33 Enjoyable Japanese Idioms + How To Use Them

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It’s a typical expertise for language learners to come across a phrase that doesn’t make sense at first look. English learners are sometimes confused after they hear issues like “spill the beans” and “the elephant within the room.” These phrases are examples of idioms the place the literal phrases imply one thing totally completely different to native audio system.

Naturally, there are additionally idioms in Japanese. In the event you’re not ready, you’ll be able to simply grow to be perplexed. So, when you think about methods to study Japanese, you’ll wish to account for Japanese idioms. 

Understanding Japanese idioms vs. decoding kanji

Idioms in any language have meanings that aren’t instantly obvious, but they sometimes have logical explanations. This description additionally applies to kanji—Chinese language characters tailored into Japanese phrases.

Each particular person kanji and phrases comprised of kanji will be damaged down and analyzed. For instance, the kanji for “flower” (花) combines the symbols for “grass” (⺾) and “change” (化), as a result of flowers are vegetation that change after they bloom. The phrase for “passionate” (熱心) is a mixture of the kanji characters for “sizzling” (熱) and “coronary heart” (心).

Typically the traces blur between Japanese idioms and kanji symbolism. Regardless, studying to be versatile in your interpretations has a number of advantages on your Japanese studying! Let’s develop these abilities as we discover enjoyable Japanese idioms. 

Grammar ideas for Japanese idioms

Japanese idioms are sometimes full phrases on their very own, however some can naturally be woven into longer sentences. The Japanese grammar for a selected idiom will largely rely on which a part of speech it’s, whether or not it’s a verb, noun, adjective, and so forth. Proverbs and set phrases can’t simply be altered.

Try 10 actually widespread idioms with extra detailed explanations that will help you perceive their context. Then you’ll be able to overview a pair charts of Japanese idioms that may speed up your vocabulary!

1. Kūki o yomu (空気を読む)

Pronunciation: koo-kee oh yoh-moo

In the event you’ve encountered many native Japanese individuals, you’ll know that folks hardly ever share their emotions brazenly in Japanese tradition. That is demonstrated within the phrases honne (本音) and tatemae (建前). These two Japanese phrases which have deep meanings can respectively be regarded as one’s true emotions versus their public stance.

Since Japanese individuals talk not directly, it’s vital to discern implications. That is the place the expression kūki o yomu is available in. A precise translation can be “learn the air,” however it may be in comparison with the English idioms “learn the room” and “learn between the traces.”

The phrase kūki o yomu is so elementary it’s abbreviated as KY in Japanese slang. In the event you hear KY in Japanese dialog, it’s a warning so that you can pay extra consideration to Japanese social cues!

Kūki o yomu is a verb and follows commonplace conjugation guidelines. It’s sometimes utilized in informal speech.

• Futari wa majime na hanashi o shiteiru. Kūki o yonde, acchi ni ikanaide. (二人は真面目な話をしている。空気を読んで、あっちに行かないで) = These two are having a severe discuss. Learn the room and don’t go over there.
• Kare wa shitsukokute, kūki o yomanai hito. (かれはしつこくて、空気を読まない人。) = He’s too persistent and doesn’t learn between the traces.

2. Chōshi ni noru (調子に乗る)

Pronunciation: chohh-shee nee noh-roo

The definition of chōshi is essentially contextual. This idiom will be regarded as a “temper” or “state/situation.” Noru means “to journey.” In the event you’re “using the temper,” you’re getting carried away. Possibly you’re turning into conceited otherwise you’re so completely satisfied that you’ve got blinders on. 

This informal idiom is commonly invoked to warn somebody in opposition to “using the temper.”

• Konkai wa umaku itta ga, chōshi ni noru na. (今回は上手くいったが、調子に乗るな。) = It went effectively this time however don’t get carried away.
• Chōshi ni notte sumimasen. (調子に乗ってすみません。) = Sorry, I received carried away.

3. Hima tsubushi (暇潰し)

Pronunciation: hee-mah tsoo-boo-shee

This Japanese idiom parallels the English idiom about “killing time.” Hima is “free time” and tsubushi means “smashing” or “breaking.” Hima tsubushi is a noun and describes the exercise you do when you’ve gotten further time to kill. By including o suru, you’ll be able to change hima tsubushi right into a verb.

• Watashi ni totte hon o yomu no wa hima tsubushi desu. (私にとって本を読むのは暇潰しです。) = For me, studying books is a approach to kill time.
• Gēmu sentā de hima tsubushi o shimashou. (ゲームセンターで暇潰しをしましょう。) = Let’s kill time at an arcade.

4. Kōjin o hai suru (後塵を拝する)

Pronunciation: kohh-jeen oh hye soo-roo

This set phrase interprets to “worship the mud behind them.” Two English idioms have some overlapping meanings: “be left within the mud” and “worship the bottom they stroll on.” 

All of those idioms depict a big gulf between the 2 events. The Japanese idiom is often utilized to individuals in a superior-subordinate relationship at work, however the separation is also variations in capacity or class variations. This idiom can point out emotions of jealousy, however extra typically, it’s an expression of respect.  

Respecting hierarchy is emphasised in Japanese tradition, particularly Japanese work tradition. There are a lot of particular cultural tips when navigating Japanese work conditions, corresponding to appropriately utilizing Japanese honorifics. 

The phrase kōjin is never seen elsewhere in Japanese, however the character hai (拝) continuously comes up in Japanese honorific language or keigo. To study extra about keigo, this Japanese language information will be fairly useful!

5. Bara iro (バラ色)

Pronunciation: bah-rah ee-roh

Collectively, bara (rose) and iro (shade) recall to mind the English expression “rose-colored glasses,” however the Japanese model performs it straight. If in case you have a “rose-colored life,” you’ve gotten a genuinely good life. If in case you have a “rose-colored future,” you’re optimistic about your prospects.

As bara iro is a Japanese shade phrase, you employ it grammatically as most different shade phrases. In the event you put bara iro in entrance of a noun, you join the phrases with the particle no (の).

• Seito tachi ni wa bara iro no mirai ga matteimasu. (生徒達にはバラ色の未来が待っています。) = The scholars have a vivid future ready for them.

6. Akai ito de musubareru (赤い糸で結ばれる)

Pronunciation: ah-kye ee-toh deh moo-soo-bah-reh-roo

That is maybe essentially the most romantic Japanese idiom! It means “tied along with a pink string.” Japanese tradition depicts soulmates as linked by a pink string tied round their pinkies. Localizations typically translate this as “the pink string of destiny.” If somebody references the akai ito (pink string) when speaking about you and your vital different, they consider you’re a robust couple. 

As a result of subject material, this Japanese idiom is often for informal conversations between mates. It is usually often conjugated into steady type.

• Futari wa yōyaku kekkon suru! Akai ito de musubareteiru yo ne. (二人はようやく結婚する！赤い糸で結ばれているよね。) = They’re lastly getting married! They have been destined for one another, proper?

7. Hana yori dango (花より団子)

Pronunciation: hah-nah yoh-ree dahn-goh

Hana are flowers. Yori means “fairly than.” Dango are a Japanese avenue meals much like dumplings. Because the Japanese phrase order is flipped in comparison with English, collectively they imply “dango fairly than flowers.” The implication is you must prioritize issues which can be useful over belongings you recognize visually.

This Japanese idiom left its mark in popular culture! A romance manga sequence modified this expression right into a pun for its title. Whereas dango sometimes refers back to the meals, dan can be a studying of the kanji for “boy” (男). The interpretation “boys over flowers” turned the English title. The manga was already well-liked, however the franchise exploded in recognition when it was tailored into live-action dramas—each a Japanese model and a South Korean model.

8. Chōran no ki (重卵之危)

Pronunciation: chohh-rahn noh kee

The 4 kanji in chōran no ki collectively will be construed to imply “the hazard of stacking eggs.” It’s basically the Japanese idiom for “don’t put your eggs in a single basket.”

This idiom can be an instance of a particular type of Japanese phrase known as a yoji jukugo (四字熟語). A yoji jukugo is comprised of 4 kanji with out Japanese particles. Yoji jukugo are sometimes idioms, however not all the time. They’re seen as poetic and extra open to interpretation. 

Due to their esoteric nature, most yoji jukugo will not be utilized in every day dialog. Nonetheless, you’ll get insights into the Japanese mindset. Ichi-go ichi-e is a vital yoji jukugo which implies “one alternative, one encounter,” encouraging you to treasure distinctive moments.

9. Isseki nichō (一石二鳥)

Pronunciation: ee-seh-kee nee-chohh

Right here’s one other instance of a yoji jukugo. This one is derived from the English idiom “kill two birds with one stone” however extra succinctly phrases it as “one stone, two birds.” Whereas its origins are present in one other language, it has grow to be a typical Japanese idiom. 

• Sou sureba, isseki nichō desu ne! (そうすれば、一石二鳥ですね！) = If we try this, it’ll kill two birds with one stone!

10. Ichi ka bachi ka (一か八か)

Pronunciation: ee-chee kah bah-chee kah

This idiom additionally facilities on Japanese numbers. Ichi is “one” and bachi comes from hachi that means “eight.”

This phrase immediately translated is “possibly one, possibly eight.” Its precise origins are unclear, however the consensus is that the time period comes from playing. Throughout the Edo interval (1603-1868) there was an alternate phrase “possibly one, possibly six” (ichi ka roku ka, 一か六か) primarily based on rolling cube, which helps contextualize this Japanese idiom.

Ichi ka bachi ka expresses that you simply don’t understand how issues will prove, however you’ll danger it. It’s generally in comparison with “it’s all or nothing” in English.

• Sēkō ka dou ka wakaranai ga, ichi ka bachi ka yatte miru. (成功かどうか分からないが、一か八かやってみる。) = I don’t know whether or not I’ll succeed, however I’m going to take an opportunity.