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Category Archives: Japanese
Out of the wrong, something sweet
嘘から出た実(Uso kara deta makoto;“Truth that came from a lie”) Definition: Something that was said as a lie or joke turns out to be true after all. Note that this applies to coincidences and accidental truths, not “fake it ‘til you … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Iroha karuta, irony, lies, joke, truth, unexpected result, 嘘から, 実, まこと
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Thoughtful social distancing
遠慮会釈en.ryo.e.shaku Literally: far – thought – meet – explain Alternately: Holding back and thinking of others; reserve and consideration. Notes: This is a compound of compounds; 遠慮 is “discretion,” “restraint,” and 会釈 is “thoughtfulness (for the sake of others.” These … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged お辞儀, bowing, careful thought, consideration, 遠慮, Iroha karuta, kludges, orthography, restraint, 会釈
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For the very rich and the very poor?
(Either you have a big enough house for it, or you don’t have the money for multiple residences, regardless.) 累世同居rui.sei.dou.kyo Literally: accumulate – generation – same – reside Alternately: Multiple generations of a family living in the same house. In … Continue reading
Serendipitous learning… about farts!
This afternoon I unexpectedly learned something new about Japanese language and culture. In my family we’ve been making a point of watching anime together as a family, for entertainment and for Japanese practice. This isn’t just passive consumption of media, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Musing, Nonfiction
Tagged anime, 科負う, fart, folktales, Japanese study, serendipity, traditional values, trivia, 屁, 比丘尼
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A root of the problem
盗人根性nusu.bito.kon.jou Literally: steal – person – root – nature (as in the innate essence of a thing, not “Mother Nature”) Alternately: A thief’s personality. Someone’s character being cruel, devious, greedy, and generally underhanded. Notes: 盗人 may also be read as … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 盗人, personality, the banality of evil, thievery, 根性
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Fences within fences
I heard you like chumrot so I put a chumra in your chumra. 念には念を入れよ(Nen ni wa nen wo ireyo;“Put thought into thought”) Definition: An exhortation to be extra meticulous or cautious in a given task or situation. Make absolutely certain … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged admonitions, caution, Huainanzi, redundancy, yo dawg, 念には念, 念を入れ, 淮南子, חומרה
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Teeing up some self-improvement
爪の垢を煎じて飲む(Tsume no aka wo senjite nomu;“to boil and drink fingernail-dirt”) Definition: To follow a good example that someone has set. To learn from someone who excels, by doing whatever it takes to get any positive effect at all. Often referenced … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged bad hygiene, 煎じて飲, 爪の垢, 薬, fingernails, folk medicine, good example, homeopathic tea, role model
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