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【No. 2153】Oshi (推し - My Fave): Part 2

Sep 13, 2023 17:46
Oshi: Part 2

The term oshi (推し - "my fave") is widely used among young people in Japan and has various derivatives.

For example, when one supports their favorite idol or character in various ways or tries to promote them to others, it is called oshikatsu (推し活), with katsu (活 - meaning "activity").

Additionally, when one likes the entire group rather than a specific member, it is called hako oshi (箱推し).

Hako (箱) usually means "box," but in this context, it is a metaphor for the live music club where the idol groups perform.

Having something to be crazy about like oshi is nice, but be careful not to spend too much money.
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【No. 2152】Oshi (推し - My Fave): Part 1

Sep 12, 2023 12:26
Oshi

If you have a particular favorite member in an idol group or character in an anime, that is colloquially referred to as oshi (推し).

Oshi is an abbreviation of oshimen (推しメン), which is short for oshiteiru member (推しているメンバー - meaning "member you are recommending") or ichioshi no member (一推しのメンバー - meaning "most recommended member").

In other words, oshi represents a member you like so much that you want to recommend them to someone else.

Incidentally, currently in Japan, an anime/manga called Oshi no Ko (推しの子 - literally "My Fave's Children") is becoming popular.
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【No. 2151】Arigata Meiwaku (ありがた迷惑 - Misplaced Kindness)

Sep 11, 2023 19:29
Arigata Meiwaku

Have you ever felt inconvenienced by someone's actions of favor or kindness?

Such a situation can be described with the Japanese term arigata meiwaku (ありがた迷惑).

Since arigata/arigatai (ありがた/ありがたい) means "grateful," and meiwaku (迷惑) means "inconvenience," the literal meaning of arigata meiwaku is "grateful inconvenience."

In other words, it expresses a situation where one feels grateful for someone's intentions, but the actual action is inconvenient.

Too much goodwill may lead to arigata meiwaku, so think carefully before acting.
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【No. 2150】Shitashiki Naka ni mo Reigi Ari (親しき仲にも礼儀あり - Good Fences Make Good Neighbors)

Sep 10, 2023 16:16
Shitashiki Naka ni mo Reigi Ari

No matter how close the relationship, there are some etiquettes that should be observed.

The proverb, shitashiki naka ni mo reigi ari (親しき仲にも礼儀あり), expresses this notion.

Since shitashiki/shitashii (親しき/親しい) means "close," naka (仲) means "relationship," reigi (礼儀) means "etiquette," this proverb literally means "even in a close relationship, there is etiquette."

To build interpersonal relationships, we should treat everyone respectfully and be mindful of etiquette.

It is believed that this proverb derived from the "Analects" of Confucius.

【No. 2149】0-ji Machi (0時待ち - Waiting for Midnight)

Sep 9, 2023 22:59
0-ji Machi

Yesterday, I did '0-ji machi' (0時待ち - literally "waiting for 0 o'clock") at a highway service area.

On Japanese highways, tolls are discounted by 30% all day on holidays and from midnight to 4 a.m. on weekdays.

This discount applies to the entire section you traveled, if you drive on the highway even for a short period during the designated hours.

Therefore, just before midnight, transportation trucks often stop one after another in front of toll gates, causing traffic jams.

This is known as '0-ji machi', which has become a problem, especially on Tokyo's highways.
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【No. 2148】Sakushi Saku ni Oboreru (策士策に溺れる - Hoist with His Own Petard)

Sep 8, 2023 11:37
Sakushi Saku ni Oboreru

Even those who are good at devising strategies can sometimes rely too much on their plans and end up failing.

The proverb, sakushi saku ni oboreru (策士策に溺れる), illustrates this lesson.

Since sakushi (策士) means "strategist," saku (策) means "strategy," and oboreru (溺れる) means "to drown," the literal meaning of this proverb is "a strategist drowns in his own strategy."

In other words, it reminds us not to be too overconfident in our own abilities.

This proverb may be translated as the idiom "hoist with his own petard," originated from Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
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【No. 2147】Kusaki mo Nemuru Ushimitsu Doki (草木も眠る丑三つ時 - Witching Hour): Part 2

Sep 7, 2023 21:26
Kusaki mo Nemuru Ushimitsu Doki: Part 2

In Japan, it is believed that we should avoid going out between ushimitsu doki (丑三つ時 - referring to "2:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.") because ghosts and specters become active during that time.

In addition, it is also traditionally believed that we should not do practices like awase kagami (合わせ鏡 - meaning "two mirrors facing each other") or morishio (盛り塩 - meaning "pile of salt") during ushimitsu doki.

Similarly, in other countries, midnight is sometimes called "witching hour," and it is believed that witches, demons, and ghosts are most likely to appear during this time.

These are probably superstitions aimed at keeping people from being active at midnight. Regardless, it is best to sleep well at night for a healthy life cycle.
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【No. 2146】Kusaki mo Nemuru Ushimitsu Doki (草木も眠る丑三つ時 - Witching Hour): Part 1

Sep 6, 2023 22:11
Kusaki mo Nemuru Ushimitsu Doki: Part 1

The eerily silent midnight is sometimes described as kusaki mo nemuru ushimitsu doki (草木も眠る丑三つ時) or simply ushimitsu doki (丑三つ時) in Japanese.

Ushimitu doki is a way of expressing time in the Edo period, corresponding to the time between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. in today's terms.

In addition, kusaki (草木) means "plants and trees," nemuru (眠る) means "to sleep," so the literal meaning of kusaki mo nemuru ushimitsu doki is "2:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., when even plants and trees sleep."

It implies a silent dead of night as if even plants and trees are sleeping.
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【No. 2145】Aku ga Nukeru (灰汁が抜ける - Becoming Refined)

Sep 5, 2023 19:54
Aku ga Nukeru

The Japanese idiom, aku ga nukeru (灰汁が抜ける), describes that someone's personality or appearance loses its negative aspects and becomes refined.

The term aku (灰汁 - literally "lye") refers to the bitter, astringent, or harsh taste in food, and it is often removed in cooking to make the dish tastier.

In addition, nukeru (抜ける) means "to be removed," so the literal meaning of aku ga nukeru is "a bad taste is removed."

In other words, in this idiom, aku, the ingredients that make the dish taste bad, is a metaphor for the negative aspects of a person.
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【No. 2144】Giga ga Nai (ギガがない - Reached Data Limit)

Sep 4, 2023 23:51
Giga ga Nai

Many countries have data limitations or caps for smartphones.

Have you ever reached the data limit of your contracted plan?

In such situations, young Japanese people often say giga ga nai (ギガがない).

While giga (ギガ) originally refers to a prefix for a unit representing 10 to the ninth power, it is also a slang term for the amount of data traffic.

In addition, nai (ない) means "no/nothing," so the literal meaning of giga ga nai is "no data traffic," implying that you have reached the data limit.

The slang usage of giga originates from the fact that many Japanese mobile phone companies provide data plans in gigabyte units.

【No. 2143】Kansuto (カンスト - Maximum Value)

Sep 3, 2023 23:06
Kansuto

Today, I played a certain game a lot and reached kansuto (カンスト) score.

The term kansuto is short for kauntā sutoppu (カウンターストップ) or "counter stop" in English, which means a state where a player has reached the maximum level or score of a video game.

Since kansuto is a Japanese-English word and probably not understood by native English speakers.

In English, it can be expressed as "maximum value" or "maximum score."

Incidentally, the game in which I reached kansuto is Salmon Run in Splatoon 3.

【No. 2142】Sonae Areba Urei Nashi (備えあれば憂いなし - Better Safe than Sorry)

Sep 2, 2023 22:14
Sonae Areba Urei Nashi

If you are well-prepared in advance, you have nothing to worry about.

The proverb, sonae areba urei nashi (備えあれば憂いなし), expresses this concept.

Sonae (備え) means "prepare," areba (あれば) means "if," urei (憂い) means "worry," and nashi (なし) means "no/nothing," making literal meaning of this proverb "if you are prepared, you will have no worries."

Today, I conducted a trial lesson for high school students and was very worried because I was not prepared enough.

As expected, I could not handle some troubles well, and the lesson ended with a sad atmosphere.
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【No. 2140】Ore de Nakya Minogashi Chau Ne (オレでなきゃ見逃しちゃうね - Anyone Else would have Missed It)

Aug 31, 2023 11:01
Ore de Nakya Minogashi Chau Ne

The slang phrase, ore de nakya minogashi chau ne (オレでなきゃ見逃しちゃうね), is sometimes seen on the Internet.

This phrase originates from the famous Japanese manga "HUNTER×HUNTER," and the exact line is osoroshiku hayai shutō, ore de nakya minogashi chau ne (おそろしく速い手刀　オレでなきゃ見逃しちゃうね).

The English version is almost a direct translation: "The swiftest chop. Anyone else would have missed it."

In other words, it is a self-praising phrase that means, "I am amazing for noticing something that ordinary people would miss," and you can use this in various situations by changing the shuto (手刀 - meaning "chop") part.

If you notice something moving or changing very quickly, consider using this phrase.

Incidentally, the character who said this line does not have a name in the manga and is familiar to Internet users as danchō no shutō wo minogasa nakatta hito (団長の手刀を見逃さなかった人 - meaning "the person who did not miss the gang leader's chop.")
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【No. 2139】Hana wa Oritashi Kozue wa Takashi (花は折りたし梢は高し - So Near and yet So Far)

Aug 30, 2023 13:04
Hana wa Oritashi Kozue wa Takashi

The Japanese phrase, hana wa oritashi kozue wa takashi (花は折りたし梢は高し), can describe a situation where you want something but have no way to get it or things are not going your way.

Since hana (花) means "flower," ori/oru (折り/折る) means "to break," tashi/tai (たし/たい) means "want," kozue (梢) means "treetop," and takashi/takai (高し/高い) means "high," the literal meaning of this phrase is "want to break (a branch with) a flower, but the treetop is high."

It means you want to break and pick the branch with a flower, but the treetop is too high to reach.

This phrase carries a similar meaning to takane no hana (高嶺の花 - meaning "out of one's league"), which was introduced yesterday.
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【No. 2138】Takane no Hana (高嶺の花 - Out of One's League)

Aug 29, 2023 09:58
Takane no Hana

An attractive person (especially a woman) whom one cannot reach and can only admire from afar is called takane no hana (高嶺の花) in Japanese.

Since taka/takai (高/高い) means "high," ne (嶺) means "peak," and hana (花) means "flower," the literal meaning of takane no hana is "a flower on a high peak."

Even if a beautiful flower blooming on a high peak can be admired from afar, it is not easy to go and pick it.

In other words, this idiom is a metaphor for a woman whose character and appearance are too outstanding to be approachable, just like a flower on a high peak that is difficult to reach.
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【No. 2137】Eguchi (エグち - Outstanding)

Aug 28, 2023 12:45
Eguchi

The young people's term, eguchi (エグち), is sometimes used when something is outstanding, especially when praising it.

Eguchi is short for the phrase egusa no reberu ga chigau (えぐさのレベルが違う).

Egusa/egui (えぐさ/えぐい) is used to describe a taste that strongly stimulates the throat, and it is also used to describe something outstanding/awesome, mainly among young people.

In addition, reberu (レベル) means "level," and chigau (違う) means "different," so this phrase literally means "something has a different level of awesomeness."

Note that when writing it all in katakana as エグチ, it might become a MacDonald's menu item, eguchi (エグチ - short for "egg cheeseburger").
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【No. 2136】Me no Hoyō (目の保養 - Feasting to One's Eyes)

Aug 27, 2023 19:30
Me no Hoyō

The concept of enjoying looking at beautiful or pretty things can be described with the Japanese phrase, me no hoyō (目の保養).

Since me (目) means "eye," and hoyō (保養) means "refreshment," the literal meaning of me no hoyō is "refreshment for the eyes."

Originally, hoyō refers to the act of resting and maintaining one's body and mind in a healthy state.

This expression was coined from the fact that looking at beautiful or pretty things can be considered a way to rest one's eyes and keep them healthy.
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【No. 2135】Kyūso Neko wo Kamu (窮鼠猫を噛む - A Cornered Mouse Bites a Cat)

Aug 26, 2023 20:31
Kyūso Neko wo Kamu

When the weak are pushed into a desperate situation, they may fight back against the strong with all their might.

The proverb kyūso neko wo kamu (窮鼠猫を噛む) describes such a situation.

Since kyūso (窮鼠) means "cornered mouse," neko (猫) means "cat," and kamu (噛む) means "to bite," the literal meaning of this proverb is "a cornered mouse bites a cat."

Even when there is a difference in strength, as between a cat and a mouse, the mouse might defeat the cat if it becomes desperate in a critical situation.

In other words, this proverb contains two lessons: "Do not give up even if your opponent is strong" and "Do not guard down even if your opponent is weak."
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【No. 2134】Spoonerism: Part 2

Aug 25, 2023 17:04
Spoonerism: Part 2

One of my favorite spoonerisms in Japanese is gotsu gotsu no ahan (ゴツゴツのアハン).

The original phrase is atsu atsu no gohan (アツアツのごはん - meaning "hot rice"). It becomes gotsu gotsu no ahan by switching a (ア) and go (ご).

Gotsu gotsu (ゴツゴツ) is an onomatopoeic word that describes something rugged or someone with a rough appearance or character.

In addition, ahan (アハン) has the image of a line uttered by a sexy woman.

The combination of these two incongruous terms into gotsu gotsu no ahan results in a phrase with a humorous and unintelligible sound.
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【No. 2133】Spoonerism: Part 1

Aug 24, 2023 20:02
Spoonerism: Part 1

Have you ever heard of "spoonerism?"

Spoonerism is a type of wordplay or misspoken word in which several sounds are switched between two words in a sentence. This term is named after the Reverend William Archibald Spooner of England, famous for his frequent slips of the tongue.

For example, "A lack of pies" instead of "A pack of lies" or "bunny phone" instead of "funny bone."

There are various spoonerisms in Japanese as well, such as atu wa natsui (あつはなつい - meaning something like "hot is summer") instead of natsu wa atsui (夏は暑い - meaning "Summer is hot").