Japanese Proverbs & Idioms – English Translations

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臨死体験

りんしたいけん (rinshi taiken)

Near-death experience

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Basic Example

事故で臨死体験をしたと彼は語った。

He said he had a near-death experience in the accident.

Applied Example

海に落ち、必死にもがくあの時間はまさに臨死体験だった。

Falling into the sea and struggling to breathe was truly a near-death experience.

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抱腹絶倒

ほうふくぜっとう (houfuku zettou)

Rolling on the floor laughing

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質疑無用

しつぎむよう (shitsugi muyou)

No questions asked; unquestionable

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一期一振

いちごひとふり (ichigo hitofuri)

A unique, one-of-a-kind sword (often used figuratively for something singular and special)

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Basic Example

この刀は一期一振の名刀として有名だ。

This sword is famous as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Applied Example

伝説の剣・一期一振が抜かれた瞬間、空気が張り詰めた。

The moment the legendary sword, Ichigo Hitofuri, was drawn, the air grew tense.

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完全燃焼

かんぜんねんしょう (kanzen nenshou)

Giving it your all; complete combustion (figurative)

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Basic Example

試合で完全燃焼できて満足だ。

I’m satisfied that I was able to give my all in the game.

Applied Example

試合終了の瞬間、全員がその場に倒れ込む。完全燃焼だった。

At the final whistle, everyone collapsed where they stood — they had completely burned themselves out.

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質疑応答

しつぎおうとう (shitsugi outou)

Questions and answers

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Basic Example

会議の最後に質疑応答の時間を設けた。

We set aside time for questions and answers at the end of the meeting.

Applied Example

質疑応答の時間、彼は的確な返答で聴衆をうならせた。

During the Q&A, his precise answers impressed the audience.

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温良恭倹

おんりょうきょうけん (onryou kyouken)

Gentle, modest, respectful, and frugal

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Basic Example

祖父は温良恭倹の人で、誰からも尊敬されていた。

My grandfather was gentle, respectful, and frugal, respected by all.

Applied Example

温良恭倹な人柄が、激しい場面でも彼を落ち着かせた。

His gentle, respectful, and frugal nature kept him calm even in tense moments.

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風前の灯

ふうぜんのともしび (fūzen no tomoshibi)

A candle in the wind

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Basic Example

今にも消えそうな状態は、まさに風前の灯だ。

A situation on the brink of collapse is like a candle in the wind.

Applied Example

逆転負け寸前のチームは風前の灯だ。

The team about to lose in the final seconds is a candle in the wind.

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天長地久

てんちょうちきゅう (tenchou chikyuu)

Everlasting; as eternal as heaven and earth

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Basic Example

二人の愛が天長地久でありますように。

May their love last as long as heaven and earth.

Applied Example

二人の絆は天長地久、どんな試練も壊せなかった。

Their bond was as enduring as heaven and earth, unbroken by any trial.

Voice sample: AI

船頭多くして船山に登る

せんどうおおくしてふねやまにのぼる (sendō ōku shite funeyama ni noboru)

Too many cooks spoil the broth

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Basic Example

指示役が多すぎると、船頭多くして船山に登るだ。

Too many leaders cause confusion—too many cooks spoil the broth.

Applied Example

監督とコーチとキャプテンが同時に指示…船頭多くして船山に登るだな。

Coach, assistant, and captain all shouting orders—too many cooks spoil the broth.