tea – Learning English and Japanese

Toru Jun 19, 2023Jan 02, 2024 chakasu, comical, etymology, green tea, Japanese, kabuki, ningyo-joruri, tea, traditional theater, verb

Chakasu (茶化す – Making Fun of Someone/Something)

Chakasu 茶化す The Japanese verb chakasu (茶化す) is used when making fun of someone or replying with a joke. 誰かをからかったり、冗談めかしてごまかしたりすることを、「茶化す」と言うことがあります。 Read More

Essay Japanese tradition Kanji Uncorrected

Toru May 12, 2019Jul 26, 2021 0 Comments amethyst, autumn, bitter, Buddha, character, come out, crystal, eye, France, incoherent, kanji, leaf, orchid, Pacific cod, phonetic equivalent, purple, reading, red, tea, unreasonable, west

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

Essay Etymology Uncorrected

Toru Aug 19, 2018Jan 01, 2024 0 Comments antic, comport, cursory, eye, innocent, lovable, mischievous, playful, polite, tea

Ochame (お茶目 – Mischievous)

Ochame お茶目 There are some people around me who are called ‘ochame‘ (お茶目). 私の周りにはよく「お茶目」と呼ばれる人がいます。 Ochame means that someone is mischievous Read More

Culture Essay Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru Jul 31, 2018Jan 01, 2024 0 Comments coarse, low-grade, respect, tea, visitor

Socha (粗茶 – “Coarse Tea”)

Socha 粗茶 In Japan, when serving tea to visitors, we sometimes say “socha desuga” (粗茶ですが). 日本では、来客にお茶を出す際に「粗茶ですが」と言うことがあります。 Since ‘so‘ (粗) means Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Food Idiom Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru Feb 22, 2018Jan 02, 2024 gift, Japanese, karacha, miyage, motsu, omotase, refreshments, tea, URL, visitor

Omotase (お持たせ)

Omotase お持たせ Yesterday, I introduced you to the word 空茶 (karacha), which means to serve green tea without refreshments. 昨日は、お茶菓子を添えずに出すお茶を意味する「空茶」という言葉を紹介しました。 Read More

Corrected Culture Essay Food Japanese tradition

Toru Feb 21, 2018Jul 09, 2023 0 Comments empty, green tea, refreshments, serve, tea, visit

Karacha (空茶 – Served Tea by Itself)

Karacha 空茶 When treating visitors in Japan, we often serve green tea with refreshments (Japanese confectionery). 日本では来客をもてなすとき、お茶にお茶菓子を添えて出します。 However, if the Read More

Culture Essay Etymology European countries Food Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru Dec 05, 2017Jan 03, 2024 black tea, color, drink, etymology, Japanese, kocha, milk, red, tea, UK

Kōcha (紅茶 – Black Tea)

Kōcha 紅茶 I’m drinking “kōcha” (紅茶) right now. 私は今、紅茶を飲んでいます。 The “kō” (紅) means “red” and the “cha” (茶) means “tea,” Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Japanese tradition Kanji Slang Uncorrected

Toru Nov 03, 2017Jan 03, 2024 chaban, comedy, drama, Japan, kabuki, kyogen, role, tea, theatrical, traditional

Chaban (茶番 – Farce)

Nonsense plays, theatrical behavior, and ridiculous acts are called “chaban” (茶番) or “chaban-geki” (茶番劇) in Japan.(Here the “geki” (劇) means Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Onomatopoeia Slang Uncorrected

Toru Aug 23, 2017Jan 03, 2024 chacha wo ireru, conversation, disturb, etymology, idiom, jaja, Japanese, kanji, tea, unnecessary

Chacha wo Ireru (茶々を入れる – Teasing)

Chacha wo Ireru 茶々を入れる Have you ever broken into a conversation of others, and said unnecessary things or cracks? 他人の会話に横から入り、余計なことや冷やかしを言ったことはありますか？ Read More