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【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.
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。

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. :)
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.

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