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蛙の面に水 (かえるのつらにみず) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
蛙かえる の 面つら に 水みず also: カエルのつらにみず
Meanings 1
expression
like water off a duck's back
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning that criticism, scolding, or advice has no effect on someone, just as water splashes off a frog's face without bothering it. Often used when someone is shameless or thick-skinned.
子こ
は
叱しか
ら
れ
て
も
蛙かえる
の
面つら
に
水みず
で
、
すぐ
に
同おな
じ
こと
を
する
。
That kid is like water off a duck's back when scolded; he does the same thing again right away.
Written forms 蛙かえる の 面つら に 水みず
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling for this idiom.
カエルの 面つら に 水みず
Katakana spelling of 蛙, sometimes used for emphasis or in casual writing.
かえるの 面つら に 水みず
Hiragana spelling of 蛙, common in informal contexts or when avoiding kanji.
カエルのつらにみず
Similar words 馬ば 耳じ 東とう 風ふう Similar meaning of ignoring advice, but 馬耳東風 is more literary and classical, while 蛙の面に水 is a colloquial, everyday idiom.
暖簾のれん に 腕押うでお し Both describe lack of response or effect, but 暖簾に腕押し emphasizes futility of effort (like pushing against a curtain), whereas 蛙の面に水 focuses on the person's indifference to criticism.
Etymology The phrase literally means 'water on a frog's face.' Frogs are naturally associated with water and show no reaction when splashed, so the idiom came to describe someone who is unfazed by criticism or advice. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a traditional Japanese saying.
