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Tag Archives: large small
Fly, cow, fly; cow, fly, cow
蚊虻走牛 bun.bou.sou.gyuu Literally: mosquito – horsefly – run – cow Alternately: Something powerful being defeated by something weak; the great overthrown by the small. Literally, a cow being driven to run away by the onslaught of tiny biting flies. Alternatively, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged biting flies, 牛羊, David and Goliath, 虻, 蚊, 說苑, 説苑, 走牛, large small, mosquito
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Ambition is for the birds
燕雀安くんぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや (Enjaku izukunzo koukoku no kokorozashi wo shiran ya; “How could the swallow or sparrow understand the goose or swan?”) Definition: People of lowly character or small ability don’t, and can’t, understand the thought processes and ambitions of those with … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged birds, Chinese Antiquity, classical Japanese grammar, 燕雀, 鴻鵠, large small, Records of the Grand Historian, understanding, 史記, 史记, 安くんぞ
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Now I’m caught on the phrase “ear-spoon.”
Counterpoint: 杓子は耳掻きにならず (Shakushi wa mimikaki ni narazu; “A ladle can not be used as an ear-spoon.”) Definition: This saying directly opposes last week’s 大は小を兼ねる. It declares that a larger thing can not necessarily fulfill the role of a smaller one, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged don't overdo it, ear-spoon, 耳掻き, ladle, large small, 杓子
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