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【No. 0562】Sparrow's Tears and Cat's Forehead

Jul 2, 2016 15:17
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese phrases "suzume no namida" and "neko no hitai."

Suzume means sparrows, namida means tears, and "suzume no namida" is a phrase for expressing very small quantity.

For example: Suzume no namida hodo no kyuryo (A salary as much as sparrow's tears)

There is also the phrase "neko no hitai," which is similar to "suzume no namida."

Neko means cats, hitai means a forehead, and "neko no hitai" is a phrase for expressing very narrow area.

For example: Neko no hitai hodo no tochi (A place as large as a cat's forehead)

Also, "unagi no nedoko" (an eel's bed) is a phrase for expressing a narrow and long space.
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【No. 0561】Leap Second

Jul 1, 2016 14:19
A leap second is a second that is added or deleted so that the difference between UT1 (Universal Time based on the rotation of the Earth) and UTC (Universal Time based on an atomic clock) doesn't become more than one second.

Some websites say something like that adjustments by leap seconds are needed because the rotation speed of the Earth is gradually slowing, but this reason is not true.

Although the rotation speed of the Earth is gradually slowing indeed, the amount is about one millisecond per one century, so it doesn't matter.

The actual reason seems to be because the pace of the International Atomic Time is slightly different from the pace of the Earth's rotation.

Totally 36 leap seconds have been added since the introduction of the leap year in 1972.

However, if the pace of the International Atomic Time was completely correct one, the total leap seconds of additions and deletion would be only three seconds.

By the way, the adjustments by leap seconds are conducted on June 30 or December 31.
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【No. 0560】Misunderstanding about AED

Jun 30, 2016 09:19
There are many AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) in Japanese towns, and the penetration rate is highest in the world.

However, since the utilization rate is a low 3.7%, we need to learn more about AEDs.

Actually, I've thought that an AED is a device that gives a patient in cardiac arrest an electric shock, and restart the heart.

In fact, I think that I've watched such scenes in some dramas.

However, AEDs are a device for removing ventricular fibrillation (which is a state that the ventricle cramps and blood don't flow), and basically cannot resuscitate stopped hearts.

Since you cannot feel any pulse in both cases of ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest, you need to check the electrocardiogram to confirm the patient's state.

If the state is cardiac arrest, you should apply cardiac massage.
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【No. 0559】Hormone

Jun 29, 2016 19:46
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese cuisine "hormone."

The hormone is a standard menu of barbecue restaurants in Japan, and means innards that includes small bowel, large bowel, livers and hearts of cattle or birds.

Since "hormone" is written in Katakana, I've thought that this word came from "hormone" in English.

However, I found some sites that says something like "hormone is came from the Japanese phrase hourumonn, which means things that you throw away," then I was surprised and impressed.

After few hours, I realized that I was completely deceived.

According to a more reliable source, we referred to cuisine that enhance endocrine hormone as just "hormone," and now it mainly shows innards cuisine.
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【No. 0558】Tosho Cards (Book Cards)

Jun 28, 2016 10:31
There are magnetic prepaid cards for books in Japan, that are called "tosho cards."

Tosho cards have been familiar as gifts of anniversary or supplementary prizes in small contests for more than 25 years.

However, "tosho card NEXT" was launched from this month.

In the tosho card NEXT, since the usage history and the balances are managed on a server, you can check the information by using smartphone or computers.

On the other hand, in previous tosho cards, you can check only rough balances by looking punched holes on the card.

Personally, I prefer previous cards because when you want to check the balances of new cards, you have to connect the Internet and input an ID number and a PIN number.
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【No. 0557】Geckos and Newts

Jun 27, 2016 13:15
Today, I will talk about the differences between geckos ("yamori" in Japanese) and newts ("imori" in Japanese).

Japanese people often them because they have not only similar shapes, but also similar Japanese names.

Geckos are reptiles, and are a member of the lizard family, while newts are amphibians, and are a member of the frog family.

Therefore, while skins of geckos are dry, skins of newts are wet.

Also, while geckos can regenerate only their tails, newts can regenerate their various parts (however, only geckos can do autotomy).

By the way, it is said that "geckos protect our houses from pests" 「ie (can be called "ya") o gaichu kara mamoru」, and "newts protect wells from pests" 「ido o gaichu kara mamoru」.

This is why geckos are called "yamori," and newts are called "imori" in Japan.
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【No. 0556】The Japanese Phrase "Dakara"

Jun 26, 2016 16:17
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese conjunction "dakara."

"Dakara" has the meaning of "hence" or "so," but you have to be careful to use this at the beginning of a sentence.

Basically, since "dakara" is used to even or lower ranking people, it's possible to make someone feel bad.

Recently, many Japanese people use "nanode" instead of "dakara," as an alternative expression.

Although "nanode" is a softer expression, it's not a independent conjunction, so you can't use it strictly at the beginning of a sentence.

If you want to use correct Japanese, you can use "shitagatte," "ijo no kotokara," "sonotame," or "desunode," though these are stiff and formal.
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【No. 0555】Profile Images of SNSs

Jun 25, 2016 13:51
According to an expert, an SNS's profile image shows your deep psyche and attribute.

Note that there is no scientific basis on the following psychological analysis.

If you don't set your profile image, you are bad with computers, or might be a closed person.

If you use your own face, you might have a constant confidence, and be satisfied with your life.

If you use a picture or an illustration of animals, you might be a free person, a spoiled child.

If you use an anime character or a celebrity picture, you might be a geek.

If you use a landscape photo, you might be a thinker or a hard worker.

I think it will be interesting if an analysis based on scientific basis is performed.
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【No. 0554】How to Increase Your Hair

Jun 24, 2016 19:55
Today, I will talk about the way to increase your hair.

According to a study of the University of Southern California, if you pull 200 hairs out from a mouse body in a narrow region, about two to six times hairs of the pulled ones will grow.

The reason seems to be because a grow signal is sent to surrounding sleeping hair roots by pulling a hair out.

However, if you want to reproduce it, you have to pull your hair out one by one in a closely spaced region.

Worst of all,if the region is too large, chemical signals will weaken, and no hair grow.

It's a kind of horrible way, you can't do this casually.
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【No. 0553】Broccoli

Jun 23, 2016 20:03
Broccoli is a kind of cruciferous vegetables, and is known for the very rich nutritional value.

In the US, broccoli is known familiarly as a symbol of health, but many children seem to hate broccoli.

Although many Japanese children hate broccoli too, the symbol of unpopular vegetables for children in Japan tends to be bell peppers or carrots.

In fact, in the Japanese version of the Pixar movie "Inside Out," a father force to his child to eat green peppers instead of broccoli.

By the way, broccoli is a cabbage that was bred in Italy.

Also, cauliflower is a mutation of broccoli.
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【No. 0552】Daijobu

Jun 22, 2016 16:30
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "daijobu."

"Daijobu" means something like "it's okay" or "no problem," and is often used in daily life.

For example: "Ashita yasundemo iidesuka?" "Daijobu desu."
("Can I take a day off tomorrow?" "No problem.")

However, you have to be careful because "daijobu" has also meanings like "it's enough" and "no thank you."

For example: "Gohan tabeni ikanai?" "Daijobu desu."
("How about going out for lunch?" "No thank you.")

Originally, "daijobu" meant only affirmative, but it has come to be used also in negative meanings, because direct denials might bruise someone.

Since the usage of "daijobu" is really confusing even for us, I recommend for you to add supplemental words after saying "daijobu."
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【No. 0551】Summer Solstice

Jun 21, 2016 21:15
Today was the summer solstice in Japan.

The summer solstice is a day that the daytime is longest and the night is shortest in a year in the Northern Hemisphere (this reverses in the Southern Hemisphere).

In the Japanese summer solstice, the sun rises about five hours longer than the winter solstice, which has the shortest daytime in a year.

Actually, there are almost no traditional events related to the summer solstice in Japan.

In Europe, on the other hand, many festivals to thank the sun seem to be held during the summer solstice.

For example, I heard that the day is "Fête de la musique" (Make Music Day) in French.

Also, the day seems to be a day that symbolizes love in various European countries.

In particular, for North European countries that have relatively short daylight hours, the summer solstice (midsummer) is one of the most important holidays.
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【No. 0550】"Kin-nen" and "Kin-jitsu"

Jun 20, 2016 13:17
Today, I noticed a little weird Japanese words.

They are "kin-nen" and "kin-jitsu."

"Kin" means "close" and "near," "nen" means "year," and "jitsu" means "day."

Also, "kin-nen" means "recently" or "in recent years," which includes the recent past and the present.

However, "kin-jitsu" means "soon" or "in a few days," which shows only near future.

Although these structures are similar, the meanings are quite different.

Please be careful when you use these words.

By the way, there are no words like "kin-shu" ("shu" means "week") and "kin-getsu" ("getsu" means "month").
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【No. 0549】"Omou" and "Kangaeru" (Think)

Jun 19, 2016 11:59
Today, I will talk about the Japanese verbs "omou" and "kangaeru."

Both of them can be translated into "think" in English, but the nuances are different.

Commonly, "omou" is used to show a thought that is based on your feeling or subjective view.

On the other hand, "kangaeru" is used to show a thought that is based on your analysis or objective view.

Also, "kangaeru" can reinforce your confidence to your thought.

Therefore, "kangaeru" is mainly used at scientific sentences and formal speeches.

"Omou" is basically used in everyday conversation.
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【No. 0548】Japanese Phrases That Express The End of Flowers

Jun 18, 2016 17:58
There are many Japanese words that express the end of flowers depending on the kind.

Today, I will talk about some typical ones among them.

Sakura (cherry blossoms) ･･･ "Chiru" (which literally means "dissipate")

(A scene that cherry blossoms are falling is called "sakura hubuki" (hubuki means blowing snow).)

Kiku (chrysanthemums) ･･･ "Koboreru" (which literally means "dance")

(Petals of withered chrysanthemums droop, it looks like they're dancing when winds are blowing.)

Ume (Plums) ･･･ "Koboreru" (which literally means "spill")

Tsubaki (Camellias) ･･･ "Ochiru" (which literally means "fall")

Botan (Peonies) ･･･ "Kuzureru" (which literally means "collapse")

Asagao (morning glories) ･･･ "Shibomu" (which literally means "deflate")

Yukiyanagi (spiraea thunbergii) ･･･ "Fubuku" (which literally means that blowing snow occurs)

We've expressed scenes of the end of flowers by using various words.

It's not necessarily required to use these expressions to each flower.

However, I think that it's beautiful to express visual scenes by using such special expressions.
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【No. 0547】Taidan

Jun 17, 2016 09:52
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "taidan."

"Taidan" is often translated into "talk," "conversation," or "interview," but it's wrong in a narrow sense.

"Tai" in "taidan" have the meanings of "pair" and "one-to-one," and "dan" have the meaning of "conversation."

Therefore, "taidan" means a "one-on-one conversation/dialogue," and it's not used when there are more than three speakers.

Although a three-way conversation is defined as "teidan" in Japan, the phrase is not popular very much.

In my opinion, if there are more than three speakers, you should say "kaigi," "kaidan," "meeting,"or "hanashi-ai."
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【No. 0546】Unagi-bun (Eel Statements)

Jun 16, 2016 09:32
Today, I will talk about "unagi-bun" (eel statements).

The "unagi-bun" expresses something like the following conversation in a restaurant.

A「Nani o chumon suru?」("Did you decide what to order?")
B「Boku ha unagi da.」("I'm an eel.")
C「Watashi ha beer.」("I'm beer.")

These speakers are of course neither an eel nor beer, they just showed their orders.

When you say 「X ha Y da」 (X is Y) in Japan, it doesn't always mean "X equals Y," and such statements are called "unagi-bun" (eel statements).

Although the term itself is not famous, Japanese people often use this grammar.

I'm not sure whether or not similar examples exist overseas.
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【No. 0545】Okagesama

Jun 15, 2016 12:40
Today, I'll talk about the phrase "okagesama," which is often used in Japan.

"Kage" means a shade of the great, such as Shinto or Buddhist deities, and the polite version "okagesama" is used as an appreciation word for other people's help.

Example: 「Okagesama de shoshin dekimasita.」 (Thanks to you, I got promoted.)

Such "okagesama" in the good sense is also used lightheartedly in various situations (even if your conversation partner actually don't help you), something like the following:

A: 「Genki desu ka?」("How are you doing?")

B: 「Okagesama de genki desu.」("Thanks to you, I'm fine.")

In fact, "okagesama" seems to be sometimes translated into "fortunately."

On the other hand, "okagesama" is also used in the sense of irony.

Example: 「Okagesama de shippai shimashita.」 "Thanks to you, I failed."
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【No. 0544】Amato and Karato

Jun 14, 2016 10:49
Today, I will talk about the Japanese words "amato" and "karato," which are often misused.

"Ama" in "amato" means "sweet," "kara" in "karato" means "spicy," and "to" means "(political) party."

Therefore, most Japanese people think that "amato" means people who like sweets, and "karato" means people who like spicy food literary.

However, the original meanings are something like the following:

Amato: People who prefer sweets than sake (alcohol).

Karato: People who prefer sake (alcohol) to sweets.

The meaning of "amato" is almost correct, but that of "karato" is dramatically different from the original.

One of the most widely-accepted theories that explain why "karato" means people who like sake is that high alcohol sake that have a low sugar content is called "辛い" (spicy) in Japan.
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【No. 0543】Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon

Jun 13, 2016 22:41
Today, I will talk about tip of the tongue (TOT) phenomenon.

The tip of the tongue phenomenon is a phenomenon that though you're about to recall something, you can't.

There are some cases: you're retrieving a similar sound word that has a different meaning, you're retrieving a similar meaning word that has a different sound, you're retrieving only a first character of the word, and so on.

Memory retrieval of human beings is sophisticated and is performed quite quickly, but the speed will become slow when you're in the TOT states.

By the way, the phenomenon is called "nodo made dekakatteiru" (which means something like "something is about to come to my throat") in Japan.