Skip to content

Essay

  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 0149】Treadmill Exercise

May 16, 2015 23:51
I go a sport gym and usually ride a static bike after some resistance training.

However, I ran on a treadmill today.

Although I tried to run 10 km, I gave up at 5 km because of knee joint ache.

Since I always ride a bicycle, my legs' function for walk/run might degenerated.

I am ashamed of myself.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0148】Interesting Venus

May 15, 2015 22:33
Today, I'd like to write about Venus.

Venus is the most brightest planet in the planets of the solar system, and we can see it from the earth well.

Also, Venus rotates clockwise, while all the other planets rotate counterclockwise.

The period of rotation is 243 days, and the period of revolution is 224 days.

This numbers mean one day is longer than one year in Venus.

There are many other interesting features about Venus, for example, it have the highest temperature in the planets of the solar system.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0145】Raw Egg

May 12, 2015 15:45
I like raw eggs.

I often eat natto with an yolk of a raw egg.

Someone say something like "only Japanese and Rocky eat raw eggs."

There are many countries that consider eating raw eggs as dangerous.

However, because of the thorough hygienic management, we will never become a salmonella infection in general eating.

【No. 0144】Cedar Pollen Allergy in Japan

May 11, 2015 20:00
Today, I had itchy throat.

I thought I caught a cold, but I also had a itchy eyes, so this was probably cedar pollen allergy.

A cedar pollen allergy is the most common pollen allergy in Japan, and it is said that there are about 25 million people (almost 20% of the population) who suffer from it.

The reason why there are so many cedar pollen allergy sufferer in Japan is that we have planted a large amount of cedars since the WW2 for the restoration.

Cedars are have a high growth rate and possess high value as building materials.

However, since they also have shedded their pollens too much, most Japanese people became cedar pollen allergy sufferers.

Sometimes, the pollens reach the 300 km away from the planted place.

Therefore, the cedar pollen count becomes part of the daily weather report during this time of year.

Fortunately, Japan is planning to cut down the cedars, and replant the other trees that have less pollens from this year.

I can't wait for the next year.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 0143】Forget-me-not

May 10, 2015 18:30
A forget-me-not is a flower.

This name is derived from a story in medieval Germany.

Knight Rudolph found this flower, which bloomed in the Danube, and tried to pick it for his lover Bertha, but he took a misstep and got washed away by the river's current.

He threw the flower to the riverbank using all his strength, and died, leaving the words "vergiss-mein-nicht!"

Bertha, who was left behind, called the flower Rudolph's last words.

From this story, the flower was called "vergissmeinnicht" in Germany, and it became "forget-me-not" in English by literal translation.

Also, In many other languages, the flower is named using the same meaning.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 0142】There is a mandarin orange on an aluminum can.

May 9, 2015 19:42
Today, I'd like to introduce a very famous pun in Japan.

It is "アルミ缶の上にあるみかん (arumi kan no ue ni aru mikan)."

"あるみかん(arumi kan)" の上に "あるみかん(aru mikan)," haha.....sorry.

"アルミ缶" means "aluminum can," "上に" means "on," "ある" means "exist," and "みかん" means "mandarin orange."

That is, the pun means "there is a mandarin orange on an aluminium can."
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0141】Counting of Rabbit

May 8, 2015 17:37
In Japan, there are so many counter words.

Since there are also some strange one, even Japanese sometimes mistake their use.

For example, the counting of rabbit.

According to the general definition, rabbits should be counted as "1匹, 2匹, ...(one animal, two animals, ...)," but we count rabbits as "1羽, 2羽, ...(one bird, two birds, ...)."

The reason why we count rabbits as if they are birds is based on historical and religious backgrounds.

In the former Buddhism in Japan, it was forbidden to eat quadrupedal animals.

However, Japanese wanted to eat rabbits, and the rabbits hippety-hop, so they considered the rabbits as birds.

It is definitely quiddity, haha.

Actually, both "う(cormorant)" and "さぎ(heron)" of "うさぎ(rabbit)" means birds.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0132】Natto

Apr 29, 2015 21:57
Today, I ate natto.
今日は納豆を食べました。

Since I really like natto, I eat it almost everyday.
私は納豆が大好きで、毎日のように食べています。

Some people might not like the smell, but natto, which includes rich nutrients such as calcium and vitamins, has great benefits for our health.
匂いが苦手な方もいるかもしれませんが、納豆はカルシウムやビタミンなど体に必要な栄養素が豊富に含まれている、とても健康に良い食品です。

Biotin contained in natto makes healthy hair and skin, and removes fatigue of our body.
納豆に含まれるビオチンは、健康な髪や皮膚を作り、体の疲れを取り除きます。

Nattokinase contained in natto dissolves blood clots, and improves blood flow.
納豆に含まれるナットウキナーゼは、血栓を溶かし、血液をサラサラにします。

Polyamine contained in natto improves metabolism, and helps prevent aging.
納豆に含まれるポリアミンは、新陳代謝や老化防止に効果があります。

Natto lecithin included in natto has a detox effect.
納豆に含まれる納豆レシチンは、デトックス効果があります。

Isoflavone included in natto regulates a balance of female hormone, and makes bone stronger.
納豆に含まれるイソフラボンは、女性ホルモンのバランスを整えたり、骨を丈夫にする効果があります。

Calcium included in natto makes bone thick, and keeps our health.
納豆に含まれるカルシウムは、骨を太く、健康に保ちます。

Protein included in natto supples muscles of a heart and blood vessels, and helps absorption of calcium.
納豆に含まれるタンパク質は、心臓や血管の筋肉をしなやかにしたり、カルシウムの吸収を助ける効果があります。

However, since natto includes also purines, eating too much natto could become a cause of gout.
しかし、プリン体も含まれているので、あまり食べ過ぎると痛風の原因になります。

Also, when you stirred natto about 300 times, the amount of the natto's amino acid increases about 2.5 times, and the natto's ingredient increases about 4 times.
また、納豆は300回かき混ぜると、アミノ酸の量が2.5倍に、甘み成分の量が約4倍になります。

Let's stir natto well and enjoy eating natto.
よくかき混ぜて、みんなで納豆を食べましょう。
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0131】"Itadakimasu" and "Gochisousama"

Apr 28, 2015 19:09
Almost Japanese people say "itadakimasu" before eating , and say "gochisousama" after eating with their hands close together.

"Itadakimasu" means that you will receive lives of animals or plants, and this phrase represents gratitude for great nature.

"Gochisousama" represents gratitude for people who prepared meals.

When these phrase are translated into English, "itadakimasu" will be "let's eat," and "gochisousama" will be "I'm full/satisfied," though, there are some differences between their nuances.

I think it is hard to translate greeting phrases or idiomatic expressions well.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0129】Understand versus Understood

Apr 26, 2015 17:50
I sometimes use the phrase "I understood" in the meaning of "わかりました (I understand)," but apparently, these nuances were completely different.

In a Japanese article, it was written that when he said "I understood" to an American boss, the boss replied "don't say excuses, you should say just『I understand』."

Japanese people often say "わかりました(I understand)."

And this Japanese sentence is past tense, so we sometimes think that "I understood" is more natural than "I understand."

However, in English, if we say "I understood," this could imply something like "(thank you, but) I (already) understood."

I already said "I understood" several times in lang-8, I'm sorry.

Also, saying just "understood" seems OK, because it will be considered as passive voice.

I remember that a military man in an American dramas said "understood."
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0127】"Express" and "Represent"

Apr 24, 2015 22:56
I often confused "express" with "represent."

The reason is that both of these words can be translated using one Japanese word "表す."

Therefore, I searched for the difference between these words today.

According to Cambridge Dictionaries Online, "express" means "to show what you think or how you feel using words or actions," and "represent" means "to be a sign or symbol of something."

I thought something like the following: when we translate "表す" to English, we can use "express" for a nominative of living beings who are thinking something, we can use "represent" for a nominative of other objects.

I created the following sentences as a practice:

Japanese people often express the words "express" and "represent" with one Japanese word.

The picture on the dictionary represents the difference between "express" and "represent."

【No. 0126】Bathynomus Doederleini

Apr 23, 2015 21:13
Today, I was asked to take CT scan of a bathynomus doederleini from a teacher.

The teacher is studying at woodlice and bathynomus doederleini, and he wanted to observe the inner of them.

I could obtain the 3D outer shape of the bathynomus doederleini by CT imaging, however, the inner structure was not clear.

Bathynomus doederleini and bathynomus giganteus are sorts of benthic feeder, and since they eat carcasses such as a dead fish, they are described as cleaners in the sea.

They have resistance to starvation, for example, a bathynomus giganteus in a Japanese aquarium had lived more than five years without any foods.

(Somehow, the bathynomus giganteus didn't try to eat something.)

He died during the sixth year, but the cause of death is sickness.

It remains a mystery that the reason why they can live without foods.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0124】Ach so

Apr 21, 2015 22:31
Today, I learned the German phrase "ach so."

Interestingly, this phrase is pronounced "あっそう," and means "あっそう" in Japanese.

Therefore, it was really easy for me to remember.

However, if we say "あっそう" in Japanese, this will give a bit rude impression.

On the other hand, this German phrase "ach so" is a very polite expression, so I think the Japanese phrase "あぁそうですね" is more appropriate than "あっそう."

Fine differences between nuances are scary to me.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0123】The meaning of "適当（てきとう : tekitou）"

Apr 20, 2015 20:21
Japanese people often use the word "適当(tekitou)."

However, this word has very confusing two different meanings.

That is, "appropriate(proper)," and "irresponsible(dishonest)."

Despite the completely different meanings, we represent it in one word.

The meaning will be determined by the atmosphere of the field, however, I think we use the word as the meaning of "irresponsible" in many cases.

If you want to represent the meaning of "appropriate" safely, using the word "適切(tekisetsu)" is better.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0122】It's all Greek to me.

Apr 19, 2015 22:29
Today, I'd like to introduce an unique Japanese phrase.

It's "ちんぷんかんぷん," which means like "it's all Greek to me."

The phrase sounds strange and lovely.

If you face a situation that you can't understand about Japanese, it may be better to say "ちんぷんかんぷんです."

However, since the phrase sometimes sounds ironic in some situations, please be careful.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0121】Ring Finger

Apr 18, 2015 22:33
The ring finger is known as a finger to wear a wedding ring.

In Greek mythology, it was believed that a left hand ring finger and a heart were connected each other by a single thick vessel.

In order to connect two hearts, wearing a wedding ring on a left hand ring finger became habitual.

However, in Germany or Spain, wearing a wedding ring on the right hand ring finger is common.

I don't know the detail, but there seems to be a religious background.

When married people travel abroad, it might be better to consider their wedding rings' position.
Apr 16, 2015 22:49
Today, I learned the phrase "That’s the way the cookie crumbles."

This is used when something unlucky happened, and you would like to comfort someone like "That’s the way it goes."

And I found other interesting phrases that have similar meaning.

「That’s the way the cookie crumbles.」　

「That’s the way the mop flops.」

I felt like I could make phrases like this, so I made them.

「That’s the way the formula diverges.」

「That’s the way the algorithm explodes.」

【No. 0118】Rain Cats and Dogs

Apr 15, 2015 21:35
Today, it was temporarily downpour.

In English, there are some phrases that means rain hard:

・It's raining cats and dogs.
・It's coming down in buckets.
・It's really coming down.
・It's pouring.
・It is the heavens open.

There are various hypotheses about why "cats and dogs" means hard rain, but one of the most widely-accepted theory come from Scandinavian myth.

In Scandinavian myth, it is said that cats have a power to cause rains, and dogs have a power to cause winds.

In fact in many European countries, the bad weather was referred to as "dog(wolf) weather."

Also, while "cats and dogs" means bad relationship in English, "dogs and monkeys relationship" means bad relationship in Japan.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0117】Complement versus Compliment

Apr 14, 2015 20:04
When I write a technical paper, I sometimes use the word "complement."

However, I often mistake "compliment" for "complement," and it makes me go out of my tree.

Today, I'd like to write a note how I remember them.

"Compliment" contains "I."

In Japanese, "I (ai)" means "love."

That is, I can remember it like "There is a love in compliment."

Also, "Complement" contains "e."

In Japanese, "e (e-)" means er (hesitation).

That is, I can remember it like "Complement? Er, it is a bother."
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0116】The farthest location from the center of the Earth

Apr 13, 2015 19:13
The farthest location from the center of the Earth
地球の中心から最も遠い場所

Today, I learned about the farthest location from the center of the Earth.
今日、地球の中心から最も遠い場所を学びました。

Simply think, the location seems to be Everest, which is the highest mountain, but this is wrong.
単純に考えると、世界で最も標高の高いエベレストだと思うかもしれませんが、違います。

Actually, the equatorial radius of the earth is about 20 km longer than the polar radius (distance from the Antarctic to the Arctic) due to the centrifugal force by rotation.
地球は自転による遠心力で、赤道半径のほうが極半径（南極から北極までの距離）よりも約20km程大きいのです。

Therefore, the correct answer is Chimborazo, which is the highest mountain in Ecuador.
そのため、正解はエクアドルのチンボラソという山です。

The peak elevation of Chimborazo is about 6,268 metres, and Everest is about 8,848 meters, however, the distance from the center of the Earth; to Chimborazo is about 6,384.4 kilometers, to Everest is about 6,382.3 kilometers.
チンボラソの標高は約6310m、エベレストの標高は約8848mですが、地球の中心からの距離ではチンボラソが約6,384.4km、エベレストが6,382.3kmとなっています。

In other words, Chimborazo is the closest location to the universe.
すなわち、チンボラソは地球上で最も宇宙に近い地点だと言えます。

Also, while the deepest location in the world is Challenger Deep of Mariana Islands, the closest place from the center of the Earth is Litke Deep of Greenland.
また、世界で最も深い場所はマリアナ諸島のチャレンジャー海淵ですが、地球の中心から最も近い場所は、グリーンランドのリトケ海淵です。