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Idiomatic Expressions, Sayings, Etc

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Javizy
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Posts: 1165
Joined: February 10th, 2007 2:41 pm

Idiomatic Expressions, Sayings, Etc

Postby Javizy » May 30th, 2007 12:50 am

I was wondering if people would care to share any idiomatic expressions that they might have learnt, since I've had some trouble researching this, and it's a fairly interesting element of the language that gives some insight into the culture. Plus, I just realised that none come to mind, even though I'm positive a number have been covered in the lessons :?

The only one that I can think of is one I heard in the film Visitor Q, which was subtitled as 'early bird', meaning a man who ' finishes early' to put it politely, but I don't remember the Japanese for it (by the way, I wouldn't recommend watching the film :shock: ).

Soooo, maybe someone else can get the ball rolling :wink:

WalterWills
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Joined: May 19th, 2007 9:25 pm

Postby WalterWills » May 30th, 2007 8:10 pm

I hardly know any Japanese, but here's a word I came across once:

akaiito

It means "red string", but it is traditionally said that fated lovers are joined by this string.

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Javizy
Expert on Something
Posts: 1165
Joined: February 10th, 2007 2:41 pm

Postby Javizy » May 30th, 2007 8:23 pm

I remember in one of the JCC Yoshi mentioned クリスマスケーキ (Christmas cake) is used to describe a woman over 25 because she's considered to be as ripe for marriage as a Christmas cake left out after the 25th, but he said it's not so common.

Shavone
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Posts: 9
Joined: November 3rd, 2006 5:53 pm

Postby Shavone » June 14th, 2007 8:23 am

i have a few to share :D

1.) 足を洗う - to start anew
2.) 顔が広い - known by alot of pple & having good connections
3.) 口が軽い - one who gossips alot & can't keep secrets
4.) 口が重い - tight lipped, being able to keep secrets
5.) 口が滑る - slip of a tongue
6.) サルも木から落ちる - everyone makes mistakes
7.) 猫の手を借りたい - an expression to show one is very busy
8.) 猫じた - afraid of eating hot things

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