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Japonin Classic · Idioms 6–10

Japanese Idioms – Part 2 (6–10)

Learn 5 Japanese idioms about people, relationships, and peace of mind, with JP/EN examples and a short video lesson.

These idioms are common in daily conversation and useful for JLPT preparation (N3–N1). They convey personality traits, social dynamics, and feelings, helping you interact naturally and grasp authentic Japanese content.

? 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.

ああ言いえばこう言いう

Meaning: Always contradicting / saying the opposite
Usage: Used to describe someone who habitually contradicts others, no matter what is said. It carries a negative nuance, implying that the person is being argumentative or difficult.
Register: Informal and often critical. Commonly used in daily conversation when complaining about someone’s attitude.
Japanese idiom ああ言えばこう言う (aa ieba kou iu) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • ああ言いえばこう言いうタイプの人ひととは話はなすのが疲つかれる。
    It’s exhausting to talk with someone who always contradicts everything.
  • 彼はああ言いえばこう言いうから、会議かいぎが進すすまない。
    The meeting never progresses because he always has to contradict whatever is said.
Mini Quiz

A: この映画えいが、おもしろかったね。
B: いや、つまらなかったよ。
A: ほんとに（　　　）ね。

  1. ああ言いえばこう言いう
  2. 気きが利きく
  3. 枕まくらを高たかくする
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • ああ言いえばこう言いう：always contradicting, arguing back no matter what
  • 会議かいぎ：meeting
  • 疲つかれる：to get tired
  • 気きが利きく：to be thoughtful, considerate
  • 枕まくらを高たかくする：to sleep in peace, to feel relieved (literally “rest your head high on the pillow”)

見栄みえっ張ぱり

Meaning: Pretentious person / someone who shows off
Usage: Describes a person who always tries to look wealthier, more capable, or more stylish than they really are, often spending too much money or exaggerating achievements.
Register: Informal, often used critically. Common in daily conversations about personality or behavior.
Japanese idiom 見栄っ張り (mieppari) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ See the video explanation

Examples

  • あの人は見栄みえっ張ぱりで、高たかいブランドのバッグばかり買っている。
    She’s a show-off and always buys expensive designer bags.
  • 彼は見栄みえっ張ぱりだから、収入しゅうにゅうよりも派手はでな生活せいかつをしている。
    He’s pretentious and lives a flashier life than his income allows.
Mini Quiz

A: またブランドのバッグ買ったの？
B: うん、みんなに見せたくてさ。
A: ほんとに（　　　）だね。

  1. 赤あかの他人たにん
  2. 持もちつ持もたれつ
  3. 見栄みえっ張ぱり
Show Answer

Answer: 3

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 見栄みえっ張ぱり：show-off, pretentious person
  • 派手はで：flashy, showy
  • 収入しゅうにゅう：income
  • 赤あかの他人たにん：total stranger
  • 持もちつ持もたれつ：give-and-take, mutually supportive relationship

枕まくらを高たかくする

Meaning: To sleep peacefully / without worry. Expresses a state of relief after anxiety or trouble has been removed.
Usage: Used when someone can finally relax because a problem has been solved, such as repaying a debt, finishing a task, or resolving an issue. Similar to saying “rest easy” in English.
Register: Neutral. Suitable for daily conversation, business, and even written contexts like news or reports.
Japanese idiom 枕を高くする (makura o takaku suru) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch on YouTube

Examples

  • 借金しゃっきんを全部返して、やっと枕まくらを高たかくすることができた。
    After paying off all my debts, I can finally sleep peacefully.
  • 問題もんだいが解決かいけつしたので、枕まくらを高たかくして休める。
    Now that the problem is solved, I can rest easy.
Mini Quiz

A: やっとレポートを全部ぜんぶ提出ていしゅつしたよ。
B: これで（　　　）して眠ねむれるね。

  1. 枕まくらを高たかく
  2. 油断ゆだん
  3. 我慢がまん
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 枕まくらを高たかくする：to sleep peacefully, to feel relieved
  • 借金しゃっきん：debt
  • 解決かいけつ：solution, resolution
  • 油断ゆだん：negligence, being off guard, overconfidence
  • 我慢がまん：endurance, patience, self-control

赤あかの他人たにん

Meaning: Complete stranger. Refers to someone with no relationship or connection at all.
Usage: Used when emphasizing that there is no bond, obligation, or familiarity between two people. It can sound cold or blunt if used directly to someone’s face.
Register: Neutral to informal. Common in conversation, newspapers, and essays. Can carry a sharp nuance depending on tone.
Japanese idiom 赤の他人 (aka no tanin) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ Watch the short lesson

Examples

  • もう彼かれとは赤あかの他人たにんだから、関係かんけいない。
    He’s just a complete stranger to me now, so it has nothing to do with me.
  • その人は赤あかの他人たにんなのに、なぜそこまで助たすけるの？
    Why would you go that far to help someone who’s a complete stranger?
Mini Quiz

彼とは長ながい付つき合あいなんだ。（　　　　）とは思えないよ。

  1. 赤あかの他人たにん
  2. 見栄みえっ張ぱり
  3. 世話せわやき
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 赤あかの他人たにん：a total stranger, completely unrelated person
  • 関係かんけい：relationship, connection
  • 助たすける：to help, assist
  • 見栄みえっ張ぱり：show-off, pretentious person
  • 世話せわやき：meddlesome person, someone who likes to take care of others

持もちつ持もたれつ

Meaning: Give and take / mutual support. Describes a relationship where both sides help each other.
Usage: Used for friendships, business partnerships, or communities where people support one another. Emphasizes balance and cooperation rather than one-sided help.
Register: Neutral. Common in conversation, business writing, and media. Positive nuance, often highlighting fairness or harmony.
Japanese idiom 持ちつ持たれつ (mochitsu motaretsu) – meaning and examples video ▶
▶ See the video explanation

Examples

  • ビジネスは持もちつ持もたれつで、お互たがいに助たすけ合うことが大切だ。
    Business is about give and take — it’s important to help each other.
  • この町まちの人ひとたちは持もちつ持もたれつで暮くらしている。
    People in this town live in mutual support with one another.
Mini Quiz

A: 隣となりの人ひとに野菜やさいをもらったんだ。
B: いいね。これぞ（　　　）だね。

  1. 持もちつ持もたれつ
  2. 赤あかの他人たにん
  3. 見栄みえっ張ぱり
Show Answer

Answer: 1

Vocabulary & Notes
  • 持もちつ持もたれつ：give-and-take, mutually supportive relationship
  • 互たがい：mutual, each other
  • 助たすけ合う：to help each other
  • 赤あかの他人たにん：a total stranger
  • 見栄みえっ張ぱり：show-off, pretentious person

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

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