Pathway to Japanese Literature

Y (wai): One of the palatal consonant letters.
Furthermore, as a vowel, it generally shares the same sound as “i” and also forms diphthongs (ay, ey, oy, wy).

Yacht (yot – ヨット) [n.] Pleasure boat, fast pleasure boat, racing vessel (generally small swift sailing vessels, with some steamships included).
(Yachtsman) Same as above; operator.
[v.i.] To operate a pleasure yacht; to cruise; to race.
-ing [n.] Yachting.

Ya'ger (ユェーィガ～) [n.] [German Army] Jäger (a type of infantry).

Yahoo' (ヤフー) [n.] (From Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels) A beast (having human form).
(Furthermore,) a human-faced but beast-natured person; a base individual.

Yak (ヤック) [n.] [Animal] (Thibet’s) yak.

Yä'lu (ヤールー) [Proper Noun] Yalu River.

Yam (ヤム) [n.] Mountain yam; Japanese yam (used for tororo).

Yämen (ヤーメン) [Chinese term] Emon.

Yang' = tes = kiang' (ヤンツィキアン) [Proper Noun] Yangtze River.

Yankee (ヤンキー) [n.] [A corruption of “English” by North American natives] (In the United States) A person from the Northeast (New England).
(In Europe) An American.
(notions) America’s new inventions.
(Doodle) A (type of) national anthem performed since around the time of the American Revolutionary War.
-dom [n.] Yankee-dom (the realm of Americans).
-ism [n.] Yankee-ism (American linguistic style).
-fied [adj.] Yankee-fied (affected by American influence).

Yap (ヤップ) [v.i.] (of puppies, etc.) To bark noisily.

Yard (ヤーㇽド) [n.] (1) A yard (three feet).

Yard (ヤーㇽド) [n.] Garden, courtyard; (enclosed) grounds; factory; yard/area.

Yard (ヤーㇽド) [n.] [Nautical] (Square-sail) yard.
(= ärm) End of the yard.
(= arm and yard = arm) (Both ships') yardarms come into contact.

Yarn (ヤーㇽン) [n.] (for weaving cotton, etc.) Thread.
❷ [Nautical] (Twisted hemp) small yarn.
(From) a long story.
To spin a yarn. (Like spinning hemp) To tell a long story.
Note: Twist hemp to make small yarn (yarn), then twist these together to form strands (strand), and combine three or four strands to create rope (rope).

Yarrow (ヤロウ) [n.] [Botany] (= milfoil) Yarrow (saw-leaf grass).

Yat'a-ghan (ヤタガン) [n.] Sword of Islamic countries.

Yäw (ヨー) [v.i.] (of a ship) To deviate from its course; to drift leeward.
[n.] The act thereof; yawing.

Y❷ A one-and-a-half-masted sailing vessel type (common in small pleasure boats).

Y❷ (Ground fissures, faults, etc.) To gape open.
A yawning gulf. A gaping abyss.
Hell yawns for him.
[n.] Yawn.

Y-clept' (イクレプト) [adj.] [Archaic] (= called) Called (such-and-such) (person or thing).

Ye (ユィー) [pers. pron.] [Archaic] [Plural of Thou, nominative case] You (plural).
❷ [Poetry] Ye (such-and-such).
Ye heavenly powers! Heavenly gods!
❸ [Colloquial] [Substitute for You] Ye (nominative), you (accusative), you (dative).
How d'ye do? How are you (getting along)?
What d'ye think? What do you think?
Thank ye. Thank you.
I tell ye. (Something, I tell you.)

Ye❷ (= nay) (difficulty) No (impossibility, etc.).

Yean (ユィーン) [v.t. & i.] (of sheep or goats) To give birth to young.

Yean'ling (ユィーンリング) [n.] (lamb or kid) Lamb; kid.

Y❷ [plural] Ages.
To be young for one's years. Young for one’s age.
To be young in years, but old in experience (crime). Though young in age, seasoned through trials.
Years of discretion: The prime of discretion.
He is wise beyond his years.
To be advanced in years (= old).

Ȳar'ling (ユィーヤリング) [n.] (of cattle, horses, etc.) Two-year-old juvenile.
[adj.] One-year-old.
(calf) A one-year-old (and some months) young.
(bride) A bride for whom just one year has passed.

Year'ly (ユィーヤリィ) [adj.] Yearly; annual (examinations, etc.).
[adv.] Year after year; every year.

Yēarn (ヤ～ン) [v.i.] (for or after one’s child, home, etc.) To think fondly of; to yearn for (one’s children, etc.).
(to do something) To yearn to do something.
(to or towards a person) To long for; to yearn after (someone).
[Impersonal transitive verb] [Archaic] (It ――s me to think, etc.) To feel heart-wrenching anguish (as if one’s innards were torn apart).

Yeast (ユィースト) [n.] (Fermented koji) Yeast (starter culture).
Bread yeast.
-y [adj.] (like yeast) Foaming; froth-inducing.
(Fermented), seething, agitating (the heart, etc.).
(Like bubbles) Mere-mouthed, empty (talk).
Superficial (thought).
Shallow (man).
-'i-ness [n.] The state of being as described above.

Yelk (ユェルク) [n.] = Yolk (see Yolk).

Yell (ユェル) [v.i.] (with pain — with fury — with delight — with laughter, etc.) To shout; to wail; to emit a shrill voice.
(when uttering oaths, orders, etc.) To say in a shrill voice.
[n.] Shrill voice.

Yel'low (ユェロウ) [adj., n.] Yellow.
(yori = jealous, envious, suspicious) Jealous; envious; suspicious.
(boy) [Slang] Gold coin.
(fever) Yellow fever (tropical regions).
(flag) Quarantine flag.
(Jack = yellow fever) Yellow fever.
(men) Yellow people.
(metal = Muntz metal) An alloy of six parts copper and four parts zinc. (peril) Yellow Peril (as advocated by certain Europeans; fear of invasion by the yellow race).
(press) Yellow press (originated in 1898 America to advocate war with Spain; now denotes newspapers catering to lower classes).
(races) Yellow race.
(spot) [Anat.] Macula (retina's most sensitive point).
To turn yellow. (Tree leaves) Change color in autumn.
The sere and yellow leaf. Autumn foliage.
The yellows (= jaundice or jealousy). Jaundice.
(from) Jealousy.
[v.i. & t.] To turn yellow (or cause to turn yellow).

(Tree leaves) Change color in autumn.
-ish [adj.] Yellowish.

Yelp (ユェルプ) [v.i.] (When a dog is struck or similar) To yelp shrilly.
[n.] The same sound as above.

Yeōman (Yōman) [n.] [plural -'men] (British) small farmer, minor landowner, self-cultivating farmer.
(Also) Volunteer farmer cavalryman (one of the unit).
(of the guard = Beefeater) (British imperial palace) guards.
(Yeoman’s service) Being of use in times of crisis; public service when required.
To do one yeoman’s service. To be of use in times of crisis.
-ly [adj.] Same as above (as above).
-ry [collective n.] Volunteer farmer cavalrymen.

Yes (ユェス) [interj.] (in response to No) Indeed; yes; so it is.
Note: Whether asked “Do you know?” or “Don’t you know?”, answering “Yes” means “I know.”
Won’t you come? — Yes, (I will). (“Won’t you go?”) I’ll go.
Far from enduring it, one would do so gladly.
I’d likely lose to him; no—even you’d lose.
Yes? Is that so.
[n.] (The “yes” in “yes or no”) Yes; yeah.
Say yes. Say “yeah.”

Confine yourself to yes and no—yeses and noes. (Without saying unnecessary things) Say only yes or no.

Yes'ter- [compound] (——morn-ing = yesterday morning) [Poetic] Yesterday morning.
(——even-ing or ——eve = last evening) [Poetic] Last evening.
(——night = last night) Last night.

Yes'ter-day (ユェスタ～ディ) [n.] Yesterday.
(morning) Yesterday morning.
The day before yesterday. The day before yesterday.
It is but of yesterday. A matter of recent times.
I was not born yesterday. I am no sheltered scion.

Yet (ユェット) [adv.] [Used with negation] Still (has not...).
Has the bell rung? — It has not rung yet. — Not yet.
It is not time yet.
I never saw his like yet. (A person such as him) I have never yet seen.
This is the largest diamond yet found (= a larger one has never been found yet). (On the reverse side) This contains the meaning that “a diamond larger than this has never yet been discovered.”
He will not recover for some time yet—it will not happen just yet. There is still some time left.
Note: There are cases where negation remains latent.
The time is yet to come. That time has not yet come.
Have you yet to learn what Japan is capable of?
Much yet remains to be done.
Note: In cases of latent negation, the form “as yet” is often used.
Comparison: My task is not yet finished — (as) yet unfinished — as yet incomplete. The task has not yet been completed.
Comparison: He is still alive — not yet dead. Still living; has not yet died.
(a) He is still here. (b) He is not yet here. (a) Still present.
(b) He has not yet come.

Note: When “as yet” is used to mean “still,” it inherently contains latent negation on its reverse side, prompting immediate association with that negated meaning.
He is as yet alive (= not yet dead). Still living (has not died; will die ere long).
A conscience as yet clear (= not yet obscured). A conscience not yet clouded (will become clouded ere long).
The plan has worked well as yet. This method has proven satisfactory thus far (will become problematic ere long).
❷【Interrogative】 (= already) Already; so soon (has something been done?).
Has the bell rung yet?
Note: Using “already” in questions alters its nuance slightly.
Comparison: (a) Has school begun yet? Have lessons commenced? [Neutral inquiry]
(b) Has school begun already? Have lessons already started? [Tone of astonishment]
❸ [Poetic/literary] (= still) Still (alive, etc.).
(When modifying comparatives): Even more; still further.
He is yet alive. Still living.
There remains life in the old country yet.
There is one yet missing. Not yet come to light.
I seem to see him yet. His semblance lingers still.
Yet once more—yet again.
Another and yet another—more and still more.
Yet higher.
It grows yet more difficult.
Hope remains yet.

Note: The following usage derives from this meaning.
❹ Do not yet despair (or do not despair).
Before long (something will happen).
You shall ride in your carriage yet (=do not despair of riding in a carriage). I'll let you ride in a carriage before long, so rest assured.
He has lost today but he will win yet (=he need not despair of winning).
I will be even with him yet. Before long, I shall avenge this grudge (Should one leave a grudge unavenged?).
❹ (When accompanied by "Nor") Also.
He will not work, nor yet play.
He will not listen to me, nor yet to anyone else.
[Conj.] (often accompanying "and") And yet; though; nevertheless (=nevertheless).
He is nigh upon seventy, and yet he works like a young man.
It is strange, and yet it is true――strange (and) yet true; strange though it may be, it's true.
Deep yet clear. Deep but clear, with visible depths.
❷ [Conjunctive conjunction] (Accompanying preceding clauses with "though," "although") However; nevertheless.
Although it sounds strange, yet it is true for all that.
Though deep, yet clear.

**Yew** (*Yū*) **[n.]** (*or-tree*) **[Botany]** Water pine (*ichii*), ara-lagi (*Torreya nucifera*).

Yg'dra-sil (Igudorasuiru) [Proper Noun] [Norse Mythology] A great tree whose roots reach hell and whose branches reach heaven.

**Yi❷** (= give up, deliver over, surrender, resign, concede) Yield, hand over, relinquish.
(the fortress to the enemy) Surrender the fortress to the enemy.
(the point) Concede the point; make a concession.
(possession) Yield ownership.
(submission) Submit.
(consent) Consent; agree.
(precedence to age) Yield one’s seat to elders.
(the palm to anyone) Yield the palm.
(oneself prisoner) Surrender and become a prisoner.
❸ (up the ghost or breath or life) Die.
(intr.) (well or poorly — abundantly or scantily) (From land [as subject], etc.) Crops yield well (or do not yield).
❷ Surrender; be defeated.
I would rather die than yield.
The courage never to submit or yield.
❸ (to = give way to — temptation, impulse, etc.) Succumb to (temptation); yield.
(to = give way to — persuasion) Comply with persuasion.
(to = submit to superior numbers) Surrender; submit.
(to another in some point) Lose; concede.
I yield to none in appreciating merits.

❹ (= give way — beneath one's feet) (When stepped on [e.g., ground]) It caves in; it gives way.

**Yo'ga** (Yōga) **[n.]** (India’s) Yoga (union of divine, human, and spiritual).

**Yo'gi** (Yōgi) **[n.]** (India’s) Yoga practitioner.

**Yo'-heave-ho'** (or yo'-hea-vo') (ヨーゥヒィーヴォー) **[interj.]** Rhythmic chant sailors use when hauling heavy loads.

**Yoicks** (!) (Yōikkusu) [interj.] Fox-hunting cry to urge on hounds.

**Yoke** (Yōku) **[n.]** (Frame harnessing two oxen to pull carts) Yoke (*kubiki*).
(metaph.) Rule, restraint, sanction, bond.
(Marital) union.
(yoke-fellow) Partner; companion.
(yoke-mate) Ditto.
The yoke of love. Love’s shackles.
To pass under the yoke of a state (become a vassal).
To shake off — free oneself from — a power’s yoke.
To submit to another’s yoke. Resigned acceptance of rule.
The heavy yoke of opinion. Public judgment’s burden.
Japan has never endured the yoke.
❷ [Sing./pl.] (Oxen) Pair; two head.
A yoke — two yoke — of oxen. Two head (four head).
❸ [Nautical] (Boat rudder’s) Crossbar.
(= Line) Steering ropes attached to crossbar sides.

**[Trans.]** (To oxen) Put a yoke on them.
**(from)** Bind; restrain.
❷ (one to another) Bind, join, make partners, unite, or marry (Parties A and B).
**[Intr.]** (together — with another — well, etc.) Match (or not); suit (or not); get along (or not); fit (or not).

**Yolk** (Yōku) [n.] (egg’s) yolk; egg yolk.

**Yon** = **Yonder** (see).

**Yon'der** (Yonda~) **[adj.]** [Poetic/Literary] (Pointing to distant objects) That (mountain, etc.).
**Note**: When indicating something near oneself with「この」, use “this”; for objects near the listener with「その」, use “that”; and for distant objects with「あの」, use “yonder.” However, in modern English usage, people typically say “that mountain over there” rather than “yonder mountain.”
**[adv.]** There; over there.

**Yore** (Yōa) **[n.]** Olden times; days of yore.
A giant lived there of yore ―― in days of yore.

**Y❷ [Archaic] (= yourself) Get you gone! Begone!**
**Sit you down!** Be seated.
❸【Indefinite usage】You never can tell.
It is hard at first, but you soon get used to it.
**Note**: Especially in giving directions, use this “you”.
As you enter the town, there is a large mansion to the right.

**Yoŭng** (ヤング) [adj.] Young; youthful.
(From) Immature.
(Also) Vigorous.
(blood) Hot-blooded youth.
(hopeful) A promising (precious) son [comical].
(ones) (Generally animals') young.
(children) Young children. (people) (Generally) Unmarried young men and women.
(things) Still young (hence unavoidable, etc.).
('un = youngster) Child. (love) Youthful.
(Japan) Youth of Japan.
(Also) Political parties and newspapers (etc.) representing the same [category].
**Young and old.** The aged and the youthful; elders and juniors.
Death comes to young and old. Death shows no partiality between young and old.
**He is young in years**, but old in experience (crime, cunning, diplomacy). Though youthful in age**, he has undergone seasoned trials.
**An old head on young shoulders.** A precocious child.
**Young sinner, old saint.** A person who indulges in pleasure when young but becomes disciplined in old age.
**A young family.** (A person with young children, etc.)
**A young person.** (In the parlance of servants) Some young woman.
**The young person.** (Pure and innocent) A young person (teaching them bad things, etc.).
**My young man ―― my young woman.** A good person (lover).

The night (year, century) is yet young. The night has not grown late (the season has not lengthened, etc.).
You young rascal! (This) boy (playfully said to a male child).
A young man in a hurry. A reform enthusiast (and the like).
He looks young for his years.
Men feel young even at fifty.
In my younger days (= when I was young). When I was young.
Whom the gods love, die young. Those whom the gods favor pass away prematurely (talented individuals die young).
A tiger must be caught young. A tiger cannot be tamed unless raised from cubhood.
Sailors must be caught young. Sailors cannot be properly trained unless raised from youth.
The younger Pitt ―― Pitt the younger. (The child in a parent-child pair.)
He is helpful to his youngers. (contrasted with “one’s elders”) Takes care of juniors.
[Collective noun] (Animals’) Young (and such).
Some animals care for their young; others desert them.
To be (great) with young. (Animals) are pregnant.

**Yoŭng'ling** (ヤ※[small ン]グリ～グ) **[n.]** [Poetry] Young person; inexperienced person.

**Yoŭng'ster** (ヤ※[small ン]グスタ～) **[n.]** (= child) Child.
(Especially) mischievous child.

**Yoŭnk'er** (ヤ※[small ン]カ～) **[n.]** (= youngster) Child.

**Y͏o͏ur** (ユーア＝＝ヨア) **[possessive of You]** Thy, your.
(From) Your so-called; that certain [thing].
I do not care much for your true Japanese cookery. That formal kaiseki cuisine does not particularly impress me.
So this is your perfect gentleman? So this is your so-called flawless gentleman?

**Y͏o͏urs** (ユーアズ) **[independent possessive of You]** Thy [possession], your [possession], your [possession].
Is this your book? ―― Is this book yours?
Is he a friend of yours?
Those hands of yours.
**You and yours.**
**Yours is to hand.**
**Yours of the 5th.**
**It shall be yours** (= I will give it you).
**Ever yours**, ―― **Yours truly**, ―― **Yours faithfully**. … (equivalent to concluding with 頓首再拝 [formal epistolary bow]).

**Yours truly is not taking any.** (When offered sake, etc.) I have had enough.

**Your-self’** (ユーアセルフ) **[reflexive pronoun]** [plural -selves’] [nominative case emphasizes the sentence’s subject] oneself; by oneself; even you; even yourself.
**Please see to it yourself.** I ask that you attend to this matter personally.
**You said so yourself.** You yourself stated thus.
**You do it yourself.** You’re doing it too (aren’t you?).
**You are not quite yourself tonight.** You seem out of sorts this evening.
❷【The objective case forms reflexive verbs】Know yourself. Know thyself.
**You deceive yourself.** You are misunderstanding.
❸【The objective case combines with prepositions to form idiomatic phrases】Why are you sitting by yourself (= alone)? Why are you alone?
**Did you do it by yourself?** (without assistance) Did you accomplish it alone?
**You ought to find out for yourself.** (Without having someone explain it to you) You should research it yourself.
**Do you awake of yourself?** (Without having someone wake you in the morning) Do you wake up by yourself?

**Youth** [common noun] (plural: youths) Young man; youth.
**A youth ― some youths ― from the provinces.** A young man from rural regions.
**[Collective noun]** Youths; young people.
**The education of youths.**
**Our youth are ambitious.** Japan’s youths have great ambition.
**-'ful** [adj.] Of youth; young.
**-'fully** [adv.] In the same manner.
**-'fulness** [n.] The state of being as above.

**Yule** (ユール) **[n.]** (or -tide = Christmas festival) Christ’s Nativity Festival.
**Yule-log** A log burned on the eve of the same festival (the eve celebration).