In Japanese, many everyday expressions use body parts to describe feelings, actions, and situations. These phrases often don’t translate literally into English, but they reveal a lot about how people think and communicate in Japan. Let’s look at some useful examples you can hear in daily conversation!

1. 耳みみにする – To hear by chance

Literally “to do with the ear,” this means to come across something by hearing.

Example: ニュースでその事件じけんを耳みみにしました。
(I happened to hear about the incident on the news.)

2. 目めにする – To see / to notice

Literally “to put to the eye,” this means to notice or come across something, often in writing or news.

Example: 珍めずらしい名前なまえを本ほんで目めにしました。
(I came across a rare name in a book.)

3. 口くちにする – To say / to mention

Literally “to put into the mouth,” this expression means to speak about something.

Example: 彼かれはそのことを口くちにしなかった。
(He didn’t mention that matter.)

4. 口くちが滑すべる – To let something slip

Literally “the mouth slips.” Used when you accidentally say something you shouldn’t have.

Example: 秘密ひみつを口くちが滑すべって言いってしまった。
(I accidentally let the secret slip out.)

5. 目めが回まわる – To be dizzy / very busy

Literally “the eyes spin.” Often used to describe being extremely busy.

Example: 今日きょうは仕事しごとで目めが回まわるほど忙いそがしかった。
(I was so busy with work today, it made my head spin.)

6. 顔かおを出だす – To show up

Literally “to show one’s face,” it means to make an appearance, even briefly.

Example: 明日あしたの会議かいぎに顔かおを出だします。
(I’ll drop by the meeting tomorrow.)

7. 顔色かおいろをうかがう – To read someone’s mood

Literally “to watch someone’s facial color.” It means to gauge how someone feels before speaking or acting.

Example: 彼かれはいつも上司じょうしの顔色かおいろをうかがっている。
(He’s always trying to read his boss’s mood.)

8. 手てを貸かす – To lend a hand / to help

This is a friendly way to offer help.

Example: ちょっと手てを貸かしてくれる？
(Can you give me a hand?)

9. 腹はらが立たつ – To get angry

Literally “the stomach rises,” another common phrase for irritation or anger.

Example: 彼かれの態度たいどに腹はらが立たった。
(I got angry at his attitude.)

10. 足あしを運はこぶ – To go / to visit

Literally “to carry your feet,” it means to go somewhere, often making a special effort.

Example: 美術館びじゅつかんに足あしを運はこびました。
(I went to the art museum.)

✨ Final Thoughts

Japanese uses the body not just for movement, but also to express emotions, effort, and everyday actions. These idiomatic phrases make conversations more colorful and natural. Try using them in daily life—you’ll surprise native speakers with how fluent you sound!

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