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【No. 2222】Kaishin (会心 - Satisfaction)

Nov 21, 2023 12:46
Kaishin

The Japanese term kaishin (会心) is used to describe the feeling of satisfaction when things turn out the way as one wants.

Kai (会) means "to satisfy," and shin (心) means "heart." Therefore, the literal meaning of kaishin is "to satisfy one's heart," which leads to the above meaning.

Kaishin is often used to modify a noun.

Here are some examples:

Kaishin no emi (会心の笑み) - A satisfied smile that naturally appears when things turn out as one wants.

Kaishin no saku (会心の作) - A satisfactory work when it has been done as desired.

Kaishin no Ichigeki (会心の一撃) - An effective blow that went exactly as desired. This expression is mainly used in the video game "Dragon Quest" series to mean "critical hit."
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【No. 2221】Takw wo Watta Yōna (竹を割ったような - Straightforward)

Nov 20, 2023 20:57
Takw wo Watta Yōna

A person who has a straightforward and unpretentious character is sometimes described as take wo watta yōna (竹を割ったような) in Japanese.

Since take (竹) means "bamboo," watta/waru (割った/割る) means "to split," and yōna (ような) means "like," the literal meaning of take wo watta yōna is "like splitting bamboo."

When you try to split bamboo into two vertically, it will split cleanly and straight.

From there, take wo watta yōna came to describe a personality or nature that is straight and refreshing.

【No. 2220】WarioWare: Move It!

Nov 19, 2023 17:29
Today, I completed the story mode of WarioWare: Move It!

The concept of the WarioWare series is saitan (最多 - "most"), saitan (最短 - "shortest"), saisoku (最速 - 'fastest'), featuring various minigames, also known as "microgames," each lasting about 5 seconds.

As the title "Move It!" suggests, this game is played by moving. By the way, the Japanese title is Chō Odoru (超踊る), which means "super dancing."

Since many of the games were played by holding the Joy-Con controllers and moving your body, it was tiring but fun.

In the story mode, when you run out of lives, a "Revival Ritual" occurs. Here, if you perform a little embarrassing pose called "Sacred Pose," you can revive.

In other words, if you can endure the embarrassment, you can continue the game.

【No. 2219】Chiikawa Restaurant (ちいかわレストラン)

Nov 18, 2023 09:46
Chiikawa Restaurant

Yesterday, I introduced Chiikawa (ちいかわ), a very popular manga in Japan.

The day before yesterday, Chiikawa Resutoran (ちいかわレストラン - "Chiikawa Restaurant") opened in Ikebukuro and became a hot topic.

At this restaurant, you can enjoy various decorations and meals related to Chiikawa.

On the same day, new Chiikawa goods related to the restaurant went on sale. However, many of them quickly sold out.

(I managed to buy a T-shirt with Hachiware designed on it and a luncheon mat.)

Chiikawa goods continue to be ejiki (餌食 - meaning "prey") for tenbaiya (転売屋 - meaning "resellers") today.

【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. 2211】Udon Prefecture

Nov 10, 2023 22:55
Udon Prefecture

I am currently on a business trip in Kagawa.

Kagawa is famous for udon (うどん - "wheat noodle"). It ranks first in Japan for both "udon ans soba consumption" and "number of udon and soba restaurants per 10,000 people."

Furthermore, the most common type of food service business in Kagawa is "udon and soba restaurants," followed by "coffee shops."

Because of these facts about udon, Kagawa is sometimes called "Udon Prefecture."

This name is sometimes used on the official website of Kagawa, which shows the prefecture's deep love for udon.

By the way, olives of Shodoshima Island in Kagawa are also very famous.
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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. 2205】University Festival 2023

Nov 4, 2023 16:40
University Festival 2023

Today, a university festival was held at my university.

In my laboratory, we introduced our studies to the visitors.

Since our room was located in the corner of the building, I expected that there would not be many visitors. However, we could hardly take a break for the six hours of the laboratory introduction.

The students looked exhausted, but I think it was a good experience for them.

When I went out of the building during lunchtime, I found many people were bustling about.

Then, I bought my lunch from a food stall, and as I expected, it was omatsuri kakaku (お祭り価格).

I will introduce the term omatsuri kakaku tomorrow.
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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.