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Category Archives: Kotowaza
It turns out my greatest foe is coffee tables
弁慶の泣き所 (Benkei no nakidokoro; “The place that makes Benkei weep”) Definition: The shins; someone’s weak point, an Achilles’ Heel. The term 泣き所 by itself can mean a shin or a weak point; this phrase intensifies the image by picturing a … Continue reading
Seafood combo for massive profit!
As long as we’re on the topic, here’s another tai saying for you. 海老で鯛を釣る (Ebi de tai wo tsuru; “Fish for sea bream with shrimp”) Definition: To make a great profit from just a little investment of time, money, or … Continue reading
Bad x great = good!
This is another kotowaza that I learned early and remembered. It’s simple, evocative, and occasionally useful. 腐っても鯛 (Kusatte mo tai; “Even rotten, it’s still sea bream”) Definition: Something of high quality or class is still high quality or class even … Continue reading
Teach them the “bite test,” perhaps
芋の煮えたも御存じない (Imo no nieta mo gozonji nai; “Doesn’t even know whether a potato is boiled”) Definition: This phrase describes someone from such an overprotective, sheltered existence that they can’t even tell whether a potato is raw or boiled. Potatoes are … Continue reading
For those of you who liked this post better before reading it:
This week’s kotowaza was brought to my attention by a friend, who used a related version (see Notes) in a Facebook post a while back. 待つ間が花 (matsu ma ga hana; “the time spent waiting is a flower”) Definition: Anticipation is … Continue reading
Wiggle, roll, crawl, stand, walk, run, Olympic gymnast
I’ve been holding on to this one for a while; posting now in honor of someone’s birthday. Also, happy Father’s Day to any fathers reading this! 這えば立て立てば歩めの親心 (Haeba tate tateba ayume no oyagokoro; “A parent’s heart that says ‘stand’ when … Continue reading
Not enough data to work out how or if souls scale with size, though
一寸の虫にも五分の魂 (Issun no mushi ni mo gobu no tamashii; “Even in a one-sun bug, five parts of a soul.”) Definition: Even a 3cm bug has a half-share of spirit. Even a seemingly small, weak person will have a certain underlying … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged bug, don't underestimate, 虫, soul, spirit, 一寸, 五分の魂
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Your choice: on a rock, or in a brier
Suddenly I feel like this one is about grad school. 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen; “Three years, even on top of a rock”) Definition: With perseverance, one can overcome hard times and achieve one’s goals. A saying about … Continue reading
The esoteric meaning of nice weather
We’re a bit late on this one, but it’s appropriate because recent weather has had me wishing it were still cool and spring-like. 暑さ寒さも彼岸まで (Atsusa samusa mo higan made; “Heat and cold until the equinox”) Definition: Summer heat potentially lasts … Continue reading
The warm and friendly heart of a fish
魚心あれば水心 (Uogokoro areba mizugokoro; “If fish-heart, then water-heart.”) Definition: If you show good will and courtesy, others will show the same to you. If the fish acts friendly to the water, the water will in turn befriend the fish. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 魚心, fish, friendly, heart, reciprocity, water, 水心
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