Japanese Proverbs & Idioms – English Translations

Voice sample: AI

ギリギリ

ぎりぎり (girigiri)

just in time, barely

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Voice sample: AI

雨垂れ石を穿つ

あまだれいしをうがつ (Amadare ishi wo ugatsu)

Constant dripping wears away the stone / Perseverance prevails

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Basic Example

毎日の基礎練習は小さな一歩でも、雨垂れ石を穿つのだ。

Even small steps in daily drills can have a big impact — constant dripping wears away the stone.

Applied Example

「見ろよ、この成果。雨垂れ石を穿つって本当だな。」

Look at this progress. Constant dripping wears away the stone — it’s true.

Voice sample: AI

本末転倒

ほんまつてんとう (honmatsu tentou)

Putting the cart before the horse

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Basic Example

品質を下げてコスト削減するのは本末転倒だ。

It’s reversing priorities to cut quality just to save costs.

Applied Example

勝利にこだわるあまり、仲間を犠牲にするのは本末転倒だ。

Sacrificing teammates just to win is putting the cart before the horse.

Voice sample: AI

シクシク

しくしく (shikushiku)

sobbing, weeping

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Voice sample: AI

鬼の目にも涙

おにのめにもなみだ (Oni no me ni mo namida)

Even the hardest heart can be moved / Even ogres shed tears

Moved Surprise Other

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Basic Example

普段は厳しい上司が、部下の退職スピーチで鬼の目にも涙を見せた。

Even the strictest boss can be moved to tears during a farewell speech — even ogres shed tears.

Applied Example

冷酷と呼ばれた将軍が、部下の最期を見て拳を震わせた。鬼の目にも涙だ。

The general known for his ruthlessness trembled at the sight of his soldier’s last moments — even ogres shed tears.

Voice sample: AI

電光石火

でんこうせっか (denkou sekka)

In the blink of an eye / Lightning fast

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Basic Example

彼は電光石火の動きでボールを奪った。

He stole the ball with lightning speed.

Applied Example

敵の動きを読んだ瞬間、電光石火の一撃が炸裂した。

The moment he read the enemy’s move, he struck in the blink of an eye.

Voice sample: AI

ガバッ

がばっ (gaba’)

suddenly, with a start

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Voice sample: AI

出る杭は打たれる

でるくいはうたれる (Deru kui wa utareru)

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down

Other Advice Caution

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Basic Example

チームで目立ちすぎると、出る杭は打たれることもある。

Standing out too much in a team can sometimes lead to pushback — the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

Applied Example

「お前、活躍しすぎだって言われてるぞ。出る杭は打たれるんだよ。」

They say you’re doing too well. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

Voice sample: AI

四苦八苦

しくはっく (shiku hakkū)

Struggling with hardships

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Basic Example

新しいソフトの設定に四苦八苦している。

I’m struggling greatly with setting up the new software.

Applied Example

新しい武器を扱うのに四苦八苦した。

He struggled with hardships to master the new weapon.

Voice sample: AI

ワナワナ

わなわな (wanawana)

shaking, trembling

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Basic Example

彼は怒りでワナワナと手が震えた。

His hands shook with anger.

Applied Example

「ワナワナ…（怒りマーク）」というコマ割り。

A panel in manga with “wanawana…” and angry symbol.