Yomi みゃくあり Rōmaji myaku ari Type idiom Literal Meaning There is a pulse Meaning there’s a good chance someone you like is also (romantically) interested in you Additional Info In contrast, 脈なし means “have zero chance” Synonym いい感じ Antonym 脈なし Example 好きな女の子からのメールでハートの絵文字 ❤️ が使われいるからといって、脈ありだと思わないほうがいいよ You should not assume that a girl you like is interested in you just because the emoji ❤️ is used in her email.Read More

Yomi さかだちしても Rōmaji sakadachi shite mo Type idiom Literal Meaning Even if I stand on my hands Meaning No matter how hard I try, (I can’t do …); it is nearly impossible to do … Additional Info The expression is usually followed by a negative potential form; the allusion is that even if you make as much effort as required to stand on your hands, you’re unlikely to succeed. It’s often used when you believe that you can never beat/surpass someone. Synonym どうやっても Example 彼(かれ)には逆立ちしてもスマブラで勝(か)てない No matter how hard I try, I can never beat him in Smash Bros.Read More

Yomi もちはもちや Rōmaji mochi wa mochiya Type idiom Literal Meaning When it comes to mochi, mochi shops are (the best) Meaning It’s always best to go to an expert/specialist/place that specialises in something Additional Info “は” after “餅” is used to describe the topic, not the subject (cf. 象は鼻が長い means “Regarding 象 (ぞう, elephant), its nose (trunk) is long”.) Example 日本人の友達（ともだち）に「に」と「で」の違（ちが）いを聞（き）いてもよくわからなかったけど、日本語の先生（せんせい）に聞いたらすぐにわかった！やっぱり餅は餅屋だね！ When I asked my Japanese friends what are the differences between に and で, I couldn’t understand them well. But, when I asked my Japanese teacher, I did immediately. Indeed, it is always best to consult an expert! Related Post Blog Post: Japanese Idioms about Mochi: 餅 (もち), Japanese…Read More

Yomi やまをはる Rōmaji yama o haru Type idiom Meaning to make a guess Additional Info It is particularly used when you guestimate the questions/topics you will be asked in an exam (and focus on studying them only while ignoring the other subjects) Synonym 予想する Example 明日 (あした) 日本語の試験(しけん)だけど、時間(じかん)がないからヤマを張って敬語(けいご)だけ勉強 (べんきょう)しよう。 I have a Japanese exam tomorrow, but I don’t have much time left so I’ll guestimate the questions and focus on studying keigo only. Related Post Blog Post: Japanese Expressions About “Benkyou” (Studying)Read More

Yomi むしのしらせ Rōmaji mushi no shirase Type idiom Literal Meaning an insect’s message/notification Meaning a premonition; a sign of something bad about to happen; the sixth sense Additional Info In the old days, an insect was believed to be in your body that gives you a premonition. This phrase is often used when you have a premonition of someone’s death, as in the example sentence below. Synonym 不吉な予感 Example 突然昔の友人が夢に出てきて、後日、彼がその日亡くなったという事を知った。あれは虫の知らせだったのだろう。 Suddenly, one of my old friends appeared in my dream, and later I found out he had passed away on that day. It would have been the portent of the unfortunate incident.Read More