JLPT N2 • IDIOMS

一長一短

This plan has its pros and cons, so we can't decide right away.

Practice Question

この計画には___があり、すぐには決められない。
🎉 Explanation

この計画には___があり、すぐには決められない。

English Explanation

The sentence "この計画には___があり、すぐには決められない" suggests that the plan has both positive and negative aspects, making it difficult to make an immediate decision. 「一長一短」 (icchou ittan) means "strengths and weaknesses" or "pros and cons," accurately describing this balance. If a plan has both good and bad points, a quick decision is indeed difficult. In contrast, 「自業自得」 (jigō jitoku) means "reaping what one sows" or "getting one's just deserts," referring to consequences of one's actions. 「以心伝心」 (ishin denshin) means "tacit understanding." 「半信半疑」 (hanshin hangi) means "half-belief, half-doubt," describing a person's state of mind rather than an inherent quality of the plan itself.

日本語解説

「すぐには決められない」という文脈から、その計画に良い点と悪い点の両方があることが推測されます。そのため、「一長一短」が「良い面と悪い面」を意味し、適切です。「自業自得」は自分の行いの報い、「以心伝心」は言葉なしで通じ合うこと、「半信半疑」は半分信じて半分疑うこと、で、文脈に合いません。

🦅

Master Japanese Free?

Project Eagle analyzes your vulnerabilities using AI. Play thousands of interactive quizzes and mock exams completely free!