Untranslatables Flashcards
仕方たがない
shikata ga nai: 1) it cannot be helped, 2) it is no use, 3) it cannot be borne, one cannot help but…
花吹雪
hanafubuki: a flurry (‘storm’) of cherry blossoms
侘寂
wabi-sabi: 1) aesthetic borne of the recognition of imperfection and transience
つんどく
tsundoku: the act of leaving a book unread after buying it; (v.) to leave piled up
懐かしい
natsukashii: dear, beloved, cherished, sweet, etc. Often described as something short of nostalgia (which can be painful), may be a ‘warming of the heart’.
ぶりっ子
burikko: falsely cute, puerile (derogatory, women)
無礼講
bureikou: (lit. no punishment for rudeness); a time and place during which all members of a group are considered equal, and may speak freely without fear. Sometimes translated to “be yourself”
おもてなし
omotenashi: a kind of hospitality that represents a ‘careful thoughtfulness’ towards a guest
口寂しい
kuchisabishii: mouth-lonely, i.e. eating or smoking (etc) merely because one wants to
紅葉
kouyou: colors of fall, changing into the colors of fall
いただきます
itadakimasu: said before eating; nuance expresses gratitude for all those involved in the processing, delivery, and creation of the food being consumed.
こがらし
kogarashi: a biting wind blows that shows winter to be near
木漏れ日 (こもれび)
komorebi: sunlight streaming through the trees
物の哀れ
mono-no-aware: (lit. the pathos of things); shows an appreciation for things that are soon or quickly lost. “a wistful awareness of the impermanence or transience of things”
森林浴
shinrinyoku: (lit. forest-bathing), spending time in the forest to reduce stress
