Japanese Yojijukugo – English Translation & Meaning

Voice sample: AI

明鏡止水

めいきょうしすい (meikyō shisui)

A calm and clear mind, free from distractions.

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Basic Example

彼の心は明鏡止水で、動揺の色がなかった。

His mind was calm and clear, without a hint of disturbance.

Applied Example

彼の心は明鏡止水のように静まり返っていた。

His mind was as calm and clear as a polished mirror and still water.

Voice sample: AI

疾風怒涛

しっぷうどとう (shippū dotō)

A period of intense activity and rapid change.

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Basic Example

若い頃の彼は疾風怒涛の勢いで挑戦を続けた。

In his youth, he pursued challenges with the force of a storm.

Applied Example

疾風怒涛の攻撃で一気に形勢を逆転させた。

With a storm-like assault, they turned the game around in an instant.

Voice sample: AI

朝令暮改

ちょうれいぼかい (chōrei bokai)

Frequent changes in policy or rules.

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Basic Example

彼の指示は朝令暮改で、部下は混乱している。

His orders change from morning to evening, leaving subordinates confused.

Applied Example

昨日の方針が今日には変わる。まさに朝令暮改だ。

Yesterday’s policy was changed today — truly orders in the morning, changes by evening.

Voice sample: AI

天衣無縫

てんいむほう (ten’i muhō)

Natural and flawless; without artifice.

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Basic Example

彼女の笑顔は天衣無縫で、作り物ではない自然な魅力がある。

Her smile is completely natural and unaffected.

Applied Example

彼女のプレーは天衣無縫で、見る者を魅了した。

Her play was so natural and perfect, it enchanted everyone.

Voice sample: AI

波瀾万丈

はらんばんじょう (haran banjō)

A life full of ups and downs and dramatic events.

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Basic Example

彼の人生は波瀾万丈で、常に予想外の出来事が起こる。

His life has been full of ups and downs, with constant surprises.

Applied Example

彼の人生は波瀾万丈で、語れば一晩では足りない。

His life was full of ups and downs — you couldn’t tell it all in one night.

Voice sample: AI

意気軒昂

いきけんこう (iki kenkō)

High-spirited and full of energy.

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Voice sample: AI

十年一日

じゅうねんいちじつ (jūnen ichijitsu)

No change over a long period, as if time stood still.

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Basic Example

彼の生活は十年一日、変わらぬ日課だった。

His daily routine has been unchanged for ten years.

Applied Example

十年間同じペースで努力を続けてきた。まるで十年一日だ。

He’d kept the same pace of effort for ten years straight — like time standing still.

Voice sample: AI

一期百会

いちごひゃくえ (ichigo hyakue)

A once-in-a-lifetime meeting leading to countless connections.

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Basic Example

その会議は一期百会のように、多くの出会いが詰まっていた。

That conference felt like countless valuable encounters packed into one event.

Applied Example

一期百会の巡り合わせに、仲間たちは深く感謝した。

They were deeply grateful for the rare and fateful encounter — once in a hundred meetings.

Voice sample: AI

破顔一笑

はがんいっしょう (hagan isshō)

Breaking into a broad smile from joy or relief.

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Basic Example

子どもの一言に、彼は破顔一笑した。

At the child’s comment, he broke into a broad smile.

Applied Example

優勝が決まった瞬間、彼女は破顔一笑した。

The moment victory was decided, she broke into a beaming smile.

Voice sample: AI

粉骨砕身

ふんこつさいしん (funkotsu saishin)

To make every possible effort; to devote oneself fully.

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Basic Example

彼は粉骨砕身してプロジェクトを成功させた。

He worked tirelessly to ensure the project’s success.

Applied Example

優勝のために粉骨砕身で戦い抜いた。

He fought with every ounce of his strength for the championship.