Japanese Proverbs & Idioms – English Translations

Voice sample: AI

背に腹は代えられぬ

せにはらはかえられぬ (se ni hara wa kaerarenu)

Desperate times call for desperate measures

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Basic Example

背に腹は代えられぬ状況で、貯金をすべて使った。

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I used all my savings.

Applied Example

「背に腹は代えられぬ！この一撃に全魔力を注ぐ！」

“Desperate times call for desperate measures! I’ll pour all my magic into this strike!”

Voice sample: AI

快刀乱麻

かいとうらんま (kaitō ranma)

To solve a complicated problem with decisive skill.

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Basic Example

彼は複雑な問題を快刀乱麻のごとく解決した。

He solved the complex problem as swiftly as cutting through tangled threads with a sharp sword.

Applied Example

複雑な問題を快刀乱麻を断つように一手で解決した。

He solved the complicated problem in one move, like cutting a tangled knot with a sharp blade.

Voice sample: AI

雀の涙

すずめのなみだ (suzume no namida)

A drop in the bucket

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Basic Example

その寄付金額は必要経費に比べれば雀の涙だ。

The donation amount is a drop in the bucket compared to the needed expenses.

Applied Example

装備強化費用に比べたら、この報酬は雀の涙だな。

Compared to gear upgrade costs, this reward is just a drop in the bucket.

Voice sample: AI

一網打尽

いちもうだじん (ichimō dajin)

To round up and capture all at once.

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Basic Example

警察は一網打尽に犯人グループを逮捕した。

The police arrested the entire group of criminals in one sweep.

Applied Example

逃げる敵を一網打尽にして試合を終わらせた。

He caught all the fleeing enemies in one net, ending the match.

Voice sample: AI

類は友を呼ぶ

るいはともをよぶ (rui wa tomo o yobu)

Birds of a feather flock together

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Basic Example

似た者同士は集まりやすく、類は友を呼ぶものだ。

People with similar interests gather—birds of a feather flock together.

Applied Example

恋バナ好きばかりの部に新人が入ってきた、やっぱり類は友を呼ぶ。

A romance-obsessed newbie joined the club—birds of a feather flock together.

Voice sample: AI

百花繚乱

ひゃっかりょうらん (hyakka ryōran)

A profusion of blooming flowers; a gathering of many outstanding people or talents.

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Basic Example

春の庭は百花繚乱で、色とりどりの花が咲き誇っていた。

The spring garden was in full bloom, a dazzling display of countless flowers.

Applied Example

コートに並ぶユニフォームの色は百花繚乱のようだった。

The colors of the uniforms on the court were like a profusion of blooming flowers.

Voice sample: AI

目の上のたんこぶ

めのうえのたんこぶ (me no ue no tankobu)

A thorn in one’s side

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Basic Example

彼はずっと私の目の上のたんこぶのような存在だ。

He has always been like a thorn in my side.

Applied Example

同じポジションに絶対王者がいて、目の上のたんこぶだ。

There’s a reigning champ in my position—a thorn in my side.

Voice sample: AI

安心立命

あんしんりつめい (anshin ritsumei)

Peace of mind and acceptance

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Basic Example

安心立命の境地に達した僧侶。

A monk who has reached peace of mind and acceptance.

Applied Example

「何があっても慌てない。安心立命の境地だ。」

No matter what happens, you stay calm — that’s peace of mind and acceptance of fate.

Voice sample: AI

腹八分目に医者いらず

はらはちぶんめにいしゃいらず (hara hachibunme ni isha irazu)

Moderation is the key to health

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Basic Example

健康のため、腹八分目に医者いらずを心がけている。

For my health, I practice moderation—the key to keeping the doctor away.

Applied Example

減量中だから腹八分目に医者いらずを徹底してる。

In cutting season, I stick to moderation—the key to keeping the doctor away.

Voice sample: AI

仏の顔も三度まで

ほとけのかおもさんどまで (hotoke no kao mo sando made)

Even patience has limits

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Basic Example

我慢にも限界があり、仏の顔も三度までということを覚えておこう。

Even patience has limits—remember, even a saint gets angry after three times.

Applied Example

温厚な隊長でも三度注意したら限界、仏の顔も三度までだ。

Even our gentle captain loses it after the third warning—patience has limits.