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Category Archives: Yojijukugo
Like those dreams where you’re running
不即不離 fu.soku.fu.ri Literally: non – instant/agree/conform – non – separate Alternately: At just the right distance, often mentally rather than physically. Neither approaching nor getting further away. Not loving nor hating; neutral; noncommittal; ambivalent. Notes: This four-character compound can be … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged cats, 離れず, neutral, perfect distance, 即かず, 不離, 不即
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Ninety-nine problems and also another problem
When I first encountered this compound, I pictured it as a quaint conga line of traditional Japanese bakemono. Now all I can see is [redacted topical political comment]. 百鬼夜行 hya-.kki.ya.kou OR gyou Literally: hundred – oni (often translated “demon” or … Continue reading
A two-dimensional definition of beauty
In 3D it’d be ２６方美人? 八方美人 ha-.ppou.bi.jin Literally: eight – direction – beauty – person Alternately: Trying to be all things to all people. Originally this compound was read literally as a beautiful person who was without flaw no matter … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged all things to all people, 発砲, 美人, duplicity, eight directions, 八方
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Still better than a frog?
喉元事案 nodo.moto.ji.an Literally: throat – origin – think – plan Alternately: Superficial thinking. Rash and hasty ideas. Notes: Derived from the belief that one’s deepest thinking was done in the chest. The throat is more “shallow” than the chest, so … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged rash idea, superficial, throat thinking, 喉元, 事案
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TFW you see the universe in a flower through a flower in the universe
拈華微笑 nen.ge.mi.shou Literally: twist (with the fingers) – flower – delicate/minute – laugh/smile Alternately: Communicating “heart to heart,” without words or writing. Subtle, unspoken communication. Plucking or toying with a flower, and a smile. Notes: In other contexts, 微笑 can … Continue reading
Brandy Bundt, meet your match
盗人上戸 nusu.bito.jou.go Literally: steal – person – up – door Alternately: Someone who likes both alcohol and sweets. Alternately, someone who doesn’t show any outward signs even after consuming a large quantity of alcohol. Notes: The first pair of characters … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged alcohol, 甘党, 盗人, 辛党, Hobson's Choice, sweets, 上戸
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Not even a loss leader
二束三文 ni.soku.san.mon Literally: two – bundle – three – mon (an obsolete, very small unit of currency) Alternately: Dirt cheap. Something so cheap that even selling it in huge volumes doesn’t make it profitable. Selling two pairs of sturdy woven … Continue reading
A Buddhist “Oy Gevalt!”
南無三宝 na.mu.san.bou Literally: phonetic “na” – phonetic “mu” – three – treasure Alternately: Roughly equivalent to “Oh my God!” in Western exclamatory parlance, this phrase is supposedly used to invoke the aid of the Buddha when one has messed up. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, Namo, Namu, oy gevalt, three treasures, 南無, 一休, 三宝
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Executive incense?
(No, that would be 独断線香.) 独断専行 doku.dan.sen.kou Literally: alone – sever / decide – exclusive – go / act Alternately: Deciding what to do, and then doing it, all on one’s own without consulting anybody else. Acting arbitrarily or willfully … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged acting on one's own, 独断, incense pun, willful action, 専行
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