Conversations
Using idioms correctly makes you sound more fluent and native-like. They add color to speech and help you express thoughts in a nuanced way.
3. Better Comprehension
Many Japanese books, anime, movies, and dramas contain idioms and proverbs. Recognizing them will improve your listening and reading skills.
4. Increased Vocabulary
Idioms often contain advanced kanji and unique word combinations, helping you expand your Japanese vocabulary in a meaningful way.
5. Expressive Speech
Japanese idioms and proverbs make conversations more engaging. Instead of lengthy explanations, you can use a single phrase to convey deep meaning efficiently.
How to Use Japanese Proverbs in Conversation
To make the most of Japanese idioms and proverbs, practice using them in real-life situations:
✅ 1. Listen to Native Speakers
Pay attention to how idioms are used in anime, dramas, and conversations. This helps you understand their natural context.
✅ 2. Use Them in Daily Conversations
Try incorporating idioms into your speech when chatting with Japanese speakers or language partners.
✅ 3. Practice Writing Sentences
Write short sentences or journal entries using idioms to reinforce your understanding.
✅ 4. Memorize with Flashcards
Use apps like Anki or create paper flashcards to review idioms regularly.
✅ 5. Read Books and Articles with Idioms
Books and online resources often include idioms in context, making them easier to remember.
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Japanese idioms and proverbs commonly used in daily conversations?
Yes! Many idioms are part of everyday speech, business discussions, and even appear in anime, manga, and literature.
2. Do I need to memorize a lot of idioms to speak fluent Japanese?
Not necessarily. While idioms enhance fluency, basic grammar and vocabulary are more important. However, learning common idioms can boost your conversational skills.
3. Are Japanese idioms difficult to learn?
Some can be tricky due to their kanji and unique meanings. But with practice, context, and repetition, they become easier to understand and remember.
4. How can I practice using Japanese proverbs?
- Try writing daily sentences using idioms.
- Use them in conversations with Japanese speakers.
- Listen for them in movies, anime, and TV shows.
5. What are some good resources for learning Japanese idioms?
- Books: “Japanese Proverbs: Wit and Wisdom”
- Websites: JLPT study sites, Japanese language forums
- Apps: WaniKani, Anki, Tofugu
Mastering Japanese idioms and proverbs will enhance your language skills, make your speech more expressive, and help you understand cultural nuances. Whether you're studying for the JLPT, improving daily conversation, or just enjoying Japanese content, incorporating idioms into your learning routine will deepen your appreciation of the language.
