Japanese Proverbs & Idioms – English Translations

Voice sample: AI

暗中模索

あんちゅうもさく (anchuu mosaku)

Groping in the dark; trial and error

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Voice sample: AI

一言居士

いちげんこじ (ichigen koji)

Person who always has something to say; opinionated person

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Basic Example

彼は何かと意見を言う一言居士だ。

He’s someone who always has something to say.

Applied Example

「それは違うと思うな。」いつもの一言居士が口を開いた。

I think that’s wrong, the habitual commentator spoke up as always.

Voice sample: AI

南船北馬

なんせんほくば (nansen hokuba)

Constant traveling; being always on the move

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Basic Example

彼は南船北馬の生活で全国を飛び回っている。

He lives a life of constant travel across the country.

Applied Example

南船北馬の生活で、家にいる時間はほとんどなかった。

His life was one of constant travel by ship and horse, leaving little time at home.

Voice sample: AI

森羅万象

しんらばんしょう (shinra banshou)

All things in nature and the universe

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Basic Example

森羅万象に興味を持つことは学びを広げる。

Having an interest in all things in the universe broadens your learning.

Applied Example

森羅万象すべてが彼の興味の対象だった。

All things in the universe fascinated him.

Voice sample: AI

百折不撓

ひゃくせつふとう (hyakusetsu futou)

Indomitable spirit; never giving up despite repeated failures

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Basic Example

彼は百折不撓の精神で挑戦を続けた。

He kept challenging himself with an indomitable spirit.

Applied Example

何度倒されても立ち上がる、その姿は百折不撓だった。

No matter how many times he was knocked down, he rose again — never bending despite a hundred setbacks.

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異国情緒

いこくじょうちょ (ikoku joucho)

Exotic atmosphere; foreign flavor

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Basic Example

この港町は異国情緒にあふれている。

This port town is full of exotic atmosphere.

Applied Example

港町は異国情緒にあふれ、歩くだけで旅気分になれた。

The port town was full of exotic charm — just walking there felt like traveling.

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天下無双

てんかむそう (tenka musou)

Second to none; peerless under heaven

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Basic Example

彼は天下無双の剣士として知られている。

He is known as a peerless swordsman.

Applied Example

その剣技は天下無双で、敵は一太刀も耐えられなかった。

His swordsmanship was unmatched under heaven — no enemy could withstand a single strike.

Voice sample: AI

老若男女

ろうにゃくなんにょ (rounyaku nan-n yo)

Men and women of all ages

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Basic Example

老若男女が参加できるイベントを企画した。

We planned an event that anyone, young or old, can join.

Applied Example

老若男女が祭りに集まり、賑わいを見せた。

People of all ages and genders gathered at the festival, creating a lively scene.

Voice sample: AI

相思相愛

そうしそうあい (soushi souai)

Mutual love; being in love with each other

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Voice sample: AI

大同団結

だいどうだんけつ (daidou danketsu)

Great unity; forming a united front

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Basic Example

選手たちは大同団結して優勝を目指した。

The players united to aim for the championship.

Applied Example

ライバル同士が大同団結し、強敵に挑んだ。

Rivals united for a common cause and challenged a formidable foe.