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Category Archives: Japanese
Who knows White River?
(Not me! I was asleep!) 白河夜船 shira.kawa.yo.bune Literally: white – river – night – boat Alternately: Being sound asleep. Being completely unaware of one’s surroundings. Alternately, affecting a know-it-all attitude despite a lack of actual expertise or experience. Notes: 河 … Continue reading
For when you just have to say “At least it wasn’t….”
不幸中の幸い (Fukouchuu no saiwai; “Happiness amidst misfortune.”) Definition: A cloud’s silver lining. A small consolation in hard times or sadness. A small mercy that things weren’t worse. Breakdown: This kotowaza is simply a noun phrase. 幸い (saiwai) is a noun … Continue reading
Just imagine what they’d do with the War of the Roses
The nuance of 雄 from last week’s 群雄割拠 is distinctly masculine; this week, let’s look at a more feminine compound in a similar theme. 百花繚乱 hya-.kka.ryou.ran Literally: hundred – flower – twist around – disorder Alternately: A profusion of blooming flowers. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 百花, 繚乱, hundred flowers, profusion of talent, 撩乱
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Beasts at the gates!
前門の虎後門の狼 (Zenmon no tora koumon no ookami; “A tiger at the front gate, a wolf at the rear”) Definition: “Out of the frying pan, into the fire.” While you were driving away a tiger at the front gate, a wolf … Continue reading
Ancient wisdom about market share?
群雄割拠 gun.yuu.ka-.kkyo Literally: group – masculine/hero/leader – divide – basis Alternately: Many rival warlords, each controlling their own territory and vying for supremacy. A given field seeing multiple people of great ability, influence, or power – possibly competing for dominance. … Continue reading
Now!
善は急げ (Zen wa isoge; “Hurry to do good”) Definition: “Strike while the iron is hot.” Specifically, if you think of something that would be good to do, something worth doing, something worthy – do it now. Don’t wait. Don’t procrastinate. … Continue reading
Tea, Rice, Tea, Rice
日常茶飯 nichi.jou.sa.han Literally: day/sun – usual – tea – (cooked) rice Alternately: An everyday occurrence. Just as boiled rice is a stereotypical part of almost every meal in Japan – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every single day – and tea … Continue reading
When luck sticks
犬も歩けば棒に当たる (Inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru; “Even a dog on a walk meets a stick.”) Definition: Originally this saying was a warning: a dog, even if it’s just innocently walking along, is likely to be driven off by someone … Continue reading
A post a long time in the making
海千山千 umi.sen.yama.sen Literally: ocean – thousand – mountain – thousand Alternately: The pinnacle of cunning. A sly old fox. Someone who, though long experience, has developed an almost-unbeatable level of cleverness. Notes: First, keep in mind that this is about … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged clever, cunning, dragon, experience, snake, 山千, 海千
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If you don’t study grammar, you won’t be able to confuse yourself with it
This one gets a bit technical, folks, so buckle up. 蒔かぬ種は生えぬ (Makanu tane wa haenu; “Unsown seeds do not grow”) Definition: “Nothing comes of nothing.” Things don’t happen without causes. You can’t expect to profit without doing any work. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, 生えぬ, 蒔かぬ, nothing comes of nothing, seeds
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