Category Archives: Yojijukugo

A touchy situation?

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Confanity

PLEASE DISREGARD YESTERDAY’S POST. Well, actually, please go on regarding it, but with the knowledge that it was a blatant lie in celebration of April Fools’ Day. Sorry! Here’s a real yojijukugo for the week: 一触即発 i-.sshoku.soku.hatsu Literally: one – touch … Continue reading →

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The best kind of day to have?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Confanity

As it is said, have a nice day! 利茶亜努 ri.cha.a.do Literally: advantage/benefit – tea – “next in rank” – diligence/effort Alternately: When in doubt, use your common sense. Persistence and effort are the most reliable keys to success, but using … Continue reading →

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Do what I don’t do, not what I do

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Confanity

反面教師 han.men.kyou.shi Literally: opposition – face – teach – expert Alternately: A negative example. Someone who sets a bad example and so teaches you what not to do.

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Make like a perfect square and SCRAM

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Confanity

Of course. 三十六計 san.juu.ro-.kkei Literally: three – ten – six – plan Alternately: Discretion is the better part of valor. Sometimes you just need to retreat, regroup, and try again another day. Run away. Notes: Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems passed … Continue reading →

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How much tongue?

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Confanity

舌先三寸 shita.saki.san.zun Literally: tongue – before/tip – three – sun (pronounced like “soon”; a unit of measurement approximately equal to 1.19 in. or 3.03 cm) Alternately: Glib lies. Deceptive eloquence or flattery. The ability to control or influence people with … Continue reading →

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Even uniquer! (Yes, I know that that’s not a word.)

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Confanity

This should look a little familiar, but there’s a twist: 空前絶後 kuu.zen.zetsu.go Literally: empty – before – cut off – after Alternately: Unique in all of history. Never before, and never again. Something so amazing, or so horrible, that the … Continue reading →

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Epoch-marking uniqueness!

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Confanity

史上空前 shi.jou.kuu.zen Literally: history – above/up – empty – before Alternately: Unprecedented. Unheard of. History-making. The very first ever. Notes:In cases like this, the 上 character refers to a vague scope of the topic under discussion. It can also be … Continue reading →

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Blang blang blang

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Confanity

丁々発止 chou.chou.has-.shi Literally: *chou – *chou – emit – stop Alternately: The sound of clashing swords; an argument as fierce as if it were a life-or-death sword fight. Notes: 丁 has a number of meanings, such as a street or … Continue reading →

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On upside-down trees

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Confanity

本末転倒 hon.matsu.ten.tou Literally: root/origin – tip/end – revolve/turn – fall Alternately: Putting the cart before the horse. Getting your priorities turned around, or otherwise being mistaken about the relative importance of things. Mixing up cause and effect. Notes: 本 and 末 … Continue reading →

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How to make of yourself an evening vessel

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Confanity

Today’s four-character compound stands in direct opposition to last time’s 栴檀は双葉より芳し. 大器晩成 tai.ki.ban.sei Literally: big – container/tool – evening – become Alternately: Great skill blooms late. Just as a large vessel such as a cauldron or temple bell isn’t cast … Continue reading →

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