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Category Archives: Japanese
Why not 千歳? I’m not sure, actually
千載一遇 sen.zai.ichi.guu Literally: thousand – ride/publish/get on – one – encounter/receive (guests) Alternately: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The kind of chance that only comes along once in a thousand years. Notes: 千載 refers to a thousand years; 一遇 is a single 遭遇, … Continue reading
Maybe gene therapy, some day
阿呆に付ける薬はない (Ahou ni tsukeru kusuri wa nai; “There’s no medicine for stupidity.”) Definition: There’s nothing that can be done to help a fool. Note that this saying isn’t about mere lack of education, or about people holding opinions or beliefs … Continue reading
One year’s resolution?
Another phrase using 一念: 一念発起 ichi.nen.ho-.kki Literally: one – idea – emit – wake Alternately: Firm resolve to carry something through; a sincere and wholehearted intention. Originally used to describe the Buddhist resolve to leave “the world” (i.e. society) behind … Continue reading
One shot, one kill?
Finals are coming up! 一念岩をも通す (Ichinen iwa wo mo toosu; “Single-mindedness pierces even a boulder.”) Definition: No matter what obstacles you are faced with, sufficiently determined effort will allow you to overcome them, just as even a barrier of stone … Continue reading
Like a plum!
An inversion of a previous yojijukugo: 外柔内剛 gai.juu.nai.gou Literally: outside – soft/weak/gentle – inside – sturdy/strong Alternately: Gentle but firm. An iron fist in a velvet glove. Speaking softly but carrying a big stick. Appearing soft or weak, but actually … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged big stick, inside, outside, strong, weak, 外柔, 家剛
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In which it turns out that not all round things are the same
月と鼈 (Tsuki to suppon; “The moon and a turtle shell”) Definition: The moon is round, and a turtle shell is also round. But they have essentially nothing else in common. This kotowaza refers to things that, while they may have … Continue reading
Our greatest foe
A more pithy relative of the most recent kotowaza: 油断大敵 yu.dan.tai.teki Literally: oil/fat – sever/refuse/decide – big – enemy Alternately: Your greatest enemy is your own unpreparedness. Feeling secure and letting your guard down is what makes you insecure. Notes: … Continue reading
On properly protecting your pot
This is not a common or well-known saying by any means, but it tickles my fancy. 月夜に釜を抜かれる (Tsukiyo ni kama wo nukareru; “having your cook-pot stolen on a moonlit night”) Definition: Being caught completely off-guard. Catastrophic negligence, carelessness, or inattention. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged cook-pot, 釜, Iroha karuta, letting your guard down, negligence, 抜かれる, 月夜
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Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside?
内柔外剛 nai.juu.gai.gou Literally: inside – soft/weak/gentle – outside – sturdy/strong Alternately: Acting tough but actually timid. Seeming strong but actually weak. “A lion abroad and a mouse at home.” Notes: This is a negative saying. It describes bullies, North Korea, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged bullies, inside, outside, strong, weak, 内柔, 外剛
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In which a big head is a form of humility
実るほど頭の下がる稲穂かな (Minoru hodo atama no sagaru inaho ka na; “As modest as a ripened head of rice”) Definition: A description or proverbial example of great modesty befitting true greatness. Just as the ripened “ear” or “head” of rice on a … Continue reading
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