Common Japanese Idioms Related to Animals, Food, and More With English Translation
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Japanese idioms are one of those things that make you realize how much cultural wisdom gets packed into everyday language. When you start learning Japanese, you'll eventually hit that point where people drop these expressions into conversation, and suddenly you're trying to figure out why someone just mentioned a frog's face or a cat's hand. These idioms reveal so much about Japanese culture, values, and how Japanese people see the world. Pretty cool stuff, honestly.
- What makes Japanese idioms different from proverbs
- Why Japanese idioms matter for cultural understanding
- Common Japanese idioms about animals
- Japanese idioms about food
- Idioms about hard work and perseverance
- Japanese idioms about relationships and human nature
- Idioms about consequences and karma
- How to learn Japanese idioms and their English equivalent
What makes Japanese idioms different from proverbs
Here's the thing: people often mix up idioms and proverbs when talking about Japanese expressions, but they're actually different beasts.
- An idiom is a phrase where the meaning can't be figured out just by looking at the individual words. Like, if someone says "saru mo ki kara ochiru" (), you literally hear "even monkeys fall from trees," but what they mean is that everyone makes mistakes, even experts.
- A proverb tends to be more like a complete statement or piece of advice that's been passed down through generations. The Japanese call these kotowaza (ことわざ).
Some expressions work as both, which is why the line gets blurry. I had a Japanese person ask me once what I thought of people who used kotowaza all the time in conversation, and honestly? It can come across as a bit preachy if overdone, like someone constantly quoting fortune cookies at you.
Either way though I feel like I don't hear Japanese people using idioms all that much in my daily life, but that could just be a function of who I hang out with. Younger people definitely use them less, while older folks and people in business settings drop them more frequently.
Why Japanese idioms matter for cultural understanding
Learning Japanese idioms gives you insight into Japanese culture and values that grammar textbooks don't cover. When you understand why "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down" is such a common expression, you're learning about social pressure and conformity in Japanese society.
These expressions reflect Japanese philosophy about work, relationships, nature, and personal growth. The emphasis on perseverance in idioms like "nana korobi ya oki" shows cultural attitudes toward failure and resilience. The focus on group harmony in expressions like "onaji kama no meshi wo kuu" reveals how Japanese people think about social bonds.
Food-related idioms like "hana yori dango" show the practical, down-to-earth side of Japanese culture that balances the aesthetic refinement you see in traditional arts. Both aspects exist together, and the idioms reflect that complexity.
Understanding these expressions helps you think in Japanese rather than just translating from English. That's when you start to actually become fluent, when you can appreciate why a particular idiom fits a situation perfectly.
Common Japanese idioms about animals
Japanese idioms love animals. Like, really love them. You'll find cats, monkeys, frogs, and all sorts of creatures showing up in everyday expressions.
- Neko no te mo karitai () translates literally to "I'd even borrow a cat's paw." This idiom means you're so busy that you'd accept help from anyone, even if it's not particularly useful. Cats aren't exactly known for being helpful, so this is basically saying you're drowning in work. You'd use this when you're overwhelmed and desperate for assistance.
- Saru mo ki kara ochiru (), which I mentioned earlier, means even experts mess up sometimes. The English equivalent would be something like "even Homer nods" or "everyone makes mistakes." It's reassuring when you screw something up in your area of expertise.
- Inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru () literally says "if a dog walks, it'll get hit with a stick." This one's interesting because it has two opposite interpretations. Originally it meant that if you wander around aimlessly, you'll run into trouble. But nowadays people also use it to mean that if you get out there and try things, opportunities will come your way. Context matters a lot with this idiom.
- Kaeru no ko wa kaeru () translates to "a frog's child is a frog." This is pretty straightforward: kids turn out like their parents. The English equivalent would be "like father, like son" or "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." It reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on family influence and heredity.
Japanese idioms about food
Food idioms are everywhere in Japanese, which makes sense given how central food is to Japanese culture.
- Hana yori dango () literally means "dumplings over flowers." This idiom captures the idea that practical things (like food) matter more than aesthetic pleasures (like cherry blossoms). It's about prioritizing substance over style. Someone who's hana yori dango is down-to-earth and focused on what's actually useful rather than what just looks pretty.
- Nuka ni kugi () means "a nail in rice bran." Rice bran is soft and doesn't hold nails, so this idiom describes efforts that have no effect. It's like the English expression "beating a dead horse" or "water off a duck's back." When your advice goes completely ignored, that's nuka ni kugi.
- Mochi wa mochiya () translates to "for rice cakes, go to the rice cake maker." The meaning? Leave things to the experts. If you need something done right, go to a specialist. This idiom reflects the Japanese respect for craftsmanship and expertise. The English equivalent would be "leave it to the professionals" or "a cobbler should stick to his last."
Idioms about hard work and perseverance
Japanese idioms often reflect values around effort, persistence, and gradual improvement. These concepts are deeply embedded in Japanese culture.
- Nana korobi ya oki () is one of my favorites. It literally means "fall seven times, stand up eight." The message is about resilience and never giving up, no matter how many times you fail. This idiom captures the Japanese attitude toward perseverance. You'll see this quoted in motivational contexts, sports, business, pretty much anywhere people need encouragement to keep going.
- Ishi no ue ni mo san nen () translates to "three years on a stone." The idea is that if you sit on a cold stone for three years, eventually it'll warm up. This idiom is about patience and persistence paying off over time. It's often used to encourage people to stick with difficult jobs or learning processes. The message: give things time before you quit.
- Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru () means "even dust, if piled up, becomes a mountain." Small efforts add up to big results over time. This is basically the Japanese version of "mighty oaks from little acorns grow" or "Rome wasn't built in a day." It's particularly relevant for language learning, honestly. Daily practice feels insignificant, but it compounds into fluent ability eventually.
Japanese idioms about relationships and human nature
- Isseki ni chou () literally translates to "one stone, two birds," which is exactly the same as the English idiom "killing two birds with one stone." Getting two benefits from one action. This is one of those idioms where the Japanese and English versions match up perfectly, which doesn't happen that often.
- Deru kugi wa utareru () means "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down." This idiom reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on conformity and group harmony. Standing out or being too individualistic can bring criticism or social pressure. It's used both as a warning and as an observation about social dynamics. The closest English equivalent might be "tall poppy syndrome," though that's more Australian.
- Onaji kama no meshi wo kuu () literally says "eating rice from the same pot." This idiom describes people who share a close bond through shared experiences, like teammates, classmates, or colleagues who've been through tough times together. It emphasizes the Japanese value of group identity and shared hardship creating strong connections.
Idioms about consequences and karma
- Makanu tane wa haenu () translates to "seeds you don't plant won't grow." The meaning is straightforward: you can't expect results without putting in effort. No input, no output. It's similar to "you reap what you sow" in English, emphasizing cause and effect.
- Mi kara deta sabi () means "rust that comes from the body itself." This idiom describes suffering consequences of your own actions. When you create your own problems through bad decisions or behavior, that's mi kara deta sabi. It's about taking responsibility for self-inflicted troubles.
- Ato no matsuri () literally means "a festival that's already over." This idiom captures the feeling of being too late, when there's nothing you can do to change the situation. The English equivalent would be "crying over spilled milk" or "closing the barn door after the horse has bolted." Once the festival's over, showing up doesn't help.
How to learn Japanese idioms and their English equivalent
Looking for a breakthrough in your language learning? Here's my take: don't try to memorize lists of idioms out of context. That approach sucks for actual retention and usage.
- The better method is encountering idioms naturally through immersion. When you watch Japanese shows, read manga, or listen to podcasts, you'll hear these expressions used in real situations. That context helps you understand not just what the idiom means, but when and how to use it appropriately.
- The idiomatic nature of these expressions means you need exposure to multiple examples to really get comfortable with them. Seeing "neko no te mo karitai" used in three different contexts teaches you way more than reading a definition once.
- Start with the most common idioms that come up in everyday conversation. Then gradually add more specific idioms as you hear them used naturally.
- Pay attention to who uses which idioms. Business contexts have different expressions than casual friend conversations. Older speakers use certain proverbs that younger Japanese people might find old-fashioned. This is where immersion really helps, you pick up on these social nuances.
Want to learn more English expressions? Actually, the better question is whether you want to learn more Japanese expressions through actual content. Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up idioms and vocabulary instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles, so you can learn these expressions in context rather than from boring lists. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.
If you want to learn a language, idioms are the icing on the cake
Idioms make your Japanese sound more natural and native-like. A sentence sprinkled with an appropriate idiom flows better than overly formal or textbook-style Japanese. Native speakers appreciate when learners use idioms correctly, as it shows cultural awareness and serious study. The challenge is that idioms can't be learned through rote memorization alone. Reading, listening, and watching content in Japanese exposes you to these expressions naturally.
If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. Period.
You've got this!