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Category Archives: Japanese
But what do you do with half a hemp-tangle?
Throw water on it, maybe 快刀乱麻 kai.tou.ran.ma Literally: pleasant – sword – disorder – hemp Alternately: Skillfully (and quickly) resolving a complicated situation or solving a complicated problem. Notes: 快刀 is a sword with a good cutting edge; 乱麻 is … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Book of Northern Qi, problem-solving, skill, 北斉書, 快刀, 乱麻
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And now you understand 90% of every samurai movie
武士は食わねど高楊枝 (Bushi wa kuwanedo takayouji; “Even a warrior who hasn’t eaten uses a toothpick”) Definition: A destitute warrior who hasn’t eaten nonetheless acting like they have, in order to avoid revealing weakness to any potential enemies. By extension, putting on … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged brave face, classical Japanese grammar, 高ようじ, Iroha karuta, pretense, 武士, 三船敏郎
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None are so lost as those who will not stop being lost
, Darryl 迷者不問 mei.sha.fu.mon Literally: lost – person – non – ask Alternately: “The (truly) lost are those who do not ask (the way).” An admonition to ask questions when there’s something you don’t understand. If you get lost – … Continue reading
But does a triple thing happen five times?
1123581321345589? 二度あることは三度ある (Nido aru koto wa sando aru; “Something that happens twice, happens three times”) Definition: Things tend to repeat. If something has happened before, especially more than once, then it should be assumed that it can and will happen … Continue reading
When in doubt, carry a jackhammer
石橋を叩いて渡る (Ishibashi wo tataite wataru; “Striking a stone bridge and crossing”) Definition: Doubling and redoubling one’s precautions. Being extremely careful, especially in terms of safety. Like someone who comes to a sturdy stone bridge and still takes the time to … Continue reading
Please do not bend, fold, spindle or mutilate
曲学阿世 kyoku.gaku.a.sei Literally: bend – study – flatter – society Alternately: Twisting knowledge or reason in order to fit in with a trend or pander to some powerful element of society. Perverting truth in favor of social or political expediency. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 阿世, perversion, reason, Records of the Grand Historian, science, 儒林, 史記, 曲学
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Ah, ha, ha, ha, activity seeds, activity seeds
Whether you’re a mother or whether you’re a brother, activity seeds, activity seeds. 命あっての物種 (Inochi atte no monodane; “Stuff you can do thanks to being alive”) Definition: Anything is possible if – and only if – you are actually alive … Continue reading
How many grets before they start repeating?
千恨万悔 sen.kon.ban.kai Literally: thousand – regret / resentment – ten thousand – regret / repentance Alternately: Overwhelming feelings of regret about the past. Notes: Some versions may not use 万, but rather the archaic form of the same character, 萬. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Bleach, brain bleach, old kanji, regret, repetition, 千恨, 千万, 万悔
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Harding ain’t that easy
そうは問屋が卸さない (Sou wa tonya ga orosanai; “Wholesalers don’t give that kind of discount”) Definition: Things won’t go the way you want. Things aren’t going to be as easy as you expect. A line that you give people when they expect … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged discount, not so easy, semantic evolution, wholesale, 問屋, 江戸弁
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landofnudotcom 
An osmotic balance of worries?
内憂外患 nai.yuu.gai.kan Literally: inside – grieve – outside – affliction Alternately: Troubles both within and from without (a country). Internal and external problems. For example, alienating both your populace and your neighbors. By extension, can refer to the combination of … Continue reading →