Category Archives: Kotowaza

Your life may depend on what you overhear

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Confanity

門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む (Monzen no kozou narawanu kyou wo yomu; “The child before the gate reads sutras they never learned”) Definition: The place you live in has a strong impact on you. People who live somewhere for a long time will unconsciously … Continue reading →

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Wise guys’ noses, eyes

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Confanity

Smart enough not to say “Smell you later”? 目から鼻へ抜ける (Me kara hana he nukeru; “[In] from the eyes and out the nose”) Definition: Especially perceptive and shrewd. Able to quickly understand and correctly judge a situation. “Smelling out” a situation as … Continue reading →

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It’s just a mallet Gotye used to know?

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Confanity

It’s like falling off a bicycle: you never forget how 昔取った杵柄 (Mukashi totta kinedzuka; “The handle of a mallet that one used to use”) Definition: Abilities and skills gained in one’s youth. By extension, such skills that one has managed … Continue reading →

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The curse of the wart-cure??

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Confanity

ミイラ取りがミイラになる (Miiratori ga miira ni naru; “The mummy-hunter becomes a mummy”) Definition: A person, sent to get someone and bring them back, themselves ends up staying away. A person who goes to convince someone of something ends up being convinced … Continue reading →

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An uncracked egg never omelettilates

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Confanity

蒔かぬ種は生えぬ (Makanu tane wa haenu; “Unsown seeds don’t sprout”) Definition: Nothing happens without a reason for it to happen. Nothing comes of nothing. Plants don’t grow without seeds. Alternately, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Nothing comes … Continue reading →

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Like a room without books

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Confanity

Unless it’s a room where books aren’t appropriate. Look, talk to Cicero. 仏作って魂入れず (Hotoke tsukutte tamashii irezu; “Making a Buddha; leaving out the soul”) Definition: Technically finishing something, but leaving out a vital element, even the most important part. Something … Continue reading →

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And my xiphoid process is a blender!

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Confanity

臍で茶を沸かす (Heso de cha wo wakasu; “Boil tea in the belly button”) Definition: Something is so funny – or by extension, so hilariously stupid – that you can’t stand it. The image is of laughter so paroxysmal and intense that … Continue reading →

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I wouldn’t wish it on a dog

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Confanity

夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬ (Fuufu genka wa inu mo kuwanu; “Even a dog doesn’t eat a husband-wife fight”) Definition: Fights between marital partners are based on small issues that seem ridiculous to outsiders but can become emotionally charged. Then they quickly blow over and the … Continue reading →

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Lend an eave, cause to grieve

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Confanity

庇を貸して母屋を取られる (Hisashi wo kashite omoya wo torareru; “Lending the eaves, having the main room taken”) Definition: Giving someone an inch, only for them to take a mile. Lending or giving someone part of something, especially when that person is in … Continue reading →

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Or eggshells. Frozen eggshells?

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Confanity

薄氷を履むが如し (Hakuhyou wo fumu ga gotoshi; “Like treading on thin ice”) Definition: Being in an intensely dangerous situation. When a thick layer of ice covers a body of water, it can safely support people walking on it or even heavy … Continue reading →

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