Takashi's Japanese Dictionary

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

日常茶飯事 (nichijou sahanji)

Yomi にちじょうさはんじ Rōmaji nichijou sahanji Type idiom Literal Meaning daily tea rice thing Meaning a common or daily event Synonym 通常運転 Antonym 前代未聞 Additional Info It comes from the fact that many Japanese people eat rice and drink tea almost every day. Sometimes it is used ironically to indicate a negative incident that is not supposed to happen frequently. For instance, “残業は日常茶飯事だ” means “working overtime is like an everyday event”. Note that while 茶 usually reads “ちゃ”, it reads “さ” in this expression. This reading is used in a few other words including 茶道 (さどう, “tea ceremony”) and 喫茶店 (きっさてん, “cafe”) Example キャンパスでBBQ食べれるなんてすごくない？ なあに、オーストラリアでは日常茶飯事だよ Isn’t it great that we can…Read More

窓際社員 (madogiwa shain)

Yomi まどぎわしゃいん Rōmaji madogiwa shain Type slang Literal Meaning employees sitting by a window Meaning an employee who is likely to be laid off; an (almost) redundant employee Additional Info It alludes to the employees who sit by a window in their office and spend most of their time just gawping at the view outside. Sometimes, it is abbreviated as “窓際” (まどぎわ). Note that this word is getting outdated nowadays. Example 会社の業績が悪くなり、多くの窓際社員が解雇された My company’s financial performance got worse, and a lot of redundant employees were laid off.Read More

新米 (shinmai)

Yomi しんまい Rōmaji shinmai Type idiom Literal Meaning new rice Meaning rookie; newcomer Synonym 新人 Antonym ベテラン Additional Info It sounds a little old-fashioned and is commonly used by older people (with a slightly condescending tone). Also used to describe oneself in a humble way. Example 初(はじ)めてみる顔(かお)だな、新米か？ I see your face for the first time. Are you a newcomer?Read More

取り急ぎ (tori isogi)

Yomi とりいそぎ Rōmaji tori isogi Type idiom Meaning I’ll keep you updated on more details later; more details are to follow Additional Info It is usually put at the end of a message/email (esp. in business) when you inform someone of the latest information with the details to be confirmed later. Example 次の会議の日にちは来週の水曜日に決まりました。取り急ぎ。 The date of our next meeting has been fixed for next Wednesday. I’ll give you the details later.Read More

道草を食う (michikusa o kuu)

Yomi みちくさをくう Rōmaji michikusa o kuu Type idiom Literal Meaning eat grass on the road Meaning To do some random and unplanned things on the way to one’s destination (and waste time) Synonym 油を売る Additional Info This idiom originates from when people used to ride a horse as transportation; people would feel it’s a waste of time when their horse suddenly stops and starts eating the grass on the road. Example また遅刻。どこで道草を食ってたの？ You came late again. Where did you stop by and waste your time? Related Post Eat Grass on the Road? Funny Japanese Idioms about PlantsRead More