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Category Archives: Kotowaza
Thus was slapstick monetized
転んでもただでは起きない (Koronde mo tada de wa okinai; “Even falling down, they won’t get up as they were”) Definition: Cunning and greedy; angling to get some sort of profit even from a mistake or setback; like someone who slips and falls, … Continue reading
Just avoid immovable objects
…and you’ll be fine. Right? 断じて行えば鬼神も之を避く (Danjite okonaeba kishin mo kore wo saku; “If you do things decisively, even demon-gods will get out of the way”) Definition: If you take decisive action backed by strong determination, there is little that … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical grammar, determination, 鬼神, Records of the Grand Historian, willpower, 史記, 断じて
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The opposite of charmed
引かれ者の小唄 (Hikaremono no kouta; “The ballad of someone being pulled along”) Definition: Putting on a brave face in the face of despair; refusing to admit defeat in a seemingly impossible situation; defiant confidence against overwhelming odds. Like someone condemned for … Continue reading
And now you understand 90% of every samurai movie
武士は食わねど高楊枝 (Bushi wa kuwanedo takayouji; “Even a warrior who hasn’t eaten uses a toothpick”) Definition: A destitute warrior who hasn’t eaten nonetheless acting like they have, in order to avoid revealing weakness to any potential enemies. By extension, putting on … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged brave face, classical Japanese grammar, 高ようじ, Iroha karuta, pretense, 武士, 三船敏郎
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But does a triple thing happen five times?
1123581321345589? 二度あることは三度ある (Nido aru koto wa sando aru; “Something that happens twice, happens three times”) Definition: Things tend to repeat. If something has happened before, especially more than once, then it should be assumed that it can and will happen … Continue reading
When in doubt, carry a jackhammer
石橋を叩いて渡る (Ishibashi wo tataite wataru; “Striking a stone bridge and crossing”) Definition: Doubling and redoubling one’s precautions. Being extremely careful, especially in terms of safety. Like someone who comes to a sturdy stone bridge and still takes the time to … Continue reading
Ah, ha, ha, ha, activity seeds, activity seeds
Whether you’re a mother or whether you’re a brother, activity seeds, activity seeds. 命あっての物種 (Inochi atte no monodane; “Stuff you can do thanks to being alive”) Definition: Anything is possible if – and only if – you are actually alive … Continue reading
Harding ain’t that easy
そうは問屋が卸さない (Sou wa tonya ga orosanai; “Wholesalers don’t give that kind of discount”) Definition: Things won’t go the way you want. Things aren’t going to be as easy as you expect. A line that you give people when they expect … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged discount, not so easy, semantic evolution, wholesale, 問屋, 江戸弁
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It makes them inside
天は人の上に人を造らず人の下に人を造らず (Ten wa hito no ue ni hito wo tsukurazu hito to shita ni hito wo tsukurazu; “Heaven does not make people above people, does not make people below people”) Definition: All humans are born equal, and should not be … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged An Encouragement of Learning, 福沢諭吉, equality, heavens, 天は人, 学問のすゝめ
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If brains were bombs
…would it blow your mind? 目から鼻へ抜ける (Me kara hana e nukeru; “From the eyes to the nose”) Definition: Able to understand things or grasp a situation almost immediately. Quick-witted; quick on one’s feet. Highly intelligent. Breakdown: We begin with the … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged clever, 目から鼻へ, eyes and nose, 賢い, folk etymologies, understanding
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