Category Archives: Yojijukugo

The great insulator

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Confanity

Second only to sudden bereavement – Joan Aiken 一攫千金i-.kkaku.sen.kin Literally: one – take – thousand – gold Alternately: Making a large profit at one stroke without much effort. Note that the instantaneous and easy nature of the wealth in question … Continue reading →

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A shot, but not in the dark

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Confanity

Completely ignoring the phantom dog (Today I got my second covid vaccine! “Injection” in Japanese is 注射, chuusha, so please enjoy this four-character compound containing 射.) 射石飲羽sha.seki.in.u Literally: shoot – stone – drink – feather Alternately: If you throw yourself … Continue reading →

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Seven is just the beginning!

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Confanity

子子孫孫shi.shi.son.son Literally: child – child – grandchild – grandchild Alternately: One’s children and grandchildren; one’s descendants; posterity; until the end of history. Notes: Each repeated character may be written with the repetition mark 々; the second 孫 (in either form) … Continue reading →

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I can see clearly now; I’m way up high

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Confanity

I can see all obstacles in my way 一望千里ichi.bou.sen.ri Literally: one – see / desire – thousand – ri Alternately: A broad, expansive vista. Being able to see out to a great distance with a single glance; having a bird’s-eye … Continue reading →

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We all agree with that man, Joe

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Confanity

And his Bizarre Adventures 満場一致man.jou.i-.cchi Literally: full – place – one – do Alternately: Universal accordance. Unanimity. There is not a single dissenting voice in the entire place / group / assembly. Notes: This is a relatively simple compound of … Continue reading →

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A lance where your chin should be

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Confanity

枕戈待旦 chin.ka.tai.tan Literally: pillow – “spear”* – wait – sunrise Alternately: Always ready to give battle. Never dropping your guard or slacking off from necessary preparations. “Sleeping with a weapon as your pillow, awaiting the break of dawn.” Notes: This … Continue reading →

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Make sure you get your ball back afterwards

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Confanity

一球入魂 i-.kkyuu.nyuu.kon Literally: one – sphere – enter / insert – soul Alternately: This phrase from the world of baseball refers to putting your full energy and focus into each action; specifically, putting everything you can into each throw of … Continue reading →

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Why that two-faced rat

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Confanity

Well, he looks that way sometimes 首鼠両端 shu.so.ryou.tan Literally: neck – mouse / rat – both – edge Alternately: Caught in indecision, often between two choices. Vacillating; sitting on the fence. By extension, the phrase can also refer to someone … Continue reading →

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Double rhyme; wastin’ time

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Confanity

(Imagine my horror when I realized that after a year of pushing through Pandemic Doldrums, I finally managed to completely blank out and miss last week’s yojijukugo. In “honor” of that unwonted error, I’ve chosen a compound containing the character … Continue reading →

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For I am the ruler of all that I spoon

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Confanity

杓子定規 shaku.shi.jou.gi Literally: scoop – child – determine – measure Alternately: Assessing everything based on the same criteria, regardless of whether this is appropriate or not. Inflexible; clinging to a single set of rules no matter what. Like trying to … Continue reading →

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