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Category Archives: Yojijukugo
A little high; a little low; any way the wind blows
一喜一憂 i-.kki.ichi.yuu Literally: one – joy – one – sorrow/anxiety Alternately: Alternating positve and negative feelings: joy and sorrow, hope and fear, cheerfulness and worry. Being unable to put one’s mind at ease. Mood swings. Extreme sensitivity to small changes … Continue reading
Who knows White River?
(Not me! I was asleep!) 白河夜船 shira.kawa.yo.bune Literally: white – river – night – boat Alternately: Being sound asleep. Being completely unaware of one’s surroundings. Alternately, affecting a know-it-all attitude despite a lack of actual expertise or experience. Notes: 河 … Continue reading
Just imagine what they’d do with the War of the Roses
The nuance of 雄 from last week’s 群雄割拠 is distinctly masculine; this week, let’s look at a more feminine compound in a similar theme. 百花繚乱 hya-.kka.ryou.ran Literally: hundred – flower – twist around – disorder Alternately: A profusion of blooming flowers. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 百花, 繚乱, hundred flowers, profusion of talent, 撩乱
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Ancient wisdom about market share?
群雄割拠 gun.yuu.ka-.kkyo Literally: group – masculine/hero/leader – divide – basis Alternately: Many rival warlords, each controlling their own territory and vying for supremacy. A given field seeing multiple people of great ability, influence, or power – possibly competing for dominance. … Continue reading
Tea, Rice, Tea, Rice
日常茶飯 nichi.jou.sa.han Literally: day/sun – usual – tea – (cooked) rice Alternately: An everyday occurrence. Just as boiled rice is a stereotypical part of almost every meal in Japan – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every single day – and tea … Continue reading
A post a long time in the making
海千山千 umi.sen.yama.sen Literally: ocean – thousand – mountain – thousand Alternately: The pinnacle of cunning. A sly old fox. Someone who, though long experience, has developed an almost-unbeatable level of cleverness. Notes: First, keep in mind that this is about … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged clever, cunning, dragon, experience, snake, 山千, 海千
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Why not 千歳? I’m not sure, actually
千載一遇 sen.zai.ichi.guu Literally: thousand – ride/publish/get on – one – encounter/receive (guests) Alternately: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The kind of chance that only comes along once in a thousand years. Notes: 千載 refers to a thousand years; 一遇 is a single 遭遇, … Continue reading
One year’s resolution?
Another phrase using 一念: 一念発起 ichi.nen.ho-.kki Literally: one – idea – emit – wake Alternately: Firm resolve to carry something through; a sincere and wholehearted intention. Originally used to describe the Buddhist resolve to leave “the world” (i.e. society) behind … Continue reading
Like a plum!
An inversion of a previous yojijukugo: 外柔内剛 gai.juu.nai.gou Literally: outside – soft/weak/gentle – inside – sturdy/strong Alternately: Gentle but firm. An iron fist in a velvet glove. Speaking softly but carrying a big stick. Appearing soft or weak, but actually … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged big stick, inside, outside, strong, weak, 外柔, 家剛
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Our greatest foe
A more pithy relative of the most recent kotowaza: 油断大敵 yu.dan.tai.teki Literally: oil/fat – sever/refuse/decide – big – enemy Alternately: Your greatest enemy is your own unpreparedness. Feeling secure and letting your guard down is what makes you insecure. Notes: … Continue reading
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