Hisaaki SHINKAI Homepage

Radical Japanese Lessons for Researchers

Lesson 1 --- Lesson 28 (Part 1, 2, 3, 4)

(These lessons were emailed to my colleagues daily, from Oct 1995 to Mar 1996).
The contents may include peculiar Japanese. :-)

[Part1] MAKE A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH
[Part2] UNDERSTANDING A CALTURE GAP
[Part3] ASK A PERSON TO DO SOMETHING
[Part4] THE LANGUAGE PLAY
Link to Next Lessons (Lesson 29 - 56)
Link to Next Lessons (Lesson 57 - 70)


PREFACE

What is the most important thing to learn a language is to speak it with natives. If possible, making an intimate friend is the shortest course. This importance was also suggested by Prof. Ehlers and Prof. Sciama to Dr. Haines, on his first day of visiting Germany and Italy, together with watching TV in these countries. Unfortunately, I guess that researchers, who are visiting Japan, sometimes miss opportunities to meet and communicate with Japanese except for collaborates. In this series of lessons, I show you the practical, up-to-date phrases to make Japanese friends using attractive words. Readers are supposed to use the sentences on that day for exercises.


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========== PART ONE.  MAKE A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH ==========
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LESSON 1. Celebrate Akika's Birthday

Akika, I heard that yesterday was your birthday. Congratulations! 晶香ちゃん,昨日誕生日だったんだって?おめでとう! Akika-chan, kinou tanjoubi dattandatte? Omedetou! No no, you are still young. If you are a "OBASAN", I am "OJIISAN". いえいえ,そんなことないよ.君はまだ若いって.あなたがおばさんなら わたしはおじいさんだよ. Ie ie, sonnakoto naiyo. Kimi ha mada wakaitte. Anata ga "OBASAN" nara watashi ha "OJIISAN" dayo. Note: OBASAN ... Middle aged woman. Young girls hate this word. OJIISAN... Old man.


LESSON 2. Shall We Go To the Museum?

Noriko, I am still a stranger in Tokyo, because only few days ago I came to Japan. 紀子ちゃん,僕は日本に来たばっかりでまだ東京がよくわからないんだ. Noriko-chan, boku ha Nihon ni kitabakkaride mada Tokyo ga yoku wakaranainda. May I ask you to guide me somewhere in this weekend? For example, how about a museum in Shinjuku? I heard now the Gogh-exhibition is held. 今度の週末にでも,どこかへ案内してもらえないかなあ.たとえば 新宿の美術館なんてどうかな.いまゴッホ展やってるらしいね. Kondo no shuumatsu nidemo dokoka e an'nai shite moraenaikana? Tatoeba Shinjuku no bijyutsu-kan nante doukana? Ima Gohho-ten yatteru rashiine. Note: Noriko likes Vincent van Gogh.


LESSON 3. Ask a Signature to a Professor

Maeda-san, I found your book "Topology of the Universe" in a book store and bought it. Can I ask your signature on the front page? 前田先生,本屋であなたが書いた「宇宙のトポロジー」の本を買いました. サインをしてくださいませんか. Maeda san, hon'ya de anata ga kaita "Uchu no toporogii" no hon wo kaimashita. Sain wo shite kudasai masenka? And I also bought "Chaos, Michi to no Sogu" of your translation. Could you please make a signature on this for a next reader? それから,あなたが訳した「カオス,未知との遭遇」の本も買いました. これにもサインをしていただけますか.古本屋へ高く売りたいので. Sorekara, Anata ga yakushita "Kaosu, Michi to no sogu" no hon wo kai mashita. Korenimo sain wo shite itadake masuka. Furuhon-ya e takaku uritai node. Note: "Chaos, Michi to no sogu" .... "Encountering with Chaos" Furuhon-ya ......... Second-hand book shop


LESSON 4. In the Library

Are you Kimu-san, who insists us to call yourself a 'sexy librarian'? セクシーライブラリアンと言わせている金さんとは,あなたですか. Sekushii raiburarian to iwaseteiru Kimu-san towa anata desuka? I'm grad to see you. You are wearing very charming epron of snoopy! お会いできて光栄です.スヌーピーのエプロンがとてもチャーミングですね. Oai dekite kouei desu. Sunuupii no epuron ga totemo chaamingu desune. I wish you will come my house and cook for me with that epron. こんどそのエプロンで家に来て料理を作ってくれないかなあ. Kondo sono epuron de uchi ni kite ryouri wo tukutte kurenai kanaa. Note: Tomoko Kimu hopes to be called herself a sexy librarian.


LESSON 5. Invite a Person to My Appartment

My appartment has just been decided. Why don't you come my room? 僕の部屋が新しく決まったよ.こんど家に来ないかい? Bokuno heya ga atarashiku kimattayo. Kondo uti ni konai kai? The nest Saturday? Well..., that day is the day of moving. This is a good chance. How about you moving in on that day? 今度の土曜日? え−っと,その日はちょうど引っ越しの日だなあ. ついでだから,君も一緒に引っ越してくるかい? Kondo no doyoubi? Eeeetto, sono hi wa tyoudo hikkoshi no hi danaa. Tsuide dakara, kimi mo issho ni hikkoshite kurukai? I will serve a special lunch for you. 僕が特別なインド料理をつくってあげよう. Boku ga tokubetsu na Indo ryori wo tsukutte ageyou.


LESSON 6. Shall We Go To Eat a Curry Rice?

Akika, I heard that there is a nice curry-rice shop around this science campus. Shall we go together for the lunch? 晶香ちゃん,理工学部の近くにおいしいカレーライス屋があると聞いた んだけど,今日昼御飯一緒に行かないかい? Akika-chan, rikou-gakubu no chikaku ni oishii karei-raisu ya ga aru to kiitannda kedo, kyou isshoni ikanai kai? Can I have a Beef Curry with Green Pepper of 10th-hot-level? ビーフピーマンの10倍をお願いします. Biifu-Piiman no jyu-bai wo onegai shimasu. Our sence organ reflects on the exponential stimulus, so that I think this shop should change their price list by its logarithmic hottest level. I try 100th-hot-level tomorrow. 人間の感覚は指数関数的に体感されるから,この店のカレ−ライスの辛さ の表示も対数表示にするべきだよね.明日は100倍を頼むことにしよう. Ningen no kankaku wa shisuu-kansuu-teki ni taikan sareru kara, kono mise no karei-raisu no karasa no hyouji mo taisu-hyouji ni surubeki dayone. Asu ha hyaku-bai wo tanomu koto ni shiyou. Note: The shop "Mumin" serves us curry rice with our ordered hot level.


LESSON 7. TEST

1. Translate into Japanese Kei-ichi, I heard that your birthday will come soon. Congratulations! Why don't you come my room? I will serve a special lunch for you. How about a Chickin Curry with tomato of 100th-hot-level? 2. Translate into English 「私がおばさんになったら」という歌がありますね。私はいま「私が おじいさんになったとき」という歌を作っています。あなたと一緒に いられたらいいな、という内容です。 「Watashi ga obasan ni nattara」to iu uta ga arimasu ne. Watashi wa ima 「Watashi ga ojiisan ni nattatoki」to iu uta wo tsukutte imasu. Anata to issho ni iraretara iina, to iu naiyou desu. 3. Confirm your answer with your friend. to be continued.


============================================================ ========== PART TWO. UNDERSTANDING A CALTURE GAP ========== ============================================================

LESSON 8. Kimono Japanese people do not wear kimono than I thought. Akika, why don't you wear Furisode in usual? 日本人は思ったより着物を着ないですね. 晶香ちゃんはどうして振り袖を着ないのですか. Nihonjin wa omottayori kimono wo kinai desune. Akika-chan wa doushite Furisode wo kinai no desuka? When we want to wear Furisode, we need someone's help. And I feel it's very tight. To speak in detail, a married woman wears not Furisode but Tomesode. 振り袖は一人では着れないし,苦しくてたいへんなのよ.それに 細かいこというと,結婚すると振り袖ではなくて留め袖になるのよ. Furisode wa hitori dewa kirarenai shi, kurushikute taihen nanoyo. Soreni komakaikoto iuto, kekkon suruto Furisode deha nakute Tomesode ni narunoyo. By the way, is it true that woman do not wear any underwears under kimono? ところで,着物の下にはブラジャーもパンツもつけないって 本当ですか. Tokorode, kimono no shita niwa burajaa mo pantsu mo tsukenaitte hontou desuka? Note: Furisode...long-sleeved, decorative formal kimono wear for a lady Tomesode...short-sleeved kimono worn by a married woman for festive occasions


LESSON 9. Wedding Party

At the Wedding Party in Japan, I heard that invited guests give money to the new couples' family. 日本の結婚式では招待された人がお金を持っていくらしいですね. Nihon no kekkon-shiki dewa shoutai sareta hito ga okane wo motte iku rashii desune. That's right. It's common to pay for our dishes, although it is difficult to estimate in advance what dishes we will have. そうです.自分の食べる分は前もって支払うのが常識です. どのくらいの料理が出るかを推測するのは難しいんですがね. Sou desu. Jibun no taberu bun wa mae motte shiharau noga joushiki desu. Donokurai no ryouri ga deruka wo suisoku sorunowa muzukashiindesugane. More than that I am surprizing, a new couple choose their Wedding Ceremony of Christian, Shinto, Buddhism and no-religion styles independent of their religion. Noriko, which style do you like best? それに,式は宗教に関係なく,キリスト教式か神式かあるいは 仏前か人前かまったく自由に選んでいるようですね. 紀子ちゃんはどれがいい? Soreni, shiki wa shukyo ni kankei naku, Kirisuto-kyou shiki ka Shin-shiki ka aruiwa Butsuzen ka Jinzen ka mattaku jiyuu ni erande iru youdesune. Noriko-chan wa dorega ii?


LESSON 10. Omiai

Maeda-san, everyone says your wife is very beautiful. Could I ask you where did you met each other? 前田先生,奥様がたいへん美しい方だと伺いました. どこでお知り合いになったのですか. Kei-ichi, okusama ga taihen utsukushii katadato ukagai mashita. Dokode oshiriai ni natta no desuka? Well, a person introduced us. 人の紹介でね. Hito no shoukai dene. Oh, that's a nice system. I'd like to experience such an exciting meeting. To whom should I ask for arranging? If possible, then how much my preferences will be concerned, do you think? それはすばらしいことですね.私もそういうわくわくどきどきした出会い をしてみたいのですが,だれに頼めば良いのでしょう?本人の希望はどの 程度どこまで叶えられるのでしょうか. Sore wa subarashii koto desune. Watashi mo souiu Wakuwaku-Dokidoki shita deai wo shite mitai no desuga, dareni tanomeba yoinodeshou? Hon'nin no kibou wa dokomade kanaerareru nodeshouka? Note: Omiai...Meeting each other. Especially for man and woman, or between Sumo wrestlers.


LESSON 11. Discuss the Philosophy

Do you watch the "Okaasan to Issho (With mother)" of NHK TV? I think Miss. Ayumi Shigemori is very cute. The other day, I was really moved when I heard her singing the song "Inu no omawarisan (Dog Policeman)". NHKの「おかあさんといっしょ」見てますか. あゆみお姉さんはかわいいですね.この間なんか, 「犬のお巡りさん」を歌っているのを聞いて感動しました. Enu-Eichi-Kei(NHK) no Okaasan-to-issho mitemasuka? Ayumi oneesan wa kawaii desune. Kono aida nanka, "Inu no omawarisan" wo utatte iru no wo kiite kandou shimashita. From the point of poetry, I recommend the song "The letter from a white goat" the excellent. It's funny that the situation of eash goat eats the letter before he/she reads and be at a loss. It includes both the notion of infinity and the spilit of Rin'ne, a quite philosophycal song, that I ever heard. 歌詞の内容としては,「しろやぎさんの手紙」の歌が秀逸だと思います. お互いに手紙を読まずに食べて困ってしまうなんて,無限の概念と 輪廻の精神を兼ね備えた非常に哲学的な歌だと思います. Kashi no naiyou toshite wa, "Shiro-yagi-san no tegami" no uta ga shuuitsu da to omoimasu. Otagai ni tegami wo yomazuni tabete komatte shimau nan'nte, mugen no gainen to rin'ne no seishin wo kanesonaeta hijouni tetsugakutekina utada to omoimasu. Akika, please sing the song for me. 晶香さん僕のために歌ってください. Akika-chan, boku no tameni utatte kudasai. Note: NHK......Nihon Housou Kyoukai (Japan Broadcasting Center) channel 1 and 3 on TV at Tokyo. Rin'ne...rebirth by Karma; transmigration of souls


LESSON 12. Katakori

I have now released from a heavy moving. My room is now ready for a humanbeing to live in. 引っ越しのごたごたから,ようやく解放されたよ. やっと人間の住める部屋になったぜ. Hikkoshi no gotagota kara youyaku kaihou saretayo. Yatto ningen no sumeru heya ni nattaze. Don't you have muscle pain? Or do your shoulders have stiff? 筋肉痛にはならなかった?肩は凝らなかった? Kin'niku-tsuu niwa naranakatta? Kata wa koranakatta? I never feel a stiffness in my shoulders. Japanese often complain their shoulder-stiffness, but the reason may come from their lack of gestures in their conversation, I guess. 僕は肩が凝ることはありませんね.日本人はよく肩凝りを訴えるけど それは日常会話にゼスチャ−が足りないからじゃないかな. Bokuha kataga korukoto wa arimasen ne. Nihonjin wa yoku katakori wo uttaeru kedo, sore wa nichijou kaiwa ni zesuchaa ga tarinai kara ja naikana. I am always hard under chilly, stiffness, anemic and hypotension. 私なんていつも冷え性・凝り性・貧血・低血で大変なのよ. Watashi nan'nte itsumo hieshou, korishou, hinketsu, teiketsu de taihen nanoyo. Well well, then I will ... それではこんど僕が.... Soredewa kondo bokuga ...


LESSON 13. Baby

We say that babies are delivered by stork. Do Japanese believe the same story? 我々は赤ん坊はコウノトリが運んでくる,と言いますが, 日本でも同じですか. Wareware wa akanbou ha kounotoriga hakonde kuru, to iimasuga, nihon demo onajidesuka? Well, as the prince Hironomiya said in his press conference some years ago, storks are now promoting thier share in Japan. In the early times, however, we believe that boys are born from peach and girls are born from bamboo. そうですね,最近は皇太子が記者会見で述べたように, 日本でもコウノトリが運んでくるらしいけれど,昔は 男の子は桃から生まれ,女の子は竹から生まれると信じ られていました. Soudesu ne, saikin wa Koutaishi ga kishakaiken de nobeta youni, otokonoko wa momo kara umare, on'nanoko wa take kara umareru to shinjirarete imashita. I see. It is the evidence that Japanese has been controled their babies' sex. なるほど,日本では古代から男女産み分けが行われていた 証拠ですね. Naruhodo, hihon dewa kodaikara danjo umiwake ga okonawareteita shouko desune.


LESSON 14. TEST

1. Translate into Japanese Kei-ichi, your wife is very beautiful. When you wear Kimono, don't you wear any underwears under kimono? Oh, that's a nice system. I was really moved when I heard that. It is quite excellent word that I ever heard. 2. Translate into English わくわくどきどきした出会いがある場所として友達の結婚式がある. みんな,新郎新婦の幸せな姿を見て,憧れているからだ. ただし,スキー場での出会いと同じように,女性はかなり化粧が 厚いという難点がある. Wakuwaku dokidoki shita deai ga aru basho toshite tomodachi no kekkon shiki ga aru. Min'na shinrou-shinpu no shiawasena sugata wo mite akogarete irukarada. Tadashi, sukii-jou deno deai to onaji youni, josei wa kanari keshou ga atui toiu nanten ga aru. shinrou....bridegroom shinpu.....bride akogareru..have admiration keshou.....makeup 3. Confirm your answer with your friend.


============================================================ ======= PART THREE. ASK A PERSON TO DO SOMETHING ========= ============================================================ LESSON 15. Please Show Me the Campus

The campus has been changed drastically, while I have not come. しばらく大学へ来ないうちに,様子がすっかり変わってしまったなあ. Shibaraku daigaku e konai uchini, yousu ga sukkari kawatte shimatta naa. Noriko, I am as if Mr.Taro Urashima. 紀子ちゃん,僕はまるで浦島太郎だよ. Noriko-chan, boku wa marude Urashima Tarou dayo. Could I ask you to show me the campus from the drama-museum, I wish I restarted from the first day of my visit here. もういちど,いちばんはじめの日に戻って,演劇博物館から案内して もらえないかなあ. Mouichido ichiban hajime no hi ni modotte, Engeki-Hakubutukan kara an'nai shite moraenaikanaa. Note: Taro Urashima...The first semi-light-speed traveller in the Japanese history.


LESSON 16. Please Be My Teacher

Are you a boy or a girl? あなたは男ですか,それとも女ですか. Anata wa otoko desuka, soretomo on'na desuka? I'm glad hear you are a lady. 私はあなたが女の人で本当にうれしいです. Watashi wa anataga on'nano hitode honto ni ureshiidesu. These days, I am annoying by a friend of mine, who teaches me some unusual Japanese. Please be my Japanese teacher and teach me the correct Japanese. Yes, my private teacher. 最近,友達が変な日本語を教えてくれるので,こまっています. 私の日本語の先生になって正しい日本語を教えてください. そう,家庭教師です. Saikin, tomodachi ga hen na nihongo wo oshiete kurerunode, komatte imasu. Watashino nihongo no sensei ni natte tadashii nihongo wo oshietekudasai. Soudesu, katei-kyoushi desu.


LESSON 17. Please Be My Cook

This weekend, we will have a hiking. I guess this hiking is planned to go deep inside a mountain. 今度の週末にハイキングがあるんだけど,ハイキングというからには すごい山奥なんだよね. Kondono shuumatsu ni haikingu ga arun'dakedo, haikingu to iukaraniwa sugoi yamaoku nandayone. What are you planning for the lunch? In usually, what kind of foods do Japanese prepare for the lunch box? みんなお昼御飯はどうするんだろう.こんなとき,日本人はどんな お弁当を用意するのですか. Minna ohiru gohan wa dousurundarou. Kon'natoki, nihonjin wa don'na obentou wo youisuru no desuka? Could you please cook that "special giant ONIGIRI" for me, I need one, .. or two,.. or three if possible. In exchange for these, I prepare another food, sleeping bag, tent, raincourt for surviving through any accident. 遭難したときの予備食やシュラフ,テントや雨具は,僕が用意するから, もしよかったら,僕の分もその「特製巨大おにぎり」ってやつをひとつ, いやふたつ,できれば三つ作ってもらえないだろうか. Sounan shitatokino yobishoku ya shurafu, tento ya amagu wa bokuga youi surukara, moshi yokattara, bokuno bun mo sono "Tokusei Kyodai Onigiri"tte yatsu wo hitotu, iya futatsu, dekireba mittsu tukutte moraenai darouka?


LESSON 18. Please Be My Therapeutist

Recently, my friend send me few letters. Akika, can I beg your suggestion? When a couple live separately across a long distance, then doesn't a woman feel lonely? 最近,僕のガールフレンドが手紙をくれないんだ.晶香ちゃん,相談に のってくれないか.やはり,距離が離れてしまうと,女の人は心が離れ てしまうのだろうか. Saikin, bokuno gaaru furendo ga tegami wo kurenainda. Akika-chan, soudan ni notte kurenaika. Yahari, kyori ga hanarete shimau to, on'na no hito wa kokoroga hanarete shimauno darouka? Our situation is called a 'distance-love', don't you? I'm hard. After the so-called bubble-breakdown in Japanese economy, we less use the word Cinderella-Express. I feel lonesome. こういうの「遠距離恋愛」っていうんだよね.つらいなあ. バブル崩壊と共にシンデレラエクスプレスという言葉もあまり聞かなく なったね.さびしいなあ. Kouiuno "Enkyori renai"tte iun dayone. Tsurai naa. Baburu-Houkai to tomoni Shinderera-Ekusupuresu toiu kotoba mo amari kikanaku nattane. Sabishii naa. When I buy a cup noodle in a convenience store, I am in vain. Oh, I feel sad. Am I in a homesick? Ah, today I'm too gloomy. コンビニでカップラーメン買うのもむなしいなあ.ああ,かなしいなあ. これ,一種のホームシックかなあ.ああ,今日は暗くなっちゃった. Konbini de kappu raamen kau nomo munashii naa. Aa, kanashii naa. Kore, isshu no hoomu-shikku kanaa. Aa, kyou wa kuraku nacchatta. Such 'obtaining a person's consent over entreaties' is, I heard, one of the main 48 tricks for sumo wrestlers, isn't it? こういう「泣き落とし」って術,相撲の48手のひとつにあるんだってね. Kouiu 'Nakiotoshi' tte jutsu, sumou no shijyuuhatte no hitotsu ni arun dattene. No, never. ないよ. Naiyo.


LESSON 19. Please Be My Sun

It turns so cold today, isn't it? I remember the song "Yuu maito omoedo, kyou no samusa kana" (I should not say it, but it's so cold today). In English, this phrase becomes "You might think do, but today cold fish". Oh, I'm just kidding. 今日は急に寒くなりましたね.「言うまいと思えど,今日の寒さかな」 ってやつですね.このフレーズ英語で言うと,You might think do, but today cold fish.ってなるのかな? いや,洒落ですよ,洒落. Kyou wa kyuuni samuku narimashitane. "Yuu maito omoedo, kyou no samusa kana" tte yatsu desune. Kono fure-zu Eigo de iuto, "You might think do, but today cold fish"tte narunokana? Iya, share desuyo, share. You always make me feel releaved. If there is a cup of hot coffee, I would be much relaxed. You are my Sun. あなたがいるといつもホッとします.あったかいコーヒーがあると もっとホッとします.あなたは私の太陽です. Anataga iruto itsumo hotto shimasu. Attakai ko-hi- ga aruto motto hotto shimasu. Anata wa watashi no taiyou desu. No, I am not meaning that I am a satelite of you and make a periodic motion around you, but that I hesitate to be close of you because I feel dangerous to be burned. Although that is my dream. いや,私があなたの衛星となってずっとあなたの周りを周期運動している, って言う意味ではなくて,近づきたいけど近づきすぎると身を焦がされて 危険かなって躊躇しているという意味です. Iya, watashi ga anatano eisei to natte zutto anatano mawariwo shuukiundou shiteiru tte iu imidewa nakute, chikazukitaikedo chikazukisugiruto miwo kogasarete kikenkana tte tyuucho shite iru toiu imi desu. 時は冬 かなわぬ恋と 身を寄せぬ 月待つ里の ひとりコーヒー Tokiwafuyu kanawanukoito miwoyosenu tukimatsusatono hitoriko-hi- to be continued


LESSON 20. Please Be My Partner

I want to eat Miso soup you made. 僕は,あなたの作った味噌汁が飲みたいなあ. Bokuwa, anata no tukutta misoshiru ga nomitai naa. Well, Here you are! はい,どうぞ. Hai, douzo. Could you wash my underwears? 僕の下着を洗ってくれないか. Bokuno shitagi wo aratte kurenaika? Oh! your washing machine is damaged. あら,洗濯機が壊れたのね. Ara, sentakukiga kowaretanone. How nice if I can wake up by your voice every morning! 毎朝,君の声で目覚めたいなあ. Maiasa, kimino koe de mezametai naa. Oh! Is your alarm clock also damaged? あら,目覚まし時計も壊れたの. Ara, mezamashi dokei mo kowareta no? I want to enter in the grave with you. あなたと一緒にお墓に入りたいなあ. Anata to issho ni ohaka ni hairitai naa. What? えっ? E? I want to be buried with you in the same grave. あなたと一緒のお墓に入りたいなあ. Anata to issho no ohaka ni hairitai naa. Are you makeing a proposal of marriage? ひょっとしてあなた私にプロポーズしてるの? Hyottoshite anata watashi ni puropo-zu shiteruno? Note: Misoshiru... Miso soup. One of a typical Japanese home dish. The taste of misoshiru is different in every home.


LESSON 21. TEST

1. Translate into Japanese Noriko, I am as if Mr.Taro Urashima. Our situation is called a 'distance-love', like the Sun and the Pluto. When I take Cinderella-Express, I need a lunch box. I want to eat Miso soup you made 2. Translate into English 最近僕が話す言葉は,みんな「〜してください」という文章 ばっかりで,ご迷惑をおかけしました.いま語彙を増やしている ところなので,許してください. 宮沢賢治の作品に「注文の多い料理店」という小説がありますね. こんど,カレーの「ムーミン」で,いろいろ注文しようっと. Saikin boku ga hanasu kotoba wa, min'na "nani nani shite kudasai" toiu bakkaride, gomeiwaku wo okake shimashita. Ima, goi wo fuyashiteiru tokoronanode, yurushite kudasai. Miyazawa-Kenji no sakuhin ni "Chuumon no ooi ryouri ten" toiu shousetsu ga arimasune. Kondo, kare- no "muumin" de, iroiro chuumon shiyootto. meiwaku....annoying, bothering goi........vocabulary yurusu.....forgive sakuhin....novel chuumon....order ryouriten..restaurant 3. Confirm your answer with your friend.


============================================================ ============= PART FOUR. THE LANGUAGE PLAY ================ ============================================================ LESSON 22. Pun

One of the typical Japanese jokes, we use the repetition of words which have same pronunciation. These are famous samples. 内容がないよう. Naiyou ga naiyou. ([Your words have] no information!) 貴社の記者,汽車で帰社する. Kisha no kisha, kisha de kisha suru. (The reporter of your company returned by a train.) 裏庭には二羽,庭には二羽,ニワトリがいた. Uraniwa niwa niwa, niwa niwa niwa, niwatori ga ita. (There were two in the behind garden, two in the front garden, I found chicken.) Do you understand how to make them? These are my original. サンタクロースはトナカイと仲いい. Santakuroosu wa tonakai to nakaii. (Santa Claus [St. Nicholas] has good relationship with reindeer.) オオカミ男が言った,「おお,髪をとこう」 Ookami otoko ga itta, "Oo, kami wo tokou" (Wolf-man says, "Oh, let's comb my hair.") 晶香ちゃん,もう秋か. Akika-chan, mou akika. (Akika, we are now in autumn.) Let's try to make them using a dictionary.


LESSON 23. Circular Phrase

Since each letters have each pronunciation, we can play making circular words/sentence easily. For example, トマト[to ma to] (means tomato) can be read the same way both from the right and left. These are famous samples. 新聞紙 shinbun shi (newspaper) 竹やぶ焼けた takeyabu yaketa (The bamboo forest was fired.) 私負けましたわ watashi makemashitawa (I lost the game.) 中野いないのかな nakano inai nokana (Mr.Nakano, isn't he here?) 下落ずみの水クラゲ geraku zumi no mizukurage (water-jellyfish in the bottom of the sea) The applied version. トマト新聞紙トマト tomato shinbunshi tomato トマト新聞紙ももすもも新聞紙トマト tomato shinbunshi momo sumomo shinbunshi tomato (tomato newspaper peach prune newspaper tomato) I like the next. 酢豚作り もりもり 食ったブス subuta tsukuri morimori kutta busu (an awkward woman cooked subuta and ate it powerfully.) 私好き,キスしたわ.watashi suki kisu shitawa (I like you. I kiss you.)


LESSON 24. Haiku (Japanese poem of 17 syllables)

The shortest poem in the world is Haiku(俳句). It consists only 17 syllables, with 5+7+5-syllable phrases. The rule is we should include the word (季語kigo) which suggests the season. If a haiku do not have exactly 17 syllables, then we say Jitarazu (字足らず, less than 17) or Jiamari (字余り, over 17). These are famous Haiku. 菜の花や月は東に日は西にnanohanaya tsukihahigashini hiwanishini nanohana...rape blossoms (Kigo: spring) tsuki...moon higashi...east hi...sun nishi...west by 与謝蕪村YOSA Buson 五月雨を集めて早し最上川samidarewo atsumetehayashi mogamigawa samidare...Rain in May (Kigo: summer) atsumeru...gather hayashi LESSON 25. Tanka (Japanese poem of 31 syllables)

One of the shortest poem in the world is Tanka(短歌). It consists only 31 syllables, with 5+7+5+7+7-syllable phrases. Marvelously, like a Haiku, when we combine 5 and 7-syllables, then the phrase sounds like a poem. If a haiku do not have exactly 31 syllables, then we say Jitarazu or Jiamari. Let's try to appreciate a famous Tanka. 千早ぶる 神代もきかず 龍田川 からくれなゐに 水くくるとは Chihayaburu Kamiyomokikazu Tatsutagawa karakurenaini mizukukuruTowa by 在原業平ARIHARA Narihira (one of the Hyakunin-isshu百人一首) Meaning: Even in the god's era, we have never heard that Tatsuta River is full of red and yellow leaves. Appreciate: The Sumo wrestler Tatsutagawa was thrown over by Chihaya and Kamiyo. Later Tatsutagawa became a Tohu maker, and Chihaya asked him to give her hull. Tatsutagawa refused and Mrs.Towa Chihaya suicided by throwing herself into water.


LESSON 26. Remember the number

Numbers themself also have some way to be read. 0 zero, rei, ou 1 ichi, hitotsu, hi 2 ni, futatsu, fu 3 san, mittsu, mi 4 shi, yottsu, yon, yo 5 go, itsutsu, itsu 6 roku, muttsu, mu 7 shichi, nana, nanatsu 8 hachi, yattsu, ya 9 kyu, ku, kokonotsu 10 jyuu, tou (Itch, knee, sun, she, go, rock, city, hatch, cue, Jew.) We construct a phrase to remember the numbers. sqrt(2)=1.41421356....ひとよひとよにひとみごろ            hito-yo-hito-yo-ni-hito-mi-go-ro (every night, every night, man watching time) sqrt(3)=1.7320508.....ひとなみにおごれや            hito-na-mi-ni-o-go-re-ya (like other people, pay the bill for me) sqrt(5)=2.2360679.....富士山麓オウム鳴く            fu-ji-san-roku-o-mu-na-ku (At the base of Mt.Fuji, a parrot sings) AD1543 鉄砲伝来.......鉄砲伝来 以後予算teppou denrai i-go-yo-san (guns were first imported, and every Shogun changed their strategy, needs much budget.) AD1853 ペリー来航.....違反ござらぬペリー殿 i-han-go-za ranu perii dono (Mr.Perry, you do not break the law at all.[Demand to open isolationism]) Nov 11 (dog's day)....one one one one (bow-waw, bow-waw) Feb 2 (cat's day)....nyan nyan nyan (meow-meow-meow) Let's try on your telephone number.


LESSON 27. Tongue-Twister

The Japanese version of "Peter paid the piper to pick some pickled peppers". (***) These are traditional ones: 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を描いた. bouzu ga byoubu ni jyouzu ni bouzu no e wo kaita. (A Buddhist priest draw himself on the folding screen skillfully.) 隣りの客はよく柿食う客だ.tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyakuda (The visitor to the next door eats persimmon a lot.) 小型バス,ガス爆発 kogata basu gasu bakuhatsu (Small Bus, gas explosion.) 東京都特許許可局 toukyou tokkyo kyoka kyoku (Tokyo Patent Admission Office) My originals are: 虚構の挙式を挙行して,虚実を如実に几帳面に記帳したぎっちょな機長. kyokou no kyoshiki wo kyokou shite, kyojitu wo nyojitu ni kichoumen ni kichou shita gittyo na kichou. (Carrying out a fictitious celemony, left-handed captain registered the truth precisely and vividly.) 授業の宿題,数珠順列を順番に十個解く. jigyou no shukudai, jyuzu-jyunretsu wo jyunban ni jyukko toku. (A homework of the class, ten rosary combination problems in order.) 系統的に統計力学が可逆不可逆を解く. keitouteki ni toukeirikigaku ga kagyaku-fukagyaku wo toku. (Statistical mechanics solves systematically reversible-irreversible problem.) _______________________________________________________________

(***) A kind web reader emailed me that the correct phrase is

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

http://www.kidsjokes.co.uk/jokes/other/tongue_twisters/p.html
Piper is Peter's last name. Usually piper is a musician that plays a pipe, but in this case it is Peter's last name.
Also peck is a measure of volume in the Imperial System equal to 8 quarts. This is equal to about 9092 cubic centimeters.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=peck Thanks for the information. His. 2003/9/4

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LESSON 28. TEST

Translate into Japanese. 1. Bill had a billboard. Bill also had a board bill. The board bill bored Bill, so Bill sold the billboard to pay his board bill. 2. You two, too, are to be there from two to two to two past two. 3. Will will will it to her in his will willingly. Guess Japanese from pronunciation. 1. Moods cash. 2. Oh may date. 3. Ah so bee mass show. 4. More she more she car may your, car may son your. 5. Oh she mine. 6. Sigh your narrow. to be continued


A man, a plan, a canal --- Panama! Name no one man. Able was I ere I saw Elba. No lemon, no melon. Madam, I'm Adam. You two, too are to be ther from two to two to two past two. Will will will it to her in his will willingly. May may may in May when the may may blossom. In spring fish spring out of the spring like springs. Peter paid the piper to pick some pickled peppers. Theodore Throstle threw a thimble into a thicket of thistles. Bill had a billboard. Bill also had a board bill. The board bill bored Bill, so Bill sold the billboard to pay his board bill.
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Updated: 1996/10/27, Last Updated: 2003/9/4
by Hisaaki Shinkai