「ポイント貯めてる？」

=Pointo tameteru?

=Have you been accumulating points?

This is a request lesson about how to sign up for a store member’s card in Japan.

I made a shopping lesson a while ago. One thing that I didn’t cover wasメンバーズカード(=menbaazu kaado) member’s card or　ポイントカード(=pointo caad) “point card”

Many shops, such as drug stores, CD shops, massage parlors, cosmetic stores, home electronics stores, beauty salons, spas, etc. try to lure their customers back with メンバーズカード(=menbaazu kaado) members card or ポイントカード(=pointo caad) “point card”=a reward card with lots of benefits.

The system is very simple. Once you sign up for a membership card or point card, you can get a discount,

会員割引=kaiin waribki=discount for members

or if you become a frequent customer, you can ポイントを貯める=pointo wo tameru, accumulate points, and you will get a prize or bigger discount. The store’s hope being that once we become members, we become their loyal customers and will come back again and again for the points.

Since the procedure is very easy, we make a member’s card here and there and end up having loooots of cards in our wallets. Look at my bulging wallet!

(* Some store demand annual fee 年会費=nenkaihi to be their privileged member.)

You don’t actually need to talk so much in order to get a card made but you need to understand what they are talking about.

Here’s a typical conversation at a store. Usually when you pay for your purchase they ask,

「当店のポイントカード(or メンバーズカード）はもうお持ちですか？」

=Touten no point caado wa mou omochi desu ka?

=Do you already have our “point-card”?

If you do, you just say,

「はい、持っています。」

=Hai motte imasu.

=Yes, I do.

and take it out. How simple is that!?

If you get a certain amount of points, they’ll say,

ポイントが＊＊(Ex. 100) 点になりましたのでこちらを差し上げます。/今日は￥***(Ex. ¥2,000)にさせて頂きます。

=Pointo ga **(Ex. hyaku en) ten ni narimashita node kochira wo sashiagemasu./Kyouwa ¥*** (Ex. nisen en)ni sasete itadakimasu.

=You reached ** points so here’s your present. / It will be only ¥*** for you.

But if you don’t have one, you say,

「いいえ、持っていません。」

=Iie motte imasen.

=No, I don’t.

If you don’t need one, just say,

「いえ、結構です。」

=Ie kekkou desu.

=No thank you.

「今、ちょっと時間がないのでまたにします。」

=Ima chotto jikan ga nai node mata ni shimasu.

=I’m in a hurry now so maybe next time.

「こちらの方に(は)あまり来ないので…（いいです。/結構です。）」

=Kochira no hou ni (wa) amari konai node..(iidesu/kekkou desu.)

=(Sorry but) I don’t come to this area so often so… (No thank you.)

If you show interest in becoming a member,they will explain HOW GREAT to be their members.

「そうですか。只今、当店のメンバーにご登録して頂きますと..

=Soudesuka. Tadaima touten no menbaa ni gotouroku shite itadakimasuto..

=OK, then if you become our member now, you will…

•只今=tadaima=now

•当店=touten=our store

•登録する=to be a member, to register

•ご登録して頂くと..

=gotouroku shite itadaku to

=if you become a member (polite)

****という特典がございます。」

=****toiu tokuten ga gozaimasu. (polite)

=You can get **** as benefit.

•特典=tokuten=a perk, benefit, special service

Ex. 当店でのお買い物がサービス品以外５％引きになります。

=Touten deno okaimono saabisu hin igai go paasento biki ni narimasu.

=You can get 5% off from all your purchases at our store not including sales items.

Ex.１０回のご来店で次の１回分が無料となります。

=Jukkai no goraiten de ikkai bun muryou to narimasu.

=If you come to our store ten times, the next visit will be free.)

Ex. ポイントが一杯になりますと粗品を差し上げます。

=Pointo ga ippai ni narimasu to soshina wo sashiagemasu.

=If you fill all the card, we will give you a present.

•一杯になる=Ippai ni naru=to be filled

•粗品=soshina=a present (humble expression of gift. The direct translation is poor article.)

After they explain how beneficial it is to be a member, they will ask you,

「簡単に出来ますので今、お作りしてもよろしいでしょうか？」

=Kantan ni dekimasu node ima otsukuri shite mo yoroshii deshouka?

=It will be done so easily so could I make one for you now?

「お時間、３分程でできますのでお作りしても宜しいでしょうか？」

=Ojikan sanpun hodo de dekimasu node otsukuri shite mo yoroshii deshouka?

=It will only take three minutes so could I make one for you?

Do you want one? Then say,

「はい、じゃあお願いします。」

=Hai jaa onegai shimasu.

=Yes, please.

Then they will bring you a form,

「それではこちらにご記入頂けますでしょうか？」

=Soredewa kochira ni gokinyuu itadakemasu de shou ka?

=Could you fill this out, please?

•記入する=kinyuu suru→(more polite)ご記入する=gokinyu suru=to fill out

＜How to fill the form> 記入方法=kinyuu houhou

★お名前=Onamae=name

★氏名=shimei =name

★名字=myouji=family name

★名前=namae=name or first name

★ふりがな=in hiragana or katakana (Some kanji have two or three possible readings so we always have to write the furigana so we know how to read your name and addresses.)

★生年月日=seinen gappi=birth year/ month/date

★年齢=nenrei=age

★性別=seibetsu=gender

You mark one of them!?

→男=otoko=a man

→女=onna=a woman

★御職業=goshokugyou=your job

★会社名=kaishamei=company name

★御住所=gojuusho=your address

★メールアドレス=meiru adoresu=email address

★当店よりセール等のDM、ご案内をお送りしても宜しいでしょうか？

=Touten yori seeru tou no diiemu, goannai wo ookuri shite mo yoroshii deshouka?

=Can we send advertisements or updated information to your address (or email)?

→はい=hai=Yes

→いいえ=iie=No

Usually they don’t expect you to fill out the whole thing. If you don’t want to write certain things, just leave them in blank.

Then show it to them saying,

•「これでいいですか？」

=Kore de ii desu ka?

=Is this all right?/Did I do it right?

•「ここは書かなくてもいいですか？」

=Koko wa kakanakute mo ii desu ka?

=Is it OK if I don’t fill out this part?

•「全部書かなければいけませんか？」

=Zenbu kakanakereba ikemasen ka?

=Do I have to fill out everything?

Then they will tell you what they need filled in.

Ex.「いえ、お名前とお電話番号だけで結構です。」

=Ie onamae to odenwa bangou dake de kekkou desu.

=That’s OK. Just give us your name and your phone number, please.

If it is OK, they will say,

「はい、結構です。」

=Hai kekkou desu.

=Yes, no problem

They will ask you to sign in the form.

「こちらの方にご署名下さい。」

=Kochira no hou ni goshomei kudasai.

=Please sign here.

（Note : Handling 個人情報=kojin jouhou=personal information has been very strict in Japan.  So they may ask you to read through an agreement to let them use your personal information for their customer list and ask you to sign the paper.)

Once they make the new card, they’ll hand it to you saying

「それではこちらのカードをお渡し致します。本日から１年間有効となります。」

=Soredewa kochira no kaado wo owatshi itashitaimasu. Honjitsu kara ichinen kan yuukou to narimasu.

=Here’s your card. It will expire a year from today.

•有効=yuukou=valid

•本日＝honjitsu=this day (a bit formal than 今日=kyou=today)

or

•「有効期限は本日から１年間となっております。」

=Yuukou kigen wa honjitsu kara ichinenkan to natte orimasu.

=The expiration date is a year starting from today.

•「本日から早速ご利用頂けます。」

=Honjitsu kara sassoku goriyou itadakemasu.

=You can use it from today.

•早速=sassoku=soon

•利用=riyou=to use →(polite) ご利用＝goriyou

They might ask you to sign up from your mobile phone.

•携帯サイトからご登録下さい。

=Keitai saito kara gotouroku kudasai.

=Please register from our website for mobile phone.

Culture note:

Companies offer point cards or members’ cards to improve customer loyalty and we love to get discounts and prizes so it is a very convenient system. It’s like frequent flier miles.

Not just stores but most of credit card companies offer ポイントサービス(=pointo saabisu).

Using credit card customers are also often rewarded for using their credit cards with points and prizes.

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

このサイトに一日に１回来たら１ポイントあげます。1000ポイント貯まったらキスしてあげる！

=Kono saito ni ichinichi ni ikkai kitara ichipointo agemasu. Sen pointo tamattara kissu shite ageru.

If you come to this site once a day, I will give you one point. If you get 1,000 points I will give you a big kiss!

I made this lesson for my loyal student, Top-san! Hope it helps

「あなたの特技はなんですか？」

=Anata no tokugi wa nan desu ka?

=So what are you good at?

「ええと..、犬の散歩です。」

=Eeto…, inu no sanpo desu.

=Well… walking dogs.

Hi, everyone!! It has been a long time since I posted a long lesson on here, but I have been busy posting Mini Lessons almost everyday. Hope you’ve been checking them out!

OK, today’s lesson is about 就活=shukatsu. Job hunting!

It’s an abbreviation of 就職活動=shushoku katsudou, job hunting, job searching. Shortening words is a common practice here.

(Note : Remember I taught you this word before?

婚活=konkatsu? If not, go check 婚活Lesson! )

*就=しゅう／つくshuu/tsuku: to move in, to fill (the job)

*職=しょく shoku : job

就職： to be employed

*活=かつ／いかす、いきる,katsu/ikasu, ikiru：to move actively

*動=どう／うごく,dou/ugoku：to move

活動=katsudou ：activity

就活, shuu katsu

<The verb form>

*就活をする=shuukatsu wo suru(colloquial)

→就職活動をする=shuushoku katsudou wo suru,

=to look for a job

*就活に入る=shukatsu ni hairu (colloquial)

→就職活動に入る=shuushoku katsudou ni hairu

= to begin the process of looking for a job (usually while still in school)

<The reason why I wanted to make this lesson>

Unlike many other countries, there are lots of complicated formalities in Japan to go through the procedure of job hunting.

We have received resumes from all over the world and had interviewed some of them in the past. I’ve been very surprised at the resumes and interviews we’ve had. For example, many people sent us very casual snapshots attached to their resumes — a snapshot of themselves that they took at Disney Land, smiling, making the peace sign, dressed all too casually in a t-shirt and jeans or even tank top, etc. Some of the pictures used were originally taken with their friends or sweethearts. They just cut out their face and used that section. Pictures like these are unheard of on Japanese resumes.

Another thing that struck me was that many of them asked about such things as salaries, holidays or vacations almost as soon as the interview started! That is a definite no-no in Japan! That’s one of the many taboos in the Japanese job hunting world.

In this lesson, we’ll examine the most common aspects of the job hunting process, including proper manners and useful language.

Although foreigners in Japan often get their jobs in different ways and use different routes, it is always considered a plus to be polite, and first impressions matter much more than you might think in Japan.

If you are thinking about trying to get a job, at least keep some of the things you’ve learned here in mind. And for those of you who do not plan on getting a job in Japan, we hope it will be a good cultural and language study!

Here we go!

<When and how to get a job in Japan>

A lot of companies hire young people who have just graduated from the school as permanent employees.

There are actually more chances to get a proper job while you are in school. So, many University students start

就活=shuukatsu, job hunting activities in their junior year. More important to Japanese companies than experience is a young recruit’s youth, freshness and potential.

•新卒=shinsotsu, recently graduated

⇔既卒=kisotsu, already graduated

→新卒採用=shinsotsu saiyou, hiring of new graduates

*採用=saiyou=hiring

→今年は採用ゼロ=kotoshi wa saiyou zero=to have no plans to hire anybody this year

(It has been getting very tough for students to find a job.)

Note: Many companies also hire mid-career employees,

中途採用=chuuto saiyou＝mid-career employment, intermediary recruitment

In this case, their experiences and abilities do matter, 経験/能力重視=keiken/nouryoku juushi, to value one’s experiences and abilities.

Now back to the job hunting by students. Each University has 就職課=shuushokuka, a section to support their students providing a guidance to get a job, employment bureau.

We have to decide more or less which direction we want to go in or what line of work we want while we are still students.

•メーカー=meeka, makers

•業界=gyoukai, market, business world

•金融業=kinyou, finance business, bank business

•製造業=seizou gyou, manufacturing industry

•サービス業=saabisugyou, service industry

•公務員=koumuin, government servant

•マスコミ=masukomi=media

•商社=shousha=commercial firm, trading company

Then, after we decide, we visit a company that is recruiting personnel. Many companies offer a,

会社説明会=kaisha setsumei kai, employment-explanation meetings

Students visit the companies they are interested in,

会社(or 企業）訪問=kaisha(or kigyou) houmon,

to visit a company (firm, enterprise) where you are interested in working

and collect information about that company to narrow down their choices.

会社案内=kaisha annai=company brochures

or they visit their 先輩=senpai, seniors

OB、OG訪問=OB, OG houmon

→ OB=old boys, OG=old girls

→訪問＝houmon=visiting

to visit the students who have graduated from the same school and work for the company you are interested in.

After you visit the company or your 先輩=senpai, “seniors“, do not to forget to send them, a “thank-you” note to thank them for their time.

御礼状=oreijou, thank you letter

When you visit a company, you have to dress appropriately

リクルートファッション=rikuruuto fasshion, business suits for job hunting

→就活スーツ(colloquial) =shuukatsu suutsu

Basically you should wear nice business suits. The color should be either, black, dark blue, or gray.

Some students change their hair color from their dyed 茶髪 (=chapatsu) brown hair to 黒髪(=kurokami), black hair, just for the job interview. If you dye your hair blond like Honda or Nakata (well known soccer players) they may doubt your seriousness.

After getting over the standard hurdles of job interviews and tests, a company may want to hire you. If so, they’ll give you,

内定=naitei=informal job offer

→内定が決まる/内定をもらう=naitei ga kimaru/naitei wo morau=to get an informal job offer

(The translation is “informal” but it’s actually almost an official offer)

•就職が決まる=shushoku ga kimaru=to get a job officially

If you are lucky, you will get more than one or two offers from different companies. Not getting any 内定=naitei, informal job offer, is called

→内定ゼロ=naitei zero=“Zero” job offer→no job offer

Recently due to the recession, even if you think a job is in the bag, you shouldn’t count your proverbial chickens yet. Some companies may end up turning you down at the last minute! This is called,

内定取り消し=naitei torikeshi=cancellation of the job offer.

Since there are more chances to get a job while you are still a student, some students who get 内定ゼロ=naitei zero (no job offers) intentionally fail school and wait one more year in the hope their luck will improve the following year.

→就職留年=shuushoku ryuunen

And those who graduate from the school without getting a job are called ,

→就職浪人=shuushoku rounin, graduated into unemployment

If you’re not a student and are looking for a job or looking to change jobs, we say you are,

•就職先を探す=shuushoku saki wo sagasu,

to look for a job

•転職先を探す=tenshoku saki wo sagasu,

to look to change one’s current job

•転職（する）=tenshoku(suru),

to change the job

To do this you check,

求人広告=kyuujin koukoku, the classified ads.

求人情報=kyuujin jyouhou, the classified ads information

(求人=kyuujinn, want personnel →employment offers)

in 新聞(=shinbun) newspaper or 雑誌=zasshi, magazines, インターネット=intaanetto, internet, or go to

職業安定所=shokugyou anteijyo, employment security office to get information.

(→(abbreviations) 職安=shokuan or , ハローワーク=harou waaku, now.)

Or go to

人材派遣会社=jinzai haken gaisha=temporary-employment agency, staffing company and register.

*人材派遣=jinzai haken, temporary staff company

*派遣社員=haken shain, temp staff

→(colloquial) ハケン=haken, temp staff.

Ex.　私はハケンです。=Watashi wa haken desu. ,I’m a temp staff.

*派遣に登録する = haken ni touroku suru, to register

**********************************************************

Here is a list of basic “job hunting” vocabulary.

<Basic Vocabulary>

•会社=kaisha, company

•企業=kigyou, firm, enterprise

•人材募集=jinzai boshuu, seeking personnel, recruitment of personnel

•～求む=~motomu, seeking~, looking for~

•リクルーター=rikuruutaa, recruiter, a person who are in charge of hiring new people

•リクルート=rikuruuto=recruit

Note : There is a company called リクルート=rikuruuto who publishes トラバーユ=torabaayu, a major job searching magazine. (The magazine name came from a French word, travail, work. You might have heard a verb とらばーゆする/トラバーユする=torabaayu suru, for changing career in past. It is a bit old fashioned now.

Click here to see this “とらばーゆ” video by Heeton (a guest sensei on Gimmeaflakeman’s “Japanese for Morons” series.) sing with him and come back!

•最終学歴(=saishuu gakureki) the latest/the last academic academic credential that you have.

•大卒=daisotsu←大学卒業=daigaku sotsugyou, a college graduate

•高卒=kousotsu ←高校卒業=koukou sotsugyou, a high school graduate

•中卒=chuusotsu←中学卒業=koukou sotsugyou, a junior high graduate

They used to indicate the age limit on the ads, but it’s illegal to do that now.

Also it is prohibited to specify the gender by 男女雇用機会均等法=danjo koyou kikai kinotuhou, Law for Equal Employment Opportunity of Men and Women.

•雇用形態=koyou keitai, employment system

•社員=shain, company staff

•正社員=seishain, permanent employee

•契約社員=keiyaku shain, contract employee

•終身雇用, shushin koyou, life employment

•フルタイム=furu taimu, full time

•パートタイム=paato taimu, part time

•アルバイト=arubaito, part time (job)

(We use the word, フリーター =furiitaa, to refer job-hopping part-timers)

•条件=jouken, conditions

•給与=kyuuyo, salary

•基本給=kihonkyuu, basic salary

•月給=gekyuu, monthly salary

•日給=nikyuu, daily wage

•時給=jikyuu, per-hour wages

•賞与=shouyo, bonus

•税引(き)前=zeibiki mae, before (reducing) tax

•税引(き)後=zeibiki go, after (reducing) tax

•福利厚生=fukuri kousei, benefit package, welfare program

•~手当=teate, perquisite, allowance

•時間外勤務手当=jikangai kinmu teate, pay for the hour of overtime duties

•残業手当=zangyou teate, overtime pay, extra payment for overtime

•住宅手当=jyutaku teate, housing allowance

•家族手当=kazoku teate, dependent family allowance

•特別手当=tokubetsu teate, special allowance

•教育制度=kyouiku seido, education system

•社員旅行=shain ryokou, company trip

•休暇=kyuuka, work holiday

•育児休暇=ikuji kyuuka, maternity leave

•休日出勤=kyuujitu shukkin, work on holidays

•有給休暇=yuukyuu kyuuka, paid holiday

•交通費支給=koutuuhi shikyuu, pay for the transportation

•交通費込み=koutsuuhi komi, includes transportation fee

Note : You might see these words with the conditions

有り/有（=ari), with

無し/無 (=nashi), without, No ~

込み（=komi), included

•フレックスタイム制度=furekusu taimu seido, flexible working hours system

•入社試験=nyuusha shiken, employment exam

(入社(する）=nyuusha(suru), to join a company

•新人社員研修=shinyuu shain kenshuu, training of new company staff

•退職金=taishoku, retirement allowance

•失業保険=shitsugyou, unemployment compensation insurance

•勤務時間=kinmu jikan, working hours

•勤務地=kinmuchi, work location

•転勤=tenkin, job relocation

•職種=shokushu, types of job

•事務職=jimu shoku, clerical staff/job

•一般職=ippan shoku, general office employee

•管理職=kanri shoku, administrative position

•総合職=sougou shoku, main career track

•仕事内容=shigoto naiyou, description of job

•経理=keiri, accounting

•営業=eigyou, sales

•総務=soumu, general affairs

•人事=jinji, personnel

•販売/営業=hanbai/eigyou, sales

**********************************************************

When you apply for a job, you have to prepare,

履歴書=rirekisho, resume

<How to write 履歴書=rirekisho, resume>

We have specific formats for resume. So you have to fill them out nicely by hand.

You can buy these resume forms at stationary stores.

Since you have to fill them out by hand, you have to write carefully so as to not make mistakes. I use blue ink but use black ink, and avoid using white-out!

(Again this information is to tell you how the typical Japanese job hunting procedure works so this is just for your information. The application procedure may differ from company to company. Language schools or companies who are actively looking to hire foreigners don’t expect you to do follow the Japanese way. They will most likely attempt to adopt the Western way.)

Here is my example resume. The information in my sample resume below is usually something considered super confidential, but for you, my loyal readers, I am willing to make sacrifices and share it with you today.

(Don’t copy the blue letters! They only work for me! )

Picture:

As I mentioned above, your picture tells them what kind of person you are. If you use a casual picture, they will think you are not a serious applicant for the job. If you are a man, wear a suit and necktie. If you are woman, wear suit or plain blouse and skirt. If you are a dog, make sure to visit the dog salon first and get nice and groomed. And no tank tops! We usually don’t use pictures of ourselves smiling for resume pics. Avoid using instant pictures. The picture should be of the upper part of your body and head against a solid background. Write your name on the back before you seal it on the resume.

Years :

平成１８年(=heisei juuhachi nen )

和暦 A Japanese calendar based on the imperial year

２００７年(=nisen nana nen)

西暦 Western calendar

FYI 2010年(=nisen juunen) is 平成２２年(=heisei nijuu ni nen) !

Click here to convert your birth year to the Japanese system!

The order of information:

You have to write your personal data in chronological order.

学歴=gakureki, academic credentials

Write the name of the school you went to, including the year + the month you (entered and) graduated from. Some people write their elementary school name as well. I omitted the year and month I entered school but some suggested that you should write them from high school and up to your latest school.

△△大学卒業=△△daigaku sotsugyou, Graduated from △△ University

職歴=shokureki, employment history

The name of the company and the section where you worked including the year and the month you joined or left. Also briefly describe what kind of work you were responsible for.

•入社=nyuusha, to join the company

•退社=taisha, to leave the company

•一身上の都合で退社=isshin jou no tsugou de taisha, to quit a job for personal reasons

→very convenient phrase used to keep the reason you left an company vague like I actually left the company because I had a big fight with a cat.

If you leave a company too soon (like me!) or you have been changing  job too much, they may think you are not responsible person.

資格=shikaku, qualifications, certifications

Typical Japanese qualifications:

•簿記=boki, bookkeeping

→Ex. 日本商工会議所主催商業簿記検定試験~級,

Nihon shoukou kaigisho shusai shougyou boki kentei shiken ~ kyuu

•英検〜級=eiken〜kyuu　← 実用英語技能検定~級,jitsuyou eigo ginou kentei〜kyuu,

STEP test ~ grade＝Society for Testing English Proficiency

(Pretty common exam in Japan to certify one’s English ability)

•漢字検定〜級=kanji kentei〜kyu, kanji test〜grade

免許=menkyo, license

•中型自動車第一種運転免許 =chuugata jidousha daiisshu unten menkyo,

driving license for a mid-sized car

→Having a driver’s license is a job qualification in Japan!

Note : You add 取得=shutoku, received after the license or certification’s name.

Ex. ~免許＝~menkyo, license, 〜資格=~shikaku, certification+ 取得=shutoku, acquired, received

Having an impressive or interesting skill or hobby like mine, is a good chance to attract an interviewer’s attention.

志望の動機= shibou no douki, The reason I apply for this job.

In this section, you can write what you like about the company or job you are applying for and express how suitable you think you are for that job — referring to any experiences and/or abilities that you acquired in your previous job. Be sure to express how motivated you are!

本人希望記入欄(=honnin kibou kinyuu ran)

In this section you can write your desires or job expectations. Technically you could write your desired salary, work location, and whether you want to be transferred or not, etc. But unless there are special circumstances (for example, you have to take care of you sick family member, etc.), I wouldn’t recommend you write anything too demanding.

If you decided not to write anything here (although you have tons of wishes ), you can write something like like I did.

貴社規定に従います。=kisha kitei ni shitagaimasu, I will conform to this company’s regulations.

貴社=kisha, is another honorific way to refer the company as 御社=onsha.

(Note: By the way, when speaking with clients you should refer to your own company as 当社=tousha or 弊社=heisha, our company, to be humble. You should not say 御社=onsha, or 貴社=kisha.)

This section is not that hard to fill out. They’ll want to know how much time it will take for you to get to the office and also they can calculate how much money they have to pay for your transportation. They’ll also want to know if you have any dependent family members or not.

Note:

There used to be a section where you would write about 家族構成=kazoku kousei, family information, with their names, ages, occupations, etc. of all of your family members. But I haven’t seen that kind of form for quite a while.

Traditionally many companies prefer to hire people who have been introduced by someone who was powerful or good connections with executive officers in that company or . So having a good コネ, kone, connection used to be a strength. Also many people have gotten their jobs through nepotism. I would say there are still lots of companies who hire people who have these kinds of connections.

→コネがある=kone ga aru, to have pull,コネがない=kone ga nai not to have pull

When you send or hand in your resume, you should attach a cover letter.

Some company requires you to enclose,

エントリーシート(=entorii shiito), the specific cover letter for each company to apply for the job.

You have to fill out,

志望動機(=shibou douki) statement of purpose

自己PR(=jiko biiaaru) a self introduction designed to sell you to the company

(PR=public relations, but this is “Japanese English”)

<How to send or hand out the resume.>

When you buy the forms of 履歴書=rirekisho, resume, they usually come with a plain white envelope that says

履歴書在中=rirekicho zaichuu, enclosed resume

in a frame. (If it is not already written on the envelope, you can just write it in by hand.)

Write the company name and 人事部御中=jinjibu onchuu = to personnel department

If you know the name of 人事採用担当者=jinji saiyou tantousha, the recruitment officer, write their name with 様=sama, Mr./Mrs.. When you write their name, do not write 御中 after the name of the department above.

Note: 御中=onchu.

It is a written honorific expression for the company (or department) . It means “in /inside of (the company/department)“

When we write the address of a company and we mail it to certain company or company section (not a specific person) we write 御中(=onchuu)  right after the name of the company or section. We don’t use it with a person’s name.

Ex. ポップコーン株式会社御中

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha (Company name)+ onchuu

Ex.ポップコーン株式会社 人事部御中

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha(Company name) jinjibu, personnel dept. (department/section name) + onchuu

Ex. ポップコーン株式会社 人事部   山田マギー様

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha(Company name) jinjibu, personnel dept. (department/section name) Yamada Maggie (person’s name) + sama

Ex.ポップコーン株式会社 人事部 山田マギー部長

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha(Company name) +jinjibu , personnel dept. (department/section name) +Yamada Maggie (person’s family name)+ buchou, department director (job title )

→When you write a job title, you don’t need to put 様=sama after the person’s name in the end)

•We write the address and names vertically on the envelopes because it is a formal letter.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

This is the first step.→第一次審査=daiichiji shinsa

If they like your resume, they will contact you.

Some companies may ask you to take various exams to see if you are a qualified candidate or not.

•採用試験=Saiyou shiken, employment test

•筆記試験=hikki shiken, written test

•常識問題=joushiki mondai, general knowledge test

(Note : In this test, they test your knowledge of kanji, history, current news, politics, math, etc.)

•性格テスト=seikaku tesuto, personality test

•適正検査=tekisei kensa, aptitude test

<Job interview>

*面接=mensetsu, interview

There are mainly two kinds of interviews in Japan.

*グループ面接=guruupu mensetsu, interview in a group

*個人面接=kojin mensetsu, individual interview

個人面接の受け方(=kojin mensetsu no uketakata), how to have an individual job interview:

I consulted various manuals on interviews in Japan. This is pretty common procedure, but, of course, it varies depending on the company and even expert opinions vary. But I think I’ve gathered enough information for you to be able to get a general idea of how the process goes.

OK, let’s get into the interview room!

1) Knock the door twice lightly. (Some suggests knocking three times.)

2) When they say, 「どうぞ」(=douzo), Please come in!, you open the door a little and look at the interviewer’s eyes and say 「失礼します。or 失礼致します。」(=Shitsurei shimasu./Shitsurei itashimasu.) “Please allow me to come in.” and come in the room. Don’t show your back to the interviewer when you close the door.

3) Bow lightly to the interviewer and say 「宜しくお願い致します。」(=Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.)

(*This is one of the many “set phrases” in Japanese that are hard to translate. This one means something like “Thank you for your time / your work/ this opportunity in advance.)

4) Go right next to the chair where you are supposed to sit. (Do not sit down yet!)

5) When they ask your name (and university name) you say,

「～大学、～学部～学科の（your name) と申します。宜しくお願い致します。」

＝～daigaku, ~ gakubu, ~gakka no (your name) to moushimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

=I am (your name) from ~university, ~faculty, ~department. Thank you for your time. (Thank you for this interview..)

6) When they say 「どうぞお掛け下さい」, douzo okake kudasai, “Please sit down”, you should say 「失礼致します」=shiturei itashimasu, “Thank you.” and sit down.

7) When you sit down, don’t sit back. Don’t cross your legs. Lay your hands on your lap lightly.

8) When they ask you questions, try to answer clearly and make eye contact with the interviewer.

9) When they say「以上で終わります。」ijou de owarimasu, “That’s all”, you say 「本日は有り難うございました。」, honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.,“Thank you you so much.” and stand up next to the chair and bow lightly. Then you say 「失礼致します。」“Excuse me.” “Thank you.” and leave the room.

10) Right before you leave the room, bow to the interviewer one last time.

Oh, my GOD….Does that sound like too much?

Good luck!

<How to appeal yourself>

第一印象=daiichi inshou, the first impression is very important in any interview. Some say they can tell if they want to hire you or not in the first three seconds when they see you.

Remember

*to show how much you want to work for the company and show how motivated you are.

*to answer questions or ask questions clearly and briskly.

*to look into 面接官=mensetsukan, interviewer‘s eyes.

(Many Japanese people tend to avoid direct eye contact because traditionally it is considered to be aggressive to stare at someone’s eyes.)

*Japanese companies value team work. So show how much you can cooperative and like to work as a team player by bringing up your experiences and extracurricular activity.

*to show how responsible you are.

*to sell yourself. You have a short window of time to sell yourself, but at the same time try not to sound like you’re bragging. If they think you are overly confident, they may think you are cocky.

*Be sure to use proper 敬語=keigo, honorific expressions. When you refer to the company, you always use 御社=onsha, your company

<Taboos!>

As I mentioned above, avoid asking about salary,vacation or overtime work right away. It is considered to be very rude and will give them the impression that you are JUST thinking about the benefits. Usually you can see the basic salary in the classified ad.

（基本給=kihonkyuu, basic salary, 賞与-shouyo, bonus)

You may be surprised to hear but there are lots of people who decided to work without knowing exactly how much is the salary until their first paycheck. If you really want to know, do not ask them not in the beginning. Wait for the best time. Or wait until when they ask you if you have any questions at the end of the interview.

<Typical questions to be asked>

Q :志望理由は何ですか？

=Shibou riyuu wa nan desu ka?　

=Why did you apply for this job?

Q : 当社を選んだ理由についてお話し下さい。

=Tousha wo eranda riyuu ni tsuite ohanashi kudasai.

=Please tell us why you chose our company.

Q :当社のことをどこで知りましたか？

=Tousha no koto wo doko de shirimashita ka?

=How did you hear about our company?

Q :学生時代に力を注いだことは何ですか？

=Gakusei jidai ni chikara wo sosoida koto nan desu wa?

=What did you put most effort into at school?

Q :卒論(卒業論文）はどういうことを書きましたか？

=Sotsuron(sotsugyou ronbun) wa douiu koto wo kakimashitaka?

=What is the theme of your graduation thesis?

Q :自己PR／自己紹介して下さい。

=Jiko piiaaru/jikoshoukai shite kudasai.

=Please introduce yourself. (try to sell yourself.)

Q :趣味はなんですか？

=Shumi wa nan desu ka?

=What do you like to do?

Q :当社でやってみたいことはなんですか？

=Tousha de yatte mita koto wa nan desu ka?

=What would like to do at our company?

Q :他にどんな企業を廻っていますか？

=Hoka ni donna kigyou wo mawatte imasu ka?

=What kind of companies are you visiting besides us?

Q :当社に入ったらどんな仕事を希望しますか？

=Tousha ni haittara donna shigoto wo kibou shimasu ka?

=What kind of job would you want if you join us?

Q :あなたの短所と長所を教えて下さい。

=Anata no tansho to chousho wo oshiete kudasai.

=What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Q :(歴史上)一番尊敬する人は誰ですか?

=(Rekishijou) Ichibansonkei suru hito wa dare desu ka?

=Who do you respect the most (in history)?

Q :最近のニュースで気になることはありますか？

=Saikin no nyuusu de kini naru koto wa arimasu ka?

=Is there any news which has caught your attention lately?

Q :部活、サークル活動は何かやっていましたか?

=Bukatsu saakuru katsudou wa nai ka yatte imashita ka?

=Have you been involved in any extracurricular activities or group activities?

Q :バイトはどんな仕事をしていましたか？

=Baito wa donnna shigoto wo shite imashita ka?

=What kind of part time job did you have?

Q :当社の製品についてどう思いますか?

=Tousha no seihin ni tsuite dou omoimasu ka?

=What do you think about our products?

Q :人生の目標は?

=Jinsei no mokuhou wa?

=What is life goal/purpose?

Q :〜年後のビジョンを教えて下さい。

=〜 nen go no bijon wo oshiete kudasai.

=Please tell us your vision in 〜 years.

Q :給与はどの位希望されますか？

=Kyuuyo wa dono kurai kibou saremasu ka?

=How much salary would you want?

<前職について> zenshoku ni tsuite, about your previous job

Q :どうして退職したのですか？

=Doushite taishoku shita no desu ka?

=Why did you leave the previous job?

Q :最後に質問はありますか？

=saigo ni shitsumon wa arimasu ka?

=Finally, do you have any questions for us?

******************************************************************

From the picture above:

「あなたの特技はなんですか？」

=Anata no tokugi wa nan desu ka?

=So what are you good at?

特技=tokugi=speciality, something you are good at, special skill

「ええと..、犬の散歩です。」

=Eeto…, inu no sanpo desu.

=Well… walking dogs.

マギー先生より=Maggie sensei yori, From Maggie sensei

基本的にもし私の会社で働きたかったら、服装や能力よりも、どれだけ美味しいものを私にくれるか、お散歩にきちんと連れていってくれるかが大切です！

=Kihonteki ni moshi watashi no kaisha de hatarakitakattara fukusou ya nouryoku yorimo doredake oishii mono wo watshi ni kureru ka, osanpo ni kichinto tsurete itte kueru ka ga taisetsu desu.

Basically if you want to work for me, more than how you dress or your ability, I value whether you will feed me yummy food or take me for a walk regularly or not.

みんな、がんばって応募してね。

=Minna gannbatte oubo shitene.

Apply for the post! Good luck everyone!

トイレの神様(=Toire no kamisama) God in the bathroom

「トイレのベッピンな女神は私です。」

(=Toire no beppin na megami wa watashi desu.)

“I AM that (famous) beautiful goddess in the toilet!”

Hello, everyone! I have just posted ありがとう(=arigatou) Thank you, lesson. It is kind of related to the subject but  I would like to teach you a Japanese song today. It is called 「トイレの神様」(=Toire no kamisama) “Goddess in the toilet” And it is famous!

This song is sung by 植村花菜, Kana Uemura. Her real relationship with her grandma — who she lived with from the ages of 9 and 15 inspired her to write the lyrics.

It’s a 10 minute-song and it is nothing like J-pop bands like Exile, 嵐(=Arashi), or 浜崎あゆみ(=Hamazaki Ayumi) would sing but many people say they cried listening to this song because it hit something deep inside our hearts. Many of us identify with her experiences, and I myself miss my grandma a lot while listening to this song.

So if you feel something while listening to the lyrics of this song, then you can take that as evidence that your Japanese has really improved!

First, let’s listen to the lyrics and see if you understand them.

1) 小３の頃からなぜだかおばあちゃんと暮らしてた

Shou san no koro kara naze daka obaachan to kurashiteta.

2) 実家の隣だったけどおばあちゃんと暮らしてた

Jikka no tonari datta kedo obaachan to kurashiteta

3) 毎日お手伝いをして五目並べもした

Mainichi otetsudai wo shite gomoku narabe mo shita

4) でもトイレ掃除だけ苦手な私に　おばあちゃんがこう言った

Demo toire souji dake nigate na watashi ni obaachan ga kou itta

5)「トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで

Toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megami sama ga irun yade

6)だから毎日 キレイにしたら 女神様みたいにべっぴんさんになれるんやで」

Dakara mainichi kirei ni shitara megami sama mitaini beppin san ni narerun yade

7) その日から私はトイレをピカピカにし始めた

Sono hi kara watashi wa toire wo pikapika ni shihajimeta

8)べっぴんさんに絶対なりたくて毎日磨いてた

beppin san ni zettai naritakute mainichi migaiteta

9) 買い物に出かけた時には二人で鴨なんば食べた。

Kaimono ni dekaketa toki niwa futari de kamonanba tabeta

10) 新喜劇録画し損ねたおばあちゃんを泣いて責めたりもした。

Shinkigeki rokuga shisokoneta obaachan wo naite sematari mo shita

11) トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで

Toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megami sama ga irun yade

12) だから毎日 キレイにしたら 女神様みたいにべっぴんさんになれるんやで

Dakara mainichi kirei ni shitara megami sama mitai ni beppin san ni narerun yade

13)少し大人になった私はおばあちゃんとぶつかった。

Sukoshi otona ni natta watashi wa obaachan to butsukatta

14)家族ともうまくやれなくて居場所がなくなった。

Kazoku tomo umaku yarenakute ibasho ga nakunatta

15)休みの日も家に帰らず彼氏と遊んだりした

Yasumi no hi mo ie ni kaerazu kareshi to asondari shita

16) 五目並べも鴨なんばも二人の間から消えてった

Gomoku narabe mo kamonanba mo futari no aida kara kietetta

17) どうしてだろう 人は人を傷つけ大切なものをなくしてく

Doushitedarou hito wa hito wo kizutsuke taisetsu na mono wo nakushiteku

18) いつも味方をしてくれてた おばあちゃん残してひとりきり 家離れた

itsumo mikata wo shitekureteta obaachan nokoshite hitori kiri ie hanareta

19) 上京して２年が過ぎておばあちゃんが入院した。

Joukyou shite ninen ga sugite obaachan ga nyuuin shita

20) 痩せて細くなってしまったおばあちゃんに会いに行った

yasete hosoku natte shimatta obaachan ni aini itta

21)「おばあちゃん、ただいまー！」ってわざと昔みたいに言ってみたけど

“Obaachan tadaimaa!” tte wazato mukashi mitai ni itte mitakedo

22) ちょっと話しただけだったのに「もう帰りぃ。」って 病室を出された

Chotto hanashita dakedatta noni “Mou kaerii” tte byoushitu wo dasareta.

23) 次の日の朝 おばあちゃんは静かに眠りについた。

Tsugi no hi no asa obaachan wa shizuka ni nemuri ni tsuita

24) まるで まるで 私が来るのを待っていてくれたように

marude marude watashi ga kuru no wo matteite kureta you ni

25) ちゃんと育ててくれたのに恩返しもしてないのに

chanto sodatete kureta no ni ongaeshi mo shitenai noni

26) いい孫じゃなかったのにこんな私を待っててくれたんやね

ii mago ja nakatta noni konna watashi wo mattete kuretanya ne

27) 「トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで」

“Toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megami sama ga irun yade”

28) おばあちゃんがくれた言葉は 今日の私をべっぴんさんにしてくれてるかな

obaachan ga kureta kotoba wa kyou no watashi wo beppin san ni shite kureteru kana

29) 「トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで」

toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megami sama ga irun yade

30) 「だから毎日 キレイにしたら 女神様みたいにべっぴんさんになれるんやで」

dakara mainichi kirei ni shitara megami sama mitaini beppin san ni narerun yade

31) 気立ての良いお嫁さんになるのが夢だった私は

kidate no yoi oyomesan ni naru noga yume datta watashi wa

32) 今日もせっせとトイレをピカピカにする

kyou mo sesse to toire wo pikapika ni suru

33) おばあちゃん    おばあちゃん   ありがとう

obaachan  obaachan  arigatou

34) おばあちゃん  ホンマに ありがとう

obaachan honma ni arigatou

****************************************************************************************************************

OK, I will explain the lyrics line by line.

1) 小３の頃からなぜだかおば あちゃんと暮らしてた

Shou san no koro kara naze daka obaachan to kurashiteta.

• 小３=shou san=the third grade←the abbreviation of 小学校3年生(=shougakkou sannensei) the third grade of elementary school.

We often abbreviate the grade.
中１=chuuichi= 中学校１年生(=Chuugakkou ichinen sei)=The first grade of junior High school /高２=kou ni = The second grade of high school

•頃から(=korokara) since around the time of…

•なぜだか=nazedaka= somehow, not knowing why, I am not sure why but, for some reason=なぜか(=nazeka)
•おばあちゃんと(=obaachan to) with my grandma
grandmother : formal 祖母(=sobo) casual おばあさん(=obaasan), おばあちゃん(=obaachan) granny
•暮らす=kurasu=to live →暮らしてた(=Kurashiteta) I used to live

For some reason, I used to live with my grandma since I was in the third grade.

2) 実家の隣だったけどおばあ ちゃんと暮らしてた

Jikka no tonari datta kedo obaachan to kurashiteta

•実家(=jikka) my home, my parent’s house where I was raised.
•隣(=tonari) next door
•だったけど(=dattakedo) although, even if

My parents house was next door but I lived with my grandma.

3) 毎日お手伝いをして五目並 べもした

Mainichi otetsudai wo shite gomoku narabe mo shita

•毎日(=mainichi) everyday
•お手伝いをする(=otetsudai wo suru) to help ←手伝う(=tetsudau) to help
•五目並べ(=gomoku narabe) 5 stones in-a-row  (Japanese board game using white and black pieces)

I used to help my grandma everyday and we played goban together.

4) でもトイレ掃除だけ苦手な 私におばあちゃんがこう言った

Demo toire souji dake nigate na watashi ni obaachan ga kou itta

•トイレ掃除(=toire souji) cleaning the bathroom/toilet

•苦手(=nigate) not good at, to hate to do, not be able to do something well

→トイレ掃除だけ苦手な私に(=toire souji dake nigate na watashi ni)  to me who is only bad at cleaning the bathroom

But the only thing that I was not good at was cleaning the bathroom and my grandma told me,

5)「トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで

Toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megami sama ga irun yade

•トイレには(=toire niwa) in the bathroom, in the toilet

(Note : unlike western bathrooms, the stool is not in the actual bathroom in Japan.)

•それはそれは(=sorewa sorewa) very very, sooooo

Ex. それはそれは美味しかった。(=Sorewa sorewa oishikatta.) It was sooooo yummy!

•キレイな=綺麗な=kireina=beautiful, pretty
•女神(=megam)  Goddess

Note : By adding 様(=sama) we show the respect. 女神様（＝Megami sama)

神(=kami) →神様(=kami sama) God
仏(=hotoke)→仏様(=hotoke sama ) Buddha

•いるんやで(=irunyade)  Kansai (western part of Japan) dialect. ←いるんですよ(=irun desu yo) there is (a person) (for things) あるんですよ(=arundesu yo) →あるんやで(=arunyade) Kansai dialect.)

You know, there is a very beautiful Goddess in the toilet.

6)だから毎日 キレイにしたら 女神様みたいにべっぴんさんになれるんやで」

Dakara mainichi kirei ni shitara megami sama mitai ni beppin san ni narerun yade

•だから(=dakara) that is why, so
•キレイにしたら=綺麗にしたら(=kirei ni shitara) :  If you clean it (conditional sentence.)
•~みたいに(=mitaini) : like ~
•べっぴん(=Beppin) beautiful girl, pretty woman (old fashioned)
•〜になる(=~ni naru) to become
•~やで。(=~yade)  Kansai dialect →ですよ。(=desuyo)

That is why if you clean it every day, you will become very beautiful like a Goddess.

7) その日から私はトイレをピ カピカにし始めた

Sono hi kara watashi wa toire wo pikapika ni shihajimeta

•その日から(=sono hi kara) from that day
•ピカピカに(=pikapika ni) to make it shine ピカピカ(=pikapika) We use it to describe something shining or something news.

Ex.ピカピカの新車(=pika pika no shinsha) shiny brand new car

Ex. ピカピカの一年生(=Pika pika no ichinen sei) Fresh first grader.

•(verb) し始める(=~ shihajimeru) to start to (verb)

From that day on, I started cleaning the toilet very well until it sparkled.

8)べっぴんさんに絶対なりた くて毎日磨いてた

Beppin san ni zettai naritakute mainichi migaiteta

•~になりたくて(=~ni naritaku te) hoping to become ~
•絶対(=zettai) = definitely, absolutely, for sure
•毎日~てた。(mainichi ~teta) = to describe some daily action in the past
→毎日磨いてた(=migaiteta) use to polish (something) every day.

I polished it everyday because I really wanted to be beautiful.

9) 買い物に出かけた時には二 人で鴨なんば食べた。

Kaimono ni dekaketa toki niwa futari de kamonanba tabeta

•買い物に出かける(=kaimono ni dekakeru) to go out shopping
•~時には(=toki niwa) when (we) do something, whenever (we) do something
•二人で(=futari de) two of us, together
•鴨なんば(=kamo nanba)=鴨南蛮(=kamo nanban) Japanese noodles with duck meat.

•食べた(=tabeta) ate

When we went out for shopping, we ate kamonanba, noodle with duck meat, together.

10) 新喜劇録画し損ねたおばあちゃんを泣いて責めたりもした。

Shinkigeki rokuga shisokoneta obaachan wo naite sematari mo shita

•新喜劇(=shinkigeki) the literal meaning is new comedy theater. It refers 吉本新喜劇(=Yoshimoto Shinkigeki) a major comedy group in Kansai.
•録画する(=rokuga suru) to video record
•(verb+) 損ねる(=~ sokoneru) to miss+verb, to  fail +verb ing
→録画し損ねる(=rokuga shisokoneru) to fail video recording (the comedy show)
→録画し損ねたおばあちゃん(=rokuga shisokoneta obaachan) the grandma who failed video recording the show
•泣いて(=naite) crying
•責める(=semeru) to accuse, to blame, to get mad at
•~もした(=~ mo shita) I also did …
→責めたりもした。(=semetari mo shita) I have also accused my grandma for…

Crying, I  blamed my grandma for not having video taped “Shinkigeki”, (the comedy show that I liked.)

13) 少し大人になった私はおば あちゃんとぶつかった。

Sukoshi otona ni natta watashi wa obaachan to butsukatta

•少し(=sukoshi) a little
•大人になる(=otonani naru) to grow up
→少し大人になった私(=sukoshi otona ni natta watashi) I, who has grown up a bit,
•ぶつかる(=butukuaru) to face, run into each other, to clash
→(人）とぶつかる(=(a person) to butsukaru) to get in a fight with someone/ to have a difference of opinion with someone over

→ぶつかった(=butsukatta) past tense

When I got a little older, I bumped heads with my grandma.

14) 家族ともうまくやれなくて 居場所がなくなった。
Kazoku tomo umaku yarenakute ibasho ga nakunatta

•家族とも(=kazoku tomo) even with family
•うまくやる(=umaku yaru) to get along with someone →うまくやれない(=umaku yarenai) can’t get along with someone
•居場所(=ibasho) place to stay　→居場所がない(=ibasho ga nai) no place to be/stay, can’t fit in
•なくなった(=nakunatta) (have) disappeared, have gone

Also I couldn’t get along well with my family and couldn’t fit in.

15) 休みの日も家に帰らず彼氏と遊んだりした

Yasumi no hi mo ie ni kaerazu kareshi to asondari shita

•休みの日も(=yasumi no hi mo) even on day-offs
•家に帰らず(=ie ni kaerazu) without going home, not going home
•彼氏 or カレシ(=kareshi) boyfriend
•遊ぶ(=asobu) to play, to hang out
•~たりする(=tari suru) to do something like ~

I hung out with my boyfriend on my day-offs and didn’t go back home.

16) 五目並べも鴨なんばも二人 の間から消えてった

Gomoku narabe mo kamonanba mo futari no aida kara kietetta

•A も B も(=A mo B mo) A and B →even A and B
•二人の間 (=futari no aida) between us
•消える(=kieru) disappear →消えていった(=kiete itta) to have disappeared

Gobang and Kamonanba (noodle with duck meat) had disappeared from us.

This is a poetic way to explain that something special between the two of them had disappeared.

17) どうしてだろう 人は人を傷つけ大切なものをなくしてく
Doushitedarou hito wa hito wo kizutsuke taisetsu na mono wo nakushitek u

•どうしてだろう(=doushite darou) I wonder why
•人(=hito) people
•傷つける(=kizutsukeru) to hurt
•大切なもの(=taisetsu na mono) important things
•なくす(=nakusu) to lose →なくしていく(=nakushiteiku)→なくしてく(=nakushiteku) losing

Why do people hurt each other and lose something important

18) いつも味方をしてくれてた おばあちゃん残してひとりきり 家離れた
itsumo mikata wo shitekureteta obaachan nokoshite hitorikiri ie hanareta

•いつも(=itsumo) always
•味方する(=mikata suru) to be on one’s side, to take the part of, to stand for
•してくれる(=~shite kureru) to do something for me →(past tense) してくれた(=shite kureta) did something for me
•残す(=nokosu) to leave
→いつも味方をしてくれてた おばあちゃん残して(=Itsumo mikata wo shite kureta obaachan nokoshite) leaving my grandma who always took my side
•ひとりきり(=hitorikiri) just alone
•家離れた（=ie hanaerta) ←家を離れた(=ie wo hanareta) left home

I left home alone leaving my grandma who was always on my side.

19) 上京して２年が過ぎておばあちゃんが入院した。

Joukyou shite ninen ga sugite obaachan ga nyuuin shita

•上京する(=Joukyou suru) to go to Tokyo, to move to Tokyo
•２年が過ぎる(=ni nen ga sugiru) two years have passed
→上京して２年が過ぎて(=joukyou shite ninen ga sugite) two years have passed since I moved to Tokyo and..
•入院する(=nyuuin suru) to hospitalized, to be in the hospital

Related word : 退院する (=taiin suru) to be discharged from the hospital

Two years have passed since I came (or went) to Tokyo and my grandma was hospitalized.

20) 痩せて細くなってしまった おばあちゃんに会いに行った

yasete hosoku natte shimatta obaachan ni aini itta

•痩せて細くなる(=yasete hosoku naru) to get skinny and thin, losing weight and become thinner
•~になってしまった(=~ ni natte shimatta) to become, to get
→痩せて細くなってしまったおばあちゃん (=yasete hosoku natta obaachan) my grandma who got skinny and thin
•~に会いに行く(=~ni aini iku) to go see (someone)

I went to see my grandma who gotten skinnier and thinner.

21)「おばあちゃん、ただい まー！」ってわざと昔みたいに言ってみたけど
“Obaachan tadaimaa!” tte wazato mukashi mitai ni itte mitakedo

•ただいま！(=tadaima) I’m back, I’m home
•わざと(=wazato) on purpose, consciously
•昔みたいに(=mukashi mitaini) as in old days, just like I used to
•言ってみた(=Itte mita) tried to say
•けど(=kedo) but

I managed to say, “Granny, I am back!” just like in the old days but

22) ちょっと話しただけだった のに「もう帰りぃ。」って 病室を出された
Chotto hanashita dakedatta noni “Mou kaerii” tte byoushitu wo dasareta.

•ちょっと(=chotto) a bit, a little
•ちょっと〜だけだったのに(=chotto ~ dake datta noni) just/only did ~ and (result)
•話したかった(=hanashitakatta) I wanted to talk
→ちょっと話したかっただけなのに(=chotto hanashitakatta dake nanoni) I wanted to talk with her just a little bit but
•「もう帰り(ぃ)」(=Mou kaeri(i)) Kansai dialect ←もう帰りなさい。(=Mou kaeri nasai) Go home now./Why don’t you go home already.
•病室(=byoushitsu) hospital room
•~を出された(=dasareta) to be kicked out from ~　Also ~ から出された(=~ kara dasareta)

We talked just a little bit and my grandma told me “Go home already!” and she urged me to leave.

23) 次の日の朝 おばあちゃんは静かに眠りについた。

Tsugi no hi no asa obaachan wa shizuka ni nemuri ni tsuita

•次の日の朝(=tsugi no hi no asa) the next morning = 翌朝(=yoku asa)
•静かに眠りについた(=shizuka ni nemuri ni tsuita) fell in sleep quietly →to pass away quietly

Note: 眠りにつく(=nemuri ni tsuku) has two meaning. The literal meaning is to fall in sleep. It also means to pass away.

The next day, my grandma passed away quietly.

24) まるで まるで 私が来るのを待っていてくれたように

marude marude watashi ga kuru no wo matte ite kureta you ni

•まるで~様に(=marude~ you ni) as if
•私を待っていてくれた(=~wo matte ite kureta)=was/has been waiting for me (for my favor)
→まるで私が来るのを待っていてくれたように(=maru de watashi ga kuru no wo matte ite kureta you ni)
(It was as if) she had been waiting for me to come see her

It was like as if she was waiting for me to come see her (before she went.)

25) ちゃんと育ててくれたのに 恩返しもしてないのに
chanto sodatete kureta noin ongaeshi mo shitenai noni

•ちゃんと(=chanto) properly =きちんと(=kichinto)
•育てる(=sodateru) to raise
•育ててくれる(=sodatete kureru) to raise someone for one’s favor
•〜のに(=noni) although, even if
•恩返しをする(=ongaeshi wo suru) to return a favor, to show gratitude
→恩返しもしてないのに(=ongaeshi mo shitenai noni) Even though I haven’t done anything for her to return the favor

Even though she raised me properly and I haven’t done anything for her to return yet

26) いい孫じゃなかったのにこ んな私を待っててくれたんやね
ii mago ja nakatta noni konna watashi wo mattete kuretanya ne

•いい孫(=ii mago) nice/good grandchild
•いい孫じゃなかったのに(=ii mago ja nakatta noni) Even though I was not a good grandchild
•こんな私(=konnna watashi) a person like me (self-deprecationg way)
•〜を待っていてくれた(=~wo matte ite kureta) was waiting for (someone) for one’s favor

I was not a good grandchild but she was waiting for me.

27) 「トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで」

“Toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megamisama ga irun yade”

“There is a very very beautiful Goddess in the bathroom.”

28) おばあちゃんがくれた言葉 は 今日の私をべっぴんさんにしてくれてるかな

obaachan ga kureta kotoba wa kyou no watashi wo beppin san ni shite kureteru kana

•〜がくれた(=~ga kureta) ~ gave me
→おばあちゃんがくれた言葉(=obaachan ga kureta kotoba) the words my grandma gave me
•私をべっぴんさんにしてくれる(=Watashi wo beppin san ni shite kureru) to make me a beautiful girl
•~かな(=~kana) I wonder

I wonder if her words made me beautiful.

29) 「トイレには それはそれはキレイな女神様がいるんやで」

toire niwa sorewa sorewa kireina megami sama ga irunyade

There is a very very beautiful Goddess in the toilet.

30) 「だから毎日 キレイにしたら 女神様みたいにべっぴんさんになれるんやで」

dakara mainichi kirei ni shitara megami sama mitaini beppin san ni narerunyade

So if you clean it every day, you will be as beautiful as a Goddess.

31) 気立てのよいお嫁さんになるのが夢だった私は

kidate no yoi oyomesan ni naru noga yume datta watashi wa

•気だてのよい(=kidate no yoi) to have a pleasant disposition, sweet
•お嫁さん(=oyomesan) a wife/ a bride
•夢(=yume) dream
→~になるのが夢だ。(=~ni naru no ga yume da) My dream is to become

(Since) my dream is to be a sweet wife.

32) 今日もせっせとトイレをピ カピカにする

kyou mo sesse to toire wo pikapika ni suru

•今日も(=kyou mo) also today→everyday
•せっせと(=sesseto) to be hard at work

I clean the bathroom very hard until it gets nice and clean everyday.

33) おばあちゃん    おばあちゃん   ありがとう

obaachan  obaachan  arigagtou

Granny, Granny, Thank you!

34) おばあちゃん  ホンマに ありがとう

obaachan honma ni arigatou

•ホンマに(=honmani) Kansai dialect ←本当に(=hontou ni) very much

Thank you, Granny, from the bottom of my heart.

:maggie-small: Now listen to the song again until you cry!

マギー先生より(=Maggie sensei yori) From Maggie Sensei

私の様にべっぴんさんになりたければ今日からトイレをピカピカに掃除してね。

(=Watashi no you ni beppin san ni naritakereba kyou kara toire wo pikapika ni souji shitene.)

If you want to be as beautiful as me, start cleaning the bathroom until it shines from today.

それから大切な人にありがとうって遅くなる前に言って下さい。

(=Sorekara taisetsu na hito ni “Arigatou”tte osoku naru mae ni itte kudasai.)

And say thank you to someone who you care about before it gets too late!

私もおばあちゃんに会いたいよう！

Watashi mo obaachan ni aitai you!

I miss my grandma!

愛しています。(=Aishite imasu.) I love you.

「ねえ、私のこと愛してる？」

(=Nee watashi no koto aishiteru?)

Hey, do you love me?

「好き？嫌い？はっきりして！」

(=Suki? Kirai? Hakkiri shite!)

Do you like me or not? Which is it?!

愛してる=Aishiteru=I love you!

(I made a special sound video with gimmeaflakeman! You can study this lesson with us!)

Today we will learn how to express LOVE ♥ in Japanese.

Love in Japanese is 愛=ai.

•人間愛(=ningen ai) love towards for your fellow
•兄弟愛(=kyoudai ai) brotherly love
•愛のある生活(=Ai no aru seikatsu) Life with love
•愛情(=aijou) affection

The verb form is : 愛する(=aisuru)

•愛する人(=aisuru hito) loved one, a person you love

“I love you!” in Japanese is,

•「私は、あなたを愛しています。」=Watashi wa anata wo aishite imasu.
•「僕は君を愛しています。」=Boku wa kimi wo aishite imasu. (male talk)

Or we often omit the subject and and object and just say,

•「愛しています。」(=Aishite imasu.)
（more casual)
•「愛してる。」(=Aishiteru) Love you!
•「愛しているよ。」(=Aishite iru yo) This sounds a bit boyish.
•「愛してるよ。」(=Aishiteru yo.) This sounds a bit boyish.

「愛しています 。or 愛してる(=Aishiteru or Aishiteru) 」(=Aishite imasu.) is a very heavy and special phrase.

We use 好き です (=Suki desu) much more often than 愛しています(=Aishiteimasu) or 愛してる(=Aishiteru).
好き(=suki) means “to like“. And of course, 愛している(=Aishitteiru) has a much deeper meaning but if you say 好きです(=Suki desu.) sincerely, you will be able to accurately express your love in a way that is equal to the meaning of  愛しています。(=Aishite imasu.)

*あなたのことが好きです。(=Anata no koto ga suki desu.)    →あなたのことが好き！(=”Anata no koto ga suki!”) This sounds a bit girlie.

*あなたが好きです。(=Anata ga suki desu.) →あなたが好き！(=”Anata ga suki!”) This sounds a bit girlie

Note : They both mean “I like you. /I am fond of you.”→“I love you.” It is very common to add ~のこと(=~no koto) after a pronoun to refer that person.
のこと(=no koto) means “things about〜” and it  implies the (whole) existence of that person. It can emphasize that person. At the same time it sometimes works to temper or lessen the feeling or power of that sentence — and yes this seems very contradictory, but I’m sure all languages have these subtle nuances. We use “こと”(=koto) to make the sentence softer while  あなたが好きです。(=Anata ga sukidesu.) sound very straight.

Ex. 君が好き(=Kimi ga suki)→君のことが好き(=Kimi no koto ga suki.) I like/love you. (male talk.)

Ex. あなたが信用できない。(=Anata ga shinyou dekinai.)

→あなたのことが信用できない。(=Anata no koto ga shinyou dekinai.) I can’t trust you.

Ex. 彼、あの子が好きなんだって。(=Kare anoko ga sukinan datte.)→彼、あの子のことが好きなんだって。(=Kare anoko no koto ga sukinan datte.) They said he liked her. / I heard he liked her.

OK, now, if you like that person a lot, you can say ”大好き“(=daisuki) or “めちゃめちゃ好き”(=mechamecha suki)

*あなたが大好きです。(=Anata ga daisuki desu.)

→あなたが大好き！(=Anata ga daisuki) sounds a bit girlie

*あなたのことがめちゃめちゃ好きです。(=Anata no koto ga mechamecha desu.)

→あなたのことめちゃめちゃ好き！(=Anata no koto daisuki!) sounds a bit girlie.

Both mean “I like you a lot. /I am very fond of you.”→“I love you.”
As in English, this is not just for romantic relationship. Kids and parents also say this to each other “I love you”, using 好き(=suki). They almost never use 愛してる(=aishiteru) face to face.

*「ママのこと大好き！」(=Mama no koto daisuki!) I love you, Mom! / I love my mom!
*「お父さん、私のこと好き？」(=Otousan, watashi no koto suki?) Dad, do you like/love me?

I know it all depends on the couple but compared to westerners, we don’t say 「愛しています 。(or 愛してる)」(=Aishite imasu / Aishiteru))  , “I love you!” face to face in daily life so much.
But don’t misunderstand. There is love in Japan! We are just more shy and just not good very at expressing it verbally. Or we prefer expressing our love in more subtle ways.  Some people think 言葉にすると軽くなる or 安っぽくなる(=Kotoba ni suru to karuku naru / yasuppoku naru.) If you say something (so often/casually) it will become cheesy.

So when do we say “I love you!”?

★We say it when we tell someone “I love you!” for the first time, confessing our love.

*告白する (=kokuhaku suru) to confess (one’s love)
*告白される (=kokuhaku sareru) to be confessed. (Someone confesses their love to you.)

(Note : 告白する(=kokuhaku suru) generally means to confess but it means to tell someone “I love you!” or how much you love that person for the first time because it is a big deal for us.)

Slang:
*コクる (=kokuru) to confess
*コクられる (=kokurareru) to be confessed to (Someone confesses their love to you)

Ex. 彼に告白した。(=Kare ni kokuhaku shita.)  I confessed (my love) to him.

Ex. 彼にコクられた。(=Kare ni kokurareta) I was confessed by him. →He confessed me. Slang

more shallow

口説く(=kudoku) to come on to someone/ to hit on /make a pass at someone

*彼に口説かれた。(=Kare ni kudokareta) He hit on me.
*彼女を口説いた。(=Kanojo wo kudoita.) I made a pass at her.
*口説き文句(=kudoki monku) a pick-up line / loving words

★Younger couples are not so shy about expressing their love.

*「好きだよ。」(=Sukidayo) I like/love you!
*「大好き！」(=Daisuki)  I really like/love you!
*「愛してる！」(=Aishiteru)  I love you!

They say it or text it to their sweethearts more casually.

★Also when we see our own feeling of love objectively and refer to it, we use the “L” word.

*彼を心から愛していました。

(=Kare wo kokoro kara aishite imashita.)

I loved him from the bottom of my heart.

*彼女を本当は好きではありませんでした。/愛していませんでした。
(=Kanojo wo hontou wa suki de wa arimasen deshita./ Aishite imasen deshita.)
To be honest, I didn’t like/love her.

Note: In Japanese 彼(=kare) could be personal pronoun“he” or “boyfriend” while 彼女(=kanojo) could be “she” or “girlfriend“

EX.「彼いるの？」(=Kare iruno?)=彼氏／カレシいるの？(=Kareshi iruno?)

Do you have a boyfriend?

EX.「僕には彼女がいます。」(=Boku niwa kanojo ga imasu.)

I have a girlfriend.

(Or 「私/僕には付き合っている人 がいます。」(=Watashi/Boku niwa tsukiatte iru hito ga imasu.) I’m been seeing someone.)

* 彼 (=kare) 彼氏/カレシ(=kareshi) boyfriend

*彼女/カノ ジョ(=kanojo) girlfriend

 Young people stress the ending sound.

→カレシ(=kareshi)

カ ノジョ(=kanojo)

while older generation say,

→カレシ(=kareshi)

カノジョ(=kanojo)

*元カレ(=moto kare) ex-boyfriend (colloquial)
*元カノ(=moto kano) ex-girlfriend (colloquial)
*ボーイフレン ド(=bouifurendo) boyfriend
*ガールフレ ン ド(=gaaru furendo) girlfriend

★Or when you accuse your sweetheart of becoming cold!

Ex. 私のこともう愛してないの？

(=Watashi no koto mou aishite naino?)
You don’t love my anymore?

Ex. 僕のこと好きっていったのに嘘だったの？
(=Boku no koto sukitte itta no ni uso datta no?)
Were you lying when you said you loved me?

***********************************

Let’s continue…

<Other expressions to show your love>

•あなたがずっと好きでした。

(=Anata ga zutto suki deshita.)

I’ve always loved you.

•あなたは私にとって大切な人です。

(=Anata wa watashi ni totte taisetsu na hito desu.)

You are very special (to me.)

•大切 (=taisetsu) literally means “important”.

•君は僕にとって大切な人だ。

(=Kimi wa boku ni totte taisetsu na hito da.) (male talk.)

You are very special.

•あなたのことを大切に思っています。

(=Anata no koto wo taisetsu ni omotte imasu.)
I care about you.

•私にはあなたが必要です。

(=Watashi ni wa anata ga hitsuyou desu.)

I need you.

•僕にはあなたが必要なんだ。

(=Boku ni wa anata ga hitsuyou nanda.) (male talk.)

I need you

.

•君（あなた）とずっと一緒にいたい。
(=Kimi (Anata) to zutto issho ni itai.)
I want to be with you for good. ( boys use 君(=kimi) )

•あなたを幸せにしたい。
(=Anata wo shiawase ni shitai.)
I want to make you happy.

•ずっと側にいたい。
(=Zutto soba ni itai.)
I want to be with you.

•側 (=soba) literally means “next to” or “close to”.

• ずっと君を守ってあげたい。
(=Zutto kimi wo mamotte agetai.) （male talk.)
I want to protect you forever.

They are all a bit corny and clichéd. 

If a third person hears these, they might say,
あっま〜〜い！(=Ammaaai!) , How sweeeet! (→甘い=amai=sweet) Too sweet!

or
くさい(or クサイ）セリフ（or 台詞）！(=kusai serifu)  The original meaning of くさい=臭い(=kusai) is stinky or smelly. But we also use it when we hear something overly clichéd or corny. (セリフ/ 台詞(=serifu) : line)

But I personally love to hear them.♥

＜恋＞(=koi) love, romantic love, fancy, romance

While 愛(=ai) is deeper and more general in that it includes love for people, animals, earth, and countries, etc. 恋(=koi)  is just for romantic love.　In my definition, 愛(=ai) is something unconditional but 恋(=koi) could be infatuation or ドキドキする(=dokidoki suru.) something that makes your heart beat.  There is 永遠の愛(=eien no ai) eternal love but there isn’t a word 永遠の恋(=eien no koi)

*恋に落ちる(=koi ni ochiru)
to fall in love

Note: We never say 愛に落ちる(=ai ni ochiru.)

*恋する(=koisuru) adj.
(to be)in love

*恋する二人(=koisuru futari)
two people in love

*恋している(=koishiteiru)／恋をしている(=koi wo shiteiru.)
to be in love

→「私（は）、~に恋(を)していま す。」

(=Watashi (wa) ~ ni koi (wo) shiteimasu.) I am in love with (someone).

Ex. マギーは潤に恋している。
(=Maggie wa Jun ni koishite iru.)
Maggie is in love with Jun.

Note: When we use 愛する(=aisuru) here, we say,

Ex.マギーは潤を愛している。

(=Maggie wa Jun wo aishite iru.)

Maggie loves Jun.

*恋人(=koibito) loved one, boyfriend, girlfriend

Note: Careful not to say 愛人(=aijin). 愛人(=aijin) is someone — male or female — you are having an affair with, like a mistress, etc.

*恋人同士(=koibito doushi) a couple

Ex.私達は恋人同士です。(=Watashitachi wa koibito doushi desu.)  We are a couple.

This sound more romantic than

私達は付き合っています。

(=Watashitachi wa tsukiatte imasu.)
We are seeing each other.

•初恋(=hatsukoi) first love

Ex.あなたは私の初恋の人でした。
=Anata wa watashi no hatsukoi no hito deshita.
You were my first love/crush.

•恋愛(=renai) love, love affair, romance

Ex. あの二人は 恋愛関係にある。
(=Ano futari wa renai kankei ni aru.)
They are in love.

Ex.もうかなり 長い間恋愛から遠ざかっている。
=Mou kanari nagai aida renai kara touzakatte iru.
I haven’t had a relationship for a long time.

•恋話/恋ばな(=koibana) (slang) romantic stories ←恋愛話(=renai banashi)

•恋仲(=koinaka) to be in love, to be in a romantic relationship (old fashioned)

Ex. 彼らは恋仲だ。(=Karera wa koinaka da.) They have a romantic relationship.(old fashioned)

•恋敵(=koigataki) rival in love (a bit old fashioned)=恋のライバル(=koi no raibaru)

Cultural Note :

Sometimes we change the titles of western movies completely and replace them with some catchy Japanese titles.

There are many romantic movies that use the kanji 恋(=koi)  in their titles.

Can you guess the original movie title from the Japanese titles?

♥恋するベーカリー(Koi suru beikarii) A bakery in love (←the literal meaning)

“It’s Complicated”

♥恋人たちの予感(=Koibito tachi no yokan) Expected to be lovers (←the literal meaning)

“When Harry Met Sally”

♥それでも恋するバルセロナ(=Soredemo koisuru Barucelona) Still Barcelona is in love. (←the literal meaning)

“Vicky Christina Barcelona”

♥恋愛小説家(=Renai shousetsuka) Novelist of love (←the literal meaning)

“As Good As It Gets”

♥恋のから騒ぎ(=Koi no karasawagi) Carried out for love (←the literal meaning)

“10 Things I Hate About You”

♥ニューヨークの恋人(=New York no koibito) Loves in N.Y. (←the literal meaning)

“Kate &Leopold”

and many more…

<Other love related words>

•一目惚れ(=hitomebore) love at first sight

•惚れる(=horeru) to be in love with someone, to fall in love with someone

Ex. あの子に惚れた！(=Anoko ni horeta!) I’m in love with her.

Ex.「惚れてしまうやろ〜！」 (=Horete shimajuyarou!)

“(If you are so sweet to me) I will fall in love with you!/I can’t help falling in love with you.”

Osaka dialect. This phrase became popular last year when one comedy duo started to use it as their punch line.

•片思い(=kata omoi) one-sided love, unrequited love

Ex.マギーは片思いをしている。
(=Maggie wa kataomoi wo shiteiru.)
Maggie has a crush on someone.

•両思い(=ryou omoi) to be in love with each other

•熱々(=atsuatsu) lovey-dovey

•ラブラブ(=raburabu) lovey-dovey

Ex.ラブラブだね！(=Raburabu dane)

You guys are lovey-dovey!

•熱い仲(=atsui naka) in love

Ex.彼らは熱い仲だ。(=Karera wa atsui naka da.)

They are in love

•仲良し(=nakayoshi) or 仲がい い(=naka ga ii) to be very close

(You can use it for friendship as well.)

<おまけ>(=Omake)  Bonus!

Are you in love now? Then here are some useful phrases to get closer to that person you like.

<The first step!  >

In Japan, when we like someone, we often ask the person out subtly.

First of all, ask for their email or phone number.

Ex. メールアドレス(or メルアド）交換しない？
(=Meiru adoresu(meruado)  koukan shinai?)
Do you want to exchange email addresses?

Ex. 電話番号聞いてもいい？
(=Denwa bangou kiitemo ii?)
Do you mind if I ask your phone number?

Ex. 暇な時に連絡くれる？
(=Hima na toki ni renraku kureru?)
Can you contact me when you are free?

<誘う>(=sasou) to ask someone out

Then ask them out. Check to see if they are interested in going out with you alone.

Ex. 今度一緒にどこかに遊びに行きませんか？／行かない？
(=Kondo issho ni dokoka ni asobini ikimasen ka?/ikanai? ←more casual)
Do you want to go out with me sometime? / Do you wanna go out with me sometime?

Ex. 今度の日曜日空いてる？
(=Kondo no nichiyoubi aiteru?)
Are you free next Sunday?

Ex. 今度映画でも観に行かない？
(=Kondo eiga demo mini ikanai?)
Do you wanna go see a movie sometime?

Ex. ちょっと美味しい店があるんだけど今度一緒にいかない？
(=Chotto oishii mise ga arundakedo kondo issho ni ikanai?)
I know a good restaurant. Do you wanna go there with me sometime?

(more direct)

Ex. 今度、どこかに連れて行ってくれない？
(=Kondo dokoka ni tsurete itte kurenai?)
Can you take me out sometime? (female talk.)

Ex. 今度どこかに一緒にデートしない？
(=Kondo dokoka ni issho ni deeto shinai?)
Do you wanna go on a date sometime?

Ex. 今、付き合っている人はいますか？
(=Ima tsukiatte iru hito wa imasu ka?)
Are you seeing anybody?

Ex. 二人でどこかに行かない？
(=Futari de dokoka ni shokuji demo ikanai?)
Do you wanna go somewhere — just the two of us?

If someone asks you out, it is obvious that they like you!
And if you ask someone and they say ちょっと..(=chotto…) go check my ちょっとlesson, immediately!

<デート>(=deito) date

•デートする(=deito suru)
to go on a date

•「今度、デートしない？」(=Kondo deito shinai?)
Do you wanna go out with me sometime?

•彼とデートする(=Kare to deito suru.)
to have a date with a boyfriend

•「日曜日はデートの約束があるの。」

(=Nichiyoubi wa deito no yakusoku ga aruno.) (female talk)
I have a date with him this Sunday.
•初デートでドライブに行く。

(=hatsu deito de doraibu ni iku)
to go on a drive on a first date.

•人気デートスポット(=Ninki deito supotto)
popular date spots

<If your relationship gets steady..>

＊交際する(=kousai suru) to go out (formal)

When celebrities are spotted dating, they often have a special interview and do
交際宣言(=kousai sengen) an official announcement to tell people they are officially seeing each other.

＊付き合う(=tsukiau) to go out with someone

→付き合っている(=tsukiatteiru) seeing someone

Ex. 付き合っている人がいます。
(=tsukiatte iru hito ga imasu.)
I am seeing someone.

Ex.「私達、付き合ってるの。」
(=Watashitachi tsukiatteruno.)
We are seeing each other. (female talk)

Ex. 「僕達、付き合っているんだ。」
(=Bokutachi tsukiatte irunda)
We are seeing each other. (male talk)

Ex.付き合い始めたばかりだからどうなるかわかりません。
(=tsukiai hajimeta bakari dakara dounaru ka wakarimasen.)
I have just started to see someone so I don’t know what is going to happen in the future.

If you like someone very much and want to go out with them, you ask,

•「私（僕）とお付き合いして下さい。」

(=Watashi/Boku to otsukiai shite kudasai.)

Please go out with me. (polite)

•「私（僕）と付き合って下さい。」

(=Watashi/Boku to tsukiatte kudasai.)

Go out with me, please.

•「よかったら、私（僕）と付き合ってくれる？」

(=Yokattara watashi/boku to tsukiatte kureru?)

If possible, will you go out with me?

*僕(=boku) is for men

<Getting more serious?>

Or are you more serious and thinking about marriage?
→まじめな(お)付き合い(=Majime na (o)tsukiai) or
真剣な（お）付き合い(=Shinken na (o)tsukiai)
serious relationship

If you are very committed, you can ask,

•「正式にお付き合いして下さい。」
(=Seishiki ni tsukiatte kudasai.)
Please go out with me officially.

•「結婚を前提にお付き合いして下さい。」
(=Kekkon wo zenntei ni otsukiai shite kudasai.)
I would like to have a relationship with you with the object eventually being marriage.

Now, good luck finding your sweetheart, everyone!

From the pic. above,

「ね え、私のこと愛してる？」

(=Nee watashi no koto aishiteru?)

Hey, do you love me?

「好 き？嫌い？はっきりして！」

(=Suki? Kirai? Hakkiri shite!)

Do you like me or not? Make yourself clear!

マギー先生より(=Maggie Sensei yori) From Maggie sensei

日本語での愛の表現を覚えましたか？それでは、誰か練習で私に愛を告白してみて下さい。
(=Nihongo deno ai no hyougen wo oboemashita ka? Soredewa dareka watashi ni ai wo kokuhaku shite mite kudasai.)
Did you learn how to express love in Japanese? So, who is going to confess their love to me in the comments?

「みんな、いつもこのサイトに来てくれて有り難う！」

Minna itsumo kono saito ni kite kurete arigatou!

Thank you, everyone, for always coming to this site!

Today’s lesson is about 有り難う / ありがとう（=arigatou),Thank you!

It is one of my favorite words!   In this lesson, I will teach you how to express our appreciation properly in Japanese.

****************************************
Let’s check the kanji first.
有り難う

•有る(=aru) means to exist
•難い(=katai/gatai) means to be difficult

So it originally means it is rare or difficult to have something or exist. So not to take it for granted to receive kindness or gifts because it is rare and appreciate it!

Ex. 有り難き幸せ(=arigataki shiawase) (Classic Japanese) To be grateful for you happiness.

→I am very grateful for my happiness.

Adjective : 有り難い(=arigatai)
Let’s see other expression of using 有り難い(=arigatai)

Ex.「有り難い（です）！」

(=Arigatai (desu.)!)

It helped me a lot.

Ex.「有り難いことです。」

（=Arigatai koto desu.)

It was a great help for me. I really appreciate it.

Ex.  有り難いお言葉

(=arigatai okotoba)

thoughtful words

Ex.「お言葉は有り難いのですが…」

(=Okotoba wa arigatai no desu ga..)(set phrase)

I appreciate your thoughtful words but….

•~は有り難い。(=~ wa arigatai) = help me a lot. ~ is a great help for me. I appreciate ~.

Ex. 雨の中、駅まで迎えに来てもらえるのは有り難い。
(=Ame no naka eki made mukae ni kite moraeru nowa arigatai.)_
I appreciate them picking me up at the station in this rainy weather.

•有り難く思う。

(=arigataku omou.)

to appreciate something

•有り難いと思う。

(=arigatai to omou.)

to appreciate something

Ex.  このご時世、仕事があるだけでも有り難く(or 有り難いと)思わなくてはいけない。
(=Kono gojisei, shigoto ga aru dake demo arigataku (arigataito) omowanakuete wa ikenai)
We have to appreciate just being employed these days.

•有り難いことに (=Arigatai koto ni) Thankfully…/Fortunately/Luckily..

Ex. 有り難いことに明日は日曜日だ。

（=Arigatai koto ni ashita wa nichiyoubi da.)
Thanks God, it’s Sunday tomorrow!

Ex. 有り難いことにその時間(に）、まだ銀行がやっていた。

(=Arigatai koto ni sono jikan(ni)  mada ginkou ga yatteita.)
Fortunately, the bank was still open at that time.

The opposite of 有り難い(=arigatai) is

•有り難くない(=arigataku nai.) Not favorable

Ex. こんなものをもらっても有り難くない。

(=Konna mono wo moratte mo arigataku nai.)

It’s hard to feel grateful for a gift like this.

There is also a word, ありがた迷惑(=arigata meiwaku) unwelcome favor, intrusive kindness

Ex. 一人暮らしなのにこんなに一杯の食べ物をもらってもありがた迷惑だ。
(=Hitori gurashi nanoni konnani ippai no tabemono wo moratte mo arigata meiwaku da.)
I live alone and so it’s actually hard to feel grateful for getting all this unwanted food. (Thanks for nothing!)

****************************************

OK, now we will lean how to say thank you in Japanese.

•有り難う / ありがとう(=Arigatou) Thank you!

You can use both kanji and hiragana.

More polite:
「有り難うございます。」

(=Arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you so much.

The past tense for 有り難うございます。(=Arigatou gozaimasu.) is 有り難うございました。(=Arigatou gozaimashita.)

Ex.先日は、有り難うございました。

(=Senjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you very much for the other day.

But let’s imagine you are invited to a party and you want to thank the host at the entrance before the party starts, what would you say?

In this case you can say either,

Ex. 今日は、お招き頂き有り難うございます。

(=Kyou wa omaneki itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for inviting me today.

or

Ex. 今日は、お招き頂き有り難うございました。

(=Kyou wa omaneki itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for having invited me today.

When you leave the party, you should say ~ございました。(=gozaimashita.)

ありがとう/有り難う(=Arigatou) can be used both for the present and past situation.

Ex. この間は、ありがとう。(=Kono aida wa arigatou)

Thanks for the other day!

Ex. この間は、ありがと（う）ね。(=Kono aida wa arigato(u)ne.)

Thanks for the other day!

Thank you,too! in Japanese is:

•こちらこそ！(=Kochirakoso) Thank you,too!

•こちらこそ、有り難う！(=Kochirakoso arigatou)

Thank you, too!

******************************************
Basic pattern

*Thank you for + object

*object+ (を)ありがとう／有り難う(=object + (wo) arigatou.)

*object+ (を)有り難うございました。(=object+ (wo) arigatou gozaimashita.)

Ex. 素敵なプレゼントをありがとう。
(=Sutekina purezento  wo arigatou.)
Thank you for the nice present! (casual)

Ex貴重なお時間を有り難うございました。

(=Kichou na ojikan wo arigatou gozaimashita.) (formal)
Thank you for your precious time.

Ex. 先日は、貴重なもの*をどうも有り難うございました。

(=Senjitsu wa kichou na mono wo arigatou gozaimashita.)
Thank you for the precious things the other day.

•珍しいもの(=mezurashii mono) something rare
•美味しいもの(=oishii mono)  something delicious
•結構なもの(=kekkou na mono) something really nice

*Verb + くれて＋ありがとう(=verb + kurete+ arigatou)

•来る(=kuru) to come→来て(=kite)
→来てくれてありがとう。(=Kite kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for coming.

•教える(=oshieru) to teach→教えて(=oshiete)
→教えてくれてありがとう。(=Oshiete kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for teaching (me).

•手伝う(=tetsudau) to help →手伝って(=tetsudatte)
→手伝ってくれてありがとう。(=Tetsudatte kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for helping (me).

•誘う(=sasou) to invite →誘って(=sasotte)
→誘ってくれ てありがとう。(=Sasotte kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for inviting.

Note : Typical mistake

Ex. Incorrect 美味しい料理を作ってもらってありがとう。

(=Oishii ryouri wo tsukutte moratte arigatou.)

Correct 美味しい料理を作ってくれて有り難う。(=Oishii ryouri wo tsukutte kurete arigatou)
Thank you for making delicious meal!

Please check the くれる lesson for more!

More formal:

Verb + 下さって+ありがとうございます。(=verb + kudasatte+arigatou gozaimasu.)

•教える(=oshiete) to teach→教えて(=oshiete)
→教えて下さってありがとうございます。

(=Oshiete kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.)

Thank you so much for teaching (me).

•作る(=tsukuru) to make →作って(=tsukutte)
→作って下さって有り難うございます。

(=Tsukutte kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.)

Thank you so much for making (it for me.)

Another formal pattern:

verb + し/て+頂きありがとうございます。

(=verb+sh/te + itadaki+arigatou gozaimasu.)

•来る(=kuru) to come→(polite form) お越し(=okoshi)

→お越し頂き有り難うございます。

(=Okoshi itadaki arigatougozaimasu.)

Thank you for coming.

Note: We also say いらして下さって(=irashite kudasatte)

Ex. お足元が悪い中、わざわざお超し頂き有り難うございました。

(=Oashi moto ga warui naka wazawaza okoshi itadaki arigatougozaimashita.) very formal
Thank you so much for coming in this bad weather.

Note : 足元が悪い(=Ashimoto ga warui) 　足元(=ashimoto) means under foot which means ground. When it rains, the ground gets wet and muddy and makes it hard to walk.
So this expression shows appreciation towards a person who has come a long way in bad weather.

•買う(=kau) to buy →買い上げする(=Okaiage suru) to buy out

→お買い上げ頂く(=Okaiage itadaku) to buy (very formal)

→お買い上げ頂き有り難うございました。

（＝Okaiage itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for buying.

Ex. 本製品をお買い上げ頂きまして誠にありがとうございました。

(=Honseihin wo okaiage itadakimashite makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.)
You will see this phrase in any instruction manual for products you’ve bought.

Other formal set phrases which use 頂く(=itadaku) :

Ex. ご来店頂きまして、誠にありがとうございます。

(=Goraiten itadakimashite makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu.) formal
Thank you for coming to our store.
(You will hear this announcement in big department stores.)

Ex. 御配慮頂きまして有り難うございました。

(=Gohairyo itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita) very polite

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
(We hear or see this phrase in a formal or business situations.)

Ex. お骨折り頂きまして有り難うございました。

(=Ohoneori itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita.) very polite

Thank you very much for your hard work.

Note : 骨折る(=honeoru) literally means to break one’s bone. Conversationally it means to trouble, to do hard and tough work.

********************************
To emphasize thank you, you add, どうも(=doumo)、本当に(-hontouni)、心から(=kokorokara) in front.

Thank you very much.

•どうも有り難う。

(=Doumo arigatou.)  casual

•どうも有り難うございます。

(=Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.)  polite

•どうも有り難うございました。

(=Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you very much.

•本当にありがとう。

(=Hontou ni arigatou.) casual

•本当にありがとうございます。

(=Hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu.) polite

•本当にありがとうございました。

(=Hontou ni arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you for everything.

•いろいろ有り難う。

(=Iroiro arigatou.) casual

•いろいろ有り難うございます。

(=Iroiro arigatou gozaimasu.)  polite

•いろいろ有り難うございました。

(=Iroiro arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you for your kindness.

•ご親切に有り難うございます。

(=Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.)  polite

•ご親切に有り難うございました。

(=Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you for the other day

•先日は有り難うございました。

(=Senjitsu wa arigatougozaimashita.) polite

•その節は有り難うございました。

(=Sono setsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.) polite

Culture note : If you have receive a gift, it is considered to be polite to say thank you to the person who gave it to you the next time you see them as well.

If you really appreciate it, you can combine them.

Ex. 本当にいろいろ有り難うございました。

(=Hontou ni iroiro arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you so much for everything.

Ex. ご親切にどうも有り難うございました。

(=Goshinsetsu ni doumo arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you so much for your kindness.

<感謝>（=kansha) appreciation

verb : 感謝する(=kansha suru) to appreciate

I appreciate 〜)
•(〜に)感謝しています。(=(~ ni) kansha shite imasu.)
•(〜に)感謝しております。(=(~ ni) kansha shite ori imasu.) more polite

You can add 本当に(=hontouni) very much, truly , 心から(=kokoro kara) sincerely, 深く(=fukaku) deeply in front to emphasize your appreciation.

Ex. この度のことは、本当に感謝しております。

（=Konotabi no koto wa hontou ni kansha shite orimasu.)
I really appreciate you regarding this issue.

Ex.感謝の気持ちで一杯です。

(=Kansha no kimochi de ippai desu.)
I feel very grateful.

Ex.(〜に)深く感謝しています/おります。

（=(~ni) fukaku kansha shite imasu/orimasu.)

I deeply appreciate it.

*I appreciate sincerely (for…)

Ex.心より（or から）感謝しています。/おります。

(=kokoro yori/kara kansha shite imasu./orimasu)  polite

Ex. ご親切、心から感謝しております。

(=Goshinsetsu kokoro kara kansha shite orimasu.)

I sincerely appreciate your kindness.

Ex. 御好意 に、心より感謝しております。

(=Gokoui ni kokoro yori  kansha shite orimasu.)

I sincerely appreciate your doing me a favor.

There is also a word, 深謝（=shinsha) deep appreciation (very formal)

verb form:深謝する(=shinsha suru)

Ex. この件では、ご尽力を頂き深謝しております。

（Konoken dewa gojinryoku wo itadaki shinsha shite orimasu.)
I truly appreciate your had work for this matter.

Ex.感謝の言葉もありません。（=Kansha no kotoba mo arimasen.) “I can’t thank enough.”

<御礼>（=orei)

Ex.心より（or 心から）御礼申し上げます。

(=kokoro yori/kara orei moushiagemasu.) very polite (You will hear or see this in public speeches or formal letters.)
I would like to thank you from the the bottom of my heart.

Ex.「何と御礼を申し上げたらいいやら。」

(=Nanto orei wo moushiagete iiyara)

I don’t know how to thank you.

<How to say thank you in special occasions.>

*When someone treats you, you say,

•御馳走様でした。(=Gochisou sama deshita.)

Thank you for the meal.

•御馳走様でした。美味しかったです。

(=Gochisou sama deshita. Oishikatta desu.)

Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.

Also if you receive some food, you can tell them how yummy it was later.

Ex. この間頂いた、ケーキ、本当に美味しかったです。御馳走様でした。
(=Kono aida itadaita keiki hontou ni oishikatta desu. Gochisou sama deshita.

Thank you for the cake the other day. It was delicious!

*If someone took care of you, you say,

•お世話になりました。(=Osewani narimashita.)

Note : We say お世話になります。(=Osewani narimasu.) before you anticipate someone will do you a favor or take care of you. Thank you in advance.

Also we say:

•宜しくお願いします。

（=Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.) polite

•宜しくお願い致します。

(=Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.) more polite

•よろしくね。

(=Yoroshiku ne) casual

*If someone comes all the way to your place (from somewhere fairly faraway) you can say,

Ex.わざわざお越し頂き、有り難うございました。

(=Wazawaza okoshi itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for coming all the way.

Ex. ご足労をおかけ致しました。

(=Gosokurou wo okake itashimashita.)

Thank you for coming despite all the trouble.

*If you trouble someone or make someone work for you, you say;

Ex. お手数をおかけしました。

(=Otesuu wo okake shimashita.)

Sorry for your trouble.

<Formal occasions, formal letters, business situation,etc.>

In a very formal situation or formal business letter:

Ex.毎度お引き立て有り難うございます。

(=Maido ohikitate arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for your loyal patronage.

Ex.まことに有り難うございました。

(=Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you very much.

真に／誠に→まことに In business letters, we are supposed to use hiragana.

Ex.平素は格別のご愛顧を賜り 厚く御礼申し上げます。

(=Heiso wa kakubetsu no goaiko wo tamawari atsuku orei moushiagemasu.)
We would like to express our gratitude for your loyal patronage and support .(formal business letter)

<Simple way to say thank you besides saying ありがとう(=arigatou)>

We often say “I’m sorry” instead of saying “Thank you.” in Japanese to show that we feel bad about receiving.

*すみません。(=Sumimasen) I am sorry. →Thank you.

Ex. 「いつもすみません。」

(=Itsumo sumimasen.)

I am sorry to trouble you all the time. →Thank you always!

Ex.どうもすみません。

(=Doumo sumimasen.)

I am very sorry. →Thank you so much. (I feel bad..)

*申し訳ないです。(=Moushiwake nai) I am so sorry. I feel terrible.

Ex. いつも頂くばかりで申し訳ないです。

(=Itsumo itadaku bakari de moushiwake nai desu.)

I really feel bad for always receiving things from you.

When someone does something for you or give you something, you receive it saying,

Ex. 恐れいります。(=Osore irimasu.)

Thank you. I am grateful. (Sounds very humble)

Ex. 恐縮です。(=Kyoushuku desu.)

Thank you. I am grateful. (Sounds very humble)

You can also say these when someone give you compliments instead of saying Thank you.

Go check my 恐れいります(=osore irimasu) lesson.

<Bring up a person who does a favor for you.>

•ご親切に(=Goshinsetsu ni)You are so sweet. That’s very nice of you.

Ex.  それは、ご親切に有り難うございます。

(=Sorewa goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.)

That’s very nice of you. Thank you!

•御丁寧に  You are so polite

Ex. 御丁寧に有り難うございます。

(=Goteinei ni arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for your politeness/courtesy.

•お陰様で。(=Okage sama de)

Thanks to God,thanks to yo.

(In many cases, it has nothing to do with you but they say that anyway to be polite.)

Ex. 「もうお体よくなられたんですか？」

(=Mou okarada yoku nararetan desu ka?)

You feel better now?

「はい、お陰様で。」

(=Hai, okage sama de)

Yes, thanks to you.(Or Thanks to God!)

Ex. A:「御結婚、おめでとうございます。」

(=Gokekon omedetou gozaimasu.)

Congratulations on the wedding.

B:「お陰様で、ありがとうございます。」

(=Okage sama de arigatou ogzaimasu.)

Thanks to you! (or Thanks to God!)

Ex.おかげさまで合格致しました。有り難うございます。

(=Okage sama de goukaku itashimashita.)

Thanks to you (or God) I got passed the exam.

Ex.お陰様で無事に退院することが出来ました。本当に有り難うございました。

(=Okagesama de buji ni taiin suru koto ga dekimashita. Hontou ni arigatougozaimahista.)

Thanks to you (God), I (or someone in my family) was discharged from the hospital without any problems.

I really appreciate it.

Ex. 私がここまでやってこられましたのも皆様のご尽力があってこそです。

(=Watashi ga koko made yatte koraremashita o mo  minasama no gojinryoku ga atte koso desu.)

I would really appreciate all the help and support everyone has provided so far. (I owe you a lot.)

  ＜御礼＞(=orei) Thank you

•御礼を言う(=orei wo iu) to say thank you

Ex.お世話になった人に御礼を言いたい。

(=Osewani natta hito ni orei wo iitai.)

I would like to express my appreciation to a person who has taken care of me.

•御礼を申し上げる(=Orei wo moushiageru) To say thank you. (polite)

Ex. 皆様の御協力に心から御礼申し上げます。

(=Minasama no gokyouryoku ni kokoro kara orei moushiagemasu.)

We are sincerely grateful for all your cooperation.

Ex. 重ねて御礼申し上げます。

(=Atsuku orei moushiagemasu.)

We would like to say thank you again.

Ex. 厚く御礼申し上げます。

(=Atsuku moushiagemasu.)

We are extremely grateful.

Cultural note: Thank you gift is also called 御礼(=orei)

In some occasions we give a present to a person who did a favor for us to show our appreciation.
In casual situation we don’t put any label but if it is formal, we put a label which says 御礼(=orei)
If you give some money, put the money in a white envelope and write 御礼(=orei) .
We sometimes put thanks money, including some lesson fee in an envelope marked as 御礼(=orei).

<How to receive gifts or favor>

In many cases you can just say thank you and receive a gift but there is a certain case that you should be more polite. Here’s how.

If someone offers you a gift, you can reject it once lightly as a formality,

Ex.いえいえ、そんなことをして頂いたら（困ります。）

(=Ieie, sonna koto wo shite itadaitara komarimasu.)

Oh no.no…I would be in trouble if you do such a thing.→You don’t need to do that.

Ex.その様なご心配はもうなさらないで下さい。

(=Sonoyou na goshinnpai wa mou nasaranai de kudasai.)

Please don’t worry about that.

Ex.もうそんなことは(なさらないで下さい。）

(=Mou sonnna koto wa (nasaranai de kudasai.))

Please don’t do such a thing.

Ex.もうそんなご心配は（なさらないで下さい。）

(=Mou sonnna goshinpai wa (nasaranai de kudasai.)

Please don’t worry about that.

Ex.その様なことをして頂いたら却って申し訳ないです。

(=Sonoyou na koto wo shite itadaitara kaette moushiwake nai desu.)

I would feel terrible if you did that.

OK, enough! Now you take it!! But be polite!

Ex.そうですか？それではお言葉に甘えて…

(=Soudesu ka? Soredewa okotoba ni amaete..)

If you insist, well, then I will allow myself to accept…

Ex.それでは遠慮なく頂戴致します。申し訳ありません。

(Sorede wa enryo naku choudai itashimasu. Mushiwake arimasen.)

OK, in that case, I will take it without any hesitation. Thank you so much.

Ex. いつも頂くばかりですみません。

(=Itsumo itadaku bakari de sumimasen.)

I feel bad because I always receive things from  you.

Note : If you really are the one who’s always taking, go check お返し(=okaeshi) culture in my Valentine’s lesson!

The simple way to say thank you is, just express your happiness.

•「嬉しい！！」(=Ureshii)

I’m so happy! (casual)

•「嬉しいです。」(=Ureshii desu.)

I’m so happy! (more polite)

•「こんなの欲しかったの！」(=Konnano hoshikattano!)

I was just looking for a thing like this. It’s perfect! (casual)

•「丁度、こういうのが欲しかったのです。」

(=Choudo kouiu no ga shoshikatta nodesu.)

I just wanted a thing like this. It’s perfect! (more polite)

•「助かるなあ。」(=Tasukaru naa)

It’s a great help! (casual)

•「助かるわ。」(=Tasukaru wa)

It’s a great help! (casual/ for women)

•「助かります。」(=Tasukarimasu.)

It’s a great help. (more polite.)

And, of course, don’t forget to say 「ありがとう！」 （＝arigatou) Thank you! It’s a magic word!

<How do you response when someone says thank you to you>

•どういたしまして。

(=Douitashimashite.)

You’re welcome!

•いえいえ、とんでもない（です）。

(=Ieie tondemo nai(desu))

Don’t mention it. You don’t need to thank me.

•いいえ、お互い様です。

(=Iie otagai sama desu.)

The feeling (of thanks) is mutual.

•お役に立てれば嬉しいです。

(=Oyaku ni tatereba ureshii desu.)

I will be happy to be of service to you.

•お役に立てて 嬉しいです。

(=Oyaku ni tatereba ureshii desu.)

I am glad to be of service to you.

•いいえ、こちらこそいつもお世話になってばかりで..。

(=Iie kochirakoso itsumo osewa ni natte bakari de…)

I’m the one who should be thanking you. (I owe you a lot.)

•いいえ、少しだけですが。

(=Iie sukoshi dake desu ga..)

No, it is just a small token.

•つまらないものですが。

(=Tsumaranai mono desu ga)

This is small something.

•気持だけです。

(=Kimochi dake desu.)

It’s just small thing.

•ほんの気持です。

（=Honno kimochi desu.)

It’s just small thing.

You have to be modest. For further information, Go check 謙遜レッスン！

From the pic. above.

「みんな、いつもこのサイトに来てくれてありがとう！」

(=Minna itsumo kono saito ni kite kurete arigatou!)

Thank you, everyone, for always coming to this site!

マギー先生より(=Maggie sensei yori) From Maggie-Sensei

みなさん、このブログを支えてくれて有り難う！(=Minasan kono burogu wo sasaete kurete

arigatou!) Thank you, everyone, for supporting this blog!

皆が、時々コメントに書いてくれる「ありがとう」の一言が本当に嬉しくて続けています。

(=Minaga tokidoki komento ni kaite kureru “Arigatou” no hitokoto ga hontou ni ureshikute tsuzukte imasu.)

Your “Thank you” message in a comment would make me very happy and I’ll be able to happily continue these lessons!

今日はマギーから一杯のありがとう！！(=Kyou wa Maggie kara ippai no arigatou!)

Today I will send you lots of “Thank you!”

  「ゆかりのおやつも食べちゃいました…。ごめんね。」

Yukari no oyatsu mo tabechaimashita. Gomenne…

“I ate Yukari’s snack as well. Sorry! “

Yukari :「えっ！？許さない！」

Eh? Yurusanai!

“What!? I won’t forgive you!”

In this lesson we will learn how to apologize in Japanese.

謝 る=ayamaru=to apologize

•「謝りなさい！」(=Ayamari nasai) “Why don’t you apologize!”

•「謝って下さい！」(=Ayamatte kudasai.) Please apologize!
(The strongest command is 謝れ！=Ayamare! Apologize!! Hope you don’t hear this from anybody.. )

•謝ります。(=Ayamarimasu) I apologize.

The most common words to say “I’m sorry!”are,
•すみません。（＝Sumimasen)

or
•ごめんなさい。(=Gomennasai)

more casual

•すいません。(=Suimasen) Grammatically wrong but many people say this.

•すまん。(=Suman) for men (a bit rough) Sorry!

•ごめん。(=Gomen) Sorry!

•ごめんね。(=Gomenne) Sorry!

You can use them in casual situations.

For example, when you bump into someone, you can say,

•「すみません。」 (=Sumimasen) Excuse me! Sorry!
•「ごめんなさい。」(=Gomennasai) I’m sorry.
•「失礼しました。」(=Shitsurei shimashita.) Excuse me!

When you really want to apologize for something seriously, you also can say,
•「すみません。」(=Sumimasen) I’m sorry.
•「すみませんでした。」(=Sumimasen deshita.) I’m very sorry for what I did. past tense
•「ごめんなさい。」(=Gomennasai) I’m sorry.

more polite
•「申し訳ありません。」(=Moushiwake arimasen.) formal
•「申し訳ございません。」(=Moushiwake gozaimasen.) very formal
•「申し訳ございませんでした。」（=Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita.) past tense /very polite

*****************************
Sentence patterns:

★~て(=~te)＋すみません／ごめんなさい／申し訳ありません。….etc (=Sumimasen/Gomennasai/Moushiwake arimasen….etc.)

•遅れる(=okureru) to be late →遅れて(=okurete)

→「遅れてすみません。」(=Okurete sumimasen.) Sorry I am late.

•傷つける(=kizutsukeru) to hurt someone/something →傷つけて(=kizutsukete)

→「君を傷つけてごめん！」(=Kimi wo kizutsukete gomen!) I am sorry that I hurt you. (male speech)

•壊す(=kowasu) to break something →壊して(=kizutsukete)

→「マギー先生、おもちゃを壊してすみません。」(=Maggie sensei, omocha wo kowashite sumimasen.)

Maggie sensei, I am sorry I broke your toy!

★〜してしまい/しまって（＝~shite shimai/shimatte)+すみません／ごめんなさい／ 申し訳ありません。….etc (=Sumimasen/Gomennasai/Moushiwake arimasen….etc.) I am sorry to have+p.p.

•遅れる(=okureru) to be late →遅れて(=Okurete)

→「遅れてしまいすみません。」(=Okurete sumimasen.) Sorry I have been late.

•傷つける(=kizutukeru) to hurt someone/something →傷つけてしまい(=kizutsukete)

→「君を傷つけてしまってごめん！」(=Kimi wo kizutsukete shimatte gomen!) I am sorry that I have hurt you. (male speech)

•壊す(=kowasu) to break something →壊して(=kowashite)

→「マギー先生、おもちゃを壊 してしまってすみません。」(=Maggie sensei, omocha wo kowashite shimatte sumimasen.)

Maggie sensei, I am sorry to have broken your toy!

Typical phrase:

1) •迷惑をかける(=Meiwaku wo kakeru) to trouble someone

↓ more polite

•ご迷惑をおかけしました。(=Gomeiwaku wo okake shimashita.)  I troubled you. (Sorry) past tense

Although it doesn’t have “sorry” , it means
“I am sorry that I troubled you.”

*迷惑をかけてごめんね。(=Meiwaku wo kakete gomenne) casual “Sorry that I troubled you.”

↓ more polite

*迷惑をかけてごめんなさい／すみません。／すみませんでした。

(=Meiwaku wo kakege gomennasai/sumimasen/sumimasen deshita.) past tense“I am sorry that I troubled you.”

↓ more polite

*御迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありませんでした。(=Gomeiwaku wo okake shite moushiwake arimasen deshita.)

“I am very sorry that I troubled you.”

Ex.「皆様にご迷惑をおかけして本当に申し訳ございませんでした。」

(=Minasama ni gomeiwaku wo okakeshite hontou ni moushiwake gozaimasen deshita.)

I am sincerely sorry to have caused everyone all this trouble.

Note: You’ll hear this quote often in celebrity interviews when they cause some big problem.

Whenever I hear this line in a divorce interview, I wonder why they apologize for their own divorce…

2) 面倒をかける to trouble someone →面倒をかけて(=mendou wo kakete)

→（formal) ご面倒をおけして申し訳ございません。（=Gomendou wo okakeshite moushiwake gozaimasen.)
I am sorry to trouble you.

3) 心配をかける(=shinapai wo kakeru) →心配をかけて(=shinpai wokakete)

→(casual)「心配(を)かけてごめんね。」(=Shinapi (wo) kakete gomenne) Sorry to make you worry!

→（formal)ご心配をおかけして申し訳ございません。(=Goshinpai wo okakeshite moushiwake gozaimasen.)

詫びる(=wabiru)

a noun 詫び(=wabi)  apology

• 詫び状(=wabijou)/お詫び状(=Owabi jou)=apologetic letter

Ex. お詫びの言葉(=owabi no kotoba) a word of apology

Ex.お詫びの言葉もありません。(=Owabi no kotoba mo arimasen.) I don’t know how to apologize…

(more polite)

お詫び申し上げます。（＝Owabi moushiagemasu.)
↓
Ex.心からお詫び申し上げます。

(=Kokoro kara owabi moushiagemasu.)

Please accept my sincere apology.

Ex.なんとお詫びを申し上げてよいのやら…

(=Nanto owabi wo moushiagete yoino yara…)

I don’t know how to apologize…

Ex.この度はご心配をおかけしてお詫びの言葉もありません。

(=Kono tabi wa goshinpai wo okakeshite owabi no kotoba mo arimasen.)

I am sorry to make you worry. I don’t know how to apologize properly.

許す(=yurusu) is to forgive　→　Its noun form is 許し(=yurushi)

*許しを乞う(=yurushi wo kou) to beg someone’s pardon

•許して下さい。(=yurushite kudasai.) Please forgive me.

•どうかお許し下さい。(=Douka oyurushi kudasai.) Will you forgive me, please?

•お許し頂けないでしょう か？(=Oyurushi itadakenai de shouka?)

Will you forgive me?

When you want to cover for someone,

Ex. ここは、私の顔に免じてどうか お許し下さい。

(=Kokowa watashi no kao ni menjite douka oyurushi kudasai.)

Please forgive him/her for my sake here.

*勘弁して下さい。(=Kanben shite kudasai.) Please forgive me.

（勘弁して！(=kanben shite) also means “Give me a break!”"Come on!”)

When you want to apologize deeply, you have to lower your head.

•頭を下げる(=atama wo sageru) to lower your head→to apologize

•平謝りする(=Hiraayamari suru) humbly beg one’s pardon

•土下座して謝る(=Dogeza shite ayamaru) to apologize kneeling down on the ground. (Old fashioned.)

•「この通り謝りますの で…」（=Kono toori ayamari masu node) I apologize like this (and lower your head.)

•「この通りです！」(=Kono toori desu) I apologize like this (and lower your head.)

(Very exaggerated way of apology. We see it on TV dramas. but I have never seen anybody who does….)

Note : Here’s an extreme explanation of joke 土下座(=dogeza) video!

<Formal situations such as business or politics>

•陳謝する(=chinsha suru)　to express one’s apology

Ex. 大臣は今回の不祥事について陳謝をした。

(=Daijin wa konkai no fushouji ni tsuite chinsha wo shita)

The minister apologized for the scandal.

•謝罪する(=shazai suru)  to apologize 　

Ex. 彼からの謝罪の言葉がない

(=Kare kara no shazai no kotoba ga nai.)

There are no words of apology from him.

Ex.責任者は謝罪すべきだ。

(=Sekininsha wa shazai subeki da)

The person in charge should apologize.

＜Other useful sentences for apology>

Ex.わたしのせいでごめんなさい。

（=Watashi no sei de gomennasai.)

I’m sorry. It was my fault.

Ex.このあいだは失礼しました。

(=Kono aida wa shitsurei itashimashita.)

I’m sorry for the other day.

Ex.そんなつもりはありませんでした。

(=Sonna tsumori wa arimasen deshita.)

I didn’t really mean that.

Ex.悪気は全くありませんでした。

(=Warugi wa mattaku arimasen deshita.)

I didn’t mean it at all.

Ex. わざとではありませんでした。

(=Waza to dewa arimasen deshita.)

I didn’t mean it.

Ex.心から反省しています。

(=Kokoro kara hansei shiteimasu.)

I’m sincerely sorry for what I did.

<If someone apologizes to you and you want to forgive that person>

•(casual) 大丈夫！(=Daijoubu) It’s OK!/  I’m OK!

→(polite) 大丈夫です。(=Daijoubu desu.) It’s OK!/  I’m OK!

•(casual)心配しないで!（＝Shinpai shinaide) Don’t worry!

→(polite)ご心配なく(=Goshinpai naku) Please don’t worry about it.

( polite)心配しないでもいいですよ。(=Shinpai shinakutemo iidesu yo.) You don’t need to worry about it.

→(more polite)もうご心配なさらないで下さい。(=Mou goshinpai nasaranai de kudasai.) Please don’t worry about it.

•あなたが悪いのではありません。

(=Anata ga warui nodewa arimasen)

It’s not your fault.

•あなたのせいではありません。

(=Anata no sei dewa arimasen)

It’s not your fault.

•誰のせいではありません。

(=Dare no sei dewa arimasen)

It’s nobody’s fault.

•(casual)全然気にしていないから。

→(polite) 全然気にしていませんから。I don’t mind at all.

•構いません。(=Kamaimasen.) I don’t mind.

•(casual)大したことじゃないから(=Taishita koto ja nai kara)

→(polite)大したことではありませんから。(=Taishita koto dewa arimasen kara.) It’s not a big deal.

•(casual)もういいよ！(=Mou iiyo)

→(polite)いいですよ(=Iidesuyo.)/いいんですよ(=Iindesu yo.) It’s OK now. (Don’t worry about it.)

• (casual)今度から気をつければいいから。(=Kondo kara ki wo tsukereba ii kara.) Just be careful the next time.

•(casual)もう忘れて！(=Mou wasurete! )

→(polite)もう忘れて下さい。(=Mou wasurete kudasai.) Forget about it already!

From the pic. above:

  「ゆかりのおやつも食べちゃいました…。ごめんね。」

Yukari no oyatsu mo tabechaimashita. Gomenne…

“I ate Yukari’s snack as well. Sorry! “

•おやつ(=oyatsu) snack, sweets

•も(=mo) particle as well,too (as in 私もwatashi mo(me too)).

•食べちゃいました(=tabechaimashita) casual ←食べてしまいました。（=tabete shimaimashita.) I have eaten.

Yukari :「えっ！？ 許さない！」

Eh? Yurusanai!

“What!? I won’t forgive you!”

許さない！(=Yurusanai!) ←私は、マギーを許さない。(=Watashi wa Maggie wo yurusanai) I won’t forgive, you, Maggie.

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

悪かったけどやっぱり美味しかったから食べるの止まらなかったわ。もっとおやつどこかにないかしら..

(=Warukatta kedo yappari oishikatta kara taberu no tomaranakatta wa. Motto oyatsu dokoka ni nai kashira…)

I felt bad but after all I couldn’t stop eating because it was sooo good! I wonder if there are some more snacks somewhere around here…

Cookie: 「このサイト、チョーうけるんだけど…www」

(=Kono saito choo ukerun dake do..wwww)

I love this site. It is hilarious.… LOL!

「ってか、リアルにすごくね？」

(=Teka, riaru ni sugoku ne?)

I mean isn’t it awesome?

Today’s topics is about so-called 若者言葉(=wakamono kotoba), Japanese language used by young people .

I have already taught you some of these types of expressions:

*タメ口(=Tame guchi)+ ヤバい(=yabai) lesson