Etymology – Learning English and Japanese

Real ‘Tanuki Neiri‘

Real ‘Tanuki Neiri‘ 本当の狸寝入り Previously, I introduced you to the term ‘tanuki neiri‘ (狸寝入り – literally “raccoon dog sleep”), which

Okkū 億劫 If you want to describe a feeling that you are not willing to do something because of bothersome,

Doji どじ I am probably a person called ‘doji‘ (どじ). 恐らく私は「どじ」です。 Doji means a stupid mistake or a person who

Inase いなせ We sometimes use the word ‘inase‘ (いなせ) to describe a gallant and fresh young man. 勇み肌でさっぱりしている若者のことを、「いなせ」と言うことがあります。 This word

Dobe and Biri 「ドベ」と「ビリ」 Yesterday, while playing Super Mario Party, I used the Japanese term ‘dobe‘ (ドベ), but its meaning

Monpe もんぺ A pair of work pants having a shape of hakama (袴 – somewhat like baggy pants that were

Abazure あばずれ Previously, I introduced you to the Japanese terms ‘otenba‘ (おてんば) and ‘jajauma,’ both of which mean a spirited

Busu ブス I do not like the Japanese term ‘busu‘ (ブス). 私は「ブス」という言葉が好きではありません。 Busu is an insulting slang term that refers

Furachi 不埒 Yesterday, I introduced you to the Japanese phrase ‘rachi ga akanai‘ (埒があかない – going nowhere). 昨日は「埒があかない」という言葉を紹介しました。 There is