意思
Two things or people that are completely unable to mix or get along.
文化背景
Reflects the value of 'Wa' (harmony). Describing something as 'water and oil' is a polite way to admit failure in social blending without blaming individuals. Used in corporate Japan to describe 'M&A' (mergers and acquisitions) that fail due to clashing corporate cultures. Often contrasted with 'Uo to Mizu' (Fish and Water), which means a perfect, inseparable match.
The 'No-Blame' Card
Use this when you want to quit a project or break up without sounding like you're attacking the other person's character.
Order Matters
Always say Water ({水|みず}) first. Saying Oil ({油|あぶら}) first sounds like a non-native speaker.
意思
Two things or people that are completely unable to mix or get along.
The 'No-Blame' Card
Use this when you want to quit a project or break up without sounding like you're attacking the other person's character.
Order Matters
Always say Water ({水|みず}) first. Saying Oil ({油|あぶら}) first sounds like a non-native speaker.
自我测试
Fill in the blanks with the correct words to complete the idiom.
{彼|かれ}と{私|わたし}は（ ）と（ ）だ。
The idiom is '{水|みず}と{油|あぶら}'.
Which situation best fits the idiom '{水|みず}と{油|あぶら}'?
Choose the best scenario:
The idiom describes fundamental incompatibility.
Choose the most natural sentence.
Which one sounds like a native speaker?
The order is always Water then Oil, and it describes a relationship.
🎉 得分： /3
视觉学习工具
Relationship Idioms
练习题库
3 练习{彼|かれ}と{私|わたし}は（ ）と（ ）だ。
The idiom is '{水|みず}と{油|あぶら}'.
Choose the best scenario:
The idiom describes fundamental incompatibility.
Which one sounds like a native speaker?
The order is always Water then Oil, and it describes a relationship.
🎉 得分： /3
常见问题
2 个问题Not usually. For food, we use '{合|あ}わない' (don't match). '{水|みず}と{油|あぶら}' is for chemistry and nature.
It's a bit direct. In a formal setting, it's better to say '{価値観|かちかん}が{異|こと}なる' (values differ).
相关表达
{犬|いぬ}と{猿|さる}の{仲|なか}
similarLike dogs and monkeys (cats and dogs).
{氷|こおり}と{炭|すみ}
synonymIce and charcoal.
{魚|うお}と{水|みず}
contrastFish and water.
