Kanyouku – Idioms in Japanese

Do you know what idioms are? These are words or phrases that have meanings beyond the interpretation of the word. In Japanese, idiomatic words are called Kanyouku [慣用句]. In this article, we are going to see a gigantic list of idioms in Japanese.

For those who live in the world of the moon, idioms are phrases or words that have hidden meanings that cannot be seen just by reading, but by living the daily life and culture of the nation. Expressions such as abandon ship (give up), hang up your boots (retire), walk on eggshells (delicate situation) and so on.

Kanyouku - Idioms

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

In English this type of expression is called Idom which in Japanese is transcribed as [イディオム] language. 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; Saying; Quote;
  • Jyukugo [熟語] - With Ideograms;
  • Yojijukugo [四字熟語] - With four ideograms;

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

Read also: 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 a little idiomatic, mainly because they group together many meanings and have ideograms.

Generally an idiom can contain proverbs, lessons, sarcasm, 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.

Read also: 100 Swearing and Swearing 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 Sangokushi's expression "Cry and cut the horse" [泣いて馬謖を斬る].

Idioms are also metaphorical expressions with fixed meanings. If you don't understand the meaning correctly, you may use it in a strange way or you may give the wrong answer to the person who used it.

Now you will informally learn to speak Japanese using popular idioms. The list below has words and phrases that take on different meanings than the words would have if they were expressed alone.

You might want to buy a cheap book on Japanese Idioms below:

Japanese proverbs - list of ninja phrases - kotowaza
Japanese Proverbs - Ninja Phrase List - Kotowaza

Idioms in Japanese

The Japanese Idioms from the list below:

Barcode Man
Bākōdo hito [バーコード人] Used to refer to some types of hairstyles.  
The join keep suffixed kun [君]
Kiipukun [キープ君] - It means keeping a relationship until you find someone better.  
Hard Butt, Soft Butt and Clean Butt
Shirigaomoi [尻が重い] - Heavy Butt to refer to the lazy and indolent. Shirigakarui [尻が軽い] - Light Butt to refer to the careless; reckless and promiscuous. Shirinugui [尻拭い] - Cleaning the Butt means cleaning up someone else's mess. 
pull the hand
Tewonuku [手を抜く] - Doing a bad 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 get stressed about something. 
fire in hand 
Hinote [火の手] - Attack, aggression. 
good in the head 
Atamagaii [頭がいい] - Intelligent, brilliant; 
two melons 
Urifutatsu [瓜二つ] - As similar (two peas in a pod). 
Sleep with ears in the water 
Nemiminimizu [寝耳に水] - Great surprise, fright, astonishment; 
sell oil 
Aburawouru [油を売る] - Wasting time; to take time; 
black belly
Haragakuroi [腹が黒い] - Conspirator; malicious; wicked.

Idioms involving animals

Cat's tongue
Nekojita [猫舌] - Used to refer to people who are sensitive to hot drink. 
cat's veil
Nekokaburi [猫かぶり] - Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, someone who pretends to be innocent. 
sparrow tears
Suzume no namida [雀の涙] - Small amount, insignificant amount, fall into the bucket.  
in the horse field
Yajiuma [野次馬] - Curious spectators, people who go after an incident they have nothing to do with; rubber neck; 
  • Mushigaii [虫がいい] - Mushigaii Selfish; asking too much;
  • Kenennohaka [犬猿の仲] - Like dogs and cats (in this case, monkeys and dogs);

Below are some more idioms involving cats:

  • Nekonoatama [猫の額] - Cat forehead; A small place;
  • I'm sorry, but "Nekonome [猫の目]" is already in English characters, so it doesn't require translation. Cat eyes; The situation changes quickly;
  • I'm sorry, but it seems that "Dorobouneko [泥棒猫]" is already in the Japanese language and doesn't require translation. If there's anything else you need help with, feel free to ask! Does bad things secretly; home wrecker;

As time passes, I will update this list. If you wish, we have a Japanese-language PDF file with a list of over 1000 idioms that can be downloaded from the website: biglobe.

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