Five-yen Coin
Five-yen Coin 五円玉 Usually, there is saisenbako (賽銭箱) in Japanese shrines and temples. 日本の神社や寺院などには「賽銭箱」が置かれていることがあります。 Saisen (賽銭) means money that is
Read More
Learning English and Japanese
For everyone learning English/Japanese
Buddha
Shaka ni Seppō (釈迦に説法 – Preaching to the Choir)
Shaka ni Seppō 釈迦に説法 I noticed that some presenters used the Japanese phrase shaka ni seppō (釈迦に説法) in an academic
Read More
Tariki Hongan (他力本願 – Relying on Someone)
Tariki Hongan 他力本願 Relying on someone or leaving your work to someone is sometimes called tariki hongan (他力本願) in Japanese.
Read More
Shari (シャリ – White/Vinegared Rice)
Shari シャリ White rice or vinegared rice used for sushi is called shari (シャリ) in Japan. 寿司に使う白米や酢飯は、「シャリ」と呼ばれます。 It is thought
Read More
Ateji (当て字 – Phonetic Equivalent) Part 2
Ateji Part 2 当て字 Part 2 Yesterday, I introduced two meanings of ateji (当て字). 昨日は「当て字」が持つ二つの意味を紹介しました。 I would like to show
Read More
Fusessei (不摂生 – Intemperance)
Fusessei 不摂生 These days I have lived a lifestyle called ‘fusessei‘ (不摂生). 最近私は「不摂生」な生活を送っています。 ‘Fu‘ (不) is a negative word, and
Read More
Shakariki (しゃかりき – Eagerly)
Shakariki しゃかりき We use the term shakariki (しゃかりき) when expressing that someone works hard or struggles. 何かに懸命に取り組むことや、奮闘することを「しゃかりき」と言います。 It is thought
Read More
Nodobotoke
Today I will talk about the Japanese word “nodobotoke.” 喉仏 “Nodo” of “nodobotoke” means “throat,” “botoke” means “Buddha,” and “nodobotoke”
Read More
Kitamakura(北枕)
In Japan, ’kitamakura,’ which is to sleep with the head toward the north, has thought of as bad omen. 日本では、頭を北に向けて寝る「北枕」は演技が悪いとされてきました。
Read More