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Japonin Classic · Idioms 16–20

Japanese Idioms – Part 4 (16–20)

Learn 5 Japanese idioms about people, values, and social life, with JP/EN examples and a short video lesson.

These idioms are common in daily conversation and useful for JLPT preparation (N3–N1). They describe ideals, attitudes, and everyday customs, allowing you to explore Japanese culture more deeply and use expressions with confidence.

? 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.

高嶺たかねの花はな

Meaning: An unattainable ideal, often referring to someone or something that feels completely out of reach.
Usage: This phrase is used when talking about a person, goal, or possession that seems far beyond your reach. For example, it may describe someone admired from afar, a luxury brand you cannot afford, or a position that feels impossible to get.
Register: Neutral and figurative. Commonly used in casual conversation, media, and writing, but it can sound poetic or dramatic depending on the context.
Japanese idiom 高嶺の花 (takane no hana) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 彼女は高嶺たかねの花はなで、僕ぼくには手てが届とどかない。
    She’s out of my league, an unattainable ideal for me.
  • あのブランドの時計とけいは高嶺たかねの花はなで、学生がくせいの私わたしには手てが届とどかない。
    That brand’s watch is completely out of reach for a student like me.
Mini Quiz

A: あのブランドの新作しんさく、すてきだね。
B: いいよね、でも私には（　　　）かな。

  1. 手てが届とどく
  2. 高嶺たかねの花はな
  3. 目めと鼻はなの先さき
Answer

② 高嶺たかねの花はな

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 高嶺たかねの花はな：someone/something out of reach
  • 届とどかない：cannot reach
  • 目めと鼻はなの先さき：very close / a stone’s throw away

お裾すそ分わけ

Meaning: Sharing surplus / hand-me-down; giving a portion of what you have to others.
Usage: Used when you pass along extra food, seasonal gifts, or items you received, to neighbors, friends, or colleagues. It highlights thoughtfulness and community spirit rather than obligation.
Register: Neutral and polite in everyday life. Common in friendly or courteous situations; often paired with a small thank-you note or greeting.
Japanese idiom お裾分け (osusowake) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 田舎いなかの母ははがイチゴを送おくってくれたのでお裾すそ分わけしました。
    My mother from the countryside sent me strawberries, so I shared them with others.
  • 鈴木すずきさんに手作りのクッキーをお裾すそ分わけしてもらった。
    I received some homemade cookies from Mr. Suzuki.
Mini Quiz

A: さくらんぼをたくさんもらったんで、（　　　　）するね。
B: ありがとう。

  1. 独ひとり占じめ
  2. 形見かたみ分わけ
  3. お裾すそ分わけ
Answer

③ お裾すそ分わけ

Vocabulary & Notes
  • お裾すそ分わけ：sharing a portion of what you received or have in surplus
  • 田舎いなか：countryside
  • 手作てづくり：handmade
  • 形見かたみ分わけ：dividing mementos of the deceased
  • 独ひとり占じめ：monopolizing / keeping something all to oneself

楽らく天てん家か

Meaning: Optimist; a person who stays positive and expects good outcomes.
Usage: Used to describe someone who looks on the bright side even in difficult situations. It can be praise for cheerful resilience, but may imply being a bit carefree depending on context.
Register: Neutral and common in everyday conversation, media, and writing; natural in both casual and polite settings.
Japanese idiom 楽天家 (rakutenka) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 彼かれは楽らく天てん家かで、「なんとかなるよ」と笑わらっている。
    He stays optimistic and says, “It’ll work out.”
  • 彼女かのじょは楽らく天てん家かだから、計画けいかくが遅おくれても、落おち着ついて対処たいしょできる。
    Even when the plan falls behind, she keeps calm and handles it because she’s an optimist.
Mini Quiz

A: またトラブル？
B: うん。でも私は（　　　）だから、大丈夫だいじょうぶ！

  1. 心配性しんぱいしょう
  2. 楽天家らくてんか
  3. 無口むくち
Answer

② 楽天家らくてんか 

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 楽天家らくてんか：an optimist; upbeat person
  • 対処たいしょ：handling; dealing with
  • 心配性しんぱいしょう：a worrier
  • 無口むくち： not talkative

出でるところに出でる

Meaning: Take official action / go to court; escalate to formal authority.
Usage: Used when someone insists on resolving a dispute through proper channels, such as court or legal authorities. It carries a strong and serious tone, showing determination to settle matters formally rather than privately.
Register: Formal and emphatic. Often appears in dramas, news, or heated disputes; rarely used in light conversation.
Japanese idiom 出るところに出る (deru tokoro ni deru) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 出でるところに出でるしかない、と彼かれは弁護士べんごしに相談そうだんした。
    He said he had no choice but to take it to court and consulted a lawyer.
  • こんなに契約けいやくを無視むしされては、出でるところに出でるしかない。
    If the contract keeps being ignored like this, we’ll have to go through official channels.
Mini Quiz
  • 話はなし合あいで解決かいけつできなかったので、最終的さいしゅうてきには（　　　　　　　）しかなかった。
    Since the issue couldn’t be resolved through discussion, in the end there was no choice but to take it to court.
    1. 出でるところに出でる
    2. 泣なき寝入ねいりする
    3. 水みずに流ながす
    Answer

    ① 出でるところに出でる

    Vocabulary & Notes
    • 出でるところに出でる：take official action / escalate
    • 弁護士べんごし：lawyer
    • 契約けいやく：contract
    • 決着けっちゃく：settlement; resolution
    • 泣なき寝入ねいりする：to give up without resisting
    • 水みずに流ながす：to let bygones be bygones

    慣なれっこ

    Meaning: Being used to something; so accustomed that it no longer surprises or bothers you.
    Usage: Used when someone is unfazed by a situation because they experience it often. For example, overtime work, strict deadlines, or severe cold. It can imply confidence or sometimes indifference.
    Register: Neutral and common in everyday conversation; natural in both casual and polite contexts.
    Japanese idiom 慣れっこ (narekko) – meaning and examples video ▶
    ▶ Watch on YouTube

    Examples

    • 残業ざんぎょうばかりだけど、もう慣なれっこだよ。
      I’ve been working overtime so much that I’m already used to it.
    • 北海ほっかい道どうに３年ねんも住すんでいるので、寒さむさにはもう慣なれっこだよ。
      I’ve lived in Hokkaido for three years, so I’m already used to the cold.
    Mini Quiz

    A: この騒音そうおん、気きにならないの？
    B: うん、もう（　　　）だから。

    1. 初心者しょしんしゃ
    2. 被害者ひがいしゃ
    3. 慣なれっこ
    Answer

    ③ 慣なれっこ

    Vocabulary & Notes
    • 慣なれっこ：being used to something; old hand
    • 残業ざんぎょう：overtime work
    • 騒音そうおん：noise
    • 初心者しょしんしゃ：beginner
    • 被害者ひがいしゃ：victim

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