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Category Archives: Japanese
Barrelsplaining!
空き樽は音が高い (Akidaru wa oto ga takai; “An empty barrel makes a loud noise”) Definition: If you strike an empty barrel, the sound it produces is high-pitched, sharp, and loud instead of the muted thump you’d get from a full one. Similarly, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 空き樽, 空樽, 音が高い, ignorance, mansplaining, noisy, resonance, weird grammar
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Fishing for tsuris
四苦八苦 shi.ku.ha-.kku Literally: four – suffering – eight – suffering Alternately: Deep distress, terrible hardship, anguish, malaise. The very bad feels. Notes: You might think, as I did, that this phrase is nothing more than a doubling for effect, but … Continue reading
A looming opportunity
好機到来kou.ki.tou.rai Literally: pleasing – loom / opportunity – arrive – come Alternately: A golden opportunity arrives. The time is ripe for something good, with perhaps the implication that it’s an unparalleled and therefore unique opportunity. Notes: Compare and contrast 千載一遇, … Continue reading
For a boring time, put your awl into it
全身全霊 zen.shin.zen.rei Literally: whole – body – whole – spirit Alternately: Putting all of your physical and mental strength into something. “With all your soul and with all your might,” as they say. Doing one’s best; being utterly devoted to … Continue reading
The Durham yojijukugo
心神喪失 shin.shin.sou.shitsu Literally: heart – soul – mourning – loss Alternately: Of unsound mind. Suffering from hindrances so severe that, even if one commits a crime, the appropriate response is judged to be institutionalization or treatment rather than regular prosecution … Continue reading
Nothing but boss fights
(Pun) 人の振り見て我が振り直せ (Hito no furi mite waga furi naose; “Observe the behavior of others; correct your own”) Definition: An admonition to grow and improve by observing those around you. When you see good behavior, you should copy it; when you … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Analects, classical Japanese grammar, 直す, 論語, learning, mirror, negative example, positive example, 孔子, 人の振り
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The best defense is a good stylin’
眉に唾を付ける (Mayu ni tsuba wo tsukeru; “to rub spit on your eyebrows”) Definition: To be on one’s guard against lies and trickery. A catchphrase meaning that somebody is likely to try to fool or deceive you in some way. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Hot air rises
意気揚揚i.ki.you.you Literally: mind/heart – spirit – raise – raise Alternately: In high spirits; triumphant, elated… by extension, boastful; proud unto arrogance; full of oneself. Often used with the ironic or critical nuance that someone’s inflated self-esteem is not actually in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged arrogance, bullies, pride, Records of the Grand Historian, triumph, 史記, 史记, 意気, 揚々, 揚揚
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landofnudotcom 
In loco?
心神耗弱 shin.shin.kou.jaku Literally: heart – soul – decrease – weak Alternately: Decreased mental capacity. Having lost the ability to judge right and wrong and act accordingly. This is actually a legal and medical term indicating diminished responsibility: that someone cannot … Continue reading →