After the rain, the ground becomes firm again – after upheaval, everything stabilizes.
Rain makes the soil soft, but when it dries, the foundation becomes even stronger. This saying implies that after conflict or crisis, relationships or situations can improve.
→ Used to comfort someone after a setback, or to talk about positive outcomes following difficulties.
風の便り
[kaze no tayori]
wind-borne news – rumors of unclear origin
The wind blows everywhere, carrying whispers – this idiom refers to vague news, spread unofficially, with unknown sources.
→ Used when saying 'I heard that...' or when mentioning word-of-mouth rumors.
雲をつかむよう
[kumo o tsukamu yō]
like catching clouds – vague, unrealistic
Clouds are something that cannot be grasped – this idiom is used to describe fanciful, baseless matters that cannot be clearly defined.
→ Used when talking about unclear, unrealistic plans, stories, or futures.
水に流す
[mizu ni nagasu]
let it flow with the water – let go of the past
The image of letting the water carry everything away, including conflicts or mistakes. This idiom means to leave the past behind, forgive, and focus on the present.
→ Used when you want to make peace, forgive, and not bring up old matters.
水の泡
[mizu no awa]
water bubbles – futile, vanished
Bubbles float on the water's surface and disappear immediately, symbolizing efforts and achievements that vanish without leaving anything behind.
→ Used to describe wasted effort with no results.
水を打ったよう
[mizu wo uttayō]
like just splashing water – absolute silence
Just like when you splash water on the ground and everything goes quiet – this idiom describes a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop.
→ Used when a space suddenly becomes silent due to tension, shock, or solemnity.
水商売
[mizushōbai]
"Water trading profession" – night job, unstable
Originally referred to nighttime service industries (bars, hostesses, etc.), where income fluctuates like water. Later, it became a metaphor for unstable professions.
→ Used when talking about the entertainment service industry, usually with a neutral or negative nuance.
焼け石に水
[yakeishi ni mizu]
Pouring water on hot stones – useless, it doesn't soak in at all
Even if you pour water, the hot stone doesn't cool down – an idiom describing an effort that is too small compared to what is needed.
→ Used when saying that help is too little to solve the problem.
足もとから鳥が立つ
[ashimoto kara tori ga tatsu]
A bird flies up from right under your feet – something unexpected happens.
A bird rises from an unexpected place – an image implying something happens suddenly, leaving no time to react.
→ Used to describe situations that arise suddenly, catching people unprepared.
羽根を伸ばす
[hane o nobasu]
Stretching wings – relaxing after a period of constraint
When a tired bird is set free, it stretches its wings and flies comfortably. This idiom describes a state of rest and unwinding after stress.
→ Used to talk about unwinding or enjoying freedom after a long period of busyness or restriction.
借りてきた猫のよう
[karite kita neko no yō]
like a borrowed cat – shy, unnatural
Cats are usually mischievous, but when borrowed by strangers, they become obedient and reserved. This idiom refers to someone who becomes quiet and does not express themselves in unfamiliar environments.
→ Used to describe a sudden change to shyness, especially in children or new employees.
猫も杓子も
[neko mo shakushi mo]
"Even cats and rice scoops join in – everyone participates.
No distinction at all, even cats or scoops take part – an idiom describing a situation so crowded and widespread that there is no selection left.
→ Used to refer to trends or events where people from all walks of life participate without distinction."
猫に小判
[neko ni koban]
Giving gold coins to a cat – useless because it doesn't know the value
Even if you give something precious like gold to a cat, it won't know how to use it – refers to the wastefulness of giving something valuable to someone who doesn't appreciate it.
→ Used when talking about situations where no one recognizes the true value of what you do or give.
猫の額
[neko no hitai]
cat's forehead – very small area
'The cat's forehead is tiny' – an idiom used to describe a cramped, insufficient space.
→ Used when talking about a place to live, a plot of land, an office, etc. that is too small.
猫の手も借りたい
[neko no te mo karitai]
So busy that you'd even want to borrow a cat's hands – extremely busy
So overwhelmed that any extra help is precious, even if it's... a cat. This idiom expresses a serious shortage of people.
→ Used to describe a period of extreme busyness when you can't keep up.
同じ穴のむじな
[onaji ana no mujina]
Same den – all ferrets together
Ferrets living in the same den usually have similar traits. This idiom refers to people who appear different on the outside but are actually of the same kind.
→ Used to criticize people who share the same (usually bad) nature.
