Minazuki (水無月 – June)
Minazuki 水無月 In Japan, when referring to months such as “January” or “May,” we almost always say the number of
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Japanese Customs at the Summer Solstice
Japanese Customs at the Summer Solstice 夏至における日本の風習 Today, June 21st, the day with the most hours of sunlight during the
Read moreJūyaku Shukkin (重役出勤 – Fashionably Late)
Jūyaku Shukkin 重役出勤 Arriving at work much later than the opening time, or just being late, is commonly referred to
Read moreAmenbo Akaina Aiueo (あめんぼあかいなあいうえお)
Amenbo Akaina Aiueo あめんぼあかいなあいうえお In my post yesterday, I introduced the word amenbo (アメンボ), which means “water strider.” 昨日は “water
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Kaeru and Kawazu (「かえる」と「かわず」 – Frog)
Kaeru and Kawazu 「かえる」と「かわず」 蛙, which means “frog,” can be read in two ways: kaeru (かえる) and kawazu (かわず/かわづ). “Frog”
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Oden (おでん)
Oden おでん The cold season makes typical Japanese people want to eat oden (おでん). 寒い季節になると「おでん」を食べたくなります。 Oden is a Japanese dish
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Donburako (どんぶらこ)
Donburako どんぶらこ Today, I would like to introduce a unique onomatopoeia donburako (どんぶらこ). 今日は少し特殊な擬態語「どんぶらこ」を紹介します。 Donburako is an onomatopoeia representing that
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Suzu wo Korogasu youna Koe (鈴を転がすような声 – Clear and Beautiful Voice)
Suzu wo Korogasu youna Koe 鈴を転がすような声 A woman’s high, clear and beautiful voice is sometimes described as suzu wo korogasu
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Sābisu Zangyō (サービス残業 – Wage Theft)
Sābisu Zangyō サービス残業 Unfortunately, people around me often do sābisu zangyō (サービス残業). 残念なことに、私の周りの人はよく「サービス残業」をしているようです。 Sābisu zangyō is a colloquial term meaning
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