culture – Learning English and Japanese

Toru Jan 27, 2024Jan 29, 2024 calligrapher, calligraphy, culture, education, Heian period, Japanese, Kūkai, mistakes, proverb

Kōbō mo Fude no Ayamari (弘法も筆の誤り – Even Homer Sometimes Nods): Part 1

Kōbō mo Fude no Ayamari: Part 1 弘法も筆の誤り Part 1 Yesterday, I introduced the proverb saru mo ki kara ochiru Read More

Corrected Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Language

Toru Jan 05, 2024Jan 07, 2024 culture, east, idiom, Japanese, kanji, kokon tōzai, past, present, west

Kokon Tōzai (古今東西 – All Ages and Countries)

Kokon Tōzai 古今東西 When describing all times and places, you can use the four-character idiom kokon tōzai (古今東西). ありとあらゆる時間と場所を表したいとき、「古今東西」という四字熟語を使うことができます。 Since Read More

Culture Diary Food Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru Nov 10, 2023Jan 02, 2024 culture, eating habits, Japan, meals, traditional cuisine

Udon Prefecture

Udon Prefecture うどん県 I am currently on a business trip in Kagawa. 私は今、出張で香川に来ています。 Kagawa is famous for udon (うどん – Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Sep 22, 2021Jan 02, 2024 culture, etymology, habits, Japanese, kuse, meaning, nakute nanakuse, nana, phrase, proverb

Nakute Nanakuse (なくて七癖 – Every Man Has His Own Peculiar)

Nakute Nanakuse なくて七癖 Do you have any habits? あなたには何か癖がありますか？ Even if you think you don’t have any habits, some will Read More

Culture Diary Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Sep 13, 2021Jan 02, 2024 culture, filial, futon, gravestone, ishi, Japan, Japanese proverb, meaning, parents, stone

Ishi ni Futon wa Kiserarezu (石に布団は着せられず – When One Would Be Filial, One’s Parents Are Gone)

Ishi ni Futon wa Kiserarezu 石に布団は着せられず There is the Japanese proverb, ishi ni futon wa kiserarezu (石に布団は着せられず). 日本には「石に布団は着せられず」ということわざがあります。 Since ishi Read More

Culture Essay History Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Aug 30, 2021Jan 02, 2024 1800s, age gap, culture, expression, history, husband and wife, Japanese, life expectancy, mortality, proverb

Omae Hyaku made Washa Kuju-ku made (お前百までわしゃ九十九まで – Till Death Do Us Part) Part 2

Omae Hyaku made Washa Kuju-ku made Part 2 お前百までわしゃ九十九まで Part 2 In this proverb, the husband is a hundred years Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Slang Uncorrected

Toru Aug 21, 2021Jan 02, 2024 child, culture, etymology, expression, idiot, Japanese, kobaka, oyabaka, parent, parenting

Oyabaka Kobaka (親馬鹿子馬鹿 – A Doting Parent and Spoiled Child)

Oyabaka Kobaka 親馬鹿子馬鹿 When a parent loves his/her child so much that he/her is unaware of the child’s foolish behavior, Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Aug 19, 2021Jan 02, 2024 communication, culture, Japanese, letter, nai, no news is good news, proverb, saying, tayori, yoi

Tayori no Nai no wa Yoi Tayori (便りの無いのは良い便り – No News Is Good News)

Tayori no Nai no wa Yoi Tayori 便りの無いのは良い便り Recently, I haven’t been in touch with my sister and brother. 最近、私は兄弟とあまり連絡をとっていません。 Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Proverb Slang Uncorrected

Toru Feb 20, 2018Jan 02, 2024 attitude, beautiful woman, culture, eight directions, expression, happou bijin, idiom, ironic, Japanese, pleasing everybody

Happou Bijin (八方美人 – Everybody’s Friend)

Happou Bijin 八方美人 A woman who tries to please everybody is called 八方美人 (happou bijin) in Japanese. 誰に対しても如才なくふるまう人のことを、日本語で「八方美人」と言います。八方 (happou) Read More