Category Archives: Kotowaza

Forthright to an actual fault

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Confanity

身も蓋もない (Mi mo futa mo nai; “No filter”) Definition: Too blunt; too open. Someone’s attitude or words being so blunt and tactless that they lack all nuance or subtlety; by extension, so blunt and tactless that further conversation becomes impossible. … Continue reading →

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

On the red flags of self-hype

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Confanity

Real skill and competence are apparent without needing to declare themselves, so humility is the mark of a true master. 口自慢の仕事下手 (Kuchi jiman no shigoto beta; “Boastful mouth, bad at work”) Definition: If you’re always working your mouth, you’re never … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

What about when the roles are combined?

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Confanity

泣く子と地頭には勝てぬ (Naku ko to jitou ni wa katenu; “You can’t win against a crying child or the lord of a manor”) Definition: You can’t win (an argument) against someone who doesn’t listen to reason, such as a crying child or … Continue reading →

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

Ire makes me tire

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Confanity

What if you studied at a 短気大学? 短気は損気 (Tanki wa sonki; “A short temper leads to loss”) Definition: People who let their tempers get the better of them end up making errors, getting into fights, and causing trouble, and ultimately … Continue reading →

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

Billennium?

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Confanity

起きて半畳寝て一畳 (Okite hanjou nete ichijou; “Half a tatami awake, one tatami asleep”) Definition: People should be satisfied when they have enough to live on, instead of hungering for unnecessary wealth and rank. There’s no point in chasing unreasonable levels of … Continue reading →

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

As we journey through this world…

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Confanity

…Let’s wear our hearts on sleeves unfurled (I should have written a post in advance, but yesterday was taken up largely by my sister getting married. Today’s kotowaza is in honor of that long-awaited joyous event as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

If you beat it, dust will come

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Confanity

Field of Dreams reference, right? Right! 叩けば埃が出る (Tatakeba hokori ga deru; “If you strike it, dust will come out.”) Definition: No matter how much you smooth over the surface of something and make it presentable, closer inspection will reveal flaws; … Continue reading →

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

They say he only likes it when you pat his belly

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Confanity

仏の顔も三度 (Hotoke no kao mo sando; “Even the Buddha’s face, three times”) Definition: Even the most gentle person will become angry if you treat them poorly on a frequent enough basis (often used in reference to rude behavior). Even the … Continue reading →

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

The topical commentary almost writes itself

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Confanity

鬼の空念仏 ((O)ni no sora-nenbutsu; “An oni‘s empty prayers”) Definition: A cruel and cold-hearted person putting on a show of benevolence, compassion, or charity. A bad person behaving uncharacteristically well. Like a demon making making a big show out of praying, … Continue reading →

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

Dance like nobody’s watching

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Confanity

縁の下の舞 ((e)n no shita no mai; “dance below the veranda”) Definition: Working hard to support someone from out of sight; doing a thankless task. By extension, someone in an unacknowledged position who is nonetheless of use and help. A power … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment