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私は現在 lang-8 という添削サイトで、毎日英語で短い文章を書いています。主な内容は、日本語の語源、ちょっとした雑学、日記などです。ここにその記録を残します。

Currently, I write short texts in English every day on a language exchange social networking website called Lang-8. At first, I mainly wrote it in a diary format, but at some point, fodders for my diary have gradually disappeared, and I began to write etymologies of Japanese terms and trivial things in English. I’d like to leave these article archives here.

[As of December 04, 2023]
投稿数 (Number of Posts): 2,236
単語数 (Number of Words): 257,553

【No. 2233】Attakē (あったけぇ - Heartwarming)

Dec 2, 2023 23:11
Attakē

Today, I played The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes.

This game is designed for online cooperative play.

Since it was released over eight years ago, it took me a long time to find other online players. However, the players I met were very kind and cooperative, even to a beginner like me.

During this time, I thought attakē (あったけぇ) to the kind players.

Attakē is a casual way of saying atatakai (温かい - meaning "warm") and is also a slang phrase derived from a manga. It is used when you are touched and warmed by someone's kindness.

【No. 2234】Attakē (あったけぇ - Heartwarming)

Dec 2, 2023 23:11
Attakē

Today, I played The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes.

This game is designed for online cooperative play.

Since it was released over eight years ago, it took me a long time to find other online players. However, the players I met were very kind and cooperative, even to a beginner like me.

During this time, I thought attakē (あったけぇ) to the kind players.

Attakē is a casual way of saying atatakai (温かい - meaning "warm") and is also a slang phrase derived from a manga. It is used when you are touched and warmed by someone's kindness.
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【No. 2232】Hyappatsu Hyakuchū (百発百中 - Deadly Accuracy)

Dec 1, 2023 19:05
Hyappatsu Hyakuchū

The four-character idiom hyappatsu hyakuchū (百発百中) describes a situation where a bullet or an arrow always hits the target, or every plan or prediction turns out exactly as intended.

Since hya/hyaku (百) means "hundred," hatsu/patsu (発) means "shot," and chū (中) means "hit," the literal meaning of hyappatsu hyakuchū is "a hundred shots, a hundred hits."

This idiom originates from the legendary archer Yang Youji, who appears in the ancient Chinese text "Strategies of the Warring States."

In the story, Yang shot a hundred arrows from a hundred paces away from a willow tree, and all the arrows hit the willow leaves.
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【No. 2233】Hyappatsu Hyakuchū (百発百中 - Deadly Accuracy)

Dec 1, 2023 19:05
Hyappatsu Hyakuchū

The four-character idiom hyappatsu hyakuchū (百発百中) describes a situation where a bullet or an arrow always hits the target, or every plan or prediction turns out exactly as intended.

Since hya/hyaku (百) means "hundred," hatsu/patsu (発) means "shot," and chū (中) means "hit," the literal meaning of hyappatsu hyakuchū is "a hundred shots, a hundred hits."

This idiom originates from the legendary archer Yang Youji, who appears in the ancient Chinese text "Strategies of the Warring States."

In the story, Yang shot a hundred arrows from a hundred paces away from a willow tree, and all the arrows hit the willow leaves.
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【No. 2231】Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei (一所懸命と一生懸命 - With All One's Might)

Nov 30, 2023 19:01
Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei

The four-character idioms issho kenmei (一所懸命) and isshō kenmei (一生懸命) are both used to describe engaging in something seriously with all one's might.

Since i/ichi (一) means "one," sho (所) means "place," and kenmei (懸命) means "with all one's might," the literal meaning of issho kenmei is "with all one's might in one place."

This idiom was derived from the fact that samurai defended a single territory with their lives.

Later, shō (生 - meaning "life") came to be used instead of sho, leading to the idiom isshō kenmei.

In recent years, the term issho (一生 - meaning "a lifetime") is more familiar than issho (一所 - meaning "one place" ), so isshō kenmei is used more often than issho kenmei.
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【No. 2232】Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei (一所懸命と一生懸命 - With All One's Might)

Nov 30, 2023 19:01
Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei

The four-character idioms issho kenmei (一所懸命) and isshō kenmei (一生懸命) are both used to describe engaging in something seriously with all one's might.

Since i/ichi (一) means "one," sho (所) means "place," and kenmei (懸命) means "with all one's might," the literal meaning of issho kenmei is "with all one's might in one place."

This idiom was derived from the fact that samurai defended a single territory with their lives.

Later, shō (生 - meaning "life") came to be used instead of sho, leading to the idiom isshō kenmei.

In recent years, the term issho (一生 - meaning "a lifetime") is more familiar than issho (一所 - meaning "one place" ), so isshō kenmei is used more often than issho kenmei.
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【No. 2230】Hitamuki (ひたむき - Single-Minded)

Nov 29, 2023 08:20
Hitamuki

The Japanese term hitamuki (ひたむき) is used to describe a person who is single-mindedly devoted to a particular thing.

Hita (ひた/直) means "single-minded" or "straight," and muki (むき/向き) means "direction."

In other words, hitamuki implies that someone's mind is directed single-mindedly and straight toward something.

In addition, hitamuki includes various positive meanings such as shinshi (真摯 - "sincerity"), nintai zuyosa (忍耐強さ - "perseverance"), and jōnetsu (情熱 - "passion").

I think that a hitamuki person is cool and beautiful.
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【No. 2229】Bake no Kawa ga Hagareru (化けの皮が剥がれる - Showing One's True Colors)

Nov 28, 2023 19:49
Bake no Kawa ga Hagareru

When someone's hidden secret or nature is revealed, the situation can be described as bake no kawa ga hagareru (化けの皮が剥がれる).

Since bake (化け) means "disguise," kawa (皮) means "skin," and hagareru (剥がれる) means "to be peeled off," the literal meaning of this idiom is "one's skin of the disguise is peeled off."

In this idiom, bake no kawa metaphorically represents a false appearance to hide one's true nature.

Note that this idiom is typically used in a negative context.
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【No. 2228】Aritei ni Moushi Masu to (有り体に申しますと - To Be Honest)

Nov 27, 2023 17:42
Aritei ni Moushi Masu to

In a formal situation, when you want to say something honestly, you can use the Japanese phrase aritei ni moushi masu to (有り体に申しますと).

Since aritei (有り体) means "as it is," and moushi/mousu (申し/申す) is a humble form of "to say," aritei ni moushi masu to literally means "if I say it as it is."

If you want to use a more common phrase, you can use the terms shōjiki (正直 - "honest") and iu (言う - "to say") and say shōjiki ni iu to (正直に言うと - "to be honest with you").

There are several other phrases that can be used when trying to say something honestly, but I think that aritei ni moushi masu to is the most formal expression.

【No. 2227】Hito Shigoto / Hito Anshin (一仕事 / 一安心 - A Substantial Task / Temporary Relief)

Nov 26, 2023 18:37
Hito Shigoto / Hito Anshin

Today, I finished hito shigoto (一仕事) and am now in a state of hito anshin (一安心).

Since hito (一) means "one," and shigoto (仕事) means "task" or "job," the literal meaning of hito shigoto is "one task."

The term hito shigoto can mean a small amount of task or a substantial task, depending on the context.

In addition, anshin (安心) means "relief," so the literal meaning of hito anshin is "one relief."

The term hito anshin can mean relief for the moment, used when an anxious situation is temporarily resolved.

In my case, the above hito shigoto was a major anxiety, and completing it has allowed me to feel hito anshin.
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【No. 2226】Geta wo Azukeru (下駄を預ける - Leaving the Matter)

Nov 25, 2023 19:43
Geta wo Azukeru

The act of entrusting someone with the handling and responsibility of something is referred to as geta wo azukeru (下駄を預ける) in Japanese.

Since geta (下駄) is a traditional Japanese wooden footwear, and azukeru (預ける) means "to entrust," the literal meaning of geta wo azukeru is "to entrust one's geta to someone."

When one entrusts their geta to someone, the person without geta cannot move freely.

In other words, everything depends on the person to whom the geta are entrusted.

The idiom geta wo azukeru can represent trust in the other person or irresponsibility.
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【No. 2225】Geta wo Hakaseru (下駄を履かせる - Inflating)

Nov 24, 2023 19:50
Geta wo Hakaseru

The act of inflating quantities or prices of something is referred to as geta wo hakaseru (下駄を履かせる) in Japanese.

Since geta (下駄) is a traditional Japanese wooden footwear, and hakaseru (履かせる) means "to put on," the literal meaning of geta wo hakaseru is "to put geta on someone."

Typical geta are designed with two wooden blocks on the bottom so that they can be used in paddy fields and wetlands.

Therefore, wearing geta makes one look taller, like elevator shoes today. This is why the idiom was coined.

【No. 2224】Super Mario RPG

Nov 23, 2023 22:00
Super Mario RPG

Today, I completed the remake of Super Mario RPG, which was released last week.

The original version was a collaborative production between Nintendo and Square, released in 1996 for the SNES.

In other words, this remake comes 27 years after the original version.

Super Mario RPG is a unique entry in the Super Mario series, featuring an interesting story and integrating various action elements into its battle system.

Playing this game made me feel like watching a comical puppet show; it was adorable, funny, and enjoyable.

I really loved the TV commercial that aired about 27 years ago, in which the enemy character, Piranha Plant, sings an attractive song. I can still remember and sing the song even now.

Unfortunately, I did not have an SNES and could not play it. However, through this remake, I have discovered what a wonderful game it is.

【No. 2223】Gowasan de Negai Mashite wa (ご破算で願いましては - Starting Afresh)

Nov 22, 2023 21:39
Gowasan de Negai Mashite wa

Have you ever used soroban (そろばん - "Japanese abacus")?

In one of the Japanese abacus calculation exercises, a student adds numbers read aloud by an instructor. This exercise usually begins with the phrase gowasan de onegai mashi-mase (ご破算で願いましては) or simply negai mashite wa (願いましては).

Go (ご) is a polite prefix, wasan/hasan (破算) means "to reset the abacus to zero," and negai mashite (願いまして) means "please." Therefore, the literal meaning of gowasan negai mashite wa is "please reset your abacus to zero (for a new calculation)."

As a child, I heard this phrase almost every day in abacus classes.

By the way, now I am almost in the state of hasan (破産), meaning "bankruptcy."
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【No. 2222】Kaishin (会心 - Satisfaction)

Nov 21, 2023 12:46
Kaishin

The Japanese term kaishin (会心) is used to describe the feeling of satisfaction when things turn out the way as one wants.

Kai (会) means "to satisfy," and shin (心) means "heart." Therefore, the literal meaning of kaishin is "to satisfy one's heart," which leads to the above meaning.

Kaishin is often used to modify a noun.

Here are some examples:

Kaishin no emi (会心の笑み) - A satisfied smile that naturally appears when things turn out as one wants.

Kaishin no saku (会心の作) - A satisfactory work when it has been done as desired.

Kaishin no Ichigeki (会心の一撃) - An effective blow that went exactly as desired. This expression is mainly used in the video game "Dragon Quest" series to mean "critical hit."
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【No. 2221】Takw wo Watta Yōna (竹を割ったような - Straightforward)

Nov 20, 2023 20:57
Takw wo Watta Yōna

A person who has a straightforward and unpretentious character is sometimes described as take wo watta yōna (竹を割ったような) in Japanese.

Since take (竹) means "bamboo," watta/waru (割った/割る) means "to split," and yōna (ような) means "like," the literal meaning of take wo watta yōna is "like splitting bamboo."

When you try to split bamboo into two vertically, it will split cleanly and straight.

From there, take wo watta yōna came to describe a personality or nature that is straight and refreshing.

【No. 2220】WarioWare: Move It!

Nov 19, 2023 17:29
Today, I completed the story mode of WarioWare: Move It!

The concept of the WarioWare series is saitan (最多 - "most"), saitan (最短 - "shortest"), saisoku (最速 - 'fastest'), featuring various minigames, also known as "microgames," each lasting about 5 seconds.

As the title "Move It!" suggests, this game is played by moving. By the way, the Japanese title is Chō Odoru (超踊る), which means "super dancing."

Since many of the games were played by holding the Joy-Con controllers and moving your body, it was tiring but fun.

In the story mode, when you run out of lives, a "Revival Ritual" occurs. Here, if you perform a little embarrassing pose called "Sacred Pose," you can revive.

In other words, if you can endure the embarrassment, you can continue the game.

【No. 2219】Chiikawa Restaurant (ちいかわレストラン)

Nov 18, 2023 09:46
Chiikawa Restaurant

Yesterday, I introduced Chiikawa (ちいかわ), a very popular manga in Japan.

The day before yesterday, Chiikawa Resutoran (ちいかわレストラン - "Chiikawa Restaurant") opened in Ikebukuro and became a hot topic.

At this restaurant, you can enjoy various decorations and meals related to Chiikawa.

On the same day, new Chiikawa goods related to the restaurant went on sale. However, many of them quickly sold out.

(I managed to buy a T-shirt with Hachiware designed on it and a luncheon mat.)

Chiikawa goods continue to be ejiki (餌食 - meaning "prey") for tenbaiya (転売屋 - meaning "resellers") today.

【No. 2218】Chiikawa (ちいかわ)

Nov 17, 2023 19:53
Chiikawa

Have you heard of Chiikawa (ちいかわ), which has become a social phenomenon in Japan.

Chiikawa, also known as Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu, is a very popular manga drawn by illustrator Nagano. It has been seriezed on X(Twitter) since 2020.

Nanka (何か) means "something," chiisaku/chiisai (小さく/小さい) means "small," kawaii (かわいい) means "cute," and yatsu (やつ) means "guy" or "something." Therefore, the literal meaning of the title is "something small and cute."

The surreal combination of adorable characters and realistic, absurd stories is believed to be one of the reasons for its popularity.

My favorite character in Chiikawa is Hachiware (ハチワレ), who looks like a cat.
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【No. 2217】Gonyo Gonyo (ごにょごにょ - Mumbling)

Nov 16, 2023 19:54
Gonyo Gonyo

The Japanese onomatopoeic word gonyo gonyo (ごにょごにょ) can describe a situation where someone is mumbling something, and it is not clearly audible.

When you are hesitant to say something clearly or lack confidence, you will speak in the manner of gonyo gonyo.

There are other onomatopoeic words to describe unclear speech, such as boso boso (ぼそぼそ), butsu butsu (ぶつぶつ), and mogo mogo (もごもご).

Boso boso represents a situation where someone speaks in a small voice that is difficult to hear.

Butsu butsu represents a situation where someone speaks complaints in a whisper.

Mogo mogo represents a situation where someone speaks or eats something without opening one's mouth.