【No. 1207】Oyadama (親玉 - Godfather)
Apr 8, 2018 09:07
Oyadama
I sometimes use the Japanese word "oyadama" (親玉).
"Oyadama" means a key person or leader in organizations.
"Oya" (親) means "parent" and "dama/tama" (玉) means "ball," so the literal meaning of "oyadama" is "parent ball."
Originally, this word was used to mean a big ball set in the center of "juzu" (数珠).
"Juzu" is a tool that is made by connecting a large ball (oyadama) and many small balls in a circle, and it is used when praying in Buddhism.
Since the small balls are arranged around the big ball, "oyadama" has come to mean a centerpiece, key person or leader.
Note that this word is often used in a bad sense, such as "aku no oyadama" (悪の親玉 - master of evil), though I don't know the reason.
I sometimes use the Japanese word "oyadama" (親玉).
"Oyadama" means a key person or leader in organizations.
"Oya" (親) means "parent" and "dama/tama" (玉) means "ball," so the literal meaning of "oyadama" is "parent ball."
Originally, this word was used to mean a big ball set in the center of "juzu" (数珠).
"Juzu" is a tool that is made by connecting a large ball (oyadama) and many small balls in a circle, and it is used when praying in Buddhism.
Since the small balls are arranged around the big ball, "oyadama" has come to mean a centerpiece, key person or leader.
Note that this word is often used in a bad sense, such as "aku no oyadama" (悪の親玉 - master of evil), though I don't know the reason.
親玉
私は「親玉」という言葉を時々使います。
「親玉」は、団体や組織における中心的人物や、ボスのことを指す言葉です。
親は "parent," 玉は "ball" を意味するので、親玉の文字通りの意味は "parent ball" となります。
もともとこの言葉は、数珠の中心にある大きな玉を指しました。
数珠は、大きな玉（親玉）の周りに小さな玉を繋げて輪にした道具で、仏教において祈りの際に使われます。
ここから、組織などにおける中心的存在を指すようになったというわけです。
理由はわかりませんが、親玉は「悪の親玉」など悪い意味で使われることが多いので、注意して下さい。
私は「親玉」という言葉を時々使います。
「親玉」は、団体や組織における中心的人物や、ボスのことを指す言葉です。
親は "parent," 玉は "ball" を意味するので、親玉の文字通りの意味は "parent ball" となります。
もともとこの言葉は、数珠の中心にある大きな玉を指しました。
数珠は、大きな玉（親玉）の周りに小さな玉を繋げて輪にした道具で、仏教において祈りの際に使われます。
ここから、組織などにおける中心的存在を指すようになったというわけです。
理由はわかりませんが、親玉は「悪の親玉」など悪い意味で使われることが多いので、注意して下さい。
Corrections (2)
No. 1 artboy598
- Oyadama (親玉 - Godfather)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- I sometimes use the Japanese word "oyadama" (親玉).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- "Oyadama" means a key person or leader in organizations.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- "Oya" (親) means "parent" and "dama/tama" (玉) means "ball," so the literal meaning of "oyadama" is "parent ball."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Originally, this word was used to mean a big ball set in the center of "juzu" (数珠).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- "Juzu" is a tool that is made by connecting a large ball (oyadama) and many small balls in a circle, and it is used when praying in Buddhism.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Since the small balls are arranged around the big ball, "oyadama" has come to mean a centerpiece, key person or leader.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Note that this word is often used in a bad sense, such as "aku no oyadama" (悪の親玉 - master of evil), though I don't know the reason.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
“Godfather” has sort of a negative connotation in English too. Have you see the famous movie “The Godfather”? When I hear that word I think of the mafia. Though there are other uses for “Godfather” that are not negative. As close frien ]d who you chose to raise or care for your child should so,etching happen to you can be a Godfather.
Toru
Thank you so much for reading my post!
Yes, I've seen the movie "The Godfather." I think that many Japanese people would image something like a leader who appears in the movie. Such a positive usage for "Godfather" is very interesting. Thank you for letting me know that. :)
Thank you so much for reading my post!
Yes, I've seen the movie "The Godfather." I think that many Japanese people would image something like a leader who appears in the movie. Such a positive usage for "Godfather" is very interesting. Thank you for letting me know that. :)
No. 2 Fifi
- I sometimes use the Japanese word "oyadama" (親玉).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- "Oyadama" means a key person or leader in organizations.
-
"Oyadama" means a key person or leader in an organization.
key person = 1 or singular organization is better
- "Juzu" is a tool that is made by connecting a large ball (oyadama) and many small balls in a circle, and it is used when praying in Buddhism.
- A "Juzu" is like a rosary that is made by connecting a large ball (oyadama) and many small balls in a circle, and it is used when praying in Buddhism.
I have never seen it but is Dragon Ball like this too?
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction!
I think that it has no special relationship with Dragon Ball. However, some "oyadama" appear in the world of Dragon Ball. One of the most famous "oyadama" is Frieza.
Thank you so much for the correction!
I think that it has no special relationship with Dragon Ball. However, some "oyadama" appear in the world of Dragon Ball. One of the most famous "oyadama" is Frieza.