Shamisen wo Hiku (三味線を弾く - Making Something Up)

Oct 7, 2023 21:09
Shamisen wo Hiku

The Japanese idiom 'shamisen wo hiku' (三味線を弾く) is sometimes used to describe the act of going along with what someone says or making something up.

Since 'shamisen' (三味線) is one of the traditional Japanese stringed instruments, and 'hiku' (弾く) means "to play," the literal meaning of 'shamisen wo hiku' is "to play the shamisen."

The shamisen is known as an instrument that can be played extemporaneously, while matching the tune to various songs ans music.

This property of the shamisen is believed to be connected to the metaphorical meaning of the idiom 'shamisen wo hiku'.
三味線を弾く

相手の言うことに適当に調子を合わせることや、いい加減なうそを言ってごまかすことを、「三味線を弾く」という慣用句で表現することがあります。

「三味線」は日本の伝統的な弦楽器の一つであり、「弾く」は "to play" を意味するので、「三味線を弾く」の文字どおりの意味は "to play the shamisen" となります。

三味線は、さまざまな歌や音楽に対して、即興で調子を合わせて演奏することができる楽器としても知られます。

このような性質が、「三味線を弾く」の比喩的な意味に繋がっていると考えられます。
No. 1 Amop567

Fascinating!
I’ve played the shamisen for many years but didn’t know this idiom.

Toru
Wow, that's impressive! I believe many Japanese people, including myself, have never played the shamisen. You might be more familiar with Japanese culture than even the Japanese! To tell you the truth, I think many Japanese people don't know the metaphorical meaning of this idiom either, haha.
No. 2 O-Star
  • Shamisen wo Hiku (三味線を弾く - Making Somethong Up)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Shamisen wo Hiku
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • The Japanese idiom 'shamisen wo hiku' (三味線を弾く) is sometimes used to describe the act of going along with what someone says or making something up.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'shamisen' (三味線) is one of the traditional Japanese stringed instruments, and 'hiku' (弾く) means "to play," the literal meaning of 'shamisen wo hiku' is "to play the shamisen."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • The shamisen is known as an instrument that can be played extemporaneously, while matching the tune to various songs ans music.
  • The shamisen is known as an instrument that can be played extemporaneously, while matching the tune to various songs and music.
  • This property of the shamisen is believed to be connected to the metaphorical meaning of the idiom 'shamisen wo hiku'.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you for the correction!
O-Star
You're welcome.
No. 3 friendfromfaraway
  • Shamisen wo Hiku (三味線を弾く - Making Somethong Up)
  • Shamisen wo Hiku (三味線を弾く - Making Something Up)
Toru
Thank you for the correction!