Monthly Archives: October 2020

“Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth”

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Confanity

– FDR 再三再四 sai.san.sai.shi Literally: again – three – again – four Alternately: Repeatedly; over and over; time and time again. It seems that this phrase is often used while chewing someone out, to emphasize how many times they were … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A leaf on the wind; watch how it soars

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Confanity

一葉落ちて天下の秋を知る (Ichiyou ochite tenka no aki wo shiru; “A leaf falls, and one knows autumn”) Definition: Sensing something big coming on from a relatively minor hint. Understanding the future from the very first signs. Like realizing that fall is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In preparation for Thanksgiving

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Confanity

…a rule that Americans traditionally break shatter. 腹八分目に医者要らず (Hara hachibunme ni isha irazu; “At the belly’s eighth part, no need for doctors”) Definition: It’s better for your health to not eat until you’re stuffed, but rather to stop before your … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not quite cuckoo

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Confanity

But closer every day 鳩居鵲巣kyuu.kyo.jaku.sou Literally: dove – sit/be [in a place] – magpie – nest Alternately: Taking someone else’s achievements or social position for yourself. Undeservedly stealing someone else’s laurels or spotlight. Notes: This comes from our friend, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A skeleton in every closet

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Confanity

A monster under every bed 人を見たら泥棒と思え (Hito wo mitara dorobou to omoe; “When you see someone, think them a thief”) Definition: Don’t blindly trust strangers. A proverb advising the listener to protect themselves by doubting and confirming, rather than naively … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Doing the wave

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Confanity

人海戦術 jin.kai.sen.jutsu Literally: person – ocean – war – technique Alternately: Human-wave tactics. Assaulting enemy lines with an unsupported mass infantry charge in the hopes of overwhelming them with sheer numbers. By extension, any strategy of throwing large numbers of … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All ties weird and wonderful

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Confanity

A red thread binds them all? 縁は異なもの味なもの (En wa i na mono aji na mono; “A relationship is a strange thing, a wondrous thing”) Definition: The ties that bind two people together are mysterious, inexplicable, and often pleasantly weird. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment