Sparrow's tears – so little it's pitiful
Sparrows are small, so their tears are also very few – an image symbolizing an amount that is too small, not enough to use.
→ Used to describe money, rewards, or benefits that are too meager.
立つ鳥跡を濁さず
[tatsu tori ato wo nigosazu]
A bird flying does not muddy the water – withdraw cleanly
The bird flies away without leaving a mess – refers to leaving without causing trouble, maintaining dignity until the end.
→ Used as a reminder about proper conduct when quitting a job, moving house, breaking up, etc.
鶴の一声
[tsuru no hitokoe]
Crane's voice – one word is final
The crane is a rare bird, and its call is considered noble and respected. This idiom refers to the words of someone with authority, who can decide everything.
→ Used to describe a person whose single statement settles matters, having great influence.
馬の骨
[uma no hone]
Horse bones – a person of unknown origin
All horses look the same, you can't tell them apart by their bones. This idiom refers to people without reputation or unclear background.
→ Used with a disparaging tone for strangers, untrustworthy people, or those without status.
ごまめの歯ぎしり
[gomame no hagishiri]
"Anchovy gritting its teeth" – angry but unable to do anything
ごまめ refers to a small fish without teeth. The image of "gritting teeth" here expresses anger but helplessness, lacking the power to resist.
→ Used to describe silent frustration, unable to change the situation.
蜂の巣をつついたよう
[hachi no su wo tsutsuita you]
stirring up a beehive – chaos, turmoil
A broken beehive bursts open and becomes chaotic – this image symbolizes a situation becoming noisy and confused.
→ Used to describe a tense, noisy, and disorderly atmosphere.
ひっぱりだこ
[hippari dako]
Octopus being pulled away – a sought-after person
Everyone wants the octopus, so it is fought over everywhere. This idiom refers to someone who is very famous and constantly invited.
→ Used to describe someone who is popular and busy because they are in high demand.
井の中の蛙（大海を知らず）
[inonaka no kawazu (taikai wo shirazu)]
A frog sitting at the bottom of a well – narrow-minded
The frog only knows the small patch of sky seen from the well – this idiom refers to someone with a limited perspective who has not seen the vast world.
→ Used to criticize an attitude of complacency and lack of overall understanding.
蚊の鳴くような声
[kanonakuyōnakoe]
voice like a mosquito buzzing – tiny, murmuring
A weak sound like a mosquito – this idiom is used to describe a voice that is too quiet, almost inaudible.
→ Used to describe a timid, unconfident voice, or a shy child.
まな板の上の鯉
[manaita no ue no koi]
fish on the chopping board – powerless, with no way out
A fish lying on the chopping board just waiting to be dealt with – an image symbolizing a state of helplessness, with no way to resist.
→ Used when someone is cornered and can only wait for the outcome.
虫の息
[mushi no iki]
Insect's breath – faint, about to fade
A breath as weak as a dying insect – this idiom refers to a person or thing in an extremely weak state, almost out of hope.
→ Used to describe exhausted health or a business on the verge of bankruptcy.
泣き面に蜂
[nakitsura ni hachi]
A crying face gets stung by a bee – misfortunes never come singly.
Just finished crying and got stung by a bee – meaning, already suffering but more bad luck keeps piling up.
→ Used to describe situations where misfortunes follow one after another, getting worse each time.
鯖を読む
[saba wo yomu]
cheating in counting mackerel – falsifying numbers
In the past, when selling mackerel (鯖), people often counted quickly and cheated. This idiom refers to deliberately giving a false number for personal gain.
→ Used when someone lies about their age, reduces quantities, or adjusts numbers to their advantage.
蓼食う虫も好き好き
[tade kuu mushi mo suki zuki]
Even caterpillars eat bitter herbs – everyone has their own taste
蓼 (bitter herb) is naturally bitter, yet there are caterpillars that like to eat it – this idiom emphasizes that preferences are unique to each person.
→ Used when you want to say "people's tastes are really hard to understand," even if you don't agree.
痘痕も靨
[abata mo ekubo]
Pitted scars are also dimples – love makes everything beautiful.
When in love, even flaws become charming traits – an idiom expressing a biased perspective when you like someone.
→ Used to describe the feeling of 'love is blind'.
胡坐をかく
[agura wo kaku]
Sitting cross-legged – reaping benefits while staying idle
A comfortable sitting posture, doing nothing – a metaphor for not making any effort but still enjoying the results.
→ Used to criticize a dependent attitude and lack of effort in work or study.
