Category Archives: Japanese

Bells with clappers and bells without

Posted on January 24, 2022 by Confanity

A grand excuse 竿の先に鈴(Sao no saki ni suzu;“A bell on the end of a pole”) Definition: Something especially noisy; a huge racket; by extension, when someone talks far too much. A pole is long and thin and often kind of … Continue reading →

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Greetings from a distant riverside

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Confanity

If only the poets of Chinese Antiquity had had video chat, right? 渭樹江雲i.ju.kou.un Literally: Wei river – tree – large river – cloud Alternately: To miss, to think fondly of, or to worry about a friend who is far away. … Continue reading →

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Suddenly, given the bird

Posted on January 16, 2022 by Confanity

Imagine if it did just literally “stand up,” though! 足下から鳥が立つ(Ashimoto kara tori ga tatsu;“A bird takes flight at one’s feet”) Definition: An expression of startlement. Something happens suddenly close at hand, or someone abruptly begins doing an activity, especially if … Continue reading →

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Vignette: the Vampire’s Visit

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Confanity

(The Kid has been practicing writing Japanese every day for a couple of years now. These days he writes enough to fill about 3/4 of a wide-ruled notebook page – with each row of characters taking up two lines for … Continue reading →

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Ooh, yeah; uh, no?

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Confanity

有耶無耶u.ya.mu.ya Literally: exist – [interrogative particle] – not – [interrogative particle] Alternately: Vague; unclear; noncommittal; unsettled; indefinite; obscure. It’s not clear whether something is, or is not there, or in a certain state, etc. Notes: 曖昧模糊 and 五里霧中 are both considered … Continue reading →

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How about umeboshi?

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Confanity

Benign when it’s just a matter of taste 亭主の好きな赤烏帽子(Teishu no suki na akaeboshi;“The master’s favored red hat”) Definition: When someone with power (e.g. the head of a household) has some odd or nonstandard tendency, everyone under them has to follow … Continue reading →

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The preferred state of Mucha

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Confanity

無我夢中mu.ga.mu.chuu Literally: nothing – self – dream – middle / inside Alternately: Utterly absorbed in something; a state of deep concentration or focus. This is usually positive, but it can be negative, as in losing oneself in something; losing control … Continue reading →

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Personal growth vis-a-vis other people’s persons

Posted on January 2, 2022 by Confanity

Don’t pick your nose; just pick your friends! 益者三友、損者三友(Ekisha san’yuu, sonsha san’yuu;“Three beneficial friends, three harmful friends”) Definition: There are three kinds of friends who are good for you and three kinds who are bad for you. The beneficial kinds … Continue reading →

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A compassionate landslide

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Confanity

磊磊落落rai.rai.raku.raku Literally: “many stones” – “many stones” – fall – fall Alternately: Generous; tolerant; forgiving; not stressing over little things. Notes: This is a phrase that creates emphasis by doubling: 磊落 (rairaku) on its own has the same meaning. 豪放磊落 … Continue reading →

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“Our chain of love”

Posted on December 26, 2021 by Confanity

…but hard to shake once taken on 子は三界の首枷(Ko wa sangai no kubikase;“A child is a binding for all time”) Definition: A connection with a child is a strong bond that affects you for your entire life. Even after the logistical … Continue reading →

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