Category Archives: Japanese

Pure of heart,

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Confanity

worse than a fart. 水清ければ魚棲まず (Mizu kiyokereba uo sumazu; “If the water is pure fish don’t live there.”) Definition: If you’re too serious and straitlaced, then instead of loving you and wanting to be close to you, people will keep … Continue reading →

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Think, think, think

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Confanity

思慮分別 shi.ryo.fun.betsu Literally: think – consider – part – separate Alternately: Making judgments based on careful consideration. Thinking deeply about the merits of a situation and only then deciding. Notes: Again we have two two-character words of related meaning compounded … Continue reading →

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Not looking for a catspaw, but…

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Confanity

Any hand in a storm. 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai; “Wanting to borrow even a cat’s hand”) Definition: Being so extremely busy that one is willing to accept help from anyone at all. So busy that any helping hand … Continue reading →

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Doing all the things

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Confanity

(But in high heels and backwards?) 奮励努力 fun.rei.do.ryoku Literally: invigorated – encourage – diligence – power Alternately: To work as hard as you can. To exert maximum possible effort on something. To go all-in on elbow grease. Notes: On its … Continue reading →

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In which a biographer is like a taxidermist

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Confanity

Maybe an Uberdermist, these days. 虎は死して皮を留め人は死して名を残す (Tora wa shi shite kawa wo todome hito wa shi shite na wo nokosu; “A tiger dies and leaves a skin, a person dies and leaves a name”) Definition: Live well. Live so that … Continue reading →

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What are you, chicken?

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Confanity

They’re known for their careful scheming. 雌伏雄飛 shi.fuku.yuu.hi Literally: female – prostrate – male – fly Alternately: Following someone else while waiting for a chance to strike out on one’s own. Keeping a low profile while preparing for your time … Continue reading →

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An all-new take on the ant and the grasshopper

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Confanity

大の虫を生かして小の虫を殺す (Dai no mushi wo ikashite shou no mushi wo korosu; “Let the large bug live, and kill the small”) Definition: Sacrificing small considerations so that the large may survive. Cutting off a part so that the whole may live, … Continue reading →

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Like being two-faced, but more compact

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Confanity

流石日本 一口両舌 i-.kkou.ryou.zetsu Literally: one – mouth – both – tongues Alternately: Saying one thing and then saying something incompatible later on. Equivocating or, more often, outright lying depending on what’s convenient to say at the time. Speaking with two … Continue reading →

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Paradox!

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Confanity

See also 急がば回れ 負けるが勝ち (Makeru ga kachi; “Losing is winning.”) Definition: No, this isn’t some Orwellian doublespeak. It means that there are times when granting your opponent a win can be advantageous for you in the long run. Avoiding conflict … Continue reading →

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I choose you!

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Confanity

…Tiny red blob? 取捨選択 shu.sha.sen.taku Literally: take – throw away – choose – choose Alternately: Deciding to accept or reject something; sorting through options; separating the good or necessary from that which is not. Notes: Unlike some of the more … Continue reading →

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