ことわざ・四字熟語 of the Week

Japanese
#21

ことわざ of the week :memo:

This week’s ことわざ is :

知らぬが仏
しらぬがほとけ

Translation:

Not knowing is Buddha.

Meaning:

Knowing something could make you mad or could cause you stress, but if you stay ignorant, you could live in peace like Buddha.

Context:

The origin of this proverb is the いろはかるた from the Edo period. いろはかるた was a educational game that taught lessons through pictures and proverbs that went with it.

When is it used?

It is used in similar situations as the English phrase ‘ignorance is bliss’. It is used when you find out the truth about something, and you wish you never knew. It is also used when you want to let someone know that they will regret knowing the truth.

Sometimes the phrase 知らぬが仏、知るが煩悩 (ignorance is bliss, knowledge causes suffering )will be used.

Example:

大好物なお菓子の原材料を知ってしまったが、知らぬが仏で、知りたくなかった。

I found out what they use in my favorite snack, but ignorance is bliss—I wish I hadn’t known.

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#22

ことわざ of the week :memo:

This week’s ことわざ is :

浮世渡らば豆腐で渡れ
うきよわたらばとうふでわたれ

Translation:

If you are going to travel the world, travel as a tofu.

Meaning:

If you are trying to make it in the real world, it is best to to look square (diligent), and be gentle and flexible on the inside.

Context:

Tofu on the outside looks sturdy and tough because they are usually cube shaped and have edges, but once you touch it, you realize that they are very soft.

When is it used?

This ことわざ is using the appearance and the texture to say that in order to make it in the world, you have to look serious/diligent, but it is also important to have a soft and flexible mind while being nice to those around you.

Example:

面接に行く前に髪を黒に染めたほうがいいぞ、浮世渡らば豆腐で渡れ。

You should dye your hair black before you go to your interview, if you want to make it in the real world, travel as a tofu.

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#23

I can confirm that this is solid advice (I always transform into tofu when going somewhere) :smiley:

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#24

四字熟語 of the week :memo:

已己巳己
いこみき

Meaning:

A word that describes things that look similar.

Context:

The exact origin of this is unknown, however, it is said that this 四字熟語 existed in the Edo period.

This is a unique 四字熟語 in the sense that the meaning does not come from the meaning of each individual kanji, but instead it comes from the appearance of the kanji. As you can probably tell, 已, 己, and 巳 look almost identical, and you need to look very carefully to be able to tell the difference.

When is it used?

This is usually used towards people or things that look similar.

Example:

妻と義理の母の後ろ姿は已己巳己である。

My wife and my mother in law look identical from behind.

Similar 四字熟語/phrase
大同小異
瓜二つ

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