An analogy that describes a subject by asserting that it is, on some point of comparison, the same as another otherwise unrelated object
6
votes
2answers
217 views
What is the meaning of お気の毒に and how is it used?
Although the there are several definitions in the dictionary:
my condolences
that's too bad
my sympathies
What does お気の毒に literally mean? I'm guessing that it might have something to do with ...
4
votes
1answer
136 views
Why do people say 未知数 when it is not a number?
Sometimes, people tend to use metaphors from arithmetics to refer to something in ordinary life. For example, to mention some claims or preferences common among people, the expression 最大公約数 'greatest ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
What is the metaphorical meaning of 手{て}?
I often see 手{て}, hand, used in a metaphorical sense to mean something along the lines of effort or presence... but I'm not totally sure.
For example, consider this sentence:
...
4
votes
5answers
425 views
「安い」って英語からきた表現？
皆さんこんにちは、
日本語で質問を聞かせていただきますので、ご協力ください。
回答やコメントなどは、日本語か英語、どちらの言語でも喜んで読みます。
では。
此間友達と喋っていて好みの話をしていた時一人が「ホラー映画やB級映画が大好き」と言うやいなや「あなた安いな〜」ともう一人が反応しました。
...
1
vote
3answers
156 views
What is a 割り込みタスク?
One of my coworkers todays said something like:
"Today I have too many 割り込みタスク so I cannot pay too much attention to
this project"
Literally translating it into "interrupting tasks" sounds ...
8
votes
3answers
307 views
Why is it お[腹]{なか}が[空]{す}いた but [腹]{はら}[減]{へ}った?
Is there any particular reason why the noun おなか goes with verb すく while the noun はら goes with the verb へる? Would it be weird if I use おなかへった or はらすいた?
While on the same topic, does the 'starving' ...
