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Category Archives: Yojijukugo
Four more seasons; another year
春夏秋冬 shun.ka.shuu.tou Literally: spring – summer – autumn – winter Alternately: Like it says: spring, summer, fall, and winter. All four seasons. A full year. Notes: This one is very old, attested since at least the early 900s, and has … Continue reading
Boars ain’t boring
猪突猛進 cho.totsu.mou.shin Literally: boar – pierce – wild – advance Alternately: A headlong rush. Reckless, thoughtless behavior. Charging forward without thinking or looking ahead. Acting with all the foolhardy and fury of an angry boar.
Much more acceptable than “never sleeping, never eating”!
It’s a bit late, but this one caught my eye while I was in the throes of writing for a term project. I may need it as my thesis work kicks into high gear…. 不眠不休 fu.min.fu.kyuu Literally: no – sleep … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged day and night, no rest, no sleep, Torahiko Terada, 不眠, 不休
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Crossing Ts and dotting Eyes
It’s finals week! I hope everyone (for whom it’s applicable) is putting the finishing touches on their projects and ready for winter break! 画竜点睛 ga.ryou.ten.sei Literally: picture – dragon – point; dot – pupil (of the eye) Alternately: Putting the … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 点睛, 画竜, dragon, finishing touches, pupil, Zhang Sengyou
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Breathing the blues
青息吐息 ao.iki.to.iki Literally: blue – breath – spit – breath Alternately: Trying times. Hardship and/or great anxiety. Being in such pain (psychologically rather than physically) that you feel physically exhausted and can only sigh in response. Notes: The “blue” refers … Continue reading
Jack of no trades, master of one?
I’m typing this up on Thanksgiving, appropriately enough. 無芸大食 mu.gei.tai.shoku Literally: no – art – big – eat Alternately: A person whose only outstanding skill is eating. Someone is lacking in any special skills, but they sure can eat. Notes: … Continue reading
Or, can a dog be French?
Another yojijukugo using the rare “dog” character that we saw last week: 狗子仏性 ku.shi.bu-.sshou Literally: dog – child / (zodiac) rat – Buddha – nature / gender Alternately: “Does a dog have a Buddha nature?” – a classic zen koan. … Continue reading
Is this where I snark about Apple products?
羊頭狗肉 you.tou.ku.niku Literally: sheep – head – dog – meat Alternately: A lack of truth in advertising. Advertising something better than what you’re actually selling. Something seems high-quality, but its actual nature or essence is substandard. Notes: This is another … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged ancient Chinese culture, 狗肉, 羊頭, dog meat, sheep head, truth in advertising
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Enjoy it while it lasts
Happy November! While it will no doubt be over by the time this post goes live (I’m typing it up a week in advance), we’re even having a very appropriate spell of warm weather right now: sunny, with highs in … Continue reading
Super deep!
A very appropriate yojijukugo for the sixty-ninth entry in the series. I can hardly believe it’s been over a year already! 意味深長 i.mi.shin.chou Literally: thought – flavor – deep – long Alternately: Containing deep meaning. Possibly this meaning is hidden, … Continue reading
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