Kanji Idioms (Power Japanese) (Paperback)

by George Wallace (Author), Kayoko Kimiya (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When we were searching in the dark (anchu-mosaku), at a total loss what to call our book, we suddenly hit upon "A Guide to Japanese Four-Letter Words" Pithy, punchy, in your face. Unfortunately, also rather misleading. From yoji-jukugo to four-character compounds to four-letter words. Not a journey of a million miles, but our editors didn't see it that way. "What's wrong with a little harmless sheep's head but dog meat yoto-kuniku; (false advertising)?" we asked, but it was like the east wind blowing into a horse's ear (baji-tofu!). They just didn't want to know.

So what are these yoji-jukugo? Yoji-jukugo (or four-character compounds, as we often call them in this book) are words/expressions made up of four kanji joined together with no kana in between.... Use them correctly in your everyday conversation and you will blow your Japanese friends out of the water. Seeing the LDP climb into bed with their old foe, the Socialists, in a desperate attempt to hold onto power, all you need say is "It's the Go and the Etsu in the same boat, isn't it?" Your Japanese friends will be stunned that you have even heard of the Go and the Etsu, let alone know that they are synonymous for sworn enemies who by a trick of fate find themselves thrown together, having to cooperate with each other to survive.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN) (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770019432
• ISBN-13: 978-4770019431
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,385,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Great book, February 4, 2001

By A Customer

This book has some fun phrases to use. You shouldn't try using them if you're at the beginning level, but it's real fun if you're good enough. I only wish that there were more of them, particularly more four character phrases which come from Classical Chinese.