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Other: Japanese Quotes & Phrases

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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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

Proverbs

泣きっ面に蜂

なきっつらにはち (Nakittsura ni hachi)

When it rains, it pours / Misfortunes never come singly

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 終電を逃したうえにスマホまで電池切れ、「泣きっ面に蜂」とはこのことだ。

    Missing the last train and a dead phone—when it rains, it pours.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 雨に濡れた彼のスニーカーが水たまりに沈む。泣きっ面に蜂、けれど拾った傘が恋の始まりになった。

    His soaked sneakers sank into a puddle; misfortunes never come singly, yet the umbrella he found started a romance.

Proverbs

鶴の一声

つるのひとこえ (Tsuru no hitokoe)

The final word / A word from the top settles everything

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 紛糾する会議も、部長の「鶴の一声」で一気に方向が決まった。

    The heated meeting ended when the boss gave the final word.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「作戦はB案でいく。」鶴の一声に、ベンチの空気が一気に締まった。

    “We’ll go with Plan B.” A word from the top snapped the dugout to attention.

Proverbs

犬猿の仲

けんえんのなか (Ken'en no naka)

Fight like cats and dogs / Be at loggerheads

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 幼なじみの二人は「犬猿の仲」だが、試合になると息が合う不思議なコンビだ。

    They’re like cats and dogs, yet on the court their teamwork clicks.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「今日だけは停戦。犬猿の仲でも、勝利は分け合おう。」

    “Truce for today. We may be at loggerheads, but let’s share the win.”

Proverbs