Test yourself with interactive quizzes created by our team on the Meet Wa ! blog. Short, fun and practical, perfect for building your Japanese skills through context.

? Explore all 90 quizzes here: 90 Japanese Quizzes on the Meet Wa ! Blog

Bonus: Modern Japanese Internet Slang

Also known as 若者わかもの言葉ことば (“youth slang”) commonly used online.

Idioms are timeless—but living Japanese also changes fast online. Here’s a fun one you’ll see among younger speakers and on social media.

Add more internet slang here later (例：エモい / 沼る / バズる …)

? Explore more: 90 Japanese Idiom Quizzes on the Meet Wa ! Blog

Japanese Expressions: Idioms, Proverbs & More

In addition to idioms, Japanese expressions include onomatopoeia, proverbs, kanji-based phrases, and even modern slang. These expressions bring color to everyday conversation and often carry cultural nuances that textbooks overlook.

Explore quizzes, video lessons, and cultural notes to build a well-rounded understanding of Japanese expressions in real life.

Before “Shorts” were a thing (back in 2011), we made a daily idiom video series. Retro look, timeless Japanese. Each clip gives you the meaning, an example, and vocabulary you can use today.

30 idioms, split into 6 short parts. Watch the retro clips and learn fast:

Yes, it really looked like this in 2011 ?
? For the full 30-idiom series, see the link above.

Looking for structured practice? Try our JLPT preparation or Conversation classes.

What’s the Difference? Japanese Proverbs (ことわざ) vs. Idioms (慣用句)

Proverbs (ことわざ) are traditional sayings that express life lessons or general truths. Example: 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru) — “Even monkeys fall from trees,” meaning that even experts make mistakes.

Idioms (慣用句), on the other hand, are set expressions used figuratively in everyday conversation. Example: 目が高い (Me ga takai) — literally “to have high eyes,” meaning to have a good eye or discerning taste.

For learners, the difference matters:
・Proverbs help you understand Japanese culture and values
・Idioms make your daily conversations sound natural

The 30 expressions on this page focus mainly on idioms you can actually use in conversations, with a few culturally important proverbs included. Most of the 30 are idiomatic expressions, but a few (such as 元も子もない or 良妻賢母) are closer to proverbs or set phrases that reflect cultural values.

Teacher’s note: In our lessons, many learners initially mix up proverbs and idioms. We often remind students that proverbs are valuable for cultural insight, while idioms are more practical for daily conversation and exams like the JLPT. Understanding this distinction helps learners build both cultural knowledge and real communication skills.

Why Learn Japanese Idioms?

Many learners first notice idioms not in textbooks, but when talking with Japanese friends, watching anime, or reading news headlines. An expression suddenly appears, everyone understands it, and the learner is left wondering: “What just happened?” Idioms are the hidden layer of Japanese — short, colorful phrases that carry meaning far beyond the words themselves.

At Japonin (JOI), we often see students have a “lightbulb moment” when they master an idiom. Instead of translating word by word, they start to think in Japanese. A simple phrase like 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai), used when you are extremely busy, immediately paints a picture and adds humor. The learner suddenly sounds more natural, and the conversation flows.

Idioms are also practical for exams and study goals. In JLPT reading passages and listening tasks, idiomatic language often appears, especially at the N2 and N1 levels.
Understanding these expressions can make the difference between a guess and the right answer.
More importantly, idioms connect you with Japanese culture, from values such as modesty and harmony to the playful creativity found in everyday speech.

Our professional teachers at Japonin (JOI) see idioms not as “extra phrases” but as bridges.
They connect classroom Japanese to the way people really talk, and they connect learners to the culture behind the language.
That is why idioms are included in some of our online lessons, especially in intermediate and advanced classes such as JLPT preparation, depending on the class and the teacher’s focus.

FAQ

About Japonin (JOI) – Japanese Online Institute

All Japonin (JOI) teachers are certified professionals with an average of over 15 years of teaching experience. We accept only the top 5% of applicants, so every teacher you meet is among the most skilled in the industry.

• Conversation Classes (CEFR A1–C2) – Step-by-step speaking and communication
• Survival Japanese – Everyday life & travel basics
• JLPT preparation – N4 to N1 grammar, vocab, test skills
• Business Japanese – Polite expressions, emails, meetings, calls
• Listening & Reading training (LRC) – Listening + pronunciation

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Founded in 2006, Japonin (JOI) has been offering online Japanese lessons and JLPT preparation for nearly 20 years. Over 6,000 learners worldwide have studied Japanese with our qualified teachers.

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Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder

Since founding Japonin (JOI) in 2006, I have focused on helping learners worldwide build confidence in Japanese. With nearly 20 years of online teaching experience, I enjoy creating programs that make studying both effective and enjoyable.