Ā Ie ba Kō Iu (ああ言えばこう言う - Having a Smart Mouth)

Jul 27, 2023 15:49
Ā Ie ba Kō Iu

The Japanese idiom, "ā ie ba kō iu" (ああ言えばこう言う), describes a situation where someone always disagrees with what others say by providing various reasons."

Since 'ā' (ああ) means "that," 'ie/iu' (言え/言う) means "to say," and 'kō' (こう) means "this," the literal meaning of this idiom is "when we say that, you say this."

In other words, whenever someone says "that" (advice or persuades), you say "this" (counterarguments).

Let's make an effort to accept others' opinions with an open mind.
ああ言えばこう言う

人の言ったことに対して、何かと理屈を並べて反対するさまを、「ああ言えばこう言う」と言うことがあります。

「ああ」は "that"、「言え/言う」は "to say"、「こう」は "this" を意味するので、「ああ言えばこう言う」の文字どおりの意味は "when we say that, you say this" となります。

「ああ」という発言や説得がある度に「こう」反論して、他人に従おうとしないというわけです。

人の意見は素直に受け止める努力をしましょう。
No. 1 O-Star
  • Ā Ie ba Kō Iu (ああ言えばこう言う - Having a Smart Mouth)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Ā Ie ba Kō Iu
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • The Japanese idiom, "ā ie ba kō iu" (ああ言えばこう言う), describes a situation where someone always disagrees with what others say by providing various reasons."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'ā' (ああ) means "that," 'ie/iu' (言え/言う) means "to say," and 'kō' (こう) means "this," the literal meaning of this idiom is "when we say that, you say this."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In other words, whenever someone says "that" (advice or persuades), you say "this" (counterarguments).
  • In other words, whenever someone says "that" (a statement or persuasion), you say "this" (counterargument).
  • Let's make an effort to accept others' opinions with an open mind.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you for the correction!
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You're welcome!
No. 2 Amop567
  • The Japanese idiom, "ā ie ba kō iu" (ああ言えばこう言う), describes a situation where someone always disagrees with what others say by providing various reasons."
  • The Japanese idiom, "ā ie ba kō iu" (ああ言えばこう言う), describes a situation where someone always disagrees with what others say by providing (OR: concocting) various reasons."

    "Concocting" makes it sound like they're splitting hairs or forcing it (こじつけ、屁理屈). I thought that might fit this situation

  • Since 'ā' (ああ) means "that," 'ie/iu' (言え/言う) means "to say," and 'kō' (こう) means "this," the literal meaning of this idiom is "when we say that, you say this."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In other words, whenever someone says "that" (advice or persuades), you say "this" (counterarguments).
  • In other words, whenever someone says "that" as a piece of advice or in an attempt to persuade you, you say "this" as a counterargument.

    The usage of "persuasion" here is mistaken. The noun form means something very different.

  • Let's make an effort to accept others' opinions with an open mind.
  • I think we should all try to accept others' opinions with an open mind.

    Not incorrect at all, just my suggestion. I usually correct "let's" as a translation of しよう because it often sounds too literal.

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Amop567
  • In other words, whenever someone says "that" as a piece of advice or in an attempt to persuade you, you say "this" as a counterargument.

    The usage of "persuasion" here is mistaken. The noun form means something very different.

The noun form *can* mean...
Toru
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful corrections!
I have learned something new. (^^)