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胆斗の如し (tantonogotoshi) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

胆たん斗との如ごとし

た

ん

と

の

ご

と

し

Meanings

1

bold as a lion

A classical set phrase meaning extremely bold or fearless. Rare in modern Japanese; mainly encountered in literary or historical contexts.

彼かれの決けつ断だんはまさに胆たん斗との如ごとしだったと、古ふるい軍ぐん記き物

もの

に

記しる

さ

れ

て

いる

。

His decision was truly as bold as a lion, as recorded in an old war chronicle.

Kanji

胆gall bladder, courage, pluck
斗Big Dipper, ten sho (vol), sake dipper
如likeness, like, such as

Related words

大だい胆たん
Common modern word for 'bold' or 'daring'; 胆斗の如し is a rare classical equivalent.

Etymology

Based on the Classical Chinese expression 胆大如斗, “one’s gall is as large as a measuring dipper,” describing exceptional courage or audacity.