Japanese Idioms (慣用句)

舌鼓を打つ(Shitatuzumi wo utsu)

By gaijinjoe, on February 17th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “To smack one’s tongue.”

Meaning and Usage: おいしいものを食べて思わず舌を鳴らすこと。(To make some noise with a tongue when one eats something delicious.) 食べ物を味わいながらおいしく食べること。(To enjoy eating food.) . . . → Read More: 舌鼓を打つ(Shitatuzumi wo utsu)

腰を抜かす(Koshi wo nukasu)

By gaijinjoe, on February 14th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “One’s back sinks weakly.”

Meaning and Usage: とてもびっくりすること。(To be astonished.) 驚いて足腰が立たなくなること。(To be paralyzed with fright.) . . . → Read More: 腰を抜かす(Koshi wo nukasu)

首が回らない(Kubi ga mawaranai)

By gaijinjoe, on February 7th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “One’s neck doesn’t turn.”

Meaning and Usage: 借金や出費などが多すぎてお金のやりくりができないこと。(not to be able to manage money because of bent or expense.) . . . → Read More: 首が回らない(Kubi ga mawaranai)

口が酸っぱくなる(Kuchi ga suppakunaru)

By gaijinjoe, on February 3rd, 2012%

Literal Translation: “One’s mouth tastes sour.”

Meaning and Usage: 同じ注意や忠告などを何度も何度も言うこと。(to tell someone the same warning or advice over and over.) . . . → Read More: 口が酸っぱくなる(Kuchi ga suppakunaru)

固唾を呑む (Katazu wo nomu)

By gaijinjoe, on January 31st, 2012%

Literal Translation: “To gulp one’s sipt.”

Meaning and Usage: どうなるかと緊張しながら事の成り行きを見守る事。(to hold one’s breath in tension.) . . . → Read More: 固唾を呑む (Katazu wo nomu)

腕に縒りをかける (Ude ni yori wo kakeru)

By gaijinjoe, on January 27th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “To twist one’s arm.”

Meaning and Usage: 自分の力を最大限に発揮しようとがんばる事。(to put all one’s skill.) . . . → Read More: 腕に縒りをかける (Ude ni yori wo kakeru)

腕が鳴る (Ude ga naru)

By gaijinjoe, on January 24th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “One’s arm cracks.”

Meaning and Usage: 自分の力を示したくて落ち着かない事。(to be itching to put one’s skills to use.) . . . → Read More: 腕が鳴る (Ude ga naru)

後ろ髪を引かれる (Ushirogami wo hikareru)

By gaijinjoe, on January 20th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “Hair on the back is pulled.”

Meaning and Usage: 残して行く人や物事が気になって、なかなか思いを断ち切れないこと。(to feel difficult to go on because one feels uneasy for people or things leave behind. ) . . . → Read More: 後ろ髪を引かれる (Ushirogami wo hikareru)

息が合う (Iki ga au)

By gaijinjoe, on January 17th, 2012%

Literal Translation: “Breath matches.”

Meaning and Usage: 仕事やゲームなど何かをするとき一緒にする人たちの調子や気持ちがぴったりとあっていること。(to work well and smoothly at work, game, etc.) . . . → Read More: 息が合う (Iki ga au)

骨が折れる (Hone ga oreru)

By gaijinjoe, on December 13th, 2011%

Literal Translation: “One’s bone is broken”

Meaning and Usage: （仕事などが）とても大変なであること。(Something is very hard to do.) . . . → Read More: 骨が折れる (Hone ga oreru)

Baka Gaijin!