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【No. 2132】Hi wo Miru yori mo Akiraka (火を見るよりも明らか - Completely Obvious)

Aug 23, 2023 19:31
Hi wo Miru yori mo Akiraka

Things that are completely obvious and beyond doubt are sometimes described as hi wo miru yori mo akiraka (火を見るよりも明らか) in Japanese.

Since hi (火) means "fire," miru (見る) means "to see," yori (より) means "more than," and akiraka (明らか) means "clear," the literal meaning of this phrase is "(something is) clearer than seeing fire."

If you see a burning fire, anyone can recognize it as "fire."

This expression means that something is clearer than that.

However, please note that this is often used in a negative context.
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【No. 2131】Expiration Date for Eggs

Aug 22, 2023 15:32
Expiration Date for Eggs

What would you do if you found expired eggs in the refrigerator?

In Japan, the typical expiration date for eggs, indicating the period during which they can be eaten raw, is set at about two weeks. However, if properly stored in the refrigerator, they can be eaten raw for about two months.

Interestingly, "Salmonella," contained in eggs and cited as the cause of food poisoning, hardly multiplies at temperatures below 10℃.

Nevertheless, it might multiply due to temperature changes and vibration by opening and closing the refrigerator, so caution is needed when storing eggs for long periods.

In addition, Salmonella is known to perish with heat.

Even if the expiration date has exceeded by several months, eggs that have been properly stored in the refrigerator without cracks can still be eaten by heating them.

【No. 2129】My Boom (マイブーム - My Latest Crazy)

Aug 21, 2023 02:27
My Boom

Do you have something that is currently trending for you personally?

That kind of trend is called my boom (マイブーム) in Japanese.

My boom is a Japanese-English expression combining "my" and "boom." While this expression is commonly used in Japan, native English speakers might not understand its meaning.

It can be translated into English as "my latest crazy" or "my current obsession," but these expressions may be a bit stronger compared to the nuance of the Japanese my boom.

Incidentally, my my boom is taking an open-air bath while gazing at the stars.

Last night was clear, and the lovely Delphinus constellation was distinctly visible.
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【No. 2130】Oku no Te (奥の手 - Last Resort)

Aug 21, 2023 20:01
Oku no Te

If you have a last resort that you do not easily show or teach others, it is called oku no te (奥の手) in Japanese.

Since oku (奥) means "inner," and te (手) means "hand," the literal meaning of oku no te is "inner hand."

Originally, oku meant "left," and oku no te meant "left hand."

In the past, Japanese people considered the left hand sacred and noble in Japan, and from this association, it came to convey the current meaning of "last resort" or "trump."

Oku no te is sometimes expressed as ōgi (奥義) or gokui (極意).
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【No. 2128】Yoin ni Hitaru (余韻に浸る - Basking in the Afterglow)

Aug 19, 2023 18:21
Yoin ni Hitaru

I recently finished a well-known epic video game.

I felt a great sense of accomplishment, then spent some time enjoying the afterglow while reflecting on the story.

Spending time like this is called yoin ni hitaru (余韻に浸る) in Japanese.

Since yoin (余韻) means "lingering sound," and hitaru (浸る) means "to bask," the literal meaning of this idiom is "to bask in the lingering sound."

While yoin ni hitaru can be used to mean this literally, it is often used metaphorically to mean "to bask in the afterglow" or "to savor the lingering emotions."
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【No. 2127】Minoru hodo Kōbe wo Tareru Inaho kana (実るほど頭を垂れる稲穂かな - The Boughs That Bear most Hang Lowest)

Aug 18, 2023 16:00
Minoru hodo Kōbe wo Tareru Inaho kana

The more one grows in learning and skill, the more one becomes humble.

The Japanese proverb, minoru hodo kōbe wo tareru inaho kana (実るほど頭を垂れる稲穂かな), express this thought.

Since minoru (実る) means "to grow," hodo (ほど) means "the more," kōbe (頭) means "head," tareru (垂れる) means "to lower," and inaho (稲穂) means "ear of rice," the literal meaning of this proverb is "the more ears of rice grow, the more their heads lower."

In other words, this proverb links a person becoming more humble as they grow to the ear of rice bowing lower with the weight as they grow.
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【No. 2126】Se-no (せーの - One, Two, Three)

Aug 17, 2023 11:56
Se-no

In Japan, when several people are lifting something heavy or taking the same action together, they often say 'se-no!' (せーの！).

Similarly, isse-no-se (いっせーのーせ) and isse-no-de (いっせーのーで) are often used (where issei (一斉) means "all together"), and se-no is believed to be short for these calls.

Other common calls when doing something together include ichi ni no san (いちにのさん - meaning "one, two, and three").

Also in English, the call "one, two, three" (or "three, two, one") is a common way to synchronize actions.

Othe English common calls include "ready, set, go" and "here we go."
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【No. 2125】HikiNEET (ヒキニート - Social Withdrawal and NEET)

Aug 16, 2023 17:49
HikiNEET

Yesterday, I introduced the term hikikomori (引きこもり), which means people who withdraw into their homes or rooms and rarely go outside.

In addition to being a hikikomori, if the one is also a "NEET," these terms can be combined as hikiNEET (ヒキニート).

NEET is an acronym for "Not in Education, Employment, or Training" and refers to people who are neither students nor employed and are not receiving vocational training.

Hikikomori and NEET are sometimes confused because of their lack of independence, but their definitions are distinctly different.

【No. 2124】Hikikomori (引きこもり - Social Withdrawal)

Aug 15, 2023 17:46
Hikikomori

People who withdraw into their homes or rooms and rarely go outside are called hikikomori (引きこもり) in Japanese.

The term hikikomori is derived from hiki (引き - meaning "withdrawal") and komori (こもり - meaning "seclusion").

Japan has a large number of hikikomori, and according to a 2023 survey by the Cabinet Office, it is estimated that about 1.46 million people aged 15-64 (approximately 2% of the population) are in a state of a long-term hikikomori.

I am often in a state of a short-term hikikomori on my days off.

Lately, even in a video game (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom), I have been withdrawing into the underground and avoiding coming out. In a way, I am a hikikomori in a double sense.
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【No. 2123】Gei wa Mi wo Tasukeru (芸は身を助ける - Art Brings Bread)

Aug 14, 2023 22:14
Gei wa Mi wo Tasukeru

Do you have a special skill that you can take pride in?

Such a skill can help you when you least expect it sometimes.

The Japanese proverb, gei wa mi wo tasukeru (芸は身を助ける), reflects this fact.

Since gei (芸) means "(artistic) skill," mi (身) means "body," and tasukeru (助ける) means "to help," gei wa mi wo tasukeru literally means "Your skill helps you."

Instead of tasukeru, its literal form, tasuku (助く), can also be used, as in gei wa mi wo tasuku (芸は身を助く).

Hone your special skills for the future.
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【No. 2122】Sanmai/Zanmai (三昧 - Indulgence)

Aug 13, 2023 16:51
Sanmai/Zanmai

When concentrating on something and doing nothing but that, you can use the Japanese term, sanmai/zanmai (三昧).

Sanmai is a Buddhist term that means to concentrate one's mind on a single object.

The term sanmai is rarely used on its own and is usually attached to the stem of a noun, where it is read as zanmai.

For example, you can use it as in gēmu zanmai (ゲーム三昧) when you are engrossed in playing games, or dokusho zanmai (読書三昧) when you are absorbed in reading.

In addition, by using the term, zeitaku (贅沢 - meaning "luxury"), as in zeitaku zanmai (贅沢三昧), it conveys the meaning of "indulging in luxury."
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【No. 2121】Kangeki wo Nū (間隙を縫う - Making Effective Use of Spare Time)

Aug 12, 2023 20:15
Kangeki wo Nū

The Japanese idiom, kangeki wo nū (間隙を縫う), refers to doing something while passing through a small gap between things.

Since kangeki (間隙) means "gap," and nū (縫う) means "to pass through," the literal meaning of kangeki wo nuu is "to pass through a gap."

This idiom is a little formal, and in actual conversation, the term sukima zikan (スキマ時間 - meaning "spare time") is often used instead of kangeki (間隙), as in sukima zikan wo katsuyō suru (スキマ時間を活用する - meaning "to make effective use of spare time").

A few days ago, I started playing "Pikumin 4," which reminded me of the importance of sukima jikan.
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【No. 2120】A Gift of a Tractor

Aug 11, 2023 14:41
A Gift of a Tractor

Slack displays various congratulatory messages when there are no unread messages.

In the English (US) version of Slack, I found some interesting messages as follows:

"You're all read. Here's a pony."

"You're all read. Here's a tractor."

I believe that a pony, as something given for birthdays, is commonly known in the West.

However, I could not quite understand the meaning of giving a tractor.

Could it be that a "pony" and a "tractor" represent something delighted to receive for girls and boys/men, respectively?

Incidentally, in the English (UK) version of Slack, a "unicorn" is used instead of a "pony."

【No. 2119】Tamahyun (タマヒュン - Stomach Drop)

Aug 10, 2023 12:13
Tamahyun

When playing "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," I frequently encounter a phenomenon called tamahyun (タマヒュン).

Since tama (タマ) is a slang term for "balls/testicles," and hyun (ヒュン) is an onomatopoeic word representing that something shrinks, the literal meaning of tamahyun is "one's balls shrink."

Have you ever felt a sensation like your stomach shrinking when watching a video of someone working at great heights or falling from a high place in a game?

The sensation is known colloquially as tamahyun.

It is unclear whether the testicles actually shrink or not, but at least for men, we feel as if they are.

【No. 2118】Ikitsuke (行きつけ - Regular)

Aug 9, 2023 09:24
Ikitsuke

I go to a nearby hot spring two to three times a week.

You can use the Japanese term, ikitsuke (行きつけ), to describe such a facility, shop, or restaurant, that you frequently visit.

Since iki (行き) means "go," and tsuke (つけ) means "always," the literal meaning of ikitsuke is "always go."

This term is often used for restaurants or hair salons, and it is especially fitting for cases where you are familiar with the staff or owner.

For a hospital or dental clinic that you always visit (or the doctor there), you can use kakari (かかり - meaning "be treated") and say kakaritsuke (かかりつけ).

【No. 2117】Atosaki Kangaezu (後先考えず - Without Considering the Consequences)

Aug 8, 2023 12:43
Atosaki Kangaezu

Yesterday, while in a state described as atosaki kangaezu (後先考えず), I purchased an expensive game console.

Since ato (後) means "after," saki (先) means "before/future," kangae/kangaeru (考え/考える) means "to consider," and zu (ず) is a negative suffix, atosaki kangaezu literally means "without considering before or after."

Acting without considering past experiences or future consequences could lead to failure and regret.

However, it is also not good to just keep thinking without taking any action.

I believe that balance is the key to everything.
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【No. 2116】Hanabi (花火): Part 2

Aug 7, 2023 14:45
Hanabi: Part 2

In Japan, omocha hanabi (おもちゃ花火) is also common.

Since omocha means "toy," the literal meaning of omocha hanabi is "toy fireworks."

Among the various typed of omocha hanabi, especially senkō hanabi (線香花火) is fleeting and beautiful.

Since senkō (線香) means "incense stick," the literal meaning of senkō hanabi is "incense stick fireworks."

It is said that the name senkō hanabi comes from the fact that people used to play with them by standing them up like an incense stick (now, they are used by hanging the tips down).

Senkō hanabi (known as "sparkler") uses a small amount of black powder, and it allows you to enjoy various burning patterns over time and with changes in temperature.

【No. 2115】Hanabi (花火): Part 1

Aug 6, 2023 15:13
Hanabi: Part 1

Last night, I watched hanabi (花火) through the window of my workplace.

The characters hana (花) and bi/hi (火) mean "flower" and "fire," respectively, so the literal meaning of hanabi is "flower fire," but it actually refers to "fireworks."

It is believed that they are named hanabi because they are as if flowers blooming in the night sky.

In addition, if you switch the characters hana and bi/hi and say hibana (火花), it means "spark" or "finely scattered fire."

You can also say that hanabi contain hibana of various colors and shapes.
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【No. 2114】Būmeran ga Sasaru (ブーメランが刺さる - Boomeranging)

Aug 5, 2023 21:58
Būmeran ga Sasaru

Have you ever experienced a situation where your criticism or advice to others has come straight back to you?

In such situations, you can use the slang phrase, būmeran ga sasaru (ブーメランが刺さる) or simply būmeran (ブーメラン).

Since būmeran means "boomerang," and sasaru (刺さる) means "to stick," the literal meaning of būmeran ga sasaru is "a boomerang sticks (to oneself)."

As you can imagine, this phrase is a metaphor where your words come back to you like a boomerang.

Especially when a harsh criticism boomerangs back to you, you can use the term tokudai būmeran (特大ブーメラン - meaning "an extra-large boomerang").
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【No. 2113】Surume Gē (スルメゲー)

Aug 4, 2023 20:56
Surume Gē

Recently, I came across the term surume gē (スルメゲー).

Since surume (スルメ) means "dried squid," and gē is an abbreviation for gēmu (ゲーム - meaning "game"), the literal meaning of surume ge is "dried squid game."

It does not mean a game where you manipulate dried squid.

Just like dried squid, which tastes better the more you chew it, surume gē refers to an attractive game that becomes more fun the more you play it, even if it is not fun at first.

Similarly, a song that becomes more appealing the more you listen to it is called surume kyoku (スルメ曲 - literally means "dried squid song").