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Tag Archives: 後漢書
Not a problem if you’re Solo?
(Yes, that’s a source text / Star Wars joke.) 党同伐異tou.dou.batsu.i Literally: faction – same – strike / punish – different Alternately: Blind partisanship. Supporting one’s associates and attacking one’s rivals without any regard for what is actually correct or proper. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged ファランクス, 異伐, partisanship, phalanx, Star Wars, tribalism, turtling up, 党同, 后汉书, 後漢書, 伐異, 漢文
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How about when elephants fight?
疾風に勁草を知る (Shippuu ni keisou wo shiru; “In strong wind one learns of the strong grasses”) Definition: It is only after personally encountering hardships or trials that one truly understands the character and value of people who have already withstood those … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged adversity, Book of the Later Han, 疾風, hidden strength, true value, wind, 勁草, 後漢書
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Maybe they should make salmon streamers
鯉の滝登り (Koi no takinobori; “A carp climbing a waterfall”) Definition: Spectacular success in life. A person being as successful in society or career – in “the world” – as a carp that manages to overcome rapids and waterfalls in its … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Book of the Later Han, carp, 鯉のぼり, 黄河, Golden Week, success, 後漢書, 滝登り
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What are you, chicken?
They’re known for their careful scheming. 雌伏雄飛 shi.fuku.yuu.hi Literally: female – prostrate – male – fly Alternately: Following someone else while waiting for a chance to strike out on one’s own. Keeping a low profile while preparing for your time … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged biding one's time, Book of the Later Han, chickens, 雄飛, 雌伏, waiting, 後漢書
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Please be true please be true please be true
天知る地知る我知る人知る (Ten shiru chi shiru ware shiru hito shiru; “Heaven knows; earth knows; oneself knows; people know”) Definition: Secrets and crimes will eventually come to light. Even if you think something is completely hidden, the gods of the heavens and … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Book of Later Han, can't keep a secret, Heaven knows, people know, secrecy, Yang Zhen, 地知る, 天知る, 後漢書, 我知る, 楊震, 人知る
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