Category Archives: Kotowaza

Just lettin’ things flow

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Confanity

I just now realized that today is Monday. Ironically, while I managed to maintain my posting schedule rigorously even during the end-of-semester crunch, as soon as summer vacation starts I find myself losing track of time. Please accept my apologies, … Continue reading →

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

Once a sparrow, always a sparrow!

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Confanity

Here’s the experiential equivalent to last week’s 三つ子の魂百まで. 雀百まで踊り忘れず (suzume hyaku made odori wasurezu; “The sparrow, until 100, doesn’t forget [its] dance”) Definition: What you learn in your youth stays with you your whole life. Just as the sparrow maintains … Continue reading →

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

Once a three-year-old, always a three-year-old

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Confanity

[What can change the nature of a kid?] 三つ子の魂百まで (Mitsugo no tamashii hyaku made; “A child’s soul at three, until 100.”) Definition: Your character as a small child is set and does not change even if you live to be … Continue reading →

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

On malicious napping

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Confanity

盗人の昼寝 (Nusubito no hirune; “A thief’s midday nap”) Definition: Even if an activity seems purposeless, it can still have a specific reason and purpose. Someone napping in the middle of the day may seem random, but for a thief the … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

What if you have your back to the future?

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Confanity

Today’s kotowaza, in English terms, is more of a set phrase than a “saying,” but it’s a kotowaza in Japanese none the less. 背水の陣 (Haisui no jin; “An army with its back to the water”) Definition: Having your back to … Continue reading →

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

Has your son married a mouse?

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Confanity

Sorry for the late kotowaza post this week! Things are getting busy, and I had a heck of a time trying to come up with an example usage. Anyway, here’s a beautiful example of folk etymology run amok. 秋茄子嫁に食わすな (Akinasubi yome … Continue reading →

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

(cf. every karaoke party ever)

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Confanity

This week’s saying stands in opposition to last week’s: 下手の横好き (Heta no yokozuki; “Enthusiastic but bad.”) Definition: Despite a complete and utter lack of skill, still being really into something. Fanatical about something but hopeless at it. Breakdown: 下手 (heta), … Continue reading →

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

For example, some day I might be good at this Japanese stuff

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Confanity

好きこそ物の上手なれ (Suki koso mono no jouzu nare; “People are good at what they like.”) Definition: The things that you enjoy, you’re going to more cheerfully spend more time and effort on, so your skill in those areas will improve more … Continue reading →

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

Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Confanity

Intro: A kotowaza from old Buddhist Japan, as relevant as ever in postmodern America. 地獄の沙汰も金次第 (Jigoku no sata mo kane shidai; “Even your sentence in hell depends on money”) Definition: “Money is the best lawyer in hell.” “Money talks.” Everything in the … Continue reading →

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

Tiger ventured, tiger gained?

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Confanity

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (Koketsu ni irazumba koji wo ezu; “If you don’t go into a tiger’s lair you won’t get a tiger cub.”) Definition: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You won’t succeed at anything special if you’re not willing to stick your neck … Continue reading →

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