Category Archives: Japanese

Just don’t be a Zax about it

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

金科玉条 kin.ka.gyoku.jou Literally: gold – section – jewel – clause/article (of a document) Alternately: A golden rule. (Not necessarily The Golden Rule, though.) An important, even foundational principle, for someone’s behavior and life. Notes: This yojijukugo uses repetition for emphasis: … Continue reading →

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

When Awwww becomes Eugggh

Posted on May 24, 2020 by

可愛さ余って憎さ百倍 (Kawaisa amatte nikusa hyakubai; “Excessive fondness, hundredfold hatred”) Definition: If you had an overabundance of positive feelings toward someone and then something happens that arouses negative feelings, then the resulting hatred is proportionally overwhelming. “The greatest hate springs from … Continue reading →

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

Just the Worst

Posted on May 21, 2020 by

(Somehow I lined this up yesterday but utterly forgot to actually post it on schedule. My deepest apologies for any inconvenience!) 婬虐暴戻 in.gyaku.bou.rei Literally: uncontrolled / licentious – oppress – violence – revert Alternately: Crude, lecherous, boorish, cruel, violent, and … Continue reading →

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

Fair of skin, unfair of… other things

Posted on May 17, 2020 by

色の白いは七難隠す (Iro no shiroi wa shichinan kakusu; “White skin hides many flaws.”) Definition: There’s all sorts of baggage here! This kotowaza is literally saying that if a woman’s skin is sufficiently pale, then that alone makes her so beautiful that … Continue reading →

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

Inception, but with normal gravity

Posted on May 13, 2020 by

自己暗示 ji.ko.an.ji Literally: self – self – dark – show Alternately: Self-suggestion. Working to convince yourself that something is true, or implant an idea, perception, or similar mental construct in one’s own head. This can range from self-hypnosis, to daily … Continue reading →

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

At the foot of a difficult wave

Posted on May 10, 2020 by

難波の葦は伊勢の浜荻 (Naniwa no ashi wa Ise no hamaogi; “What they call ashi in Naniwa is hamaogi in Ise”) Definition: Different places are different – they have different manners, different customs, and even different words for the same things, so be … Continue reading →

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

Crane your neck to look at the clouds

Posted on May 6, 2020 by

閑雲野鶴 kan.un.ya.kaku Literally: leisure – cloud – field – crane (bird) Alternately: A relaxed, hermit-like lifestyle in a natural setting, far from worldly cares and social intrigues. The pleasant side of isolation. Notes: This is another compound of compounds. 閑雲 … Continue reading →

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