Takashi's Japanese Dictionary

A blog for learning Japanese that introduces Japanese slang words and Idioms!

年がら年中 (nengara nenjyuu)

Yomi ねんがらねんじゅう Rōmaji nengara nenjyuu Type idiom Meaning always; ceaselessly; 365 days a year; 24/7; all the time Synonym いつも, 常に Antonym たまに, 時々 Example 年がら年中、彼はなぜか言語や言葉の意味について考えている。変なやつだ！ He is always thinking about language and meanings of words for some reason. What a weirdo!Read More

明後日の方向 (asatte no houkou)

Yomi あさってのほうこう Rōmaji asatte no houkou Type idiom Literal Meaning the direction to the day after tomorrow Meaning to a completely wrong/unexpected direction; far off the point; off the mark/base Synonym 予想の斜め上 Antonym 真っ直ぐ Additional Info Usage It metaphorically indicates in an ironic/sarcastic tone that something goes in a completely wrong and unpredictable direction. For instance, an uncoordinated person often throws a ball towards 明後日の方向 (an unpredictable direction). It is also used to indicate that something/someone goes far off the point, e.g. “明後日の方向に組織改革をした” (They did their organisational reform in 明後日の方向), meaning “Their organisational reform was far off the mark”. Difference between 予想の斜め上を行く and 明後日の方向 予想の斜め上を行く is used for something both…Read More

ペラペラ (perapera)

Yomi ぺらぺら Rōmaji perapera Type standard Meaning  “very fluent in a (foreign) language” and more; see the post belowRead More

滅相もない (messou mo nai)

Yomi めっそうもない Rōmaji messou mo nai Type idiom Meaning No way; Don’t be silly (a polite expression to deny a compliment given by someone) Synonym とんでもない Antonym その通り Additional Info Also 滅相もありません or more politely 滅相もございません. When someone calls your nihongo jouzu but you feel just flattered, you may use this phrase (to actually sound nihongo jouzu). Example A: 日本語上手ですね A: You’re good at Japanese. B: いえいえ、滅相もないです！ B: (I really appreciate your compliment, but) No way, I’m not that good! Related Post Humble Japanese Phrases to Sound Like Japanese PeopleRead More

ぼーっとする (bōtto suru)

Rōmaji bōtto suru Type standard Meaning to space out; not to pay attention to one’s surroundings; to be absent-minded; to feel dazed Synonym リラックスする, ぼんやりする Antonym 集中する Additional Info Also ぼうっとする. Example 朝起きてぼーっとしていたら、いつの間にか昼になってた。 I woke up in the morning and did nothing, and now I’ve realised it’s noon already. ぼーとしていたら、乗り過ごした。 I was spacing out and missed my stop.Read More