Skip to content

Essay

【No. 1984】Torikoshi Kurō (取り越し苦労 - Worrying about Nothing)

Oct 1, 2021 19:48
Torikoshi Kurō

I got the second vaccine of COVID-19 today.

It is said that there are strong vaccine adverse reactions, so I am very worried about that.

However, there may not be any adverse reactions.

As in this situation, concerning unnecessarily about something that no one knows what will happen is called torikoshi kurō (取り越し苦労) in Japanese.

Since torikoshi (取り越し) means "bringing forward something" and kuro (苦労) means "trouble," torikoshi kurō literally means "bringing forward trouble."

This phrase can be translated into English as "worrying about nothing."
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1983】Issen wo Warau Mono wa Issen ni Naku (一銭を笑う者は一銭に泣く - Take Care of the Penny)

Sep 30, 2021 18:19
Issen wo Warau Mono wa Issen ni Naku

In yesterday's post, I introduced the Japanese proverb, ichi-en wo warau mono wa ichi-en ni naku (一円を笑うものは一円に泣く), which means that you should not treat money carelessly, even if it is a very small amount.

This proverb was originally used sen (銭) instead of en (円), as in issen wo warau mono wa issen ni naku (一銭を笑う者は一銭に泣く).

Sen is the old Japanese currency unit, and one hundred sen equals one yen.

However, following the law enacted in 1953, the currency unit sen was suspended, and the yen became the smallest currency unit in Japan.

It can be considered that the above proverb has changed according to this change in era.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1982】Ichi-en wo Warau Mono wa Ichi-en ni Naku (一円を笑うものは一円に泣く - Take Care of the Penny)

Sep 29, 2021 08:49
Ichi-en wo Warau Mono wa Ichi-en ni Naku

You should not treat money carelessly, even if it is a very small amount.

To explain this fact, you can use the Japanese proverb, ichi-en wo warau mono wa ichi-en ni naku (一円を笑うものは一円に泣く).

Since ichi (一) means "one," yen (円) is the Japanese currency unit, warau (笑う) means "laugh," mono (もの) means "person," naku (泣く) means "cry," the literal meaning of this proverb is "Someone who laughs at one yen will cry at one yen."

In other words, this proverb says that
if you treat one yen carelessly, you will be in trouble for that someday.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1981】Ten Takaku Uma Koyuru Aki (天高く馬肥ゆる秋 - Autumn with the Sky Clear and Blue, and Horses Growing Stout)

Sep 28, 2021 10:58
Ten Takaku Uma Koyuru Aki

Comfortable weather in autumn is sometimes described as ten takaku uma koyuru aki (天高く馬肥ゆる秋) in Japanese.

Since ten (天) means "sky," takaku (高く) means "high," uma (馬) means "horse," koyuru (肥ゆる) means "to grow fat," and aki (秋) means autumn, the literal meaning of ten takaku uma koyuru aki is "Autumn, when the sky is high, and horses grow fat."

In autumn, you will feel the sky is high due to the clear air.

In addition, in this harvest season, horses will have a good appetite and grow fat.

In other words, this phrase represents the comfort of such autumn.

This phrase came from a traditional Chinese saying and was initially used to warn that looting was likely to occur in autumn.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 1980】Chikuba no Tomo (竹馬の友 - A Childhood Friend)

Sep 27, 2021 19:15
Chikuba no Tomo

Do you have a childhood friend?

A childhood friend is sometimes called chikuba no tomo (竹馬の友).

Chiku (竹) means "bamboo," ba (馬) means "horse," and chikuba (竹馬) is a toy with the shape of a horse's head attached to the tip of a bamboo; children play on it.

In addition, tomo (友) means "friend."

That is to say, chikuba no tomo means a friend who has played with chikuba since childhood, that is, a childhood friend.

This phrase came from a Chinese historical event.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1979】En no Shita no Chikaramochi (縁の下の力持ち - Power Behinds the Scenes)

Sep 26, 2021 10:24
En no Shita no Chikaramochi

A person who works hard for someone else behind the scenes is called en no shita no tikaramochi (縁の下の力持ち) in Japanese.

Since en (縁) means "veranda-like porch," shita (下) means "under," and chikaramochi (力持ち) means "powerful person," the literal meaning of en no shita no chikaramochi is "a powerful person under the veranda-like porch."

The pillar under the veranda-like porch is not noticeable, but it has a very important role in supporting the porch.

For this reason, en no shita no chikaramochi came to have its current meaning.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1978】Okuba ni Mono ga Hasamaru (奥歯に物が挟まる - Playing Words Games)

Sep 25, 2021 09:47
Okuba ni Mono ga Hasamaru

When someone doesn't say what he/she are thinking clearly, the way of speaking can be described as okuba ni mono ga hasamaru (奥歯に物が挟まる) in Japanese.

Since oku (奥) means "back," ba/ha (歯) means "tooth," mono (物) means "thing," and hasamaru (挟まる) means "to get stuck," the literal meaning of okuba ni mono ga hasamaru is "something gets stuck between one's back teeth."

This phrase came from the fact that when something gets stuck in your back teeth, you can't speak clearly.

In most cases, this phrase is used with youna (ような - meaning "as if"), for example, okuba ni mono ga hasamatta youna iikata wo suruna (奥歯に物が挟まったような言い方をするな - "Don't speak as if something gets stuck in your back teeth.")
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1977】Ichinan Satte Mata Ichinan (一難去ってまた一難 - )

Sep 24, 2021 08:28
Ichinan Satte Mata Ichinan

When misfortunes or difficulties come one after another with no time to rest, you can describe such a situation as ichinan satte mata ichinan (一難去ってまた一難) in Japanese.

Since ichi (一) means "one," nan (難) means "difficulty/misfortune," satte (去って) means "pass away," and mata (また) means "again," ichinan satte mata ichinan literally means "one misfortune passed away, but another one came."

You can translate this phrase into English as "Misfortunes never come alone" or "Out of frying pan into the fire."
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1976】Nakute Nanakuse Atte Shijūhakkuse (なくて七癖あって四十八癖 - Every Man Has His Own Peculiarities)

Sep 23, 2021 14:10
Nakute Nanakuse Atte Shijūhakkuse

In yesterday's post, I introduced the proverb nakute nanakuse (なくて七癖), which means that everyone has some habits, even if you think you have no habits.

You can also add atte shijūhakkuse (あって四十八癖) to this proverb and say nakute nanakuse atte shijūhakkuse (なくて七癖あって四十八癖).

Since atte (あって) means "have" and shijūha/shijūhachi (四十八) means "forty-eight," the literal meaning of atte shijūhakkuse is "people having habits have forty-eight habits."

Here, shijūha/shijūhachi (四十八 - meaning "forty-eight") is just used to express a large number, and there is no meaning to the specific number "forty-eight."

In other words, this proverb means that everyone has more habits than they think.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1975】Nakute Nanakuse (なくて七癖 - Every Man Has His Own Peculiar)

Sep 22, 2021 19:12
Nakute Nanakuse

Do you have any habits?

Even if you think you don't have any habits, some will be found.

To explain this fact, you can use the proverb nakute nanakuse (なくて七癖).

Since nakute (なくて) means "don't have," nana (七) means "seven," and kuse (癖) means "habit," the literal meaning of nakute nanakuse is "(even) people with no habits have seven habits."

Here, nana (七 - meaning "seven") is just used to rhyme with na in nakute, and there is no meaning to the specific number "seven."
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 1974】Tetsu wa Atsui uchi ni Ute (鉄は熱いうちに打て - Strike while the Iron Is Hot)

Sep 21, 2021 14:10
Tetsu wa Atsui uchi ni Ute

You should never miss the appropriate time to do something.

To explain this lesson, you can use the proverb tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute (鉄は熱いうちに打て).

Since tetsu (鉄) means "iron," atsui uchi (熱いうち) means "while something is hot," and ute (打て) means "strike," the literal meaning of tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute is "Strike while the iron is hot."

This proverb came from the West and came to have the above meaning because you need to forge iron while it is hot and soft.

However, the Japanese version of this proverb also means that it is better to train while young.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1973】Se ni Hara wa Kaerarenu (背に腹はかえられぬ - Necessity Knows No Law)

Sep 20, 2021 10:00
Se ni Hara wa Kaerarenu

To protect something important, some sacrifice may be inevitable.

To explain this fact, you can use the Japanese proverb, se ni hara wa kaerarenu (背に腹はかえられぬ).

Since se (背) means "back," hara (腹) means "abdomen," and kaerarenu (変えられぬ) means "can't be replaced," the literal meaning of this proverb is "your abdomen can't be replaced with your back."

In other words, you can't sacrifice your abdomen containing your vital organs in order to avoid sacrificing your back.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1972】Hitosujinawa de wa Ikanai (一筋縄ではいかない - Being Never Easy)

Sep 19, 2021 10:43
Hitosujinawa de wa Ikanai

When a standard way of doing something does not work, it can be described as hitosujinawa de wa ikanai (一筋縄ではいかない) in Japanese.

Since hito (一) means "one," suji (筋) is a counter suffix, and nawa (縄) means "rope," the literal meaning of hitosujinawa (一筋縄) is "one rope."

A rope can be used as a simple tool, so hitosujinawa came to mean "a standard way."

If you add the negative term ikanai (いかない) and say hitosujinawa de wa ikanai, you can get the above meaning.

In almost all cases, the word hitosujinawa is used with the negative term.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1971】Ahoge (アホ毛 - Cowlick)

Sep 18, 2021 09:47
Ahoge

In yesterday's post, I introduced the word ahoge (あほ毛), which means "stray hair."

This word is well known and used in the beauty industry.

On the other hand, ahoge (アホ毛) is also often used in recent Japanese anime and manga.

The ahoge here is not "stray hair," but "a bundle of hairs that pop out from the surface of one's hair."

It is sometimes described as shokkaku (触覚 - meaning "antenna").

Incidentally, in the field of anime and manga, aho in ahoge is almost always written as アホ in katakana.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 1970】Ahoge (あほ毛 - Stray Hair)

Sep 17, 2021 18:40
Ahoge

When you set your hair, some short hairs may pop out from the surface of your hair. Such hairs are called ahoge (あほ毛) in Japanese.

Since aho (あほ) is an abbreviation for ahou (阿呆), which means "fool," and ge/ke (毛) means "hair," the literal meaning of ahoge is "fool hair."

The etymology of this word is not very clear, as it is a youth word that has been spread out of nowhere. However, it could be simply due to the fact that such hairs make you look like a fool.

You can also say ukige (浮き毛) instead of ahoge, by using uki (浮き meaning "floating").
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 1969】Chikokuma (遅刻魔 - Always Late)

Sep 16, 2021 13:19
Chikokuma

Unfortunately, there are several people around me who are called chikokuma (遅刻魔).

Chikoku (遅刻) means "late."

In addition, ma (魔) usually means "devil" or "demon," but it can also be used as a suffix that means "someone who is always do the same thing."

That is to say, chikokuma literally means "someone who is always late."

However, note that most Japanese people arrive at their destinations at least 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

Therefore, people who are called chikokuma in Japan have lost their trust around them.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 1968】Shuyaku wa Okurete Yattekuru (主役は遅れてやってくる - Heroes Always Show up Late)

Sep 15, 2021 17:51
Shuyaku wa Okurete Yattekuru

In most manga and anime, when some characters are in trouble, the main character or the hero often appears a little late to help.

To describe this classic scene, you can use the phrase shuyaku wa okurete yattekuru (主役は遅れてやってくる).

Since shuyaku (主役) means "main character," okurete (遅れて) means "late," and yattekuru (やってくる) means "to come," shuyaku wa okurete yattekuru literally means "the main character comes late."

This phrase is often used to describe a popular person who is late to a party.

You can also say hīrō wa okurete yattekuru (ヒーローは遅れてやってくる), by using hīrō (ヒーロー - meaning "hero").
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1967】Oyakōkō Shitai Toki ni wa Oya wa Nashi (親孝行したいときには親はなし - When One Would Be Filial, One's Parents Are Gone)

Sep 14, 2021 07:48
Oyakōkō Shitai Toki ni wa Oya wa Nashi

In yesterday's post, I introduced the proverb ishi ni futon wa kiserarezu (石に布団は着せられず), which means "when one would be filial, one's parents are gone."

To mean the same thing, you can also use the direct proverb, oyakōkō shitai toki ni wa oya wa nashi (親孝行したいときには親はなし).

Since oyakōkō (親孝行) means "being filial," shitai (したい) means "want to," toki (とき) means "when," oya (親) means "parent," and nashi (なし) means "nothing/gone," this proverb literally means "when you want to be filial, your parents are gone."

It also means that we should be filial to our parents as soon as possible so that we will not have regrets.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1965】Baka mo Yasumi Yasumi Ie (馬鹿も休み休み言え - Stop Talking Nonsense)

Sep 12, 2021 10:16
Baka mo Yasumi Yasumi Ie

When someone says many ridiculous things, the following phrase may help you.

Baka mo yasumi yasumi ie (馬鹿も休み休み言え).

Since baka (馬鹿) means "idiot/silly," yasumi (休み) means "rest," and ie (言え) is the imperative form of "to say," the literal meaning of baka mo yasumi yasumi ie is "Say something silly after getting rest."

In other words, this phrase means "Don't say many silly things continuously" and "You have to think more carefully before you say something."

This phrase is sometimes used in movies or comics, but it is rarely used in our real lives.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 1964】Tai mo Hitori wa Umakarazu (鯛もひとりはうまからず - The Company Makes the Feast)

Sep 11, 2021 11:59
Tai mo Hitori wa Umakarazu

Which do you prefer, eating alone or eating with someone?

In Japan, there is the proverb tai mo hitori wa umakarazu (鯛も一人はうまからず).

Since tai (鯛) means "sea bream," hitori (一人) means "one person," and umakarazu (うまからず) means "not delicious," the literal meaning of tai mo hitori ja umakarazu is "even sea bream is not delicious when you eat it alone."

Here, tai is a high-class fish in Japan, and is often served as a high-class dish.

That is to say, this proverb says that even a high-class dish is not delicious when you eat it alone.