idiomatic expression – Learning English and Japanese

Toru Dec 15, 2023Jan 02, 2024 idiomatic expression, imply, Japanese, linguistics, literal meaning, negative suffix, phrase, realizing, unaware

Shirazu Shirazu (知らず知らず – Unconsciously)

Shirazu Shirazu 知らず知らず The Japanese phrase shirazu shirazu (知らず知らず) is used to describe a situation where you are unaware that Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Proverb Slang Uncorrected

Toru Aug 08, 2021Jan 02, 2024 animal, defeat, fight, idiomatic expression, Japanese, literal meaning, phrase, run away, shippo wo maku, tail

Shippo wo Maku (尻尾を巻く – Turning Tail)

Shippo wo Maku 尻尾を巻く When there is no way to win, and you admit your defeat, it can be described Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Onomatopoeia Uncorrected

Toru Feb 05, 2018Jan 03, 2024 chest, etymology, excitement, feeling, heart beat, idiomatic expression, Japanese, munasawagi, romp, tension

Munasawagi (胸騒ぎ – Bad Feeling)

Munasawagi 胸騒ぎ Have you ever felt that something bad would happen? 何か悪いことが起きると予感して興奮したことはありますか？ Such a state is called 胸騒ぎ (munasawagi) in Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Uncorrected

Toru Dec 21, 2017Jan 03, 2024 conversation, conversational phrase, cultural concept, idiomatic expression, interrupt, Japanese, language, literal meaning, speaking, translation

Hanashi no Koshi wo Oru (話の腰を折る – Interrupting when Someone is Talking)

Hanashi no Koshi wo Oru 話の腰を折る Today, I sometimes interrupted others in the middle of talking. 今日、私は何度か他人が話しているところに口をはさみ、会話を遮ってしまいました。 Such an action Read More

Culture Essay Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Aug 29, 2017Jan 03, 2024 become, close mouth, drama, I'd Rather Be a Shellfish, idiomatic expression, Japanese language, Japanese movie, kai ni naru, saying nothing, shellfish

Kai ni Naru (貝になる – Saying Nothing)

Kai ni Naru 貝になる I often do “kai ni naru” (貝になる). 私は会議中、よく貝になります。 The “kai” (貝) means “shellfish,” the “naru” (なる) Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Onomatopoeia Slang Uncorrected

Toru Jul 20, 2017Jan 03, 2024 avoid, idiomatic expression, Japanese, Lang-8, negative, noki hiki, noppiki naranai, pinch, seppa tsumaru, term

Noppiki Naranai (のっぴきならない)

Noppiki Naranai のっぴきならない Now I’m in a situation of “noppiki naranai” (のっぴきならない). 私は今、「のっぴきならない」状況にあります。 “Noppiki naranai” is a term that represents Read More