Some common Japanese idioms
Hello everyone, in this post, Learn Japanese online will introduce to you the lesson : Some common Japanese idioms.
Contents
1. Japanese idiom 船を漕ぐ
How to read : fune o kogu (to row a boat)
Japanese meaning : 居眠りをすること
It means to have a nap or to doze off for a while in a certain event. This idiom often indicates ridicule 😀
Example : 結婚式(けっこんしき)の最中(さいちゅう)におじいちゃんが船(ふね)を漕い(こい)でいた
Meaning : During my wedding, my grandfather dozed off.
2. Japanese idiom 一石を投じる
How to read: isseki o toujiru
Japanese meaning : 問題を投げかけ議論を呼び起こすこと
It means that an incident has created a stir, raised a question.
Example : 彼(かれ)の論文(ろんぶん)が、経済界(けいざいかい)に一石(いっせき)を投じ(とうじ)た
Meaning : His essay has caused a controversy regarding the world economy.
3. Japanese idiom 油を売る
How to read: abura o uru
Japanese meaning : 無駄話をして仕事などを怠けること
It refers to the laziness, not working but gossiping and wasting time.
Example : いつまで油(あぶら)を売っ(うっ)てるんだい！
Meaning : How long are you going to gossip? Back to work!
4. Japanese idiom 鶴の一声
How to read : tsuru no hitokoe
Japanese meaning : 有力者や権威者のひと言
It refers to the words of a powerful or influential person.
Example : 社長(しゃちょう)の鶴(つる)の一声(ひとこえ)で、決行(けっこう)が決まっ(きまっ)た
Meaning : Because those were the manager’s words, I am determined to do it.
5. Japanese idiom 折り紙付き
How to read: origami tsuki
Japanese meaning : 間違いないと保証できること
It refers to things that can be guaranteed with certainty.
Example : 彼(かれ)の才能(さいのう)は折り紙付き(おりがみつき)だ
Meaning : His talent is unquestionable.
6. Japanese idiom 諸刃の剣
How to read: moroha no tsurugi
Japanese meaning : 非常に役に立つ反面、多大な危険性をも併せもつこと
It refers to duality of things, people. Along with good things are dangerous things.
Example : この薬(くすり)は効果(こうか)が高い(たかい)が、諸刃(もろは)の剣(けん)でもある
Meaning : The effect of this medicine is very strong but it is also a double-edged sword (The side effects of this medicine is also strong).
7. Japanese idiom 飼い犬に手を噛まれる
Meaning :
– Literal meaning : My hand is bitten by my dog. 飼い kai : to keep (a pet or other animal). 犬 inu : dog. 手 te : hand. 噛まれる kamareru : to be bitten
– Figurative meaning :
普段から面倒をみたり、かわいがっていた者から、思いがけずに裏切られたり、害を加えられること
Being betrayed or harmed unexpectedly by someone who we love and take care of everyday.
Similar sentence :
飼い犬に手を食われる（かいいぬにてをくわれる）: My hand is eaten by my dog
Example :
若いときから手伝った彼が、まさか我が社を乗っ取ろうとするとは。まったく、飼い犬に手を噛まれるとはこのことだ。
He whom we have helped since he was young takes over our company unexpectedly. This is like our hands are bitten by our dog.
Above is : Some common Japanese idioms. Learn other Japanese idioms at category : Japanese idioms
Stay with us on :
Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Reddit
