Kanyouku – Idiomatic Expressions in Japanese

Do you know what idiomatic expressions are? They are words or phrases that have meanings beyond the literal interpretation of the word. In Japanese, idiomatic expressions are called Kanyouku [慣用句]. In this article, we will see a huge list of idiomatic expressions in Japanese.

For those living in a dream world, idiomatic expressions are phrases or words that have hidden meanings that cannot be seen just by reading, but rather by living the daily life and culture of the nation. Expressions like “abandon ship” (give up), “hang up the boots” (retire), “walking on eggs” (delicate situation), and so on.

Kanyouku – Idiomatic Expressions

The word Kanyouku [慣用句] is composed of the ideograms [慣] which means to get used to; [用] which means to use and employ; and [句] which means phrase. This means that we need to get used to the fact that the expression means something beyond what we read or hear.

In English, this type of expression is called an Idiom, which in Japanese is transcribed as idioma [イディオム]. There are other Japanese words that basically refer to the same thing, which are:

• Kanyouku [慣用句] – Composed of two or more words;
• Kanyougo [慣用語] – Idiomatic Language;
• Kanyougoku [慣用語句];
• Kanyouhyougen [慣用表現] – Fixed Expression;
• Kanyourengo [慣用連語]
• Seiku [成句 – Idiomatic Expression; Aphorism; Proverb; Quotation;
• Jyukugo [熟語] – With Ideograms;
• Yojijukugo [四字熟語] – With four ideograms;

Each of the terms above has a different nuance that I personally cannot explain, but it is generalized as [イディオム]. Sometimes it can be confused with the Japanese proverbs Kotowaza, which can also be considered idiomatic phrases.

Also read: Kotowaza – Short Japanese Proverbs

It is worth remembering that some slang and swear words are idiomatic expressions. In fact, many words in the Japanese language are at least somewhat idiomatic, mainly because they group many meanings and have ideograms.

Generally, an idiomatic expression can contain proverbs, lessons, sarcasm, the law of things, and others. It is also worth remembering the word Kakugen [格言], which are easy-to-remember expressions about human life, truths, commandments, martial arts, prices, quotes, warnings, and business.

Also read: 100 Swear Words and Insults in Japanese

An example of Kakugen is in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew where it says “Enter through the narrow gate” [狭き門より入れ]. Or the expression “Cry and cut the horse” [泣いて馬謖を斬る] from Sangokushi.

Idiomatic expressions are also metaphorical expressions with fixed meanings. If you do not understand the meaning correctly, you may use it strangely or give a wrong answer to the person who used it.

Now you will informally learn to speak Japanese using popular idiomatic expressions. The list below contains words and phrases that take on meanings different from what the words would have if expressed in isolation.

Perhaps you want to buy a cheap book about idiomatic expressions in the Japanese language below:

Idiomatic Expressions in Japanese

The idiomatic expressions in Japanese from the list below:

Barcode Man
Bākōdo hito [バーコード人]  Used to refer to certain types of hairstyles.

The combination of keeping with the suffix kun [君]
Kiipukun [キープ君] - Means to keep a relationship until finding someone better.

Heavy Butt, Light Butt, and Wiping the Butt
Shirigaomoi [尻が重い] - Heavy Butt to refer to lazy and indolent people. 
Shirigakarui [尻が軽い] - Light Butt to refer to careless, reckless, and promiscuous people.
Shirinugui [尻拭い] - Wiping the Butt means cleaning up someone else's mess.

Pulling the hand
Tewonuku [手を抜く] - Doing a poor job;

Light Mouth
Kuchi ga karui [口が軽い] - Unable to keep a secret.

My head hurts
Atama ga itai [頭が痛い] - To stress over something.

Fire in the hand
Hinote [火の手] - Attack, aggression.

Good in the head
Atamagaii [頭がいい] - Intelligent, bright;

Two melons
Urifutatsu [瓜二つ] - As similar as (two peas in a pod).

Sleeping with ears in the water
Nemiminimizu [寝耳に水] - Great surprise, shock, astonishment;

Selling Oil
Aburawouru [油を売る] - Wasting time; taking too long;

Black Belly
Haragakuroi [腹が黒い] - Conspirator; malicious; wicked.

Idiomatic Expressions Involving Animals

Cat's Tongue
Nekojita [猫舌] - Used to refer to people who are sensitive to hot drinks.

Cat's Veil
Nekokaburi [猫かぶり] - Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, someone who pretends to be innocent.

Sparrow's Tears
Suzume no namida [雀の涙] - Small amount, insignificant amount, to fall into a bucket.

In the field of the horse
Yajiuma [野次馬] - Curious spectators, people who go after an incident that they have nothing to do with; rubberneck;

• Mushigaii [虫がいい] – Selfish; asking for too much;
• Kenennohaka [犬猿の仲] – Like cats and dogs (in the case of monkeys and dogs);

Below we have some more idiomatic expressions involving cats:

• Nekonoatama [猫の額] – Cat’s forehead; A small place;
• Nekonome [猫の目] – Cat’s eyes; The situation changes quickly;
• Dorobouneko [泥棒猫] – Does bad things secretly; homewrecker;

As time goes by, I will update this list. If you wish, we have a PDF file in Japanese with a list of over 1000 idiomatic expressions that can be downloaded from the website: biglobe.