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You are here: Home / CM Tooltip Glossary / 島国根性

島国根性

June 12, 2023

Click here to see the entire vocabulary list

Yomi

しまぐにこんじょう

Rōmaji

shimaguni konjou

Type

idiom

Literal Meaning

island nation spirit

Meaning

the idea that citizens of island countries like Japan tend to be narrow-minded and exclusive towards “outsiders”, e.g. people who are from foreign countries; who do not follow social norms; or who seem to enjoy privileged opportunities

Additional Info

This term is often used when one criticises Japanese people for being exclusive towards those who do not follow social norms.

Example

「出る杭は打たれる」という諺が日本人の島国根性を表している、と彼は言った
“The proverb ‘the nail that sticks out gets hammered down’ represents the exclusive mindset of Japanese people”, he said.

Click here to see the entire vocabulary list

ブログランキング・にほんブログ村へPVアクセスランキング にほんブログ村

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