Japonin Classic · Idioms 1–5

Japanese Idioms – Part 1 (1–5)

Learn 5 essential Japanese idioms with JP/EN examples, usage notes, and a short video lesson.

These idioms are frequently used in daily conversation and helpful for JLPT preparation (N3–N1). Mastering these idioms will make your Japanese sound more natural, while also enhancing comprehension of authentic Japanese texts such as news, dramas, and JLPT passages.

Suggested: JLPT N3–N1 / CEFR B1–C2 ⏱ ~4 min

Part of the Japonin Classic Series, with retro-style illustrations and short video lessons for effective and enjoyable learning.

大おおきなお世話せわ

Meaning: Unwanted meddling; “mind your own business.”
Usage: This phrase is used when someone steps into your personal matters or gives advice you never asked for. It carries the sense of rejecting such involvement, close in tone to saying “that’s not your concern” in English.
Register: Informal and somewhat blunt. It can sound harsh if used in formal or professional situations, so speakers often switch to a softer expression when politeness is required.
Japanese idiom 大きなお世話 (ookina osewa) – meaning and examples ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 大おおきなお世話せわだよ。自分じぶんで決きめるから。
    That’s none of your business. I’ll decide for myself.
  • 体重たいじゅうのことまで 言いうなんて、 大おおきなお世話せわだよ。
    Commenting on my weight is totally out of line.
Mini Quiz

そんなこと言うなんて、ひどいなあ。（　　　）だよ。

  1. ありがとう
  2. 大きなお世話
  3. いいね
Show Answer

Answer: 2

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 大おおきなお世話せわ：none of your business, unwanted meddling
  • 体重たいじゅう：body weight

へそくり

Meaning: Secret savings / a private stash of money (often kept hidden from family)
Usage: This word is used to describe money secretly saved, usually kept hidden from one’s spouse or family. It often carries a humorous or light-hearted nuance, similar to saying “a secret stash” in English.
Register: Casual and often humorous. Since money can be a sensitive topic, people usually avoid this term in formal or business contexts.
Japanese idiom へそくり (hesokuri) ▶
▶ Watch the short lesson

Examples

  • へそくりが夫おっとに見みつかって、ちょっと気きまずい。
    My husband found my secret stash, and it was awkward.
  • 旅行りょこうのために、毎月少すこしずつへそくりしている。
    I’m putting aside a little secret savings each month for a trip.
Mini Quiz

夫おっとに内緒ないしょで新あたらしいバッグを買かいたいから、（　　　　）をためているところ。

  1. お年玉としだま
  2. へそくり
  3. 会費かいひ
Show Answer

Answer: 2

Vocabulary & Notes
  • へそくり：secret savings, stash of money
  • 気きまずい：awkward, embarrassing
  • 見みつかる：to be found, to get discovered
  • 会費かいひ：membership fee, subscription fee
  • お年玉としだま：New Year’s gift money (traditionally given to children)

大目おおめに見みる

Meaning: To overlook minor faults; to go easy on someone; to be lenient
Usage: Used when you intentionally ignore small mistakes or strict rules to be kind or flexible toward someone. Close in tone to “cut someone some slack” or “give them a pass” in English.
Register: Neutral–casual. Polite enough for everyday conversation, but in formal settings speakers may choose softer phrasing to avoid sounding permissive.
alt= ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 初はじめての失敗しっぱいだから、大目おおめに見みるよ。
    It’s your first mistake, so I’ll let it slide.
  • 提出ていしゅつが遅おくれたけど、先生せんせいが今回は大目おおめに見みてくれた。
    My submission was late, but the teacher went easy on me this time.
Mini Quiz

バスが遅おくれたので、遅刻ちこくしたんだね。それなら、（　　　　）ことにしよう。

  1. 大目おおめに見みる
  2. 叱しかる
  3. 謝あやまる
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 大目おおめに見みる：to overlook, to be lenient with
  • 失敗しっぱい：mistake, failure
  • 提出ていしゅつ：submission (of homework, report, etc.)
  • 遅おくれる：to be late, to be delayed
  • 遅刻ちこく：being late, tardiness
  • 叱しかる：to scold, to reprimand
  • 謝あやまる：to apolojize

ちやほや

Meaning: To spoil or dote on someone; to give someone excessive or flattering attention.
Usage: This word is used when someone is surrounded by praise or treated with too much care and attention, often in a flattering or indulgent way. Close in tone to “spoil” or “dote on” in English.
Register: Casual. Commonly used in everyday conversation, though it can carry a mildly critical tone if the attention feels excessive.
Japanese idiom ちやほや (chiyahoya) – meaning and examples video
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 彼かれはデビューしたばかりなのに、もう多おおくのファンにちやほやされている。
  • He just made his debut, but he is already being fawned over by many fans.
  • 彼は子どものころからちやほやされて育そだった。
    He was doted on ever since he was a child.
Mini Quiz

彼女かのじょは男性だんせいに（　　　　）されて、いい気きになっている。

  1. あたふた
  2. すっかり
  3. ちやほや
Show Answer

Answer: 3

Vocabulary & Notes
  • ちやほや：to pamper, to spoil, to flatter
  • 育そだつ：to grow up
  • あたふた：in a fluster, in a hurry, confused
  • すっかり：completely, entirely

目めが高たかい

Meaning: To have a good eye; to be discerning / have good taste
Usage: Used to praise someone who can quickly recognize quality or value. Close in tone to “you’ve got a good eye” or “discerning taste” in English.
Register: Neutral–polite compliment in everyday conversation. In more formal speech, the honorific form お目めが高たかい is common.
Japanese idiom 目が高い (me ga takai) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ See the video explanation

Examples

  • このブランドを選えらぶなんて、目めが高たかいね。
    You’ve got a good eye choosing this brand.
  • 彼かれがくれたプレゼント、とてもセンスがいいよ。ほんと目めが高たかいね。
    The present he gave you shows such good taste. He really has a good eye.
Mini Quiz

この高級こうきゅうブランドの靴くつを選えらぶなんて、（　　　　）ね。

  1. 目めがくらむ
  2. 口くちが悪わるい
  3. 目めが高たかい
Show Answer

Answer: 3

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 目めが高たかい：to have good taste, a discerning eye
  • 選えらぶ：to choose, to select
  • センスがいい：to have good taste / stylish
  • 目めがくらむ：to be dazzled, blinded (often by money or luxury)
  • 口くちが悪わるい：to be foul-mouthed, to speak harshly

Back to the full list: 30 Japanese Idioms  ·  Try quizzes: Idioms quizzes

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Written by Chiho Kamioka, Founder of Japonin (JOI)