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- Japanese is a language that features conversations that can take place entirely without a subject. In addition, the speaker avoids taking responsibility by not making clear who or what the subject is and ambiguous expressions such as ka na or dakedo at the end of a sentence further help to make a statement an assumption rather than an assertion.
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Feb 24, 2024 · Japanese Prefer Vague Expressions. Japanese have a culture of being vague when it comes to expressing their opinions. As illustrated by the following, in the Japanese language there are many expressions that avoid arriving at a conclusion: “Sono teian, yosasou desu ne.” (That sounds good).
Nov 29, 2022 · Japanese has a lot more similar expressions, and understanding them is crucial for speaking the language in a more Japanese-like manner. To assist you in using Japanese in a way that possibly sounds more Japanese, this article discusses those terms in order of degree of certainty.
- mami@tofugu.com
- Researcher / Writer
Aug 25, 2016 · One of the main characteristics of Japanese~ Japanese can be such a vague language, where in our grammar, verb is always at the end. Compared to English, this can be something frustrating if you are new to speaking or reading Japanese.
- 朝飯前 (あさめしまえ, Asameshi Mae) – Before Breakfast
- ごまめの歯ぎしり (ごまめのはぎしり, Gomame No Hagi Shiri) – Little Fish Grinding Their Teeth
- 猿も木から落ちる (さるもきからおちる, Sarumo Kikara Ochiru) – Even Monkeys Fall Out of Trees
- 知らぬが仏 (しらぬがほとけ, Shiranuga Hotoke) – Not Knowing Is Buddha
- 花より団子 (はなよりだんご, Hana Yori Dango) – Dumplings Over Flowers
- 相変わらず (あいかわらず, Ai Kawarazu) – The Same as Ever, as Always
- 起死回生 (きしかいせい, Kishi Kai Sei) – Wake from Death and Turn to Life
- 月とすっぽん (つきとすっぽん, Tsuki to Suppon) – The Moon and A Soft-Shell Turtle
- 見ぬが花 (みぬがはな, Minuga Hana) – Not Seeing Is A Flower
- 砂を噛むよう (すなをかむよう, Su Na O Kamu Yō) – Like Chewing on Sand
If you can do something asameshi mae, it’s so simple or quick it could be done before sitting down to eat breakfast. Its closest English equivalent is “piece of cake!”
Little fish grinding their teeth is relatively non-threatening, so this saying refers to the idea that one’s actions are trivial or unlikely to produce a significant outcome.
This Japanese expression is often used to comfort a friend or family member after a slip-up, which is closest to “Everyone makes mistakes” in English.
Quite telling of Japanese culture, this reference to Buddha alludes to the idea that sometimes, it’s better to be kept in the dark. An English equivalent would be, “Ignorance is bliss.”
Similar to “substance over form,” this sensory Japanese idiom refers to the idea that one should value useful or practical things rather than just fun or pleasurable ones.
This Japanese expression has a relatively negative connotation and means things are the same as usual. Be careful not to use it when you’re speaking positively about something.
As the theme of resurrection suggests, this Japanese expression encourages the listener that it’s possible to rectify even the worst situations and, a bit more dramatically than its English counterpart, “turn lemons into lemonade.”
Japanese speakers will often use this expression to contrast choices or things in which one option is obviously superior.
Using more imagery than the simple, “Ignorance is bliss,” this saying means that sometimes, what we imagine or envision is much more beautiful than reality.
As its tactile imagery suggests, this Japanese expression may be employed when describing something tedious, boring, or dull.
Dec 5, 2020 · Japanese people often use vague expressions such as とか (toka), かな (kana) and でも (demo) to sound casual and modest. Let's learn their meanings with examples!
Oct 16, 2023 · The communication type is the opposite of low context culture — it’s expected to be less direct, vague and implicit. People rely on reading between the lines and assume what the message the speaker is trying to convey. Kūki o Yomu: Reading the Air. This brings us to the Japanese custom we mentioned earlier: “kūki o yomu”. It can be ...
Vague words prevent shy Japanese from saying yes or no directly or clearly. Japanese people like to give vague answers to avoid hurting or saying something that is bad for someone else, they also have difficulty expressing what they really think or their feelings.
