Ten Teko Mai

Mar 18, 2017 14:40
Today I will talk about the Japanese term "ten teko mai."

"Ten teko mai" means that something is very busy and hurriedly moving.

"Ten teko" of "ten teko mai" is an onomatopoeic word that represents the sound of drumming, and "mai" means to move/dance according to the beats.

Therefore, "ten teko mai" means "to dance hurriedly according to the sound of drumming."

Incidentally, there is another expression "kiri kiri mai," meaning almost the same as "ten teko mai."

"Kiri kiri" is an onomatopoeic word that represents a sound that something is rotating.

Therefore, it is said that "kiri kiri mai" comes from a view of a heavily spinning top.
てんてこまい

今日は「てんてこまい」という日本語を紹介します。

「てんてこまい」は、とても忙しく、慌ただしく動き回っているようすを表す言葉です。

「てんてこ」は、里神楽などで用いる太鼓の音を表す擬音語で、「まい」はリズムに合わせて動くことを意味します。

すなわち、「てんてこまい」とは「太鼓の音に合わせて慌ただしく舞い踊る」ということを意味します。

「てんてこまい」に似た表現に、「きりきりまい」があります。

「きりきり」は物が回転するようすを表す擬態語で、「きりきりまい」はコマなどが片足で慌ただしく回ることから来ています。
No. 1 Satish
  • Today I will talk about the Japanese term "ten teko mai."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • "Ten teko mai" means that something is very busy and hurriedly moving.
  • "Ten teko mai" means that something is very busy and hurriedly moving.

    You mention "something is very busy". Typically, I have seen "very busy" associated with people. Do you mean "someone"?

  • "Ten teko" of "ten teko mai" is an onomatopoeic word that represents the sound of drumming, and "mai" means to move/dance according to the beats.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Therefore, "ten teko mai" means "to dance hurriedly according to the sound of drumming."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Incidentally, there is another expression "kiri kiri mai," meaning almost the same as "ten teko mai."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • "Kiri kiri" is an onomatopoeic word that represents a sound that something is rotating.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Therefore, it is said that "kiri kiri mai" comes from a view of a heavily spinning top.
  • Therefore, it is said that "kiri kiri mai" comes from a view of a heavily spinning top.

    Very interesting! Given the analogy of a spinning top - could "kiri kiri mai" have the secondary meaning of not achieving much? I.e. spinning around in circles but not getting anywhere? Thanks again for an interesting topic!

Toru
Thank you so much for your corrections! :)

> You mention "something is very busy". Typically, I have seen "very busy" associated with people. Do you mean "someone"?
Ah! Yes, I wanted to mean "someone" instead of "something."

> Very interesting! Given the analogy of a spinning top - could "kiri kiri mai" have the secondary meaning of not achieving much? I.e. spinning around in circles but not getting anywhere?
Oh, I forgot to explain the detail. The reason why "kiri kiri mai" means almost the same as "ten teko mai" is because a spinning top looks like a person bustle about with one foot.
No. 2 JayfeatherRex
  • Ten Teko Mai
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Today I will talk about the Japanese term "ten teko mai."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • "Ten teko mai" means that something is very busy and hurriedly moving.
  • "Ten teko mai" means that something is very busy and hurriedly moving.

    (in blue)
    Did you mean "someone"? In English, things can't be described as "busy" or "hurriedly moving."

  • "Ten teko" of "ten teko mai" is an onomatopoeic word that represents the sound of drumming, and "mai" means to move/dance according to the beats.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Therefore, "ten teko mai" means "to dance hurriedly according to the sound of drumming."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Incidentally, there is another expression "kiri kiri mai," meaning almost the same as "ten teko mai."
  • Incidentally, there is another expression "kiri kiri mai," which means meaning almost the same as "ten teko mai."
  • "Kiri kiri" is an onomatopoeic word that represents a sound that something is rotating.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Therefore, it is said that "kiri kiri mai" comes from a view of a heavily spinning top.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you so much always for correcting my post!
> Did you mean "someone"? In English, things can't be described as "busy" or "hurriedly moving."
Yes, I wanted to mean "someone." I think that since the verb "忙しい" (busy) is sometimes used for "something" in Japanese, I made the mistake.
JayfeatherRex
No problem!