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Category Archives: Japanese
Yertle take note
雁が飛べば石亀も地団駄 (Gan ga tobeba ishigame mo jidanda; “When the goose flies, the turtle stamps”) Definition: To try to mimic someone else without any understanding of one’s own limitations. Like a turtle who sees a goose taking off in flight, tries … Continue reading
This will be the year of the boar, though
Not that the last couple of years haven’t seen their shares of poorly-educated and tasteless behavior…. 一竜一猪 ichi.ryou.i-.ccho Literally: one – dragon – one – boar/pig Alternately: A saying that expresses the value of education. The difference between someone who … Continue reading
If you eggplant, it will call
ナスなら鳴る 為せば成る (Naseba naru; “If you do it, it will happen.”) Definition: A person can do anything if they really put their mind to it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. The only way to get a thing done … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged achievement, action, motivation, New Year, resolutions, 武田信玄, 上杉鷹山, 上杉治憲
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Don’t be backhanded!
先手必勝 sen.te.hi-.sshou Literally: before – hand – certain – win Alternately: Who strikes first, wins. The early bird gets the worm. This phrase may be used to espouse a “first strike” mentality as a general philosophy, or to describe the … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged なし, early bird, first strike, karate, winning, 先手, 必勝
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Even for a pear of eyes
目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai; “Doesn’t hurt even if it gets in your eye”) Definition: To adore someone, especially a child or grandchild, beyond all reason. To dote on someone. Generally reserved for feelings toward “cute” things such as … Continue reading
Rubbing elbows ‘cross the pond
一衣帯水 ichi.i.tai.sui Literally: one – garment – belt – water Alternately: A relatively thin strip of water, such as a river or narrow stretch of sea. By extension, two things that are very close together. Notes: Unusually among four-character compounds, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged close, 牛鳴, 衣帯, History of the Southern Dynasties, narrow, 南史
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If this post is too long, I can’t say I wasn’t warned
雉も鳴かずば撃たれまい (Kiji mo nakazuba utaremai; “Even the pheasant, if it doesn’t cry out, won’t be shot”) Definition: Said in response to times when someone caused problems for themselves by speaking when it would have been prudent not to. An admonition … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged caution, classical Japanese grammar, 雉, 鳴かず, outspoken, tact, 撃たれまい
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No rank, no file
It gets you off the grid! 無位無冠 mu.i.mu.kan Literally: nothing – rank – nothing – crown Alternately: An ordinary citizen. Having no special prestige from rank, title, official position, or status. Notes: A variant phrase replaces 冠 with 官 (also … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 無冠, 無官, 無位, no rank, nothing special, ordinary
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This post sponsored by Santana
“Searchin’” 七度尋ねて人を疑え (Nanatabi tazunete hito wo utagae; “Search seven times, [then] doubt somebody”) Definition: When you’ve lost something, make sure to search for it as thoroughly as you can before you start accusing people of having taken it. Don’t start … Continue reading
But it takes good theory to be “okonai alpha”!
(I was updating the kotowaza index when I discovered that I had doubled my use of the saying 目から鼻へ抜ける, so this “extra” post is intended to make up for the gap. Please enjoy!) 理屈上手の行い下手 (Rikutsu jouzu no okonai beta; “Good … Continue reading
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