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Category Archives: Kotowaza
When luck sticks
犬も歩けば棒に当たる (Inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru; “Even a dog on a walk meets a stick.”) Definition: Originally this saying was a warning: a dog, even if it’s just innocently walking along, is likely to be driven off by someone … Continue reading
If you don’t study grammar, you won’t be able to confuse yourself with it
This one gets a bit technical, folks, so buckle up. 蒔かぬ種は生えぬ (Makanu tane wa haenu; “Unsown seeds do not grow”) Definition: “Nothing comes of nothing.” Things don’t happen without causes. You can’t expect to profit without doing any work. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, 生えぬ, 蒔かぬ, nothing comes of nothing, seeds
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Maybe gene therapy, some day
阿呆に付ける薬はない (Ahou ni tsukeru kusuri wa nai; “There’s no medicine for stupidity.”) Definition: There’s nothing that can be done to help a fool. Note that this saying isn’t about mere lack of education, or about people holding opinions or beliefs … Continue reading
One shot, one kill?
Finals are coming up! 一念岩をも通す (Ichinen iwa wo mo toosu; “Single-mindedness pierces even a boulder.”) Definition: No matter what obstacles you are faced with, sufficiently determined effort will allow you to overcome them, just as even a barrier of stone … Continue reading
In which it turns out that not all round things are the same
月と鼈 (Tsuki to suppon; “The moon and a turtle shell”) Definition: The moon is round, and a turtle shell is also round. But they have essentially nothing else in common. This kotowaza refers to things that, while they may have … Continue reading
On properly protecting your pot
This is not a common or well-known saying by any means, but it tickles my fancy. 月夜に釜を抜かれる (Tsukiyo ni kama wo nukareru; “having your cook-pot stolen on a moonlit night”) Definition: Being caught completely off-guard. Catastrophic negligence, carelessness, or inattention. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged cook-pot, 釜, Iroha karuta, letting your guard down, negligence, 抜かれる, 月夜
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In which a big head is a form of humility
実るほど頭の下がる稲穂かな (Minoru hodo atama no sagaru inaho ka na; “As modest as a ripened head of rice”) Definition: A description or proverbial example of great modesty befitting true greatness. Just as the ripened “ear” or “head” of rice on a … Continue reading
My way *is* the highway
学問に王道無し (Gakumon ni oudou nashi; “There is no royal road in learning”) Definition: There is no easy way, no quick fix or magic bullet, for mastering a field of study. You need to acquire information and mental tools, incorporate them … Continue reading
Mochiya knows best
Intro: This week’s saying is almost a synonym with last week’s 蛇の道は蛇. 餅は餅屋 (Mochi wa mochiya; “The mochi-maker [knows] mochi”) Definition: For the best mochi, go to a mochi-maker (instead of trying to make your own, or depending on the … Continue reading
Who knows Snake Road?
蛇の道は蛇 (Ja no michi wa hebi; “Snakes [know] the snakes’ road”) Definition: People who belong to a certain group are the ones who know the most about the ways of that group. Specialists understand other specialists in their field better … Continue reading
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