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【No. 1278】Ni no Ashi wo Fumu (二の足を踏む)

Jun 18, 2018 20:11
Have you ever hesitated or been reluctant to do something?

Such an action is called "ni no ashi wo fumu" (二の足を踏む) in Japanese.

Ni (二) means two/second, ashi (足) means foot, and fumu (踏む) means 'to step.'

Even if you take the first step in doing something, if you are reluctant, you can't take the second step -- it will become just stamping your feet.

The thing is, this idiom represents such a situation.

However, in my opinion, the most important thing is to take the first step.
二の足を踏む

何かをするのに躊躇したり、尻込みしたことはありますか?

そのようなことを、日本語で「二の足を踏む」と言います。

「ニ」は ‘two/second,’ 「足」は ‘foot,’ 「踏む」は ‘to step’ を意味します。

もし一歩目を踏み出しても、尻込みしてしまうと二歩目を踏み出すことができず、その場での足踏みとなってしまいます。

この言葉はそのような状況を表しているというわけです。

個人的には、一歩目を踏み出すことが最も大切なことだと思います。

Corrections (1)

No. 1 _SoySauce
  • Have you ever hesitated or been reluctant to do something?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Such an action is called "ni no ashi wo fumu" (二の足を踏む) in Japanese.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Ni (二) means 'two/second,' ashi (足) means 'foot,' and fumu (踏む) means 'to step.'
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Even if you take the first step in doing something, if you are reluctant, you can't take the second step -- it will become just stamping your feet.
  • Even if you take the first step in doing something, if you are reluctant, you can't take the second step -- you will just be stamping your feet in place.

    "...in place" means in one spot. For example, "walking in place" is walking without moving anywhere.

  • The thing is, this idiom represents such a situation.
  • This idiom represents such a situation.

    "The thing is..." is often used to present context into unclear situations.
    A: "Why can't we start a fire? It's cold!"
    B: "We can, but the thing is, this forest has a history of forest fires; it's too dangerous."

    In this case, we already have the context (sentence 2).

  • However, in my opinion, the most important thing is to take the first step.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

I agree, but recklessness can be even worse in some situations.

Toru
Thank you so much for the corrections and comments!
Yes, I think that courage and recklessness are different.

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