Japanese idioms

Said at the end of a self-introduction, when you start working with somebody, and after asking for anything: it leaves the relationship, or the favour, in the other person’s hands.

English: no single equivalent — "nice to meet you", "I look forward to working with you" or "thanks in advance", depending on the moment

今日(きょう)からここで働(はたら)く林(はやし)です。どうぞよろしくお願(ねが)いします。I am Hayashi, and I start working here today. I look forward to working with you.

Literally something like "please (treat this) favourably": よろしく means "suitably, as you see fit". English has to choose one of three translations; Japanese uses the one phrase for all of them, and a self-introduction or a request that stops without it sounds cut off. Among friends it shrinks to よろしく.

Said just before you start eating or drinking — at a restaurant, at a friend’s table or alone at home — usually with the hands together.

English: no equivalent; something like saying grace, without the religion

全員(ぜんいん)そろいましたね。では、いただきます。Everyone is here. Right — let us eat.

From いただく, the humble verb for "to receive": literally "I (humbly) receive". It thanks everybody who brought the food to the table, the cook included, and is said even when nobody is listening. Its partner after the meal is ごちそうさまでした.

Said as you step into somebody else’s home, or into an office that is not yours; on the way out it becomes the past form.

English: no equivalent; roughly "sorry to intrude", or just "hello" at the door

お邪魔(じゃま)します。わあ、明(あか)るくて素敵(すてき)なお部屋(へや)ですね。Hello, sorry to intrude — oh, what a bright, lovely room.

邪魔(じゃま) is "a hindrance, something in the way", so the phrase says "I am about to get in your way". An invited guest says it too, and on leaving says お邪魔(じゃま)しました. It is not an apology, and nobody answers it as one.

Said when you enter a room where somebody is working, when you leave it, and when you end a phone call — wherever you are interrupting somebody.

English: excuse me; goodbye (on the phone)

失礼(しつれい)します。山本(やまもと)先生(せんせい)はいらっしゃいますか。Excuse me — is Professor Yamamoto in?

Literally "I am going to commit a rudeness". It is the knock on the door in words: at the door of an office or an interview room, on the way out (often as 失礼(しつれい)しました), and to end a call politely. English "excuse me" covers the first of these and none of the others.

Said to let somebody go first — through a door, into a lift, to the till.

English: after you; go ahead

私(わたし)はまだ決(き)めていないので、お先(さき)にどうぞ。I have not decided yet, so you go first.

Literally "ahead, please". One of the few that match English almost word for word. Mind the direction: when you are the one leaving first, the phrase is お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します (see the work section).

Said when you finally arrive or are finally ready and somebody has been waiting — and by a waiter as the food is put down.

English: sorry to keep you waiting; here you are

お待(ま)たせしました。コーヒーとケーキです。Here you are — a coffee and a cake.

Literally "I have made you wait": the humble pattern お〜する on 待(ま)たせる, the causative of 待(ま)つ. From a friend it is a small apology; in a restaurant it is not an apology at all, just how a dish arrives.

Said by a guest when the host starts fetching tea or snacks: please do not go to any trouble for me.

English: please do not go to any trouble

すぐに失礼(しつれい)しますので、どうぞお構(かま)いなく。I will not be staying long, so please do not go to any trouble.

From 構(かま)う, "to bother about, to look after": "without bothering (about me)". The host usually brings the tea anyway, and the guest is expected to accept it.

Said when handing over a gift, especially to somebody you are visiting.

English: no equivalent; roughly "just a little something"

つまらないものですが、どうぞ。駅前(えきまえ)のお店(みせ)のお菓子(かし)です。Just a little something for you — sweets from the shop by the station.

Literally "it is a boring thing, but…". A modesty formula, not a statement about the present. Many speakers now prefer ほんの気持(きも)ちですが, "it is only a small token", which makes the same gesture without running the gift down.

Said to somebody setting off — on a journey, home in the dark, out into the rain.

English: take care; safe journey

外(そと)はもう暗(くら)いですから、お気(き)をつけて。It is already dark outside, so take care.

Short for "please go carefully": 気(き)をつける is "to pay attention". It is a goodbye, not a warning, and needs no particular danger.

Said at the end of a conversation or a letter, asking the other person to greet somebody for you.

English: please give my regards to …

ご両親(りょうしん)にもよろしくお伝(つた)えください。Please give my regards to your parents too.

Literally "please pass it on favourably" — the よろしく of the first entry again, sent through somebody else. The person who is to be greeted takes に.

Said when parting from somebody you will not see for a long time.

English: all the best; take care of yourself

大阪(おおさか)に行(い)ってもお元気(げんき)で。またいつか会(あ)いましょう。All the best in Osaka. Let us meet again some day.

Literally "in good health". It is a farewell for a long separation; said to a colleague you will see tomorrow, it sounds as if one of you were emigrating.

Said when leaving a place or ending an arrangement where somebody looked after you — a host family, a job, a hospital ward.

English: thank you for everything

一年間(いちねんかん)、本当(ほんとう)にお世話(せわ)になりました。Thank you so much for everything this past year.

世話(せわ) is "care, looking after": literally "I have been in your care". The present form お世話(せわ)になっております opens almost every business e-mail, whether or not anybody has looked after anybody.

Said by a host at the front door, inviting a guest to take off their shoes and come in.

English: please come in

寒(さむ)かったでしょう。どうぞお上(あ)がりください。You must be cold. Please come in.

Literally "please step up": the entrance of a Japanese home is a step lower than the rooms, and the shoes stay on the lower level. 入(はい)ってください is understood, but this is what a host actually says.

Said to tell somebody to feel free — to ask, to take, to help themselves.

English: please feel free; help yourself

分(わ)からないことがあったら、ご遠慮(えんりょ)なく聞(き)いてください。If there is anything you do not understand, please feel free to ask.

遠慮(えんりょ) is the restraint a polite person shows by not taking, asking or saying too much; "without restraint" tells them to drop it. A host serving food says ご遠慮(えんりょ)なくどうぞ.

Said when somebody else is paying for your meal or drink, as you accept.

English: that is very kind of you (when being treated)

そうですか。では、遠慮(えんりょ)なくごちそうになります。Really? Then I will gladly accept — thank you.

ごちそう is a feast or a treat: "I will be (the guest at) your treat". Because of it, ごちそうさまでした after a meal also thanks whoever paid — which is why you say it to them at the till.

The host’s reply when a guest says thank you for the meal.

English: oh, it was nothing

「ごちそうさまでした。」「お粗末(そまつ)さまでした。」"Thank you for the meal." "Oh, it was nothing."

粗末(そまつ) is "poor, shabby": literally "it was a poor thing". The modesty is a formula, not an opinion about the cooking, and nobody hears it as one.

Said before a question that could feel personal — a name, an age, the company somebody works for.

English: excuse me, but …; if you do not mind my asking

失礼(しつれい)ですが、どちらの会社(かいしゃ)の方(かた)ですか。Excuse me, but which company are you with?

Literally "it is rude, but". It softens what follows rather than asking permission, so nobody answers it — the answer is to the question.

Said to colleagues — in the corridor, at the start of a phone call, as somebody leaves for the day — to acknowledge the work they are doing.

English: no equivalent; "hi" in the corridor, "thanks, good work" at the end of the day

お疲(つか)れ様(さま)です。会議(かいぎ)はもう終(お)わりましたか。Hi — is the meeting over already?

Literally "you are tired", made honorific: it recognises the effort rather than wishing anything. For work that is finished the past form is used, お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした. Students and friends use it after any shared effort, a club practice or an exam.

Said to colleagues who are still working when you leave before them.

English: no equivalent; roughly "I am off — see you tomorrow"

今日(きょう)は子供(こども)の迎(むか)えがあるので、お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します。I have to pick up my child today, so I will head off first.

Literally "I commit the rudeness of going ahead of you". The answer is お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした. Slipping out without it is noticed far more than leaving early is.

Said by somebody senior to somebody junior, or to a person who has done a job for you, to thank them for their effort.

English: thanks for your trouble (said downwards)

社長(しゃちょう)は運転手(うんてんしゅ)に「ご苦労(くろう)様(さま)」と声(こえ)をかけた。The company president said "thank you for your trouble" to the driver.

Literally "honourable hardship". Many speakers feel it can only go downwards, so said to a superior it sounds as if you were marking their work. お疲(つか)れ様(さま)です is the safe choice with anybody.

A very polite "excuse me" or "thank you", used with customers and superiors — before a request, or on receiving a kindness.

English: I am much obliged; excuse me (very formal)

恐(おそ)れ入(い)りますが、お名前(なまえ)をもう一度(いちど)お願(ねが)いできますか。I am sorry, could I have your name once more?

Literally "I am overcome with awe". In shops, on the phone and at reception desks it stands before almost every request a customer is asked to fulfil, as 恐(おそ)れ入(い)りますが.

Said, mostly in writing, when you ask somebody to do something that will cost them effort.

English: sorry for the trouble

お手数(てすう)をおかけしますが、こちらの書類(しょるい)にご記入(きにゅう)ください。Sorry for the trouble, but could you fill in this form?

手数(てすう) is "the number of moves or hands", hence work: "I am putting work on you". It apologises before the request rather than after it, which is the order a Japanese request prefers.

Said, usually first thing, to somebody you have not been in touch with for a long time — on the phone, in a letter, on meeting again.

English: it has been far too long (and that is my fault)

ご無沙汰(ぶさた)しております。お変(か)わりありませんか。It has been far too long. I hope you are keeping well.

沙汰(さた) is "news", so literally "I have been without news (to you)". Unlike お久(ひさ)しぶりです, which only notes that time has passed, it takes the blame for the silence — the version for teachers, clients and older relatives.

Said before disagreeing with somebody senior.

English: with respect, …

お言葉(ことば)ですが、その計画(けいかく)には少(すこ)し無理(むり)があると思(おも)います。With respect, I think that plan is a little unrealistic.

Literally "they are your words, but…". Like English "with respect", it announces a disagreement rather than softening it: everybody in the room knows what is coming.

Said before a request or a question the other person might prefer to decline.

English: if you do not mind; if it is no trouble

差(さ)し支(つか)えなければ、ご連絡先(れんらくさき)を教(おし)えていただけますか。If you do not mind, could you give me your contact details?

差(さ)し支(つか)え is "an obstacle, an inconvenience": "if there is no obstacle". It leaves the other person a way to say no without saying it.

Written in requests that are not urgent: whenever you have a free moment.

English: at your convenience; when you have a moment

お手(て)すきの際(さい)に、資料(しりょう)をご確認(かくにん)ください。When you have a moment, please take a look at the documents.

手(て)すき is "free hands", 際(さい) "an occasion": "on an occasion when your hands are free". Mostly written; in speech お時間(じかん)のあるときに is more usual.

To look through a document, read it over once.

English: to look through; to skim

会議(かいぎ)の前(まえ)に、この資料(しりょう)に目(め)を通(とお)しておいてください。Please look through these documents before the meeting.

Literally "to pass the eyes through". Not a careful study — the eyes go through once. What you look through takes に.

To show up, to put in an appearance — at a party, a meeting, a friend’s shop.

English: to look in; to show up

忙(いそが)しいけれど、送別会(そうべつかい)には少(すこ)しだけ顔(かお)を出(だ)すつもりです。I am busy, but I mean to look in at the leaving party for a little while.

Literally "to put out the face". Neutral or friendly, with none of the reproach in English "how dare you show your face here".

To be free for a moment, with nothing in hand.

English: to be free; to have a moment

手(て)が空(あ)いたら、ちょっと手伝(てつだ)ってもらえますか。When you have a moment, could you give me a hand?

Literally "the hands become empty". When you are tied up and cannot stop, the phrase is 手(て)が離(はな)せない, "cannot take the hands off".

To take measures before a problem grows; also, to strike a deal.

English: to take action; to agree on terms

客(きゃく)が減(へ)る前(まえ)に、早(はや)めに手(て)を打(う)たなければならない。We have to take action early, before customers start falling away.

手(て) is a move here, as in a board game: "to play a move". The second sense, agreeing a deal, comes from clapping hands on it. Read literally, it is just "to clap".

To butt into a conversation, to interrupt.

English: to butt in; to cut in

人(ひと)が話(はな)している途中(とちゅう)で口(くち)を挟(はさ)まないでください。Please do not butt in while somebody else is talking.

Literally "to wedge the mouth in between". Close to 口(くち)を出(だ)す, "to meddle", but this one is about breaking into what somebody is saying.

To be dismissed from a job.

English: to get the sack; to be fired

こんなに遅刻(ちこく)ばかりしていたら、首(くび)になるよ。If you keep being late like this, you will get the sack.

Literally "to become a neck" — the picture comes from beheading. Very often written in katakana as クビ; the formal word is 解雇(かいこ).

To spend more than was planned, to go over budget.

English: to go over budget

旅行(りょこう)で使(つか)いすぎて、二万円(にまんえん)ほど足(あし)が出(で)てしまった。I spent too much on the trip and went about twenty thousand yen over budget.

Literally "the feet stick out". Nothing to do with walking: what sticks out is the money spent beyond the sum set aside.

To keep watching somebody’s mood so as not to upset them.

English: to tread carefully around somebody

部長(ぶちょう)の顔色(かおいろ)をうかがいながら話(はな)すのは疲(つか)れる。It is exhausting to talk while constantly checking the manager’s mood.

Literally "to study (somebody’s) face colour". It describes the anxious one, not the one being watched, and is mildly critical.

Said of somebody you can relax completely with, with no need to stand on ceremony.

English: easy-going; somebody you can be yourself with

気(き)が置(お)けない仲間(なかま)と飲(の)むお酒(さけ)は、本当(ほんとう)においしい。A drink with friends you can be yourself with tastes really good.

Literally "cannot place reserve (on them)" — there is no call to keep your guard up. It sounds negative, and a good share of Japanese speakers take it the wrong way round, as "cannot be trusted". The positive sense is the standard one; when you use it, let the context make clear which you mean.

Said of somebody who is thinking about or acting on something much too soon.

English: that is jumping the gun

まだ十月(じゅうがつ)なのに、もう年賀状(ねんがじょう)を書(か)いているんですか。気(き)が早(はや)いですね。It is only October and you are already writing your New Year cards? You are jumping the gun.

Literally "the spirit is early". Almost always said with a smile.

Patient, slow to lose your temper.

English: patient; easy-going

この仕事(しごと)は結果(けっか)が出(で)るまで何年(なんねん)もかかるので、気(き)が長(なが)くないと続(つづ)かない。This work takes years to show results, so you will not last unless you are patient.

Literally "the spirit is long". Its pair is 気(き)が短(みじか)い, "short-tempered": long and short work as in English "a short fuse".

Said of something so large, long or difficult that just thinking about it is overwhelming; also, literally, to feel faint.

English: mind-boggling; to feel faint

一万枚(いちまんまい)の写真(しゃしん)を全部(ぜんぶ)整理(せいり)するなんて、考(かんが)えただけで気(き)が遠(とお)くなる。Sorting through all ten thousand photos — just thinking about it makes my head spin.

Literally "the spirit goes far away". The everyday use is about scale: a number, a distance, a stack of work.

To recover after a setback and carry on.

English: to pull yourself together

一度(いちど)は失敗(しっぱい)したが、気(き)を取(と)り直(なお)してもう一度(いちど)挑戦(ちょうせん)した。I failed the first time, but I pulled myself together and tried again.

Literally "to take up the spirit again". It follows a disappointment rather than a panic: what is recovered is the will to go on.

To feel bad about doing something, out of guilt or reserve.

English: to feel awkward about; to hesitate to

いつも手伝(てつだ)ってもらっているので、また頼(たの)むのは気(き)が引(ひ)ける。They always help me, so I feel bad asking again.

Literally "the spirit draws back". It is the hesitation of somebody who does not want to impose, not of somebody who is afraid.

For a gloomy mood to lift.

English: to cheer up; to feel better

思(おも)い切(き)り泣(な)いたら、少(すこ)し気(き)が晴(は)れた。After a good cry I felt a bit better.

Literally "the spirit clears up", as the sky does after rain. English has the same weather in "to brighten up".

To change your mind about a decision or a plan.

English: to change your mind

気(き)が変(か)わったら、いつでも連絡(れんらく)してください。If you change your mind, get in touch any time.

Literally "the spirit changes". It is about what you mean to do; for a changed opinion in an argument, 考(かんが)えが変(か)わる is more usual.

To be offended, to take something the wrong way.

English: to take offence

気(き)を悪(わる)くしないでほしいんですが、前(まえ)の案(あん)のほうがいいと思(おも)います。Please do not take this the wrong way, but I think the earlier plan was better.

Literally "to make the spirit bad". Most often met in the negative, as a cushion before something blunt.

To pay attention to everybody’s needs, to be attentive.

English: to be attentive; to look after everyone

幹事(かんじ)の田中(たなか)さんは、全員(ぜんいん)が楽(たの)しめるように気(き)を配(くば)っていた。Tanaka, who organised the party, made sure everyone was enjoying themselves.

Literally "to hand out attention", the way you hand out leaflets. The noun is 気配(きくば)り, one of the most praised qualities in a Japanese workplace.

To be beside yourself with worry while waiting for something you cannot control.

English: to be on tenterhooks

娘(むすめ)の手術(しゅじゅつ)が終(お)わるまで、気(き)が気(き)でなかった。I was on tenterhooks until my daughter’s operation was over.

Literally "the spirit is not the spirit" — you are not yourself. Mostly in the past, about a wait that is over.

To put your heart into something you make or give.

English: with love; with great care

祖母(そぼ)のために、心(こころ)を込(こ)めてセーターを編(あ)んだ。I knitted a jumper for my grandmother with a lot of love.

Literally "to pack the heart in". Almost always as 心(こころ)を込(こ)めて before a verb: written, cooked, wrapped with care.

To stay with you long afterwards — words, a scene, an experience.

English: to be memorable; to stay with you

先生(せんせい)が最後(さいご)の授業(じゅぎょう)で言(い)った言葉(ことば)が、今(いま)も心(こころ)に残(のこ)っている。What our teacher said in the last lesson has stayed with me ever since.

Literally "to remain in the heart". It is the usual way to call something memorable, where English might reach for "unforgettable".

To feel sorrow or sympathy, for somebody else’s suffering or your own regret.

English: it pains me; my heart goes out to

困(こま)っている人(ひと)のニュースを見(み)るたびに、胸(むね)が痛(いた)む。It pains me every time I see news of people in trouble.

Literally "the chest hurts". In this form it is about feeling, not the body; at the doctor’s an actual pain is 胸(むね)が痛(いた)いです.

Said of a request or plan that is shamelessly convenient for the person making it.

English: that is a bit much; wanting to have it both ways

何(なに)も手伝(てつだ)わないで分(わ)け前(まえ)だけほしいなんて、虫(むし)がいい話(はなし)だ。Helping with nothing and still wanting a share — that is a bit much.

Older Japanese placed moods and whims in a "worm" (虫(むし)) living inside a person, and several idioms survive from that. Here the worm is "good" — good for its owner and nobody else.

A premonition, usually of something bad.

English: a premonition; a gut feeling

虫(むし)の知(し)らせだったのか、その日(ひ)は朝(あさ)から祖父(そふ)のことが気(き)になっていた。Perhaps it was a premonition — I had been thinking about my grandfather all that morning.

The same inner worm, bringing news: "the worm’s notice". Usually said afterwards, about a feeling that turned out to be right.

To make up your mind to face something, whatever comes.

English: to steel yourself

もう逃(に)げられないと腹(はら)をくくって、部長(ぶちょう)に全部(ぜんぶ)話(はな)した。Seeing there was no way out, I steeled myself and told the manager everything.

Literally "to tie the belly". The belly, 腹(はら), is where Japanese places resolve and true intentions, much as English uses "guts".

Said when your patience has run out: stop it, that is enough.

English: that is enough; give it a rest

もういい加減(かげん)にして。何度(なんど)同(おな)じことを言(い)わせるの。That is enough. How many times do I have to tell you?

加減(かげん) is "degree, adjustment", and いい加減(かげん) once meant "just the right amount". As an adjective it now means "careless, sloppy"; as a command it says "bring this to a proper limit" — stop.

Said of somebody who knows a great many people.

English: to know everyone; to be well connected

祖母(そぼ)は顔(かお)が広(ひろ)くて、町(まち)を歩(ある)けばすぐ誰(だれ)かに声(こえ)をかけられる。My grandmother knows everyone — walk through town with her and somebody stops her straight away.

Literally "the face is wide": your face is known in many places. A wide face in English would be a remark about somebody’s looks.

Modest and polite in manner, especially of somebody whose position would allow them not to be.

English: unassuming; humble

あの社長(しゃちょう)は、誰(だれ)に対(たい)しても腰(こし)が低(ひく)い。That company president is unassuming with everyone.

Literally "the hips are low", as in a deep bow. A compliment — the picture is of somebody who bows readily.

Stubborn, unable to accept new ideas.

English: stubborn; set in your ways

父(ちち)は頭(あたま)が固(かた)くて、新(あたら)しいやり方(かた)を試(ため)そうとしない。My father is set in his ways and will not try new methods.

Literally "the head is hard". It is about flexibility, not intelligence; the praised opposite is 頭(あたま)が柔(やわ)らかい.

To calm down after getting angry or worked up.

English: to cool off

言(い)い過(す)ぎたと思(おも)ったので、外(そと)を歩(ある)いて頭(あたま)を冷(ひ)やした。I felt I had said too much, so I went for a walk to cool off.

Literally "to cool the head". The same temperature as English "cool off", and often an instruction to somebody else.

To be extremely busy; also, literally, to feel dizzy.

English: to be run off your feet

引(ひ)っ越(こ)しの前(まえ)の週(しゅう)は、目(め)が回(まわ)るほど忙(いそが)しかった。The week before the move I was run off my feet.

Literally "the eyes spin". The figurative use is nearly always 目(め)が回(まわ)るほど忙(いそが)しい, "so busy my eyes spin".

To be no match for an opponent, or unable to make anything of a problem.

English: to be no match for; to be beyond you

去年(きょねん)の優勝(ゆうしょう)チームには、まったく歯(は)が立(た)たなかった。We were no match at all for last year’s champions.

Literally "the teeth do not go in", like biting something far too hard. Said of opponents, problems and exams.

To be completely helpless, unable to do anything at all.

English: to be at a complete loss

試験(しけん)の最後(さいご)の問題(もんだい)は難(むずか)しすぎて、手(て)も足(あし)も出(で)なかった。The last question on the exam was so hard I could not do a thing with it.

Literally "neither hands nor feet come out" — you cannot even move. Stronger than 歯(は)が立(た)たない: there was nothing you could try.

To hold your head high, with every right to be proud.

English: to hold your head high

結果(けっか)は二位(にい)でも、胸(むね)を張(は)っていい。Even if you came second, you can hold your head high.

Literally "to stretch out the chest". English "puff out your chest" sounds vain; the Japanese is approving.

To work well together, to be in step.

English: to be in sync

二人(ふたり)の息(いき)がぴったり合(あ)って、素晴(すば)らしい演奏(えんそう)になった。The two of them were perfectly in sync, and it was a wonderful performance.

Literally "the breathing matches". Not the same as 気(き)が合(あ)う, "to get on": two people can get on and still not be in step on stage, and the other way round.

To be relieved of a responsibility or a worry.

English: a weight off your shoulders

大事(だいじ)な発表(はっぴょう)が終(お)わって、やっと肩(かた)の荷(に)が下(お)りた。With the big presentation over, it was finally a weight off my shoulders.

Literally "the load comes down off the shoulders". One of the few that match English almost exactly.

To be able to picture something vividly, often a reaction you can predict.

English: I can just see it

プレゼントを開(あ)けたときの母(はは)の顔(かお)が目(め)に浮(う)かぶ。I can just picture my mother’s face when she opens the present.

Literally "to float up before the eyes".

To disgrace somebody, especially somebody who vouched for you.

English: to let somebody down badly; to bring shame on

紹介(しょうかい)してくれた先輩(せんぱい)の顔(かお)に泥(どろ)を塗(ぬ)るわけにはいかない。I cannot let down the senior colleague who recommended me.

Literally "to smear mud on (somebody’s) face". The face is the other person’s: what you damage is the reputation of whoever introduced or trusted you.

For your legs to be worn out from walking or standing.

English: my legs are like lead

一日中(いちにちじゅう)歩(ある)き回(まわ)って、足(あし)が棒(ぼう)になった。I walked around all day and my legs were like lead.

Literally "the legs become sticks" — stiff as poles.

Said of something so exciting or tense that you can hardly bear to watch.

English: nail-biting; on the edge of your seat

最後(さいご)まで手(て)に汗(あせ)を握(にぎ)る試合(しあい)だった。It was a nail-biting match right to the end.

Literally "to grip sweat in your hand". Mostly before a noun: a match, a race, a scene.

To be wide-eyed with surprise.

English: to stare in surprise

値段(ねだん)を聞(き)いて、友達(ともだち)は目(め)を丸(まる)くした。When my friend heard the price, her eyes went wide.

Literally "to make the eyes round". Pure surprise, with no fear or anger in it.

Said of food that suits somebody’s taste.

English: to be to your taste

日本(にほん)の料理(りょうり)はお口(くち)に合(あ)いますか。Do you find Japanese food to your taste?

Literally "to fit the mouth". A host serving a meal says お口(くち)に合(あ)うかどうかわかりませんが, "I do not know if it will suit your taste", and asks afterwards whether it did.

Unable to keep a secret.

English: loose-lipped; a blabbermouth

彼(かれ)は口(くち)が軽(かる)いから、この話(はなし)はしないほうがいい。He cannot keep a secret, so you had better not tell him this.

Literally "the mouth is light". The opposite is 口(くち)が堅(かた)い, "the mouth is hard".

To be so surprised by what you hear that you can hardly believe it.

English: cannot believe your ears

会社(かいしゃ)がなくなると聞(き)いて、自分(じぶん)の耳(みみ)を疑(うたが)った。When I heard the company was closing, I could not believe my ears.

Literally "to doubt the ears". One that matches English, picture and all.

To boast about something, to be stuck-up about it.

English: to be stuck-up about; to show off

彼女(かのじょ)は成績(せいせき)がいいことを鼻(はな)にかけている。She is stuck-up about her good grades.

Literally "to hang (it) on the nose". A high nose is the Japanese picture of pride; this is the unpleasant kind.

Skilled at a craft or a trade.

English: to be good at what you do

この店(みせ)の職人(しょくにん)は腕(うで)がいいので、修理(しゅうり)を頼(たの)むならここがいい。The craftsmen in this shop are very good, so if you want something repaired this is the place.

Literally "the arm is good". Said of cooks, carpenters, surgeons, hairdressers — anybody whose skill is in their hands. 腕(うで) on its own can simply mean "skill".

To let something pass on purpose, to pretend not to notice.

English: to turn a blind eye

小(ちい)さなミスには目(め)をつぶることにした。I decided to turn a blind eye to small mistakes.

Literally "to shut the eyes". As in English, a deliberate choice not to see.

To talk frankly, holding nothing back.

English: to have a heart-to-heart

一度(いちど)、腹(はら)を割(わ)って話(はな)しませんか。Shall we sit down some time and talk frankly?

Literally "to split open the belly and talk" — the belly being where true intentions are kept. What is opened is what you really think.

To give up a bad way of life or a dubious line of work.

English: to go straight; to quit for good

彼(かれ)はギャンブルから足(あし)を洗(あら)って、今(いま)はまじめに働(はたら)いている。He has given up gambling and is working honestly now.

Literally "to wash the feet". A trap: it has nothing to do with hygiene. What you wash off is the past — gambling, crime, a trade you are not proud of.

Said of a worrying problem; also, literally, to have a headache.

English: to be a headache

来月(らいげつ)の家賃(やちん)をどうするか、頭(あたま)が痛(いた)い。How I am going to pay next month’s rent is a real headache.

Exactly the English double meaning, picture and all. The context decides: a problem in the sentence makes it figurative.

To be unable to stand up to somebody because you owe them so much.

English: to be forever in somebody’s debt

学生(がくせい)のころから助(たす)けてもらっている先輩(せんぱい)には、今(いま)でも頭(あたま)が上(あ)がらない。That senior has helped me since I was a student, so I still cannot say no to him.

Literally "the head cannot come up" — you are stuck in the bow. A matter of debt and gratitude, not of fear.

Very close by.

English: a stone’s throw away

駅(えき)は家(いえ)から目(め)と鼻(はな)の先(さき)です。The station is a stone’s throw from my house.

Literally "eyes and the tip of the nose" — as close as the one is to the other. About distance, never about time.

To be burning with embarrassment.

English: to be mortified; to go bright red

みんなの前(まえ)で名前(なまえ)を間違(まちが)えて、顔(かお)から火(ひ)が出(で)るほど恥(は)ずかしかった。I got somebody’s name wrong in front of everyone and was mortified.

Literally "fire comes out of the face". English blushes; Japanese goes up in flames.

To want something desperately.

English: to want something more than anything

学生(がくせい)のころは、あのギターが喉(のど)から手(て)が出(で)るほど欲(ほ)しかった。As a student I wanted that guitar more than anything.

Literally "a hand comes out of the throat". Almost always 喉(のど)から手(て)が出(で)るほど欲(ほ)しい, "to want it so badly a hand reaches out of your throat".

To be deep in debt.

English: to be up to your neck in debt

店(みせ)を始(はじ)めたころは、借金(しゃっきん)で首(くび)が回(まわ)らなかった。When I first opened the shop, I was up to my neck in debt.

Literally "the neck does not turn". As an ordinary sentence it can also be a stiff neck; with money in the sentence it is always the debt.

To let something slip without meaning to.

English: to let it slip

つい口(くち)が滑(すべ)って、秘密(ひみつ)を話(はな)してしまった。It just slipped out, and I gave the secret away.

Literally "the mouth slips". English uses the same picture with the tongue.

To have a lot of trouble with somebody, not to know what to do with them.

English: to have your hands full with

反抗期(はんこうき)の息子(むすこ)に手(て)を焼(や)いている。My son is at that rebellious age, and I have my hands full with him.

Literally "to burn the hand", as on something too hot to hold. Usually about a person, marked with に.

To suddenly understand something, to have your eyes opened.

English: the scales fell from my eyes; an eye-opener

先生(せんせい)の説明(せつめい)を聞(き)いて、目(め)からうろこが落(お)ちた。The teacher’s explanation was a real eye-opener.

Literally "scales fall from the eyes" — the same picture as English, from the same source, the New Testament. In Japanese it is an everyday phrase, often cut to 目(め)からうろこ.

To hide your true nature behind meek, polite behaviour.

English: to put on an act; butter would not melt in her mouth

彼女(かのじょ)は先生(せんせい)の前(まえ)では猫(ねこ)をかぶっている。She is all sweetness in front of the teacher.

Literally "to wear a cat (over your head)". The cat stands for meekness; what is underneath is the real person.

To idle away time chatting when you should be working.

English: to slack off; to dawdle

どこで油(あぶら)を売(う)っていたの。一時間(いちじかん)も待(ま)っていたんだよ。Where have you been dawdling? I have been waiting a whole hour.

Literally "to sell oil". It is said to come from oil sellers who chatted with their customers while the oil dripped slowly into the jar. A trap for anybody who reads it as business.

To dawdle or stop off on the way somewhere.

English: to dawdle on the way

子供(こども)のころは、よく道草(みちくさ)を食(く)って母(はは)に叱(しか)られた。As a child I often dawdled on the way home and got told off by my mother.

Literally "to eat the roadside grass", as a horse does when it stops on the road. Typically said of children on the way home from school.

To fudge a number in your favour — usually your age.

English: to knock a few years off

彼(かれ)は年齢(ねんれい)を五歳(ごさい)もさばを読(よ)んでいた。He had been knocking a good five years off his age.

Literally "to count mackerel": fish sellers are said to have counted mackerel fast and not very honestly. Now mostly about age, weight or height.

To forgive and forget a quarrel or an offence.

English: to let bygones be bygones

昔(むかし)のことは水(みず)に流(なが)して、また仲良(なかよ)くしよう。Let us forget the past and be friends again.

Literally "to let it wash away in the water".

A complete and usually unwelcome surprise.

English: a bolt from the blue

工場(こうじょう)が閉鎖(へいさ)されるという話(はなし)は、社員(しゃいん)にとって寝耳(ねみみ)に水(みず)だった。News that the factory was closing came as a bolt from the blue to the staff.

Literally "water in a sleeping ear".

Said of help or effort far too small to make any difference.

English: a drop in the ocean

借金(しゃっきん)が多(おお)すぎて、少(すこ)しぐらい節約(せつやく)しても焼(や)け石(いし)に水(みず)だ。The debt is so large that saving a little here and there is a drop in the ocean.

Literally "water on a red-hot stone" — it hisses, vanishes, and the stone stays hot.

To get on naturally with somebody.

English: to hit it off

新(あたら)しい同僚(どうりょう)とは、不思議(ふしぎ)と馬(うま)が合(あ)う。For some reason I get on really well with my new colleague.

Literally "the horses match" — a rider and horse in step. Close to 気(き)が合(あ)う, and a little more colloquial.

To warn somebody in advance so that they do not do something.

English: to give fair warning

遅(おく)れないように、前(まえ)の日(ひ)にくぎを刺(さ)しておいた。I warned them the day before not to be late.

Literally "to drive in a nail", fixing something so it cannot move. It is the warning given before, not the telling-off afterwards.

To spoil a good mood, a plan or a relationship with a remark or an event.

English: to put a damper on; to throw cold water on

楽(たの)しい雰囲気(ふんいき)に水(みず)を差(さ)すようなことは言(い)いたくない。I do not want to say anything that would spoil the good mood.

Literally "to pour water in", as into something on the boil. English throws its water from outside; Japanese adds it to the pot.

To ignore your own faults while criticising somebody else’s.

English: the pot calling the kettle black

兄(あに)は自分(じぶん)のことは棚(たな)に上(あ)げて、私(わたし)の部屋(へや)が汚(きたな)いと言(い)う。My brother says my room is messy — never mind the state of his own.

Literally "to put (it) up on the shelf", out of sight. Almost always with one’s own shortcomings: 自分(じぶん)のことは棚(たな)に上(あ)げて.

To let a mistake pass, to be lenient.

English: to let it go; to overlook

初(はじ)めてのミスなので、今回(こんかい)は大目(おおめ)に見(み)ることにした。Since it was a first mistake, I decided to let it go this time.

Literally "to look with a big eye" — generously. Often asked for: 今回(こんかい)だけは大目(おおめ)に見(み)てください.

Said when it is too late to do anything about something.

English: too late; that ship has sailed

今(いま)さら謝(あやま)っても、後(あと)の祭(まつ)りだ。It is too late to apologise now.

Literally "after the festival" — the floats have gone by, and whatever you meant to do there can no longer be done.

All or nothing: a risky attempt that will either succeed or fail.

English: sink or swim; to go for broke

一か八か(いちかばちか)、最後(さいご)にもう一度(いちど)挑戦(ちょうせん)してみよう。Let us go for broke and try one last time.

Probably from gambling. The reading has to be learned: 八(はち) becomes bachi here.

To hesitate, to have second thoughts.

English: to have second thoughts

値段(ねだん)を見(み)て、買(か)うのに二(に)の足(あし)を踏(ふ)んだ。When I saw the price, I had second thoughts about buying it.

Literally "to tread with the second foot": the first step is taken, and the second foot only marks time where it stands.

To sense what a situation calls for without being told.

English: to read the room

会議(かいぎ)の空気(くうき)を読(よ)んで、その話(はなし)はしないことにした。Reading the room at the meeting, I decided not to bring it up.

Literally "to read the air". Much used, and its negative, 空気(くうき)が読(よ)めない, is a sharp criticism. English "read the room" is close in meaning; the Japanese expectation is stronger.

To flatter somebody for your own advantage.

English: to suck up to somebody

課長(かちょう)にごまをすっても、評価(ひょうか)は上(あ)がらないよ。Sucking up to the section head will not get you a better review.

Literally "to grind sesame". The picture is said to be the seeds sticking to every side of the mortar. The noun is ごますり.

To get carried away after a little success.

English: to get carried away; to get cocky

少(すこ)し勝(か)ったからといって調子(ちょうし)に乗(の)ると、痛(いた)い目(め)にあうよ。Get carried away just because you have won a little, and you will come to grief.

Literally "to ride the rhythm". It can mean getting into your stride, but is mostly a warning: 調子(ちょうし)に乗(の)らないで.

Very easy.

English: a piece of cake

この程度(ていど)の計算(けいさん)なら朝飯前(あさめしまえ)だよ。A sum like this is a piece of cake.

Literally "before breakfast" — easy enough to do before you have eaten. A touch boastful; 朝飯(あさめし) is the rough word for breakfast.

To scrap a plan or an agreement and start again from nothing.

English: back to the drawing board; back to square one

予算(よさん)が足(た)りず、計画(けいかく)は白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)された。There was not enough money, so the plan went back to the drawing board.

Literally "to return to blank paper". Used of plans, negotiations and engagements.

Said of somebody who prefers what is useful or tasty to what is merely beautiful — classically, the food at a cherry-blossom party rather than the blossom.

English: no fixed equivalent; roughly "substance over style"

お花見(はなみ)に行(い)っても、弟(おとうと)は花(はな)より団子(だんご)で、ずっと食(た)べている。Even at the cherry-blossom party my brother is all about the food and does nothing but eat.

Literally "dumplings rather than flowers". Usually teasing, and often said about yourself.

Small amounts, added up over time, become a great deal.

English: every little helps; many a mickle makes a muckle

毎日(まいにち)百円(ひゃくえん)ずつの貯金(ちょきん)でも、一年(いちねん)で三万円(さんまんえん)を超(こ)える。ちりも積(つ)もれば山(やま)となる。Even saving a hundred yen a day comes to over thirty thousand yen a year. Every little helps.

Literally "even dust, if it piles up, becomes a mountain". Used about money and effort more than anything.

Ordinary people, thinking together, can come up with an answer none of them would find alone.

English: two heads are better than one

一人(ひとり)で悩(なや)まないで、みんなで考(かんが)えよう。三人(さんにん)寄(よ)れば文殊(もんじゅ)の知恵(ちえ)だよ。Do not agonise over it on your own — let us think it through together. Two heads are better than one.

Literally "when three people gather, (they have) the wisdom of 文殊(もんじゅ)" — Manjushri, the Buddhist figure of wisdom. English counts two heads; Japanese needs three people to match a sage.

Seeing something once tells you more than hearing about it many times.

English: seeing is believing

百聞(ひゃくぶん)は一見(いっけん)にしかずと言(い)うから、実際(じっさい)に工場(こうじょう)を見学(けんがく)してみよう。Seeing is believing, as they say, so let us go and visit the factory ourselves.

Literally "a hundred hearings do not equal one seeing". しかず is an old negative meaning "is not equal to". It is quoted to argue for going and looking for yourself.

Getting up early brings some small advantage.

English: the early bird catches the worm

早起(はやお)きは三文(さんもん)の徳(とく)で、朝(あさ)早(はや)く行(い)ったら一番(いちばん)前(まえ)の席(せき)に座(すわ)れた。The early bird catches the worm — I went early and got a seat right at the front.

Literally "getting up early is worth three mon", a mon being a coin of very little value — so the gain is small but real. Both 徳(とく) (virtue) and 得(とく) (profit) are written; the reading is the same.

When you are somewhere new, follow the local customs.

English: when in Rome, do as the Romans do

郷(ごう)に入(い)っては郷(ごう)に従(したが)えで、日本(にほん)の家(いえ)では玄関(げんかん)で靴(くつ)を脱(ぬ)ぎます。When in Rome, do as the Romans do: in a Japanese home you take your shoes off at the entrance.

Literally "when you enter a village, follow the village". Note the old reading 入(い)って, not haitte.

Truly able people do not show off their ability.

English: still waters run deep

いつも静(しず)かな田中(たなか)さんが、あんなにピアノが上手(じょうず)だったとは。能(のう)ある鷹(たか)は爪(つめ)を隠(かく)すとはよく言(い)ったものだ。Who knew quiet Tanaka could play the piano like that? It is true what they say about still waters.

Literally "the able hawk hides its claws". A compliment for somebody whose ability turns out to be greater than they let on.

A quarrel or a crisis that is over can leave things stronger than before.

English: no exact equivalent; roughly "every cloud has a silver lining"

大(おお)げんかをした二人(ふたり)だが、雨(あめ)降(ふ)って地(じ)固(かた)まるで、前(まえ)より仲(なか)がよくなった。The two of them had a terrible row, but it cleared the air, and now they get on better than before.

Literally "rain falls and the ground hardens". It is about a relationship or a team, not about luck.

It is sometimes better not to know.

English: ignorance is bliss

本当(ほんとう)の値段(ねだん)は言(い)わないでおこう。知(し)らぬが仏(ほとけ)だ。Let us not tell him what it really cost. Ignorance is bliss.

Literally "not knowing is (being) a Buddha": whoever does not know can stay serene. 知(し)らぬ is the old form of 知(し)らない.

If you try to do two things at once, you will manage neither.

English: if you run after two hares, you will catch neither

二兎(にと)を追(お)う者(もの)は一兎(いっと)をも得(え)ずだから、今年(ことし)は一(ひと)つの資格(しかく)に集中(しゅうちゅう)する。If you chase two hares you catch neither, so this year I am concentrating on one qualification.

One that matches its English counterpart hare for hare. 兎(うさぎ) takes its Chinese-derived reading と here.

Whoever stands out from the group will be criticised or held back.

English: the tall poppy gets cut down

出(で)る杭(くい)は打(う)たれると言(い)うけれど、言(い)うべきことは言(い)おうと思(おも)う。They say the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, but I mean to say what needs saying.

Literally "the stake that sticks out gets hammered in". Often quoted abroad as a summary of Japanese society; at home it is just as often quoted as something to push against.

If you are prepared, you have nothing to worry about.

English: better safe than sorry

備(そな)えあれば憂(うれ)いなしで、家(いえ)には三日分(みっかぶん)の水(みず)と食料(しょくりょう)を置(お)いている。Better safe than sorry: we keep three days’ worth of water and food at home.

Literally "if there is preparation, there is no worry". In a country of earthquakes and typhoons it is quoted about emergency supplies more than anything else.

You become good at what you enjoy.

English: no fixed equivalent; roughly "you get good at what you love"

好(す)きこそものの上手(じょうず)なれで、絵(え)が大好(だいす)きな娘(むすめ)はどんどんうまくなっている。You get good at what you love: my daughter adores drawing and keeps getting better.

Literally "liking, indeed, is what makes one skilled at a thing". The grammar is classical: こそ…なれ is an old emphatic pattern.

You learn a skill by doing it, not by being taught about it.

English: practice makes perfect

習(なら)うより慣(な)れろで、とにかく毎日(まいにち)日本語(にほんご)で話(はな)すようにしています。Practice makes perfect, so I make a point of speaking Japanese every day, whatever happens.

Literally "get used to it rather than learn it". The imperative 慣(な)れろ is blunt, which is part of the point.

Careless words cause trouble.

English: least said, soonest mended

口(くち)は災(わざわ)いの元(もと)だから、会議(かいぎ)では余計(よけい)なことは言(い)わないほうがいい。Least said, soonest mended — better not to say anything unnecessary in the meeting.

Literally "the mouth is the source of disaster". A warning about careless words, not about lies.

To be extremely cautious, checking even what is obviously safe.

English: to err on the side of caution

父(ちち)は石橋(いしばし)を叩(たた)いて渡(わた)る性格(せいかく)で、何(なに)を買(か)うにも何週間(なんしゅうかん)も考(かんが)える。My father is extremely cautious and thinks for weeks before buying anything.

Literally "to tap a stone bridge before crossing it" — even a bridge that cannot possibly fall. Praise or teasing, depending on the speaker.

Said of something valuable given to somebody who cannot appreciate it.

English: pearls before swine

高(たか)いワインも、味(あじ)のわからない私(わたし)には猫(ねこ)に小判(こばん)です。Expensive wine is wasted on me — I cannot tell the difference.

Literally "gold coins to a cat". Japanese also has 豚(ぶた)に真珠(しんじゅ), pearls before swine word for word. Often said modestly about yourself, as in the example.

Somebody whose view of the world is narrow because they have never left their own small corner of it.

English: a big fish in a small pond; a narrow outlook

留学(りゅうがく)して、自分(じぶん)が井(い)の中(なか)の蛙(かわず)だったことに気(き)づいた。Studying abroad made me realise how narrow my view had been.

Short for "the frog in the well does not know the great sea". 蛙(かわず) is an old reading of the word for frog; the animal today is かえる.

What is closest to you is the hardest to see.

English: it was right under my nose

家(いえ)の中(なか)を全部(ぜんぶ)探(さが)した眼鏡(めがね)が、自分(じぶん)の頭(あたま)の上(うえ)にあった。灯台(とうだい)下(もと)暗(くら)しだ。The glasses I searched the whole house for were on top of my own head. Right under my nose.

Literally "it is dark at the foot of the 灯台(とうだい)". Today the word means "lighthouse", and most people picture one, but in the proverb it is an indoor oil-lamp stand, which lit the room and left its own base in shadow.

Said when something already strong gains a further advantage.

English: unbeatable; strength on strength

経験(けいけん)豊富(ほうふ)な彼女(かのじょ)がチームに入(はい)ってくれれば、鬼(おに)に金棒(かなぼう)だ。If she joins the team with all her experience, we will be unbeatable.

Literally "an iron club for an ogre" — the ogre was strong enough already.

Somebody who does important work that nobody sees or thanks them for.

English: an unsung hero

裏方(うらかた)のスタッフこそ、このイベントの縁(えん)の下(した)の力持(ちからも)ちだ。The backstage staff are the real unsung heroes of this event.

Literally "the strong man under the veranda", holding up a house from where nobody can see. Said with real respect.

The third attempt is the one that will succeed.

English: third time lucky

二回(にかい)落(お)ちたけど、三度目(さんどめ)の正直(しょうじき)で、今度(こんど)こそ合格(ごうかく)したい。I have failed twice, but third time lucky — this time I want to pass.

Literally "the third time is the honest one". As in English, said in hope before the attempt or in relief after it.

Even the most patient person will lose patience if wronged repeatedly.

English: there is a limit to anyone’s patience

遅刻(ちこく)はこれで三回目(さんかいめ)だよ。仏(ほとけ)の顔(かお)も三度(さんど)までだからね。That is the third time you have been late. Even my patience has limits.

Literally "even the Buddha’s face (only takes it) three times" — stroke it once too often and even a Buddha gets angry. Usually a warning that the limit has been reached.

Somebody who gives up on everything after a few days.

English: no staying power

日記(にっき)を始(はじ)めたけれど、また三日坊主(みっかぼうず)で終(お)わってしまった。I started a diary, but once again I gave up after a few days.

Literally "a three-day monk" — somebody who took vows and could not stand the life for longer. Said of resolutions, diaries and gym memberships, often about yourself.

Clear at a glance.

English: plain to see

グラフにすれば、違(ちが)いは一目瞭然(いちもくりょうぜん)だ。Put it in a graph and the difference is plain to see.

Literally "one look, (and it is) clear". 瞭然(りょうぜん) hardly appears outside this compound.

Getting the important and the unimportant the wrong way round.

English: putting the cart before the horse; defeating the purpose

健康(けんこう)のために走(はし)って膝(ひざ)を痛(いた)めたら、本末転倒(ほんまつてんとう)だ。Hurting your knees running for your health would defeat the purpose.

Literally "root and tip turned upside down".

Running this way and that in confusion.

English: to rush about in confusion

急(きゅう)に電車(でんしゃ)が止(と)まって、駅(えき)の客(きゃく)は右往左往(うおうさおう)していた。The trains suddenly stopped, and people at the station were rushing about in confusion.

Literally "going right, going left". Panic without a direction.

In a desperate situation with no way out.

English: in a desperate fix; with your back to the wall

残(のこ)り十秒(じゅうびょう)で二点(にてん)差(さ)、チームは絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)だった。Two points down with ten seconds left, the team had its back to the wall.

Literally "body cut off, life cut off". One of the most often miswritten words in Japanese: it is 体(たい), "body", not 対(たい) as in 絶対(ぜったい).

Praising your own work.

English: to blow your own trumpet

自画自賛(じがじさん)になりますが、今日(きょう)の料理(りょうり)はよくできたと思(おも)います。I know I am blowing my own trumpet, but I think today’s dinner turned out well.

Literally "own picture, own praise" — painting a picture and then writing the poem in its praise on it yourself. Often used with mock modesty, as in the example.

Everything that happened, from beginning to end.

English: the whole story

事故(じこ)の一部始終(いちぶしじゅう)を警察(けいさつ)に話(はな)した。I told the police the whole story of the accident.

Literally "a whole book, from start to finish". Usually what a witness saw or tells.

Doing what you said you would do.

English: to be as good as your word

彼女(かのじょ)は有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう)の人(ひと)で、宣言(せんげん)どおりフルマラソンを完走(かんそう)した。She is as good as her word: just as she announced, she ran the whole marathon.

Literally "having words, carrying out". A modern play on the older 不言実行(ふげんじっこう), "doing without saying", which was the traditional ideal.

Improperly mixing work and private matters.

English: mixing business with pleasure (in the bad sense)

会社(かいしゃ)の車(くるま)で家族(かぞく)旅行(りょこう)に行(い)くのは、公私混同(こうしこんどう)だ。Taking the company car on a family holiday is mixing work and private life.

Literally "public and private, confused together". Always a criticism, usually of using an employer’s resources for yourself.

Relying on others to get things done for you.

English: leaving it to others

他力本願(たりきほんがん)ではなく、自分(じぶん)の力(ちから)で何(なん)とかしたい。I do not want to rely on others — I want to manage it on my own.

In Pure Land Buddhism it means salvation through the vow of the Buddha Amida rather than through one’s own effort, a serious religious idea. Everyday Japanese uses it loosely and critically, which some people object to.

In a very short time — almost always with a negative: not overnight.

English: overnight (in the negative)

語学(ごがく)の力(ちから)は、一朝一夕(いっちょういっせき)には身(み)につかない。You cannot learn a language overnight.

Literally "one morning, one evening". It nearly always appears as 一朝一夕(いっちょういっせき)には followed by a negative.

Endlessly varied.

English: every one is different

同(おな)じ質問(しつもん)でも、答(こた)えは人(ひと)によって千差万別(せんさばんべつ)だ。Ask the same question and every person gives a different answer.

Literally "a thousand differences, ten thousand distinctions". Close to 十人十色(じゅうにんといろ), which is about people; this one can be about anything.

The whole range of human feelings.

English: all the emotions

彼(かれ)は喜怒哀楽(きどあいらく)がすぐ顔(かお)に出(で)る。Whatever he is feeling shows on his face at once.

Literally "joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure" — four kanji, four feelings.

Learning something new by studying the old.

English: learning from the past

温故知新(おんこちしん)というように、昔(むかし)の道具(どうぐ)から新(あたら)しい商品(しょうひん)のヒントを得(え)た。As the saying goes, the old teaches the new: we got the idea for a new product from tools of the past.

Literally "warming up the old, knowing the new". It goes back to the sayings of Confucius, where it describes what makes a teacher.

Carelessness is the greatest danger.

English: do not let your guard down

試合(しあい)に勝(か)っていても、最後(さいご)まで油断大敵(ゆだんたいてき)だ。Even when you are winning, you must not let your guard down until the very end.

Literally "carelessness, a great enemy". A favourite of coaches and teachers before an exam.

Making a fresh start with a new attitude.

English: turning over a new leaf; a fresh start

引(ひ)っ越(こ)しを機(き)に、心機一転(しんきいってん)して新(あたら)しい仕事(しごと)を探(さが)すことにした。With the move, I decided to make a fresh start and look for a new job.

Literally "the workings of the heart turn round once". Usually tied to a change of place, job or year.

Outrageous, too bad to put into words.

English: outrageous; beyond the pale

飲酒運転(いんしゅうんてん)なんて言語道断(ごんごどうだん)だ。Drink-driving is completely beyond the pale.

Literally "the way of words is cut off". Note the reading ごんご, a Buddhist reading of the same characters as 言語(げんご), "language".

Unable to make up your mind.

English: indecisive

私(わたし)は優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)で、昼(ひる)ご飯(はん)を決(き)めるのにも時間(じかん)がかかる。I am so indecisive that even choosing lunch takes me ages.

Literally "gentle and soft, not deciding". A character trait, and often a self-description.

So absorbed in something that you forget yourself.

English: completely absorbed; carried away

試合(しあい)の間(あいだ)は無我夢中(むがむちゅう)で、時間(じかん)がたつのも忘(わす)れていた。During the match I was so absorbed that I lost all track of time.

Literally "no self, in a dream". Often about acting without a thought for yourself, in a game or an emergency.

To find at once that you are on the same wavelength as somebody.

English: to hit it off straight away

初(はじ)めて会(あ)った日(ひ)に、好(す)きな映画(えいが)の話(はなし)で意気投合(いきとうごう)した。We hit it off the day we met, talking about films we liked.

Literally "spirits thrown together and matching". The moment of meeting; 馬(うま)が合(あ)う describes the friendship afterwards.

Great talent takes a long time to come to fruition.

English: a late bloomer

祖父(そふ)は定年(ていねん)を過(す)ぎてから画家(がか)として認(みと)められた。まさに大器晩成(たいきばんせい)だ。My grandfather was recognised as a painter only after he retired. A true late bloomer.

Literally "a great vessel is completed late" — the largest pots take longest to make. A kind thing to say about success that came late.

The four-part structure of a story or an essay: introduction, development, turn, conclusion.

English: no fixed equivalent

作文(さくぶん)は、起承転結(きしょうてんけつ)を意識(いしき)して書(か)くといい。When you write an essay, it helps to keep the four-part structure in mind.

From classical Chinese poetry: 起(き) sets up, 承(しょう) develops, 転(てん) turns, 結(けつ) concludes. The turn in third place is what surprises readers used to an argument that builds in a straight line.

Fairly and openly, without tricks.

English: fair and square

選手(せんしゅ)たちは、正々堂々(せいせいどうどう)と戦(たたか)うことを誓(ちか)った。The players swore to compete fair and square.

Literally "orderly, orderly, dignified, dignified". It is in the oath players take at school sports days and tournaments.

Thoroughly prepared for every eventuality.

English: well prepared; leaving nothing to chance

用意周到(よういしゅうとう)な彼女(かのじょ)のかばんには、傘(かさ)も薬(くすり)も入(はい)っている。She leaves nothing to chance: there is an umbrella and medicine in her bag.

Literally "preparation that reaches all the way round". Praise.

Everybody saying the same thing.

English: with one voice

参加者(さんかしゃ)は異口同音(いくどうおん)に「また来(き)たい」と言(い)った。The participants all said with one voice that they wanted to come again.

Literally "different mouths, same sound".

Two or more people acting as one.

English: as one

選手(せんしゅ)とコーチが一心同体(いっしんどうたい)となって、優勝(ゆうしょう)を目指(めざ)した。Players and coach worked as one, with the championship in their sights.

Literally "one heart, one body". Used of a team, a couple, partners in a business.