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Category Archives: Japanese
Giving trash the bird?
掃き溜めに鶴 (Hakidame ni tsuru; “A crane on a dunghill”) Definition: An especially talented or beautiful person amid mundane folk. A rare gem amid dross; a beautiful crane that has incongruously alit on a midden-heap. Breakdown: We begin with the same … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged beauty, crane, exceptionalism, 鶴, rare gem, 川柳, 掃き溜め
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Sal mirabilis
博引旁証 haku.in.bou.shou Literally: extensive – pull – to the side – evidence Alternately: As one member or side of a dispute or controversy, supporting one’s case by citing an extensive body of examples or material. Presenting a solid, perhaps overwhelming, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged law, politics, evidence, 博引, 旁証, 傍証, making a case, Vindman, Williams, Volker, Morrison
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A midden of lucre
掃き溜めと金持ちは溜まるほど汚い (Hakidame to kanemochi wa tamaru hodo kitanai; “Dunghills and money get dirtier as they accumulate”) Definition: The more money someone has, the more money they want; an increase in wealth tends to bring increasing greed and selfishness rather than … Continue reading
In truth, I’m feeling feint
虚虚実実 kyo.kyo.jitsu.jitsu Literally: empty – empty – truth – truth Alternately: Two sides in a fierce battle, using every strategy and wile they can think of. Striving to avoid your enemy’s strengths (実) and attack their weaknesses (虚). Alternately, using … Continue reading
See also: obstruction of justice
証拠隠滅 shou.ko.in.metsu Literally: proof – foothold / based on – conceal – destroy Alternately: Destruction, suppression, or concealment of evidence. This phrase may be used metaphorically, but is most commonly encountered as actual criminal-justice jargon. Notes: Some legal contexts may … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged とあるシリーズ, crime, 犯罪, evidence, 隠滅, 証拠, law, political commentary
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Not even jackalopes, please
怪力乱神を語らず (Kairyoku ranshin wo katarazu; “Speaking not of spirits and demons”) Definition: A wise person does not indulge in talking about irrational or unreasonable things; a great person does not dabble in conspiracy or superstition. When you make an assertion, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza, Yojijukugo
Tagged Analects, conspiracy theories, 論語, political commentary, responsibility, stealth yojijukugo, superstition, 孔子, 怪力, 乱神
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What you don’t know CAN kill you
夏虫疑氷 ka.chuu.gi.hyou Literally: summer – insect – doubt – ice Alternately: A person of extremely limited experience, knowledge, and discernment. Someone ignorant, doubtful, or distrustful of everything that falls outside of their own (meager) personal experience. Like an insect that … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged bugs, 疑冰, 疑氷, experience, 荘子, ignorance, limits, Zhuangzi, 夏虫
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Everyone knows they prefer accordions
牛に対して琴を弾ず (Ushi ni tai shite koto wo danzu; “Playing a koto for a cow”) Definition: No matter what you say to a fool, your words are wasted. Even the most moving stories or the most edifying sermon, or the most … Continue reading
Power is small things in large numbers
一粒万倍 ichi.ryuu.man.bai Literally: one – particle – ten thousand – times (as in multiplication) Alternately: From something tiny, a huge profit. By extension, an admonition not to look down on small or simple things, because even the most humble appearance … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged accumulate, Buddhism, goodness, layers, power, profit, rice, 報恩経, 一粒, 万倍
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landofnudotcom 
The evillest nom
飼い犬に手を噛まれる (Kaiinu ni te wo kamareru; “Bitten on the hand by your pet dog”) Definition: To be betrayed or harmed in some way by someone you had deeply cared for, or taken care of on a regular basis. (In other … Continue reading →