PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 十人十色

Reading:

じゅうにんといろ (juunin toiro)

English Translation:

So many men, so many minds. / To each their own. / Everyone is different.

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

The notion that every individual is unique, with their own preferences, values, and ways of thinking. This phrase expresses respect for diversity and individuality.
日本語で読む
人はそれぞれ個性や考え方、好みが異なり、まったく同じ人はいないという意味。多様性や個人の違いを認め合い、尊重するという社会的な価値観を示します。

Cultural Context:

Popular in media discussions on diversity, education, and lifestyle choices, this idiom affirms acceptance of individuality in modern Japanese society.
日本語で読む
多様性や個性尊重を語る場面で使われ、現代日本社会における個人の違いの受容を肯定する。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• "So many men, so many minds." = An English proverb, often used as a literal translation of 十人十色.<br>• "To each their own." / "Everyone is different." = Commonly used in daily English conversation to express the same idea.
日本語で読む
• 英語の "So many men, so many minds." はことわざ的に使われるが、会話では "To each their own." や "Everyone is different." のほうが自然。

Trap for English Speakers

Don't overuse the literal translation "ten people, ten colors" in English; instead, use the established proverbs or common expressions above.
日本語で読む
英語では「ten people, ten colors」と直訳すると不自然なので、実際は "To each their own." や "Everyone is different." のような慣用表現を使う方が良い。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 人の好みは十人十色だ。

    Everyone is different when it comes to taste.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 同じ景色を見ても感想は十人十色だった。

    Even seeing the same view, their reactions were all different — so many men, so many minds.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「十人十色」 mean?

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