Tag Archives: 文選

From sea to shining sea to another sea to yet another sea

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Confanity

Earning an A+, though, not a C 海内無双kai.dai.mu.sou Literally: ocean – inside – not – pair Alternately: Top-ranked in the nation, or in the world. Without peer. Notes: This compound comes from our friend, the ancient poetic anthology Wen Xuan … Continue reading →

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Gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Confanity

and sleds are still a-flying 若い時は二度無い(Wakai toki wa nido nai;“There is no second youth”) Definition: You only have your youth once, so it’s best to get out there and do stuff wholeheartedly while you still have the time and energy. … Continue reading →

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A cup of water onto the sand.

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Confanity

In the Dry Land. 爪で拾って箕で零す(Tsume de hirotte mi de kobosu;“Scraped up with the fingernails; spilled with a basket”) Definition: Some resource that was gathered slowly and with great effort over an extended period of time is used up in an … Continue reading →

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Just don’t be a Zax about it

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Confanity

金科玉条 kin.ka.gyoku.jou Literally: gold – section – jewel – clause/article (of a document) Alternately: A golden rule. (Not necessarily The Golden Rule, though.) An important, even foundational principle, for someone’s behavior and life. Notes: This yojijukugo uses repetition for emphasis: … Continue reading →

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Fly me home, country winds

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Confanity

越鳥南枝に巣くい、胡馬北風に嘶く (Ecchou nanshi ni sukui, koba hokufuu ni inanaku; “The bird from Yue builds its nest in southern branches; the horse from Hu neighs at the northern wind”) Definition: An expression of homesickness or nostalgia. A southern bird living in … Continue reading →

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I met a traveller from an antique land

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Confanity

朝顔の花一時 (Asagao no hana hitotoki; “The morning glory flower, a single moment”) Definition: Something’s peak or prime only lasts for a short time. Decline and entropy are all too easy. Like the morning glory flower that blooms at dawn and … Continue reading →

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We need to make our own light

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Confanity

Contact your representatives! 広宵大暮 kou.shou.tai.bo Literally: wide – evening – big – sunset Alternately: This is a phrase used to express great sadness and lamentation after someone’s death. Notes: Both 広宵 and 大暮 express the idea of night that stretches … Continue reading →

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