門外不出
門外不出（もんがいふしゅつ // never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured)）
A kanji-by-kanji breakdown of this phrase gives us:
門 (gates)
外 (outside)
不 (negative)
出 (exit)
I suppose that makes sense, since this word is used when describing something that is not permitted to exit/go outside of the gates (figuratively speaking) because it is treasured or valued.
A couple of example sentences:
お母さんに門外不出のハンバーグのレシピを教わった。
おかあさん に もんがいふしゅつ の ハンバーグ の レシピ を おそわった。
My mom taught me her top-secret Hamburg steak recipe.
Literally: “mother + に + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + の + Hamburg steak + の + recipe + を + was taught.”
王室は、長年門外不出だった古文書を公開した。
おうしつ は、 ながねん もんがいふしゅつ だった こぶんしょ を こうかい した。
The royal family released an ancient document that they had been in possession of for many years.
Literally: “royal family + は, + many years / a long time + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + was + ancient document + を + making available to the public + did.”
Note: This is "released" in the sense of "made available to the public." The royal family is still in possession of the document.
Time to zoom in on these kanji...
Meaning of 門：gate
Heisig Keyword: gates
校門の前で待ってて。
こうもん の まえ で まってて。
Wait (for me) in front of the school gate(s).
Literally: “school gate + の + in front of + で + be waiting (and).”
Meaning of 外：outside
Heisig Keyword: outside
先外出てるね。
さき そと でてる ね。
I’ll be outside, OK?
Literally: “beforehand + outside + am exiting / am going out + ね.”
Meaning of 不：negative, non-
Heisig Keyword: negative
このケーキは乳製品不使用です。
この ケーキ は にゅうせいひん ふしよう です。
This cake does not contain any dairy.
Literally: “this + cake + は + dairy + not using + です.”
Meaning of 出：leave, exit
Heisig Keyword: exit
元気出して！
げんき だして！
Cheer up! / Wake up!
Literally: “spirit / energy + take out (and)!”
Note: This is "Wake up!" in the sense of "Be energetic!" or "Don't be so down!"
お母さんに門外不出のハンバーグのレシピを教わった。
おかあさん に もんがいふしゅつ の ハンバーグ の レシピ を おそわった。
My mom taught me her top-secret Hamburg steak recipe.
Literally: “mother + に + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + の + Hamburg steak + の + recipe + を + was taught.”
王室は、長年門外不出だった古文書を公開した。
おうしつ は、 ながねん もんがいふしゅつ だった こぶんしょ を こうかい した。
The royal family released an ancient document that they had been in possession of for many years.
Literally: “royal family + は, + many years / a long time + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + was + ancient document + を + making available to the public + did.”
Note: This is "released" in the sense of "made available to the public." The royal family is still in possession of the document.
You're done!
Props.
A kanji-by-kanji breakdown of this phrase gives us:
門 (gates)
外 (outside)
不 (negative)
出 (exit)
I suppose that makes sense, since this word is used when describing something that is not permitted to exit/go outside of the gates (figuratively speaking) because it is treasured or valued.
A couple of example sentences:
お母さんに門外不出のハンバーグのレシピを教わった。
おかあさん に もんがいふしゅつ の ハンバーグ の レシピ を おそわった。
My mom taught me her top-secret Hamburg steak recipe.
Literally: “mother + に + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + の + Hamburg steak + の + recipe + を + was taught.”
王室は、長年門外不出だった古文書を公開した。
おうしつ は、 ながねん もんがいふしゅつ だった こぶんしょ を こうかい した。
The royal family released an ancient document that they had been in possession of for many years.
Literally: “royal family + は, + many years / a long time + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + was + ancient document + を + making available to the public + did.”
Note: This is "released" in the sense of "made available to the public." The royal family is still in possession of the document.
Time to zoom in on these kanji...
Meaning of 門：gate
Heisig Keyword: gates
校門の前で待ってて。
こうもん の まえ で まってて。
Wait (for me) in front of the school gate(s).
Literally: “school gate + の + in front of + で + be waiting (and).”
Meaning of 外：outside
Heisig Keyword: outside
先外出てるね。
さき そと でてる ね。
I’ll be outside, OK?
Literally: “beforehand + outside + am exiting / am going out + ね.”
Meaning of 不：negative, non-
Heisig Keyword: negative
このケーキは乳製品不使用です。
この ケーキ は にゅうせいひん ふしよう です。
This cake does not contain any dairy.
Literally: “this + cake + は + dairy + not using + です.”
Meaning of 出：leave, exit
Heisig Keyword: exit
元気出して！
げんき だして！
Cheer up! / Wake up!
Literally: “spirit / energy + take out (and)!”
Note: This is "Wake up!" in the sense of "Be energetic!" or "Don't be so down!"
お母さんに門外不出のハンバーグのレシピを教わった。
おかあさん に もんがいふしゅつ の ハンバーグ の レシピ を おそわった。
My mom taught me her top-secret Hamburg steak recipe.
Literally: “mother + に + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + の + Hamburg steak + の + recipe + を + was taught.”
王室は、長年門外不出だった古文書を公開した。
おうしつ は、 ながねん もんがいふしゅつ だった こぶんしょ を こうかい した。
The royal family released an ancient document that they had been in possession of for many years.
Literally: “royal family + は, + many years / a long time + never taken anywhere/revealed (because it is treasured) + was + ancient document + を + making available to the public + did.”
Note: This is "released" in the sense of "made available to the public." The royal family is still in possession of the document.
You're done!
Props.
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