Monthly Archives: March 2018

But do we need the sea?

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Confanity

天地無用 ten.chi.mu.you Literally: heaven – earth – nothing – use Alternately: “This side up.” As in, “Please don’t turn this box upside-down.” In this case, 天地 simply refers to “up and down,” and 無用 expresses prohibition.

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Yinstring and Yangtwine

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Confanity

禍福は糾える縄の如し (Kafuku wa azanaeru nawa no gotoshi; “Good and ill fortune are entwined like (the strands of) a rope”) Definition: Good luck and bad luck are intimately and inextricably connected; you can’t have only one or the other. Every cloud … Continue reading →

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Janus

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Confanity

表裏一体 hyou.ri.i-.ttai Literally: surface – back – one – body Alternately: Two things (especially things seen as being in opposition to each other) are inextricably linked, parts of the same whole, opposite faces of the same coin.

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But what comes from a lyre?

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Confanity

In Rome, a big fire? 噓つきは泥棒の始まり (Usotsuki wa dorobou no hajimari; “A liar is the beginning of a thief”) Definition: Someone who becomes capable of lying glibly will also be able to calmly steal or rob. Lies are the first … Continue reading →

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But are we getting a Tucker, a Church, or a Caboose?

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Confanity

起死回生 ki.shi.kai.sei Literally: wake up – death – revolve – life Alternately: Coming back from the brink. Recovering from a seemingly-hopeless situation. A sudden turnaround. A Blue Team win deep in Red Team territory. Notes: Apparently this phrase comes to … Continue reading →

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Cheap is dear, but deer don’t cheep

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Confanity

For those counting, this is the 200th kotowaza! To celebrate, we’re… doing nothing special! 安物買いの銭失い (Yasumonogai no zeniushinai; “Losing money by buying cheap”) Definition: Especially cheap things tend to be poorly made; they fail to perform their functions properly, or … Continue reading →

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Think well, go Dan

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Confanity

熟慮断行 juku.ryo.dan.kou Literally: ripen – thought – sever – go Alternately: Thinking over a matter fully and carefully, and then taking decisive action. Instead of jumping the gun with rash action or dithering in eternal indecision, taking the best of … Continue reading →

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If I have seen further it is because a dwarf was standing on my shoulders

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Confanity

Like so. 負うた子に教えられて浅瀬を渡る (Outa ko ni oshierarete asase wo wataru; “Crossing shallows with guidance from the child you carry”) Definition: Sometimes there are things you can learn from people who are younger and less experienced. “Out of the mouths of … Continue reading →

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