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2017

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【No. 1089】Naisho (内緒 - Secret)

Dec 11, 2017 09:52
The English word "secret" is usually translated into Japanese as "himitsu" (秘密), but it's can also translated as "naisho" (内緒).

"Naisho" is more colloquial and casual than "himitsu."

This word comes from a Buddhism term, "naishō" (内証), and it's a Chinese translation of a Sanskrit word, which means to tell the truth in your own mind.

Later, "naishō" came to mean "a secret that can't be known from the outside," then it changed to "naisho."

Incidentally, in the series of the Legend of Zelda, if you find a secret room and talk to a non-player character there, he said "minna ni naisho dayo" (ミンナニ ナイショダヨ - This is a secret between us) and give you a lot of Rupees (money).
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【No. 1088】Dotakyan (ドタキャン - Cancelling at the Last Minute)

Dec 10, 2017 10:10
Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese word "dotanba," which means the last moment that you're required to make a decision.

There is the slang term "dotakyan," which was derived from this "dotanba."

"Dotakyan" is short for "dotanba de kyanseru (cancel)," and it means to cancel an appointment (to meet someone) at the last minute.

Originally, this term was a jargon used among the entertainment industry and the travel industry, but it has come to be used commonly (especially among young people) since around 1990.

Since "dotakyan" not only hurts someone but also makes you lose your trust, be careful not to do "dotakyan."
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【No. 1087】Dotanba (土壇場 - Critical Moment)

Dec 9, 2017 16:12
I don't like a situation called "dotanba" (土壇場) very much.

"Dotanba" means a critical moment or the last moment that you're required a decision.

The "do" (土) means "earthen," the "tan" (壇) means "platform," the "ba" (場) means "place," so the literal meaning of "dotanba" is "an earthen platform place."

Before the Edo period, "dotanba" was used in the literal meaning.

However, in the Edo period, criminals were made lie down on "dotanba" and were executed, so it has come to mean an execution place, and changed to the current meaning.
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【No. 1086】Poka Poka (ぽかぽか)

Dec 8, 2017 14:32
Today I would like to introduce the Japanese onomatopoeia "poka poka" (ぽかぽか), which has two different meanings.

Can you imagine what "poka poka" express?

In most cases, "poka poka" means comfortable warmth that you feel.

For example, "Haru no youki de karadaga poka poka suru" (春の陽気で体がぽかぽかする - I feel a comfortable warmth because of the spring sun.)

Also, this onomatopoeia is sometimes used to mean repeated tapping sounds in comical manga.

For example, "Kanojo ga kareshi wo poka poka to tataite iru" (彼女が彼氏をポカポカと叩いている - She is hitting her boyfriend repeatedly).
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【No. 1085】Dada wo Koneru (駄々をこねる - Acting like a Baby)

Dec 7, 2017 09:24
Have you ever acted like a spoiled child or say selfishness to your parents when you couldn't obtain what you wanted?

Doing such an act is called "dada wo koneru" (駄々をこねる) in Japanese.

The "koneru" (こねる) means just something like "to say," but there are several theories about the meaning of the "dada" (駄々).

The most accepted theory is that the "dada" comes from "da" of "jidanda" (地団駄), which means to stamp your feet in frustration.

Another theory said that it comes from "iyada iyada" (いやだいやだ - No, no).
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【No. 1084】Unubore (うぬぼれ - Egotism)

Dec 6, 2017 12:48
Yesterday, I used the Japanese term "unubore" (うぬぼれ), in order to admonish a student.

"Unubore" means that you convince yourself that you are a better person than you actually are -- in other words, it means that you get overconfident.

The "unu" means "oneself" and the "bore/hore" means "to fall for someone," so the literal meaning of "unubore" is "to fall for oneself."

You know, when you fall for yourself, you would believe that you are a great person/ you have a great ability.

Also, a person who has such a character is called "unubore-ya" (うぬぼれ屋).
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【No. 1083】Kōcha (紅茶 - Black Tea)

Dec 5, 2017 09:53
I'm drinking "kōcha" (紅茶) right now.

The "kō" (紅) means "red" and the "cha" (茶) means "tea," so the literal meaning of "kōcha" is "red tea."

The etymology is very simple -- the "red" in "red tea" describes the color of the liquid.

In English, it is called just "tea" in most cases, but it's also called "black tea" due to the color of the oxidized leaves.
(I also heard that "black tea" implies tea without milk, sugar or lemon.)

Incidentally, in the UK famous for tea, around 98% of tea is drank with milk.
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【No. 1082】Aona ni Shio (青菜に塩 - Crestfallen)

Dec 4, 2017 01:30
I'm in a state called "aona ni shio" (青菜に塩) right now.

"Aona ni shio" is a Japanese idiom that implies a depressed state.

The "aona" (青菜) means "green leafy vegetables" such as spinach, and the "shio" (塩) means "salt."

Do you know what will happen if you sprinkle salt on green leafy vegetables?

Water contained in the leaves and stems will be lost, then the vegetables will wilt as if they would lose their energy.

Because of this, "aona ni shio" has come to mean that you lose your energy and get depressed.
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【No. 1081】Kanashii (悲しい - Sad)

Dec 3, 2017 15:42
I'm very sad now.

Because I had a interview for a new job and failed it.

If you want to express such a pained, sad, or unhappy feeling, you can use the Japanese verb "kanashii" (悲しい).

The kanji "悲" in "kanashii" (悲しい) is able to be divided into "非" and "心."

Since the "非" looks spread wings to left and right, it contains the meaning of "break/crack", and the "心" means "heart."

Therefore, the kanji "悲" implies that your heart break.
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【No. 1080】Manbiki (万引き - Shoplifting)

Dec 2, 2017 19:14
Never do an act called "manbiki" (万引き).

"Manbiki" means to take items of a store away without payment and permission -- it's called "shoplifting" in English.

The most accepted theory about the etymology of "manbiki" is that it was changed from "mabiki" (間引き).

The "ma" (間) means "between something," the "biki/hiki" (引き) means "to pull out," and "mabiki" usually means "thinning" in agricultural science.

It's thought that since removing items from a shelf is similar to thinning, "mabiki" came to mean "shoplifting," then it changed to "manbiki."
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【No. 1079】Sebiro (背広 - Suit)

Dec 1, 2017 14:48
"Suit" is often called just "sūtsu" (スーツ) in Japan, but it sometimes called "sebiro" (背広).

The "se" (背) means "(person's) back" and the "biro/hiro" (広) means "wide," so I thought that the term "sebiro" derived from Japanese words.

However, according to the Internet, the most accepted theory about the etymology of "sebiro" is that "civil" of "civil clothes" changed to "sebiro."

Also, there is another theory that said that it comes from "Savile" of "Savile Row" where many well-established tailors have opened in London.

There are many surprises when I'm studying about etymologies.
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【No. 1078】Kosoku (姑息 - Temporizing/Cowardly)

Nov 30, 2017 10:42
Today I'd like to introduce the Japanese word "kosoku" (姑息), but you need to pay attention when using this word.

Because over 70 percent of Japanese people (around 90 percent of young Japanese people) used this word in a wrong meaning.

The "ko" (姑) means "a while" and the "soku" (息) means "break/rest," so "kosoku" means "temporizing" or "makeshift."

However, these days, "kosoku" is used to mean "cowardly."

It's thought that the reason is because cowards tend to do makeshift acts, or the sound is similar to "koshaku" (小癪), which means "annoying."

Since too many people have misused this word, I think that in the near future, "kosoku" will include two different meanings officially.
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【No. 1077】Oogesa (大げさ - Exaggerated)

Nov 29, 2017 14:31
If you make a grandiose claim or exaggerate something, you may be said "oogesa" (大げさ) in Japanese.

The "oo" (大) means "big" and the "gesa/kesa" (げさ/けさ) means "Buddhist stole," so originally this term was used to mean a big Buddhist term.

On the other hand, there were Japanese terms: "ohokenashi" (おほけなし) and its changed form "ohogesa" (おほげさ), which mean "inordinate" or "bold."

Becaue of the meaning and the sound, "oogesa" has come to have the current meaning.
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【No. 1076】Hecchara (へっちゃら - I Don't Mind)

Nov 28, 2017 22:49
If you want to express that it's easy to do something or you don't mind something, you can use the Japanese term "hecchara" (へっちゃら).

Originally, this term was called "heichara" (平ちゃら), but it has come to become "hecchara" in order to strengthen the impression.

The "hei" (平) comes from "heiki" (平気), which means "without hesitation" or "don't mind," and the "chara" (ちゃら) means "joke" or "bullshit."

It's thought that "hecchara" implies that you can do something while saying a joke without hesitation.
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【No. 1075】He Demonai (屁でもない - Nothing)

Nov 27, 2017 14:55
If you want to express "it's not a problem at all" or "it's so easy," you can say the Japanese term "he demonai" (屁でもない).

The "he" (屁) means "fart" and the "demonai" (でもない) means "inferior to," so the literal meaning of this term is "it's inferior to a fart."

This term comes from the thought that things that are inferior to a fart will never become a problem.

Incidentally, there is a Japanese slang term, "he no kappa" (屁の河童), which also contains "he" (屁 - fart).

The etymology of this slang term is not related to "fart," but this has the same meaning of "he demonai."
http://lang-8.com/kanotown/journals/191665208695223752666684613979550944204
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【No. 1074】Nemimi ni Mizu (寝耳に水 - Bombshell)

Nov 26, 2017 17:26
If you encounter an unexpected event suddenly, you will be very surprised.

The Japanese proverb "nemimi ni mizu" (寝耳に水) means such a situation.

The "ne" (寝) means "sleep," the "mimi" (耳) means "ear," and the "mizu" (水) means "water."

In the past in Japan, rivers were often flooded.

If you hear the flooded water sound while sleeping, you will be very surprised.

Because of this, "nemimi ni mizu" has come to mean that you're surprised by something unexpected.
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【No. 1073】Iki ga Tsumaru (息が詰まる - Choking)

Nov 25, 2017 18:21
Since today was a very important day for me that might determine my life, I was nervous and it was a little hard to breath.

Becoming such a situation is called "iki ga tsumaru" (息が詰まる) in Japanese.

The "iki" (息) means "breath," the "tsumaru" (詰まる) means to "choke," and the combination "iki ga tsumaru" also means to "choke."

I don't think it necessary to explain the etymology of this term.

If you are very nervous or feel very stressed, you will choke sometimes.
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【No. 1072】Melo Melo (めろめろ - Madly in Love)

Nov 24, 2017 17:19
There is a Japanese term: "melo melo" (めろめろ/メロメロ).

Can you guess what this term means?

"Melo melo" means that someone has a loose face or attitude by being madly in love.

For example, you can say "melo melo da" (メロメロだ - I'm melo melo) to your lover or grand children.

The most accepted theory about the etymology of "melo melo" is that it comes from "mela mela" (めらめら), which is an onomatopoeia that represents spreading fire.

Incidentally, there is "melo melo" as a Pokemon's move, and this is translated into English as "Attract."
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【No. 1071】Tsuba wo Tsukeru (唾をつける)

Nov 23, 2017 10:56
There is a Japanese idiom, "tsuba wo tsukeru" (唾をつける).

The "tsuba" (唾) means "spit" and the "tsukeru" (つける) means "to put on," so the literal meaning of the combination is "to put your spit on something."

Originally this idiom was mainly used for food.

Just imagine - you don't want to eat food wet with someone's spit, do you?

Therefore, "tsuba wo tsukeru" means to do something in advance in order to prevent other people from getting what you want.

Incidentally, if you add "mayuni" (眉に - on your eyebrow) and say "mayuni tsuba wo tsukeru" (or "mayutsuba" for short), the meaning will differ substantially from this idiom.

You can check the meaning of "mayutsuba" on the following URL.
http://lang-8.com/kanotown/journals/35103209355274424265303829210995655726
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【No. 1070】Kani no Yokobai (蟹の横這い)

Nov 22, 2017 10:49
Since I ate a crab last night, I'd like to talk about a Japanese proverb related to "crab,"

It's "kani no yokobai" (蟹の横這い).

The "kani" (蟹/カニ) means "crab" and the "yokobai" (横這い) means "sideways movement," so the literal meaning of the combination is "sideways movement of a crab."

Although the sideways movement of a crab looks unnatural for us, it's the most appropriate way of moving for crabs.

Therefore, this proverb says that even if it looks inconvenience for others, the way might appropriate for the person himself/herself.