Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Idioms using the word "腕 (arm)"

・腕Udeがga いいii(One's arm is good)
・腕Udeがga 上がるagaru(Raise one's arm)
・腕Udeのno 見せどころmisedokoro (Showing one's ability to others)
・腕Udeがga 鳴るnaru(One is itching to do something)
・腕Udeをwo 磨くmigaku(Brush up one's skill)

慣用句(idiom) are expressions that combine two or more words to create a different meaning.

The meaning is completely different from the original words, so it is useful to know idioms. 

Idioms often use words related to the body, such as “hand (te)” and “leg (ashi).” This month, let’s learn some useful idioms that use the word arm(ude).”

 

腕Udeがga いいii - One's arm is good

The meaning of ude ga ii is “having particularly excellent skills or abilities among people doing the same kind of work.”

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~Your friend is looking for a new hair salon~

    Friend: 美容院biyōin、変えたいkaetaiとto 思ってるんだけどomotterundakedo、どこかdokoka いいii所tokoro 知ってるsitteru?(I'm thinking about switching hair salons. Do you happen to know any good places?)

    You: 私のwatashino 担当tantoのno 美容師biyōshiさんsan、腕がude ga いいiiからkara、紹介shōkaiしようかshiyōka。 (My stylist is really skilled, so shall I introduce you?).

 

腕Udeがga 上がるagaru - Raise one's arm

The meaning of ude ga agaru is “to become skilled through lots of practice.”

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~At House Party~

    A: Bさんsanのno 料理ryōri、いつもitsumo おいしいoishiiけどkedo、今日kyōはwa 特にtokuni おいしいoishiiねne。前maeよりyori 料理ryōriのno 腕がudega 上がったagattaんじゃないnjanai? (Your cooking is always delicious, but today it is especially delicious. Have you improved your cooking skills since then?)

    B: ありがとうarigatou。実はねjitsuwane、料理ryōri教室kyōshitsuにni 通ってるんだkayotterunda。(Thank you. Actually, I’m taking cooking lessons.)

 

腕Udeのno  見せどころmisedokoro- Showing one's ability to others

The meaning of ude no misedokoro is “a moment when you demonstrate something you’re good at, to others, or perform something that people around you recognize as skillful.”

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~Creating a Flyer~

    A: Bさんsan、絵eがga 得意tokuiでしたよねdeshitayone。チラシchirashiのno 絵e、お願いonegaiしてもいいですかshitemoiidesuka。(You are good at drawing, right? Would you draw an illustration for the flyer?).

    B: わかりましたwakarimashita。(OK!) 私watashiのno 腕udeのno 見せどころmisedokoroですね。頑張りますganbarimasu!(Now’s a good time to show my skills!).

 

腕Udeがga 鳴るnaru - One is itching to do something

The meaning of ude ga naru is “being eager to show off or to use the skills and abilities one possesses.”

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~The Day Before the Match~

    A: 明日ashitaのno 試合shiaiはwa、今までimamadeのno 練習renshūのno 成果seikaをwo みんなminnaにni 見てもらおうね mitemoraoune(Tomorrow’s match is our chance to show everyone the results of all our hard work.)

    B: うんun、腕udeがga 鳴るnaruねne。(Oh, yes! I’m itching to play.) 絶対zettai、勝とうkatou!(We are definitely going to win!)

 

腕Udeをwo磨くmigaku - Brush up one's skill

The meaning of ude wo migaku is “to practice or make an effort to improve your skills or abilities.”

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~A and B are talking about their future.~

    A: 将来syōraiのno 夢yumeはwa 何nani?(What is your dream for the future?)

    B: 料理ryōriがga 好きsukiだからdakara、シェフchefにniなりたいんだよねnaritaindayone。将来syōraiはwa、料理ryōriのno 学校gakkōにni 行ってitte…、それからsorekara、フランスfuransuにni 留学ryūgakuしてshite…、どんどんdondon 料理ryōriのno 腕udeをwo 磨きたいmigakitaiとto 思ってるんだomotterunda (I love cooking, so I want to become a chef. In the future, I want to go to culinary school and then study abroad in France. I’m trying to brush up on my cooking skills, more and more.).