Category Archives: Japanese

So you *can* make a mountain out of a molehill?

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Confanity

後は野となれ山となれ (Ato wa no to nare yama to nare; “After this, come field, come mountain.”) Definition: Not caring about what comes next as long as the current problem or issue can be finished up or taken care of. By extension, … Continue reading →

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In-laws memorization

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Confanity

疑心暗鬼 gi.shin.an.ki Literally: doubt – heart – dark – ghost Alternately: Once you allow suspicion or fear into your heart, everything will start to seem menacing. Even though nothing is actually there, a doubting heart fills the darkness with monsters. … Continue reading →

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Udo you, man

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Confanity

独活の大木 (Udo no taiboku; “A large udo tree”) Definition: Of a person, big but good for nothing. An udo plant can grow up to about two meters tall and as thick as some trees, but its flesh isn’t strong or … Continue reading →

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In one ear and then who cares?

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Confanity

[Insert tofu joke here] 馬耳東風 ba.ji.tou.fuu Literally: horse – ear – east – wind Alternately: When a person utterly fails to heed what others have to say. Opinions, criticism, and so on just go in one ear and out the … Continue reading →

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Elbow grease begins at home

Posted on October 8, 2017 by Confanity

Be nice to your neighbor, and you’ll attract better neighbors? 先ず隗より始めよ (Mazu Kai yori hajimeyo; “First, start with Guo Wei”) Definition: When starting a large, ambitious undertaking, it’s best to begin with what’s close at hand. By extension, it can … Continue reading →

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We need to make our own light

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Confanity

Contact your representatives! 広宵大暮 kou.shou.tai.bo Literally: wide – evening – big – sunset Alternately: This is a phrase used to express great sadness and lamentation after someone’s death. Notes: Both 広宵 and 大暮 express the idea of night that stretches … Continue reading →

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What would you do for your deer?

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Confanity

秋の鹿は笛に寄る (Aki no shika wa fue ni yoru; “An autumn deer approaches a whistle”) Definition: Destroying oneself for the sake of love. Alternately, being in danger or being used by others after having one’s weakness taken advantage of. From the … Continue reading →

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Risutora?

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Confanity

As in リストラ, not squirrel-tigers. 新陳代謝 shin.chin.tai.sha Literally: new – old – replace – apologize Alternately: Replacing the old with the new. Originally this yojijikugo referred to living organisms expelling waste and taking in new resources; but by extension it … Continue reading →

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Buddhsplaining?

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Confanity

釈迦に説法 (Shaka ni seppou; “Lecturing the Buddha”) Definition: The foolishness of a person who knows just a little about a field trying to lecture an expert. Like delivering a sermon on Buddhism to the Buddha himself. “Teaching your grandmother to … Continue reading →

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As the Beatles said!

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Confanity

Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah 唯唯諾諾 i.i.daku.daku Literally: only – only – agreement – agreement Alternately: Going along with what someone says without considering the merits or the rights-and-wrongs of it. Yes-manning. Notes: Despite the literal meanings listed above, my sources … Continue reading →

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