Sihan Seiki (四半世紀 – Quarter-Century)
Sihan Seiki 四半世紀 Today, I found the expression ‘shihan seiki‘ (四半世紀) when reading a novel. 今日、小説を読んでいると「四半世紀」という言葉を見かけました。 ‘Shi‘ (四) means “four,”
Read More
Learning English and Japanese
For everyone learning English/Japanese
Month: February 2019
Yatsuatari (八つ当たり – Misdirected Anger)
Yatsuatari 八つ当たり Today, I did an act called ‘yatsuatari‘ (八つ当たり). 私は今日、「八つ当たり」をしました（反省しています）。 ‘Yatsuatari’ means that when you get angry with something,
Read More
Jigou Jitoku (自業自得 – Having It Coming)
Jigou Jitoku 自業自得 Yesterday, I introduced you to the Japanese idiom ‘boketsu wo horu‘ (墓穴を掘る), which means to make a
Read More
Boketsu wo Horu (墓穴を掘る – Digging One’s Own Grave)
Boketsu wo Horu 墓穴を掘る I sometimes do an act that is referred to as ‘boketsu wo horu‘ (墓穴を掘る) in Japanese.
Read More
ippai ippai (いっぱいいっぱい – Having One’s Hands Full)
Ippai Ippai いっぱいいっぱい I have been in a state called ‘ippai ippai‘ (いっぱいいっぱい). 私は今、「いっぱいいぱい」の状態に陥っています。 ‘Ippai ippai’ means that there is
Read More
Tsutsu Uraura (津津浦浦 – All Over the Country)
Tsutsu Uraura 津津浦浦 To describe “all over the country” or “throughout the land,” you can use the four-character idiom ‘tsutsu
Read More
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year 旧正月 Today is the eve of Chinese New Year. 今日は旧正月の大晦日です。 Chinese (Lunar) New Year is celebrated in
Read More
Ehoumaki (恵方巻 – Lucky Direction Roll)
Ehoumaki 恵方巻 February 3rd is ‘setsubun‘ (節分). 今日、2月3日は節分です。 Setsubun is the day before the beginning of spring (February 4th), and
Read More
Yuiitsu Muni (唯一無二 – One and Only)
Yuiitsu Muni 唯一無二 If you want to express something that is only one thing in the world, you can use
Read More