Category Archives: Kotowaza

Hitting the Wong target by accident?

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Confanity

That title feels extra obscure even though I totally explain it below. Weird. 草を打って蛇を驚かす (Kusa wo utte hebi wo odorokasu; “Strike the grass, surprise a snake”) Definition: An innocent or unthinking action that draws unintended, usually bad, consequences. Like idly … Continue reading →

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Like how Chelm was created, but almost entirely different

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Confanity

堪忍袋の緒が切れる (Kanninbukuro no o ga kireru; “The string on one’s bag of patience breaks”) Definition: Someone reaches the end of their patience and explodes. Running out of one’s ability to hold back and put up with something, especially after suppressing … Continue reading →

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Sham shyness, ferocious fleeing?

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Confanity

In like a lamb, out like a lion 始めは処女の如く後は脱兎の如し (Hajime wa shojo no gotoku nochi wa datto no gotoshi; “The beginning is like a virgin, after is like a running hare”) Definition: A battle strategy that begins with a show … Continue reading →

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Hearing is dreaming, seeing is believing?

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Confanity

Speech is silver, experience is lead 聞いて極楽見て地獄 (Kiite gokuraku mite jigoku; “Hearing is heaven, seeing is hell”) Definition: When you only hear about something second-hand it may sound amazing, but experiencing it personally is another matter. Use this saying in … Continue reading →

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Why say good-bye

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Confanity

Hello, hello? ああ言えばこう言う (Aa ieba kou iu; “If (I) say this, (you) say that.”) Definition: Quibbling and back-talk. Arguing for the sake of arguing. No matter what advice or instruction one person gives, the other objects to as much of … Continue reading →

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Pay it forward…

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Confanity

…until it comes back? 情けは人の為ならず (Nasake wa hito no tame narazu; “Compassion isn’t just for the sake of others”) Definition: Showing pity, mercy, or compassion for others isn’t just a favor you do to them; it’s for your own sake … Continue reading →

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Out of mouth, out of mind

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Confanity

喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる (Nodomoto sugireba atsusa wo wasureru; “To forget the heat after swallowing”) Definition: No matter how painful a situation was, the pain – or alternately, the debts owed to people who helped out when times were bad – are quickly … Continue reading →

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A sinister retirement package

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Confanity

If you’re a lefty, do you substitute in 右? 左団扇で暮らす (Hidari uchiwa de kurasu; “Living with a fan in your left hand”) Definition: Living a life of ease and relaxation. A lifestyle without stress or worry. The image invoked is … Continue reading →

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Pure of heart,

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Confanity

worse than a fart. 水清ければ魚棲まず (Mizu kiyokereba uo sumazu; “If the water is pure fish don’t live there.”) Definition: If you’re too serious and straitlaced, then instead of loving you and wanting to be close to you, people will keep … Continue reading →

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Not looking for a catspaw, but…

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Confanity

Any hand in a storm. 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai; “Wanting to borrow even a cat’s hand”) Definition: Being so extremely busy that one is willing to accept help from anyone at all. So busy that any helping hand … Continue reading →

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