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【No. 0622】Utau

Aug 31, 2016 21:22
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "utau," which has several different kanji.

"Utau" is normally written as "歌う" in kanji, and it means "sing" in English.

Basically, there is no problem if you can read/write this kanji.

There are two other kanji that mean "sing": "唄う" and "謡う."

"唄う" is often used for traditional Japanese songs or twitters of birds.

"謡う" is often used for Japanese nursery rhymes and folk songs.

Also, "詠う" is used for waka and tanka (traditional Japanese poem).

"謳う" is also read as "utau," but this is used when you praise something, or you want to emphasize your words.
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【No. 0621】Shikii ga Takai (The Threshold is High)

Aug 30, 2016 02:25
Today, I will talk about the Japanese phrase "shikii ga takai," which seems to be misunderstood by more than half of Japanese people.

"Shikii" means a threshold that is located in an entrance or gate, and you have to cross the shikii to enter the house.

If you feel the threshold is high (shikii ga takai), it implies that you don't want to enter the house.

That is to say, "shikii ga takai" means "it's difficult to enter the house BECAUSE I made trouble there in the past."

However, many Japanese people use this phrase to mean "it's difficult," "it's too high level," or "it's out of my league."

In such cases, it's correct to use "ハードルが高い" (the hudedle is high) or "分不相応" (it's out of my league).

If you find someone improperly using "shikii ga takai," please point it out.

【No. 0620】Expressions of Sadness

Aug 29, 2016 20:29
Today, a really sad thing happened to me.

Hence I will talk about two Japanese expressions of sadness.

"Ten o aogu" ･･･ The literal meaning is "to look up to the sky."

This phrase expresses a person who trying to call for something on the God due to despair or grief.

"Unadareru" ･･･ The literal meaning is "to bow one's nape of the neck."

This phrase expresses a person dropping his/her head due to despair, sadness, or embarrassment.

Both of these expressions mean a kind of sadness, but the direction of the face is opposite to each other.

【No. 0619】Japanese Language Proficiency Test and The Japanese Language Examination

Aug 28, 2016 16:14
Today, I tried to solve exam problems of Japanese language on the Internet.

However, I made one mistake among five problems in the second grades.

I couldn't believe that foreign people trying to take N2 solve such difficult problems, but it was not "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)," but "The Japanese Language Examination" for native Japanese people.

To be honest, I'm relieved.

By the way, the problem that I made a mistake is related to "閑話休題 (kanwa kyudai)."

"閑話" means "digression," "休題" means "to stop the topic," and "閑話休題" means "to return to the main topic from the digression," which is translated as "but I digress" in English.

However, I thought that "閑話休題" means "to stray from the main topic and make a digression," which is something like "by the way" or "as an aside."

I heard that many Japanese people have misunderstood as I did, but I'd like to be more careful.
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【No. 0618】The Figure of Raindrops

Aug 27, 2016 03:37
Today, I learned figures of raindrops.

I thought that the figure of raindrops while dropping is just a teardrop-shaped, which is something like '💧.'

However, actual raindrops don't have such a shape.

If the diameter of the raindrop is less than 3 mm, it will be an almost perfect sphere.

If the diameter is around 4-5 mm, the bottom of the raindrop will become flat by the air resistance, and it will be similar to a shape of a steamed meat bun.

If the diameter is more than 6 mm, the bottom of the raindrop will be hollowed and a cup-shaped, and eventually split into smaller raindrops.

Since diameters of typical raindrops are around 1 mm, most of shapes of raindrops that we usually see have a sphere shape.
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【No. 0617】Utsusemi (Cicada Shell)

Aug 26, 2016 14:07
Today, I will talk about the Japanese "空蝉 (utsusemi)."

"空" menas "empty," and "蝉" menas "cicada," and "空蝉" expresses "cicada shell."

Actually, this word originally comes from "現人 (utsushiomi)."

"現人" means "people who live in the world" or "this ephemeral world."

These meanings of "現人" are also included in "空蝉."

I think that it's interesting to describe "living" or "the world" as "空蝉."

By the way, since "semi" (cicada) is the summer insect, "空蝉" is a summer season word.
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【No. 0616】Various Facial Expressions

Aug 25, 2016 14:33
There are four different facial expressions in the Doraemon's song called "hug shichao" (let's hug).

Today, I will describe the meanings of them.

"Fukurettsura" ･･･ A displeased face puffing one's cheeks.

"Shikamettsura" ･･･ A frowning face with a knot between one's brows.

"Nakittsura" ･･･ A crying or tearful face.

"Bucchozura" ･･･ A sulky and sullen face.

Most the etymologies are simple: "tsura/zura" means "face," "fukureru" means "to swell/puff up," "shikameru" means "to furrow/knit one's brow," and "naku" means "to cry."

Also, Bucchozura comes from the face of a dignified Buddha called "Bucchoson," who has a sulky and sullen face.

By the way, I think that the antonym of all of these facial expressions is "egao," which means "smile."
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【No. 0615】Saba wo Yomu (Fudge the Number)

Aug 24, 2016 20:48
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese word "saba wo yomu," which means "to fudge the number/count to advantage."

This phrase is often used for one's age, height, or weight.

The literal meaning of "saba wo yomu" is "to count chub mackerel," and there are several theories as the etymology.

One is that we count chub mackerel quickly and roughly because they are caught in large numbers and are perishable.

In addition, some says it comes from "魚市場読み (izana-yomi)," which means to count fish with a fast mouth at a fish market, and others say it's because we treat two piece of sashimi (sliced row fish) of chub mackerel as one piece.

By the way, to fudge the number/count to disadvantage is called "gyaku saba" (reverse chub mackerel).
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【No. 0614】Tsutomeru

Aug 23, 2016 12:56
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "tsutomeru," which has three different kanji.

① 努める
"努める" means "to attempt something in an effort."
(For example: I study hard / I attempt to realize my dream.)

② 勤める
"勤める" means "to take on a job" or "to work at somewhere."
(For example: I take service with the hospital / I work at a big company.)

③ 務める
"務める" means "to fulfill a given role/mission."
(For example: I will play a major role in the show / I accomplished my duty as a parent.)

It is said that both "勤める" and "務める" comes from "努める," which expresses "effort."

However, note that there are many cases that you can't replace these kanji because each kanji for "tsutomeru" has clear and different meaning.
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【No. 0613】Ashita and Asu and Myonichi

Aug 22, 2016 13:12
The Japanese word "明日," which means "tomorrow," has three different readings, "ashita," "asu," and "myonichi."

In general, Japanese people often use either "ashita" or "asu."

"Ashita" originally meant "朝 (asa)," which means "morning," and used as an antonym of "夕べ (yube)," which means "evening."

Then the meaning came to change to "next morning," "next whole morning," and "next day."

On the other hand, "asu" means "tomorrow" from the beginning, and it seems to come from the abbreviation of "akasu," which means "dawn," or "asa," which means "morning."

Also, "asu" sometimes means "in the near future."

"Myonichi" is the just reading of "明日" in on-yomi (Chinese reading).

The most formal reading is "myonichi," the second place is "asu," and the most casual reading is "ashita."

【No. 0612】Pin kara Kiri made (From Pin to Kiri)

Aug 21, 2016 10:37
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese phrase "pin kara kiri made," which means "from the first to the last" / "whole gamut."

The "pin" comes from the Portuguese "pinta," which means "point."

This became to express "one" of a dice, then became to mean "the first" or "the best."

The "kiri" means "the last" or "the worst."

There are two theories about the etymology: one is that it comes from the Portuguese "cruz," which means "cross," and the other is that it comes from the Japanese "kagiri," which means "limit."

Recently, Japanese people often say just "pin kiri" for short.
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【No. 0611】Marathons at the Olympics

Aug 20, 2016 17:53
The marathon competition of the Rio Olympics will be held tomorrow.

Today, I'd like to talk about trivia about marathons at the Olympics.

Spiridon Louis, who is the winner of the first Olympic marathon, drank wine instead of water at an inn along the way.

Spiridon Belokas, who was the third place of the first Olympic marathon, was disqualified, because he passed through some parts of the course riding a horse-drawn carriage.

The slowest record of Olympic marathons is 54 years 8 months 6 days and 5 hours, which was recorded by a Japanese Kanaguri Siso at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912.

He lost consciousness by a sunstroke in the marathon, and when he came to himself owing to helps of farmers, the competition was already ended.

After that, the Olympic ceremony was held in Stockholm in 1967, then the concerned personnel noticed that Kanaguri wasn't treated as "abstain," but as "missing."

Therefore, he was invited to the ceremony, and finished the marathon officially.
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【No. 0610】Katai (Hard/Solid/Stiff)

Aug 19, 2016 20:16
Today, I will talk about the kanji for the Japanese word "katai."

"Katai" has three different kanji, "固い," "硬い" and "堅い."

I think that it will become easy to remember the differences by understanding these antonyms.

①固い
"固い" is the most common writing among them.
This kanji expresses that something is hard/rigid/firm, and the general antonym is "緩い" (loose/lax).
For example: "結び目が固い" (The knot is hard/tight) / "頭が固い" (He has a hard head)

②硬い
"硬い" expresses that something is strong/hard/stiff.
The antonym is "柔らかい" (soft/flexible).
For example: "硬い石" (a hard rock) / "表情が硬い" (your expression is stiff)

③堅い
"堅い" expresses that something is solid, or has high certainty.
The antonym is "もろい" (fragile/frail).
For example: "私は意思が堅い" (I am stubborn) / "身持ちが堅い" (she is a virtuous woman) / "彼の勝利は堅い" (his victory is stable)

There are many cases where you can use both of them.

By the way, "難い" is also read as "katai," but the meaning is something like "it's difficult/hard to do."

Note that you can't use this kanji instead of other "katai."

(I think it can be exchanged for other "katai" in English, because all of "katai" can be translated into "hard.")
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【No. 0609】Tsukuru (Make/Build/Create)

Aug 18, 2016 16:14
Today, I will talk about the Kanji of "tsukuru," which mainly means "make."

"Tsukuru" has three different kanji, "作る," "造る" and "創る."

①作る
"作る" is the most common writing, and is used for relatively small, intangible, or abstract things.
For example: "朝食を作る" (make a breakfast) / "時間を作る" (make time)

②造る
"造る" is used for relatively big and tangible things.
For example: "高いビルを造る" (make/build a tall building) / "ビールを造る" (make/produce beer)

Note that if you use "造る" for beer, sake, or miso, it means a large scale production. If you make them at home, you should use "作る."

③創る
"創る" is used for new things or works of art.
For example: "新しい制度を創る" (make/create a new system) / "独創的な彫刻作品を創る" (make/create a unique sculpture)

④つくる
If it's intangible and it's difficult to choose one of above kanji, you can use "tsukuru" in Hiragana.
For example: "良好な関係をつくる" (make/establish a friendly relationship) / "町づくり" (urban development)
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【No. 0608】Hito no Uwasa mo Shichijugo-nichi (Gossip Lasts 75 Days)

Aug 17, 2016 02:56
Today, I will talk about the Japanese proverb "hito no uwasa mo shichijugo-nichi" (gossip lasts 75 days).

As the term suggests, this proverb means that any gossip doesn't last more than 75 days, and it will be forgotten naturally in due course.

We often use this proverb as comforting words for a person who is depressed due to his/her bad gossip, e.g., "It's okay because gossip lasts less than only 75 days. "

The most acceptable reason why the number 75 is used is that there were five seasons once in Japan, and one season is around 75 days.

That is to say, our ancestors thought that any gossip would faded when seasons change.

【No. 0607】Traffic Jams due to a Return Home

Aug 16, 2016 07:34
For many Japanese people, Bon holidays will end today.

Therefore, people who returned home will come back to areas where they currently work.

Of course, this will cause major traffic jams all over Japan.

By the way, it is said that most traffic jams on Japanese highways occur in sag sections, where the slope is changed from a decline to a uprise.

Actually, I also had to come back to Tokyo today.

However, since I really don't like traffic jams, I set off at around 2:30 A.M., and arrived at around 6:30 A.M.

I will go to bed from now until noon.
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【No. 0606】Seisaku and Seisaku

Aug 15, 2016 22:30
Today, I'd like to talk about the difference between confusing Japanese words, "製作 (seisaku)" and "制作 (seisaku.)"

The readings of them are the same, and the meanings are similar, but the nuances are a little different.

"製作" is mainly used when you create something that is tangible, such as practical products.

For example: "大量のパソコンを製作する。" (I create/manufacture a lot of computers.)

"制作" is mainly used when you create an art work, such as a movie or a painting.

For example: "新しいパズルゲームを制作する。" (I create/produce a new puzzle game.)

Since there are many cases that can use both of them, you don't need to be sensitive too much.
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【No. 0605】Homecoming and Short Sightseeing Part 2

Aug 14, 2016 00:30
Today, I'd like to write the remaining part of yesterday's post.

The second sightseeing spot where I visited was "Unagi Pie Factory."

Unagi means eels, and unagi pie is confectionery created by kneading eel powders into pie dough, which is popular as a souvenir in Shizuoka Prefecture.
(It doesn't have a taste of eels at all.)

At the Unagi Pie Factory, you can see and learn the manufacturing process of unagi pie.

Although it was a short factory tour, I was fun.

I bought a lot of unagi pie as a souvenir.

After that, I returned home, then played with my nephew and niece.

Since I also played with them, I'm exhausted.
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【No. 0604】Homecoming and Slight Sightseeing Part 1

Aug 13, 2016 00:19
Today (technically yesterday since it's midnight), I returned home in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture from Tokyo.

Along the way, I passed through three prefectures: Kanagawa, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka.

In Shizuoka Prefecture, I stopped at two sightseeing spots for a brief time.

The first place was "Komakado Kaza-ana."

(If you search for this cave on Google Images, you can find more beautiful pictures than those I uploaded.)

Kaza-ana means a kind of caves, and this is the oldest one in lava caves that were generated by a large explosion of Mt. Fuji.

Since the temperature in the cave is 13 Celsius degrees through the year, I felt cool.

This post will be too long, so I will write the residual part tomorrow.
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【No. 0603】0th Floor

Aug 12, 2016 01:44
The US, Japan, and many other countries think of a ground floor as a first floor.

On the other hand, the UK, European countries, and Australia think of a ground floor as a 0th floor.

Therefore, a first floor for the UK corresponds to a second floor for us.

I have never thought that the counting from first floor is wrong, but for basement floors, we count B1 (-1), B2 (-2), ...

Considering the number increases by one each floor, it might make sense that the ground floor is a 0th floor.

Also, counting from zero is approachable for many programmers.