Oni or Japanese demon laugh?

0.0/5 rating (0 votes)
  • Moses JOI Support
  • Monday, 23 January 2023

Japanese has some interesting idioms that can be used to make your spoken language sound really good.

 

Today's phrase :

明日の事を言えば鬼が笑う

(あしたのことをいえばおにがわらう)

If you talk about tomorrow, a demon laughs.

 

What does that mean?

「あしたの事を言えば鬼が笑う」is a metaphor used to mean that we can never predict the future, so there is no point in saying this or that.

Why does a demon laugh at that?

 

oni laugh

 

◆ 語源 etymology :

According to one theory (and there are many theories.)

An "Oni" or Japanese demon, is thought to be a being that can see into people's future.

From the Oni's point of view, it is said that humans who are happy or sad about the future seem funny, so the demons mock them.

Certainly, we shouldn't worry too much about our future!

Special Offer: Try out our Free 14 day trial

Join over 5000+ students and start your journey toward Japanese fluency today

・Take up to 2 group lessons for free within 14 days.
・Choose from 20 different levels of classes (conversation, grammar, JLPT, Kanji, etc)
・Cancel anytime during the 14-day trial and you won’t be charged.

Learn more

We also offer tailor-made private lessons
Contact us at [email protected] for details