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.
霞を食う

浮世離れした生活や、収入がなくほとんど何も食べずに生活することを、「霞を食う」という表現で喩えることがあります。

「霞」は "haze"、「食う」は "to eat" を意味するので、「霞を食う」の文字どおりの意味は "to eat haze" となります。

日本では、仙人は霞を食べて生きてるといわれています。

「霞を食う」という表現は、仙人のような超越した存在の比喩というわけです。

私も近い将来、仙人のようになる必要があるかもしれません。
No. 1 O-Star
  • Kasumi wo Kū (霞を食う - Life in an Ivory Tower)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Kasumi wo Kū
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • 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.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'kasumi' (霞) means "haze," and 'kū' (食う) means "to eat," the literal meaning of 'kasumi wo kū' is "to eat haze."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In Japan, it is said that mountain hermits eat haze to live.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In other words, the expression 'kasumi wo kū' describes people like mountain hermits beyond human beings.
  • In other words, the expression 'kasumi wo kū' describes people like mountain hermits who have transcended.
  • In the near future, I may need to eat something like haze to live.
  • In the near future, I may have to become like a mountain hermit to live.
Toru
Thank you for the correction!
O-Star
You're welcome!
No. 2 felix
  • Kasumi wo Kū (霞を食う - Life in an Ivory Tower)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Kasumi wo Kū
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • 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.
  • 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, also known as "life in an ivory tower".

    Most natives speakers won't understand what "life in an ivory tower" means, so it's better to explain it first.

  • Since 'kasumi' (霞) means "haze," and 'kū' (食う) means "to eat," the literal meaning of 'kasumi wo kū' is "to eat haze."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In Japan, it is said that mountain hermits eat haze to live.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In other words, the expression 'kasumi wo kū' describes people like mountain hermits beyond human beings.
  • In other words, the expression 'kasumi wo kū' describes people, like mountain hermits, beyond(?) human beings.

    I don't know what you mean here. "Additionally, the expression "kasumi wo kū" describes people like hermits in the mountains, as a metaphor for human beings"? I don't know, sorry.

  • In the near future, I may need to eat something like haze to live.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

Great work!

Toru
Thank you for the correction!

> Most natives speakers won't understand what "life in an ivory tower" means, so it's better to explain it first.
Then it might be better to say:
... as a metaphor for detached life from the real world (also known as "life in an ivory tower") or life with almost no income and food. :)

> I don't know what you mean here.
Here I wanted to make two points: that this expression can be used as a metaphor for "hermits" and that hermits have abilities that transcend human beings.
felix
1. yes that’s better!!

2. “Additionally, the expression ‘katsumi no kū’ can be seen as a metaphor that suggests that the ‘hermits’ can transcend human beings” might be better? :)
Toru
Thank you for your suggestion!
I'm sorry for my incomprehensible English. Perhaps the nuance I want to convey is a bit different.

In Japan, it is well known that hermits (imaginary beings) transcend human beings, live a life detached from the real world, and live a life with almost no food. And 'kasumi wo kū' is one of the actions in hermits' lives, so the expression can be seen as a metaphor suggesting that someone is living like a hermit.
(Sorry, "hermits have abilities that transcend human beings" was not really my point, but a supplementary matter.)
felix
Ohhh!! That makes more sense :D your English is really impressive also, so you're doing well!