January 2017 – Page 2 – Learning English and Japanese

Toru Jan 22, 2017Jan 02, 2024 arms, escape, hitode, human hand, Japanese, languages, names, sea star, starfish, video

Hitode (Starfish)

“Hitode” is a star-shaped creature, and it is said that star marks that are now commonly used comes from “hitode.” Read More

Culture Essay Etymology History Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Jan 21, 2017Jan 02, 2024 ashimoto o miru, fee, idiom, look at feet, packhorse, palanquin, take advantage, tiredness, traveler, unfair

Ashimoto wo Miru (To Take Unfair Advantage of Someone)

Ashimoto wo Miru 足元を見る Today I will talk about the Japanese idom “ashimoto w miru.” 今日は「足元を見る」という慣用句を紹介します。 The literal meaning is Read More

Business Culture Diary Education News Science Uncorrected

Toru Jan 20, 2017Jan 02, 2024 deadline, exhausted, graduation, night, preparation, presentation, research, students, thesis, university

Deadline for Graduation Thesis

At the university where I work, today was a deadline for graduation thesis. 卒業論文の締切 Students have been writing their theses Read More

Culture Essay Food Japanese tradition Proverb Science Uncorrected

Toru Jan 19, 2017Jan 02, 2024 admonish, cow, digestive process, eating, health, Japan, lying down, manner, medical study, superstition

You will become a cow if you lie down soon after eating.

There is a famous superstition in Japan as the following: 食べた後すぐ寝ると牛になる “You will become a cow if you lie down Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Slang Uncorrected

Toru Jan 18, 2017Jan 02, 2024 adjective, Ai Kyogen, curse, doll, dull, Japanese, noroi, noroma, Noromatsu Kanbe, puppeteer

Noroma

Today I will talk about the Japanese word “noroma”. のろま “Noroma” means a dull person or something dull. 今日は「のろま」という日本語を紹介します。 It Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Slang Uncorrected

Toru Jan 17, 2017Jan 02, 2024 burnt, clothes, dubious, expression, gunpowder, Japanese term, kinakusai, meaning, smell, war

Kinakusai

Today I would like to talk about the Japanese term “kinakusai”. きな臭い “Kinakusai” means that something or someone is dubious Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Jan 16, 2017Jan 02, 2024 abacus, business, calculation, division, expression, Japanese, meaning, nicchimo sacchimo ikanai, phrase, remainder

Nicchimo Sacchimo Ikanai

Today I will talk about the phrase “nicchimo sacchimo ikanai”. にっちもさっちもいかない “Nicchimo sacchimo ikanai” means that something/someone is completely pinned Read More

Climate Culture Diary Essay News Science Uncorrected

Toru Jan 15, 2017Jan 02, 2024 Computer-scored, examination, Japan, Listening exam, National Center Test, Private universities, Public universities, snow, University Admissions, winter

National Center Test for University Admissions

The National Center Test for University Admissions has been held since yesterday in Japan. 大学入試センター試験 This test is something like Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Slang Uncorrected

Toru Jan 14, 2017Jan 02, 2024 Buddhism, give up, Japanese term, Lang-8, mikka bozu, priest, quit, secular life, three days, training

Mikka Bozu

Today I will talk about the Japanese term “mikka bozu”. 三日坊主 The literal meaning is “three days guy”, and it Read More

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