Japanese Lessons with Maggie

縄張り = なわばり = nawabari (Mini Lesson #139)

「ここに入らないでよ！」

= Koko ni hairanai deyo!

= Don’t come in here, OK?

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It’s been a while since I made a mini-lesson and after that last LONG lesson, I think now is a good time!
Today’s word is ,

縄張り = なわばり= nawabari

漢字 = Kanji

縄張り

•縄= nawa = a rope

•張り= hari →(verb) 張る= haru = to stretch

the literal meaning is to stretch a rope, to rope off st
It means “territory“”domain” “one’s turf”

•縄張りを守る
= nawabari wo mamoru
= to defend one’s turf

Usually it is used to refer territorial behavior of animals and fish but we also use it for people.

In the Yakuza world they often have,

•縄張り争い
= Nawabari arasoi
= turf war

And as in the picture, Maggie also made her own turf,

Ex.ここは、マギーのなわばりだから入らない様に!
= Koko wa Maggie no nawabari dakara hairanai you ni.
= This is Maggie’s territory so don’t come in!

In daily conversation, we use it when we refers to a place or area that you often frequent and are very familiar with,

Ex.「この辺、なわばりだからよく知ってるの。」(female speech)
= Kono hen nawabari dakara yoku shitteruno.
= I am very familiar with this area. I know this area like the back of my hand. (I come here very often so I know this area very well.)

Ex.「あそこはなわばりだから何でも聞いて。」
= Asoko wa nawabari dakara nan demo kiite.
= I know that area very well so ask me anything.

Ex.昔はここはなわばりだったんだけど。今は知らない顔ばかりだな。(male speech)

= Mukashi wa koko wa nawabari dattandakedo. Ima wa shiranai kao bakari dana.

= I used to know this place very much, but I don’t know anybody now.

(Implying “I used to be influential here but not anymore.“)

Ex.「あの店は、あいつのなわばりだから行かない方がいいぞ。」(male speech)
= Ano mise wa aitsu no nawabari dakara ikanai hou ga iiyo.
= We shouldn’t go to the place (restaurant/bar) because it’s his territory).

( Implying : That guy we don’t like often goes there. / We don’t want to get involved with him there.)

マギー先生より= Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

ここは私のなわばりだから、一歩も入らないで下さい。

= Koko wa watashi no nawabari dakara ippo mo hairanai de kudasai.

= This is my turf so don’t put your “paw” inside!

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6 Responses to “縄張り = なわばり = nawabari (Mini Lesson #139)”

Jetta on June 14th, 2011

Grrrrrreat! Thx!

Reply
- Maggie on June 14th, 2011
  
  @Jetta
  
  どういたしまして！ヽ(*^^*)ノ
  
  Reply
Aki on June 13th, 2011

hehe なわばり seems very useful ^^
so how would you say a “possessive person” someone who likes to claim things, selfish…?

Reply
- Maggie on June 13th, 2011
  
  @Aki
  
  possessive person is 独占欲（どくせんよく） (or 所有欲（=しょゆうよく)の強（つよ）い（or 独占欲が強い）
  Do you have any なわばり？
  
  Reply
  - Aki on June 14th, 2011
    
    not really… I guess I am not that good at anything to call it “my territory” ._.
    but in the house, kitchen is my territory in a way cause I LOVE cooking!! does that count? （笑）
    マギー先生は？
    
    そして、あのね、これ、観てね～！すっごーく日本っぽいよね！？
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF5pRuxGer8
    
    Reply
    - Maggie on June 14th, 2011
      
      @Aki
      
      Oh, then キッチンはAkiのなわばりだね！
      Thank you for forwarding the link of Kaggra. It’s very cool!!!
      Aki　ヴィジュアル系好きでしょ〜！
      
      Reply