Monthly Archives: June 2015
Tuesday: Nihon-no Kotowaza (にほんのことわざ)
06/09/2015 blog
“Baka-wa Shinanakya Naoranai (ばかはしななきゃなおらない。）.” = “He who is born a fool is never cured.” (Dumb and Dumber) No explanation necessary. Right!?
Monday: One Point Nihongo Clinic
06/08/2015 blog
Q: Watashi-wa Koko-ni Sumimasu (「わたしはここにすみます。」). Is this a good translation of “I live here.” ? A: “NO!” If you meant to say, “I live here (Actually, you have lived there for a long time as a resident.),” you should have said, “Watashi-wa Koko-ni Sundeimasu (-teimasu pattern).” “Watashi-wa Koko-ni Sumimasu (「わたしはここにすみます。」).” is used in the situation like… You are driving around with your realtor, looking for a house. You finally found a right one and tell your decision to your realtor. “I like this house. I will live here.” –> “Kono Ie-ga Kiniirimasita. Koko-ni Sumimasu. 「このいえがきにいりました。ここにすみます。」” “I live here.” –> “Watashi-wa Koko-ni Sundeimasu. 「わたしはここにすんでいます。」”
Friday: Kojiki (「乞食」ではなく『古事記』ですヨ！！) #15
06/05/2015 blog
My blog on “Kojiki (古事記)” @ Blogger.com has moved to JEN’s blog. That’s why this article is #15. Archives are found over there (My handle name is “Japanese Banzai” @ blogger.com.). Well, we have been talking about the origin of Japan. Ookuninushi (大国主命) had, as is often the case with historic heros, a very important mission to generate his offsprings. No matter where he travelled, he never failed to get married to local beauties. Sometimes that was the very reason for his travel. And – he successfully accomplished his mission! Remenber? Ookuninushi’s first wife was Yagamihime (八上比売). However, he brought back Suseribime (須勢理毘売). Yagamihime was not an assertive kind and …
Thursday: Japanese Food (日本の食べ物）
06/04/2015 blog
Do you like Sushi (すし)? Do you like Sashimi (さしみ)? Do you like Udon (うどん)? All of those are Japanese food. You might know other Japanese food that you can enjoy your local Japanese restaurants. Some health magazines sometimes feature Japanese food so you could cook at home! Usually Japanese food uses a lot of fresh green vegetables in season. No wonder it is regarded as “healthy.” Well, today’s topic is Zoni (ぞうに) – Chicken, bamboo shoot, fish paste (かまぼこ), mitsuba (みつば), and rice cake (もち）in soysauce (しょうゆ) based soup. This is a celebration food at the beginning of the year. Depending on where you live in Japan, soysauce is …
Wednesday: Japanese Cartoon (日本の漫画)
06/03/2015 blog
Speaking of Martial Arts’ Manga (まんが), this was one of the Japanese classics. I knew there was an original Manga of this piece, but I was a big fan of its TV show – Judo Icchokusen. The DVD is available, too. In this TV version, the main role was played by Sakuragi Kennichi (桜木健一). He got a big breakthrough as an actor by this show. After this show ended, other TV shows were created, some of which became very popular though they were not related to Martial Arts. Other Martial Arts, though they were popular enouch when they were Manga, didn’t make it to be successful as TV shows. Judo Icchokusen …
Tuesday: Japanese Proverb (日本のことわざ)
06/02/2015 blog
#1. Au-wa Wakare-no Hajime. (会うは別れの始め）=To meet is to part. “Au” = meet or see “Wakare” = parting or separation “Hajime” = beginning Life is cruel in itself. The time will eventually come that you have to say bye to your loved one.
Monday: One Point Nihongo Clinic
06/01/2015 blog
(President Obama and Japanese Emperor Akihito) When you meet someone you know on the street, what do you say to greet? <Textbook-ish Conversation=Translation of English Conversation> Pseudo-Japanese: “Ogenkidesuka?” (Translation of “How are you?”) 「おげんきですか。」 American: “(O)genkidesu. Anatawa?” (Translation of “Fine, and you?”) 「（お）げんきです。あなたは？」 PJ: “Hai, genkidesu.” (Translation of “Yes, I am fine.) 「はい、げんきです。」 I call BS! This conversation never happens in reality. The Japanese start their conversation with “WEATHER,” after greeting each other with “Ohayo(gozaimasu)” “Konnichiwa” “Konbanwa,” and so on, depending the time of the day or occasions. When a Japanese asks you to see if you are well, by saying, “Ogenki?” or “(Gokigen) Ikaga?,” what you are supposed to say is – …
