Japanese in Motion

A series composed by Meehan Group principal interpreter Andrew Migita-Meehan. Japanese in Motion explores various expressions Andrew has learned through immersion in the Japanese language. These are expressions derived from culture, novels and experience. Check regularly for new expressions.

【一言居士】【いちげんこじ】
Ichigen koji

The modern usage of this phrase is a person who must get in the last word, or who has an "opinion".

Used in a sentence: お父さんは一言居士だから、なにかいわないと気がすまないのよ

【蛸は身を食う】【たこはみをくう】

Tako wa mi wo ku-u

Originating in a tale that a starved octopus eats itself, this phrase (literal read: octopus eats itself) describes companies not turning a profit that eat into their capital and assets.

Used in a sentence: たこが身を食うように貯金を切り崩しながら今年はコロナを乗り切るしかないでしょ

【巧言令色鮮し仁】【こうげんれいしょくすくなしじん】

Kogen reishoku sukunashi jin

This phrase comes from an ancient Chinese philosophy. It means people who watch what they say (ko-gen) and hide their feelings (rei-shoku) are rarely (sukunashi) genuine (jin). This is therefore used to describe somebody who is not genuine, or who is fake.

Used in a sentence: 巧言令色鮮し仁というような人物だから気をつけてね

【玉虫色のXX】【たまむしいろのXX】

Tama mushi iro no XX 

Tama-mushi is an insect called the jewel beetle or metallic wood-boring beetle. Because of its iridescent color (one sees a different color from every angle), this has become a term for describing something that appears differently depending on your beliefs and on where you stand, or something that is ambiguous.

Used in a sentence: 玉虫色の解決

【頭の上の蝿を追え】【あたまのうえのはえをおえ】

Atama no ue no hae o oe

This phrase is used to say: mind your own business. The phrase literally is: go chase after (or swat) the fly on your own head (instead of a fly on somebody else’s head). 

【秋風が立つ】【あきかぜがたつ】

Aki kaze ga tatsu

This phrase is used to describe a (close) relationship that is no longer tight. The phrase literally is: development of autumn winds. So, it’s a euphemism for when one feels a cold breeze (downturn) in a relationship. 

【命の洗濯】【いのちのせんたく】

Inochi no sentaku

This phrase is used to say: to start anew. The phrase literally is: laundering your soul. So, it's a euphemism for when one needs a re-boot or a holiday to start anew.

Used in sentence: 風呂は命の洗濯よ

【犬骨折って鷹の餌食】【いぬほねおってたかのえじき】

Inu honne otte taka no ejiki

This phrase is used to say: (somebody) took credit for your hard work. The phrase literally is: a hawk grabs and feeds on what the dog almost broke its legs to catch. 

Used in sentence: (just say this phrase when it happens to you)