Category Archives: Kotowaza

Nothing but boss fights

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Confanity

(Pun) 人の振り見て我が振り直せ (Hito no furi mite waga furi naose; “Observe the behavior of others; correct your own”) Definition: An admonition to grow and improve by observing those around you. When you see good behavior, you should copy it; when you … Continue reading →

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The best defense is a good stylin’

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Confanity

眉に唾を付ける (Mayu ni tsuba wo tsukeru; “to rub spit on your eyebrows”) Definition: To be on one’s guard against lies and trickery. A catchphrase meaning that somebody is likely to try to fool or deceive you in some way. Breakdown: … Continue reading →

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A journey of 10,000 coughs starts with a single sniffle

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Confanity

風邪は万病のもと (Kaze wa manbyou no moto; “A fever is the root of ten thousand diseases”) Definition: Even if a disease seems to be mild (“just a cold”), don’t just brush it off. Things can get bad if complications arise, so … Continue reading →

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The damage a jade can do

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Confanity

Worse yet when its herd pretends that it’s a noble stallion even though it could hardly be meaner or more broken-down 一匹の馬が狂えば千匹の馬も狂う (Ippiki no uma ga kurueba senbiki no uma mo kuruu; “When one horse goes mad, a thousand horses … Continue reading →

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Talking through your hat

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Confanity

冬編笠に夏頭巾 (Fuyu amigasa ni natsu zukin; “Woven hats in winter; hoods in summer”) Definition: Things are the opposite of how they should be. Left is right, dogs are cats, up is down, people wear hats that don’t match the season, … Continue reading →

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Coffee before coffee

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Confanity

It depends on how much sugar you put in 朝茶は七里帰っても飲め (Asacha wa shichiri kaette mo nome; “Drink your morning tea, even if [you have to] travel seven leagues home”) Definition: If you set out on a trip without drinking your … Continue reading →

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Treating shallow as if it were deep

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Confanity

Good with rivers; bad with ideas 浅い川も深く渡れ (Asai kawa mo fukaku watare; “Even in a shallow river, cross deep”) Definition: Take care even with things that seem easy, or trivial in scope. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even … Continue reading →

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Fly me home, country winds

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Confanity

越鳥南枝に巣くい、胡馬北風に嘶く (Ecchou nanshi ni sukui, koba hokufuu ni inanaku; “The bird from Yue builds its nest in southern branches; the horse from Hu neighs at the northern wind”) Definition: An expression of homesickness or nostalgia. A southern bird living in … Continue reading →

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When True Seeing exfoliates

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Confanity

化けの皮が剥がれる (Bake no kawa ga hagareru; “The changeling skin is stripped away”) Definition: Someone’s wrongdoings, flaws, or malicious true nature come to light. A previously-hidden, negative truth is revealed. Someone (or everyone) realizes how bad a situation actually is after … Continue reading →

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The hobbit of peppers

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Confanity

山椒は小粒でもぴりりと辛い (Sanshou wa kotsubu de mo piriri to karai; “Japanese peppers are small but painfully spicy”) Definition: This saying metaphorically describes someone who is physically small, but still formidable due to well-honed talents and a fierce spirit, surprising strength, or … Continue reading →

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