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【No. 2174】Gaba Eimu (ガバエイム - Unsteady Aim)

Oct 4, 2023 20:14
Gaba Eimu

I sometimes get into a state called gaba eimu (ガバエイム).

Gaba eimu is a slang term used in FPS (First-Person Shooter) or TPS (Third-Person Shooter) to describe situations where you cannot hit the opponent with bullets at all.

Gaba (ガバ) is short for the onomatopoeic word gaba gaba (ガバガバ), describing that something is large and loose.

In addition, eimu (エイム) refers to "aim," which implies the ability to target accurately.

In other words, gaba eimu means "one's aim is loose and unsteady," indicating the above situations.
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【No. 2173】Zutsū no Tane (頭痛の種 - Headache)

Oct 3, 2023 21:06
Zutsū no Tane

The source of worries or cause of concerns is sometimes referred to as nayami no tane (悩みの種) in Japanese.

Since zutsū (頭痛) means "headache," and tane (種) means "seed,' the literal meaning of zutsū no tane is "seed of headache."

In this context, "headache" is used as a metaphor for "worry" or "concern."

In addition, tane also has the meaning of "cause of things," so zutsū no tane can be translated as "cause of worries or concerns."

If you have some zutsū no tane, it is best to address and remove them before the "seeds" sprout.
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【No. 2172】Kuro Rekishi (黒歴史 - Dark History): Part 2

Oct 2, 2023 20:59
Kuro Rekishi: Part 2

Originally, kuro rekishi was used in the anime "Turn A Gundam" to describe "the sealed war history from ancient times," and today, it has become a slang term to mean "the past you wish to forget."

Many people might have their own kuro rekishi from their junior high school days.

In fact, the embarrassing past I mentioned in yesterday's post happened when I was in my second year of junior high school.

It is believed that during the second year of junior high school, which is a period of adolescence, students tend to exhibit pretentious behavior and become self-conscious.

For this reason, people in such a state are sometimes called chū-ni byō (中二病), the literal meaning of which is "second year of junior high school syndrome."

【No. 2171】Kuro Rekishi (黒歴史 - Dark History): Part 1

Oct 1, 2023 11:58
Kuro Rekishi: Part 1

The "RPG Maker" series that allow you to create RPGs have been on a massive sale on Steam, so I bought the whole set.

Then, I suddenly remembered games I made with "RPG Maker" over 20 years ago and found my ancient website where I had introduced the games.

I was not only surprised that the website was still accessible, but I was also chilled by its embarrassing content.

To describe such one's embarrassing past that they wish to erase, you can use the slang term, kuro rekishi (黒歴史).

Since kuro (黒) means "dark," rekishi (歴史) means "history," the literal meaning of kuro rekishi is "dark history."
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【No. 2170】Iwazu Mogana (言わずもがな - Needless to Say)

Sep 30, 2023 14:10
Iwazu Mogana

When describing a situation where "something should not be said" or "something is needless to say," you can use the Japanese phrase, iwazu mogana (言わずもがな).

Since iwa/iu (言う) means "to say," zu (ず) is a negative suffix, and mogana (もがな) is a suffix expressing a wish, the literal meaning of iwazu mogana is "I wish it would not be said."

This expression, especially the mogana part, is old-fashioned and may not be commonly used by young people.

I personally like the traditional Japanese sounds that iwazu mogana has, so I would like to use it well.
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【No. 2169】Shicchaka Mecchaka (しっちゃかめっちゃか - Total Mess)

Sep 29, 2023 10:24
Shicchaka Mecchaka

I am currently in a state called shicchaka mecchaka (しっちゃかめっちゃか).

Shicchaka mecchaka is an expression that describes a confusion or chaos situation.

There are various theories about its etymology, but it is unclear exactly where it came from.

Personally, I believe that it might have derived from other terms like mecha kucha (めちゃくちゃ) or gucha gucha (ぐちゃぐちゃ), both of which describe a messy situation.

The etymology of mecha kucha is also unclear.

On the other hand, gucha gucha is an onomatopoeic word.

It could be that both shicchaka mecchaka and mecha kucha are onomatopoeic too.
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【No. 2168】Munatsuki Hacchō (胸突き八丁 - Make-or-Break Period)

Sep 28, 2023 22:38
Munatsuki Hacchō

The Japanese expression, munatsuki hacchō (胸突き八丁), can describe the most challenging period, in the process of accomplishing something.

Muna/mune (胸) means "chest," tsuki (突き) means "to thrust," and munatsuki (胸突き) refers to a slope that is so steep that one feels something thrusts their chest and cannot breathe.

In addition, ha/hachi (八) means "eight," chō (丁) refers to a unit of distance, and hacchō (八丁) is approximately 820 meters. However, in this context, it specifically refers to the remaining 820 meters to the summit of Mount Fuji.

This expression came from the fact that Mount Fuji has a steep path just before the summit, and people often feel the most pain there.
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【No. 2167】Kujū wo Nameru (苦汁を嘗める - Having a Bitter Experience)

Sep 27, 2023 08:28
Kujū wo Nameru

To have bitter experiences or unpleasant feelings can be described as kujū wo nameru (苦汁を嘗める) in Japanese.

Since ku (苦) means "bitter," jū (汁) means "juice," and nameru (嘗める) means "to lick," the literal meaning of kujū wo nameru is "to lick the bitter juice."

Licking something bitter is typically an unpleasant experience, which is why this idiom has its current meaning.

You can also use shinsan (辛酸 - meaning "hardship") instead of kujū (苦汁 - meaning "bitter juice") and say shinsan wo nameru (辛酸を嘗める), which holds a very similar meaning to kujū wo nameru.
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【No. 2166】Ha ni Kinu Kise nu (歯に衣着せぬ - Outspoken)

Sep 26, 2023 21:42
Ha ni Kinu Kise nu

The concept of speaking one's thoughts frankly without indirect expressions can be described as ha ni kinu kise nu (歯に衣着せぬ) in Japanese.

Since ha (歯) means "tooth," kinu (衣) means "clothes," kise/kiseru (着せ/着せる) means "to put on," and nu (ぬ) is a negative suffix, the literal meaning of this expression is "not to put clothes on one's teeth."

While you can't literally put clothes on your teeth, in this context, kinu is used as a metaphor for something that hides or adorns your teeth.

In other words, it implies that the teeth (and even the mouth) that are not hidden and adorned can speak frankly without any pretense.
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【No. 2165】Kajiba no Bakajikara (火事場の馬鹿力 - Fight-or-Flight Response)

Sep 25, 2023 09:59
Kajiba no Bakajikara

Have you ever shown unexpected power when faced with a critical situation?

Such power can be described with the Japanese idiom, kajiba no bakajikara (火事場の馬鹿力).

Since kaji (火事) means "fire," and ba (場) means "place," kajiba (火事場) translates to "place of fire."

In addition, while baka (馬鹿) typically means "stupid," it can also imply "extraordinary," and jikara/chikara (力) means "power," so bakajikara (馬鹿力) translates to "extraordinary power."

Therefore, the literal meaning of kajiba no bakajikara is "extraordinary power at the place of fire."

This idiom originates from a story where someone carried heavy furniture by themselves when their house was on fire.
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【No. 2164】Inishie (古 - Obsolete)

Sep 24, 2023 10:15
Inishie

When I use words that were popular several years ago, sometimes young people describe them as inishie (古), which shocks me.

Inishie refers to a distant past, and when used to describe other words, it implies that they are "obsolete."

The slang used by today's youth changes rapidly. Therefore, if you use slang terms that were popular just a few years ago, they might be referred to as inishie no kotoba (古の言葉 - "obsolete words"), and you could be treated as an old person.

Although inishie was originally used in formal and written language, it seems increasingly used in casual conversation among young people to emphasize that something is obsolete.

Note that it often carries a connotation of ridicule.

【No. 2163】Shūbun no Hi (秋分の日 - Autumnal Equinox Day)

Sep 23, 2023 12:33
Shūbun no Hi

Today, September 23rd, 2023, is Shūbun no HI (秋分の日 - "Autumnal Equinox Day") in Japan.

On This day, the length of day and night becomes almost equal, as on Shunbun no Hi (春分の日 - "Vernal Equinox Day"), around March 20th.

Shūbun no HI is a national holiday to honor ancestors and remember the deceased.

Therefore, Japanese people often visit graves and clean Buddhist altars around that day.

Incidentally, in 2023, three national holidays, including Shūbun no Hi, fall on Saturdays, making it a year with fewer holidays than usual.

【No. 2162】Sabusuku Binbō (サブスク貧乏 - Being Poor due to Subscriptions)

Sep 22, 2023 12:23
Sabusuku Binbō

How much do you use subscription-based services?

I have numerous subscription agreements, mainly for music, video, manga, and cloud services. However, I have realized that many of them are unnecessary.

This phenomenon, where one continues to spend money on unnecessary subscription-based services, is sometimes referred to as sabusuku binbō (サブスク貧乏) in Japanese.

Since sabusuku (サブスク) is short for "subscription," and binbō (貧乏) means "being poor," sabusuku binbō literally means "being poor due to subscriptions."

To avoid being sabusuku binbō, it is important to carefully consider whether or not the subscription-based service is truly necessary.
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【No. 2160】Dō ni Iru (堂に入る - Mastering Something)

Sep 20, 2023 12:58
Dō ni Iru

The Japanese idiom dō ni iru (堂に入る) refers to achieving proficiency in a study or skill.

This idiom is short for dō ni nobori te shitsu ni iru (堂に昇りて室に入る), which originated in the Analects of Confucius.

Dō (堂) means "front room," nobori/noboru (昇り/昇る) means "to go up," shitu (室) means "inner room," and iru (入る) means "to enter," making literal meaning of this phrase "to go up to the front room and enter the inner room."

In other words, the idea is that one's knowledge or skills have reached not just the superficial level but also a profound region.

In the Analects, the latter part is phrased as shitu ni irazu (室に入らず) in a negative context, which means that one's knowledge or skills have not reached a profound region.
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【No. 2159】Onaji Ana no Mujina (同じ穴の狢 - Birds of a Feather)

Sep 19, 2023 12:48
Onaji Ana no Mujina

Even if people seem unrelated, they can sometimes be kindred spirits with the same nature.

In such situations, the Japanese proverb, onazi ana no mujina (同じ穴の狢), can be used.

Onaji (同じ) means "same," ana (穴) means "hole," and mujina (狢) refers to either tanuki (タヌキ - "raccoon dog") or anaguma (アナグマ - "badger"). Therefore, the literal meaning of this proverb is "badgers in the same hole."

While badgers dig holes to live in, other badgers or raccoon dogs sometimes begin to live in the same hole without permission.

This is why onazi ana no mujina came to have its current meaning.

Note that this proverb is usually used in a negative context related to bad behavior.
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【No. 2158】Genkai Otaku (限界オタク - Excessive Otaku)

Sep 18, 2023 18:21
Genkai Otaku

A few days ago, I introduced the term oshi (推し), which means "my fave."

In the fandom world, there are enthusiastic fans whose love for their oshi leads them to say embarrassing or creepy things.

Such people are sometimes described with the slang term, genkai otaku (限界オタク).

Since genkai (限界) means "limit," and otaku (オタク) is typically translated to "otaku" or "nerd," the literal meaning of genkai otaku is "otaku at their limit."

In other words, this term means an otaku who has reached the limits of their emotion, human dignity, rationality, creepiness, and so on.
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【No. 2157】Koro Gyaku (コロ虐 - Korok Abuse)

Sep 17, 2023 18:37
Koro Gyaku

Soon after "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" was launched, an act called koro gyaku (コロ虐) became a hot topic on social media.

Since Koro (コロ) and gyaku (虐) are short for Korokgu (コログ - "Korok") and gyakutai (虐待 - "abuse"), respectively, the literal meaning of koro gyaku is "Korok abuse."

In this game, there are many side quests where players take the character "Korok" to his friend's location, using a variety of flexible items.

At this time, Korok is often unintentionally abused (i.e., 'koro gyaku'), such as being dropped from high places, thrown into the water, or dragged on the ground.

While some players seem to intentionally do koro gyaku, according to the game developers, it was expected that Korok would be treated as such.
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【No. 2156】Korogu Kōbun (コログ構文 - Korok's Sentence Structure): Part 2

Sep 16, 2023 12:20
Korogu Kōbun: Part 2

Yesterday, I introduced the Korogu kōbun (コログ構文 - "Korok's sentence structure"), which consists of 'mō tsukare chatte zenzen ugoke nakutē...' (もう疲れちゃって 全然動けなくてェ･･･ - meaning "I'm so tired, I can't move at all...").

Although Korok's line does not directly ask for help, it emphasizes his fatigue and inability to move, implicitly conveying a desire to be carried to his destination.

The relatability of the line and the roundabout way of not directly asking for help might have left a strong impression on game players and led to widespread recognition.

Incidentally, I have heard that this tone of speech is very similar to that of the development staff who handled Korok's part of the game.
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【No. 2155】Korogu Kōbun (コログ構文 - Korok's Sentence Structure): Part 1

Sep 15, 2023 16:25
Korogu Kōbun: Part 1

Recently, Korogu kōbun (コログ構文) is often used on social media.

Korogu (コログ - "Korok") is a fictional character in The Legend of Zelda series.

In addition, kōbun (構文) means "sentence structure," the literal meaning of korogu kōbun is "Korok's sentence structure."

In "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,' this character often says 'mō tsukare chatte zenzen ugoke nakutē...' (もう疲れちゃって 全然動けなくてェ･･･ - meaning "I'm so tires though. I can't move...").

This line has a somewhat distinctive sound in Japanese, and this type of sentence structure is called Korogu kōbun.
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【No. 2154】Egokoro (絵心 - Artistic Taste)

Sep 14, 2023 13:02
Egokoro

The hobby or knowledge of drawing, the sensitivity to understand art, or the desire to draw pictures is called egokoro (絵心) in Japanese.

Since e (絵) means "picture," and kokoro/gokoro (心) means "mind," the literal meaning of egokoro is "mind for pictures."

People often use the phrase egokoro ga nai (絵心がない - "have no 'egokoro'") to mean "bad at drawing" or "lacking artistic sense." However, based on the original meaning of egokoro, this phrase could also carry the nuance of "I do not like drawing."

Regardless of one's drawing ability, anyone who enjoys drawing or appreciating pictures has egokoro.