Mouth and Tongue

There are many idioms that use a part of a body in both English and Japanese.

Today I found an interesting rule in such idioms.

The rule is that Japanese idioms tend to use mouth, whereas English idioms tend to use tongue instead of mouth.

For example, to say something unnecessary is expressed as "kuti ga suberu" (口が滑る - slip one's mouth) in Japanese, wheares it's expressed as "make a slip of the tongue" in English.

Also, to be silent is expressed as "kuchi wo tsumugu" (口をつむぐ - hold one's mouth), wheares it's expressed as "hold one's tongue" in English.

Furthermore, to be careful in one's speech is expressed as "kuchi no kikikata ni kiwotukeru" (口の利き方に気をつける -watch the usage of one's mouth), whereas it's expressed as "watch one's tongue" in English (it seems also be expressed as "watch one's mouth," though).

I think that these are interesting differences.

口と舌

英語にも日本語にも、体の一部を使った慣用句は数多く存在します。

そんな慣用句の中で、ある興味深い法則を見つけました。

日本語で「口」を使う慣用句は、英語では「舌」を使うことが多いということです。

例えば、うっかり余計なことを言ってしまうことを日本語では「口が滑る」と言いますが、英語では "make a slip of the tongue" （舌を滑らせる）と言います。

また、黙っていることを日本語では「口をつぐむ」と言いますが、英語では "hold one's tongue" （舌を押さえる）と言います。

さらに、言葉遣いに気をつけることを日本語では「口の利き方に気をつける」といいますが、英語では "watch one's tongue" （舌に気をつける）と言います。

「口」に注目するか、「舌」に注目するか、面白い違いだと思います。

• There are many idioms that use a part of a body in both English and Japanese.
• There are many idioms that use refer to a part of a body in both English and Japanese.

• Today I found an interesting rule in such idioms.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

• There are many idioms that use a part of a body in both English and Japanese.
• There are many idioms that refer to a part of the body in both English and Japanese.

• The rule is that Japanese idioms tend to use mouth, whereas English idioms tend to use tongue instead of mouth.
• The rule is that Japanese idioms tend to use the mouth, whereas English idioms tend to use the tongue instead.

• Furthermore, to be careful in one's speech is expressed as "kuchi no kikikata ni kiwotukeru" (口の利き方に気をつける -watch the usage of one's mouth), whereas it's expressed as "watch one's tongue" in English (it seems also be expressed as "watch one's mouth," though).
• Furthermore, to be careful in one's speech is expressed as "kuchi no kikikata ni kiwotukeru" (口の利き方に気をつける -watch the usage of one's mouth), whereas it's expressed as "watch one's tongue" in English (it seems that it can also be expressed as "watch one's mouth," though).

確かに面白いですね。例外もありますけれど、例えば「舌の根も乾かぬうち」。

もしかしたら、「舌」に「下」、ひいては「下品」に連想させないためのものなのでしょうか。