{"id":5153,"date":"2016-11-28T15:33:36","date_gmt":"2016-11-28T15:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/?p=5153"},"modified":"2018-07-24T13:28:35","modified_gmt":"2018-07-24T13:28:35","slug":"30-useful-idiomatic-phrases-in-japanese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/30-useful-idiomatic-phrases-in-japanese\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Useful Idiomatic Phrases in Japanese"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Japanese, idiomatic phrases are called \u2018\u6163\u7528\u8a9e\u2019 or <\/span>kanyougo<\/span><\/i>. They are often used by native speakers during conversations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Idioms add flavor to a language. They are simple phrases or expressions which might not make sense literally, but have \u2018figurative meanings\u2019. It is difficult to grasp the nuance of an idiomatic expression unless you are sure about its meaning. <\/span><\/p>\n

Today we are going to learn 30 useful Japanese idiomatic phrases or \u6163\u7528\u8a9e <\/span>kanyougo, <\/span><\/i>which are associated with parts of the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8db3 Ashi <\/i>or Legs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u8db3\u304c\u68d2\u306b\u306a\u308b Ashi ga bou ni naru <\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Legs becoming sticks<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – Legs becoming stiff due to tiredness<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306f\u3001\u8db3\u304c\u68d2\u306b\u306a\u308b\u307e\u3067\u8d70\u308a\u7d9a\u3051\u305f\u3002<\/span>Kare wa, ashi ga b\u014d ni naru made hashiri tsudzuketa. —-> He kept running till his legs got stiff.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8db3\u304c\u51fa\u308b Ashi ga deru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Legs sticking out<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To go beyond the budget<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u65c5\u884c\u3067\u306f\u4e88\u7b97\u3088\u308a\u8db3\u304c\u51fa\u3066\u305f\u3002<\/span>Ryok\u014d de wa yosan yori ashi ga deta. —-> We spent more than our budget, during the vacation.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8db3\u304c\u5f15\u3063\u5f35\u308b Ashi wo hipparu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To drag someone\u2019s leg<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To drag someone down<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u304c\u30c1\u30fc\u30e0\u306e\u8db3\u3092\u5f15\u3063\u5f35\u308b\u3002<\/span>Kare ga ch\u012bmu no ashi wo hipparu. —-> He drags the whole team down.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u982d Atama or Head<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u982d\u304c\u53e4\u3044 Atama ga furui<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Head is old<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – Old fashioned<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u59c9\u306f\u982d\u304c\u53e4\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span>Ane wa atama ga furui desu. —-> My elder sister is old fashioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u982d\u304c\u4f4e\u3044 Atama ga hikui<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Head is short<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be humble<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5409\u7530\u3055\u3093\u306f\u8ab2\u9577\u306b\u306a\u3063\u3066\u3082\u982d\u304c\u4f4e\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span>Yoshida-san wa kach\u014d ni natte mo atama ga hikui desu. —-> Even though Miss Yoshida has become the manager, she is still humble.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u982d\u304c\u56fa\u3044 Atama ga kataii<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Head is hard<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – \u00a0To be inflexible<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u304a\u7236\u3055\u3093\u306f\u982d\u304c\u56fa\u304f\u3066\u3044\u3064\u3082\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u601d\u3044\u901a\u308a\u306b\u3059\u308b\u3002<\/span>Ot\u014dsan wa atama ga katakute itsumo jibun no omoid\u014dri ni suru. —-> My father is inflexible and always does things his own way.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u982d\u306b\u6765\u308b Atama ni kuru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Come to head<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To get mad<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u7686\u306e\u524d\u3067\u30d0\u30ab\u306b\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3001\u982d\u306b\u6765\u305f\u3002<\/span>Minna no mae de baka ni sarete, atama ni kita. —-> I got mad at being slighted in front of everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u6b6f Ha<\/i> or Teeth<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u6b6f\u304c\u7acb\u305f\u306a\u3044 Ha ga tatanai<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Hard to chew<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be unable to handle a task<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u9577\u5200\u3067\u306f\u3001\u5f7c\u5973\u306b\u6b6f\u304c\u7acb\u3061\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/span>Naginata de wa, kanojo ni ha ga tachimasen. —-> I am no match for her in Naginata.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u9f3b Hana<\/i> or Nose<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u9f3b\u3067\u7b11\u3046 Hana de warau<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Laugh with one\u2019s nose<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To snigger<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u540c\u50da\u306f\u3001\u79c1\u306e\u8a00\u3044\u8a33\u3092\u9f3b\u3067\u7b11\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>D\u014dry\u014d wa, watashi no iiwake wo hana de waraimashita.—-> My colleague sniggered at my excuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u9f3b\u304c\u9ad8\u3044 Hana ga takai<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Nose is high<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be proud<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u3053\u3093\u306a\u7acb\u6d3e\u306a\u304a\u5b22\u3055\u3093\u304c\u3044\u3066\u3001\u9f3b\u304c\u9ad8\u3044\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/span>Konna rippana oj\u014dsan ga ite, hana ga takai deshou. —-> You must be proud to have such a wonderful daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u9f3b\u306e\u5148 Hana no saki<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Tip of the nose<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – \u00a0Very close <\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u5c45\u9152\u5c4b\u306f\u3001\u3059\u3050\u9f3b\u306e\u5148\u306b\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span>Izakaya wa, sugu hana no saki ni arimasu. —-> The pub is right next to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8179 Hara<\/i> or Stomach<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u8179\u304c\u7acb\u3064 Hara ga tatsu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – One\u2019s stomach stands up<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be angry<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306e\u7121\u793c\u306a\u614b\u5ea6\u306b\u8179\u304c\u7acb\u3061\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span>Kare no bureina taido ni hara ga tachimasu. —-> I am angry at his rudeness.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8179\u3092\u6c7a\u3081\u308b Hara wo kimeru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To decide one\u2019s stomach<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To make up one\u2019s mind<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u4f1a\u793e\u3092\u8f9e\u3081\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306b\u8179\u3092\u6c7a\u3081\u305f\u3002<\/span>Kaisha wo yameru koto ni hara wo kimeta.—-> I have decided to leave the company.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u5fc3 Kokoro <\/i>or Heart<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u5fc3\u306b\u523b\u3080 Kokoro ni Kizamu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To be engraved in one\u2019s heart<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – Not to be forgotten<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u79c1\u306f\u5148\u751f\u306e\u8a00\u8449\u3092\u5fc3\u306b\u523b\u3093\u3060\u3002<\/span>Watashi wa sensei no kotoba wo kokoro ni kizanda. —-> I etched my teacher\u2019s words in my heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u5fc3\u3092\u5165\u308c\u66ff\u3048\u308b Kokoro wo irekaeru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Replace one\u2019s heart<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To change one\u2019s habits<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5408\u683c\u3057\u305f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3089\u3001\u5fc3\u3092\u5165\u308c\u66ff\u3048\u3066\u771f\u9762\u76ee\u306b\u52c9\u5f37\u3057\u306a\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/span>G\u014dkaku shitakattara, kokoro wo irekaete majime ni benky\u014d shi nasai. —-> If you want to pass, you should change your habits and study seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u5fc3\u7d30\u3044 Kokorobosoi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Narrow heart<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To feel uneasy<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u4eba\u524d\u3067\u30b9\u30d4\u30fc\u30c1\u3092\u3059\u308b\u306e\u306f\u5fc3\u7d30\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span>Hitomae de sup\u012bchi wo suru no wa kokorobosoi desu. —-> I feel uneasy giving speech in public.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u9996 Kubi<\/i> or Neck<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u9996\u306b\u306a\u308b Kubi ni naru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To become a neck<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be fired<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u53cb\u9054\u306e\u304a\u7236\u3055\u3093\u306f\u9996\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>Tomodachi no ot\u014dsan wa kubi ni narimashita. —-> My friend\u2019s father was fired.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u9996\u306b\u3059\u308b Kubi ni suru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To neck<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To fire someone<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306f\u3055\u3093\u3056\u3093\u306a\u5931\u6557\u3092\u3057\u305f\u306e\u3067\u9996\u306b\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>Kare wa sanzanna shippai wo shita node kubi ni shimashita.—-> I fired him because he did a terrible mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u9996\u3092\u6a2a\u306b\u632f\u308b Kubi wo yoko ni furu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To turn one\u2019s neck<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To say no<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306f\u305d\u306e\u7533\u3057\u8fbc\u307f\u306b\u3001\u9996\u3092\u6a2a\u306b\u632f\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>Kare wa sono m\u014dshikomi ni, kubi wo yoko ni furimashita.—-> He said no to that offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u76ee Me <\/i>or Eyes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u76ee\u304c\u306a\u3044 Me ga nai <\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Having no eyes<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be extremely fond of something<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u5973\u306f\u7518\u3044\u7269\u306b\u76ee\u304c\u306a\u3044\u3002<\/span>Kanojo wa amai mono ni meganai. —-> She is extremely fond of sweets.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u76ee\u304c\u9ad8\u3044 Me ga takai <\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – eyes are high<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To have an eye for something<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306f\u6280\u8853\u306b\u5bfe\u3059\u308b\u76ee\u304c\u9ad8\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span>Kare wa gijutsu ni taisuru me ga takai desu. —-> He has an expert eye for technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u76ee\u306b\u6d6e\u304b\u3076 Me ni ukabu <\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To float in the eyes<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To flash in front of eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u305d\u306e\u97f3\u697d\u3092\u805e\u304f\u3068\u3001\u3075\u308b\u3055\u3068\u306e\u3053\u3068\u304c\u76ee\u306b\u6d6e\u304b\u3073\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span>Sono ongaku wo kiku to, furusato no koto ga me ni ukabimasu. —-> Whenever I hear that music, the image of my hometown flashes in front of my eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u76ee\u306e\u6bd2 Me no doku<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – poison for the eyes<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – Too much of a temptation<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u9ad8\u304f\u3066\u8cb7\u3048\u306a\u3044\u3082\u306e\u306f\u76ee\u306e\u6bd2\u3060\u3002<\/span>Takakute kaenai mono wa me no dokuda. —-> Things that cannot be bought because they are expensive are too much of a temptation.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u767d\u3044\u76ee\u3067\u898b\u308b Shiroi me de miru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To look with white eyes<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – A scornful look<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306f\u6027\u683c\u304c\u60aa\u3044\u306e\u3067\u307f\u3093\u306a\u304c\u767d\u3044\u76ee\u3067\u898b\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span>Kare wa seikaku ga warui node minna ga shiroi me de mite imasu. —-> Because he has a bad personality, everyone looks at him scornfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8033 Mimi<\/i> or Ears<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u8033\u304c\u65e9\u3044 Mimi ga hayai<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Ears are fast<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – Someone who understands information faster than others<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306f\u65b0\u805e\u8a18\u8005\u3060\u3051\u3042\u3063\u3066\u8033\u304c\u65e9\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002kare wa <\/span>shinbun kisha dake atte mimi ga hayai desu ne. —-> Because he is a news reporter, information reaches him fast.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8033\u306b\u3059\u308b Mimi ni suru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To ear<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – to happen to hear<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u3000\u5f7c\u5973\u306f\u8ee2\u8077\u3059\u308b\u3068\u3044\u3046\u5642\u3092\u8033\u306b\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>Kanojo wa tenshoku suru to iu uwasa wo mimi ni shimashita.—-> I heard rumors that she will change her job.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u80f8 Mune<\/i> or Chest<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u80f8\u3092\u5f35\u3063\u3066 Mune wo hatte<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – Throw out one\u2019s chest<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>to act with confidence<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u3053\u308c\u306f\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u305b\u3044\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3089\u3001\u80f8\u3092\u5f35\u3063\u3066\u305d\u3046\u8a00\u3044\u306a\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/span>K<\/span>ore wa anata no sei de wa nakattara, mune wo hatte s\u014d ii nasai. —-> If this is not your fault, say so with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u80f8\u3092\u6253\u3064 Mune wo utsu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – \u00a0To hit one\u2019s chest<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To be deeply moved<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u5f7c\u306e\u512a\u3057\u3055\u304c\u80f8\u3092\u6253\u3063\u305f\u3002<\/span>Kare no yasashi-sa ga mune wo utta. —-> I was moved by his kindness.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u624b Te or Hands<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u624b\u306b\u5165\u308b Te ni hairu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. -To enter in the hands<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To obtain<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u826f\u3044\u4ed5\u4e8b\u3092\u624b\u306b\u5165\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>Yoi shigoto wo te ni iremashita. —-> I landed a good job.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8155 Ude or Arms<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u8155\u3092\u78e8\u304f Ude wo migaku<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lit. – To polish one\u2019s arms<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meaning – To polish one\u2019s skills<\/span><\/p>\n

Example:\u6599\u7406\u306e\u8155\u3092\u78e8\u304f\u305f\u3081\u306b\u6599\u7406\u672c\u3092\u8cb7\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/span>Ry\u014dri no ude wo migaku tame ni ry\u014drihon wo kaimashita. —-> To polish my cooking skills, I bought a cookbook.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Japanese, idiomatic phrases are called \u2018\u6163\u7528\u8a9e\u2019 or kanyougo. They are often used by native speakers during conversations. Idioms add flavor to a language. They are simple phrases or expressions which might not make sense literally, but have \u2018figurative meanings\u2019. It is difficult to grasp the nuance of an idiomatic expression unless you are sure…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5153","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-grammar"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5153"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5915,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5153\/revisions\/5915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}