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Category Archives: Japanese
If I’ve told you once…
…I’ve told you so many times that life gave me lemons. In my face. 口が酸っぱくなるほど (kuchi ga suppaku naru hodo; “until the mouth turns sour”) Definition: Repeating oneself over and over. Saying the same thing ad nauseum. Often used to … Continue reading
The wise prince changes his panther?
君子豹変 kun.shi.hyou.hen Literally: ruler/mister – child – leopard – change Alternately: Originally: a wise person changes with changing circumstances; a wise person is quick to recognize their errors and change for the better. In modern usage, the phrase has taken … Continue reading
Fashion victim, food victim
京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ (Kyou no kidaore, Oosaka no kidaore; “Bankrupted by clothing at the capital; bankrupted by food in Osaka”) Definition: In general, the people of Kyoto have a weakness for fine clothing, while the people of Osaka have a weakness for … Continue reading
A SUPER INTERESTING YOJIJUKUGO
興味津津 kyou.mi.shin.shin Literally: interest – flavor – harbor – harbor Alternately: Being intensely interested in something. Overflowing with endless enthusiasm. Alternately, a descriptor of the interesting thing. Notes: 興味, by itself, refers to curiosity about or interest in something. 津… … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 興味, gushing, interesting, touch tha fishy, 津々, 津津
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Go west, young man!
The apple is flung far from the stem? 可愛い子には旅をさせよ (Kawaii ko ni wa tabi wo saseyo; “Send the beloved child on a journey”) Definition: If you love your children, your impulse may be to protect them from harm and hardship … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged beloved child, classical grammar, journey, 可愛い子, 旅
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It’s my way. …Did you expect an “or”?
頑固一徹 gan.ko.i-.ttetsu Literally: firmly – harden – one – pierce Alternately: Obstinate. Stubbornly sticking to one’s views or ideas. Pushing one’s vision through in spite of all opposition or resistance. Alternately, a person with that sort of stubbornness. Notes: Both … Continue reading
And all for want of a horseshoe nail!
(Really, it goes backwards to the movement of the solar accretion disk… and beyond as well.) （大）風が吹けば桶屋が儲かる ((Oo)kaze ga fukeba okeya ga moukaru; “When the (strong) wind blows, bucket-makers prosper.”) Definition: A well-known saying that refers to unintended consequences or … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged bucket-makers, cause and effect, 風が吹けば, for want of a nail, unintended consequences, wind, 桶屋が儲かる
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Who’s a good boy?
温厚篤実 on.kou.toku.jitsu Literally: warm – thick – serious / kind – truth / reality Alternately: Calm, kind, and sincere. Gentle and serious. A good and honest person. Notes: This compound may have come from the I Ching, and be associated … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged calm, 篤実, dogs are the best people, gentle, good, sincere, 温厚
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Forte vs. foible for fiercely forceful fencing
I’m sure you can find a way to make this one topical to Valentine’s Day, whether you’re feeling optimistic, satisfied, or cynical. 得手に帆を揚げる (Ete ni ho wo ageru; “Raise one’s sails to one’s forte”) Definition: Acting when luck gives you … Continue reading
The family business
依怙贔屓 e.ko.hi.iki Literally: depend / rely on – depend / rely on – ally / strength – breathe through the nose / exert strength Alternately: Favoritism. Bias. Taking sides with one’s friends, relations, or allies in a situation where one … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Ayanami Rei, Evangelion, favoritism, partiality, rare characters, 依怙贔屓
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