Category Archives: Yojijukugo

Do what I say, say what I do

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Confanity

An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent! 言行一致 gen.kou.i-.cchi Literally: speak – go/act – one – do Alternately: One’s words and actions are in accord. Doing what one says. Walking the walk as well as talking the talk. The opposite of … Continue reading →

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The wise prince changes his panther?

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Confanity

君子豹変 kun.shi.hyou.hen Literally: ruler/mister – child – leopard – change Alternately: Originally: a wise person changes with changing circumstances; a wise person is quick to recognize their errors and change for the better. In modern usage, the phrase has taken … Continue reading →

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A SUPER INTERESTING YOJIJUKUGO

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Confanity

興味津津 kyou.mi.shin.shin Literally: interest – flavor – harbor – harbor Alternately: Being intensely interested in something. Overflowing with endless enthusiasm. Alternately, a descriptor of the interesting thing. Notes: 興味, by itself, refers to curiosity about or interest in something. 津… … Continue reading →

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It’s my way. …Did you expect an “or”?

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Confanity

頑固一徹 gan.ko.i-.ttetsu Literally: firmly – harden – one – pierce Alternately: Obstinate. Stubbornly sticking to one’s views or ideas. Pushing one’s vision through in spite of all opposition or resistance. Alternately, a person with that sort of stubbornness. Notes: Both … Continue reading →

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Who’s a good boy?

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Confanity

温厚篤実 on.kou.toku.jitsu Literally: warm – thick – serious / kind – truth / reality Alternately: Calm, kind, and sincere. Gentle and serious. A good and honest person. Notes: This compound may have come from the I Ching, and be associated … Continue reading →

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The family business

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Confanity

依怙贔屓 e.ko.hi.iki Literally: depend / rely on – depend / rely on – ally / strength – breathe through the nose / exert strength Alternately: Favoritism. Bias. Taking sides with one’s friends, relations, or allies in a situation where one … Continue reading →

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The existential chaos of “tide comes in, tide goes out”

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Confanity

右往左往 u.ou.sa.ou Literally: right – travel – left – travel Alternately: Disorder. Moving back and forth without clear aims or results. Much confusion and going to-and-fro. My sources seem to disagree about whether it’s primarily referring to one person in … Continue reading →

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An apple a day… may help.

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Confanity

医食同源 i.shoku.dou.gen Literally: medicine – food – same – source Alternately: Just as medicine is used to cure diseases, eating well is key to maintaining one’s health. The best defense against ill health is a proper balanced diet (as an … Continue reading →

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A scene in every horror movie ever

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Confanity

I’ve done themed posts several times in the past, picking a yojijukugo or kotowaza based on the number of the post, or some event or holiday happening around the same time. This is the start of a new sub-project, in … Continue reading →

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♪ Whatever you want, is fine by me…. ♫

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Confanity

Great for next time you want somebody to choose where to eat, perhaps! 付和雷同 fu.wa.rai.dou Literally: attach – harmony – thunder/lightning – same Alternately: Having no thoughts or opinions of one’s own. Bonelessly going along with whatever other people around … Continue reading →

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