Category Archives: Japanese

Give me a pass at Cave Pass

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Confanity

I learned this one a long time ago when I was studying for the Kanji Kentei and came to 峠. It’s got an interesting little bit of history bundled up in it, which I like. 洞ヶ峠を決め込む (Horagatouge wo kimekomu; “Staying … Continue reading →

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Pros and cons. Merits and demerits. Ayes and byes.

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Confanity

是非善悪 ze.hi.zen.aku Literally: justice / correct – injustice / incorrect – good – bad Alternately: Good and evil; right and wrong; the good and bad parts of something.

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Urgent news straight from the source!

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Confanity

Here’s another flatulence-related saying! Enjoy! 屁と火事は元から騒ぐ (He to kaji wa moto kara sawagu; “Farts and fires make noise from the source”) Definition: The one who caused a problem often complains about it the most. “The one who smelt it, dealt … Continue reading →

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A yojijukugo for spiders?

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Confanity

傍目八目 oka.me.hachi.moku Literally: side / bystander – eye – eight – eye Alternately: People observing something from outside can understand it better than those directly involved. An objective viewpoint gives the best grasp of a situation. Notes: This phrase comes … Continue reading →

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Shutting the something door after the something has escaped

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Confanity

This is the classiest kotowaza I’ve introduced yet, no doubt! 屁を放って尻窄める (He wo hitte shiri subomeru; “Loosing a fart and [then] clenching your butt.”) Definition: Locking the barn door after the horses are gone. This kotowaza refers to frantic attempts … Continue reading →

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Battou-jutsu and the Gordion Knot

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Confanity

一刀両断 i-.ttou.ryou.dan Literally: one – sword – both – sever Alternately: Cutting something in two with a single stroke of the sword (a harder feat than you might think, if you’ve consumed a lot of pop fantasy and never practiced … Continue reading →

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It turns out my greatest foe is coffee tables

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Confanity

弁慶の泣き所 (Benkei no nakidokoro; “The place that makes Benkei weep”) Definition: The shins; someone’s weak point, an Achilles’ Heel. The term 泣き所 by itself can mean a shin or a weak point; this phrase intensifies the image by picturing a … Continue reading →

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Blackout!

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Confanity

This one is dedicated to our upstairs neighbor and her loud 3 am parties. [wry] 前後不覚 zen.go.fu.kaku Literally: in front – behind – un- / not – sense / remember Alternately: Unconsciousness. Blacking out. Often used to describe being so drunk that … Continue reading →

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Seafood combo for massive profit!

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Confanity

As long as we’re on the topic, here’s another tai saying for you. 海老で鯛を釣る (Ebi de tai wo tsuru; “Fish for sea bream with shrimp”) Definition: To make a great profit from just a little investment of time, money, or … Continue reading →

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A full year

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Confanity

A year of yojijukugo! I’m as amazed as anyone, believe me. 豊年満作 hou.nen.man.saku Literally: bountiful – year – full – make Alternately: A bumper crop; an excellent (rice) harvest. Notes: One may be tempted to write man as 万; this … Continue reading →

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