日本語言い回し (Nihongo Iimawashi) – Japanese word expressions

15th May – 皐月

In the most of languages, there are unique expressions (wording) that non-native speakers cannot understand at first. Something like sentences that do not mean the actual wordings but create other meanings. Today’s theme is Japanese ことわざ (Kotowaza=proverbs) you can use in the normal conversations.

-へそで茶を沸かす Heso de cha wo wakasu

= Boiling tea on the bellybutton

Meaning: very foolish, things that are impossible to do

Eg: 泳いでアメリカに行くなんて、へそで茶を沸かすようなものだ 。(Oyoide Amerika ni Ikunante, Heso de Cha wo Wakasu Youna Monoda) = going to America by swimming is such a foolish idea

-三日坊主 Mikka Bouzu

=Skin head for 3days

Meaning: get bored easily, quit within 3days

Eg: 朝の運動は、三日坊主で終わった。( Asa no Undou wa, Mikka Bouzu de Owatta) = Morning exercise habit did not last for long.

-臭いものに蓋をする Kusai Mono ni Futa wo Suru

=Put the lid to the smelly thing

Meaning: temporarily concealing disgraceful behavior and the things that are inconvenient for oneself.

Eg: 日本の政治家はいつも臭いものに蓋をする。( Nihon no Seijika wa, Itsumo Kusai Mono ni Futa wo Suru)= Japanese politicians always hide things that are inconvenient for them.

琴線に触れる Kinsen ni Fureru

=Touching the harp strings

Meaning: reacting to a little thing. Very touching.

Eg: 彼の演奏は琴線に触れるものだった 。(Kare no Ensou wa Kinsen ni Fureru Mono datta) = his playing was very touching.

There are heaps interesting proverbs existing in Japan. I would like to introduce more of them in the coming blogs:)