Beyond Vocabulary — Idioms, Conjunctions & Fixed Expressions
Conjunctions, idiomatic expressions with body parts, and advanced expression blocks.
Conjunctions
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| しかも | not only that, |
| ● そこで | that is why I did... (+ Past tense) |
| ● そこを | despite that, |
| ● それが | I don't want to say this, but... |
| それに | not only that, also... |
| それから | in addition, |
| ● それなら | if that is the case, then... |
| ● それでも | in spite of that circumstance, |
| ● それはそうと | by the way, |
| ● それはさておき | by the way, |
| ● その結果 | as a result, |
| それとも | or would you rather...? |
| ● すると | whereupon, |
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| というのは | the reason I say that is, |
| とはいえ | yet I still believe/feel that... |
| ●硬 および（及び） | in addition, |
| ●硬 ならびに（並びに） | in addition, |
| ●硬 かつ（且つ） | ... and ... (describing) |
| ●硬 なおかつ（尚且つ） | furthermore, |
| ●硬 ゆえに（故に） | that is why (logical proof) |
| ●硬 したがって（従って） | therefore (logical proof) |
| 硬 また（又） | and, |
| ●硬 または（又は） | or |
| ●硬 もしくは（若しくは） | or |
| ●硬 あるいは（或いは） | or |
| ●硬 ないしは（乃至は） | or |
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 実は | actually, |
| 例えば | for example, |
| ● 要するに | that is to say, |
| つまり | in short/what I mean is, (summary) |
| 即ち | that is to say/namely, (re-wording) |
| 逆に／反対に | conversely/quite the opposite, |
| よりによって | of all possibilities, you chose...!? |
| ● もっとも（尤も） | but I should add that... |
| ましてや | because even ~, of course also... |
| ひいては | eventually, even... |
| いわば | it's like a... (metaphor) |
| ● あわよくば | if things go well, |
| ● さもなくば | if it is any other way, |
Legend Notes
- ● indicates expressions used only at the beginning of sentences.
- ○ indicates expressions which can be (not necessarily) used between nouns.
- 硬 indicates formal/written usage.
Expressions with Body Parts
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 顔が広い | to be popular/well known |
| に顔が利く | to have sway with |
| の顔を立てる | to save face/foster a high opinion |
| の肩を持つ | to take someone's side |
| に手を出す | to get involved in |
| を手に入れる | to acquire, gain possession of |
| に手を焼く | to have problems dealing with |
| 足が出る | to be over budget |
| 足を引っ張る | to hold someone back (trip up) |
| 口を挟む／出す | to butt in to another's conversation |
| を大目に見る | to overlook, forgive |
| に目が利く | to have an eye for (a good judge of) |
| を身に着ける | to master, make ~ one's own |
| 歯が立たない | to not stand a chance |
| を鼻にかける | to brag about |
| 腹が立つ | to get angry |
| へそを曲げる | to get angry |
気 Expressions
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| に気を付ける | to be careful about |
| に気付く／気が付く | to notice/discover |
| が気になる | to have ~ on one's mind |
| を気にする | to be bothered by |
| を気に入る | to like |
| に気を使う／遣う | to accommodate for |
| 〜気 | the will/desire to ~ |
| 気がする | to have a hunch that ~ |
| を気にかける | to worry about/fret over |
| 気のせい | just your imagination |
| お気の毒です。 | "I'm so sorry to hear that." |
| が気に食わない | to be repulsed by |
| 気が利く | to be tactful/considerate |
| 気が済む | to dispel an urge/bad feeling |
| 気が向く | to get in the mood |
| 気が気でない | to be very distressed |
| と気が合う | to think the same way as |
何 Expressions
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 何とかなる | to work out (be okay) |
| 何とかする | to work something out (manage) |
| 何となく | on just a hunch |
| 何だか | it kind of seems that... |
| 何としてでも | at all costs/no matter what it takes |
| 何らかの | some sort/kind of... |
| 何なら | if you'd like, I'll... |
| 何せ／何しろ | just ..., plain and simple (emphasis) |
| 何が何でも | no matter what happens |
| 何もかも | anything and everything |
| 何より | most importantly, |
| 何気ない | nonchalant |
| 何はともあれ | regardless of other things, |
いい加減
"good adjustment"
- Used as an Adjective/Noun to deride bad behavior/work.
- (Original meaning) describes a state of moderation (not too much/little). In this case, stressing いい helps avoid confusion with the derisive meaning.
- Most often used as a "scolding" adverb with commands.
| Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|
| いい加減（な／だ） | Irresponsible, inconsiderate, sloppy or: moderate in amount/degree |
| いい加減に（+ Command） | Stop screwing around and... |
Idiomatic Expressions
| Japanese | Meaning | Literal |
|---|---|---|
| 棚に上げる | to ignore facts which contradict oneself | "to put up on a shelf" |
| 猫を被る | to fake being obedient/docile | "to wear a cat on one's head" |
| 上の空 | distracted/day dreaming | "the sky above" |
| 虫がいい | selfish/inconsiderate of others | |
| 相槌を打つ | giving short verbal feedback | ie saying "uh-huh… I see… oh, really?… hmm…" and so on, to keep a conversation going |
| 油を売る | to waste time/dilly-dally | |
| 水を差す | to rain on someone's parade/spoil the fun | "to pour water on" |
| 後の祭り | too late for something | "after the festival" |
| 根も葉もない | to have no grounds/basis | "no roots or leaves" |
| 血も涙もない | to have no compassion/feeling for others | "no blood or tears" |
〜ない Terms
Negative Pairing
These words are always followed by a negative grammar form.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| あまり | not very |
| 全然 | not at all |
| 大して | not so |
| 満更 | not all that bad |
| ろくな | unsatisfactory |
| 決して | it's not certain that... |
| 必ずしも | not absolutely certain |
| あながち | not completely incorrect |
全然 in Informal Positive Use
全然 can be used informally with non-negative grammar.
さすが
confirmed expectations（流石・さすが）
- Used alone or before proper nouns as a statement of praise. (the speaker's high expectations were satisfied)
さすがは田中さん！目が鋭いです。
Way to go, Mr. Tanaka! You've got sharp eyes.
さすがに
- Indicates the speaker's fears/expectations were or will be met.
- Indicates (reluctantly) something is near or has passed a limit.
- Used in contradictions/rebuttals (you implied otherwise, but)
もう１１時か。さすがに遅いから帰るね。
It's 11 o'clock already? I guess it's getting late so I'll head home now.
私を主役にした！？これはさすがに無理だよ。
You made me the lead actor? This just isn't going to work.
さすがの（Person）も
- "Even" (contrary to expectations)
さすがの山田さんも知らなかった。
Even Mrs. Yamada didn't know about it.
Icons & Badges Reference
Usage Icons
話Used primarily in spoken Japanese
書Used primarily in written Japanese
男Used mostly by men
女Used mostly by women
子Used mostly by children
古Old / Archaic expression
硬Used in formal / stiff situations
!Use with caution (not for superiors)
!!Vulgar / expresses anger or disapproval
上Advanced (JLPT N2–N1)
★Reference-only (beyond JLPT scope)
↓Footnote
✕Incorrect usage
○Correct usage
Form Badges
NNoun
NONoun followed by the particle の
NANoun followed by な
TIMENoun indicating time
LOCNoun indicating location/place
ADJAdjective (i-adjective or na-adjective)
i-ADJi-Adjective (e.g. 高い)
na-ADJna-Adjective (e.g. 元気な)
VERB"Nounable" verb form
PASTPast-tense verb (〜た、〜ていた、etc.)
-U/-TAPresent or past verb (non-negative)
NAINegative form
-U/NAIPresent tense verb (regular or negative)
VERB+の"Nounable" verb form followed by の
SURUSuru-verb stem word (noun)
Verb Form Suffixes
-IVerb -I form (連用形)
-UVerb -U form (終止形)
-EVerb -E form (仮定形)
-OUVerb -OU form (意志形)
-TEVerb -TE form (て形)
-TAVerb -TA form (た形)
-TE+たVerb -TE form + past