Sparrow’s Tears and Cat’s Forehead
Today, I’d like to talk about the Japanese phrases “suzume no namida” and “neko no hitai.”
雀の涙と猫の額
Suzume means sparrows, namida means tears, and “suzume no namida” is a phrase for expressing very small quantity.
今日は、日本語の慣用句「雀の涙」と「猫の額」を紹介します。
For example: Suzume no namida hodo no kyuryo (A salary as much as sparrow’s tears)
雀は “sparrow”、涙は “tears” という意味で、雀の涙はごくわずかなものを例える際に使う言葉です。
There is also the phrase “neko no hitai,” which is similar to “suzume no namida.”
例：雀の涙ほどの給料
Neko means cats, hitai means a forehead, and “neko no hitai” is a phrase for expressing very narrow area.
雀の涙に似た慣用句として、猫の額があります。
For example: Neko no hitai hodo no tochi (A place as large as a cat’s forehead)
猫は “cat”、額は “forehead” という意味で、猫の額は狭い面積を例える際に使う言葉です。
Also, “unagi no nedoko” (an eel’s bed) is a phrase for expressing a narrow and long space.
例：猫の額ほどの土地
