The Truth Behind What They Really Mean Ever misunderstand or misinterpret what a Japanese person has told you? Even if you know the Japanese, a lot of times you make a mistake on what is actually being said. Here is a list of 7 of the most common things Japanese people will say to you while you are in Japan. It is important to understand what they say to you actually means, otherwise you may start to harbor silly, unwarranted feelings that you are being insulted. 3. 鼻が高い They say: Your nose is big/long. You think they mean: You have an ugly big/long nose. They really mean: You have a beautiful big/long nose. In Japanese culture, where this is a less common trait, it is a compliment.