Category Archives: Japanese

Baby steps to victory!

Posted on January 3, 2016 by Confanity

Another thing to keep in mind as we make resolutions and head into the new year. 一日一字を学べば三百六十字 (Ichinichi ichiji wo manabeba sanbyakurokujuuji; “If you learn one character a day, three hundred sixty characters”) Definition: If you study just a little … Continue reading →

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Boars ain’t boring

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Confanity

猪突猛進 cho.totsu.mou.shin Literally: boar – pierce – wild – advance Alternately: A headlong rush. Reckless, thoughtless behavior. Charging forward without thinking or looking ahead. Acting with all the foolhardy and fury of an angry boar.

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A minute’s plan in the first second

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Confanity

Here’s a New Year’s Resolution for you! 一日の計は朝に在り一年の計は元旦に在り (Ichinichi no kei wa asa ni ari ichinen no kei wa gantan ni ari; “A day’s plan in the morning; a year’s plan on New Year’s Day”) Definition: Planning and preparation should … Continue reading →

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Much more acceptable than “never sleeping, never eating”!

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Confanity

It’s a bit late, but this one caught my eye while I was in the throes of writing for a term project. I may need it as my thesis work kicks into high gear…. 不眠不休 fu.min.fu.kyuu Literally: no – sleep … Continue reading →

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I wonder what his kids thought, though.

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Confanity

愚公山を移す (Gukou yama wo utsusu; “The Old Fool Moves Mountains”) Definition: No matter how great your troubles or difficulties, hard work and perseverance will see you through. Your goals are realized through hard work and persistence. Rome was not built … Continue reading →

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Crossing Ts and dotting Eyes

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Confanity

It’s finals week! I hope everyone (for whom it’s applicable) is putting the finishing touches on their projects and ready for winter break! 画竜点睛 ga.ryou.ten.sei Literally: picture – dragon – point; dot – pupil (of the eye) Alternately: Putting the … Continue reading →

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Batman in a town without Birdman?

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Confanity

鳥無き里の蝙蝠 (Tori naki sato no koumori; “A bat in a village without birds”) Definition: When there are no exceptional people present, ordinary schmucks will talk big and throw their weight around. My sources compare it to “In the land of … Continue reading →

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Breathing the blues

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Confanity

青息吐息 ao.iki.to.iki Literally: blue – breath – spit – breath Alternately: Trying times. Hardship and/or great anxiety. Being in such pain (psychologically rather than physically) that you feel physically exhausted and can only sigh in response. Notes: The “blue” refers … Continue reading →

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Fortunately, this blog is a complete auteur project….

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Confanity

船頭多くして船山に登る (Sendou ooku shite fune yama ni noboru; “With many boatmen, a ship will climb a mountain”) Definition: Too many cooks spoil the both. With too many crew members trying to steer, a ship can become so lost that it … Continue reading →

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Jack of no trades, master of one?

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Confanity

I’m typing this up on Thanksgiving, appropriately enough. 無芸大食 mu.gei.tai.shoku Literally: no – art – big – eat Alternately: A person whose only outstanding skill is eating. Someone is lacking in any special skills, but they sure can eat. Notes: … Continue reading →

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