Japanese idioms are like little puzzles-the words look familiar, but the meaning is something else entirely. This list gathers around 120 common expressions that pop up in dramas, conversations, and even your friend’s text messages. No ancient proverbs that nobody uses, just practical idioms that add color to your everyday Japanese.
Ready to give your Japanese a little extra sparkle? Scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable common Japanese idioms vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable common Japanese idioms flashcards.
If this topic helped, explore more in our Japanese learning section. it’s the easiest way to keep building related vocabulary without jumping around the web.
Quick Quiz
Think you can match these idioms to their real meanings? Take the quick quiz below and see how many you already know.
Keep building your Japanese
Choose a practical next step when you are ready.
Browse the Full List
| Expression | Reading | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 目が回る | めがまわる | to be extremely busy; to feel dizzy | 今日は仕事が忙しくて、目が回るほどでした。 | Work was so busy today it made my head spin. |
| 目が点になる | めがてんになる | to be stunned or dumbfounded | その知らせを聞いて、目が点になった。 | I was stunned when I heard the news. |
| 目が高い | めがたかい | have a good eye; good judgment | 彼女は目が高いので、いい作品を選びます。 | She has good judgment, so she chooses good works. |
| 目に入る | めにはいる | come into view; catch one's eye | 駅の近くで新しい店が目に入りました。 | A new shop caught my eye near the station. |
| 目を丸くする | めをまるくする | to widen one's eyes in surprise | その値段を見て、目を丸くした。 | I widened my eyes in surprise when I saw the price. |
| 目を疑う | めをうたがう | doubt one's eyes; be hard to believe | その光景を見て、目を疑いました。 | When I saw that scene, I couldn't believe my eyes. |
| 目を覚ます | めをさます | to wake up; to become aware | 朝6時に目を覚ました。 | I woke up at 6 a.m. |
| 目を通す | めをとおす | glance through; read over | 提出前にレポートに目を通してください。 | Please glance through the report before submitting it. |
| 目を離す | めをはなす | to take one's eyes off | 子どもから目を離さないで。 | Don't take your eyes off the child. |
| 耳が痛い | みみがいたい | painfully true; hard to hear | その意見は耳が痛いですが、正しいです。 | That opinion is hard to hear, but it's true. |
| 耳が遠い | みみがとおい | hard of hearing | 祖父は耳が遠いので、大きい声で話します。 | My grandfather is hard of hearing, so I speak in a loud voice. |
| 耳にたこができる | みみにたこができる | to be sick of hearing something repeated over and over | その話はもう耳にたこができた。 | I'm sick of hearing that story already. |
| 耳に入る | みみにはいる | hear about; come to one's ears | そのうわさが耳に入りました。 | I heard that rumor. |
| 耳を傾ける | みみをかたむける | to listen carefully; to pay attention | 先生の話に耳を傾けた。 | I listened carefully to the teacher's talk. |
| 耳を疑う | みみをうたがう | to not believe one's ears | 彼の話を聞いて、耳を疑った。 | I couldn't believe my ears when I heard what he said. |
| 肩の荷が下りる | かたのにがおりる | feel relieved after a burden is lifted | 発表が終わって、肩の荷が下りた。 | The presentation is over, and I feel relieved. |
| 肩を持つ | かたをもつ | take someone's side; support | 先生はいつも弱い子の肩を持つ。 | The teacher always takes the weaker child's side. |
| 肩を落とす | かたをおとす | to be crestfallen; to be disappointed | 試験に落ちて、彼は肩を落とした。 | He was crestfallen after failing the exam. |
| 肩身が狭い | かたみがせまい | to feel awkward, ashamed, or uncomfortable | みんなの前で失敗して、肩身が狭かった。 | I felt awkward after failing in front of everyone. |
| 胸がいっぱい | むねがいっぱい | filled with emotion | 卒業式で胸がいっぱいになりました。 | I was filled with emotion at the graduation ceremony. |
| 胸をなでおろす | むねをなでおろす | to feel relieved | 試験に合格して、胸をなでおろしました。 | I passed the exam and felt a great sense of relief. |
| 胸を借りる | むねをかりる | to train with someone stronger; to seek a challenge | 今日は先輩の胸を借りて練習した。 | Today I practiced by training with a senior who is stronger than me. |
| 胸を張る | むねをはる | stand tall; be proud | 彼は自分の仕事に胸を張っています。 | He is proud of his work. |
| 腰が低い | こしがひくい | humble; polite and respectful | 彼は腰が低くて、誰にでも丁寧だ。 | He is humble and polite to everyone. |
| 腰が重い | こしがおもい | slow to get started; reluctant to act | 彼はいつも腰が重くて、なかなか動かない。 | He is always slow to act and doesn't move easily. |
Free Common Japanese Idioms PDF and Flashcard Downloads
You can download the purple vocab-list button for the common Japanese idioms vocabulary list and the teal flashcards button for the common Japanese idioms flashcards. Both are 100% free, with no signup needed.
