Japanese Proverbs & Idioms – English Translations

Voice sample: AI

唯我独尊

ゆいがどくそん (yuiga dokuson)

Full of oneself / Self-important

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Voice sample: AI

ずしり

ずしり (zushiri)

heavy, weighty

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Voice sample: AI

待てば海路の日和あり

まてばかいろのひよりあり (Mateba kairo no hiyori ari)

All things come to those who wait / Good things come to those who wait

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Basic Example

苦しい時期も、待てば海路の日和ありと信じて耐えた。

He endured the hard times, trusting that all things come to those who wait.

Applied Example

嵐が去り、海が静かになる。待てば海路の日和あり、船は再び進み出した。

The storm passed and the sea calmed. Good sailing weather comes to those who wait, and the ship moved again.

Voice sample: AI

無我夢中

むがむちゅう (muga muchuu)

Lost in something / Completely absorbed

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Basic Example

無我夢中でゴールに向かって走った。

I ran toward the goal in total absorption.

Applied Example

無我夢中でボールを追いかけ、気づけばゴールが決まっていた。

Completely absorbed, he chased the ball and scored before he knew it.

Voice sample: AI

ぴたり

ぴたり (pitari)

perfectly, exactly

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Voice sample: AI

案ずるより産むが易し

あんずるよりうむがやすし (Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi)

It's easier done than said / It's easier to do than to worry

Calm Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

新しいプロジェクトも、案ずるより産むが易しで意外と順調に進んだ。

Starting a new project turned out smoother than expected — it’s easier done than said.

Applied Example

「やってみたら案ずるより産むが易しだったな。」

Once we tried it, it was easier done than said.

Voice sample: AI

以心伝心

いしんでんしん (ishin denshin)

Unspoken communication / Telepathy

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Basic Example

二人は以心伝心で次の行動を決めた。

The two decided their next move through unspoken understanding.

Applied Example

アイコンタクトだけで連携が決まる。以心伝心だ。

With just eye contact, they coordinated perfectly — unspoken communication.

Voice sample: AI

しっとり

しっとり (shittori)

moist, softly

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Voice sample: AI

千里の道も一歩から

せんりのみちもいっぽから (Senri no michi mo ippo kara)

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Hope Motivation Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

どんな大きな目標も、千里の道も一歩からだと自分に言い聞かせて走り始めた。

Even the longest journey begins with a single step — he reminded himself as he started running.

Applied Example

新入部員が初めてラケットを握る。千里の道も一歩から、その一振りが未来を作る。

A rookie picked up a racket for the first time. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single swing.

Voice sample: AI

一触即発

いっしょくそくはつ (isshoku sokuhatsu)

On the verge / On the brink

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