Mr. Oda invited me to a restaurant last week. After we arrived there, he asked me how a new employee was working out. I answered, "Suki desu." (I like him.) But Mr. Oda sniggered as if I had said something funny or strange. Was my answer inappropriate ?
Mr. Pole
Most Japanese textbooks and dictionaries translate "like" as "suki." But "suki" is actually an emotional expression that implies "love." "Ii desu" is the common way of saying "nice" or "good." Be careful—you could imply that you love someone in a romantic sense. ("Like" is not treated as verb in Japanese unless the word "desu" is added.)
Like
Dislike
When praising or admiring something.
I like this coffee cup .
Kono coffee cup ii desu ne.
ii
e.g.,shigoto wa chotto ....
e.g.,When referring to something you like very much.
I like classical music .
Classic ga suki desu.
suki
e.g.,love
dai suki
"I love you = aishite imasu" as in the movies. Japanese people rarely use this phrase in real life.As "kirai" is a direct way of expressing dislike, this style is often avoided. (Being too direct is considered arrogant.) Instead, the indirect expressions below are common.
Do you like your work ?
"Well... I'm not that crazy about my work ..."
shigoto wa amari suki-janai desu.
e.g.,"I don't really care for my work."
By leaving a sentence vague and incomplete, "dislike" is expressed very indirectly. This is a thoughtful expression used when trying not to hurt someone's feelings.
By avoiding the direct expression "kirai," this sentence still shows "dislike," but leaves a softer impression.
1
2
Mr. Pole
:
I like this restaurant. (This restaurant is nice.)Kono restaurant desu ne.
Copyright 1999 The Yomiuri Shimbun (this restaurant)
like (praising)
Mr. Oda
:
What are your "likes and dislikes" ?(Is there anything in particular you like or don't like ?)
Mr. Oda
:
Really? Oh, by the way, how is your new employee?Nani ka suki/kirai arimasu ka.
(isn't it ?)
Mr. Pole
:
Wow ! I like this plate.(This plate is nice.)Waa! Kono utsuwa desu ne.
(Wow) (this plate, bowl)
like (praising)
(isn't it ?)
Mr. Pole
:
I like him.(He is a nice person.)hito desu.
like (praising)
Mr. Pole
:
I like sashimi,Sashimi ga desu ne. like
(enjoy)
and I especially love tuna.
Toku ni maguro ga desu.
(especially) (tuna)
(something) (Do you have ~?) (See kanji at right)
love (preference)
But I don't like cuttlefish that much... (But I'm not crazy about cuttlefish.)
Demo ika wa chotto...
(But) (cuttlefish)(don't like) (See "Dislike")
I recently began collecting Japanese pottery.
Ima, Nihon no yakimono o atsumete imasu.
(now, recently) (pottery) (collecting)
So¯ desu ka. Tokorode atarashii staff wa do¯ desu ka.
(by the way)(new)(staff, employee)(how is...?)
(person) 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1
In order to say "dislike," there are two styles:
direct
→
"kirai"
indirect
→
"chotto...," "amari suki-janai desu"
has two meanings :
いい
このコーヒーカップ
いい
です
ね。
仕事
は ちょっと...
好き
クラシック
が
好き
です。
大好き
仕事
は
あまり好きじゃないです。
このレストラン 何 か 好き嫌い ありますか。 刺身 が です ね。 特 に 鮪 が でも イカ は ちょっと ... わあ！ 今、 日本 の 焼き物 を 集めています。 そうです か。 ところで、新しい スタッフはどうです か。 人 です。 いい 好き 大好き いい いい です ね。 です。 です ね。 この 器5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Illustrations by Masako Ban
ii suki dai suki ii ii
and
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Copyright 1999 The Yomiuri Shimbun
ko¯ : favorable, good
su(ki), ...zu(ki), kono(mi): fond of
onna ko(domo)
Combining“女(woman)”and“子(child)," this kanji originally had a meaning of "young women" or "girls." As young women were considered beautiful, the combined form was used to mean "to like," "good" and "beautiful."
woman child
Proverb
In Japan, to boast or to brag about something is not appreciated. Therefore, even though one is skillful at a task, and is praised for it, it is best to be humble. This phrase is used to show enthusiasm about a hobby, etc., even though one lacks the skill.
Mr. Tada: You are good (at it). 上手 ですね。
Jo¯ zu desu ne.
Mr. Pole: Oh, no. I just enjoy it, even though I'm not good at it.
いいえ 下 手 の 横 好 きですよ。
Iie, heta no yoko-zuki desu yo.
Mr. Tada: No, really. You are very good. いいえ 上手ですよ。
Iie, jo¯ zu desu yo.
I have no particular likes or dislikes. 好き嫌い は 特に ありません。
Suki/kirai wa toku ni arimasen.
likes and dislikes
su ki kira i
好 き 嫌 い
女
All people have their own preferences. (often used negatively)
好きずきですから。
Sukizuki desu kara.
free choice, to each his own
su ki zu ki
好 き ず き
妻 とは 趣味 も 好み も 違います。
Tsuma to wa shumi mo konomi mo chigaimasu.
My taste and even my preferences differ from my wife's.
taste, preference
kono mi
好 み
あの 新製品 は 好評 ですね。
Ano shinseehin wa ko¯ hyo¯ desu ne.
That new product has a good reputation, doesn't it ?
ko¯ hyo¯
good reputation (criticism),acclaim
好 評
best chance, ideal
zekko¯ no
Today is a perfect (ideal) day for golf, isn't it ? 今日 は 絶好 の ゴルフ日和 ですね。
Kyo¯ wa zekko¯ no golf-biyori desu ne.
You can change golf to tennis, hiking etc.
絶 好 の
下 手 の 横 好 き
子
heta no yoko-zuki
Crazy about something although not very good at it. Unskillful but euthusiastic.
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
No, but you can be sama" too! In the past, the word "ue-sama" was used to address members of the upper classes, such as Sho¯ gun (samurai general). "ue-sama" is now in use only when issuing official receipts, replacing the actual name/com-pany name. It is said that this form of address will not disgrace the recipient, no matter who he/she is. So, if you need an official receipt and the clerk asks you "onamae wa? " you could answer "ue-sama."
Mr. Pole: Please give me an official receipt. Mr. Pole
clerk : What's the name?
clerk : How shall I fill out the items section? Mr. Pole: It's "company name."
Mr. Pole: ... です。 desu 1 2 3 Answers 2 3 1
When I was shopping and waiting in line at the cashier, I heard the clerk asking the customers "onamae wa?" (What's the name ? or Who should it be addressed to ?)
I expected them to give their own names, but instead they answered "ue-sama." Since then, I've realized the same conversation is carried at other stores too, when customers are asking for official receipts. Do Japanese people have another name beside their own ?
領 収 書
平成He¯ se¯
date (Heisei era ... started in 1989)
￥ 21,000
上 様 receipt
(ryo¯ shu¯ sho)
name / company name
内訳 税抜金額 ￥20,000 消費税額 (5%) ￥1,000 収 入 印 紙 日 本 株式会社 東京都港区麻布1-2-3 電話 03-4567-8910 上記の金額を領収いたしました 但 seal (inkan) consumption tax (sho¯ hize¯gaku) amount (ue)
(See "large to small")
name, address and telephone number of issuing party breakdown
(uchiwake)
amount without consumption tax
(ze¯nuki kingaku)
The amount above has been received.
(jo¯ ki no kingaku o ryo¯ shu¯ itashimashita)
items e.g., polite form of "san" (Mr./Ms.) ...at a shop official receipt おねがいします。 onegaishimasu お名前 は。 onamae wa ?
Who should it be addressed to?
or お宛名 は。
oatena wa ?
company name or
Write it to "name replacement."
name replacement で。
de
(by means of) 但書き は。
tadashigaki wa?
Even if you do not specify the items you purchased, the clerk will normally fill out the section on the receipt as below.
oshokuji-dai...meal expenses, oshina-dai...merchandise expenses, shoseki-dai...book expenses
上 様
ue-sama
領 収 書
ryo¯ shu¯ sho
e.g.,
e.g.,
revenue stamp
(shu¯ nyu¯ inshi)
for amounts over￥30,000
large
to
small
rule
full name : Oda
family name → where
you work : Nihon Kabushiki gaisha
address : Tokyo to Minato ku Azabu 1-2-3 River Apt. Oda Masanori prefecture→
(ward, city)
date :
In other words, the "large" idea is expressed first with smaller ideas following. Remember, this rule applies to many situations in Japanese.
(year 1999)
(last) (first)
(April) (26th) (Monday)
year →
佐藤 / 鈴木 / 田中
Quiz
One of the three names on left is the mostcommon last name in Japan. Now, which one is it ?
Top
3
most common last names :1.
鈴木 (Suzuki)2.
佐藤 (Sato¯ )3.
田中(Tanaka)The answer is "Suzuki." This last name is more common in east Japan, especially in Shizuoka Prefecture (approximately one out of every 65 people). Believe it or not, in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, approximately one out of every 20 is Suzuki-san! So if you are ever in Hamamatsu and shout the name at a train station, at least a few Suzuki-san will turn around and look at you.
Vol.
2
A receipt serves as a legal document. In Japanese companies, the accounting department often requires a “ryo¯shu¯ sho” for reimbursement. A “ryo¯shu¯ sho” does not itemize the details. (If you do not want your secretary or the accounting department to know exactly how many drinks you had, you could give them the “ryo¯shu¯ sho” instead of the restaurant bill.) There are some places, however, which refuse to write “ue-sama” (e.g., department stores). In that case, have your name/company name ready.
Official Receipt
...ryo¯ shu¯ shoryo¯ receive, dominion
領
横
o¯ misappropriation, embezzlement おう usurpationMy business colleague embezzled company property (money).
同僚 は 会社 の 金 を 横領をしました。 do¯ ryo¯ wa kaisha no kane o o¯ ryo¯ o shimashita
収
shu¯
graft, bribe しゅう
collect
That person was arrested for bribery. あの人 は 収賄 で 捕まりました。
ano hito wa shu¯ wai de tsukamarimashita
書
sho
document しょ
document
I left the document on a train. 書類 を 電車 に 置き 忘れました。 shorui o densha ni oki-wasuremashita
収
nenannual income
年
ねん year
Because of the recession, my annual income dropped drastically.
不景気 で 年収 は 大幅 に 減りました。 fuke¯ ki de nenshu¯ wa o¯ haba ni herimashita
書
se¯bill, invoice
請
せい request
At the end of the month, I will pay the bill. 月末 に 請求書 の 支払い を します。
getsumatsu ni se¯ kyu¯ sho no shiharai o shimasu
setsu written explanation, instruction
説
せつ explanationI learned it by reading the instructions. 説明書 を 見ながら 覚えました。 setsume¯sho o minagara oboemashita sen kyu¯hyaku kyu¯ju¯ kyu¯ nen shi gatsu niju¯ roku nichi getsuyo¯bi
Design
:
Masako Ban
(sama)
nen gatsu nichi
11 年 4 月 26 日 りょう ryo¯ receive
領
収
しゅう shu¯ income賄
わい wai graft求
書
きゅう しょ kyu¯ sho demand document類
るい rui sort書
明
しょ めい sho me¯ document clearwrite, book, document income, collect
sho shu¯
day of the week date → month → person's name house # → town→ area in pref.→ given name family name →
company name → Oda Masanori
given name Masanori
There are many interesting expressions that use words for body parts, and they are frequently used in daily conversation. Can you guess, for example, how many expressions use the word "eye(s)" (目[me])? The answer is as many as 140! In this lesson, let us look at some useful expressions combining i-adjectives and body parts. The good news is, you can create sophisticated expressions by using beginning-level i-adjectives at below left. Mr. Pole, don’t think so hard. If you look below, you will understand what this man is like.
Mr. Pole 1 1 12 2 15 5 13 4 9 3 6 7 8 10 11 14
I was in a coffee shop the other day and overheard an interesting conversation between two young women at the next table. One of them asked the other, "So what is your boyfriend like?" Her friend replied, "Well, his face is wide and his head is soft, but his mouth is a little light." What is this man really like? Soft head? Is there something wrong with her boyfriend?
good
i-adjectives
nice good いい ii bad 悪いwarui old 古い furui hurtful painful 痛い itai hard 堅い katai soft 柔らかい yawarakai spacious wide 広い hiroi early fast はやい hayai tall high 高い takai long 長い nagai light 軽い karuihead
頭
あたま atamabright ; smart ; sharp 頭 が
atama ga
7 wide
face
顔
かお kaohave a wide circle of acquaintances 顔 が kao ga 3 old old-fashioned 頭 が atama ga 4 painful to worry over a problem 頭 が atama ga 5 hard inflexible ; stubborn 頭 が atama ga 6 soft
flexible ; receptive to new things 頭 が
atama ga
2 bad
頭 が
atama ga
fool ; not smart
13 hard
mouth
口
くち kuchican keep a secret ; closed-mouthed 口 が
kuchi ga
15 bad
have a sharp tongue ; have a bad mouth 口 が
kuchi ga
14 light 口 が
kuchi ga
cannot keep a secret
10 high
nose
鼻
はな hana to be proud of 鼻 が hana ga 11 long 鼻 の下 が hana no shita gato be flirtatious; to like women
8 fast
ear(s)
耳
みみ mimiquick-eared ; have sharp ears 耳 が mimi ga 9 painful 耳 が mimi ga be ashamed to hear 12 good
eye(s)
目
め mehave an expert eye for 目 が
me ga
・There are many other expressions that have similar meanings, but this one is humorous and less offensive compared to others. It applies to men.
・By adding "desu" to these expressions, you can make a sentence.
e.g., Mr. Pole is smart.
Pole-san wa atama ga ii desu
■Did all the expressions on the left make sense to you? Now, let's
see if you can apply what you just learned to the phrases below.
That person keeps secrets , so please don't worry. あの人 は
that person
closed-mouthed
He is a good person, but has a bad mouth . いい人 なん です が、
good person
Education for children is a nagging problem to parents in any country, isn't it ?
to worry over a problem
You know a variety of people. You must have a wide circle of acquaintances .
いろいろな 人 を 知っています ね。
What ? You already know about it! You are quick-eared , aren't you?
えっ？ もう その話 を 知っていますか。
already
quick-eared
has a bad mouth variety of people
have a wide circle of acquaintances
If you keep saying such things, you will be ridiculed for being old-fashioned .
such things
old-fashioned
Being told the same thing over and over, I am quite embarrassed . いつも 同じ事 を 言われて
always
be ashamed to hear
■For answers to fill in the
boxes, check with i-adjectives on the left that have corres-ponding numbers.
口
頭
顔
耳
A ha! Th ey m e a n t h e k n o w s a lo t o f p e o p le an d is fle xib le in his th in kin g, bu th ec an 't he lp b lu rt in g o u t a s e c ret. Th at ma kes sen se! will be ridiculed atama head kao face kuchi mouth me eye(s) hana nose mimi ear(s) 子供 の 教育 は どの 国 の 親 も ですね。kodomo no kyoiku wa dono kuni no oya mo desu ne
そんな事 を 言っていると、 と 笑われますよ。
sonna-koto o itte-iru to to waraware-masu yo also
any country
education for children parents isn't it?
keep saying I tell you
desu ne iro-iro na hito o shitte-imasu ne
ですね。
know
desu ne e? mo sono hanashi o shitte-imasu ka
ですね。
desu itsumo onaji-koto o iwarete
です。
know that story
same matter being told
desu kara anshin o shite-kudasai ano hito wa です から 安心 を して下さい。 please relax ...so ii hito nandesu ga です。 desu ...but
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Vol.
3
many
minds???
いい i
Good guess, Mr. Pole. It is a sibling of the body part-i-adjective combos. This time, I would like to bring your attention to expressions combining 気 [ki] (mind) and 心 [kokoro] (heart), with i-adjectives. These two words are staples for combination forms in everyday conversation, with ki combining with more than 120 words—including not only i-adjectives, but verbs—and kokoro with more than 40 words. Presented here are the more common of such expressions, along with three more body part-related ones.
Mr. Pole 1 1 15 2 14 5 4 3 6 7 8 9 10 13 11 12
Several friends of mine have commented on me, saying, “ki ga o¯ i desu ne”(You have many minds.), but I have no idea what they mean. I think I’m not supposed to take these words literally because I’m not aware of more than one mind in my head, of course! My guess is, the phrase is really something like those body part and i-adjective combinations you talked about in our previous class (May 10). Am I
fast Design : Masako Ban
i-adjectives
early fast はやい hayai heavy 重い omoi short 短い mijikai long 長い nagai small 小さい chisai weak 弱い yowai young 若い wakai many 多い o¯ i strong 強い tsuyoi nice good wide narrow 広い hiroi 狭い semaimind
気
き ki hasty; impatient 3 short short-tempered; impatient 4 long patient; easy-going 5 small timid 6 weak weak-willed; timid 7 young young at heart 8 many capricious; fickle 9 strong strong-willed; aggressive 10 good good-natured 2 heavyin no mood to; feeling reluctant
15 fast
feet;
leg(s)
足
あし ashiperishable; easy to go bad
足 が ashi ga 11 wide
heart
心
こころ kokoro generous 心 が kokoro ga 12 narrow 心 が kokoro ga narrow-minded 14 heavywaist
lower back
腰
こし koshislow to act
腰 が
koshi ga
■Did all the expressions on the left make sense to you? Now, let’s see if you can apply what you have just learned to the
小田さん の 奥さん は Oda-san no oku-san wa 13 good
arm(s)
腕
うで ude skilled; good at 腕 が ude ga■For answers to fill in the boxes, check with i-adjectives on the left that have corresponding numbers.
足
気
気
心
腕
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa ki
mind
Mr. Oda’s wife is strong-willed (aggressive) but generous.
generous strong-willed
Oda-san’s wife
もう 冬休み の 計画 ですか。
mo¯ fuyu-yasumi no ke¯kaku desu ka
A plan for winter vacation already? You must be impatient.
impatient
御主人 は 料理 の
go-shujin wa ryo¯ ri no
Your husband is good at cooking. I envy you.
一般的に
ippan-teki ni
Generally speaking, short-tempered people suffer a loss.
short-tempered
generally suffer a loss
今日中 に 断わらなければなりません...
kyo¯-ju¯ ni kotowaranakereba-narimasen
I have to give (them) my refusal today. I’m reluctant. already winter vacation plan
skilled one’s husband 私 の 短所 は watashi no tansho wa my ですね。 desu ne in no mood to within today 特に 梅雨 の 生もの は
toku ni tsuyu no nama-mono wa
Uncooked foods, particularly in rainy season, go bad fast.
especially
easy to go bad
■In job interviews at Japanese companies, you are sometimes asked to describe the strengths and weaknesses in your character. Take stock of yourself and try filling in the boxes in the following sentence with expressions from this and the Vol. 3 lesson that best fit your character.
My main strength is , but my main weakness is .
What? Did they m e a n to sa y I w a s c a p ric io u s ? F ic k le ? W e ll, p e o p le d o m i s ta ke m e for w!tonm’Itah ! .. . が ga 気 ki 気 ki が ga が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki が ga 気 ki ashi koshi ude kokoro feet; leg(s) waist arm(s) heart です が、 desu ga です。 desu 人 は 損 を します。
hito wa son o shimasu
ですが 長所 は
desu ga cho¯ sho wa
です。 desu です。 desu strength(s) weakness(es) ですね。 羨ましいです。
desu ne urayamashi desu
meal; cooking I envy you.
です。
desu must decline/refuse
uncooked food rainy season
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Vol.
4
many
minds???
飲みました。
nomimashita but was on time
で 間 に 合いました。
de maniaimashita
In Edo era (1603-1868), women of samurai families used hair grease of the type still used by today’s sumo wrestlers. The trouble with the grease was that, whenever they went out, it would gather dust. So they came up with the idea of wrapping white silk fabric around their heads to keep the dust off. It eventually evolved into the headdress you saw in the photo. Interestingly, by the time it came to be worn by brides and be called tsunokakushi, the covering had a new meaning: It was worn to hide—symbolically—the bride’s horns, or her selfishness or ego. It reflected the belief that the bride should hide such “horns” in the presence of her in-laws, to convince them she could live with them harmoniously.
Mr. Pole
A friend showed me a photo from his wedding ceremony in which his wife was in a beautiful kimono. She was also wearing a headdress, and I was intrigued by its interesting shape. ”Oh, that,” the friend said. “It’s called tsuno kakushi (角隠し), a horn cover.” Horns on a bride’s head? But he wasn’t joking. Japanese people often associate horns with devils, but why did horns also come to be associated with brides, of all people?
Design
:
Masako Ban
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa
Suppose you are invited to a wedding ...
■What to wear
The usual wedding attire for male guests is a black or dark suit and white tie. Women, on the other hand, are allowed a little more flexibility and can wear either a fomal dress or kimono. The width of the kimono sleeves differs depending on the wearer’s status: For married women, they reach to the hip, whereas single women’s sleeves are wide enough to hang down to their calves.
■Gifts
The wedding gift is usually money, and there are rules dictating how
you present it. Get a goshu¯ gi-bukuro (御祝儀袋) envelope designed for
the purpose and available at convenience stores. Write your name in the lower half on the front and insert the money in crisp, new bills
(shinsatsu = 新札). When you arrive at the wedding, offer it to the
person at the reception desk, bow and say, “omedeto¯-gozaimasu”
(Congratulations.). Make sure you put in an odd number (kisu¯ = 奇数) of
bills, because it is believed there is a jinx in an even number (gu¯ su¯ = 偶
数), which can be divided into two and spell the couple‘s separation. An
exception is two bills. Nine bills are also thought of as bad luck. ■Speeches—what you can expect
Once the reception starts, expect to sit through a long series of speeches by guests chosen by the newlyweds. Speeches are part of the wedding formalities and their content is often stilted.
■Return Gifts (hikidemono = 引出物）
When the wedding reception is over, you are given a large paper bag containing a thank-you gift from the newlyweds. It is not good manners to open it at the wedding. Return gifts are typically cooking utensils, serving dishes or—if you get lucky—a gift catalog and voucher. Kitchen items are so common that some Japanese homes end up with a large collection of them.
■Choosing the date
There are six fortune designations given in a continuous cycle in the traditional Japanese calendar, which is based on traditional Chinese
fortune-telling. One designation, taian (大安), is regarded as most
desirable for weddings, while butsumetsu (仏滅), on the other hand, is
to be avoided. Because of this, when a taian falls on a weekend, wedding halls, hotels and shrines everywhere are booked out. Few
結婚式 の 日 道 を 間違えました。
kekkon-shiki no hi michi o machigaemashita
On the day of the wedding, I got lost (took the wrong road).
でも demo スピーチ は speech wa 終わった 時 は owatta toki wa スピーチ の 後 のど が
speech no ato nodo ga
ですから お酒 を
desukara osake o
しました。 今日 は 二日酔い です。
shimashita kyo¯ wa futsuka-yoi desu
But I just made it on time.
I was nervous giving a speech.
When it was over, I was relieved.
After the speech, I was extremely thirsty.
So, I gulped down some sake.
I felt dizzy. Today, I have a hangover.
ぎりぎり
giri giri barely (space, time, deadline, etc.)
どきどき doki doki scared; nervous ほっ hot relieved からから kara kara bone-dry がぶがぶ gabu gabu gulp ふらふら fura fura dizzy; stumble Answers
Onomatopoeia
wedding ceremony road made a mistake
when finished
after the speech throat
therefore sake drank
today hangover barely nervous relieved bone-dry gulp dizzy
■Mr. Pole is talking about the wedding reception he attended yesterday:
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 (d) (e) (a) (f ) (c) (b)
安 物 買 い の 銭 失 い
yasumono- gai no zeni ushinai
仏 の 顔 も 三度
hotoke no kao mo sando
仏 作って 魂 入れず
hotoke tsukutte tamashi irezu
せっかく 作った のに 要点 が 抜けています。
sekkaku tsukutta noni yo¯ ten ga nuketeimasu
『仏 作って 魂 入れず』ですね。
“hotoke tsukutte tamashi irezu” desu ne
Despite all efforts (on the document), the main point is missing.
A statue of Buddha with no soul, right ?
(big) (Buddha)
安
仏
安かった ので 買いました が、すぐに 壊れました。
yasukatta node kaimashita ga, suguni kowaremashita
『安物買い の 銭失い』です ね。
“yasumono-gai no zeni ushinai” desu ne
I bought it because it was cheap, but it broke straight away.
Penny wise and pound foolish, I suppose.
was cheap
今度 失敗したら おしまいです。
kondo shippai shitara oshimai desu
If I fail this time, it will all be over.
this time
社長 は 気 が 長いです が『仏 の 顔 も 三度』です。
shacho¯ wa ki ga nagai desu ga, “hotoke no kao mo sando” desu
Our president is patient, but there is a limit to anyone’s patience.
lucky day (calendar wise) unlucky day (calendar wise)
tai butsu
company president
make efforts
気 を つけたほう が いい です ね。
ki o tsuketaho¯ ga i desu ne
You ought to be careful.
had better take care
Buddha Buddha cheep goods
Doing something in a superficial way, forgetting the most important part. (Lit. Making a Buddha statue, but failing to give
butsu: Buddha hotoke: Buddha
an: peace of mind yasu(i): cheap tsuno kakushi しました。 shimashita と しました。 to shimashita でした。 deshita metsu (death) an (peace of mind)
so bought soon was broken
made though main
point is missing
soul
make not giving
patient
be all over; the end if it is a failure
face three times
Buying cheap and wasting money/Penny wise and pound
There is a limlt to one’s patience.
You can only pray to Buddha
lose money buying
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Vol.
5
"tsuno"
??
(horns)
Bride has
"tsuno"
(horns)
??
Bride has
Yes, there are many more. The weather-related words you are talking about are often used when greeting others. This may be the case in other languages as well. There are special words for each of the four seasons (shiki), especially autumn (aki) (about 100 words), then winter (fuyu) , summer (natsu) and spring (haru). But you can also use weather-related words and phrases to say things indirectly. Some of these metaphorical phrases can be used tactfully to avoid mentioning something unpleasant, such as a bad mood or an argument.
Mr. Pole
After a meeting at work, a colleague told me “kyo¯ wa o¯ are desu kara ki o tsuketa-ho¯ ga i desu yo (Today
is really stormy, so you should be careful.)” But it looked nice and sunny outside, so I said, “i tenki desu
yo (It’s sunny).” My colleague laughed at me.
Afterward, I found out the word “o¯ are” doesn’t
necessarily refer to the weather. Are there any other weather-related words that can be used to mean something completely different?
Design
:
Masako Ban
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa
1 2
3
1 2 3 4
rea
lly stor my
rea
lly stor my
oa
re
また 『雷 が 落ちました』。
mata 『kaminari ga ochimashita』
今、森さん は『低気圧』ですから 気 を つけたほうが いいですよ。
ima Mori-san wa『te¯kiatsu』desu kara ki o tsuketa-ho¯ ga i desu yo
■ lightning strikes
[be severely scolded] yesterday
■ The ground becomes firm after rain.
now
again
昨日
after all
結局 『雨降って 地固まる』でした ね。
kekkyoku 『ame futte ji katamaru』deshita ne
The company president was very angry yesterday.
There is a big difference between the first rank and the 10th.
We are at a loss over this matter.
■ the difference between clouds and mud
[great difference]
first rank
1 位 と 10 位では 『雲泥の差』です。
ichi-i to ju¯ -i dewa 『unde¯ no sa』desu weather forecast
He was severely scolded again.
After all, the argument cleared the air, didn’t it?
■ a dense fog over 20 kilometers long
[be at a loss; be utterly bewildered]
this matter
この件 は 『五里霧中』です。
kono ken wa 『gori muchu¯』desu o¯ are
大 荒 れ
低 気 圧
te¯kiatsu ■[low atmospheric pressure / bad mood] depression
■ heavy storm
雷 が 落ちます
kaminari ga ochimasu
ame futte ji katamaru
雨降って 地固まる
[Calm comes after a storm. / An argument clears away bad feelings between people.]unde¯ no sa
雲 泥 の 差
gori muchu¯
五 里 霧 中
ten
[show unrestrained emotion and get angry with everybody]
■ For example, if someone says :
It’s a nice day, isn’t it? いい天気 です ね。
i tenki desu ne
■ All you need to say in reply is:
そうですね
so¯ desu ne
Yes, it is.
Don’t contradict them. ...I don’t think so. / No, it’s not a nice day. This is not really a conversation but more of a greeting!
Weather greetings
It’s .
→ first omit : i then add : katta
today
e.g.,mushiatsu i katta desu
今日 kyo wa hot 暑い atsui は It was . yesterday きのう kino¯ wa は × →
→ first omit : i then add : kunarimashita
e.g., mushiatsu i kunarimashita
It’s getting . 蒸し暑 mushiatsu × cool 涼しい suzushi cold 寒い samui warm 暖かい あったかい atatakai attakai 5 6 4 5 6 humid 蒸し暑い mushiatsui
■Let’s practice ...fill in the numbered boxes using these i-adjectives:
(polite form) (friendly form)
e.g., mushiatsui desu
It’s humid today, isn’t it?
desu
It was humid yesterday, wasn’t it?
It’s getting humid, isn’t it?
i-adjective
i-adjective
Japanese frequently comment on the weather as a way of greeting each other. When you meet a colleague in the elevator or on the street, try greeting them by commenting on the weather. You will often hear these phrases in the elevator. It dispels those uncomfortable silences as the floors flash by.
▲
i-adjective
i-adjective
そう言えば、昨日 滝さん 会社 を 辞めましたよ。
so¯ ieba kino¯ Taki-san
そうですね so¯ desu ne today by the way 今日 what? ええ？
You know, tomorrow will take care of itself. です。
Oh, no. I’m in trouble...
うわあ∼ 困ったなあ...
No problem.
daijobu desu yo shimpai-shinaide
大丈夫ですよ 心配しないで！ particle desu です 。 蒸し暑い mushiatsui が ga 『青天の霹靂』 seten no heki-reki 『明日 は 明日 の 風 が 吹く』
ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku
よ
yo
is humid
emphasizing the person
A bolt out of the blue
particle
Tomorrow will take care of itself
giving information
『明日 は 明日 の 風 が 吹く』
ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku
『青天の霹靂』
se¯ ten no heki-reki
blue sky
A bolt out of the blue Tomorrow will take care of itself.
tomorrow ■in the elevator Mr. Mori : Mr. Mori : Mr. Mori : Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole :
It is humid today, isn’t it?
By the way, Mr. Taki resigned yesterday.
What? I had no idea.
It’s a bolt out of the blue. Oh, no. I’m in trouble. You will be all right. Don’t worry.
Yes, it is.
▲
▲
Answers 蒸し暑い です ね。 かった です ね。 蒸し暑 desu ne mushiatsui katta desu ne mushiatsu くなりましたね。 kunarimashita neold Chinese word
meaning lightning wind blow
ですね。 は kyo wa desu ne isn’t it 会社 を 辞めましたよ。 kaisha o yamemashita yo company quit 全然 知りませんでした。 ee zen-zen shirimasendeshita
not at all didn’t know
desu uwa¯ komatta na¯
Don’t worry! ki yo ho¯ 社長 は 『大荒れ』でした。 『o¯are』 deshita kino¯ president
so had better be careful I tell you
Mr. Mori is in a bad mood now, so you’d better be careful.
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Vol.
6
oare
oare
Copyright 1999 The Yomiuri Shimbun
You are correct. It’s an expression of humility to say “tsumaranai mono desu ga” when offering a gift, no matter how expensive the item. The phrase has been used so often it does not mean much any more. Japanese companies pay bonuses in early summer and toward the end of the year, and people purchase and send gifts from department stores around these times. These gifts are called ochu¯ gen—midyear gift— and ose¯ bo—year-end gift. The gifts are sent to people to whom one feels indebted or to clients, and are intended to express gratitude and appreciation. Department stores cash in on the two seasons by setting up special gift areas. Each season, the media report the sales figures as an indicator of the current state of the economy. Last year, the average Japanese sent a gift worth ￥4,200 to each of four recipients.
Mr. Pole
I have been receiving a lot of gifts of cans of beer, towels and seaweed from Japanese acquaintances recently. It’s too early for Christmas, and too late for my birthday. In the hope of finding out what it was all about, I called up one of the senders and thanked him, but he only said “tsumaranai mono desu ga.” Surely he did not mean to say that he had sent me “a
Design : Masako Ban 1 1 2 3 2 4 3 4 5 不在票 を fuzai-hyo¯ o Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole : Sender : Secretary : Clerk :
I received a delivery slip.
Answers
(boring gift)
?
tsumaranai mono
(boring gift)
?
tsumaranai mono
(boring gift)
?
tsumaranai mono
先日は有難うございました。senjitsu wa arigato¯ -gozaimashita
Thank you for (the gift) the other day.
(from middle of June to middle of July)
Winter gift
Summer gift
ochugen
御中元
御歳暮
osebo (from middle of November to end of December)Typical seasonal gift items have long been beer, cooking oil and seaweed (nori), and people did not bother much about the recipient’s needs. But department stores now offer a variety of items so customers can select something the recipients would actually enjoy.
When you receive a gift, remember to thank the sender the next time you talk to the person, no matter how late it seems. It is also a good idea to
send thank-you cards. When you say thank you, it is not particularly necessary to mention what the gift was. All you have to say is:
[宅急便]
takkyu¯ bin is the courier service that delivers items anywhere in Japan within two days.You may find a slip left in your mailbox or at your door to let you know a delivery person called in your absence. Just call the number on it, and you will be able to receive it within the day.
usually what kind of things
から
kara
this much business associate
see below
こんなに 取引先
konnani torihiki-saki
お名前、お客様番号 を どうぞ。
onamae, okyaku-sama bango¯ o do¯ zo
普通 どんな物 を
そうですね...一般的 に...ビール とか...海苔...ですね。
so desu ne...ippan-teki ni... toka...nori...desu ne
e¯tto...sakana toka...niku toka...desu
えーっと...魚 とか...肉 とか...です。 受け取りました uketorimashita いただきました itadakimashita received from toka... (toka)...
I received so much (of gift) from a business associate.
Friend: What kind of food do you like?
received
Mr. Pole: Let’s see...I like fish...meat...and so on. Your name and customer number please.
What kind of things do you usually receive (for ochugen)?
Let’s see. Generally, it’s beer or nori or things like that.
receive
5
昨日
いいえ とんでもないです。
iie, tondemonai desu
I received (the gift) yesterday. Thank you very much.
Oh, no, please don’t mention it.
■ Mr. Pole calls a courier service about the delivery notice left on the door:
■ Next day, he shows his secretary the gift he has received:
■ Mr. Pole calls up the sender to thank him.
もらいます
moraimasu
いただきました
itadakimashita
(polite form)
Let’s see. generally
yesterday
modest form of “Don’t mention it.”
[receiver] receives something from [giver]
は
wa
Grammar notes
receiver
▲
▲
see “teki”▲
when receiving a gift
いただきます
itadakimasu superior or customer
when receiving a document, fax, letter, etc.
friend, family, one’s equal or junior
もらいます
moraimasu
Before a meal, say, “itadakimasu” to show your appreciation to nature, to God and to the person who cooked the meal or is treating you to it.
Polite forms of “receive” vary as follows:
お受け取り致します
ouketori-itashimasu
受け取ります
uketorimasu
一般的な意見です。
ippan-teki na iken desu
teki
-ic; -li; -al; -like; -ish; -ly
opinion 一般的 ippan-teki 主観的 客観的 合理的 効果的 全体的 否定的 肯定的 平均的 専門的 伝統的 論理的 社会的 精神的 封建的 協力的 画一的 shu¯ kan-teki kyakkan-teki go¯ ri-teki ko¯ ka-teki zentai-teki hite¯ -teki ko¯ te¯ -teki he¯ kin-teki senmon-teki dento¯ -teki ronri-teki shakai-teki se¯ shin-teki ho¯ ken-teki kyo¯ ryoku-teki kakuitsu-teki subjective(ly) objective(ly) rational(ly) effective(ly) whole(~lly) negative(ly) affirmative(ly) (on) average specialized traditional(ly) logical(ly) social(ly) spiritual(ly) conservative(ly) cooperative(ly) stereotypical(ly) + noun e.g., general(ly) ... 的 + e.g., e.g., e.g., 一般的に普及をしています。
ippan-teki ni fukyu¯ o shite-imasu
一般的です。 ippan-teki desu spread 的 的 It is a generally-held opinion. It is in general use. It is general. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ (professionally) /feudalistic(ally)
Use: ni or kara, if receiving from person / kara, if receiving from an organization.
/mental(ly)
To break uncomfortable silences while you are searching for words, use toka as a filler as follows:
receive
から
に
を
もらいます
moraimasu
o
kara
ni
giver something receive
。 。 teki ni に sentence teki です。 desu g i v e r 有難うございました。 。
kino¯ arigato¯ -gozaimashita
な
teki na
か。
futsu¯ donna-mono o ka
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
レストラン も 電車 も
Working people usually take a summer holiday only for three to four days, often from Aug. 13 to 15, a period called obon. Since this is a very short holiday, vacationers tend to concentrate at tourist spots (kanko- chi). Because of this, trains are in a state of sushi-zume (jam-packed), and major highways are jammed (ju- tai) as long as 100 kilometers. What happens to typical vacation goers is, when they return to work, they are exhausted from taking a vacation! This is why many Japanese say they would rather stay home and just goro-goro shimasu, or ”lie about and relax in a lazy manner.”
Mr. Pole
“Are you going anywhere over the summer vacation?” I asked a Japanese friend, and he said, “It’s been a long time since I last took a vacation, so I just want to lie about at home (goro-goro shimasu).” Another friend of mine told me he was planning on visiting his parents’ home (jikka) with his wife, but that he was heavy-hearted (ki ga omoi) and didn’t look that happy. I don’t see why my Japanese friends don’t seem that excited when the summer vacation is coming.
Design : Masako Ban 1 1 6 7 8 2 3 2 3 4 5 7 8 6 4 5 明日 旅館 の ashita ryokan no Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole : Friend : Friend :
I’m thinking of reserving a room at a Japanese inn tomorrow.
Answers
■ Mr. Pole and a friend are talking about their summer vacation plans.
Grammar notes
teki
具体的 gutai-teki + noun e.g., specific(ally)... 的 な teki na + sentence e.g., e.g., e.g., 的 に teki ni 的 だと思います。teki dato omoimasu
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 具体的 な 内容 です。
gutai-teki na naiyo- desu
-ic; -li; -al; -like;
-ish; -ally; -ly
contents please wrap up very think 典型的 対照的 楽観的 比較的 基本的 国際的 計画的 長期的 短期的 積極的 消極的 根本的 文化的 好意的 科学的 現代的 具体的 に まとめてください。 gutai-teki ni matomete-kudasai 非常に 具体的 だと思います。
hijo-ni gutai-teki da to omoimasu
typical(ly) opposite(ly) optimistic(ally) relative(ly) basic(ally) international(ly) deliberate(ly) in the long run for the short term spontaneous(ly) passive(ly) fundamental(ly) cultural(ly) favorable(-bly) scientific(ally) contemporary(-ily) /aggressive(ly) /modernistic(ally) /friendly /premeditated(ly) /by contrast /diametric(ally) /negative(ly) (This is) the specific content.
Summarize in specific points.
I think that is very specific.
tenke- -teki taisho- -teki rakkan-teki hikaku-teki kihon-teki kokusai-teki ke- kaku-teki cho- ki-teki tanki-teki sekkyoku-teki sho- kyoku-teki kompon-teki bunka-teki ko- i-teki kagaku-teki gendai-teki
During the obon, many people return to their parents’ home or the home where they were born and visit the family grave to offer incense, flowers and fruit. Married women are responsible for taking
their children to their parents-in-law. With gifts to present to parents and relatives and a long travel home, it is typically an expensive visit for the returning family. For many, such expenses are itai shuppi, or “painful cost.”
...Buddhist festival of the dead (Aug. 13-15)
obon
■ When you describe your “will; decision”:
ta...bun...
た... ぶん...
If you are very uncertain, stretch the vowels as you pronounce the word.
maybe, perhaps probably
■ 穴場
anaba
secret spot/good spot known to few people
■ がらがら
gara-gara
empty (applies to rooms, shops, trains and so on)
■ すし詰め
sushi-zume
jam-packed
■ のろのろ運転
noro-noro unten
drive at a snail’s pace
■ 長蛇の列 cho- da no retsu long line ■ ごろごろ します goro-goro shimasu lie about I’m thinking of _ . 行こう と 思います。 iko- to omoimasu
e.g., e.g., e.g.,
less certain more certain
I’m thinking of going.
volitional form + to omoimasu dictionary form + tsumori desu masu-form
▲
▲
▲
お 盆
this is typical summer vacation
これ が 典型的 な 夏休み です。
kore ga tenke- -teki na natsu-yasumi desu
at home うーん ... 家 で 。 unnnnnn train car 電車 は long line 何 を するにも
nani o suru nimo tourist resort How about...?
観光地 は どうですか。
kanko- chi wa do- desu ka tomorrow inn
already
もう いっぱいです よ。
mo- ippai desu yo
Let me tell you business district
を 教えましょうか ... オフィス街 です。
also train also
予約 を しよう と 思います。
yoyaku o shiyo- to omoimasu
たぶん tabun 穴場 anaba がらがら gara-gara すし詰め sushi-zume のろのろ運転 noro-noro unten 長蛇 の 列 cho-da no retsu ごろごろ しよう goro-goro shiyo -probably
I’m thinking of reserving
a secret spot
empty
drive at a snail’s pace
lie about jam-packed
It is probably already booked to the full.
Do you want to know the best spot? It is business districts.
Restaurants and trains are empty.
How about tourist spots?
Trains are jam-packed, cars move only at a snail’s pace,
whatever you do, you have to wait in a long line.
That is the typical summer vacation.
Mmmm.... I think I will just lie about at home.
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa
t
ab
un
gor o
-
goros h
imas
ugoro
-goro
lying about
goro
-goro
lying about
goro
-goro
lying about
I will _ . I plan to_ .
I plan to go. I will go.
行くつもりです。 行きます。
iku-tsumori desu iki-masu
た... ぶん... たぶん
ta...bun... tabun
full
o oshiemasho- ka office-gai desu
です。
restaurant mo densha mo desudesu
、車 は
densha wa kuruma wa 、
うーん ... 家 で 。
unnnnnn uchi de
。
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Vol.
8
tsuini ... Stressing the result at the moment of finding it out (used when one was not sure what the result would be)
■ 緊急電話 (kinkyu- denwa)...Emergency Telephone (All public pay phones have a
red botton for you to push to make a free call to 110 and 119.) Average number of dispatched vehicles
... 6.6 ambulances a minute; one fire engine a minute
・Ambulance ...救急車 (kyu-kyu-sha) Phone: 119
・Fire Department ..消防署 (sho-bo-sho) Phone: 119
・Police ... 警察 (ke-satsu) Phone: 110
Japan suffers many earthquakes. Back in January 1995, “Hanshin daishinsai” (the Great Hanshin Earthquake) caused 6,430 deaths and some victims are still suffering the aftereffects. If you notice an earthquake, make sure to put out all fires and gas flames, then open your windows and/or doors. This will secure an escape route in case the house or apartment block itself starts leaning.
Mr. Pole
Last night, there was an earthquake (jishin). It was really scary, so I called a friend to say “tetsudatte” (Help). But he said “nani o?” (What with?)! Why did he say such a cruel thing? A few minutes after the earthquake, there was a news flash on television that said where I live was shindo 3. What does that mean?
Design
:
Masako Ban
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa
1 2 2 3 3 1 1 4 4 5 5
“shindo” is the seismic intensity (level of the earthquake). After the quake, television and radio announce “shingenchi” (the seismic center), and how
big it was in the scale called “shindo.” Mr. Pole:
Mr. Pole:
Mr. Pole:
Answers
Answers
・shindo-ichi / 震度1... slight earthquake (bishin)
felt by people who are static
・shindo-ni / 震度2... light earthquake (ke-shin)
felt by many people; doors shake slightly
・shindo-san / 震度3... minor earthquake (jakushin)
a clattering sound is heard; hanging objects move
・shindo-yon / 震度4... medium earthquake (chu-shin)
felt by people while walking; cups and glasses fall from shelves
・shindo-go / 震度5... violent earthquake (kyo-shin) walls crack; gravestones fall
・shindo-roku / 震度6... disastrous earthquake (resshin) landslides; houses collapse
・shindo-nana / 震度7... severe earthquake (gekishin) cracks in the ground, fault
・in case of any danger or emergency → 助けて tasukete
e.g.,A ) "Help" when your cooking pan catches fire →
B ) "Help" when your job keeps you up all night → C ) "Help" when you are molested on a crowded train → D ) "Help" when you have an urgent errand to take care of →
A ) tasukete B ) tetsudatte C ) tasukete D) tetsudatte
・when you need a hand with something → 手伝って tetsudatte
earthquake
jishin
■ 防災の日 (bo-sai no hi) .... Disaster Prevention Day
On Sept. 1, 1923, a severe earthquake occurred in the Kanto- region (Kanto-
daishinsai = Great Kanto Earthquake), causing approximately 90,000 deaths.
Since then, Sept. 1 has been Disaster Prevention Day. If you go to stores around this time, you will find special sections for disaster prevention goods (e.g., dried biscuits, emergency provisions, drinking water, flashlights, first-aid kits). Many households in Japan keep these items handy, so you should make sure you have them too, just in case.
ill ... byo- ki
accident ... jiko fire .... kaji
thief ... dorobo-
lost items ...wasuremono
Usage note
こっち の ほう が ずっと 近道 です よ。
kocchi no ho- ga zutto chikamichi desu yo
I’m used to it, so there is nothing to worry about.
this way
いいえ、遠回り でも 確実性 の 高いほう が 安全 です。
i-e, to-mawari demo kakujitsuse- no takai ho- ga anzen desu ■ Mr. Pole fails to do as advised.
no
さすが いつも 準備 は 完璧 です ね。
sasuga itsumo jumbi wa kampeki desu ne always
It’s much faster to go this way (short cut).
No, even if it’s a roundabout way, it’s safer to take the way we know better.
慣れています ので 心配ない です。
narete-imasu node shimpai naidesu used to ですよ。 desu yo 2 ですよ。 desu yo 3 ですよ。 desu yo look ほら やっぱり！ hora yappari 『急がば回れ』 isogaba maware When in a hurry, make a detour
If prepared, there is no anxiety.
Friend:
Friend:
Friend:
You are always perfectly prepared.
『備えあれば憂いなし』
sonae areba urei nashi
『油断大敵』
yudan-taiteki
Do not let down your guard.
See, just as I expected. Friend:
急がば回れ
isoga ba mawareMore haste, less speed. (When in a hurry, you make a detour.)
備えあれば憂いなし
sonae areba urei nashiBe prepared. (If prepared, there is no anxiety.)
油断大敵
yudan taitekiNever let down your guard. (Feeling secure is a great enemy.)
やっと yatto ... longing; waiting
やっと
yatto
After all (finally), I wasn’t able to do it. Finally, it‘s done.
The fire engine still has not come ... it’s taking a long time.
あっ 来ました。 a kimashita 助けて tasukete やっと yatto Help ! Mr. Pole: Mr. Pole: finally finally finally finally
Oh, it finally arrived.
when one has been looking forward to the event
消防車... 遅い です ね。
sho- bo-sha ... osoi desu ne
e.g.,
とうとう
to-to
-ついに
tsuini
とうとう to-to- ... with emotion (happy, upset, etc); often used in negative form
ついに 火 が きえました ね。 hi ga kiemashita ne TV Reporter: 火 が きえました 。 hi ga kiemashita Fireman: 火 が 消えた。 hi ga kiemashita ne Victim:
... finally / at last / after all → + sentence
fire engine late isn't it ?
Oh came
fire “ga” ... emphasis on fire
やっと できました。 yatto dekimashita とうとう できませんでした。 to- to- dekimasendeshita ついに できました。 tsuini dekimashita ■ At the scene of a fire in Mr. Pole’s neighborhood
■ 20 minutes after fire fighting started At last, I did it.
Finally, the fire has been put out.
After all, the fire has been put out.
At last, the fire was put out. (in live broadcast)
e.g.,
e.g.,
when one feels upset about not being able to do it
when one was unsure if it would be completed
（feeling relieved after all the efforts）
（stressing that the fire was “finally” put out）
Emotional expressions
There are three ways to say “finally” in Japanese.
All of them imply the images of “effort,” “difficulty” and “trouble.”
（longing） tasukete
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1 2 3 Answerskinkyu-emergency
Help
I thought somore shortest way; short cut
round about way even reliable safer
perfection preparation
so don’t worry
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Vol.
9
Help
“oba- san” is a word for an old lady or one’s grandmother, whereas “obasan” means middle-aged lady or one’s aunt. You probably meant to say “obasan.” As you see, “oba- san” and “obasan” look almost the same. The difference is whether or not you stretch the letter “a” when pronouncing it. In Japanese, there are many other words like these two that share similar pronunciation but mean something completely different. The lady you mention was probably upset because you called her “old lady” even though she is still middle-aged. Next time you call someone you don’t know to draw his or her attention, just say “sumimasen” (Excuse me).
Mr. Pole
The other day, I saw a middle-aged lady drop a book in the street. I called “oba- san!” but she probably didn’t hear me and just kept walking. So, I ran after her and again shouted “oba-san!” This time she noticed me calling but looked very fierce. Then she grabbed her book from me and walked away without saying anything. I thought I was being nice, so I don’t understand why she didn’t thank me. What is her problem ? Design : Masako Ban 1 1 2 3 4 その 人 は 荷物 を
sono hito wa nimotsu o
Mr. Pole : You have a lot of baggage. How did you carry them?
Answers
Answers ■ Mr. Pole’s grandmother came to visit Japan from the South Pole
on
Grammar notes
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▲
that person
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa しゅじん
shujin
my husband
■ Make sure you pronounce the vowels “a, i, u, e, o” correctly to avoid problems.
きて
kite
please come
おじさん
ojisan
middle-aged man; uncle とり tori bird しゅうじん shu-jin prisoner おじいさん oj i-san
old man; grandfather きいて ki-te please listen とおり to-ri street
The average span of life for Japanese men last year was 77.97 years and for women, 83.82 years. From age 65, people are treated as “old” by the system in Japan. But in this aging society, 65 is not exactly “old” and is rather considered ”middle-aged.” Nowadays, people from 65 up to age 75 are often treated as “young-old,” and those above 75 are treated as the actual “old.” The oldest living Japanese twins are the 107-year-old twin sisters known as “Kin-san” and “Gin-san.”
敬 老 の 日
(ke
-ro
- no hi)
— Respect for the Aged Day (Sept. 15)I received someone’s action (implying someone was kind enough to do something for me) wa
someone
[
someone did something for me: I benefited from someone’s action]
Ms. Oda : May I carry your baggage?
Mr. Pole : Thank you. (That’s very kind of you.)
e.g.,
implying : “someone was kind enough to do something for me”
+
Mr. Pole : Ms. Oda helped me to carry my baggage.
小田さん は 私 の 荷物 を 持ってくれました。
Oda-san wa watashi no nimotsu o motte-kuremashita [Later, Mr. Pole is talking about this incident to someone else.]
teach (tell)
そして 一緒に 家 を
soshite isshoni uchi o
and he looked for the house with me. He told me about many places in this town.
and carry 2 look for 3 come 4 Grandmother: Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole : Mr. Pole : Grandmother: この街 の いろいろな所 を
kono machi no iro-iro na tokoro o this
わざわざ ここ まで
waza waza koko made take the trouble to do; see below
He carried my bags. 持ってくれました。 motte-kuremashita 教えてくれました。 oshiete-kuremashita 探してくれました。 sagashite-kuremashita 来てくれました。 kite-kuremashita e.g., わざわざ waza waza わざわざ ありがとうございました。
waza waza arigato¯ -gozaimashita
Thank you for taking the trouble to do it.
ありがとうございました。
arigato¯ -gozaimashita
Thank you very much.
He took the trouble to come all the way here. I met a kind person at the train station.
To the house? He really was a kind person, wasn’t he? He was a police officer!
“waza-waza” is used in a sentence when showing the appreciation to someone for doing something. If you use this “waza-waza” for your own action, people may think you have a patronizing attitude. So, be careful.
ああ∼ お金 を おろす のを 忘れた！
aa okane o orosu no o wasureta!
Family is (also) important...work is also important...
Sometimes, my landlord looks after my child; he’s very helpful. My wife asked me: “Which is more important, family or work?”
Oh
tomorrow
明日 返す から ３万円 貸して。
ashita kaesu kara san-man en kashite
kindness; obligation; debt of gratitude
also
kate- mo taisetsu... shigoto mo taisetsu...
家庭 も 大切... 仕事 も 大切...。
A neighbor is better than a relative living far away. 遠くの親戚より近くの他人
to-ku no shinseki yori chikaku no tanin
恩に着ます
on ni kimasu
be profoundly grateful [casual style]
おん
my wife family or work which important
妻 に 『家庭 と 仕事 どっちが 大切 ? 』と 言われました。
tsuma ni『kate- to shigoto docchi ga taisetsu ?』to iwaremashita
be in a dilemma (be sandwiched between∼)
板ばさみ itabasami です。 desu ですね。 desu ne
A
B
C
I’m in a dilemma No problem.Oh, I forgot to take money out (of the bank)!
I will pay you back tomorrow, so can you lend me 30,000 yen?
I really appreciate it. (I’m profoundly grateful.)
A ... 3 B ... 1 C ... 2 sometimes
時々 大家さん は 子供を 預かってくれます ので 助かります。
toki doki o¯yasan wa kodomo o azukattekuremasu node tasukarimasu
“A neighbor is better than a relative living far away”
1.
2.
3.
Friend :
[casual style conversation]
Can be replaced with politer “kudasaimashita”
▲
waza waza arigato
¯ -gozaimashita
pay back 30,000 yen please lend me
money draw forgot
child look after so helpful landlord
+ one’s action
take the trouble to do ->
together house
town various place
baggage
は を verb (te-form) + くれました。
▲
o kuremashita
something