Category Archives: Japanese

The gods help those who don’t bug them?

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Confanity

This one is dedicated to all those who just had to push the big red button. Incidentally, it’s somewhat antonymical to last week’s kotowaza. 触らぬ神に祟り無し (Sawaranu kami ni tatari nashi; “Untouched gods won’t curse you.”) Definition: If it ain’t broke, … Continue reading →

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“And all the heat in the universe / is gonna coooool doooown”

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Confanity

Doubly topical! This week we’re reading a section of the Tale of the Heike for class. 諸行無常 sho.gyou.mu.jou Literally: many / various – go – no – ordinary / always Alternately: Nothing lasts forever. All worldly things are transient. Sic transit … Continue reading →

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Be the change you want to see in the world, even if it’s only pocket change

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Confanity

Intro: I may have gone a little overboard with the explanation on this one. I hope somebody some time finds it useful, at least! 義を見てせざるは勇無きなり (Gi wo mite sezaru wa yuu naki nari; “To see what is right and not … Continue reading →

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Can you see the road ahead?

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Confanity

前途有望 zen.to.yuu.bou Literally: before / front – road – is / have – aspire / desire / expect Alternately: Good prospects. A promising future. High chances of being successful. Said of a person’s overall prospective career rather than the success … Continue reading →

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The blood doesn’t fall far from the tree?

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Confanity

This week is an echo of sorts, as I realized part-way through. 血は争えない (Chi wa arasoenai; “You can’t fight your blood”) Definition: There’s no point trying to deny one’s heritage. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” as the … Continue reading →

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All the feels, all the grudges

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Confanity

多情多恨 ta.jou.ta.kon Literally: many – emotion – many – regret / resentment / hatred Alternately: Easily swayed by one’s emotions, and therefore prone to resentment or sadness. Wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve, and suffering as a result.

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Don’t bee sad!

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Confanity

泣き面に蜂 (Nakitsura ni hachi; “A wasp in a crying face”) Definition: It never rains but it pours. Bad things happen in groups, not in isolation. Misfortune compounded on top of further misfortune. A wasp flying into the face of someone … Continue reading →

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Likeaflash

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Confanity

電光石火 den.kou.se-.kka Literally: electricity – light – stone – fire Alternately: A very short span of time. Alternately, incredible speed of motion. “Lightning-flash and sparks (struck from a stone),” as examples of things that happen quickly. Notes: The parts can … Continue reading →

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Not at all like Pi Day plus Shemini Atzeret

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Confanity

Well, a new semester is starting! My wife’s gotten into grad school, and I’ll be writing my thesis and doing a translation project and taking a course or two, and we have a one-year-old kid. Whee! 盆と正月が一緒に来たよう (Bon to Shougatsu … Continue reading →

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I didn’t think so.

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Confanity

奇想天外 ki.sou.ten.gai Literally: strange – thought – heavens – outside Alternately: A truly bizarre idea. Something fantastical, novel, unique, unthinkable. A violation of common sense or standard thinking. Notes: In contemporary America, in which novelty is highly valued – perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments