Category Archives: Kotowaza

If this post is too long, I can’t say I wasn’t warned

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Confanity

雉も鳴かずば撃たれまい (Kiji mo nakazuba utaremai; “Even the pheasant, if it doesn’t cry out, won’t be shot”) Definition: Said in response to times when someone caused problems for themselves by speaking when it would have been prudent not to. An admonition … Continue reading →

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This post sponsored by Santana

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Confanity

“Searchin’” 七度尋ねて人を疑え (Nanatabi tazunete hito wo utagae; “Search seven times, [then] doubt somebody”) Definition: When you’ve lost something, make sure to search for it as thoroughly as you can before you start accusing people of having taken it. Don’t start … Continue reading →

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But it takes good theory to be “okonai alpha”!

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Confanity

(I was updating the kotowaza index when I discovered that I had doubled my use of the saying 目から鼻へ抜ける, so this “extra” post is intended to make up for the gap. Please enjoy!) 理屈上手の行い下手 (Rikutsu jouzu no okonai beta; “Good … Continue reading →

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An irony for many residents of DC

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Confanity

Especially the transients. You know who you are. 住めば都 (Sumeba miyako; “If you live there, it’s the capital”) Definition: No matter how inconvenient, old, noisy, or just plain bad your residence is, it still feels like you belong there. Once … Continue reading →

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Potholes are another story

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Confanity

盲蛇に怖じず (Mekura hebi ni ojizu; “The blind do not fear snakes”) Definition: The ignorant have no way to judge the true danger of a situation, and so take risks that more knowledgeable people would avoid. “Fools rush in where angels … Continue reading →

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Make sure to rationalize your hands more often in the winter

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Confanity

(to prevent chapping) 理屈と膏薬はどこへでも付く (Rikutsu to kouyaku wa doko he demo tsuku; “Rationalizing and ointment will stick anywhere.”) Definition: People can come up with rationalizations for almost anything. The ideal of reason is a rigorous search for the truth no … Continue reading →

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Does it flip when you’re old?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Confanity

少年老い易く学成り難し (Shounen oiyasuku gaku narigatashi; “For a youth to age is easy, and to become a scholar is hard”) Definition: People should study hard when they’re young, because time is precious and fleeting. When you’re young you feel like you … Continue reading →

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The other big one is wearing socks on hardwood floors

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Confanity

生兵法は大怪我の基 (Namabyouhou wa ookega no moto; “Green soldiering leads to great harm”) Definition: To do things with an incomplete or half-baked set of knowledge or skills is to invite failure. “A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep.” Going … Continue reading →

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Yoko ni nattara?

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Confanity

蟷螂の斧 (Tourou no ono; “The mantis’ axe”) Definition: The weak standing up to the strong, often with the implication that they didn’t really think through how great the difference in strength would be. A praying mantis that senses threat will … Continue reading →

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But what if your horse leaks intel to the Russians?

Posted on October 28, 2018 by Confanity

What do you do when the work environment at the stable drives away all the competent grooms? 蹴る馬も乗り手次第 (Keru uma mo norite shidai; “A kicking horse depends on the rider”) Definition: Even a violent, difficult-to-handle person can be talked to … Continue reading →

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