Category Archives: Japanese

The best kind of day to have?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Confanity

As it is said, have a nice day! 利茶亜努 ri.cha.a.do Literally: advantage/benefit – tea – “next in rank” – diligence/effort Alternately: When in doubt, use your common sense. Persistence and effort are the most reliable keys to success, but using … Continue reading →

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For example, some day I might be good at this Japanese stuff

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Confanity

好きこそ物の上手なれ (Suki koso mono no jouzu nare; “People are good at what they like.”) Definition: The things that you enjoy, you’re going to more cheerfully spend more time and effort on, so your skill in those areas will improve more … Continue reading →

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Do what I don’t do, not what I do

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Confanity

反面教師 han.men.kyou.shi Literally: opposition – face – teach – expert Alternately: A negative example. Someone who sets a bad example and so teaches you what not to do.

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Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Confanity

Intro: A kotowaza from old Buddhist Japan, as relevant as ever in postmodern America. 地獄の沙汰も金次第 (Jigoku no sata mo kane shidai; “Even your sentence in hell depends on money”) Definition: “Money is the best lawyer in hell.” “Money talks.” Everything in the … Continue reading →

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Make like a perfect square and SCRAM

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Confanity

Of course. 三十六計 san.juu.ro-.kkei Literally: three – ten – six – plan Alternately: Discretion is the better part of valor. Sometimes you just need to retreat, regroup, and try again another day. Run away. Notes: Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems passed … Continue reading →

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Tiger ventured, tiger gained?

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Confanity

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (Koketsu ni irazumba koji wo ezu; “If you don’t go into a tiger’s lair you won’t get a tiger cub.”) Definition: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You won’t succeed at anything special if you’re not willing to stick your neck … Continue reading →

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How much tongue?

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Confanity

舌先三寸 shita.saki.san.zun Literally: tongue – before/tip – three – sun (pronounced like “soon”; a unit of measurement approximately equal to 1.19 in. or 3.03 cm) Alternately: Glib lies. Deceptive eloquence or flattery. The ability to control or influence people with … Continue reading →

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Try walking a mile in *these* shoes!

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Confanity

金の草鞋で探す (Kane no waraji de sagasu; “Seek with iron sandals”) Definition: Searching for something tirelessly. Patiently looking everywhere. Normal straw sandals break down with use, but iron sandals will endure – as will the person whose search is described with … Continue reading →

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Even uniquer! (Yes, I know that that’s not a word.)

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Confanity

This should look a little familiar, but there’s a twist: 空前絶後 kuu.zen.zetsu.go Literally: empty – before – cut off – after Alternately: Unique in all of history. Never before, and never again. Something so amazing, or so horrible, that the … Continue reading →

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No spoonfuls of sugar for you today

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Confanity

忠言耳に逆らう (Chuugen mimi ni sakarau; “Good advice hurts your ears”) Definition: When someone is truly trying to help you, they acknowledge your faults and failings and give you good advice based on that honest assessment. But it can be hard … Continue reading →

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