September 2017 – Learning English and Japanese

Toru Sep 30, 2017Jan 03, 2024 iketara iku, invitation, Japan, Kansai, Kanto, phrases, regional differences, reply, social behavior, survey

Iketara Iku (行けたら行く – I’ll Go If I Can)

Iketara Iku 行けたら行く When people are invited to play or drinking parties in Japan, some often say “iketara iku” (行けたら行く). Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Slang Uncorrected

Toru Sep 29, 2017Jan 03, 2024 contempt, elderly man, father, group head, Japan, oyachichi, oyaji, oyaji gag, parent, terms

Oyaji (親父 – Father)

Oyaji 親父 In the yesterday’s post, you can find the Japanese word “oyazi” (親父), which means “father.” 昨日の投稿の中で、「父親」を意味する「親父」という日本語が出てきました。 In Japan, Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Slang Uncorrected

Toru Sep 28, 2017Jan 03, 2024 father, horse, incident, interest, meaning, old horse, oyajiuma, unrelated, useless, yajiuma

Yajiuma (野次馬 – Rubberneck)

When a fire or an accident occurs, many “yajiuma” (野次馬) will gather. 野次馬 “Yajiuma” means people show interest in a Read More

Business Culture Essay Gaming Idiom Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru Sep 27, 2017Jan 03, 2024 ao tenjō, blue ceiling, business, mah-jong, market price, rise, rule, score limit, sky, transactions

Ao Tenjō (青天井 – Dome of the Sky)

Ao Tenjō 青天井 Have you ever thought that the sky was a blue ceiling? 空を見上げたとき、青色の天井だと思ったことはありますか？ In Japan, there is the Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Slang Uncorrected

Toru Sep 26, 2017Jan 03, 2024 character, literal meaning, mama, original, personality, pun, selfish, spoiled, wagamama

Wagamama (わがまま – Selfish Character)

Wagamama わがまま I don’t like a person who has a personality called “wagamama” (わがまま) very much. 私は「わがまま」な性格の人が少し苦手です。 “Wagamama” means that Read More

Culture Essay Japanese tradition Kanji News Uncorrected

Toru Sep 25, 2017Jan 03, 2024 blue license, driver's license, driving record, expiration date, gold license, green license, Japan, Road Traffic Law, traffic violations, 優良運転者免許証

Gold Driver’s License

Today I updated my driver’s license and got a gold licence. ゴールド免許 Driver’s license in Japan is able to be Read More

Culture Essay Etymology European countries History Japanese tradition Kanji News Uncorrected

Toru Sep 24, 2017Jan 03, 2024 font size, furigana, gemstones, hiragana, Japanese, kanji, Meiji period, newspapers, publishing, rubi

Rubi (ルビ – Syllabaries )

Rubi ルビ In Japanese sentences, small hiragana syllabaries are sometimes written above or the side of kanji (Chinese characters). 日本語の文章では、漢字の上や横に小さく振り仮名をつけることがあります。 Read More