Complete Japanese Expression Guide. Mizue Sasaki
COLLEAGUE 1:
Doesn't it make you sick the way Suzuki constantly brags about his son?
COLLEAGUE 2:
Yes, it really is hard to take.
Hana-mochi naranai combines hana (nose), mochi (endure, stay long), and naranai (not become), and translates as "so foul smelling that one cannot bear the stench." Thus this expression describes anything detestable or disgusting.
EXAMPLES
1. Kare no gōman na hanashikata wa hana-mochi naranai,
I cannot stand his stuck-up way of talking.
2. Seijika no taido no ōkisa wa hana-mochi narimasen ne.
I find the overbearing attitudes of politicians to be obnoxious.
3. Kimi no ima no ōhei na ukekotae wa, hana-mochi naranai ne.
I find your arrogant answer to that question really disgusting.
4. Hontō ni, Satō-san'tte, hana-mochi naranai hito ne.
Satō really is a horrible person, isn't he?
hana-muke no kotoba
farewell remarks
SHIKAISHA:
Sore de wa, futari no kadode o iwatte, sensei ni hana-muke no kotoba o itadakimasu.
SENSEI:
Go-kekkon omedetō...
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
I'll now call on the professor to extend a few words of farewell to the couple, wishing them good luck for their new life ahead.
PROFESSOR:
Congratulations on your marriage...
Hana-muke no kotoba, a combination of hana (nose) and muke (point or direct), refers to the heartfelt words one expresses to someone from whom one is parting. In the past, it was a common practice to point the nose of one's horse towards his or her destination and pray for safety. Hana-muke ni (as a farewell present) refers to money or other valuables that are given as a parting gift.
EXAMPLES
1. Ryūgaku sum kimi ni, hana-muke no kotoba o okurō.
Let me extend some farewell wishes before you leave to study abroad.
2. Subarashii hana-muke no kotoba, arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you very much for your splendid farewell speech.
3. Sotsugyō suru seito-tachi ni, hana-muke no kotoba o o-negai shimasu. Would you mind saying a few words to the graduates to wish them good luck for the future?
4. Kono hon, tenkin no hana-muke ni sashiagemasu.
Since you are going to be transferred, I'd like to give you this book as a farewell gift.
hanashi ga nitsumaru
discussion narrows down
TOMODACHI 1:
Shain-ryokō no keikaku, dō narimashita ka?
TOMODACHI 2:
Hanashi ga dandan nitsumatte kimashita yo.
FRIEND 1:
How are the plans for the company trip progressing?
FRIEND 2:
The discussion is gradually starting to get somewhere.
Nitsumaru, and its intransitive form, nitsumeru, means to boil a liquid until the excess moisture disappears. When combined with hanashi (talk), it indicates that negotiations have reached a final stage. Other expressions using nitsumaru include giron ga nitsumaru (the discussion seems like it will finally reach a conclusion), mondai-ten ga nitsumaru (the controversial point is close to resolution), and keikaku ga nitsumaru (the planning is in its final stage).
EXAMPLES
1. Hanashi mo nitsumatta yō na node, ketsuron o dashimashō.
Since the talks seem to be winding down, let's make our conclusions.
2. Mō sukoshi, hanashi o nitsumete kara ni shimashō.
Let's do it after the discussion has narrowed down a little more.
3. Hanashi wa nakanaka nitsumarimasen ne.
The talks don't seem to be progressing at all.
4. Hanashi ga nitsumatte kara, ato no keikaku o o-hanashi shimasu.
Once this matter is worked out, we can discuss the rest of the plans.
hane o nobasu
kick up one's heels
KAISHAIN 1:
Buchō, ashita kara shutchō datte?
KAISHAIN 2:
Sore wa ureshii ne. Shibaraku no aida, hane o nobasesō da.
EMPLOYEE 1:
I hear the chief is going away tomorrow on business.
EMPLOYEE 2:
That's great. It looks like we'll be able to kick up our heels for a while.
Hane (wings) o nobasu (spread) refers to behaving in a relaxed, unrestrained fashion—just like a bird spreading its wings and flying freely in the sky. Another phrase with hane is hane ga haete tobu yd (as if it had grown wings and flown away), which describes goods selling like hot cakes.
EXAMPLES
1. Ie ni chichioya ga iru to, nakanaka hane o nobasenai.
When my father's at home I can't unwind at all.
2. Kaigai-ryokō ni ittara, omoikkiri hane o nobasō.
When we go overseas let's really have ourselves a good time.
3. Buchō ga bā de hane o nobashite iru tokoro o mite shimatta.
I came across our department chief having a binge in a bar.
4. Natsu-yasumi wa benkyō o wasurete, hane o nobashitai mono desu.
When the summer vacation comes I'd like to forget my studies and have a good time.
5. Watashi ga ryokō ni ittara, anata wa kitto hane o nobasun' deshō?
When I go away on my trip, I'm sure that you'll start fooling around.
happō bijin
everyone's friend
DŌRYŌ 1:
Kimura-san wa, kono kikaku o totemo homete kuremashita yo.
DŌRYŌ 2:
Amari, matomo ni toranai hō ga ii desu yo. Kare wa happō bijin dakara.
COLLEAGUE 1:
Kimura spoke very highly of this plan.
COLLEAGUE 2:
You'd be better