Category Archives: Yojijukugo

War and Weft

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Confanity

合従連衡 ga-.sshou.ren.kou Literally: join – vertical – lead – horizontal Alternately: This compound commonly refers to diplomacy based on calculations of profit and loss; of making and breaking alliances based on the convenience of the moment. Originally, it referred to … Continue reading →

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The good coyote?

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Confanity

(Or this one.) 権謀術数 ken.bou.ju-.ssuu Literally: authority – scheme – technique – number Alternately: A plan or strategy to fool people. Wiles; trickery; Machiavellianism. Notes: Apparently this compound comes to us from Zhu Xi’s (朱熹) The Great Learning (大学).

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Desperate odds and awful evens

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Confanity

悪戦苦闘 aku.sen.ku.tou Literally: bad – battle – bitter – fight Alternately: A do-or-die battle against a fearsome foe or a terrible disadvantage. Struggling with all your might.

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A yojijukugo for college students

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Confanity

Or new parents. Or night shift workers. Or… 半醒半睡 han.sei.han.sui Literally: half – wake – half – asleep Alternately: Not fully conscious. Half awake and half asleep. Bleary. Notes: The order of the halves may be reversed in some cases … Continue reading →

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Like when you’re arguing despite agreeing

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Confanity

同工異曲 dou.kou.i.kyoku Literally: same – construction – different – melody Alternately: The technique or methodology used in making two things is the same, but the style is different. Things appearing markedly different despite being born of fundamentally the same character … Continue reading →

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Earthquake blooming

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Confanity

Arson benevolence?!? 改過自新 kai.ka.ji.shin Literally: change – error – self – new Alternately: Turning over a new leaf. Recognizing and working to correct one’s flaws and errors, and starting anew with a change of heart. New Year’s Resolution stuff. Notes: … Continue reading →

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Snow falling on things other than cedars

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Confanity

雪中松柏 se-.cchuu.shou.haku Literally: snow – middle – pine – Oriental arborvitae tree Alternately: Not swerving from one’s intent, principles, or loyalties despite external situations. Not bending to circumstances, pressure, or fads. Most trees drop their leaves in the fall and … Continue reading →

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Ask an evil question…

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Confanity

悪因悪果 aku.in.a-.kka Literally: evil – cause – evil – fruit Alternately: Evil deeds have evil effects. From bad comes bad. Misfortune and suffering follow misdeeds. Notes: Originally derived from Buddhist teachings (specifically the 117th verse of the Dhammapada, this compound … Continue reading →

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All the difference in the world

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Confanity

(And yet it was a close race. We should be ashamed.) 雲泥万里 un.dei.ban.ri Literally: cloud – mud – ten thousand – ri (a unit of distance, about 2.4 miles or 3.9km) Alternately: Two things are incomparable. A vast difference. Like … Continue reading →

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Lobbyists have been providing the former

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Confanity

Who intends to provide the latter? 邪知暴虐 ja.chi.bou.gyaku Literally: wicked – know – violence – oppress Alternately: Using knowledge and violence to harm and oppress. Jachi is knowledge or cleverness turned to evil purposes; bougyaku is committing atrocities or violent … Continue reading →

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