Skip to content

Article archives

  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0642】Horafuki

Sep 20, 2016 20:12
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese word "horafuki".

The literal meaning is "a person who blows Hora", and it expresses "a person who exaggerates things" or "a liar".

"Hora" in "horafuki" comes from "horagai" (conch), and you can use it as a wind instrument by boring a hole.

Horagai as a wind instrument is used for avoiding beasts, or giving a cue of march.

This is because horagai can emit a very loud sound than its looks.

From this fact, "hora" came to mean "an unexpected bonanza", and "an exaggerated lie".

By the way, "an exaggerated fiction" is referred to as "horabanashi"(a hora story).
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0641】He no Kappa (Water Imp of Farts)

Sep 19, 2016 00:21
Today, I will talk about the Japanese slang "he no kappa."

The literal meaning is "water imp of farts," and it expresses "trivial things" or "easy things."

For example: "Sonna shiken wa he no kappa da" (That exam is trivial for me).

The most widely-accepted etymology of this slang is that it comes from "koppa no hi."

Since "koppa" (wood chips) burn out quickly by "hi" (fire), "koppa no hi" expresses "easy things" or "silly things."

It's thought that "koppa no hi" became "kappa no he," and inverting words became popular in the late Edo period, then it changed to "he no kappa."

Actually, "he no kappa" is grammatically strange.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0640】Honjitsu wa Seiten Nari (It's Fine Today)

Sep 18, 2016 02:15
Japanese people often say "honzitsu wa seiten nari" when testing microphones or wireless applications.

In the radio station operation guideline, this phrase is defined as the test words when emitting radio signals.

Actually, this is the literal translation of "It's fine today," which is often used for microphone tests in English-speaking countries.

Since "It's fine today" contains plosive and fricative sounds that are difficult to pick up by microphones, and has a wide frequency band, it's thought that the phrase is optimal for testing microphones.

On the other hand, since the translated phrase "honjitsu wa seiten nari" doesn't contain such elements that should be checked in microphone tests, the Japanese version seems to be unreasonable.

I heard that Japanese public address engineers use "maiku chekku wan too" (microphone check one two) when they check microphones.
  • in Diary
  • 2 min read

【No. 0639】Acceptance Speech

Sep 17, 2016 01:08
It was decided that I (and my teacher) would receive an award from an academic society, and next week I will perform a keynote speech in English in commemoration of the win.

Since I never experienced such a speech before, I'm nervous now.

I would really appreciate if you could check the beginning part of my speech.

"Today, I'm feeling honored that we could receive this award. We'd like to strive for further developments of our study from now on also. Well, what we targeted at in this study was about a performance improvement of xxx. Since today is a rare chance, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the overview of xxx, and the stream of our study."
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0638】Own Smells

Sep 16, 2016 00:25
Some people have a habit of smelling themselves.

Actually, the reasons of this behavior are divided into two major categories.

The first reason is to check own state.

Some of them smell themselves in order to check whether or not their bodies are healthy or their smells cause trouble to surrounding people.

The second reason is to get a sense of security.

This psychology is similar to a marking of animals.

By smelling their own bodies, they can be aware of their territories, and can feel relieved instinctively.

Therefore, smelling yourself is natural as human beings.

However, since it will cause trouble if you follow your instincts too much, you have to be careful.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0637】Yabu Kara Bou (A Stick From Shrubs)

Sep 15, 2016 00:42
Today, I will talk about the Japanese "yabu kara bou," whose literal meaning is "a stick from shrubs."

This is the abbreviation for "yabu kara bou o tsukidasu" (to poke a stick out from shrubs), and means that something happens or doing something suddenly without any warning.

The etymology is very simple: it's because if a stick is poke out from shrubs, you will be surprised.

Some people say "yabu kara hebi," whose literal meaning is "a snake from shrubs," but this usage is wrong.

It is thought that this abuse comes from the word "yabu hebi."

"Yabu hebi" is the abbreviation for "yabu o tsutsuite hebi o dasu," which means that "to lead bad consewuences by doing unnecessary things."
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0636】Poison of Green Peppers

Sep 14, 2016 00:42
I don't like green peppers.

Most Japanese children don't like green peppers too.

In addition, any mammal, such as cows or horses, doesn't seem to like green peppers.

Actually, green peppers contain a poison called "alkaloids", which produce a bitter taste.

(It's virtually harmless because the amount of the poison is less and we can degrade all of them.)

Therefore, hating green peppers is instinctive and very natural for mammals.

Palates of many human beings degenerate with maturity, and they become to like green peppers.

It's said that the reason why your palate degenerates is because the taste becomes unnecessary as your brain develops.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0635】Shiri ga Aoi (A Blue Hip)

Sep 13, 2016 00:47
Today, I will talk about the Japanese idiom "shiri ga aoi."

The literal meaning is "your hip is blue," but it actually means that someone is premature or young.

This comes from that infant hips are bluish.

The blue hip is called "moukohan" (Mongolian blue spot), and is often observed in Asian.

In particular, it is said that more than 90% of Japanese infants have the moukohan.

It's thought that the generation mechanism of the moukohan is related to pigment called "melanocytes".

Also, there is another idiom "kuchibashi ga kiiroi" (your beak is yellow), which have the same meaning of "shiri ga aoi."

This comes from that a baby bird have a yellow beak.

I think that this idiom is similar to "green horn" in English.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0634】Dekai Hebi (Dekay's Snake)

Sep 12, 2016 00:34
Since I found an interesting animal on the Internet today, I will share it.

It is the snake named "Storeria dekayi", which is also called "Dekai hebi" ("hebi" means "snakes") in Japan.

This snake is widely distributed in North America, and the population is stable: there is completely no worry about the extinction.

The name, "Storeria" comes from an American physician and naturalist "David Humphreys Storer", and "dekayi" comes from an American zoologist "James Ellsworth De Kay."

Here, what's interesting about the name is that "dekai" is a casual expression that means "big" in Japan.

I think that if Japanese people hear the word "Dekai hebi", most of them will image "a big snake", but they will be confused later because the snake is actually very small.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0633】Ishi (Stone / Doctor / Inclination / Intention)

Sep 11, 2016 04:14
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese word "ishi", which has several meanings and kanji.

"石" and "医師" mean "stone" and "(medical) doctor" respectively, so it's easy to use them properly.

However, there are three other different kanji for "ishi", and all of them are related to "thinking".

「意思」･･･ This kanji shows an inclination or thought, and is most commonly used among the three.
For example: "帰りたいという意思を示す。" (I show my inclination to want to go home.)

「意志」･･･ This kanji shows a stronger thought or intention than "意思".
For example: "強い意志を持って毎日勉強する。" (I study every day with a strong intention.)

「遺志」･･･ This kanji shows an intention of the deceased (a testamentary intention).
For example: "祖母の遺志を継ぐ。" (I receive my grandmother's dying wish.)

By the way, the "し" in "石" is stressed, while in any other kanji, the "い" is stressed.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0632】Rhinoceros Horn

Sep 10, 2016 21:49
Today, I will talk about rhinoceros horn.

A rhinoceros is known to have a very hard skin, and a horn.

Actually, this horn is made of a protein called keratin, and there is no bone in the horn.

This is similar to hair (beard) or nails of humans, and if anything, it's closer to hair.

Therefore, even if the horn breaks, it will grow again naturally.

Since the rhinoceros horns are useful as herbal medicine, and the price can be higher than gold or platinum, rhinoceros poaching often takes place in massive.

By the way, bull's horns seem to be closer to nails.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0631】Left-hand Traffic

Sep 9, 2016 01:51
I've written several posts related to left and right.

Today, I will talk about the reason why people keep the left in Japan.

Actually, the left-hand traffic had already established in the early Edo period.

The most widely-accepted theory comes from a rule to avoid fights between samurais.

A right handed wore a sheath on his left-side waist.

Of course there were more right-handed people than left-handed, so their sheaths (and they) would clash if they walked the right-hand .

Also, after the Edo period, it is said that Japan established the left-hand traffic as a traffic law officially to deepen friendly relations with the UK.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0630】Oaiso

Sep 8, 2016 02:51
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "Oaiso".

"Oaiso" comes from the word "aiso", which means "an affable attitude".

Originally, this word was used by restaurant staff as the meaning of "sorry I'm not affable" when they gave customers bills.

However, today it's often used when customers want to pay bills.

Actually, if customers say "oaiso" to restaurant staff, it can imply something like "since I'm disgusted at this restaurant, the check please."

Although meanings of words have been changed, I think that it's more acceptable to use "okaikei (okanjo) onegai shimasu" (could you bring me the check, please?) instead of "oaiso".
  • in Essay
  • 4 min read

【No. 0629】Kami (God / Paper / Hair / Seasoning or Consideration)

Sep 7, 2016 01:29
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "kami", which has several meanings and kanji.

The most commonly used kanji for "kami" are "神" (God), "紙" (paper) and "髪" (hair).

Actually, only "神" has the different accent among the three kanji.

The primary accent of "神" is "か", while that of "紙" and "髪" is "み".

Therefore, it's easy to distinguish "神" in a conversation.

It's a little difficult to distinguish "紙" from "髪", but "髪" is often expressed as "髪の毛" (hair) for clarity.

By the way, although it's a little formal expression, "加味 (kami)" (seasoning/consideration) is also often used.

"加味" has the same primary accent as "神", but it's easy to distinguish between the two, because "加味" is normally used with "～する (suru)" (do something), just like "加味する."
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0628】Komekami (Temple)

Sep 6, 2016 01:15
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "komekami."

"Kome" means "rice", "kami" means "to bite", and "komekami" means "temples on a head."

The etymology of which is that your temples move when you bite rice.

Of course, it doesn't need to be rice, but our traditional staple food is rice, so the word "kome" has been used.

(Please make sure that your temples move when you bite something.)

By the way, since the bone thickness of around "komekami" is thin, it's vulnerable to impact, and is referred to as a vital part in various fighting sports, same as the chin.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0627】Hana mo Hajirau (Even Flowers Get Shy)

Sep 5, 2016 01:31
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese adjective "hana mo hajirau."

This is used to describe that a young woman is greenly and beautiful.

The literal meaning is "even flowers get shy," that is to say, it implies that the woman is so beautiful it makes even beautiful flowers feel inferior and get shy.

For example, this adjective is used as: "hana mo hajirau otome," or "hana mo hajirau otoshigoro."

"Otome" means a maiden, and "otoshigoro" means puberty, but I think that both of above example sentences can be translated into "a girl in the first flush of youth" in English.

As of this adjective, the Japanese language often uses flowers when describing the beauty of women.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0626】Hige

Sep 4, 2016 03:32
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "hige."

Hige means human's (especially man's) hair that grows above his upper lip (mustache), jaw (beard), or cheek (sideburn).

"髭" is often used as the kanji of "hige," but strictly speaking, "髭" means "mustache," "鬚" means "beard," and "髯" means "sideburn."

There are also three different words in English as well as the kanji.

The word "hige," which can show three different hair, seems to be unique to Japan.

By the way, it was considered that mustache bushi (Japanese samurai) in medieval Japan should grow their mustache, and bushi who have less mustache wore a false mustache.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0625】Ookini

Sep 3, 2016 08:41
Today, I come back to the Kanto region from the Kansai region.

In western Japan (Kansai), it's natural but I often heard that people speak in a Kansai dialect.

I will the Japanese word "ookini," which is often used by people live in the Kansai region.

"Ookini" sometimes could mean just "big," but it's used as the meaning of "thank you" there.

The etymology is "ookini arigatashi" ("ookini" means "very much," and "arigatashi" means "thank you"), and it became to say just "ookini" by omitting the latter part.

By combining the word "maido," which means "always," you can say "maido ookini" (thank you always).
  • in Essay
  • 4 min read
Sep 2, 2016 23:48
The Japanese language has less syllable than that many other languages have, but has a plenty of onomatopoeia, which are often used in conversation.

Today, I will talk about some onomatopoeia that are related to touch.

"Sara-sara" ･･･ This shows that something is dry and beautiful, and there is no moisture.
For example: "Sara-sara no kami" (silky hair)

"Fuwa-fuwa" ･･･ This shows that something is very soft.
For example: "Fuwa-fuwa no makura" (a fluffy pillow)

"Zara-zara" ･･･ This shows that something is rough and not smooth.
For example: "Zara-zara no kami" (a rough/harsh paper)

"Kasa-kasa" ･･･ This shows that something has no moisture, grease, and polish, and is dry.
For example: "Kasa-kasa no hada" (a dry skin)

"Gowa-gowa" ･･･ This shows that something is hard, stiff, and isn't smooth.
For example: "Gowa-gowa no fuku" (a stiff cloth)

"Gotsu-gotsu" ･･･ This shows that something is hard and bumpy.
For example: "Gotsu-gotsu shita iwa" (a rugged rock)
  • in Diary
  • 3 min read

【No. 0623】An Academic Conference and My Birthday

Sep 1, 2016 23:39
Today, I came to Wakayama Prefecture to participate in an academic conference and perform my research presentation.

The presentation ended peacefully and I was fun meeting my mentor after all this time.

And today was my birthday.

There were no particular celebrations, and I had much work to do.

By the way, I decided to present a [my first name].ac domain to myself as my birthday present.

Since an ac domain looks like an academic website, I wanted to get it for a long time.

The actual meaning of the ac domain is Ascension Island of British, but I don't care a damn.