Ukiashi-datsu

Today, I will talk about a Japanese term "ukiashi-datsu."

"Uki" of "ukiashi" means to float, and "ashi" of "ukiashi" means your feet.

Therefore, "ukiashi" means a state that you're standing on your tiptoes and your heels are floating.

Since this state is unstable, "ukiashi" came to express that you're restless and anxious, or you have cold feet.

Nowadays, we often use "ukiashi" as "ukiashi datsu (to stand with a state of ukiashi)," or "ukiashi-ninaru (to become ukiashi)."

Recently, people sometimes use "ukiashi-datsu" as the meaning of "to be restless and excited," but this is misuse.

浮き足立つ

今日は日本語の「浮き足立つ」という言葉を紹介します。

「浮き足」とは、かかとが浮いて、つま先立ちであることを意味します。

この状態は不安定であるため、「浮き足」は、不安で落ち着きがないことや、逃げ腰になることを意味するようになりました。

そして現在は、基本的に「浮き足立つ」や「浮き足になる」のように使われます。

最近、「楽しみで落ち着きが無い」という意味で「浮き足立つ」と使われることがありますが、これは誤用です。