Category Archives: Yojijukugo

Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside?

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Confanity

内柔外剛 nai.juu.gai.gou Literally: inside – soft/weak/gentle – outside – sturdy/strong Alternately: Acting tough but actually timid. Seeming strong but actually weak. “A lion abroad and a mouse at home.” Notes: This is a negative saying. It describes bullies, North Korea, … Continue reading →

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Cool-headed, hot-footed

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Confanity

The winter is upon us! Here’s a helpful tip for weathering it. 頭寒足熱 zu.kan.soku.netsu Literally: head – cold – leg/foot – heat Alternately: Keeping your head cool and your feet warm; a recommended palliative when you have a cold, or … Continue reading →

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There is no say. There is only do.

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Confanity

不言実行 fu.gen.ji-.kkou Literally: [negative] – say – reality/truth – act/conduct/journey/go Alternately: Don’t talk; do. Action over words. Quiet, determined action.

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But, what if you have both a sword AND a pen?

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Confanity

A good, balanced approach to life. 文武両道 bun.bu.ryou.dou Literally: sentence/missive/literature – military/warrior – two/both – road/way/teaching Alternately: Both the military and the literary arts. A person who excels at both athletic endeavors (especially, but limited to, martial arts) and scholarship. … Continue reading →

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Some hard-core traditional Japanese culture, in a small convenient package

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Confanity

This is quite possibly the most famous yojijukugo in Japan. I’m not entirely sure how it took me so long to get around to it. 一期一会 ichi.go.ichi.e Literally: one – time (period) – one – meeting Alternately: (Every time you … Continue reading →

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All four of them

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Confanity

喜怒哀楽 ki.do.ai.raku Literally: joy – anger – sorrow – ease/pleasure Alternately: Human emotions. The range of human emotions. All of a person’s emotions.

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Elbow Grease

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Confanity

Midterms. Already? 切磋琢磨 se-.ssa.taku.ma Literally: cut – scrub/rub – strike – polish/scour/grind (or: cut – polish – polish – polish!) Alternately: Diligent effort. Improving oneself through study. Notes: There’s a fuller phrase, 切磋琢磨し合う (sessa-takuma shiau). The shiau part means “to … Continue reading →

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Maybe just 85%?

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Confanity

十中八九 ji-.chuu.ha-.kku (or ju-.chuu.ha-.kku) Literally: ten – middle – eight – nine Alternately: Eight or nine out of ten; an 80% – 90% probability; “most likely, X” Notes: This is obviously in the same vein as the previous 九分九厘, and … Continue reading →

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Nine and nine of ten and ten

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Confanity

In honor of September, a yojijukugo with some nines in it! 九分九厘 ku.bu.ku.rin Literally: nine – part – nine – smaller part [1/10 of a bu] Alternately: 99%. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred. Almost certainly. Notes: There is some … Continue reading →

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When you eat like a horse, you get thirsty

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Confanity

牛飲馬食 gyuu.in.ba.shoku Literally: cow – drink – horse – eat Alternately: To drink like a cow and eat like a horse; to eat and drink a huge amount. Note: The first half can also be 鯨飲 (gei.in; “to drink like … Continue reading →

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