Japanese idioms
Last week we took a look at some Swedish idioms. This week, why not a few Japanese idioms? May they bring a smile or two.
Ten men, ten colors = different strokes for different folks
Luck exists in the leftovers = it’s never too late
One’s act, one’s profit = we reap what we sow
To grab a flying foot = to take advantage of another’s mistakes
Don’t let your daughter-in-law eat your autumn eggplants = don’t let yourself be taken advantage of
Pulling water into one’s own rice paddy = looking out for #1
A frog in the well does not know the great sea = there’s more to life than you may think
Gold coins to a cat = pearls before swine
No face to show = shame
Nothing is more expensive than something free = the hardest debt to pay off is simple gratitude
Sheep head, dog meat = false advertising
If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub = nothing ventured, nothing gained
A monk for just three days = giving up at the first sign of difficulty
Even monkeys fall from trees = everyone makes mistakes
If any of these struck your fancy, please let me know in the comments section.
My thanks go out to this week’s sources: Japanese Words, Matador Network, Language Realm, Linguanaut, & Quora.
These are a little more harsh than the Swedish ones. Especially that flying foot. And the need to keep the best stuff from a daughter-in-law. I love the monkeys that fall from trees, though.
ReplyDeleteHey Anne -- I had the same thought. Of course, I'm limited by my sources, so the apparent harshness isn't a comment on anything at all. If I were a polyglot I could be much more thorough, eh?
Delete"If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub = nothing ventured, nothing gained." ALSO, YOU AVOID BEING SERVED UP AS LUNCH.
ReplyDeleteAh Steve -- thanks for coming by.
DeleteLike them all! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHey KPK -- Thanks. I'm having a good time with idioms. If you hear any Irish idioms that tickle your fancy, let me know.
Delete