Category Archives: Japanese

Emerald cufflinks on a woodchuck

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Confanity

猿に烏帽子 (Saru ni eboshi; “A courtier’s cap on a monkey”) Definition: When the appearance of something is all dressed up, but doesn’t match its real content. Alternately, unfitting behavior. Like putting a fancy hat of the kind that used to … Continue reading →

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Snow falling on things other than cedars

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Confanity

雪中松柏 se-.cchuu.shou.haku Literally: snow – middle – pine – Oriental arborvitae tree Alternately: Not swerving from one’s intent, principles, or loyalties despite external situations. Not bending to circumstances, pressure, or fads. Most trees drop their leaves in the fall and … Continue reading →

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Silver tongues and golden ears

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Confanity

話し上手は聞き上手 (Hanashi jouzu wa kiki jouzu; “A good talker is a good listener”) Definition: The people who are truly skilled at speaking are those who listen well to others before saying their own piece. Good listening is an integral component … Continue reading →

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Ask an evil question…

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Confanity

悪因悪果 aku.in.a-.kka Literally: evil – cause – evil – fruit Alternately: Evil deeds have evil effects. From bad comes bad. Misfortune and suffering follow misdeeds. Notes: Originally derived from Buddhist teachings (specifically the 117th verse of the Dhammapada, this compound … Continue reading →

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By their fruits you will know them

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Confanity

By their refrigerated, long-distance-shipped fruits? 悪事千里を走る (Akuji senri wo hashiru; “Bad deeds run a thousand leagues”) Definition: When you do bad things, the rumors spread rapidly throughout society. News of evildoing soon reaches a distance of a thousand ri. There’s … Continue reading →

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All the difference in the world

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Confanity

(And yet it was a close race. We should be ashamed.) 雲泥万里 un.dei.ban.ri Literally: cloud – mud – ten thousand – ri (a unit of distance, about 2.4 miles or 3.9km) Alternately: Two things are incomparable. A vast difference. Like … Continue reading →

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They just schlep around

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Confanity

毒にも薬にもならない (Doku ni mo kusuri ni mo naranai; “Neither poison nor medicine”) Definition: Something – or someone – that doesn’t matter. Something neither harmful nor beneficial; it doesn’t matter whether it’s there or not. Something that’s just kind of whatever … Continue reading →

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Lobbyists have been providing the former

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Confanity

Who intends to provide the latter? 邪知暴虐 ja.chi.bou.gyaku Literally: wicked – know – violence – oppress Alternately: Using knowledge and violence to harm and oppress. Jachi is knowledge or cleverness turned to evil purposes; bougyaku is committing atrocities or violent … Continue reading →

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Too mad right now to come up with a witty title

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Confanity

I literally searched for kotowaza about betrayal 獅子身中の虫 (Shishi shinchuu no mushi; “A bug in a lion”) Definition: Someone ostensibly a member of an organization who nonetheless causes it harm. Someone who rewards kindness with enmity. Like a parasite living … Continue reading →

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Like a tax code, perhaps

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Confanity

“Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.” – Commissioner Pravin Lal, “U.N. Declaration of Rights,” Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri 複雑怪奇 fuku.zatsu.kai.ki Literally: multiple – miscellaneous – mystery – … Continue reading →

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