Japonin Classic · Idioms 26–30

Japanese Idioms – Part 6 (26–30)

Learn 5 Japanese idioms that highlight character, habits, and vivid expressions, with JP/EN examples and a short video lesson.

These idioms are common in conversation and useful for JLPT preparation (N3–N1). With this final set, you complete all 30 idioms to strengthen your fluency and cultural understanding.

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.

図ずに乗のる

Meaning: Get carried away / become overconfident
Usage: Used when someone, after a small success or praise, becomes cocky and pushes their luck. Often a warning not to overdo it.
Register: Common and slightly critical. Natural in everyday talk, school/work settings, and light scolding.
Japanese idiom 図に乗る (zu ni noru) – meaning and examples video lesson ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 図ずに乗のるなよ。まだ始はじまったばかりだ。
    Don’t get carried away. We’ve only just started.
  • あまり彼を褒ほめないで。すぐ図ずに乗のるから。
    Don’t praise him too much. He’ll get carried away right away.
Mini Quiz A: 彼かれ、最近さいきん、ちょっと態度たいどが大おおきくない？
B: （　　　　　　　　　）、図ずに乗のってるんだよ。
  1. 彼女かのじょに振ふられて
  2. 彼女かのじょができて
  3. 彼女かのじょに怒おこられて
Show Answer

Answer: 2 彼女かのじょができて

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 態度たいどが大おおきい：arrogant / overbearing
  • 彼女かのじょに振ふられて：got dumped by his girlfriend
  • 彼女かのじょができて： got a girlfriend
  • 彼女かのじょに怒おこられて：got scolded by his girlfriend

良妻賢母りょうさいけんぼ

Meaning: “Good wife, wise mother”: a historically rooted ideal of a devoted wife and capable mother
Usage: Used mainly in historical, educational, or cultural contexts to describe the traditional female role. In modern times, it can carry a critical nuance as an outdated or old-fashioned view.
Register: Formal/literary. Common in essays, history, education topics; in daily talk it may sound dated.
Japanese idiom 良妻賢母 (ryosai kenbo) – meaning and examples video lesson ▶
▶ Watch the Lesson on YouTube

Examples

  • 今いまの社会しゃかいでは、良妻賢母りょうさいけんぼという考かんがえ方かたは時代遅じだいおくれだと言いわれる。
    In today’s society, the idea of “good wife, wise mother” is considered outdated.
Vocabulary & Notes
  • 時代遅じだいおくれ：outdated

鼻はなが曲まがる

Meaning: Awful smell / so smelly it feels like your nose is twisting
Usage: Used to describe an extremely bad odor, often from garbage, spoiled food, or toilets. It vividly expresses disgust.
Register: Informal and descriptive. Common in daily conversation, often exaggerated for humor or emphasis.
Japanese idiom 鼻が曲がる (hana ga magaru) – meaning and examples video lesson ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 2週しゅう間かん放置ほうちしたごみ箱ばこが臭くさくて、鼻はなが曲まがりそうだった。
    The trash bin left for two weeks smelled so bad my nose almost bent.
  • 彼かれの部屋へやから、鼻はなが曲まがるほどのにおいが漂ただよってきた。
    A smell strong enough to make your nose bend drifted out of his room.
Mini Quiz

A: この冷蔵庫れいぞうこ、におわない？
B: うわっ、（　　　）ほどくさい！

  1. 口くちが悪わるい
  2. 鼻はなが曲まがる
  3. 顔かおが広ひろい
Show Answer

Answer: 2

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 放置ほうちする：to leave something unattended / to neglect
  • 漂ただよう：to drift / to waft (in the air)
  • 口くちが悪わるい：to have a sharp tongue / to speak harshly
  • 顔かおが広ひろい：to be well-connected / to know many peo

道草みちくさを食くう

Meaning: To dawdle / to waste time on the way
Usage: Describes wasting time on the way by doing small, unnecessary things (like playing, chatting, or looking around). Commonly used for children, but also in daily talk for adults.
Register: Informal. Common in conversation, slightly humorous or scolding in tone.
Japanese idiom 道草を食う (michikusa o kuu) – meaning and examples video lesson ▶
▶ Watch the Lesson on YouTube

Examples

  • 戻もどるのが遅おそかったね。どこで道草みちくさを食くってたの。
    You came back late. Where were you dawdling?
  • 道草みちくさを食くわないで、今日は早はやく戻もどってきてね。
    Don’t dawdle today, come home early.
Mini Quiz

A: なんでこんなに遅おそいの？
B: ごめん、（　　　）から。

  1. 道草みちくさを食くっていた
  2. 口くちが悪わるかった
  3. 耳みみが遠とおかった
Show Answer

Answer: 1 道草みちくさを食くっていた

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 口くちが悪わるかった：spoke harshly / had a sharp tongue
  • 耳みみが遠とおかった：was hard of hearing

負まけず嫌ぎらい

Meaning: Competitive / hates to lose
Usage: Describes someone who strongly dislikes losing and always tries their best to win. It can be seen as positive (persistent) or negative (stubborn).
Register: Common and informal. Frequently used in daily conversation, sports, or work situations.
Japanese idiom 負けず嫌い (makezugirai) – meaning and examples video lesson ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 彼はとても負まけず嫌ぎらいで、ゲームでも全力ぜんりょくを尽つくす。
    He’s so competitive that he always gives his all, even in games.
  • 私わたしはよく人ひとから負まけず嫌ぎらいな性格せいかくといわれます。
    People often say I have a very competitive nature.
Mini Quiz

A: あの子こ、ほんとに（　　　）だね。
B: うん、勝かつまであきらめないよ。

  1. 負まけず嫌ぎらい
  2. 八やつ当あたり
  3. 高たかみの見物けんぶつ
Show Answer

Answer: 1 負まけず嫌ぎらい

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 性格せいかく：personality
  • 全力ぜんりょくを尽つくす：to give one’s all
  • 八やつ当あたり：taking out one’s anger on someone / misdirected anger
  • 高たかみの見物けんぶつ：watching from the sidelines / being a bystander

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