The Global Economy? Use this Japanese idiom

Impress your Japanese business counterparts and co-workers with some intelligent use of Japanese idioms!

Let's try a Japanese quiz!

昨年の世界経済も悪かったが、今年は（　）をかけて悪い。

Last year's global economy was bad, but this year is even worse.

◆ Vocabulary Hint

世界経済（せかいけいざい）Global economy

Choose the correct word to fit into the missing space ( 　　　).

Select the answer from choices 1～ 4 below.

① 手（て）
② 塩（しお）
③ 水（みず）
④ 輪（わ）

答えは・・・The answer is・・・

④ 輪（わ）

◆ Today's expression

輪（わ）をかける

This expression refers to making something even more intense or extreme. It can also imply exaggeration beyond reality when describing something.

◆ Example Sentence

パンデミックが終わって、訪日外国人観光客の数は輪をかけて増えている。

After the pandemic, the number of inbound tourists has increased, spiraling up an in ever-growing circle.

◆ Vocabulary Hint

訪日外国人観光客（ほうにちがいこくじんかんこうきゃく）foreign tourists visiting Japan, in-bound tourists