Proverbs & idioms

Japanese proverbs (ことわざ), four-character idioms (四字熟語), and idioms — from JMdict.

• 西方浄土さいほうじょうどWestern Pure Land (Amitabha's Buddhist paradise)
• 読書三余どくしょさんよwinter, night, and rainy weather; the ideal conditions for reading
• 談論風発だんろんふうはつspirited discussion
• 赤手空拳せきしゅくうけんbarehanded; having no wealth or position to rely on (aside from one's own resourcefulness) (when embarking on something)
• 迅雷風烈じんらいふうれつviolent thunder and fierce wind; rapidly changing situation; swift action
• 連日連夜れんじつれんやevery day and every night
• 進退両難しんたいりょうなんbeing driven to the wall; finding oneself between the devil and the deep blue sea; finding oneself between a rock and a hard place