J4 idioms, proverbs, and affective words

雨降って時固まる (あめふってじかたまる)

"When it rains, it pours." This phrase means that when one bad thing happens, others tend to follow in quick succession.

言わぬが花 (いわぬがはな)

"Silence is golden." This means that sometimes it's better not to say anything, as silence can be more valuable or effective than speaking.

帯に短し、たすきにながし (おびにみじかし、たすきにながし)

"Life is short; art is long." This phrase emphasizes the brevity of life contrasted with the enduring nature of human achievement or art.

かわいい子には旅をさせよ (かわいいこにはたびをさせよ)

"Send the beloved child on a journey." This suggests that sometimes it's necessary to let loved ones or children experience life's challenges and adventures, even if it involves risk or hardship.

光陰矢のごとし (こういんやのごとし)

"Time flies like an arrow." This phrase emphasizes how quickly time passes, similar to the speed of an arrow flying through the air.

鉄は熱いうちに打て (てつはあついうちにうて)

"Strike while the iron is hot." This means to take advantage of an opportunity while it's available or to act promptly while conditions are favorable.

所変われば品変わる (ところかわればしなかわる)

"Different places have different customs." This phrase acknowledges that customs and behaviors can vary depending on the location or environment.

逃がした魚は大きい (にがしたさかなはおおきい)

"The fish that got away is always the biggest." This means that things we miss or lose seem more significant or valuable in hindsight.

喉元過ぎれば、熱さを忘れる (のどもとすぎれば、あつさをわすれる)

"Once it's past your throat, you forget how hot it was." This implies that once a difficult or uncomfortable situation is over, people tend to forget the intensity of the discomfort.

前代未聞(ぜんだいみもん)

unheard of, unprecedented

完全無欠(かんぜんむけつ)

flawless absolute perfection

足が棒になる(あしがぼうになる)

to have one’s leg become stiff; tired

頭が上がらない(頭があがらない)

to be no match for

肩を持つ(かたをもつ)

to side with

腰が重い(こしがおもい)

slow to act

あたかも

"As if" or "just like." It's often used to describe something that resembles or mimics another thing closely.

たいして(〜ない)

"Not much" or "not particularly." When used with a negative verb, it indicates that there isn't a significant amount or degree of the described action or quality.

そっと

"Softly" or "gently." It describes doing something in a quiet, careful, or delicate manner.

ひょっとしたら

"Perhaps" or "possibly." It's used to introduce a possibility or uncertainty, suggesting that something might happen or be true, but it's not certain.

気が短い(きがみじかい)

quick tempered; having little patience

耳が痛い(みみがいたい)

being painfully true; hitting close to home

目を丸くする(めがまるくする)

to stare in wonder

足が棒になる(あしがぼうになる)

to have one’s leg become stiff; tired

頭が上がらない(頭があがらない)

to be no match for

肩を持つ(かたをもつ)

to side with

腰が重い(こしがおもい)

slow to act

一部始終(いちぶしじゅう)

the whole story

有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう)

carrying out one’s words, fulfilling one’s promise

一石二鳥(いっせきにちょう)

killing two birds with one stone

日進月歩(にっしんげっぽ)

rapid advance

⻤に金棒(おににかなぼう)

Making a stronger person even stronger

月とすっぽん(つきとすっぽん)

superficially similar but completely different

石の上にも三年(いしのうえにもさんねん)

perserverance prevails

好きこそものの上手なれ(すきこそもののじょうずなれ)

What one likes, one will do best

縁の下の力持ち(えんのしたのちからもち)

unsung hero; person who does a thankless task

うっかり

carelessly, absentmindedly

かなり

considerably, fairly, quite

すっかり

completely

なんとなく

somehow or somewhat

そのうち

sooner or later

ばっちり

perfectly

どうやら

possibly

とっさに

instantly

なんとか

somehow