IdiomAnimals
Japanese
Japanese月とすっぽん (Tsuki to suppon)
Meaning: Two things alike at a glance but worlds apart.
Literally: The moon and a snapping turtle
Example: “兄と僕の料理の腕は月とすっぽんだ。” — My brother's cooking and mine are like chalk and cheese.
English equivalent: Like chalk and cheese
Equivalents in other languages
English: like chalk and cheese
Origin: The moon and a softshell turtle are both round, but one shines in the sky and the other lives in the mud. Comparing them is pointing out a huge difference between two things that seem alike. No particular story lies behind it.
More Japanese idioms
- 釘を刺す (kugi o sasu) To remind someone firmly so they can't back out.
- 顔から火が出る (kao kara hi ga deru) To burn with embarrassment.
- 一石二鳥 (Isseki nichō) Getting two results from a single action.
- 目くそ鼻くそを笑う (Mekuso hanakuso o warau) Mocking someone else's faults without noticing you have the same ones.
- 労多くして功少なし (Rō ōkushite kō sukunashi) A lot of effort for very little result.
- 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai) I'm so busy I'll take help from anyone.
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