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.
Here are some frequently used Japanese idioms and proverbs along with their meanings and usage:
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.”
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.”
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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.”
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!”
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!”
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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.”
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.”
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.”
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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.”
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!)
Translation: Not knowing is Buddha.
Meaning: Ignorance is bliss.
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Translation: A frog in a well knows nothing of the sea.
Meaning: Limited perspective.
Translation: After rain, the ground hardens.
Meaning: Adversity strengthens relationships or situations.
Translation: He who chases two rabbits catches neither.
Meaning: Don't try to do too much at once.
Translation: Time is money.
Meaning: Value your time.
Translation: Three-day monk.
Meaning: Someone who gives up easily.
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Translation: A bird leaving does not muddy the water.
Meaning: Leave gracefully.
Translation: Cause and effect.
Meaning: You reap what you sow.
Translation: Good fortune and happiness will come to the home of those who smile.
Translation: A bee to a crying face.
Meaning: Misfortunes never come singly.
Translation: Preaching to Buddha.
Meaning: Teaching something to an expert.
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Translation: Giving a metal club to an ogre.
Meaning: Making someone already strong even stronger.
Translation: Go along with the strong.
Meaning: Don't fight against power.
Translation: Gold coins to a cat.
Meaning: Wasting something valuable on those who can't appreciate it.
Translation: A strong person under the floorboards.
Meaning: Someone who supports quietly from behind the scenes.
Translation: A rice cake falls from the shelf.
Meaning: Unexpected good luck.
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Translation: If it happens twice, it will happen a third time.
Translation: Eight-tenths full stomach.
Meaning: Moderation is key.
Translation: Bitten by the dog you feed.
Meaning: Betrayed by someone you trust.
Translation: When in a village, follow the village.
Meaning: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
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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.
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.
Many Japanese books, anime, movies, and dramas contain idioms and proverbs. Recognizing them will improve your listening and reading skills.
Idioms often contain advanced kanji and unique word combinations, helping you expand your Japanese vocabulary in a meaningful way.
Japanese idioms and proverbs make conversations more engaging. Instead of lengthy explanations, you can use a single phrase to convey deep meaning efficiently.
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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.
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Yes! Many idioms are part of everyday speech, business discussions, and even appear in anime, manga, and literature.
Not necessarily. While idioms enhance fluency, basic grammar and vocabulary are more important. However, learning common idioms can boost your conversational skills.
Some can be tricky due to their kanji and unique meanings. But with practice, context, and repetition, they become easier to understand and remember.
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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.
