Ha ga Tatanai (歯が立たない – Unable to Compete With)
Ha ga Tatanai 歯が立たない The Japanese idiom ha ga tatanai is used to describe a situation where someone is beyond
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Learning English and Japanese
For everyone learning English/Japanese
negative suffix
Te mo Ashi mo Denai (手も足も出ない – Helpless)
Te mo Ashi mo Denai 手も足も出ない The Japanese idiom te mo ashi mo denai describes a situation where there is
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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
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Kizi mo Nakazu wa Utaremai (雉も鳴かずば撃たれまい – Silence Keeps Your Safe)
Kizi mo Nakazu wa Utaremai 雉も鳴かずば撃たれまい Have you ever faced misfortune because you said something unnecessary? 余計なことを言ってしまったばかりに、災難に遭ったことはありますか？ If you find
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Iwazu Mogana (言わずもがな – Needless to Say)
Iwazu Mogana 言わずもがな When describing a situation where “something should not be said” or “something is needless to say,” you
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Ha ni Kinu Kise nu (歯に衣着せぬ – Outspoken)
Ha ni Kinu Kise nu 歯に衣着せぬ The concept of speaking one’s thoughts frankly without indirect expressions can be described as
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Makanu Tane wa Haenu (蒔かぬ種は生えぬ – Nothing Comes of Nothing)
Makanu Tane wa Haenu 蒔かぬ種は生えぬ We should not expect to get good results without taking action or making an effort.
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Negatte mo Nai (願ってもない – Heaven-sent)
Negatte mo Nai 願ってもない There are various phrases to express happiness. When you want to express sincere happiness, you can
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Tou ni Ochizu Kataru ni Ochiru (問うに落ちず語るに落ちる – The Tongue Is Ever Turning to the Aching Tooth)
Tou ni Ochizu Kataru ni Ochiru 問うに落ちず語るに落ちる When people are asked about their secrets by others, they are wary and
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