Language/Japanese/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions

Japanese Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions

Hi Japanese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about idiomatic expressions in Japanese. Idioms are phrases with figurative meanings that cannot be directly translated to another language without losing their intended meaning. Learning idiomatic expressions is important in understanding the nuances and subtleties of Japanese language and culture.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Vehicles & Fishies.

Idiomatic Expressions

Japanese idiomatic expressions often reflect traditional Japanese practices, beliefs, and cultural values. Here are some common idioms that you can add to your Japanese vocabulary:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
一石二鳥	"isseki ni chou"	"Kill two birds with one stone"
猫の額	"neko no hitai"	"A space no bigger than a cat's forehead"
顔から火が出る	"kao kara hi ga deru"	"To be extremely embarrassed"
手が出せない	"te ga dasenai"	"Out of reach"
目から鼻へ抜ける	"me kara hana e nukeru"	"To go in one ear and out the other"

Here's an example dialogue to help you learn how to use idiomatic expressions:

• Person 1: 昨日、ラジオと掃除を同時にやることができました。 (Kino, rajio to souji wo douji ni yaru koto ga dekimashita.) (Yesterday, I was able to listen to the radio and clean at the same time.)
• Person 2: 一石二鳥ですね！(Isseki ni chou desu ne!) (Kill two birds with one stone, huh!)

Culture Corner

Did you know that the Japanese flag is officially called "Nisshōki" ("sun-mark flag" in English) and represents the rising sun? The flag has been used as a symbol of Japan for centuries, and it is still the official symbol of the country today.

Another interesting cultural fact is that Japanese people use chopsticks, or "hashi", to eat. Not only are chopsticks a practical tool for eating, but they are also intertwined with Japanese culture and values. For example, it is considered rude to directly pass food between chopsticks, as this resembles a funeral ritual, where the bones of the deceased are passed from person to person using chopsticks. Instead, plates should be used to transfer food between people.

Conclusion

Idiomatic expressions are an important part of any language, and can provide insight into a culture's history, values, and traditions. Studying and using these expressions can help you become a more fluent and well-rounded speaker of Japanese. To further improve your Japanese vocabulary, you can use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Basic Food and Drink Terminology & Nature.

Other Lessons

• House
• Mountain
• Transport
• Feelings and Emotions
• Fruits
• How to say Good Bye?
• Vehicles
• Count from 1 to 10
• Weather
• Places

Sources

• Ultimate Guide to Japanese Idioms - Japan Switch
• 69 Wonderful Japanese Idioms That Will Brighten Your Day - The ...
• 44 Genius Japanese Idioms and Proverbs That All Learners Should ...