Hisaaki SHINKAI Homepage

Radical Japanese Lessons for Researchers

Lesson 29 --- Lesson 56 (Part 5, 6, 7, 8)

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

[Part5] THE KANSAI DIALECT
[Part6] A HAPPY NEW YEAR
[Part7] SEVEN
[Part8] ENUMERATE
Link to Previous Lessons (L. 1 - L.27)
Link to Next Lessons (L. 57 - L.70)


============================================================
============   PART FIVE.  THE KANSAI DIALECT  =============
============================================================

LESSON 29. Moukarimakka?

Hi, Keiichi! How do you do? やあ,恵一さん,もうかりまっか. Yaa, Kei-ichi san, moukarimakka? Oh, Shingo. I'm fine. これはこれは,慎吾はん,ぼちぼちでんな. Korewa korewa, Shingo han, bochibochi den'na. Since the Kansai International Airport was built, we feel foreign countries come closer. 関空もできて,海外もえらい近こうなりましたな. Kanku mo dekite, kaigai mo erai chikou narimashitana. That's right. そうでんなあ. Souden naa. From now on, many foreign visitors will come to Osaka. I hope that they speak the beautiful Japanese as we use. これからは,外人さんも,ぎょうさん来るさかいに,大阪来はった折には, わしらの使こうてる日本語使こうてもらいたいもんですわ. Korekarawa, gaijin san mo, gyousan kiyoru sakaini, Oosaka kihatta oriniwa, washirano tsukouteru Nihon-go tsukoute moraitai mondesuwa. Exactly! As you know, speaking only Tokyo-language is now old-fashion. This week, we will teach you our standard language. ほんま,いつまでも東京弁使ってたら,あきまへん. 今週は,わしらの標準語をみっちり教えてやりましょか. Honma, itsumademo Tokyo-ben tsukattetara, akimahen. Konshuu wa, washira no hyoujungo wo micchiri oshiete yarimashoka.


LESSON 30. Culture Invation

By the way, why the word "Kansai dialect" exists? しかし,何でまた「関西弁」なんて言葉ができたんやろ. Shinkashi, nande mata "Kansai-ben" nante kotoba ga dekitan yaro? Oh, saying such a thing now, then you have no other reason to be called blockhead. 今さらそんなこと言っとるようじゃ,おまえ,どんくさい言われてもしょう がないな. Imasara son'nakoto ittoru youja, omae, donkusai iwaretemo shouganaina. If you are in trouble of blockade, you had better ask a key-shopper. 生姜なければ,隣りの八百屋に行けばええがな. "Shouga" nakereba, tonari no yaoya ni ikeba eegana. You are misunderstanding "blockhead". What I want to say is that the word "Kansai dialect" was criated by Tokyo people. We think Kansai area is the center of Japan and this view is also supported by the history. おまえ,それは「しょうが」違いや.おれが言いたいのは,「関西弁」ゆうのは 東京もんが作った言葉や.わてらは,関西こそが日本の中心やいうて思っとる し,日本の歴史見てもそれは明らかなこととちゃうか. Omae, sorewa "shouga" chigaiya. Ore ga iitai nowa, "Kansai-ben" yuunowa Tokyo-mon ga tukutta kotobaya. Waterawa, Kansai kosoga Nihon no chuushin ya iute omottorushi, Nihon no rekishi mitemo sorewa akiraka na kotototyauka. You are LIGHT. One reason is that NHK uses Tokyo-language as the standard one, so that every one misunderstand that Osaka is one of the local SITIES. 本間やな.だいたいエヌエッチケーが標準語いうて東京弁使う堺,大阪が地方 いう誤解が生まれてしまうねん. HOMMA yana. Daitai EnuEcchiKee ga hyoujyungo iute Tokyo-ben tsukau SAKAI, Oosaka ga chihou iu gokai ga umarete shimaunen. Rerely you say good thing. But I found some mistyping. When you are typing Kansai-language, you will feel much task to change characters, aren't you? This is one of the culture invation. おまえもええこと言うやないか.そやけど字が少し違(ちゃ)うぞ.関西弁 ワープロ打ちすると,字の変換えらい面倒やろ.これも一種の文化侵略や. Omae mo eekoto iuya naika. Soyakedo ji ga sukoshi tyauzo. Kansai-ben waapuro uchi suruto, ji no henkan erai mendouyaro. Koremo isshu no bunka-shinryaku ya. Light. 本間. HOMMA. Poor boy! You mistyped again. アホが見るブタのケツ.おまえ,また間違えてる. Ahogamiru butanoketsu. Omae, mata machigaeteru.


LESSON 31. Zoo

I heard that people in Tokyo regard people whoever speak in Kansai- language as comedians. 東京の奴等は関西弁しゃべっとる人間はみんな漫才師やと思ってるらしいで. Tokyo no yatsura wa Kansai-ben shabettoru ningen wa min'na manzaishi yoto omotteru rashiide. Is it true? Then, to whom are we look like? そんなアホな.ほなら,おれらも漫才師にみえるんかいな. Sonna aho na. Honara, orera mo manzaishi ni mierunkaina? Well, well, I will be taken for James Dean, but when the others see your ugly face, he guess that a monkey escaped from a zoo, and may call a policeman. そやなー.おれはジェームスデーンにみえるやろけど,おまえの不細工な顔見た ら,動物園のさるが逃げてきたと思われて通報されるで. Soyanaa. Ore wa Jeemus Deen ni mieru yarokedo, omae no busaiku na kao mitara, doubutsuen no saru ga nigete kita to omowarete tsuuhou sarerude. Are you kidding? If he is in such a situation, he takes me for a hippo. なにゆうてんねん.それをいうんやったら,動物園のカバやろ. Naniyuuten nen. Sore wo iun yattara, doubutsuen no kaba yaro. Oh, you know yourself well. But this is the reason that we are the Kansai people. When we say some jokes, then the other replies on that jokes like comedians even in our usual conversation. おまえ,自分でわかってるやんけ.でも,まあ普通の会話しとっても漫才師 みたいにこんなふうにボケとツッコミをやってしまうのが関西人やな. Omae, jibun de wakattoru yanke. Demo, maa futsuu no kaiwa shitottemo manzaishi mitai ni kon'na fuuni BOKE to TSUKKOMI wo yatte shimau noga Kansaijin yana. So then, see you tomorrow. ほな,今日はそういうことで. Hona, kyou wa souiu kotode. Ditto. ちゅうことで. Chuukotode.


LESSON 32. Biri, Makudo and Makkin

Hi, Keiichi! How do you do? やあ,恵一さん,もうかりまっか. Yaa, Kei-ichi san, moukarimakka? Oh, Shingo. I'm fine. これはこれは,慎吾はん,ぼちぼちでんな. Korewa korewa, Shingo han, bochibochi den'na. A week has gone from our last lesson, isn't it? このあいだのレッスンから一週間もたってしまいましたな. Kono aida no ressun kara isshuukan mo tatte shimai mashitana. That's right. I guess the author tries to make wonderful phrases in Kansai-Ben, and comes to a deadlock. そうでんなあ.なにやら,関西弁始めたさかい,凝りすぎて,作者がにっちも さっちもいかなくなったんとちゃいますか. Souden naa. Naniyara, Kansai-Ben hajimeta sakai, korisugite, sakusha ga nicchiimo sacchimo ikanaku nattan'to chaimasuka? Right. Proverb says do not work too much. Well, shall we take a rest today? ほんま,人間無茶したらあきまへん.今日はちょっと息抜きでも しよか. Homma. Ningen mucha shitara akimahen. Kyou wa chotto ikinuki demo shiyoka? That's nice. How about going to MacDonald? そやそや.マクドでも行こか. Soya soya. MAKUDO demo ikoka? Good. After that, let's go play billiards. ええな.そのあとビリでも行こか. Eena. Sonoato BIRI demo ikoka? No, I will go back to my home after checking new products of Macintosh. いや,俺はマッキンの新製品でも見てから帰るわ. Iya, ore wa MAKKIN no shin-seihin demo mitekara kaeruwa.


LESSON 33. Nobel Prize Winner

Do you know that all Japanese Novel Prize winner except Ooe graduated Kyoto University? あんた,知っとるか.いままで日本でノーベル賞とったんは,大江以外はみな 京都大学出身や. Anta, shittoruka? Imamade Nihon de Nooberushou tottan wa, Ooe igai wa mina Kyoto daigaku shusshinya. I know, I know. All relate to Kyoto. People in Tokyo may be disappointing every day. Serve they right! 知っとる.知っとる.みーんな京都や.東京のやつらはさぞかしつらかろな. ええ気味や. Shittoru, shittoru. Miiin'na Kyoto ya. Tokyo no yatsura wa sazokashi turakarona. Ee kimiya. I feel pity for them. But why does the condition that "the people from Kansai area" become a necessary one for Nobel winners, as it were? そやそや.せやけど,なんで関西出身がいわゆるひとつの欠くべからざる必要 条件になるんやろ. Soya soya. Seyakedo, nande Kansai shusshin ga iwayuru hitotsu no kakubekarazaru hitsuyou-jouken ni narun yaro? Don't use difficult words. It bothers me. I think one reason is that we play catchballs of jokes in our conversation every day. You said "No Bell", don't you? おまえ,格好つけて難しい言葉使うのやめい.しゃらくさいやないか.関西 出身になるのは,毎日ボケとツッコミ入れとる俺らの方が,頭が鍛えられてる からとちゃうか.なんせ「no bell」言うんやろ. Omae, kakkou tsukete mutukashii kotoba tukauno yamei. Sharakusai ya naika. Kansai shusshin ni narunowa, mainichi boke to tukkomi iretoru orerano houga, atamaga kitaerareterukara to chauka? Nanse "No Bell" iun yaro. Right. We are so nervous that we use "stupid" and "foolish" differently. We never do only brainless perform (Nou heru), do you? そやな.わしらは,バカとアホの区別をちゃんとつけとるくらい,言葉にいつも 神経質やしな.決して「脳減る」ことばっかやってるわけやないもんな. Soyana. Washira wa, BAKA to AHO no kubetuwo chan to tuketoru kurai, kotoba ni itumo shinkeishitsu yashina. Kesshite "Nou heru" koto bakka yatteru wakeya naimon na.


LESSON 34. TEST

1. Translate into Japanese. Hi, Keiichi! How do you do? Oh, Shingo. I'm fine. How about going to MacDonald? Are you kidding? So then, see you tomorrow. Ditto. 2. Connect to Standard Japanese and English. もうかりまっか. 頭悪いねえ. I'm not so fine. moukarimakka. atamawaruinee. あきまへんなあ. それではまた. See you. akimahen naa. soredewamata. ぼちぼちでんな. そうですねえ. Are you kidding? botibotiden'na. soudesunee. そうでんなあ.  お元気ですか. You are wrong. souden'naa. ogenkidesuka. ほんまかいな.  本当ですか. I'm fine. hommakaina. hontoudesuka. あほちゃうか. ええ,元気です. How are you? ahochauka. ee, genkidesu. ちゅうことで.  よくないですね. You are right. chuukotode. yokunaidesune. むちゃくちゃや. でたらめです. Out of theory. muchakuchaya. detaramedesu.


LESSON 35. HOMEWORK

Write your message after reading the following sentences. 虹は何色でできているか. 日本人なら7色(赤,橙,黄,緑,青,藍,紫)と答えるだろう.しかし, フランス語圏では6色,ロシア語圏では4色であるとも言われるらしい. もともと虹の色は連続的に変化するもので,色分けすることは科学的ではない. だが,答えが,使用する言語によって異なっていることから考えると,これらの 差異は明らかに,言語修得期間における先入観の植えつけに由来すると考えられ る. How many colors does a rainbow have? Japanese will answer exactly seven; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. French people, however, may say six or Russian people say four. From scientifical view point, the color changes gradually, so the color-counting is not realistic. But if we consider the fact that the answers crucially depend on languages they speak, we can conclude this difference comes from the preconception, being put during their period of learning their language. ============================================================ ============= PART SIX. A HAPPY NEW YEAR ================== ============================================================

LESSON 36. Akemashite Omedotou Gozaimasu

Hi, Shinkai-san, a happy new year! 真貝さん、謹賀新年、あけましておめでとうございます。 Shinkai-san, Kinga-Shin'nen, Akemashite Omedotou Gozaimasu. Hi, Kei-ichi! A happy new year. Please have a nice relationship with me this year, too. これはこれは、恵一さん、賀正、あけてましておめでとうございます。今年も よろしくお願いします。 Korewa korewa Kei-ichi san, Gashou, Aketemashite Omedotou Gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. What were you doing in this new year's holidays? ことしのお正月は、どうしてましたか。 Kotoshi no oshougatsu wa doushite mashitaka? We visited my wife's parents' house and had sleeping holidays. How about you, Kei-ichi? 妻の実家に行って、寝正月を楽しみました。恵一さんは、どないしてましたか。 Tsuma no jikka ni itte, neshougatsu wo tanoshimi mashita. Kei-ichi san wa donai shitemashitaka? You still use Kansai-language. We went praying to Kawasaki-Daishi. It's our annual event after my unlucky year. あんた、なまってるよ。私は、川崎大師へ初詣しました。 厄年以来、我が家の毎年の恒例行事ですよ。 Anta, namatteruyo. Watashi wa Kawasaki-Daishi e hatsumoude shimashita. Yakudoshi irai, wagaya no maitoshi no kourei gyouji desuyo. It is a fun that a proffessor of physics believes an unluckey year. 理工学部の教授が、厄年を信じているとはこれ如何に。 Rikougakubu no kyoujyu ga yokudoshi wo shinjiteiru towa kore ikani? Well, it's like a festival like a Shichi-Go-San. いや、あれは七五三のようなお祭りのようなものだから。 Iya, arewa shichi-go-san no youna omatsuri no youna monodakara. Notes: 厄年(yaku-doshi)...Yaku means evil, unlukey. Men's unluckey years come when they are 42 years old and women's unluckey years are 19, 31 and 59. People must clear their "yaku" at shrine. 七五三 ... Seven- and Three-year old girl and five-year old boy's festival at November 15. They go to shrines with their parents and take a photo.


LESSON 37. New Year's Card

Thank you very much for your New Year's greeting card. 年賀状ありがとう。 Nenga-jou arigatou. You are welcome. いえいえ、どういたしまして。 Ie ie, douitashimashite. The Japanese put a lot of effort to make their original New Year's cards. 日本人は、年賀状に気合いをいれてますね。 Nihon-jin wa Nenga-jou ni kiai wo iretemasune. That's right. Some make cards with family photographs and some use special printing machine for New Year's cards. Everybody is absobed in making ヤnengajo' in December. Some of them use their personal computer only by making nengajo. そうですね。写真入りにしたり、専用の印刷機を使ったり、皆さん12月は 密かに年賀状作りに没頭するようです。中には、パソコンの使い道の第一に 年賀状印刷を挙げる人もいるようです。 Soudesune. Shashin-iri ni shitari, senyou no insatsuki wo tsukattari, minasan juuni-gatsu wa hisokani Nenga-jou zukuri ni bottou suruyoudesu. Nakaniwa pasokon no tsukaimichi no dai-ichi ni Nenga-jou insatsu wo ageru hitomo iruyoudesu. Someone call this a dead form, however this is a reason of Japanese not to cut out this habbit. 虚礼とはいいながら、その風習を断ち切れないのも日本人ですね。 Kyorei to wa iinagara, sono fuushuu wo tachikirenai nomo Nihon-jin desune. There is an exceptional rule called "mourning". But such a person should send a card which says he or she is in mourning during December, so that the task is the same. でも「喪中」という例外規定が設けられています。ですが、「喪中表明はがき」 を送らなければならないという、ルールがあるので、結局手間は同じですね。 Demo "Mochuu" to iu reigai-kitei ga moukerarete imasu. Desuga, "Mochuu hyoumei hagaki" wo okuranakereba naranai toiu ru-ru ga arunode, kekkyoku tema wa onajidesune. Notes: 喪中(mochu)...Being in mourning. The year that a member of family died, people will not send new year's cards.


LESSON 38. Year of Mouse

By the way, why many New Year's cards were designed with mice. ところで、年賀状にネズミの絵が多いのは何故でしょうか。 Tokorode, Nenga-jou ni Nezumi no e ga ooi nowa nazedeshouka? The reason is that next year is a mouse-year. This year, we should live keeping mice as a best partner. それは、今年がネズミ年だからです。今年は、ネズミを大切にしながら過ごさな くてはなりません。 Sorewa kotoshi ga Nezumi-doshi dakara desu. Kotoshi wa Nezumi wo taisetsuni shinagara sugosanakutewa narimasen. I see. そうなんですか。 Sounan desuka. At the end of this year, however, the number of mice become huge, we may arrange cats for our new partner. でも年末にはネズミが大量発生するので、猫が重宝されることになると思い ます。 Demo nen-matsu niwa Nezumi ga tairyou hassei surunode, Neko ga tyouhou sarerukotoni naru to omoimasu. What year is the next year? 来年は、何の年ですか。 Rainen wa nan'no toshi desuka? Cow. And the next is tiger. The next is rabbit. The next is dragon. The next is snake. The next is horse. The next is sheep. The next is monkey. The next is cook. The next is dog. And wild pig is following. 牛ですね。その次は寅。その次は兎。その次は辰。その次は巳。その次は午。そ の次は羊。その次は申。その次は酉。その次は犬。その次は猪と続きます。 Ushi desune. Sono tsugi wa Tora. Sono tsugi wa Usagi. Sono tsugi wa Tatsu. Sono tsugi wa Hebi. Sono tsugi wa Uma. Sono tsugi wa Hitsuji. Sono tsugi wa Saru. Sono tsugi wa Tori. Sono tsugi wa Inu. Sono tsugi wa Inoshishi to tsuzuki masu. That's the way Japanese love and protect animals. 日本人はそうやって古来から動物を愛護してきたんですね。 Nihon-jin wa souyatte korai kara doubutsu wo aigo shite kitan desune.


LESSON 39. Osechi

Hisaaki, I heard that Japanese eat Osechi dishes in the New Year holidays, but what kind of dishes, can you describe them? 寿明さん、日本人はお正月にはおせち料理をたべるって聞いたけど、おせち料 理ってなんのこと? Hisaaki san, Nihon-jin wa oshougatsu niwa Osechi-ryouri wo taberutte kiitakedo, Osechi-ryouritte nan'no koto? Those are one of special dishes for the New Year holidays. "Sechi(節)" indicates a special day or a kind of festival in the calender. So we have Setsu-bun in February and Osekku in May. special dishes for the New Year holidayのことだけどね、おせちのせち(節)っ ていうのは、お祭りとか節目のことなんだ。だから節分とか、お節句とかいうで しょ。 special dishes for the New Year holiday no koto dakedone. Osechi no sechi tte iunowa, omatsuri toka fushime no kotonanda. Dakara Setsubun toka Osekku toka iudesho. I see. And what do you eat then? なるほど。で、どんなものを食べるの? Naruhodo, de, don'na mono wo taberuno? First, we have Zouni which is rice cake soup with vegetables. All dishes have their reason to be eaten. We have black beens (koromame) because we hope to work hard (mame ni hataraku), a lotus root which for to see the future because it has many holes, a herring roe is for getting children, a rolled tang with dried fish in it (kobumaki) is from happiness (yorokobu), a rolled omulet is for studying because it reminds us rolled books, and a dish of vegetables seasoned in vinegar because in Japan, the set of red and white colors are accepted a celebrated colors, and so on. まずはおもちのはいった雑煮があって、ほかにも色々由来のあるものを食べる よ。マ"に働けるように黒豆・ごまめ、先が見通せるように、穴のあいた蓮根 、子宝に恵まれるように数の子、芽が出るようにくわい、昆布巻は喜ぶ、 巻いた書物を連想させる伊達巻は、学問の向上のため。それから、日本では 赤と白の色のくみあわせは、めでたいことをあらわすから、紅白なますとかね。 Mazuwa Omochi no haitta Zouni ga atte, hokanimo iroiro yurai no arumono wo taberuyo. Mame ni hatarakeru youni Kuromame /Gomame, saki ga mitouseruyouni ana no aita Renkon, kodakara ni megumareru youni Kazunoko, mega deruyouni Kuwai, Kobumaki wa yorokobu, maita shomotsu wo rensousaseru Datemaki wa gakumon no koujou no tame. Sorekara, Nihon dewa aka to shiro no iro no kumiawase wa medetai koto wo arawasu kara, Kouhaku-Namasu tokane. Are the Osechi dishes are delicious? おせち料理っておいしいの? Osechi ryouri tte oishii no? Yes, of cource. Because it was cook by my wife. It's my usual answer. ま、妻の作った料理はなんでもおいしいってコ"ントしなきゃならないんだ。 Ma, tsuma no tukutta ryouri wa nandemo oishii tte komento shinakya naranainda.


LESSON 40. Firemen's Parade

What is the chief attraction of the Firemen's Parade held annually during early January? 年の始めに行われる消防士の「出初め式」ってなんなの? Toshi no hajime ni okonawareru shouboushi no "Dezomeshiki" tte nannano? Do you mension that acrobatic tricks which are performed on long bamboo ladders by agile firemen? 長い竹の上で消防士が素早く踊るやつのことを言っているのかな? Nagai takeno uede shouboushi ga subayaku odoru yatsu no kotowo itte iru nokana? Yes, that one. I saw on TV. The firemen perform all kinds of acrobatic stunts which thrill the spectators. そうです.テレビでみました.消防士のアクロバットは,見ててはらはら しました. Soudesu. Terebi de mimashita. Shouboushi no akurobatto wa, mitete harahara shimashita. Do you know why such an attraction is held every year? 何のために毎年そうするか知っていますか. Nan'no tameni maitoshi sousuruka shitteimasuka? Is it because of a serious labor shortage of so-called 3K job? 3K職場の求人難のためでしょうか. Sankei shokuba no kyuujin'nan no tamedeshouka? NOTE 3K...Kitsui (hard), Kibishii (harsh) and Kakkouwarui (awkward); expression of a kind of job which are not so popular for young person


LESSON 41. Adults' Day

Oh! Today, I saw many young girls wearing Kimono are walking streets. わーお! 今日は着物を着ている若い女の子が、いっぱい街をあるいてるよ。 Waao! Kyou wa kimono wo kiteiru wakai on'nanoko ga ippai machi wo aruiteruyo. January 15th is an Adults' day. So 20-years-old girl wears Furisode. 1月15日は成人の日なんだよ。だからみんな振袖をきてるんだ。 Ichigatsu-jyuugo nichi wa Seijin-no-hi nandayo. Dakara min'na Furisode wo kite irunda. I remember we learned in the Lesson 8! Under Kimonos, they do not wear underwears, arn't they? そっか、Lesson 8でならったね。着物のしたにはパンツははかないんだよね。 Sokka, ressun eight de narattane. Kimono no shita niwa pantsu wa hakanain dayone. That's right. そうそう。 Sousou. I go out and enjoy them again, now. 僕、もう一回、外にでて鑑賞してくる。 Boku mou ikkai sotoni dete kanshou shitekuru.


LESSON 42. TEST

1. Translate into English 謹賀新年、あけましておめでとうございます。 Kinga-Shin'nen, Akemashite Omedotou Gozaimasu. 賀正、今年もよろしくお願いします。 Gashou, Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. 今年は、ネズミを大切にしながら過ごさなくてはなりません。 Kotoshi wa Nezumi wo taisetsuni shinagara sugosanakutewa narimasen. 何のために毎年そうするか知っていますか. Nan'no tameni maitoshi sousuruka shitteimasuka? 2. Discuss the Japanese tradisional habbits standing on the following motivation. Someone call this a dead form, however this is a reason of Japanese not to cut out this habbit.


============================================================ ================== PART SEVEN. SEVEN ====================== ============================================================

LESSON 43. The Seven Gods of Luck

This lesson is now in Part 7. The number seven reminds the people in the western countries some lucky things, aren't you? この講座もついにパート7になりました。7という数字は西洋ではとても いい数字に取られることが多いですね。 Kono kouza mo tsui ni paato sebun ni narimashita. Nana toiu suuji wa seiyou dewa ii suuji ni torareru koto ga ooidesune. Yes. On the contrary, the number 13 is a bad number. For Japanese, it's 4. 逆に13は、縁起の悪い数です。日本では4がそうですね。 Gyakuni jyuusan wa engi no warui kazu desu. Nihon dewa Yon ga soudesune. It sounds as death (shi) also. When Japanese listen seven, what people will image from it? 死を連想させますからね。日本で7と聞くと、人は何を連想するのでしょうか。 Shi wo rensou sasemasukarane. Nihon de nana to kikuto hitowa naniwo rensou surunode shouka? Many people may think the feavor number 777 of pachinko game, but I guess others may list up the "Shichi-Fukujin". 多くの人はパチンコのフィーバーの777だと思いますが、他には七福神でしょう か。 Ookuno hito wa pachinko no fiiaa no suriisebun dato omoimasuga, hokaniwa Shichi-Fukujin deshouka. What's that? Is it served with curry rice? それは何ですか。カレーライスについてくるものですか。 Sorewa nandesuka. Karee raisu ni tsuitekuru monodesuka? No, it's Fukujin-zuke. "Shichi-Fukujin" is the seven gods of luck; they are called Bishamon (God of War), Daikoku (God of Wealth), Benten (Love Goddes), Ebisu (Self-effacement), Fukurokuju & Jurojin (Longevity), and Hotei (Generosity). それは福神漬けです。七福神とは、毘沙門、大黒、弁天、恵比寿(蛭子)、 福禄寿・寿老人、布袋の7人の幸福を呼ぶ神様のことです。 Sorewa fukujin-zuke desu. "Shichi-Fukujin" towa Bishamon, Daikoku, Benten, Ebisu, Fukurokuju, Jurojin Hotei no shichi-nin no koufuku wo yobu kamisama no kotodesu.


LESSON 44. The Seven Sciences

Sciences are often selected up to seven, arn't they? よく学問も7つ選んでまとめて言うことが多いですね。 Yoku gakumon mo nanatsu erande matomete iukotoga ooidesune. If we choose seven, in western countries, those are grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, music, geometry and astrology. 7つ選ぶとすれば、西洋では、文法、論理、修辞、算術、音楽、幾何、 占星術と言われています。 Nanatsu erabuto sureba, seiyoudewa bunpou, ronri, shuuji, sanjyutsu, ongaku, kika, senseijyutsu to iwareteimasu. In China, those are summed up as Seven Classics; Shi-jing (Odes), Yi-jing (the Book of Change), -jing (Fortune), Shi-li (Rituals), (Custum), Shu-jing (History) and Chun Qiu (the Discourses of Confusius). 中国では七経といって、詩経、書経、易経、儀礼、礼記、春秋、論語と なるでしょうか. Chuugoku dewa "Shichi-kyou" to itte, Shikyou, Shokyou, Ekikei, Girei, Reiki, Shunjuu, Rongo, to narudeshouka. In physics, those are mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity and general relativity, arn't they? 物理では力学、電磁気学、熱力学、統計力学、量子力学、特殊相対性理論 に一般相対論でしょうか。 Butsuri dewa Rikigaku, Denjikigaku, Netsurikigaku, Toukeirikigaku, Ryoushirikigaku, Tokushu-Soutaiseiriron, ni Ippan-Soutaiseiriron deshouka. Such classification may have disagreement. Don't you think we need field theory? その分け方には異論がありそうですね。場の理論は入りませんか。 Sono wakekata niwa iron ga arisoudesune. Banoriron wa hairimasenka?


LESSON 45. Seven Sages(七賢)

We say the three beautiful women in the world, do you know them? 世の中には三大美人と称される人がいますね。 Yononakaniwa San-dai-bijin to shousareru hito ga imasune. I know, those are Cleopatra, Yang Kuei-fei and Ononokomachi. クレオパトラと楊貴妃と小野小町ですね。 Kureopatora to Youkihi to Ononokomachi desune. Whom do you choose as the best three in the previous days? Miss. Marie Macnamara, Ayumi Shjgemori and my wife, arn't they? 今だったら、どうでしょうか。クロイマリーマクナマラと茂森あゆみと 私の妻でしょうか。 Imadattara doudeshouka. Kuroi Marii Makunamara to Shigemori Ayumi to watashi no tsuma deshouka? I don't think so. Do you know the seven sages in the world? それは、異論がありそうですね。世に7人の賢人と称される人々がいますね。 知ってますか。 Sorewa iron ga arisoudesune. Yoni shitinin no kenjin to shousareru hitobito ga imasune. Shitteimasuka? No, I don't. 知りません。 Shirimasen. Those are Solon of Athens (638-559BC) "Knows thyself" Chilo of Sparta (around 590 BC) "Consider the end" Thales of Miletus (600-540 BC) "Who hateth suretyship is sure" Bias of Priene (550 BC) "Most men are bad" Clebulus (580 BC) "Avoid extremes" Pittacus of Mitylene (570 BC) "Seize time by the forelock" Periander of Corinth (625-588 BC) "Nothing is impossible to industry" だそうです. dasoudesu. Oh, really? I wonder why Newton, Einstein and Hawking are not included into the seven sages. 全然知りませんでした。ニュートンやアインシュタイン、ホーキングが 入らないのはおかしいですね。 Zenzen shirimasen deshita. Nyuuton ya Ainshutain, Houkingu ga hairanai nowa okashii desune.


LESSON 46. Seven Wonders of the World

In the world, there are much of wonders. 世の中には不思議なことがあるものです。 Yononakaniwa fujigina kotoga arumonodesu. That's true. Everyone surprises of me because my wife is so beautiful, and ask me how did I get her. そうです、私の妻があまりに美しいので、みんな僕がどうやって獲得した か不思議がります。 Soudesu. Watashi no tuma ga amarini utsukushiinode, min'na douyatte kakutokushitaka fushigigarimasu. I agree with you. For me, that is more curious topic than the seven wonders of the world. 私もそう思います。わたしにとっては世界の七不思議よりもっと不思議です。 Watashi mo sou omoimasu. Watashi ni tottewa sekaino nanafushigi yorimotto fushigidesu. (Written by Rika Shinkai) Note: Seven Wonders of the World (Anciant time) 1. the Pyramids of Egypt 2. the Hanging Gardens of Babylon 3. the tomb of Mausolus 4. the temple of Diana in Ephesus 5. the Colossus of Rhodes 6. the Statue of Jupiter by Phidias 7. the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria Seven Wonders of the World (Renaissance time) 1. the Colosseum of rome 2. the Catacombs of Alexandria 3. the great Walls of China 4. the Leaning Tower of Pisa 5. the Porcelain tower of Nanking 6. the Constantinople Mosque of St. Sophia 7. stonehenge


LESSON 47. Seven Senses

Hi, Akika. How are you? I missed you for a long time. 晶香ちゃん、お元気ですか。久し振りの登場ですね。 Akika-chan, ogenki desuka? Hisashiburi no toujou desune. Fine. I'm so expecting that I feel happy now. ええ、今か今かと楽しみにしてましたのでうれしいです。 Ee, imaka imaka to tanoshimi ni shitemashita node ureshii desu. By the way, human has five sences, do you know each? ところで人間には五感とよばれる感覚がありますね。 Tokorode Ningen niwa gokan to yobareru kankaku ga arimasune. Yes, those are sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. ええ、視る・聴く・触わる・味わう・嗅ぐです. Ee, miru-kiku-sawaru-ajiwau-kagu desu. In English, we add understanding and speech to those five, and say seven sences. Akika, which do you like best? でも英語では、それに理解すると語るのふたつを加えて、七つの感覚と 呼ぶんだよ。晶香ちゃんはどれが一番好き? Demo Eigo dewa, soreni rikaisuru to kataru no futatsu wo kuwaete, nanatsu no kankaku to yobundayo. Akika-chan wa dorega ichiban suki? Well, ..., I like `taste`, because I like eating. ええっと.....私は食べるのが好きだから、味わうかな。 Eetto,... Watashi wa taberu noga sukidakara, ajiwau kana. See, I select touch and see, without wondering. ふーん。僕は断然「触る・視る」だな。 Fuun, boku wa danzen sawaru-miru dana. I like also be touching. 私は、触られるのも結構好きよん。 Watashi wa furerareru nomo kekkou sukiyon.


LESSON 48. Seven Seas

When we speak Japanese, we somtimes make an significant mistake by a small difference of accent. 日本語はちょっと言い間違えると大変なことになりますね. Nihongo wa chotto iimachigaeruto taihen na kotoni narimasune. Right. Once I was in trouble, when I asked someone if he took a bath well (Nee, chan to ofuro ni haitta?), but he misunderstand my question as if I was asking that did you take a bath with a girl (Neechan to ofuro nihaitta?). そうですね.「ねぇ,ちゃんとお風呂に入った?」という質問でも,人によって は「姉ちゃんとお風呂に入った?」と聞き間違える人がいるので困ります. Soudesune. "Nee, chan to ofuro ni haitta?" to iu shitumon demo, hito niyottewa "Neechan to ofuro nihaitta?" to kikimachigaeru hito ga irunode komarimasu. In the famous children's song "a girl with red shoes", it is well said that we can recognize a person's childhood by checking that whether a girl in the song was taken away by a nice old guy (ii jiisan) or by an alian (ijinsan). 有名な「赤い靴はいてた女の子」の歌でも,「いいじいさんに連れられていっ ちゃった」のか「異人さんに連れられていっちゃった」のかでうまれ育ちが わかると言われています. Yuumei na "Akaikutsu haiteta on'nanoko" no uta demo "ii jiisan ni tsurerarete icchatta" noka "ijinsan ni tsurerarete icchatta" nokade umaresodachi ga wakaru to iwarete imasu. In my case, I was shamed that I believed for a while that the title of a march "friendship over the sea (umi wo koeru akushu)" composed by Susa means the "bad smell over the sea (umi wo koeru akushuu)". 僕なんか,スーザのマーチで「海を越える握手」という曲をしばらくのあいだ, 「海を越える悪臭」だと思っていて恥ずかしい思いをしたことがあります. Bokunanka, Suuza no maachi de "Umi wo koeru akushu" to iu kyoku wo shibaraku no aida, "Umi wo koeru akushuu" dato omotteite hazukashii omoi wo shita kotoga arimasu. That's miserable. それは恥ずかしい. Sorewa hazukashii. the Arctic the Antarctic the Norce Pacific the South Pacific the North Atlantic the South Atlantic the Indian Ocean


LESSON 49. TEST

Translate into English. 1.ジョーリサ! 僕は七つの海を越えてでも、君に会いにいきたいよ。 Joorisa, Bokuwa nanatsu no umiwo koetedemo kimini ai ni ikitaiyo. 2.ジョーリサ! 力学、電磁気学、熱力学、統計力学、量子力学、特殊相対性 理論, 一般相対論の中では,どれが好き? Joorisa, Rikigaku, Denjikigaku, Netsurikigaku, Toukeirikigaku, Ryoushirikigaku, Tokushu-Soutaiseiriron, Ippan-Soutaiseiriron no nakadewa dorega suki? 3. ジョーリサ! カレーライスについてくる七福神は好きですか? Joorisa, kareeraisu ni tsuitekuru Shichifukujin wa sukidesuka? 4. ジョーリサ! 触わるのと触わられるのでは,どっちが好き? Joorisa, sawaru no to sawarareru nodewa docchi ga suki? 5. ジョーリサ! あなたは僕にとっての三大美人の一人です. Joorisa, anatawa bokuni totteno sandai bijin no hitoridesu. 6. ジョーリサ! パンつくったことある? Joorisa, pantsukuttakoto aru? 7. ジョーリサ! あなたにとっての7人の男性を選ぶとしたら誰になりますか. Joorisa, anatani totteno shichi nin no dansei wo erabu toshitara dareni narimasuka?


============================================================ =============== PART EIGHT. ENUMERATE ================== ============================================================

LESSON 50. Grade

Last week, I found many students in the campus, didn't it? 先週は,大学に学生がたくさん来てましたね. Senshuu wa, daigaku ni gakuseiga takusan kitemashitane. The reason was that it was a test period for students. I think such a situation is a good proof for that many student do not attend their usual classes. それは,試験期間だからです.普段大学に来なくても,試験さえ受ければ 単位が取れる科目が多い証拠ですよ. Sorewa shiken kikan dakaradesu. Fudan daigaku ni konakutemo, shiken sae ukereba tan'iga toreru kamokuga ooi shouko desuyo. What kind of grade do they receive? By KOU-OTSU-HEI and TEI? 大学の成績は,甲乙丙丁でつけるのですか. Daigaku no seiseki wa KOU-OTSU-HEI-TEI de tsukeru nodesuka? Why do you know such a difficult way of counting? That was a way until the Yayoi era. Nowadays, we use ABCD and F. よく,そんな言葉知っていますね.ですが,その分類は,弥生時代までで, 今ではABCDFですよ. Yoku son'na kotoba shitteimasune. Desuga, sono bunrui wa Yayoi-Jidai madede, imadewa ei-bii-shii-dei-efu desuyo. The best grade is A, isn't it? Does "F" mean failure? 成績がいい方がAですね.Fは落第ですか. Seiseki ga ii hou ga ei desune. Efu wa rakudai desuka? Yes. There is a definit difference between D and F, so E is missing. The student who do not get good grade call themselves CD-player or DC- brand. そうです.DとFの間にはかなり距離があるのでEがないんです.成績の悪い人 は自らCDプレイヤーとか,DCブランドとか名乗っています. Soudesu. Dei to Efu no aida niwa kanari kyori ga arunode Ii ga nain desu. Seiseki no warui hitowa mizukara ShiiDei Pureiyaa toka DeiShii Burando toka nanottemasu. A. Excellent B. Good C. Fair D. Barely passing (Lowest passing grade) E. Imcomplete F. Failure W. Withdraw


LESSON 51. Wether Reports

Weather reports in Japan are so precise, I think. 日本の天気予報はとても詳しいですね. Nihon no tenki yohou wa totemo kuwashiidesune. I agree. The forecast uses percentages. I heard that from this April the unit area for forecasts becomes 20Km square. そうですね.予報はパーセント表示ですからね.それに今度の四月から, 新しく20キロ四方ずつ予報するみたいですよ. Soudesune. Yohou wa paasento hyouji desukarane. Soreni kondo no shigatsu kara atarashiku nijyukkiro shihou zutsu yohou suru mitai desuyo. That's amazing. I can not judge whether are they understandable or not. そいつは驚きだね.わかりやすいんだかわかりにくいんだかわかりませんね. Soitsu wa odoroki dane. Wakariyasui ndaka wakarinikui ndaka wakarimasen ne. Recently, the government permit for authorized whether reporters to annouce their forecast freely, for example on TV. But I do not find any differences between broadcasting companies. 最近は「気象予報士」の資格があれば,独自にテレビで予報ができる制度に なっていますが,テレビ局による予報の違いはあまり見受けられません. Saikin wa "Kishou yohoushi" no shikakuga areba, dokuji ni terebi de yohouga dekiru seido ni natteimasuga, terebikyoku ni yoru yohouno chigai wa amari miuke raremasen. It will be fun if the reporting weather girls have their responsibilities for their words. 外れたらお天気お姉さんが責任取ってくれたりしたら,面白いのにね. Hazuretara otenki oneesan ga sekinin totte kuretari shitara omoshiroi nonine. By the way, Miss Megumi Ooishi has not yet been good at reading her reports though already almost two years from her debut. それにしても大石恵はデビューして2年近くたつのに,あまり上手くなり ませんね. Soreni shitemo Megumi Ooishi wa debyuu shite ninen chikaku tatunoni amari umaku narimasen'ne. Just a few (of a group of people) 2% A few 5% Not a few (pedanticな言い方) 10% Quite a few (colloquialだが必要) 13% Many 30% A good many 50% Most 60% Almost everybody 75% Everybody 85% Everybody without exception 95% Every single one of them 100%


LESSON 52. Count (1)

In Japanese, we have many rules in counting somethings. There is a famous song for children to teach how to count, "Ippon demo ninjin", by T.Maeda. We use this song as a text. 日本語では数の数え方が結構たいへんです.なにしろ,子供に教えるのに歌が あるくらいですから.ここでは有名な『一本でもニンジン』 (前田利博作詞)をテキストにとってみましょう. 1本でもニンジン    ippon demo ninjin (if there is one carot, we say Ninjin) Note: We count pencil-type goods as ippon-nihon-sanbon-yonhon-gohon- roppon-nanahon-hachihon-kyuuhon-joppon 2足でもサンダル nisoku demo sandaru (if there are two pairs of sandals, we say Sandaru) Note: We count shoes as issoku-nisoku-sanzoku-yonsoku-gosoku-rokusoku- nanasoku-hassoku-kyuusoku-jyussoku 3艘でもヨット sansou demo yotto (if there are three yacht, we say Yotto) Note: We count ships as issou-nisou-sansou-yonsou-gosou-rokusou-nanasou- hassou-kyuusou-jyussou 4粒でもゴマ塩 yotsubu demo gomashio (if there are four sesame, we say Gomashio) Note: We count grains as hitotsubu-futatsubu-mitsubu-yotsubu-gotsubu- rokutsubu-nanatsubu-hachitsubu-kyuutsubu-jyuttsubu 5台でもロケット godai demo rokketto (if there are five rocket, we say Roketto) Note: We count large vehicles as ichidai-nidai-sandai-yondai-godai- rokudai-nanadai-hachidai-kyuudai-jyuudai.


LESSON 53. Count (2)

Let's continue the song "Ippon demo ninjin". 6羽でも七面鳥 rokuwa demo shichimenchou (if there are six turkeys, we say Shichimenchou) Note: We count birds as ichiwa-niwa-sanwa-yonwa-gowa-rokuwa-nanawa- hachiwa-kyuuwa-jyuuwa. 7匹でも蜂 nanahiki demo hachi (if there are seven bees, we say Hachi.) Note: We count insects as ippiki-nihiki-sanbiki-yonhiki-gohiki-roppiki- nanahiki-happiki-kyuuhiki-jyuppiki 8頭でもクジラ hattou demo kujira (if there are nine whales, we say Kujira.) Note: We count animals as ittou-nitou-santou-yontou-gotou-rokutou- nanatou-hachitou-kyuutou-jyuttou. 9杯でもジュース kyuuhai demo juusu (if there are nine cups, we say Juice.) Note: We count cups of drinks as ippai-nihai-sanbai-yonhai-gohai-roppai- nanahai-hachihai-kyuuhai-jyuppai. 10個でもイチゴ jyukko demo ichigo (if there are ten strawberrys, we say Ichigo.) Note: We count small goods as ikko-niko-sanko-yonko-goko-rokko-nanako- hakko-kyuuko-jyukko. What a difficult language the Japanese is! いやあ,日本語は難しい. Iyaa, Nihongo wa muzukashii.


LESSON 54. Chocolate

Yesterday was a day of chocolate, wasn't it? How many chocos did you receive? 昨日はチョコレートの日でしたね.いくつもらいましたか. Kinouwa chokoreeto no hi deshitane. Ikutsu morai mashitaka? This year, the long and deep economic recession shifts the numbers of chocolates smaller than those of usual year. 今年は景気の後退を反映して受け取る数は例年に比べ減少傾向にあります. Kotoshi wa keiki no koutai wo han'ei shite uketoru kazuwa reinen ni kurabe genshou keikou ni arimasu. We often say, a man who eat as much as his age does not catch a cold in that year. And a traditional story indicates that a chocolate, given on the 15th of February gives us much possibilities. 歳の数だけ食べると,風邪をひかなくなると,いわれてますね.それに,15日に もらうチョコレートには可能性がある,と伝えられています. Toshi no kazudake taberuto, kaze wo hikanaku naru to iwarete masune. Sorene, jyuugo nichi ni morau chokoreeto niwa kanousei ga aru, to tsutaerarete imasu. The proverb says the god lives in the last one. This seems to me a completely opposite to the fact that Chiristmas cake (until 24) and year-passing noodle (on 31), which make girls in restless. 残り物には福がある,ですね.まるで,24を過ぎるともう見向きもされない クリスマスケーキや31を越えると用なしの年越しそばとは,正反対ですね. Nokorimono niwa fuku ga aru, desune. Marude, nijyuuyon wo sugiru to mou mimukimo sarenai Kurisumasu keeki ya sanjyuu-ichi wo koeru to younashi no Toshikoshisoba towa seihantai desune. Yes, the sweet manufacturers thought up to that situations. ええ,製菓会社は,ちゃんとそこまで心得ているのです. Ee, seika-gaisha wa chan to sokomade kokoroete irunodesu.


LESSON 55. Seven Titles

Mr. Yoshiharu Habu won the last Shougi game, and finally he got all seven titles in pro-Shougi tournament. 羽生義治名人が,ついに将棋界の七つのタイトルを独占しました. Habu Yoshiharu meijin ga tsuini shougi kai no nanatsu no taitoru wo dokusen shimashita. Oh, that's the news now all medias are celebrating. Then, what are the seven titles? ああ,いまマスコミで大騒ぎしていますね.七つとは,なんですか. Aa, ima masukomi de oosawagi shite imasune. Nanatu towa nandesuka? I guessed your question and already checked. Well, those are Oushou-sen, Meijin-sen, Kiou-sen, Ryuuou-sen, Oui-sen and Ouza-sen. Ou means King, and Ki is a part of character in Shougi. In the last Oushou game, I read they played only 82 moves in total. そうくると思って,調べました.ええっと,王将戦,名人戦,棋王戦,竜王戦, 棋聖戦,王位戦,王座戦の七つのようです.王は王様,棋は将棋の棋です.最後 の王将戦では82手で決まったようです. Soukuru to omotte, shirabemashita. Eetto, Oushou-sen, Meijin-sen, Kiou- sen, Ryuuou-sen, Oui-sen, Ouza-sen no nanatsu no youdesu. Ou wa ousama, Ki wa Shougi no Gi desu. Saigo no Oushou-sen dewa hachijyuu-ni te de kimattayoudesu. I also read that the other day, the world chess champion lost the game by super-computer. It was the first time for the computer. そういえば,この間は,チェスの世界チャンピオンとスーパーコンピュータが 戦って,初めてコンピュータが勝ったようですね. Souieba, konoaida wa chesu no sekai chanpion to suupaa konpyuuta ga tatakatte, hajimete konpyuuta ga katta youdesune. They needed only 37 moves. As the proverb says that weak persons make much moves, so I respect the champion for his judgement of losing the game. 37手で決まったそうです.「へぼ碁の駄目」と言いますが,少ない手数で勝敗を 見極めたチャンピオンも流石ですね. Sanjyuu-nanate de kimatta soudesu. "Hebo go no dame" to iimasuga, sukunai te de shouhai wo mikiwameta chanpion mo sasuga desune.


LESSON 56. TEST

Connect the way of counting. 1. hitori-futari-san'nin-yonin-... 2. ippon-nihon-sanbon-yonhon-... 3. issoku-nisoku-sanzoku-.... 4. hitoyama-futayama-miyama-... 5. ichiwa-niwa-sanwa-yonwa-... 6. ichimai-nimai-sanmai-yonmai-... 7. ichibijyo-nibijyo-sanbijyo-... 8. ichidai-nidai-sandai-yondai-... 9. ichihime-nitarou-san'nasubi 10. issatsu-nisatsu-sansatsu-... 11. icchoume-nichoume-sanchoume-... 12. ichizen-nizen-sanzen-... a. mountains, oranges, difficulties, ... b. notes, disks, dishes, money, ... c. books, murders, ... d. children e. blocks of town, hell, ... f. beautiful women, wet towels, g. shoes, sockes, h. films, beers, pensils, ... i. cups of rice, chopsticks, ... j. birds, rabbits, spinach, ... k. persons, Indians, l. cars, big stapler, titles, to be continued


Link to Next Lessons


Uploaded: 1996/10/27
by Hisaaki Shinkai