Wake Wakame (わけわかめ)

Jun 27, 2017 08:50
I sometimes introduce slang terms, but some of them are becoming obsolete.

For example, there is a slang term, "wake wakame" (わけわかめ), which is used when you can't understand something.

This term comes from the sentence "wake ga wakaranai," the literal meaning of which is "I can't understand the reason" (here "wake" means "reason," and "wakaranai" means "can't understand").

Also, "wakame" of "wake wakame" means "seaweed," and it's a pun for "wakaranai."

Wake wakame once became a dead term after it had spread in 1980s, but it became popular again since it has nominated for the popular word grand prix among high/junior high school girls in 2011.

Unfortunately it's becoming obsolete again now, but I sometimes use it because I like the sound.
わけわかめ

私は時々俗語を紹介していますが、中には死語になりつつあるものもあります。

例えば、何かが理解できない時に使う「わけわかめ」です。

「訳がわからない」の「わか」と、「わかめ」の「わか」をかけたダジャレのような言葉です。

この言葉は1980年代に流行した後、一度死語となりましたが、2011年女子高生ケータイ流行語大賞にノミネートされ、再度注目を浴びました。

最近では再び死語になりつつありますが、私は語感が好きなのでたまに使います。
No. 1 南蛮人
  • I sometimes introduce slang terms, but some of them are becoming obsolete.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • For example, there is a slang term, "wake wakame" (わけわかめ), which is used when you can't understand something.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • This term comes from the sentence "wake ga wakaranai," the literal meaning of which is "I can't understand the reason" (here "wake" means "reason," and "wakaranai" means "can't understand").
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Also, "wakame" of "wake wakame" means "seaweed," and it's a pun for "wakaranai."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Wake wakame once became a dead term after it had spread in 1980s, but it became popular again since it has nominated for the popular word grand prix among high/junior high school girls in 2011.
  • Wake wakame once became a dead term after it had spread in the 1980s, but it became popular again since it has was nominated for the popular word grand prix among high/junior high school girls in 2011.

    "popular word grand prix" What?!

  • Unfortunately it's becoming obsolete again now, but I sometimes use it because I like the sound.
  • Unfortunately now it's becoming obsolete again now, but I sometimes still use it because I like the way it sounds.

Great job.

I'd really like to learn about the "word grand prix"!

Toru
Thank you so much always for correcting my post!

> "popular word grand prix" What?!
Sorry, my translation could have misunderstood.
It called "女子中高生ケータイ流行語大賞," and maybe it should have translated as something like "buzzwords-of-the-year (on cellphone) contest for high/junior high school girls."
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A5%B3%E5%AD%90%E4%B8%AD%E9%AB%98%E7%94%9F%E3%82%B1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%82%A4%E6%B5%81%E8%A1%8C%E8%AA%9E%E5%A4%A7%E8%B3%9E

It's a minor contest :)