Category Archives: Japanese

Shouldn’t grow on you

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Confanity

短慮軽率 tan.ryo.kei.sotsu Literally: short – consider – light – proportion Alternately: Deciding things without considering the consequences or results. Impulsive; unthinking. Rash. Notes: This four-character compound comprises compound adjectival nouns 短慮, “imprudence,” “quick temper,” and 軽率, “hasty,” “rash.” The order … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Don’t work for the man, man

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Confanity

Rarely truer than now すまじきものは宮仕え (Sumajiki mono wa miya-dzukae; “The thing one mustn’t do is serve at court”) Definition: If possible, it’s best not to let yourself be used by other people. It’s best to be your own boss instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The playground of Tengu!

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Confanity

天上天下 ten.jou.ten.ge Literally: heavens – up – heavens – down Alternately: The world above the sky (the heavens) and the world below the sky (the earth). Also, the space between heaven and earth. The whole world. Notes: Reading 下 as … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Birds of any feather care for kids together

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Confanity

Don’t be the kind of sordid villain that drives parents to this level of protective sacrifice. Don’t allow that kind of villain to hold any power over others. Think of the children. 焼け野の雉子夜の鶴 (Yakeno no kigisu yoru no tsuru; “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Written on the 4th of July

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Confanity

(I searched for phrases using 独 because of the 独立記念日.) 唯我独尊 yui.ga.doku.son Literally: only – self – alone – precious Alternately: Thinking that oneself is the best in the world. Being so self-assured that you don’t listen to anyone else. … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nor trying at plying

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Confanity

All the songless birds can fly, though 鳴かず飛ばず (Nakazu tobazu; “Nor crying nor flying”) Definition: Quietly waiting one’s chance. Doing nothing for a long time, but with the specific intention of taking action as soon as the opportunity finally comes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reverse the order for Biblical time

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Confanity

Something birds, something stones? 一朝一夕 i-.cchou.i-.sseki Literally: one – morning – one – evening Alternately: A single day. By extension, a brief and fleeting span of time. Often used in a negative structure to express that something can’t be done … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Waft your way to a win?

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Confanity

身を捨ててこそ浮かぶ瀬もあれ (Mi wo sutete koso ukabu se mo are; “There are rivers that you cross by throwing away your body”) Definition: Sometimes facing danger head-on is the only way to escape it. There are times when you need to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cosmic triage

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Confanity

悪人正機 aku.nin.shou.ki Literally: evil – person – correct – loom / machine Alternately: No matter how evil a person is, the Buddha’s wish is for them to be saved. Or perhaps, the worse a person is, the more important it … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not just hermits

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Confanity

Buddhist tzaddikim? 仏千人神千人 (Hotoke sennin kami sennin; “A thousand Buddhas, a thousand gods”) Definition: The world may be full of bad people, but there are also many good people as well, including people good enough to be compared to bodhisattvas … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment