Common Idioms and Saying in Japanese Using Animals in Real-Life

All languages definitely have idioms and sayings. The Japanese language also has a lot of these. I would like to introduce some of these phrases using animals in real-life situations. Have you heard of these?

「猿（さる）も木（き）から落ちる（おちる）」[SARU MO KI KARA OCHIRU]

Direct translation: “Even monkeys fall from trees.”

The saying teaches us that it is always important to be prepared to handle any kind of circumstance, even if some experts sometimes make a mistake.

「猫（ねこ）の手（て）も借りたい（かりたい）」[NEKO NO TE MO KARITAI]

Direct translation: “I would like to ask your help even if you are a cat.”

The saying expresses the very busy situation. However, the saying has the nuance “I would like to ask whoever helps” because it was believed that cats had no other role except catching rats in the old days. In other words, if you use this phrase directly when you ask for someone’s help, it would be rude. So, we need to be careful.

「猫（ねこ）を被る（かぶる）」[NEKO WO KABURU]

Direct translation: “She is a cat in her clothing.”

I think the idiom doesn’t have the same one in English, but “She is a wolf in sheep’s clothing” seems to have a similar nuance.

「犬（いぬ）も歩けば（あるけば）棒（ぼう）に当たる（あたる）」[INU MO ARUKEBA BOU NI ATARU]

Direct translation: “Even dogs can hit a stick if they walk.”

The saying has two meanings. The original meaning was a life lesson that tells us awareness of some troubles if we do something obtrusive. However, nowadays, the expression is understood as a positive phrase too. Another meaning is you can get a chance if you go out or try something.

「馬（うま）に乗る（のる）までは牛（うし）に乗れ（のれ）」[UMA NI NORU MADE HA USHI NI NORE]

Direct translation: “Ride a horse after you get used to riding a cow.”

The saying teaches us if you have big objectives, build a solid foundation and have confidence with the lower level first.

「馬（うま）が合う（あう）」[UMA GA AU]

Direct translation: “The horse and rider are in perfect rhythm.”

The idiom is used when you get on well with someone. Riding horses is essential to breathe together and in perfect rhythm with each other. Gradually, the phrase has been used for human relationships.

「鶴（つる）の一声（ひとこえ）」[TSURU NO HITOKOE]

Direct translation: “The cry of a crane.”

The idiom expresses the situation in which something was decided by someone’s word immediately.

Saying has each story of how these phrases were created. It will be fun if you read these short stories when you learn phrases. I hope you enjoy your learning journey will be a lot of fun.