慣用句

• Reading: かんようく
• Romaji: kanyouku
• Kanji breakdown: 慣 (kan) — accustomed, habitual; 用 (yo) — use, function; 句 (ku) — phrase, clause
• Pronunciation: /kan.joː.kɯ/

Meaning

Idiomatic expression; a set phrase whose meaning cannot be derived from the individual words. A fixed expression used in established contexts.

A linguistic noun for fixed phrases (idioms) that have an established, often non-literal meaning. For example, 足を引っ張る literally means 'to pull someone's foot' but idiomatically means 'to hold someone back.' 慣用句 are essential vocabulary for reading literary and journalistic Japanese and are a regular focus of Japanese language tests.

Examples

1. 日本語には慣用句が多く、直訳しても意味が通じないことが多い。 Japanese has many idiomatic expressions, and translating them literally often doesn't convey the meaning.
2. その慣用句の由来を調べると、歴史的な背景が見えてくる。 When you look into the origins of that idiom, you can see its historical background.
3. 慣用句を使いこなすことで、より自然な日本語が話せるようになる。 By mastering idiomatic expressions, you can speak more natural Japanese.

Usage Guide

Context: linguistics, language learning, literary study

Tone: academic

Origin & History

From 慣用 (habitual use, customary) and 句 (phrase, clause). Together they describe a phrase used in a habitual or established way that carries fixed meaning.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal