(せいく)

せいく
noun
set phrase; idiomatic expression; proverb
1. set phrase; idiomatic expression; proverb; saying
A fixed expression or phrase whose meaning is established by convention, including idioms, proverbs, and set collocations. The form is fixed and cannot be freely altered.
これは有名(ゆうめい)成句(せいく)だ。
This is a famous set phrase.
辞書(じしょ)成句(せいく)調(しら)べる。
To look up set phrases in a dictionary.
七転(ななころ)八起(やお)き」は日本語(にほんご)代表的(だいひょうてき)成句(せいく)(ひと)つだ。
"Fall seven times, get up eight" is one of the most representative set phrases in Japanese.

A linguistic term for expressions whose form is conventionally fixed. Covers idioms, proverbs, and other set phrases. The word is used in language study, dictionaries, and discussions about language.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 成句(せいく)使(つか)う: to use a set phrase
  • 成句(せいく)(おぼ)える: to learn set phrases
  • 慣用(かんよう)成句(せいく): idiomatic set phrase
  • 英語(えいご)成句(せいく): English idioms

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 慣用句(かんようく): idiom — specifically an idiomatic expression whose meaning differs from the literal words
  • (ことわざ): proverb — a traditional saying conveying wisdom or a lesson
  • 四字熟語(よじじゅくご): four-character compound — a specific type of fixed expression using exactly four kanji
  • ()まり文句(もんく): stock phrase / set expression — a routine phrase used in specific social situations

USAGE NOTE:
成句(せいく) is a broader category that encompasses 慣用句(かんようく), (ことわざ), and other types of fixed expressions. In dictionaries, entries labeled 成句(せいく) indicate that the expression is a fixed combination.