PhraseNinja

Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 蛙の面に水

かえるのつらにみず (Kaeru no tsura ni mizu)

English Translation:

Water on a frog's face

Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Someone does not care at all, no matter what is said or done to them.
日本語で読む
どんなことを言われても、されても、まったく平気でいる様子。

Cultural Context:

It is usually used with a critical tone, about someone who ignores scolding or advice.
日本語で読む
注意や小言を聞き流す人について、あきれた気持ちで使うことが多いです。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

•「面」= face (read つら, a rough word). •Water on a frog, which lives in water, means nothing to it.
日本語で読む
•「面」は「つら」と読み、顔のくだけた言い方。•水にすむ蛙は、顔に水をかけられても平気。

Trap for English Speakers

It is not praise for being calm; it suggests someone is shameless or not listening.
日本語で読む
落ち着いているとほめる言葉ではなく、ずうずうしい、聞く耳を持たないという意味です。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 何度注意しても弟は蛙の面に水で、また靴下を脱ぎっぱなしにした。

    No matter how many times I tell him, it's like water off a duck's back; my brother left his socks lying around again.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 師匠に何度しかられても、見習い忍者は蛙の面に水で、また昼寝をしていた。

    No matter how often his master scolded him, the apprentice ninja shrugged it off and took another nap.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「蛙の面に水」 mean?

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