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Category Archives: Japanese
In Kabuki terms, feelin’ blue
(Kumadori) 意気消沈 i.ki.shou.chin Literally: mind – spirit – extinguish – sink Alternately: Discouraged. Disheartened. Despondent. Not sad-sad or depressed per se, but feeling down and lacking energy, as after a setback. Notes: 意気 is one’s spirits or sense of enthusiasm; … Continue reading
A kind of discrimination that’s totally okay
Encouraged, actually. 公私混同 kou.shi.kon.dou Literally: public – private – blend / confuse – equal Alternately: Failing to properly differentiate between public and private business. Getting one’s private interests and personal affairs entangled in public policy-making. Using a public institution for … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged corruption, private, public, Trump ethics violations, 公私, 混同
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All the king’s horses shouldn’t cry over spilled milk
覆水盆に返らず (Fukusui bon ni kaerazu; “You can’t put spilled water back in the saucer”) Definition: You can’t undo what’s been done. You can’t redo what’s been undone. You can’t uncrack an egg. As much as you may sometimes want to … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged can't take back, 盆に返らず, 覆水, Jiang Ziya, Shi Yi Ji, spilled water, 拾遺記
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LA, LA, LA, LA LA LA, LA-LA-LA LA LA LA
(It’s a French song; very appropriate.) 傍若無人 bou.jaku.bu.jin Literally: bystander – possibly / (young) – nothing – person Alternately: Doing or saying whatever the hell you want without caring that you’re in public. Acting however you feel like without consideration … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged arrogance, 無人, disregard for others, doing what you want, Haruhi Suzumiya, Records of the Grand Historian, 傍若, 史記
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Like falling off a bike, but very different
案ずるより産むが易し (Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi; “Birthing is easier than planning”) Definition: The deed is often less terrible than anticipation-nerves would have it. Before starting a course of action people tend to worry about this and that, but find the … Continue reading
Spread your tiny wings
And fire the FBI director if the investigation scares you? 小心翼翼 shou.shin.yoku.yoku Literally: small – heart – wing – wing Alternately: Timid; nervous; fearful. Notes: As always the doubled character can be replaced by the doubling mark 々. 小心 refers … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Classic of Poetry, 翼翼, fearful, small heart, timid, wings, 小心
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Like taking candy
Not from a baby, you monster お茶の子さいさい (Ocha no ko saisai; “Alright; tea candy!”) Definition: Something super simple and easy; just a little thing. Words of encouragement. Something as effortless as picking up and eating a bit of some snack-food. … Continue reading
A danger of focusing solely on PR
有名無実 yuu.mei.mu.jitsu Literally: exist – name – no – fruit / substance / truth Alternately: Something’s substance doesn’t match its reputation. Well-known but unable to deliver. For example, when you have laws on the books designed to protect people from … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 無実, no substance, PR only, unenforced laws, 国語, 有名
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