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胸をなでおろす

B1 verb #7,000 most common 8 min read

胸をなでおろす

mune o nade orosu Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 胸をなでおろす in 30 Seconds

Explanation 胸をなでおろす in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'Mune o nadeorosu' as a special way to say 'I am happy because something bad did not happen.' Even though this is a long phrase, you can understand it by looking at the words. 'Mune' means chest. 'Nadeorosu' is like stroking or petting. When we are scared, our heart beats fast. When the scary thing goes away, we want to pet our heart to make it quiet. In English, we say 'breathe a sigh of relief.' You can use this when you find something you lost, or when you pass a small test. It is a very 'Japanese' way to talk about feelings. Try to remember it as one big block of meaning: 'Chest + Stroke down = Phew!' Use it when you want to show you were a little bit worried but now you are okay. It makes your Japanese sound very natural and expressive, even at a beginning level. Just remember: only use it for relief, not for just being happy about a gift!

For A2 learners, 'Mune o nadeorosu' is a useful idiom to describe emotional reactions. You already know 'anshin suru' (to feel relieved) and 'ureshii' (to be happy). This phrase is more specific. It describes the exact moment you stop worrying. Think of a situation where you thought you made a big mistake, but then your teacher said, 'It's okay!' That feeling in your chest is 'mune o nadeorosu.' In Japanese, many idioms use body parts to describe feelings. This is one of the most common ones. You will see it in the past tense most often: 'nadeoroshita.' This is because you usually talk about the relief after the event is finished. For example: 'Saifu ga mitsukatte, mune o nadeoroshita' (I found my wallet and felt relieved). It's a bit more 'descriptive' than just saying 'hotto shita.' Using this phrase in your speaking practice will help you move away from simple 'Subject-Verb-Object' sentences and into more natural, idiomatic Japanese.

As a B1 learner, you should recognize 'Mune o nadeorosu' as a key idiomatic expression for describing the resolution of suspense. This phrase is categorized under 'kanjou hyougen' (expressions of emotion). It is particularly effective because it uses a physical metaphor to describe a psychological state. In B1 level texts, such as short stories or news summaries, this phrase frequently appears to signal a turning point in the narrative. You should notice how it is often paired with adverbs like 'youyaku' (finally) or 'omowazu' (spontaneously). It is important to distinguish this from 'kata no ni ga oriru' (a burden lifted). While both involve relief, 'mune o nadeorosu' is about the cessation of fear or anxiety, whereas 'kata no ni ga oriru' is about the end of a responsibility. When writing essays or stories for your Japanese class, using 'mune o nadeorosu' adds a layer of sophistication. It shows you understand how Japanese speakers conceptualize the physical sensation of calming one's heart (chest) after a stressful event.

At the B2 level, you should master the nuance and register of 'Mune o nadeorosu.' This idiom is neutral-to-formal and is highly suitable for both spoken anecdotes and written narratives. It is essential to understand its 'event-based' nature; it describes the transition from anxiety to peace. In B2 listening materials, such as interviews or documentaries, speakers use this to emphasize the severity of a previous risk. For example, a business leader might use it when a crisis is averted: 'Kiki o kaihiku deki, mune o nadeoroshite iru shidai desu.' Here, 'shidai desu' adds a formal touch. You should also be aware of its literary use. Authors use it to provide emotional closure to a scene. Furthermore, compare it with 'ando no tameiki o tsuku' (to breathe a sigh of relief). While 'ando' is a Sino-Japanese word (kango) and sounds more formal/stiff, 'mune o nadeorosu' is a native Japanese phrase (wago) that feels more evocative and empathetic. Mastering this idiom will significantly improve your ability to express complex human emotions in a culturally resonant way.

For C1 learners, 'Mune o nadeorosu' should be viewed within the broader context of Japanese 'tai-ku' (body idioms). It represents a specific psychological-physiological link where the 'mune' (chest/thorax) serves as the barometer for anxiety. At this level, you should be able to use the phrase in complex sentence structures, such as using it as a modifier or within conditional clauses. For instance, 'Mune o nadeorosu no mo tsukanoma...' (Even as I felt a moment of relief...), which suggests that a new problem immediately arose. This demonstrates a high level of narrative control. You should also analyze the verb 'nadeorosu'—a compound of 'naderu' (to stroke) and 'orosu' (to lower). This linguistic structure mirrors the physical act of 'lowering' one's high-strung emotions. In C1 level discussions about literature or social issues, you might use this idiom to critique the emotional state of a population after a policy change or a natural disaster. It is a powerful tool for nuanced emotional reporting, bridging the gap between raw feeling and polished expression.

At the C2 level, 'Mune o nadeorosu' is a foundational element of your idiomatic repertoire, but the focus shifts to its subtle rhetorical effects and its place in the history of Japanese emotional vocabulary. You should be able to distinguish its use in different genres—from the 'dry' style of legal or medical reporting to the 'wet' style of romantic or dramatic literature. Consider how this phrase interacts with the concept of 'ki' (energy/spirit); while not using the word 'ki,' the 'nadeorosu' action is essentially 'settling' one's agitated 'ki.' You can also explore its use in 'keigo' (polite language), such as 'mune o nadeorosaseru' (to cause someone else to feel relieved), often used by a subordinate to a superior after solving a problem. At this level, you are expected to understand the 'unspoken' anxiety that must precede this phrase. If a speaker uses it without a clear preceding threat, it may imply a hidden fear or a high-stakes environment that wasn't explicitly mentioned. Your usage should be flawless, reflecting a deep internalization of the Japanese somatic approach to emotional expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

胸をなでおろす in 30 Seconds

Idiom meaning to feel relieved after intense worry.
Literally means 'to stroke down one's chest.'
Used when a negative outcome is successfully avoided.
Common in stories, news, and everyday conversations about stress.

The Japanese idiomatic expression 胸をなでおろす (mune o nadeorosu) is a vivid linguistic representation of the physical sensation of relief. Literally translated as "to stroke down one's chest," it describes the action of calming one's heart after a period of intense anxiety, fear, or suspense. In Japanese culture, the chest (胸 - mune) is often considered the seat of emotions, much like the heart in Western traditions. When you are worried, your chest feels tight or your heart races; once the danger has passed, the act of "stroking it down" symbolizes restoring it to its natural, calm state.

Literal Meaning: To stroke down one's chest.
Figurative Meaning: To breathe a sigh of relief; to feel deeply relieved after a period of worry.

This phrase is most commonly used in situations where a negative outcome was anticipated but ultimately avoided. For example, if a parent loses sight of their child in a crowded mall but then sees the child with a security guard, the parent would "mune o nadeorosu." It is not used for simple happiness, but specifically for the *release* of tension.

手術が無事に終わったと聞き、家族は胸をなでおろした。

Translation: Hearing that the surgery ended safely, the family breathed a sigh of relief.

In professional settings, it is used when a major project risk is averted or when a difficult negotiation concludes successfully. In literature, authors use this phrase to describe a character's internal state, often following a climax or a tense scene. It conveys more weight than the casual 'hotto suru' (to feel relieved) and suggests a more profound sense of ease returning to the body.

Grammatical Usage: It functions as a verb phrase. The particle 'o' indicates the object (chest) being 'stroked down' (nadeorosu).

合格発表を見て、ようやく胸をなでおろした。

Translation: Seeing the exam results, I finally felt relieved.

This expression is a staple of the JLPT N2/N1 levels but is frequently encountered by B1 learners in news broadcasts and novels. Understanding this phrase helps learners grasp the Japanese concept of physicalizing emotions through 'body-part' idioms.

Using 胸をなでおろす correctly requires understanding the context of 'preceding anxiety.' It is almost always preceded by a clause describing a stressful situation or the resolution of a problem.

Pattern 1: [Reason] + [Relief]: [Noun] + が無事 (buji) で、胸をなでおろした。 (I felt relieved that [Noun] was safe.)

This pattern is the most common. It highlights the source of the relief. For instance, 'Hiko-ki ga buji ni chakuriku shi, mune o nadeoroshita' (The plane landed safely, and I breathed a sigh of relief).

紛失した財布が見つかり、胸をなでおろした。

Translation: I breathed a sigh of relief when my lost wallet was found.

Pattern 2: [Adverb] + [Relief]: ようやく (youyaku - finally) or ほっと (hotto - with a sigh) often accompany this phrase to emphasize the timing.

Adverbs like 'omowazu' (unintentionally/spontaneously) are also common, suggesting the relief was so strong it manifested physically without thought.

全員の無事が確認され、関係者はようやく胸をなでおろした。

Translation: With everyone's safety confirmed, those involved finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In formal writing, the noun version '安堵 (ando)' is often used, but 'mune o nadeorosu' remains the preferred idiomatic choice for narrative impact. It is versatile enough for both spoken and written Japanese.

大役を終えて、胸をなでおろしているところです。

Translation: I am currently feeling relieved after finishing a major responsibility.

Note that while 'nadeorosu' is a verb, the phrase as a whole describes an emotional event. It is rarely used in the negative form (*mune o nadeorosanakatta) because if you didn't feel relief, you would use a word for continued worry or despair instead.

Common Contexts: Exam results, medical reports, safety checks after disasters, finding lost items, finishing big presentations.

Finally, remember that the object is always 'mune' (chest). You cannot substitute other body parts like 'kokoro' (heart) in this specific idiom, even though the meaning is related to the heart.

You will encounter 胸をなでおろす in a variety of media, from news reports to anime. It is a high-frequency idiom because the feeling of relief is a universal human experience that makes for compelling storytelling.

News and Journalism: In news broadcasts, especially regarding rescue operations or economic recoveries, anchors often say, 'Kankei-sha wa mune o nadeoroshite imasu' (The stakeholders are breathing a sigh of relief). It adds a human element to objective reporting.

For example, during typhoon season, if a storm changes course and avoids a populated area, the local news might report that residents are 'mune o nadeoroshite iru.' This highlights the collective anxiety of the community being resolved.

「犯人が逮捕され、近隣住民は胸をなでおろしています」

Translation: 'The culprit has been arrested, and local residents are breathing a sigh of relief.'

Literature and Manga: In novels, this phrase is used to describe the internal release of tension. If a character is hiding from an enemy and the enemy walks past without noticing them, the author will write that the character 'mune o nadeoroshita.'

It is a great way to show, rather than tell, emotion. In manga, you might see a character literally placing their hand on their chest and exhaling a cloud of breath (the 'hotto' sound effect) while the narration uses this phrase.

彼は彼女の無事な姿を見て、深く胸をなでおろした。

Translation: Seeing her safe, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.

In everyday conversation, it's used among friends when discussing past worries. 'Kensa no kekka ga nanigoto mo nakute, hontou ni mune o nadeoroshita yo' (I was so relieved that nothing was wrong with the test results).

Movies and TV Dramas: Police procedurals and medical dramas are full of this expression. It serves as the emotional resolution to a high-stakes 'case of the week.'

Recognizing this phrase will help you identify the 'resolution phase' of a story arc. It signals that the danger is over and the characters can finally rest.

While 胸をなでおろす is a common idiom, there are several pitfalls for learners. The most frequent mistake is using it for general happiness or minor relief.

Mistake 1: Using it for trivial things: If you find a 100-yen coin in your pocket, you wouldn't 'mune o nadeorosu.' That is just 'ureshii' (happy) or 'rakkii' (lucky). The idiom requires a prior state of significant concern.

Using it for small things can make you sound overly dramatic. Reserve it for situations where your heart was actually 'pounding' with worry.

❌ デザートが美味しくて、胸をなでおろした。

Correction: This is incorrect because dessert being delicious is a positive surprise, not a relief from fear.

Mistake 2: Mixing up the verb: Learners sometimes say 'mune o sageru' (lower the chest) or 'mune o naderu' (stroke the chest). While 'naderu' is the root of 'nadeorosu,' the full compound 'nadeorosu' (stroke down) is required for the idiom.

Mistake 3: Confusing it with 'Anshin suru': 'Anshin suru' is a state. 'Mune o nadeorosu' is an action/moment. You 'mune o nadeorosu' at the exact second the good news arrives.

❌ ずっと胸をなでおろしている。

Correction: While grammatically possible, it sounds odd because relief is usually a specific event. Use 'anshin shite iru' for a continuous state of peace.

Finally, don't confuse this with 'mune o haru' (to puff out one's chest), which means to be proud. Stroking down is for relief; puffing out is for pride. Mixing these up changes the meaning entirely!

To enrich your Japanese, it is helpful to know words that are similar to 胸をなでおろす but carry different nuances.

1. 安堵する (Ando suru): This is a more formal, academic, or literary version of 'mune o nadeorosu.' It is often used in writing and news reports. It implies a sense of security returning.

2. ホッとする (Hotto suru): The most common, casual way to say 'I'm relieved.' It mimics the sound of a sigh (ho...). Use this with friends and family for everyday small reliefs.

宿題が終わって、ホッとした。

Translation: I felt relieved (casual) after finishing my homework.

3. 肩の荷が下りる (Kata no ni ga oriru): Literally 'the load on one's shoulders has been lowered.' This is used specifically for relief from a heavy responsibility or a long-term burden, rather than a sudden fear.

4. 溜息をつく (Tameiki o tsuku): To sigh. While a sigh can mean disappointment, 'ando no tameiki' (a sigh of relief) is a common collocation. 'Mune o nadeorosu' often happens *while* you 'tameiki o tsuku.'

5. 気が晴れる (Ki ga hareru): To feel refreshed or to have one's mood clear up. This is used when a lingering gloom or depression lifts, rather than a specific anxiety about an event.

ようやく肩の荷が下りて、ゆっくり眠れそうだ。

Translation: The burden has finally been lifted, and it seems I'll be able to sleep well.

Choosing the right synonym depends on the intensity of the emotion and the formality of the situation. 'Mune o nadeorosu' is the best choice for mid-to-high intensity relief in narrative contexts.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The chest is seen as the home of the heart/soul in many Japanese idioms, leading to many 'mune' related expressions.

Pronunciation Guide

UK mune o nadeorosu

US mune o nadeorosu

No stress accent; pitch accent falls on 'ne' in 'mune' and then remains high throughout 'nadeorosu' depending on dialect.

Rhymes With

Kaze (wind) Ame (rain) Kome (rice) Yume (dream) Fune (ship) Tane (seed) Hone (bone) Mame (bean)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'mune' as 'mewn'.
Using the wrong particle (e.g., 'ga' instead of 'o').
Confusing 'nadeorosu' with 'nadesuru'.
Stressing the wrong syllables like English.
Pronouncing 'r' in 'orosu' as an American 'r' instead of a Japanese tap.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji for 'mune' is common, but 'nadeorosu' is often written in hiragana.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the kanji for 'nade' and 'oro'.

Speaking 3/5

The phrase is long but flows naturally once learned.

Listening 2/5

Very easy to recognize in emotional contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

胸 (Mune) 撫でる (Naderu) 下ろす (Orosu) 安心 (Anshin) 心配 (Shinpai)

Learn Next

肩の荷が下りる (Kata no ni ga oriru) 喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる (Nodomoto sugireba...) 安堵 (Ando) 胸が躍る (Mune ga odoru) 肝を冷やす (Kimo o hiyasu)

Advanced

溜飲が下がる (Ryuuin ga sagaru) 杞憂 (Kiyuu) 安堵の胸をなでおろす (Ando no mune o...)

Grammar to Know

〜て、(Result)

財布が見つかって、胸をなでおろした。

〜ので、(Result)

無事だったので、胸をなでおろした。

〜と聞いて、(Result)

成功したと聞いて、胸をなでおろした。

Noun + を + Verb

胸をなでおろす。

Adverb + Verb

ようやく胸をなでおろした。

Examples by Level

テストが終わって、胸をなでおろしました。

I felt relieved when the test ended.

Uses the past polite form 'nadeoroshimashita'.

お母さんの顔を見て、胸をなでおろしました。

Seeing my mother's face, I felt relieved.

The 'te-form' of 'miru' shows the reason for relief.

なくした鍵が見つかり、胸をなでおろした。

I found the lost key and breathed a sigh of relief.

Casual past tense 'nadeoroshita'.

雨が止んで、胸をなでおろしました。

The rain stopped, and I felt relieved.

Simple cause-and-effect structure.

犬が帰ってきて、胸をなでおろした。

The dog came back, and I felt relieved.

Subject 'inu' followed by 'ga'.

電車に間に合って、胸をなでおろしました。

I made it to the train and breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses 'mani atte' (making it in time).

間違いがなくて、胸をなでおろした。

There were no mistakes, so I felt relieved.

Shows relief from avoiding a negative outcome.

友達が元気で、胸をなでおろしました。

My friend is doing well, so I felt relieved.

Relief regarding someone else's state.

飛行機が無事に着陸して、乗客は胸をなでおろした。

The plane landed safely, and the passengers breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses 'buji ni' (safely) as an adverb.

大きなミスがなくて、ようやく胸をなでおろした。

There were no big mistakes, and I finally felt relieved.

Adverb 'youyaku' emphasizes the long wait for relief.

子供が迷子にならなくて、胸をなでおろしました。

The child didn't get lost, so I felt relieved.

Negative conditional 'naranakute'.

台風がそれて、農家の人たちは胸をなでおろしている。

The typhoon missed, and the farmers are breathing a sigh of relief.

Continuous form 'nadeoroshite iru'.

手術が成功したと聞き、家族は胸をなでおろした。

Hearing the surgery was a success, the family felt relieved.

Uses the 'to kiki' (hearing that...) pattern.

発表がうまく終わり、胸をなでおろしています。

The presentation went well, and I am feeling relieved.

Polite continuous form.

落とした財布が警察に届いていて、胸をなでおろした。

The lost wallet was at the police station, and I felt relieved.

Passive form 'todokeiteite' (was delivered).

宿題の締め切りに間に合い、胸をなでおろした。

I met the homework deadline and breathed a sigh of relief.

Focuses on the relief of avoiding a penalty.

深刻な病気ではないとわかり、深く胸をなでおろした。

Learning it wasn't a serious illness, I breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Adds 'fukuku' (deeply) to intensify the idiom.

プロジェクトが予定通りに進み、チーム全員が胸をなでおろしている。

The project is proceeding as planned, and the whole team is relieved.

Shows collective relief.

彼が無実だと証明され、支援者たちは胸をなでおろした。

His innocence was proven, and his supporters breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses passive 'shoumei sare' (was proven).

地震の被害が予想より小さく、住民は胸をなでおろした。

The earthquake damage was smaller than expected, and residents were relieved.

Comparison 'yosou yori' (than expected).

重要な書類をシュレッダーにかけなくてよかったと、胸をなでおろした。

I felt relieved that I hadn't shredded the important document.

Uses 'nakute yokatta' (glad that I didn't).

迷子になっていた子供が保護され、警察官も胸をなでおろした。

The lost child was taken into custody, and the police officer also felt relieved.

Shows the relief of a third party (the officer).

不況の中でもボーナスが支給され、社員は胸をなでおろした。

Bonuses were paid despite the recession, and employees breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses 'naka demo' (even in the midst of).

期限直前にようやくバグが修正され、開発者は胸をなでおろした。

The bug was finally fixed right before the deadline, and the developer was relieved.

Focuses on technical relief.

最悪の事態は免れたようで、関係者一同、胸をなでおろしているところだ。

It seems the worst-case scenario was avoided, and everyone involved is currently breathing a sigh of relief.

Uses 'manukareta' (avoided) and 'tokoro da' (is currently).

検査の結果、転移は見られないとの宣告に、彼女は思わず胸をなでおろした。

Upon the announcement that no metastasis was seen in the test results, she spontaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses 'omowazu' to show an involuntary reaction.

危うく衝突するところだったが、間一髪で避けられ、運転手は胸をなでおろした。

They almost collided, but it was avoided by a hair's breadth, and the driver felt relieved.

Uses 'kan-ippatsu' (by a hair's breadth).

厳しい交渉の末にようやく合意に達し、担当者は胸をなでおろした。

After tough negotiations, an agreement was finally reached, and the person in charge felt relieved.

Uses 'sue ni' (after a long period of...).

倒産の危機を乗り越えた社長は、社員の前で安堵の表情を見せ、胸をなでおろした。

The president, having overcome the risk of bankruptcy, showed a look of relief to the employees and breathed a sigh of relief.

Combines 'ando' and the idiom.

行方不明だった登山者が自力で下山し、救助隊は胸をなでおろした。

The missing climber descended on their own, and the rescue team breathed a sigh of relief.

Context of high-stakes rescue.

新製品の発売初日の売れ行きが好調で、開発チームは胸をなでおろした。

Sales on the first day of the new product launch were strong, and the development team felt relieved.

Business context.

誤解が解けて友情が修復され、二人は胸をなでおろした。

The misunderstanding was cleared up and their friendship was restored, and the two felt relieved.

Emotional/interpersonal context.

予断を許さない状況が続いていたが、容態が安定したとの報に接し、ようやく胸をなでおろすことができた。

The situation had remained unpredictable, but upon receiving news that the condition had stabilized, I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Uses advanced vocabulary like 'yodan o yurusanai' (unpredictable).

一時はどうなることかと思ったが、無事に幕を閉じることができ、主催者は胸をなでおろしている。

For a moment I wondered what would happen, but the event was able to conclude safely, and the organizer is breathing a sigh of relief.

Uses 'maku o tojiru' (to close the curtain/end).

市場の混乱が収束に向かい、投資家たちは一様に胸をなでおろした。

As the market turmoil moved toward a resolution, investors uniformly breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses 'ichiyou ni' (uniformly/all together).

法案が修正され、懸念されていた事態が回避されたことで、多くの市民が胸をなでおろした。

With the bill amended and the feared situation avoided, many citizens breathed a sigh of relief.

Political/social context.

証拠不十分で不起訴処分となり、彼はようやく胸をなでおろしたものの、世間の目は厳しかった。

He was not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence and finally felt relieved, but the public eye remained harsh.

Uses 'monono' (although) to show conflicting situations.

データの復旧に成功したエンジニアは、深いため息とともに胸をなでおろした。

The engineer who succeeded in recovering the data breathed a sigh of relief along with a deep sigh.

Combines 'tameiki' with the idiom.

絶滅危惧種のヒナが無事に孵化したとのニュースに、保護活動家たちは胸をなでおろした。

Conservationists breathed a sigh of relief at the news that a chick of an endangered species had hatched safely.

Specific ecological context.

長年連れ添った伴侶の最後を見届け、悲しみの中にもどこか胸をなでおろすような思いがあった。

Having seen off their long-time companion's final moments, amidst the sadness, there was a sense of relief.

Nuanced emotional complexity (relief from suffering).

国家の存亡を賭けた和平交渉が妥結に至り、国民は等しく胸をなでおろした。

As the peace negotiations, on which the nation's survival rested, reached a settlement, the citizens equally breathed a sigh of relief.

Uses 'daketsu' (settlement) and 'hitoshiku' (equally).

幾多の困難を排してようやく完成に漕ぎ着けたその瞬間、彼は万感の思いで胸をなでおろした。

At the moment he finally reached completion after overcoming numerous difficulties, he breathed a sigh of relief with a flood of emotions.

Uses 'bankan no omoi' (flood of emotions).

疑惑が完全に払拭され、名誉が回復されたことで、彼は初めて心から胸をなでおろすことができたのである。

With the suspicions completely cleared and his honor restored, he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart.

Uses 'fukshoku' (wipe away/dispel).

パンデミックの終息宣言が出され、世界中の人々が安堵し、胸をなでおろした。

The declaration of the end of the pandemic was issued, and people around the world felt at ease and breathed a sigh of relief.

Global/historical scale.

長引く紛争に終止符が打たれ、避難民たちはようやく胸をなでおろして故郷への帰路についた。

A period was put to the long-standing conflict, and the refugees finally breathed a sigh of relief and set off on the road back to their hometowns.

Uses 'shuushifu o utareru' (to put an end to).

未曾有の危機に際し、冷静沈着な対応で被害を最小限に食い止めた知事は、会見後に一人胸をなでおろした。

Faced with an unprecedented crisis, the governor, who had minimized the damage with a calm and composed response, breathed a sigh of relief alone after the press conference.

Uses 'mizou' (unprecedented).

その難解な古文書の解読に成功した学者は、歴史の真実が明らかになったことに深く胸をなでおろした。

The scholar who succeeded in deciphering the difficult ancient document breathed a deep sigh of relief that the truth of history had been revealed.

Academic context.

宇宙船が地球の重力圏を脱し、帰還の途についたことを確認した管制室のスタッフは、一斉に胸をなでおろした。

The control room staff, confirming that the spacecraft had left Earth's gravity and was on its way back, breathed a sigh of relief all at once.

High-stakes scientific context.

Common Collocations

ようやく胸をなでおろす

深く胸をなでおろす

思わず胸をなでおろす

関係者は胸をなでおろしている

無事を確認して胸をなでおろす

安堵の表情で胸をなでおろす

一様に胸をなでおろす

胸をなでおろす思いだ

ほっとして胸をなでおろす

結果を見て胸をなでおろす

Common Phrases

ようやく胸をなでおろした

— Finally felt relieved after a long wait.

合格が決まり、ようやく胸をなでおろした。

思わず胸をなでおろした

— Breathed a sigh of relief without thinking.

危ないところで助かり、思わず胸をなでおろした。

深く胸をなでおろした

— Felt a deep, profound sense of relief.

手術の成功を聞き、深く胸をなでおろした。

関係者一同、胸をなでおろしている

— Everyone involved is feeling relieved.

イベントが無事に終わり、関係者一同胸をなでおろしている。

胸をなでおろすような気持ち

— A feeling similar to breathing a sigh of relief.

それは胸をなでおろすような気持ちだった。

一安心、胸をなでおろす

— A moment of peace and relief.

とりあえず一安心、胸をなでおろした。

無事を知って胸をなでおろす

— Relieved to know someone is safe.

家族の無事を知って胸をなでおろした。

安堵し、胸をなでおろす

— To be at ease and feel relieved.

危機を脱し、安堵して胸をなでおろした。

胸をなでおろす暇もない

— No time even to feel relieved (before the next problem).

胸をなでおろす暇もなく次の仕事が来た。

胸をなでおろすことができた

— Was able to feel relieved.

ようやく胸をなでおろすことができた。

Often Confused With

胸をなでおろす vs 胸を張る

Means to be proud, not relieved.

胸をなでおろす vs 胸が痛む

Means to be pained/sad, not relieved.

胸をなでおろす vs 胸が躍る

Means to be excited, not relieved.

Idioms & Expressions

"胸をなでおろす"

— To breathe a sigh of relief.

危機を脱して胸をなでおろした。

Neutral

"胸を借りる"

— To practice with a superior/stronger person.

先輩の胸を借りる。

Neutral

"胸を張る"

— To puff out one's chest (with pride).

自信を持って胸を張る。

Neutral

"胸を打つ"

— To be touched/moved by something.

彼の言葉が胸を打った。

Neutral

"胸を痛める"

— To be distressed/pained by something.

悲しいニュースに胸を痛める。

Neutral

"胸に刻む"

— To engrave in one's heart (remember deeply).

教訓を胸に刻む。

Neutral

"胸が躍る"

— One's heart leaps (with excitement).

旅行を前に胸が躍る。

Neutral

"胸が裂ける"

— One's heart is torn (with grief).

別れに胸が裂ける思いだ。

Neutral

"胸が一杯になる"

— To be full of emotion.

感動で胸が一杯になった。

Neutral

"胸を焦がす"

— To yearn/pine for someone.

恋に胸を焦がす。

Literary

Easily Confused

胸をなでおろす vs 安心する (Anshin suru)

Both mean relief.

Anshin is a state; Mune o nadeorosu is the moment of transition.

結果を見て胸をなでおろした。今は安心している。

胸をなでおろす vs 安堵する (Ando suru)

Both mean relief.

Ando is formal/written; Mune o nadeorosu is idiomatic/vivid.

ニュースでは『安堵が広がった』と言う。

胸をなでおろす vs ホッとする (Hotto suru)

Both mean relief.

Hotto suru is casual; Mune o nadeorosu is more dramatic/literary.

宿題が終わってホッとした。

胸をなでおろす vs 肩の荷が下りる (Kata no ni ga oriru)

Both mean relief.

Kata no ni is about responsibility; Mune o nadeorosu is about fear.

責任を果たして肩の荷が下りた。

胸をなでおろす vs 溜飲が下がる (Ryuuin ga sagaru)

Both mean something 'lowering' in the chest.

Ryuuin is about satisfaction/revenge; Mune o nadeorosu is about anxiety.

文句を言って溜飲が下がった。

Sentence Patterns

[Reason]て、胸をなでおろしました。

テストが終わって、胸をなでおろしました。

[Noun]が無事で、胸をなでおろした。

子供が無事で、胸をなでおろした。

ようやく胸をなでおろした。

思わず胸をなでおろした。

〜とわかり、胸をなでおろした。

病気ではないとわかり、胸をなでおろした。

胸をなでおろしているところだ。

今、胸をなでおろしているところだ。

〜に接し、胸をなでおろす。

報に接し、胸をなでおろした。

万感の思いで胸をなでおろす。

万感の思いで胸をなでおろした。

Word Family

Nouns

胸 (Mune) - Chest

安堵 (Ando) - Relief

Verbs

撫でる (Naderu) - To stroke/pet

下ろす (Orosu) - To lower/put down

撫でおろす (Nadeorosu) - To stroke down

安心 (Anshin)

一安心 (Hitofuanjin)

安堵 (Ando)

落胆 (Rakutan - opposite)

緊張 (Kinchou - preceding state)

How to Use It

frequency

High in narrative and news; Medium in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

胸を下ろす (Mune o orosu) → 胸をなでおろす (Mune o nadeorosu)
You cannot omit the 'nade' (stroke) part. It's a compound verb.
胸がなでおろす (Mune ga nadeorosu) → 胸をなでおろす (Mune o nadeorosu)
You are the one doing the action to your chest, so use the object particle 'o'.
Using it for 'happy' surprises. → Using it only for 'relief' from anxiety.
If you win the lottery, you don't 'mune o nadeorosu' unless you were about to go bankrupt.
心をおろす (Kokoro o orosu) → 胸をなでおろす (Mune o nadeorosu)
While 'kokoro' means heart, the idiom specifically uses 'mune' (chest).
胸をなでる (Mune o naderu) → 胸をなでおろす (Mune o nadeorosu)
'Mune o naderu' just means stroking the chest; it doesn't carry the full idiomatic meaning of relief.

Tips

Don't forget the 'o'

While Japanese sometimes drops particles, 'mune o nadeorosu' is a fixed idiom where the 'o' is usually kept.

Learn the family

Learn 'mune o haru' (pride) at the same time so you don't mix them up.

Body Idioms

Japanese has many idioms using 'mune', 'hara', and 'atama'. Pay attention to how body parts represent emotions.

Use Adverbs

Adding 'youyaku' (finally) makes the relief sound much more authentic and hard-earned.

Kanji vs Hiragana

If you are unsure of the kanji, writing it as 胸をなでおろす is perfectly acceptable and very common.

Emotional Cues

When you hear 'nadeorosu,' look for the happy ending of the story.

CEFR Level

This is a B1/B2 level phrase. Using it correctly will impress native speakers and examiners.

Polite Relief

In emails, use 'mune o nadeoroshite orimasu' for a humble and professional tone.

Physical Memory

Actually stroke your chest while practicing the word. Physical movement helps the brain remember idioms.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Mune' (Moon) and 'Nade' (Not) 'Orosu' (Oars). You were scared on a boat at night, but the MOON came out, so you did NOT need the OARS. Phew!

Visual Association

Imagine a person literally stroking their chest downward while saying 'Phew' after a scary dog stops barking.

Word Web

Mune (Chest) Naderu (Stroke) Orosu (Lower) Anshin (Peace) Hotto (Sigh) Ando (Relief) Shinpai (Worry) Kinchou (Tension)

Challenge

Try to use this phrase the next time you finish a difficult Japanese lesson or find a missing item.

Word Origin

Comes from the physical action of stroking one's chest to calm a racing heart. It has been used since the Edo period to describe emotional relief.

Original meaning: To literally stroke down the chest to ease physical discomfort or heart palpitations.

Native Japanese (Wago).

Cultural Context

It is a safe, polite expression. Not offensive.

The closest English equivalent is 'to breathe a sigh of relief' or 'a weight off one's shoulders.'

Commonly used in Natsume Soseki's novels. Frequently heard in Studio Ghibli films during resolution scenes. A staple phrase in NHK News reports.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Exam Results

合格して胸をなでおろした。
落ちていなくて胸をなでおろした。
結果を見て胸をなでおろした。
ようやく胸をなでおろした。

Health/Medical

検査の結果が良くて胸をなでおろした。
手術が成功して胸をなでおろした。
容態が安定して胸をなでおろした。
深刻な病気じゃなくて胸をなでおろした。

Safety/Disaster

家族の無事を確認して胸をなでおろした。
避難できて胸をなでおろした。
被害がなくて胸をなでおろした。
台風がそれて胸をなでおろした。

Business/Work

プレゼンが成功して胸をなでおろした。
ミスがリカバリーできて胸をなでおろした。
締め切りに間に合って胸をなでおろした。
契約が取れて胸をなでおろした。

Lost Items

財布が見つかって胸をなでおろした。
パスポートがあって胸をなでおろした。
鍵が見つかり胸をなでおろした。
スマホをなくさなくて胸をなでおろした。

Conversation Starters

"最近、何かで「胸をなでおろす」ようなことはありましたか？ (Did anything happen recently that made you feel relieved?)"

"テストの結果を待っている時、どんな気持ちでしたか？ (How did you feel while waiting for the test results?)"

"なくしものが見つかった時、思わず胸をなでおろしましたか？ (When you found your lost item, did you spontaneously breathe a sigh of relief?)"

"誰かの無事を聞いて、胸をなでおろした経験はありますか？ (Have you ever felt relieved hearing someone was safe?)"

"仕事の大きなプロジェクトが終わった後、胸をなでおろしましたか？ (Did you feel relieved after a big work project ended?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、胸をなでおろした出来事について書いてください。 (Write about an event today where you felt relieved.)

人生で一番「胸をなでおろした」瞬間はいつですか？ (When was the moment in your life you felt the most relieved?)

「心配」から「安心」に変わった時の体の感覚を説明してください。 (Explain the physical sensation when 'worry' turns into 'relief'.)

他人のために胸をなでおろしたことはありますか？ (Have you ever felt relieved on behalf of someone else?)

「胸をなでおろす」という言葉を使って、短い物語を作ってください。 (Create a short story using the phrase 'mune o nadeorosu'.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to use 'hotto suru' for small things. 'Mune o nadeorosu' sounds a bit dramatic for finding a lost pen, but perfect for finding a lost passport.

In casual writing, hiragana is fine. In formal writing, using the kanji (撫で下ろす) looks more professional.

No, that is not a standard idiom. The body part must be 'mune' (chest).

The past tense 'nadeoroshita' is much more common because you are usually describing the relief you felt after an event occurred.

Yes, it is very common in business to express relief that a project or crisis was handled successfully.

Rarely. Instead of saying 'I didn't feel relieved,' people usually describe why they are still worried.

Yes, you can say 'Kankei-sha wa mune o nadeoroshita' (The people involved felt relieved).

Yes, people often literally put their hand on their chest and stroke downward while saying it.

It comes from 'naderu,' which means to stroke or pet.

It means to lower or put down, suggesting the tension is moving down and out of the body.