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Essay

【No. 2218】Chiikawa (ちいかわ)

Nov 17, 2023 19:53
Chiikawa

Have you heard of Chiikawa (ちいかわ), which has become a social phenomenon in Japan.

Chiikawa, also known as Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu, is a very popular manga drawn by illustrator Nagano. It has been seriezed on X(Twitter) since 2020.

Nanka (何か) means "something," chiisaku/chiisai (小さく/小さい) means "small," kawaii (かわいい) means "cute," and yatsu (やつ) means "guy" or "something." Therefore, the literal meaning of the title is "something small and cute."

The surreal combination of adorable characters and realistic, absurd stories is believed to be one of the reasons for its popularity.

My favorite character in Chiikawa is Hachiware (ハチワレ), who looks like a cat.
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【No. 2217】Gonyo Gonyo (ごにょごにょ - Mumbling)

Nov 16, 2023 19:54
Gonyo Gonyo

The Japanese onomatopoeic word gonyo gonyo (ごにょごにょ) can describe a situation where someone is mumbling something, and it is not clearly audible.

When you are hesitant to say something clearly or lack confidence, you will speak in the manner of gonyo gonyo.

There are other onomatopoeic words to describe unclear speech, such as boso boso (ぼそぼそ), butsu butsu (ぶつぶつ), and mogo mogo (もごもご).

Boso boso represents a situation where someone speaks in a small voice that is difficult to hear.

Butsu butsu represents a situation where someone speaks complaints in a whisper.

Mogo mogo represents a situation where someone speaks or eats something without opening one's mouth.
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【No. 2216】Herikutsu (屁理屈 - Quibble)

Nov 15, 2023 17:43
Herikutsu

A sophistical argument or a logic that does not make sense is referred to as herikutu (屁理屈) in Japanese.

Since he (屁) means "fart," and rikutsu (理屈) means "logic," the literal meaning of herikutsu is "fart logic."

In this context, he is used as a metaphor for something trivial or worthless.

In other words, herikutsu implies a trivial or worthless logic.

You can use this term with verbs like iu (言う - meaning "to say") or koneru (こねる - meaning "to mix").

Be careful not to quibble all the time.
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【No. 2215】Funkotsu Saishin (粉骨砕身 - Breaking One's Neck)

Nov 14, 2023 17:50
Funkotsu Saishin

The four-character idiom funkotsu saishin (粉骨砕身) can be used to describe someone working or striving with all their might.

Since fun (粉) means "powder," kotsu (骨) means "bone," sai (砕) means "smash," and shin (身) means "body," the literal meaning of funkotsu saishin is "to grind one's bones to powder and smash one's body."

In other words, it implies that someone is working so hard with all their might that their bones and bodies are smashed.

Note that this is a metaphor, and if your bones are grinded to powder, you will die.
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【No. 2214】Kōya no Asatte (紺屋の明後日 - One of These Days Is None of These Days)

Nov 13, 2023 19:12
Kōya no Asatte

The Japanese phrase kōya no asatte (紺屋の明後日) can be used to describe that the promised due date is unreliable.

Kōya (紺屋) was used in the Edo period to refer to a dyer.

In addition, asatte (明後日) means "the day after tomorrow," so the literal meaning of kōya no asatte is "the day after tomorrow of a dyer."

Since a dyer's work was greatly affected by the weather in the process of drying cloth, their completion dates were often delayed.

Therefore, when the dyer mentioned "the day after tomorrow," it came to be regarded as unreliable, which led to the current meaning of this phrase.

【No. 2213】Dangan Tsuā (弾丸ツアー - Whirlwind Tour)

Nov 12, 2023 20:56
Dangan Tsuā

Today, I embarked on a dangan tsuā (弾丸ツアー) to visit four Doragon Quest Walk souvenir spots in Kagawa in a short time.

Since dangan (弾丸) means "bullet," and tsuā (ツアー) means "tour," the literal meaning of dangan tsuā is "bullet tour."

Here, a bullet is a metaphor for sightseeing in a very short period at a very rapid speed.

Such trips are quite popular in Japan due to the well-developed transportation system.

However, sometimes I wish I had enough time to enjoy the sight at a slower space.

【No. 2212】Tenparu (テンパる - Panic)

Nov 11, 2023 20:54
Tenparu

Today, my lab students participated in their first academic conference.

Both students and I were quite nervous, and one student was in a state described as tenparu (テンパる).

Tenparu is a slang term that describes a state of panic caused by nervousness or anxiety.

It originates from the mahjong term tenpai (聴牌), which refers to the state of being able to win with one more tile.

Originally, tenparu literally meant a state of readiness to win, however, now it has taken on a negative connotation, associated with the state of nervousness.
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【No. 2210】Omishiri Oki Kudasai (お見知り置きください - Pleased to Make Your Acquaintance)

Nov 9, 2023 21:31
Omishiri Oki Kudasai

When you meet someone for the first time and want them to remember you (or someone you have introduced), you can use the phrase omishiri oki kudasai (お見知り置きください).

O (お) is a polite prefix, mishiri (見知り) means "acquaintance," oki (置き) means "keep," and kudasai (ください) means "please." Therefore, the literal meaning of omishiri oki kudasai is "please keep me as your acquaintance."

This phrase is used in formal situations to convey respect to higher-ranking persons.

However, it may give an excessively formal impression.

If you want to express a softer impression and your desire to build a closer relationship, it will be better to use the more generic phrase, yoroshiku onegai shimasu (よろしくお願いします - meaning "I look forward to working with you").
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【No. 2209】Midori no Kurokami (緑の黒髪 - Raven-Black Hair)

Nov 8, 2023 13:25
Midori no Kurokami

A woman's beautiful, lustrous black hair can sometimes be described as midori no kurokami (緑の黒髪).

While midori (緑) usually means "green," here it means "freshness" or "glossiness."

In the past, midori meant "new growth," and from there, the above meanings were derived.

In addition, kuro (黒) means "black," and kami (髪) means "hair," so midori no kurokami literally means "fresh, grassy, beautiful black hair."

This expression is a compliment that implies youthfulness, but the nuance may not be conveyed to recent young women.
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【No. 2208】Honyarara (ほにゃらら - Blah Blah Blah)

Nov 7, 2023 21:16
Honyarara

The expression honyarara (ほにゃらら) can be used when you want to obscure words, read concerned text, or refer to unspecified things.

It is said that this expression has become popular from a Japanese quiz show about 40 years ago. In the quiz show, a host said honyarara to obscure the correct word of a quiz.

Originally, it appears the host frequently used words like honya (ほにゃ) or henara (へなら) on his radio program to blur words, and a journalist adopted them into honyarara in an article, which led to its use on the quiz show.

It can be translated into English as "blah blah blah" or "yada yada."
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【No. 2207】Mizu wo Mukeru (水を向ける - Providing an Opening)

Nov 6, 2023 18:25
Mizu wo Mukeru

The act of prompting someone to speak comfortably is sometimes expressed as mizu wo mukeru (水を向ける).

Since mizu (水) means "water," and mukeru (向ける) means "to direct," the literal meaning of mizu wo mukeru is "to direct water."

This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a miko (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to call up the spirits of the dead.

This act was equivalent to calling the spirits and making them speak, so mizu wo mukeru came to acquire its current metaphorical meaning.

【No. 2206】Omatsuri Kakaku (お祭り価格 - Festival Price)

Nov 5, 2023 16:20
Omatsuri Kakaku

Yesterday, I bought some yakisoba (fried noodles) at a university festival that was set at an omatsuri kakaku (お祭り価格).

Since omatsuri (お祭り) means "festival,' and kakaku (価格) means "price," the literal meanign of omatsuri kakaku is "festival prive."

Omatsuri kakaku is a phenomenon often seen at Japanese festivals and events where prices of foods and goods are set higher than usual.

Caught up in the festival's fun atmosphere or valuing the special experiences unique to the event, visitors tend to pay higher prices without thinking too much about them.

Please be careful that there may be cases where the omatsuri kakaku is unusually high.
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【No. 2204】Shichiten Battō (七転八倒 - Writhing in Pain)

Nov 3, 2023 12:09
Shichiten Battō

The concept of writhing or struggling in pain is described as shichiten battō (七転八倒).

Since shichi (七) means "seven," ten (転) means "to roll," ba/hachi (八) means "eight," and tō (倒) means "to fall down," the literal meaning of shichiten battō is "to roll seven times and fall down eight times."

In this context, both "seven" and "eight" are used as a metaphor for large numbers.

In other words, this four-character idiom describes a situation where one is so distressed that they roll and fall down repeatedly.
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【No. 2203】Nibe mo Nai (にべもない - Blunt)

Nov 2, 2023 23:16
Nibe mo Nai

People who are unsociable or blunt are sometimes described as nibe mo nai (にべもない).

Nibe (にべ - meaning "nibea mitsukurii") is the kind of fish belonging to the order Perciformes, known as a premium ingredient for kamaboko (a type of fish cake).

In the past, a glue material called nikawa (膠) was made from the large air bladder of the nibea mitsukurii.

Since the nikawa made from nibe had strong adhesive properties, nibe came to mean sociability or flattery. Later, by pairing it with the negative word nai (ない), the above expression nibe mo nai was coined.
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【No. 2202】Makaizō (魔改造 - Extreme Modification)

Nov 1, 2023 17:04
Makaizō

Japanese people are fond of makaizo (魔改造).

The slang term makaizō refers to the extensive modification of plastic models and toys, especially in cases where the modification deviated significantly from the original purpose or meaning.

Since ma (魔) means "devil," and kaizō (改造) means "modification," makaizō literally means "devilish modification."

There are various kinds of makaizo, such as changing human figurines' legs into wheels to make them movable or installing an electromagnetic acceleration mechanism in a toy that can shoot marbles (known as B-Daman) to make it more powerful.

You can also use the term makaizō for various things, such as food and beverages. Japanese ramen (originated in China) and Japanese curry (originated in India) are typical examples of makaizō.

In addition, the California Roll, a kind of sushi popular in the US, can also be considered as makaizō for Japanese sushi.

【No. 2201】Tarenagashi (垂れ流し - Streaming Continuously)

Oct 31, 2023 17:52
Tarenagashi

I often work while doing tarenagashi (垂れ流し) of YouTube videos or music.

Since tare (垂れ) means "dripping," and nagashi (流し) means "flowing," the literal meaning of tarenagashi is "dripping and flowing."

Originally, tarenagashi referred to the continuous release of undesirable fluids such as wastewater or excrement. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe the continuous streaming of videos or music.

Currently, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ONE PIECE anime, all episodes (1081 as of today) are being live-streamed repeatedly.

This streaming started on October 29 and will continue 24/7 for over a year, and I am now doing tarenagashi of this anime.

However, while memorable episodes are streamed, I often find myself pausing my work, reducing my productivity.
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【No. 2200】Itamiwake (痛み分け - Draw)

Oct 30, 2023 17:31
Itamiwake

In disuputes, when both sides suffer the same degree of damage or disadvantage without reaching a resolution, the situation is called itamiwake (痛み分け) in Japanese.

Since itami (痛み) means "pain," and wake (分け) means "to share," the literal meaning of itamiwake is "to share the pain."

Originally, this term was used in sumo wrestling to describe a match ending in a draw due to one or both sides getting injured.

Over time, it has also come to be used in various disputes.

Incidentally, in the game Pokémon, there is a move called itamiwake that calculates the combined HP of both Pokémon and divides it evenly between them.

【No. 2199】Nurugē (ヌルゲー - Easy Video Game)

Oct 29, 2023 16:51
Nurugē

Today, I completed "Super Mario Bros. Wonder."

It was a very rewarding and fun game.

This game provides various features for those who are not good at action games. For example, you can choose invincible characters, equip badges to enhance character abilities and cooperate with players online.

However, relying too much on these features could make this game nurugē (ヌルゲー).

Nurugē is short for nurui gēmu (ぬるいゲーム), the literal meaning of which is a lukewarm game, indicating an easy-to-clear game.

This slang term can be used to describe various easy situations in addition to games.
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【No. 2198】Nani wo ka Iwan ya (何をか言わんや - Having Nothing to Say)

Oct 28, 2023 14:07
Nani wo ka Iwan ya

When you are discouraged about something and have nothing to say, you can use the phrase, nani wo ka iwan ya (何をか言わんや).

Since nani (何) means "what," iwan (言わん) means "to say something," and ya (や) is a particle indicating an irony, the literal meaning of nani wo ka iwan ya is "What should I say? No, I have nothing to say."

Due to its archaic grammatical structure and sound, this phrase can create a more stern and elegant nuance than simply saying something like akireta (呆れた - meaning "I'm disgusted")
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【No. 2197】Akkerakan (あっけらかん - Being Quite Indifferent)

Oct 27, 2023 20:43
Akkerakan

I am sometimes in a state called akkerakan (あっけらかん).

The expression akkerakan describes a state of being so surprised or shocked by unexpected events that one does not move, or being in a daze and unconcerned about anything.

Akke/anke/ake (あっけ/あんけ/あけ) represents the state of having one's mouth wide open.

By adding the suffix ra (ら) to this, it became ankera (あんけら). Furthermore, another suffic kan (かん) was added, resulting in ankerakan (あんけらかん) and akkerakan.

Akkerakan came to have its current meaning from the image of having one's mouth wide open without movement.