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【No. 2062】Kasumi wo Kū (霞を食う - Life in an Ivory Tower)

Jun 14, 2023 20:28
Kasumi wo Kū

The expression kasumi wo kū (霞を食う) is sometimes used as a metaphor for life in an ivory tower or life with almost no income and food.

Since kasumi (霞) means "haze," and kū (食う) means "to eat," the literal meaning of kasumi wo kū is "to eat haze."

In Japan, it is said that mountain hermits eat haze to live.

In other words, the expression kasumi wo kū describes people like mountain hermits beyond human beings.

In the near future, I may need to eat something like haze to live.
  • in Diary
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【No. 2061】Fūfu Genka wa Inu mo Kuwanu (夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬ - One should not Interfere in Lover's Quarrels)

Jun 13, 2023 15:59
Fūfu Genka wa Inu mo Kuwanu

Marital quarrels are easily triggered by trivial matters and tend to be quickly resolved.

Therefore, you need not worry too seriously about other couples' quarrels.

To express such a situation, you can use the Japanese proverb, fūfu genka wa inu mo kuwanu (夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬ).

Since fūfu (夫婦) means "married couple," kenka (喧嘩) means "quarrel," inu (犬) means "dog," kū/kuwa (食う/食わ) means "to eat," and nu (ぬ) is a negative suffix, the literal meaning of this proverb is "even dogs would not eat marital quarrels."

In other words, dogs eat most things, but even they are not interested in marital quarrels.
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【No. 2060】Omoitatta ga Kichijitsu (思い立ったが吉日 - There's No Time like the Present)

Jun 12, 2023 19:59
Omoitatta ga Kichijitsu

When you decide to do something, it is better to take action as soon as possible rather than put it off.

The Japanese proverb, omoitatta ga kichijitsu (思い立ったが吉日), explains such a fact.

Since omoitatsu (思い立つ) means "to decide," and kichijitsu (吉日) means "auspicious day," this proverb literally means "the day you decide to do something is an auspicious day."

In modern Japanese grammar, it may be more accurate to add hi (日 - meaning "day") and say omoitatta hi ga kichijitsu (思い立った日が吉日).
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【No. 2059】Kaeruka Genshō (蛙化現象 - Ick)

Jun 11, 2023 15:17
Kaeruka Genshō

Recently in Japan, the term kaeruka genshō (蛙化現象) is often used among young people.

Kaeruka genshō is a phenomenon once a person you like likes you (i.e., liking each other), you become disliked or lose intent in him/her.

Since kaeru (蛙) means "frog," ka (化) means "turn into," and genshō (現象) means "phenomenon," the literal meaning of kaeruka genshō is "turning into a flog phenomenon."

This phrase derives from "The Frog Prince" in "The Grimms' Fairy Tales.

It implies that the person you like comes to look like a frog, which you find disgusting.

(This phrase could mean something completely different for those who like frogs.)
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【No. 2058】Tatami no Ue no Kega (畳の上の怪我 - Out of the Blue)

Jun 10, 2023 20:26
Tatami no Ue no Kega

Although you believe that you are safe, you may unexpectedly get injured.

Such a fact that we cannot predict when and where we will encounter trouble or disaster can be described as the phrase tatami no ue no kega (畳の上の怪我).

Tatami (畳) refers to a traditional Japanese flooring material made of rush grass and straw; it is slip-resistant, stumbling-resistant, and effectively absorbs shock."と

In addition, ue (上) means "on," and kega (怪我) means "injury," so the literal meaning of tatami no ue no kega is "getting injured on a tatami."

In other words, getting injured on a tatami, which is believed to be safe, is tantamount to an unexpected disaster.
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【No. 2057】Kotoba no Aya (言葉の綾 - Figure of Speech)

Jun 9, 2023 12:09
Kotoba no Aya

Have you ever been in a situation where you used a complex expression that could be interpreted in several different ways and caused misunderstanding?

In such a situation, especially when the expression is misunderstood in a bad way, you can use the term kotoba no aya (言葉の綾) to explain the situation.

Since kotoba (言葉) means "words," and aya (綾) means "various shapes and patterns," the literal meaning of kotoba no aya is "words in various shapes and patterns."

Originally, this term mainly meant "skillful wording for a matter that is difficult to express." However, it is now usually used to mean "a complex expression that could be interpreted in several different ways."
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【No. 2056】Kotobajiri wo Toraeru (言葉尻をとらえる - Pouncing on Someone's Words)

Jun 8, 2023 20:37
Kotobajiri wo Toraeru

It is not good behavior to pick up someone's careless slip of the tongue and sarcastically criticize it.

This kind of behavior is called kotobajiri wo toraeru (言葉尻をとらえる) in Japanese.

Since kotoba (言葉) means "words," jiri/shiri (尻) means "bottom," and toraeru (とらえる) means "to catch," the literal meaning of this phrase is "to catch the bottom of someone's words."

The term kotobajiri (言葉尻) means "the last part of someone's words," but it can also mean "a slip of the tongue" and "verbal gaffe," which is why this phrase is used in the above meaning.
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【No. 2055】Mi wo Kogasu (身を焦がす - Consuming)

Jun 7, 2023 17:16
Mi wo Kogasu

Have you ever fallen in love with someone and suffered because of it?

Such a situation can be described as mi wo kogasu (身を焦がす) in Japanese.

Since mi (身) means "body," and kogasu (焦がす) means "to burn," the literal meaning of mi wo kogasu is "to burn one's body."

In other words, this phrase describes a strong feeling of love that makes you feel as if your body is burnt.

You can also use the other verb yaku (焼く - meaning "to burn") instead of kogasu and say mi wo yaku (身を焼く).
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【No. 2054】Jigoku no Icchōme (地獄の一丁目 - Edge of Hell)

Jun 6, 2023 21:27
Jigoku no Icchōme

Today could have been jigoku no icchōme (地獄の一丁目) for me.

This phrase is used to describe an entrance to ruin or hardship, or a very frightening place.

Since jigoku (地獄) means "hell," i/ichi (一) means "one," and chōme (丁目) describes a sub-division within a certain town in Japan, the literal meaning of jigoku no icchōme is "1, Hell Street."

The existence of "1, Hell Street" means that there is "2, Hell Street," and also implies that there is "3, Hell Street" and "4, Hell Street."

Therefore, "1, Hell Street" is the very beginning of hell.
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【No. 2053】Suteru Kami Areba Hirou Kami Ari (捨てる神あれば拾う神あり - When One Door Shuts Another Opens)

Jun 5, 2023 21:02
Suteru Kami Areba Hirou Kami Ari

When you are in trouble, some people may heartlessly leave you alone.

On the other hand, some people will kindly try to help you, so there is no need to be discouraged.

To describe such a fact, you can use the Japanese proverb, suteru kami areba hirou kami ari (捨てる神あれば拾う神あり).

Since suteru (捨てる) means "to discard," kami (神) means "god," and hirou (拾う) means "to pick up," the literal meaning of this proverb is "while some gods discard you, some gods pick you up."

This unique Japanese proverb derives from the belief that various gods exist everywhere in nature.
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【No. 2052】Rook to Bishop Four

Jun 4, 2023 10:58
Rook to Bishop Four

When watching the drama "Suits," I noticed the phrase "Rook to bishop four" was being used, with the Japanese subtitle ki wo sorasu noka (気を逸らすのか - meaning "distracting someone").

This phrase is thought to have originated as chess, but according to the internet, it was not a common idiom.

"Rook to bishop four" uses descriptive notation, an older system of chess notation. In this system, "bishop four" would refer to the fourth square where the bishop can move.

In algebraic notation, a modern system of chess notation, "rook to bishop four" would be "Rc4."

After all, the true intent of this phrase has not been clear, but I think it probably has a nuance of "strategic move" or "unconventional move."
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【No. 2051】Johnny-come-lately

Jun 3, 2023 15:29
Johnny-come-lately

When watching an American drama, I found the expression "Johnny-come-lately" was used.

According to my dictionary, it means a newcomer, a novice, or a late-comer.

Here, "Johnny" is a term of endearment for the common English given name for males, "John," which is also found in various other English expressions and has no specific meaning.

The term "Johnny-come-lately" is believed to have originated in British or American slang terms around the 17th to 18th centuries.

Originally, it had the meaning of ridicule or disdain and was used when a newcomer/novice/late-comer was unwelcome. However, it is now often used just to refer to such a person.
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【No. 2050】Hari no Mushiro (針のむしろ - Bed of Nails)

Jun 2, 2023 23:09
Hari no Mushiro

A bed of nails or a difficult situation with no rest at all is sometimes described as hari no mushiro (針のむしろ) in Japanese.

Since hari (針) means "needle" and mushiro (むしろ) means "matting," the literal meaning of hari no mushiro is "matting of needles."

This phrase now has the above meaning because it is too painful to sit on a matting with needles embedded in it.

The adverb mushiro (むしろ/寧ろ), meaning "rather" or "instead," has the same sound as the noun mushiro (むしろ/筵) in hari no mushiro, but these two are irrelevant.
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【No. 2048】The Meaning of Dog: Part 2

Jun 1, 2023 10:11
The Meaning of Dog: Part 2

In Part 1, I introduced several slang meanings of "dog" in Japan.

In English, "dog" has several slang meanings, such as "an unattractive person," "a worthless or contemptible person," "human foot," and "dude or fellow."

In Chinese, "dog (狗)" is used to describe a single man or woman in the form of "単身狗" (where "単身" means "single").

In Korean, "dog (개)" seems to have a meaning similar to the F-word in English.

There are various meanings of "dog" in different countries, but it seems to have mostly negative nuances, so we need to be careful when using it.

【No. 2049】Tsumi-gē (積みゲー - Stockpiling)

Jun 1, 2023 13:00
Tsumi-gē

Recently, the number of tsumi-gē (積みゲー) in my room has been increasing.

Tsumi-gē is a coined word that combines tsumi/tsumu (積み/積む - meaning "to be piled") and gē (ゲー - meaning "game"), referring to games that you have bought but not played and are piled up.

As you become an adult, you have more money but less time and energy to play games, so the tsumi-gē phenomenon is more likely to occur.

Incidentally, books that you have bought but not read are called tsun-doku (積ん読).

Here, doku (読) means "reading," and tsun-doku is a wordplay that implies the phrase tsunde oku/tsundoku (積んでおく/積んどく - meaning "I pile up something").
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【No. 2047】The Meaning of Dog: Part 1

May 30, 2023 21:17
The Meaning of Dog: Part 1

In my post yesterday, I used the phrase kaisha no inu (会社の犬).

The literal meaning of kaisha no inu is "corporate dog," but it actually means "corporate slave."

This is derived from the fact that Japanese people have an image of dogs as "obedient to their owners."

The Japanese word inu (犬 - meaning "dog") can also be used in another sense, such as "spy."

This is derived from the image of (police) dogs snooping around someone and reporting the results to their owners.

To be continued in part 2.
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【No. 2046】Shachiku (社畜 - Corporate Slaves)

May 29, 2023 16:40
Shachiku

I would like to believe that I am not a shachiku (社畜).

Shachiku is a slang term that combines the words kaisha (会社 - meaning "company") and kachiku (家畜 - meaning "livestock"), and it refers to people who work as if they were slaves for the company.

It literally means livestock-like people who are tamed by their companies.

To express the same meaning as shachiku, you can also use the word inu (犬) and say kaisha no inu (会社の犬).

It implies someone is an obedient dog that works for the company, always following orders without question.
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【No. 2045】Kyūshi ni Isshō wo Eru (九死に一生を得る - Having a Narrow Escape)

May 28, 2023 12:02
Kyūshi ni Isshō wo Eru

Have you ever survived a critical situation where the chances of survival were meager?

In such a situation, you can use the Japanese phrase kyūshi ni isshō wo eru (九死に一生を得る).

Since kyū (九) means "nine," shi (死) means "death," isshō (一) means "one," shō (生) means "life," and eru (得る) means "to get," the literal meaning of this phrase is "to get one life out of nine deaths."

In other words, if the same situation were to occur ten times, you would be dead nine times and survive only once. It is miraculous that you survived this time.
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【No. 2044】Muri ga Tōreba Dōri Hikkomu (無理が通れば道理引っ込む - Might Makes Right)

May 27, 2023 16:19
Muri ga Tōreba Dōri Hikkomu

If forceful, unreasonable demands pass, the reason or justification may be no longer valid.

To describe such a situation, you can use the Japanese proverb, muri ga tōreba dōri hikkomu (無理が通れば道理引っ込む).

Since muri (無理) means "unreason," tōre/tōru (通る) means "to pass," dōri (道理) means "reason," and hikkomu (引っ込む) means "to step back," the literal meaning of this proverb is "When unreasons pass, reasons will step back."

In other words, when strong power or authority forces unreasonable demands to pass through, the thoughts of reason and justification will step back.
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【No. 2043】Kishi Kaisei (起死回生 - Turnning Around a Hopeless Situation)

May 26, 2023 16:44
Kishi Kaisei

To recover from a hopeless situation and come back to life is called kishi kaisei (起死回生) in Japanese.

Since ki (起) means "to rise," shi (死) means "death," kai (回) means "to back," and sei (生) means "life," the literal meaning of this four-character idiom is "to rise from death and back to life."

Originally, this idiom literally meant a revival of the dead.

Now it has the meaning of recovering from a hopeless situation.

Incidentally, the idioms kishi (起死) and kaisei (回生) have the same meaning as kishi kaisei, respectively.