Japonin Classic · Idioms 11–15

Japanese Idioms – Part 3 (11–15)

Learn 5 Japanese idioms that capture emotions, focus, and behavior, with JP/EN examples and a short video lesson.

These idioms are common in daily conversation and useful for JLPT preparation (N3–N1). They illustrate situations ranging from “nothing to complain about” to “blowing something off,” enabling you to communicate naturally and understand real-life Japanese.

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.

言いうことなし

Meaning: Nothing to complain about / perfect
Usage: Used to describe something so good that there is nothing to criticize. It carries a positive nuance, often showing admiration or satisfaction with the result.
Register: Neutral and positive. Common in conversation, reviews, or compliments when evaluating people, things, or services.
Japanese idiom 言うことなし (iu koto nashi) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ See the video explanation

Examples

  • このホテルのサービスは言いうことなしだ。
    The service at this hotel is perfect.
  • 彼かれのプレゼントの選えらび方かたは言いうことなしだね。
    His choice of gift is perfect.
Mini Quiz

A: わあ、この景色けしき、すごいね！
B: うん、本当に（　　　）だね。

  1. 言いうことなし
  2. 油ゆ断だんなし
  3. 異い論ろんなし
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 言いうことなし：nothing to complain about, absolutely perfect
  • 選えらび方かた：way of choosing
  • サービス：service
  • 油断ゆだんなし：no carelessness, fully alert
  • 異論いろんなし：no objection, agreed upon

喉のどから手てが出でるほど

Meaning: Desperate desire / want something badly
Usage: Used when someone wants something so strongly that they can hardly hold back. Often emphasizes a craving, wish, or longing for an item, chance, or result.
Register: Neutral and common. Used in conversation, media, or writing to stress strong desire.
Japanese idiom 喉から手が出るほど (nodo kara te ga deru hodo) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 喉のどから手てが出でるほど欲ほしかった靴くつをやっと手てに入いれました。
    I finally got the shoes I wanted so badly.
  • その車くるま、喉のどから手てが出でるほど欲ほしいんですが、お金おかねがないので買かえません。
    I want that car so badly, but I can’t afford it.
Mini Quiz

A: あのブランドのバッグの新作しんさくが出でたよ。
B: えっ、それ（　　　）ほしいよ。

  1. 目めに入いれても痛いたくないほど
  2. 腰こしが抜ぬけるほど
  3. 喉のどから手てが出でるほど
Show Answer

Answer: 3

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 喉のどから手てが出でるほど：to want something desperately
  • 欲ほしい：want
  • 目めに入いれても痛いたくないほど：so precious/lovable (often about one’s own child)
  • 腰こしが抜ぬけるほど：to be extremely shocked or astonished (literally “so shocked your legs give out”)

ずば抜ぬける

Meaning: Outstanding / exceptional
Usage: Used when someone or something clearly stands out from others in ability, quality, or performance. Highlights being far superior compared to the rest.
Register: Neutral and common. Appears in conversation, news, and writing to stress excellence.
Japanese idiom ずば抜ける (zubanukeru) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 彼かれはずば抜けた能のう力りょくを持っている。
    He has outstanding ability.
  • その選せん手しゅはずば抜けて速はやい。
    That athlete is exceptionally fast.
Mini Quiz

A: あの学がく生せい、JLPT N1に合ごう格かくしたんだって。
B: 彼かれは（　　　）頭あたまがいいよね。

  1. さばを読よんで
  2. ずば抜ぬけて
  3. 鼻はなが曲まがって
Show Answer

Answer: 2

Vocabulary & Notes
  • ずば抜けて / ずば抜けた：outstanding, exceptional
  • 能のう力りょく：ability, capacity
  • 速はやい：fast, quick
  • さばを読よむ：to cheat on numbers (e.g., age, count)
  • 鼻はなが曲まがる：to be disgusted with, to detest (literally “nose bends”)

気きが散ちる

Meaning: To be distracted
Usage: Used when attention is pulled away by noises, thoughts, or notifications and you can’t concentrate. Often paired with work, study, or tasks requiring focus.
Register: Neutral and common. Suits everyday conversation and writing when describing lack of focus.
Japanese idiom 気が散る (ki ga chiru) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ See the video explanation

Examples

  • 工こう事じの音おとがうるさくて、気きが散ちる。
    The construction noise is distracting me.
  • 勉べん強きょう中にスマホの通つう知ちで気きが散ちってしまった。
    I got distracted by phone notifications while studying.
Mini Quiz

A: （　　　）仕し事ごとが思おもうように進すすまない。

  1. 気きが散ちって
  2. 気きが利きいて
  3. 気きが合って
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 気きが散ちる：to get distracted, to have one’s attention scattered
  • 工こう事じ：construction work
  • 通つう知ち：notification
  • 気きが利きく：to be thoughtful, considerate
  • 気きが合って：to have affinity/rapport

すっぽかす

Meaning: To skip / blow off
Usage: Used when someone fails to show up for an appointment or neglects a promised task. Often implies standing someone up or ignoring an obligation.
Register: Casual to neutral. Can sound rude or blaming depending on context.
Japanese idiom すっぽかす (suppokasu) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ See the video explanation

Examples

  • 彼かれは疲つかれていたので、 会かい議ぎをすっぽかしてしまった。
    He skipped the meeting because he was tired.
  • 約やく束そくをすっぽかすなんて、 失しつ礼れいだよ。
    Skipping a promise like that is rude.
Mini Quiz

彼女かのじょは大だい事じなミーティングをすっぽかしたので、（　　　　　　　　　）。

  1. 上じょう司しに褒ほめられた
  2. 上じょう司しに叱しかられた
  3. 上じょう司しにごちそうされた
Show Answer

Answer: 2

Vocabulary & Notes
  • すっぽかす：to skip, to neglect (an appointment/meeting)
  • 約やく束そく：promise, appointment
  • 失しつ礼れい：rudeness, impoliteness
  • 叱しかられる：to be scolded
  • 褒ほめられる：to be praised
  • ごちそうされる：to be treated (to food/drink)

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