Japan, with its rich and distinctive culture, has a treasure trove of idioms, many of which are utterly bizarre, yet endearing. This article takes you on a journey to better understand these peculiar yet astonishingly charming Japanese idioms, broadening your worldview and appreciating Japan’s cultural nuances.
1. “Sharpen the base of a burnt rope”
Japanese: Shita wo kezuru
Meaning: To waste one’s time on a futile effort.
The imagery behind this idiom is amusing, picturing someone tediously sharpening a burnt rope that turns into ash. This idiom is used to describe a situation where one relentlessly pursues a pointless endeavor.
2. “Pheasant’s eye becomes a hawks”
Japanese: Kiji no me mo taka
Meaning: When the underdog suddenly shines.
In ancient times, Japanese samurai used hawks for hunting, and pheasants were one of their prey. Irrespective of their petit size, pheasants have keen eyesight comparable to that of a hawk. This adage is used to describe instances where the underdogs impress everyone with their unexpected capabilities.
3. “Even monkeys fall from trees”
Japanese: Saru mo ki kara ochiru
Meaning: Everyone makes mistakes.
Despite their acrobatic skills and agility, even monkeys occasionally tumble down. This saying is primarily employed to remind people that everybody, regardless of their expertise or rank, are prone to blunders from time to time.
4. “The second helmet”
Japanese: Nibai-bachi
Meaning: Something redundant.
The phrase stems from the idea that wearing two helmets simultaneously is pointless since one is sufficient for protection. Thus, if something is referred to as ‘the second helmet,’ it is unnecessary or redundant.
5. “Not giving an inch even if a mat is folded”
Japanese: Tatami ippai hiku koto naku.
Meaning: Being incredibly stingy.
In the past, currency didn’t exist, so business transactions were completed by exchanging goods. However, mats were of different shapes and sizes, and if a trader didn’t fold and manipulate the mat sizes, it’d show their stinginess; hence the proverb.
6. “To have lips like a mustard pot”
Japanese: Karashi no fuchigai
Meaning: To have a grumpy disposition.
Mustard pots back in the day were small and their openings looked as if they were frowning. This idiom and its peculiar allegory is used to describe a person with a sullen and disgruntled demeanor.
7. “Three years on a stone.”
Japanese: Ishi no ue ni mo sannen
Meaning: Patience pays off.
This idiomatic expression is often used to communicate that with persistent effort and patience, even a cold-hearted person will eventually open up, like a hard stone being slowly worn away.
8. “To make a bridge of one’s nose.”
Japanese: Hana wo hashi ni suru
Meaning: To take advantage of someone.
Reviving from the imagery of a person literally using someone’s nose as a bridge, this idiom expresses the act of taking undue advantage of someone or manipulating them.
9. “To imitate a frog in a well”
Japanese: Idōrisu
Meaning: To have a narrow perspective.
The metaphor here involves a frog within a well that can only see a small patch of the sky and thinks that’s the entire universe. This idiom is employed when someone is criticized for their narrow-mindedness or ignorance.
10. “Add legs to a snake”
Japanese: Hebi ni ashi
Meaning: Overdoing it.
Imagine drawing a snake and opting to add legs — it becomes excessive, doesn’t it? This idiom implies oversimplifying, embellishing, or adding unwarranted details to a story or anything for that matter.
Exploring Japanese idioms helps us appreciate the panoramic landscapes of human communication. It offers us new perspectives, painting a picture of the world through the eyes of another culture. Idioms, with their embedded stories and their imaginative metaphors, serve as a testament to the richness of the language and the people who speak it. By understanding these unique idioms, we gain more than just an interesting conversation-pieces, but also a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture.
