「お土産，皆さんでどうぞ！」(=Omiyage、 minasan de douzo!)

“Here’s a souvenir (gift) for everyone!”

（ん？大統領からのお土産？）(=N? Daitouryou kara no omiyage?)

(“What? Is it a gift from the President?”)

皆さん、今日は！(=Minasan konnichiwa!) Hello, everyone!

Today we will focus on 「お土産」(=Omiyage)!!!

「土産」Miyage (「お土産」omiyage →Adding お(=o) to the beginning of certain words makes them more polite)

Let’ see the 漢字（=kanji) first!

:qq: 土 do /tsuchi : dirt, earth, local

:l: 産 san/umareru to bear, produce, production, things that come from a certain land.

→産物 (=sanbutsu) production, 産業 (=sangyou) industry, 生産 (=seisan) production, お産 (=osan) delivery, to bear (a baby)

土産：This could be read as “do san” but we usually read it as “miyage” for a gift . It is 当て字 (ateji), substitute character.

An “omiyage” is a gift or a souvenir for your friends, family or co-workers that you get when you travel somewhere.

Every tourist spot has its typical local souvenirs. Japan is full of souvenir shops. They’re even places that you might not even consider “tourist spots.” And it is customary to get a little something to bring back home to friends and family when you travel anywhere — be it for business or pleasure.

:l: <Related words>

• 観光地 (=kankouchi) a tourist site

•土産物屋（店）(=miyage mono ya (or ten)) souvenir shops, gift shops

• 観光地には多くの土産物屋があります。(=Kankouchi niwa ooku no miyagemonoya ga arimasu.)

There are a lot of souvenir (gift) shops in tourist sites.

• 名物 (=meibutsu) or 名産物 (=meisanbutsu) a (local) specialty, something typical or well-known or popular in a particular place.

Ex. 名物料理 (=meibutsu ryouri) local dishes

Ex. その土地の名産物 (=Sono tochi no meisan(butu)) the specialty of the place,the local specialty

Ex. 大阪の名物はたこ焼きです。(=Oosaka no meibutsu wa takoyaki desu.) “Takoyaki” (octopus dumplings) is a famous Osaka specialty.

Note : Sometimes 名物 (=meibutsu) can be used for a person.

マギーはAction Language Academyの名物先生だ。(=Maggie wa akushon range-ji akademii no meibutsu sensei da.) “Maggie is a very popular(or well-known) teacher at Action Language Academy.

• 記念(=kinen) a souvenir, memory

Ex.旅の記念に〜を買う。(=tabi no kinen ni ~ wo kau.) To buy something as a souvenir to remember a trip by.

= 旅の思い出に〜を買う(=tabi no omoide ni ~ wo kau.) To buy something to remember one’s trip by.

Also 土産 (=miyage) could be simply a gift you take when you visit someone’s house or even for your family.

• 手土産にケーキを持って行く。(=temiyage ni keiki wo motte iku.) To take cakes as a present.

手土産(=temiyage）a gift which you carry yourself with your hands=手 (=te).

• お土産（手土産）を買って家に帰る。(=Omiyage (temiyage) wo katte ie ni kaeru.)

To get some present (←usually food) for one’s family and go home.

•土産話 (=miyage banashi) stories about one’s travels, report of your trip

「京都に旅行に行くんだけどお土産何がいい？」(=Kyouto ni ryokou ni ikun da keredo, omiyage nani ga ii?) “I am going to Kyoto. What kind of souvenir would you like from there?”)

「お土産は何もいらないから、お土産話を聞かせて！」(=Omiyage wa nani mo iranai kara omiyage banashi wo kikasete.) “Don’t bother buying anything for me but just let me hear your travel stories. “)

In the picture above, a person is handing Maggie a gift and saying,

「皆さんでどうぞ！」(=minasan de douzo) means “This is for everyone!”←(Please share these with everybody!) (or 皆さんで召し上がって下さい。(=Minasan de meshiagatte kudasai.) Please eat this/these with everyone. Sometimes you just say 「これ皆さんで！」(=Kore minasan de) This is for everyone!)

It is a common phrase when you hand over sweets or food.

If we invite someone to your house or party, we often say to the guests in advance,

• 「手ぶらでどうぞ！」 (=Tebura de douzo!) “Please don’t bring any gifts.”

手ぶら(=tebura) means literally not to have anything in your hands, empty-handed.

• 「どうぞ、手ぶらでいらして下さい。」(=Douzo tebura de irashite kudasai.) “Please do not worry about coming empty-handed. (Just come!)” more polite than 手ぶらでどうぞ！」 (=Tebura de douzo!)

• 「手ぶらでは、いけないよねえ。」(=Tebura de wa ikenai yonee.) “We should take something. “←(“We can’t visit empty-handed.”)

Note: There is an advertisement for 宅急便(=takkyuubin) delivery service

「手ぶらでスキーへお出かけ下さい!」(=tebura de sukii e odekake kudasai!) ”Please go skiing empty-handed (without taking all the ski gears!)” or

「手ぶらで空港へ！」 (=tebura de kuukou e!)　”Go to the airport empty-handed (We will deliver your suitcase to the airport!)

:k: How to thank people when you receive a present:

I assume you already know,

有り難う(=arigatou) “Thank you!” or有り難うございます。(=Arigatou gozaimasu.) “Thank you so much” (more polite than arigatou).

• 「お気遣い頂いて　すみません。有り難うございます。）」(=Okizukai itadaite sumimasen (or arigatou gozaimasu.) “Thank you so much for your consideration! ”

• 「どうぞお気遣いなく。」(=Douzo okizukai naku.)　“Please don’t worry about me.”

• 「御馳走様です。」(=Gochisou sama desu.)　”Thank you! (for this food or these sweets — said before actually eating) ” (When you receive something to eat.)

• 「それでは遠慮なく頂きます。（頂戴します。）」(=Soredewa enryo naku itadakimasu. (or choudai shimasu.))　”I will take your gift without hesitation” →”I will take it with appreciation.”

• 「これは*珍しいものを有り難うございます。」(=Kore wa mezurashii mono wo arigatou gozaimasu.)

“Thank you so much for this rare thing. “←(implies the gift is something hard to get.)

*高価なもの(=Kouka na mono) pricey (expensive) things

If you have received something from the person before (or repeatedly) you say,

• 「いつもすみません。（有り難うございます。）」(=Itsumo sumimasen. (Arigatou gozaimasu.)

• 「いつも頂いてばかりですみません。」(=Itsumo itadaite iru bakari de sumimasen. I feel bad because I keep receiving gifts from you.

Casual :u:

• 「これ、大好物です。有り難う！」(=Kore daikoubutsu desu. Arigatou!) more casual

“This is my favorite. Thank you!”

Also if someone gives you something in return for your gift or something you did for that person, you say,

• 「何か却って申し訳ありません。」(=Nanka kaette moushiwake arimasen.)
“Sorry that I (we) ended up making you worry about causing more trouble (bringing us something) by inviting you.”

Note: The gift or some action in return of your previous gift is called お返し(=okaeshi)

Ex.「これは先日頂いたお土産のちょっとしたお返しです。 」(=Kore wa senjitu itadaita omiyage no chotto shita okaeshi desu.)

This is little reciprocal gift for the gift you gave me the other day.

Ex. （Receiving a gift) 「ありがとう。今度何かお返し買ってくるね。」(=Arigatou. Kondo nanika okaeshi katte kurune.)

“Thank you. I will buy something in return.”

Cultural note : Are we suppose to open a gift right away in front of a person who gave it to you or not?

I wrote about Japanese formal gift wrapping for special occasions in my shopping lesson.

There are certain types of gifts that are formal and seasonal.

お中元(=ochuugen) summer gift

お歳暮(=oseibo) end of year gift

新築祝い(=shinchiku iwai ) house-warming, etc.

Besides casual birthday presents or personal presents between friends, it is considered to be rude to open some formal gifts in front of the person who just gave it to you.

Take special care not to open specially wrapped money such as お祝い(=oiwai) best wish for the happy occasions、お見舞い(=omimai) get-well、ご仏前 (=gobutsuzen) for Buddhism funeral etc. Japanese are often astonished whenever they see a Christmas scene in western movies, when kids or adults ripped the paper and open nicely wrapped presents. We usually open the paper very carefully and fold it nicely. (I think it is not just for courtesy but also we can keep the nice wrapping paper for the next gift!?)

It could be fun to buy omiyage because there are variety of things everywhere in Japan and in the world but sometimes we feel obliged to buy omiyage for your friends or co-workers.

We say to friends or family before your trip,

「お土産何か買ってくるね。」(=Omiyage nanka katte kuru ne.)　“I will buy something for you there!”

We jokingly say to our friends or family who are going to travel somewhere,

「お土産楽しみにしてるよ。」(=Omiyage tanoshimi ni shite iruyo.)　“I am (We are) looking forward to your present/souvenir .”

「お土産買って来てね。」(=Omiyage katte kite ne.) “Please buy me/us someting (from where you are going.)”

Whenever we travel, we feel pressured and some always thinks “What to get, how many should I get for the whole trip and it is a nightmare…..

To help those who suffer from finding “omiyage”, there is a service called 「海外お土産サービス」(=kaigai omiyage saabisu.)

You can order your gifts before you go abroad and have the souvenirs delivered directly to your house. Japanese tourist places are very commercialized. They are are always good at finding some original gift of the place.

Maggie sensei has just got a box of Japanese sweets but please take a good look at the box.

It says 「おばまロール」 “Obama roll” . There is a little town called 小浜=Obama in Fukui.

Coinsidentaly it has the same name as President Obama. Since the Presidential election, this town has been rooting for Mr.Obama to be a President. They even organized 「オバマを勝手に応援する会」 (=Obama wo katte ni ouen suru kai.) a non-official organization to support Obama.

勝手に（＝Katteni)：without asking, without permission, on it own

応援する(=ouen suru) ： to root, to back-up, to support

会（＝kai)：association, organization, society

They sell lots of gifts, sweets, T-shirts and many other kinds of merchandise, all of them using Obama’s name and his comic figure.

ご当地 (=gotouchi) local ご当地もの（=gotouchi mono) things that you can get only in that area

:rrrr: ご当地キティ(=gotouchi kitii) Hello Kitty goods with local symbols. Every prefecture or city has its own famous food or goods. There are Hello Kitty figures with its local representative food or goods in each area, the most popular one is 携帯ストラップ (0keitai strap). (A charm you put on your cell phone.) There are collectors for those.

When my assistant pet Yukari went to Hawaii she found these Hello Kitty goods there.（Do you see they are slightly suntanned.)

Many Japanese tourists visit in Hawaii and it has been a big business to sell products targeting Japanese consumers.

Sorry it is out of focus but it says

テレビ、雑誌で紹介された (=terebi zasshi de shoukai sareta)

ご当地キティグッズ (=gotouchi kitii goozu)

日本未発売! (=nihon mihatsubai! )

Local (Hello) Kitty goods which were introduced on TV and in the magazines.

Not sold in Japan yet!

Japanese tourists love the word 日本未発売 (=nihon mihatsubai) =Not sold in Japan yet! 未 (=mi) means “not yet”

Ex. 未完成 ( =mikansei) unfinished, 日本未公開映画 (=nihon mikoukai eiga) the movies which are not shown in Japan yet.

地域限定 (=chiiki gentei) limited in that area, the stuff you can get only in that area. For example, you can buy potato chips everywhere but many cites have their own potato chips or pretzels with their own unique local flavor. For example, Nagoya is famous for Miso (bean paste) and they have sweets with miso flavor.

ポテトチップス (=poteto chippusu) Potato chips

プリッツ (=purittsu) a brand-name long stick prezzels

ベビースターラーメン (=bebii staa raamen.) a brand-name Dried ramen noodle snack with flavor.

So I bet wherever Japanese tourist go, there are gifts targeting Japanese people. Actually in Hawaii they are selling プリッツ (=purittsu) with pineapple taste.

典型的なお土産 (=tenkei tekina omiyage) Typical souvenir, gifts

•　〜まんじゅう (=~ manjuu) steamed bean-jam bun

• 温泉まんじゅう (=Onsen manjuu) steamed bean-jam bun which you can buy in 温泉 “Onsen” (hot-springs)

• 〜せんべい (=~ senbei) rice cracker

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

みんなは日本に来た時に何かお土産を買いますか？ (=Minna wa nihon ni kita toki ni nanika omiyage wo kaimasu ka?)

What are you going to get as a gift when you come to Japan?

もう日本に来たことがある人は何を買いましたか？(=Mou nihon ni kita koto ga aru hito wa nani wo kaimashitaka?)

For one who have been to Japan, what did you buy

誰か、ご当地マギーのお土産作ってくれないかなあ..(=Dare ka gotuchi Maggie no omiyage tsukutte kurenai kanaa..)

I wonder if anybody would make a local-Maggie gifts..)

「何か、文句ありますか？」

(=Nanka (or Nanika) monku arimasu ka?)

““Any objection?”“

I think many of you have taken Japanese or other language classes. Perhaps some of you have had experiences teaching English or other languages in Japan.

But I, Maggie-sensei, am your teacher here!! So please respect me!

So today we’ll learn about school related Japanese vocabulary.

<School>

• 学校 (=gakkou) school

• 語学学校(=gogaku gakkou) language school

cf. 英会話スクール(=eikaiwa sukuuru) English school

• 専門学校 (=senmon gakkou) professional training/ career college

Ex. 私は、語学学校に通っています。(=Watashi wa gogaku gakkou ni kayotte imasu.)

I go to a language school.

:rrrr: 通う(=kayou) = 通学（する）(=tsuugaku suru) = go to school, to commute

• 保育園 (=hoikuen) nursery school

• 幼稚園 (=youchien) kindergarten

• 小学校 (=shougakkou) elementary school

• 中学校 (=chuugakkou) junior high school

• 高校 (=koukou) high school

• 大学 (=daigaku) university

• 短期大学 (=tanki daigaku) junior colldege, 2 year colldege

→ short form 短大 (=tandai)

• 4年制大学 (=yonensei daigaku) 4 year colldege, university

• 大学院 (=daigakuin) graduate school

<Degrees>

• 学位 (=gakui) diploma

• 学士 (=gakushi) bachelor

• 学士号 (=gakushi gou) bachelor degree

• 修士 (=shuushi) master

• 修士 号 (=shuushi gou) master degree

• 修士号を取る (=shuushi gou wo toru.) to get a master degree

• 博士号 (=hakase gou) Doctor of Philosophy degree

:mm: Note: Japanese education system:

義務教育(=gimu kyouiku) compulsory education :

:rrrr: 9 years (elementary and junior high school)

→• 6 years in elementary school (from age 6 to 12 years)

→• 3 years in junior high school (from age 13 to 15 years)

:u:

• 3 years in high school (from age 16 to 18)

:u:

• 2 years in junior college　or

• 4 years in university

• 予備校 (=Yobikou) cram school for university

• 塾 (=juku)（学習塾 =gakushuu juku）cram school

• 公立 (=kouritsu) public

Ex. 公立高校 (=kouritsu koukou) public high school

• 私立 (=shiritsu/watakushiritsu) private

• 男女共学 (=danjo kyougaku) co-education

• 中高一貫教育 (=chuukou ikkan kyouiku) unified school programs（continuous study from junior high school to high school)

• 教育 (=kyoiku) education

• 語学教育 (=gogaku kyouiku) language education

• 幼児教育 (=youji kyouiku) child education

<Teacher>

• 先生 (=sensei) teacher

Note 1): We always address teachers with their name + 先生.

Ex. マギー先生(=maggie sensei) They never call teacher with さん（~san）like マギーさん (=Maggie san) “Miss Maggie”)

Also some other occupations could be called 先生 (=sensei) such as doctors, lawyers, politicians,novelists and artists, etc.

Note 2): If you are a techer, you are not supposed to address yourself to others ” 先生” because the word sensei has feeling of respect and we don’t use honorific expression for yourself.　So you say or you write in a document 教師(=kyoushi) instead of 先生 for your occupation. But we do hear in daily conversation people addressing yourself 先生. (Ex. If you deal with children, you call yourself, your name+ 先生）

•担任(=tannin) teacher in charge/homeroom teacher

←担任の先生(=tannin no sensei) homeroom teacher

• 教授 (=kyouju) professor

• 助教授 (=jo kyouju) associate (assistant) professor

• 講師 (=koushi) an instructor

• 校長（先生）(=Kouchou (sensei)) principal

• 教頭（先生）(=Kyoutou (sensei)) vice principal

• 学長 (=gakuchou) president of the university

• 学部長 (=gakubuchou) dean

<Students>

• 学生 (=gakusei) student

• 生徒 (=seito) student

• 小学生 (=shougaku sei) elementary school student

• 中学生 (=chuugaku sei) junior high school student

• 高校生 (=koukou sei) high school student

• 大学生 (=daigaku sei) university student

• 大学院生(=daigakuin sei) graduate school student

• 予備校生 (=yobikou sei) preparatory school student

• 塾生 (=juku sei) cram school student

• １年生 (=ichi nen sei) first year grade, first-year student, freshman

• ２年生 (=ni nen sei) second grader, second-year student, sophomore

Ex.「彼は高校２年生です。」(=kare wa koukou ni nen sei desu.) “He is a second-grader in high school.”

• ３年生(=san nen sei) third grader, third-year student, junior

• ４年生(=yo nen sei) fourth grader, fourth-year student, senior

• 留年(=ryuunen) to repeat a year (the same grade)

• 留年する(=ryuunen suru)

• 浪人生(=rounin sei) a student who failed an entrance examination for university

• 浪人(=rounin) originally a samurai who doesn’t have their masters and wander around, now refers to students between high school and university — who are studying in order to pass university exams.

Ex. 彼の息子は浪人している。(=kare no musuko wa rounin shiteiru.)

• 一浪 (=ichi rou) first year after you failed 、２浪(=ni rou) 2nd years after you failed..

Ex.一浪する。(= ich rou suru.)

• クラスメート (=kurasu meeto) classmate

• 同級生 (=doukyuu sei) classmate

• 先輩 (=senpai) senior, It refers to an older grade student

• 後輩 (=kouhai) junior It refers to an younger grade student

Cultural note: Traditionally they have to show respect to older people in Japan. They have built this senpai-kouhai (superior-inferior, older-younger) relations in schools, companies and society in Japan. Sometimes it is very strict especially in sports clubs in schools. Kouhai (juniors) have to obey their senpai, seniors.

<To enter or graduate from a school>

• 入学 (=nyuugaku) entrance、enter a school

• 卒業 (=sotsugyou) graduate

Ex.マギーは「ワンワン小学校」をやっと卒業した。(=Maggie wa “Wanwan shougakkou” wo yatto sotsugyou shita.)

“Maggie finally graduated “bowwow elementary school.”

• 入学式 (=nyuugaku shiki) entrance ceremony

• 卒業式 (=sotsugyou shiki) graduation ceremony

Culture note :
In Japan, they sing as graduation songs, 「蛍の光」(=hotaru no hikari) (“Auld Lang Syne”,a Scottish folk song) or 「仰げば尊し 」(=Aogeba toutoshi, which shows gratitude and respect to your teachers.) in graduation ceremonies.
They also play 「蛍の光」(=hotaru no hikari) (“Auld Lang Syne” ) when they close department stores.

• 大学卒 (=daigaku sotsu) college graduate

• 高卒 (=kousotsu) high school graduate

• 彼女は高卒だ。(=Kanojo wa kousotsu da.) She is high school graduate.
• 中卒 (=chuusotsu) junior-high graduate
• 首席 (=shuseki) summa cum laude、top of the class

Ex. 首席で卒業する(=shuseki de sotsugyou suru.) to graduate summa cum laude

Ex. 彼は〜大学を優秀な成績で卒業しました。(=Kare wa ~ daigaku wo yuushuu na seiseki de sotsugyou shimashita.)
He graduated ~ University with excellent grades.

<Classroom>

• 教室 (=kyoushitsu) classroom

• 黒板 (=kokuban) black board

• ホワイトボード (=howaito boodo) white board

Ex.「ホワイトボードが光って見えません。」(=howaito boodo ga hikatte miemasen.)

• 机 (=tsukue) desk

• 椅子 (=isu) chair

• ロッカー (=rokkaa) locker

• クラス (=kurasu) class

• レッスン (=ressun) lesson

科目（=kamoku) <Subjects>

• 国語 (=kokugo) Japanese study

• 算数 (=sansuu) arithmetic

• 数学 (=suugaku) math

• 理科 (=rika) science

• 化学 (=kagaku) chemistry

• 科学 (=kagaku) science

• 社会科 (=shakaika) social studies

• 体育 (=taiiku) gymnastics

<University>

• ゼミ (=zemi)　seminar (Usually you have to make a group under a professor to study or research something in University.

• 専攻 (=senkou) major

Ex. 「専攻は何ですか？」(=Senkou wa nan desu ka?) “What is your major?”

• 学部 (=gakubu) faculty, department

Ex. 文学部 (=bungakubu) faculty of letters

Ex. 医学部 (=igakubu) faculty of medicine

Ex. 法学部 (=hougakubu) faculty of law

Ex. 経営部 (=keieigakubu) faculty of business administration

• 文系 (=bunkei) humanities

• 理系 (=rikei) science course

Ex. 彼は理系だ。(=Kare wa rikei da) He is in the science ( and engineering) majors

<School events>

• 遠足 (=ensoku) excursion

• 修学旅行 (=shuugaku ryokou) school trip

• 運動会 (=undoukai) athletics meets, sports festival

• 体育祭(=taiku sai) athletics meets, sports festival

• 学芸会(=gakugeikai) school play

• 文化祭(=bunka sai) cultural festival

• 大学祭 (=daigaku sai)（学祭=gakusai）school festivals in university

• 研修旅行 (=kenshuu ryokou) study/research tour

• 父兄参観日 (=fukei sankan bi) the day when parents can observe the class.

• 給食 (=kyuushoku) school lunch (Mainly for elementary school.)

• 学食 (=gakushoku) school cafeteria

Cultural note:

In Japanese schools (besides universities and cram schools), usually students stand up, bow and sit down beginning of the class all together for .
A student on a daily duty is called 日直(=Nicchoku) and he/she say the followings:

• 「起立」(=kiritsu) “All rise!”
• 「礼」(=rei) “Bow!”
• 「着席」(=chakuseki) “Sit down!”

Ex.「着席して下さい。」(=Chakuseki shite kudasai.) “Please sit down!”

• 放課(=houka) break time

• 放課後(=houka go) after school

• 職員室(=shokuin shitsu) teachers’ room

• チャイム(=chaimu) bell

Ex.チャイムが鳴る(=chaimu) ring the bell
(In many Japanese schools, when class starts or ends, you hear the bell.)

<Grades>

• 成績(=seiseki) grades

Ex.よい成績を取る(=yoi seiseki wo toru) to get a good grade

Ex.成績が悪い(=seiseki ga warui) bad grade

• オール５(=ooru go) A+ (Note: 5 is the best grade in Japanese elementary school.)

• A+ = エープラ (=ei purasu or ei pura)

試験 (=shiken) exams

• テスト (=tesuto) test

• 期末テスト (=kimatsu tesuto) end-of-term exam

• 中間テスト (=chuukan tesuto)　mid-term exam

• 小テスト (=shou tesuto) quiz

• 抜き打ちテスト (=nukiuchi tesuto) pop quiz

• 追試 (=tsuishi) make-up exam

• 入学試験 (=nyuugaku shiken)（入試=nyuushi short form）

• 卒業試験 (=sotugyou shiken) graduation exam

• 受験する (=juken suru) to take an (entrance) exam.

• 受験勉強 (=juken benkyou) studying for entrance exam.

• 受験戦争 (=juken sensou) entrance exam war、 race

• 受験地獄 (＝juken zikoku) examination hell

Cultural note:

The competicion for entrance exams has been very severe in Japan. If you get in a good high school, there is more chance to get in a good university and get a good job in future. It has spreaded to even preschool ages. 「お受験」(=ojuken) is a word for those children who are forced to take an entrance exams for a good elementary school. There is a special school for those lower aged children to pass the exam and they teach social manners and specific knowledges to get in a good elementary schools.

• 合格 (=goukaku) to pass (the exam)

• 合格する (=goukaku suru) to pass (the exam)

• 受かる (=ukaru)　to pass

• 有名高校に受かった。(=Yuumei koukou ni ukatta.) “I have passed a famous high school.”

Also パスする (=pasu suru) to pass

• 試験にパスする (=Shiken ni pasu suru.) to pass the exam.

• 不合格 (=fugoukaku) to fail

• 落ちる (=ochiru) to fail

Ex. 試験に落ちる (=shiken ni ochiru) to fail the exam.

• 単位(=tan-i) credit

Ex.単位を取る (=tan-i wo toru) to get courses credit

Ex.単位が足らない (=tan-i ga tarinai) not earn sufficient credits

Ex.単位を落とす (=tan-i wo otosu) to fail a class

<Assignment>

• レポート (=repooto) report

• 作文 (=sakubun) composition

• 論文 (=ronbun) thesis

• 卒業論文 (=sotsugyou ronbun) graduation thesis

• 宿題 (=shukudai) homework

• 予習 (=yoshuu) prep

• 復習 (=fukushuu) review

• 研究 (=kenkyuu)　study, research

• 研究する (=kenkyuu suru) to study, to research

• リサーチ (=resaachi) research

<Attendance>

• 出席する (=shusseki suru) to attend

• 欠席する (=kesseki suru) to be absent

• ずる休み (=zuru yasumi) play hooky

Useful sentences for teachers!

• 「さあ、今日のレッスンを始めましょう。」(=”Saa, kyou no ressun wo hajimemashou.”) “OK, let’s start today’s lesson”

• 「それでは出席を取ります。」(=”Soredewa shusseki wo torimasu.) “OK, I’ll have a roll call.”

• 「〜さんは今日は欠席ですか？」(=~san wa kyou wa kesseki desu ka? （お休みですか？） (=oyasumi desu ka?) “Is ~ absent today?”

• 「プリントを配ります。」(=Purinto wo kubari masu.) “I’ll pass out the handouts!”

• 「繰り返して言って下さい。」(=Kurikaeshite itte kudasai.) “Please repeat!”

• 「後について言って下さい。」(=Ato ni tsuite itte kudasai.) “Repeat after me!”

• 「〜は日本語（〜語）で何と言いますか？」(=~ wa nihongo (~ go) de nanto iimasu ka?) “How do you say ~ in Japanese (other language)?”

:rrrr: 言語 (=gengo) language(s)

~語 (~go) language

フランス語 (=furansu go) French、スペイン語 (=supein go) Spanish、英語 (=eigo) English、中国語 (=chuugoku go) Chinese、韓国語 (=kankokugo) Korean、オランダ語=oranda go) Dutch、ドイツ語 (=doitsu go)German

• 「合っています。」(=Atte imasu.) “It’s correct.”

• 「間違っています。」(=Machigatte imasu.) “It’s not correct.”

• 「見て下さい。」(=Mite kudasai.) ”Please look!”

• 「聞いて下さい。」(=Kiite kudasai.) “Please listen!”

• 「言って下さい。」(=Itte kudasai.) “Please say/speak”

• 「読んで下さい。」(=Yonde kudasai.) “Please read!”

• 「しっかり勉強してきて下さい。」(=Shikkari benkyou shitekite kudasai.) “Please study hard!”

• 「もう少し大きな声で言って下さい。」(=Mou sukoshi ookina koe de itte kudasai.) “Please speak a bit louder.”
• 「はっきり発音して下さい。」(=Hakkiri hatsuon shite kudasai.”) “Please pronounce clearly.” “Please enunciate!”

• 「必ず復習をして来て下さい。」(=Kanarazu fukushuu wo shitekite kudasai.) “Please be sure to review!”

• 「宿題は３４ページです。/３４ページをやって来て下さい。」(=Shukudai wa sanjuu yon peiji wo

yatte kite kudasai.) “Please study p.34 for homework.”

• 「何か質問はありますか？」（ありませんか？」）(=Nani ka shitsumon wa arimasuka?) (arimasen

ka?) “Do you have any questions?”

• 「先週のところで何か質問はありませんか？」(=Senshuu no tokoro de nanika shitsumon wa arimasen

ka?) “Do you have any questions about last week class?”

• 「これで終わります。」(=Kore de owari masu.) “Let’s finish here.”

Useful phrases for students:

• 遅刻(=chikoku) to be late

Ex.「遅刻してすみません。」(=Chikoku shite sumimasen.)　“I am sorry I am late.”

• 早退(=soutai) to leave early

Ex.「今日は、早退させて下さい。」(“Kyou wa soutai sasete kudasai.) “Please let me leave early today.”

• 「綴り（スペル）が違っています。」(=tsuzuri (or superu) ga chigatte imasu.) “The spelling is wrong.”

• 「綴り（スペル）を教えて下さい。」(=tsuzuri (or superu) wo oshiete kudasai.) “Please tell me how to spell ~.”

• 「綴り（スペル）はどう書けばいいですか？」(=tsuzuri (or superu) wa dou kakeba ii desu ka?) “How do you spell ~?”

• 「〜はどういう意味ですか？」(=~ wa douiu imi desu ka?) （〜はどういう意味か、教えて頂けますでしょうか？）(=~ wa douiu imi ka oshiete itadakemasu de shouka?→more polite) “What does ~ mean?” (“Could you tell me the meaning of ~, please?”)

• 「〜の意味を教えて下さい。」(=~ no imi wo oshiete kudasai.) （〜の意味を教えて頂けますでしょうか？）(=~no imi wo oshiete itadakemasu de shouka?→more polite)
“Please give me the meaning of ~. ” (“Could you~ tell me the meaning of ~, please?”)

• 「〜について教えて下さい。」(=~ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.)（〜について教えて頂けますでしょうか？）(=~ni tsuite oshiete itadakemasu deshouka?→more polite)
“Please teach me about ~” (“Could you~”)

• 「今週の宿題は何ですか？」(=Konshuu no shukudai wa nan desu ka?) “What is this week homework?”

• 「どこからどこまでが宿題でしょうか？」(=Dokokara dokomade ga shukudai de shou ka?) “From where to where is our homework?”
• 「すみません。宿題を忘れました。」(=Sumimasen. Shukudai wo wasure mashita.) “Excuse me. I forgot my homework.”
• 「ノートを忘れました。」(=Nouto wo wasure mashita.) “I left /forgot my note book”

• 「先生、質問があります。」(=Sensei, shitsumon ga arimasu.) “Mr. /Ms. ~, I have a question! “

• 「質問してもいいですか？」(=Shitumon shitemo iidesu ka?) “Can I ask you a question? “

• 「質問してもよろしいでしょうか？」(=Shitsumon shitemo yoroshii deshou ka?) “May I ask you a question?”

• 「発音をもう一度教えて下さい。」(=Hatsuon wo mou ichido oshiete kudasai.) “Please teach me/us the pronunciation again.”

• 「〜の意味がよくわかりません。」(=~ no imi ga wakarimasen.) “I don’t understand the meaning of ~ “

• 「すみません。全くわかりません。もう一度教えて頂けますか？」(=Sumimasen,. Mattaku wakarimasen. Mou ichido oshiete itadakemasu ka?)
”Excuse me. I don’t understand at all. Could you teach me again?”

:maggie-small: says in the picture above:

「何か文句ありますか？」

(=Nanka (or Nanika) monku arimasu ka?)

“Any objection?” “Any complaints?” ” Do you have something to say?”

文句(=monku) complaints

Ex. 文句がある。（=Monku ga aru.) I have a bone to pick.

Ex. 彼女はいつも文句ばかり言っている。（=Kanojo wa itsumo monku bakari itte iru.)

She is always complaining (bitching).

Maggie先生より (=Maggie sensei yori) From Maggie-sensei

それでは今日のレッスンはこれで終わります。何か質問はありませんか？

えっ？「マギー先生は何でそんなに美しいのですか」って？それは自分でもわかりません。自然にこうなんです。

(=Soredewa kyou no ressun wa kore de owarimasu. Nanika shitsumon wa arimasen ka?

Eh? Maggie sensei wa nande sonnani utsukushii no desu ka tte? Sore wa jibun demo wakarimasen. Shizen ni kou nan desu.)

OK, we will finish today’s lesson now. Any questions? What? How come Maggie-sensei is so beautiful? Well, I don’t know the answer myself. That’s the way I am….

お気に召して頂けるかどうかわかりませんが、日頃の感謝の気持ちです。」

Oki ni meshite itadakeru ka dou ka wakarimasen ga higoro no kansha no kimochi desu.

I am not sure if you would like this or not but this is just a token of my appreciation.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Today we will learn 「敬語」(= keigo).

Uh-oh….tough one! Yep! It is difficult and many Japanese people get confused as well.

敬語 (= keigo) or 尊敬語 (=sonkeigo) is “honorific expression/language“.

In order to speak Japanese properly, we have to learn this 「敬語」（=keigo) and 「 謙譲語 」(=kenjyougo) , humble or modest version of Japanese.

The Kanji of 「 敬」(kei/ uyamau ) means “to respect” or “to admire”. (尊敬=sonkei means the same.)

You use 敬語 (=keigo) towards people who are socially higher, customers, or people you are not familiar with.

You, students have to use 敬語 (= keigo) towards 先生= sensei, (=teachers) as myself!

You hear 敬語 (=keigo) in daily conversation all the time in the stores, the restaurants, on the street, on the phone, etc.

Let’s take a look at the phrase in the picture first.

My student says : 「お気に召すかどうかわかりませんが、」

oki ni mesuka douka wakariamsen ga..

(I am not sure if you would like it or not but..)

(Basic form) 　→→→→→→→ 敬語 (Keigo)

* 気に入る ki ni iru to like something/s.o. →お気に召す oki ni mesu

日頃の感謝の気持ちです。 Hirogo no kansha no kimochi desu.

* 日頃：higoro everyday, continuous

* 感謝：kansha gratitude, appreciation

* 気持ち：kimochi feelings, a token of ~

This is a token of my (continuous) appreciation.

*クンクン : kunkun : sniffing sound

Now, before going to 敬語(=keigo)、let’s see the patterns of making 丁寧語 (=teineigo) polite form.

The simplest way to make some Japanese words more polite is to put“ o “ or “ go “ on the beginning of the words.

*お口 okuchi → (o + kuchi) mouth

Ex. 「お口に合うかどうか..」Okuchi ni au ka douka..

(I wonder if this tastes good enough for your mouth..)→“I am not sure if you like this food but (I do hope you like it) .”

*お元気ですか？ ogenki desuka?→ (o+genki desuka?) How are you?

*お時間 ojikan →(o+jikan) time

Ex. 「ちょっとお時間ありますか？」Chotto ojikan arimasuka? “Do you have time?”

*お忙しい　 oisogashii →(o+isogashii) in hurry

Ex. 「お忙しいですか？」oisogashii desuka? “Are you busy? ”

The Kanji for “ o ” is 御 and its’ other way of reading is “ go “. So some words take “ o “ and some take “ go “. (And some can’t take either one.) It depends on the word.

* 御主人(様） goshujin(sama) When you refer to someone’s husband or an owner of the stores, restaurants,etc. The original meaning of shujin is a master. (Note: The polite word for “wife” is 奥様 okusama)

* 御機嫌 gokigen mood

* 御住所 gojyuusho address

* 御相談 gosoudan to consult

* 御名前 is read “onamae” not “gonamae”. So if you see the kanji, 御、you have to figure out whether it is go or o (or on →御社 onsha your company )

But don’t overuse this. It would sound funny if you use it too much and sometimes it sounds strange if men use it.

* お野菜 (oyasai) vegetable :Fine and acceptable!

* おジュース (ojyuusu) : juice This is possible but sounds a bit overdone.

* おバナナ (obanana) : banana Too much. This sounds really strange
* お骨 (okotsu) : bone :i: Never use it for the fish or meat bone!! Only for funeral…

<How to address other people’s family >

When you refer to someone’s family, you have to keep it in mind to use the polite form.

For example, 母 (=haha) usually refers to your own mother. お母さん(=okaasan) could be your mother or another person’s mother. お母様 okaasama or お母様方 okaasama gata (=plural mothers) are very polite form to address other people’s mothers.

Ex. 私の母は６０歳 です。Watashi no haha wa 60 sai desu. My mom is 60 years old.

Ex. お母様はお元気でいらっしゃいますか？ okaasama wa ogenki de irasshaimasuka? How is your mother? (very polite)

父 chichi <お父さん otousan < お父様 otousama father
兄 ani <お兄さん oniisan <お兄様 oniisama brother

姉 ane <お姉さん oneesan <お姉様 oneesama

:mmmm: 敬語の動詞 Keigo no doushi <honorific verbs>

How to change regular verbs into 「丁寧語」（=teineigo / polite form) （ex. 〜です、ます desu, masu form. Usually you can use it both when you refer to your actions and other people’s actions.) and「 敬語」 (keigo) (ex. 〜になる。〜になられる その他 ~ninaru, ~ninarareru　sonota=and etc. You only use them when you refer other people’s actions.）

(Basic form) < 丁寧語 (Polite form) < 敬語 (Keigo) : ＜= more polite

飲む nomu　 < 飲みます nomimasu <　お飲みになる onomininaru to drink

急ぐ isogu < 急ぎます isogimasu <　お急ぎになる oisogini naru be in hurry
試す tamesu < 試します tameshimasu < お試しになる otameshini naru to try

買う kau　 < 買います kaimasu <　買われる　kawareru to buy

書く kaku < 書きます kakimasu <　書かれる　kakareru to write

来る kuru < 来ます kimasu <　来られる korareru to come

* Also いらっしゃる (=irassharu ) or お超しになる (=okoshi ni naru) can be keigo for this.）

試す tamesu < 試します tameshimasu <　お試しになる otameshini naru to try

食べる taberu < 食べます tabemasu　< 召し上がる meshiagaru to eat

いる　iru < います imasu < いらっしゃる irassharu to be there

言う　iu < 言います　iimasu < おっしゃる ossharu to say

Note : The first three verbs are ~(ni)naru form. The next three verbs are ~(ra)reru form. The last three verbs are the one which take special forms.

Test yourself!

Now your turn! Read the following casual sentences and make them in 丁寧(=teinei) ,polite form, and then try to make them in 敬語 form! Good luck!

１）明日、会社に来る？ Ashita kaisha ni kuru?

Are you coming to the office tomorrow?

２）今週の会議はどうする？ Konshuu no kaigi wa dousuru?

What are you going to do about the meeting this week?

３）この映画観たことある？ Kono eiga mita koto aru?

Have you seen this movie?

４）今、鈴木さんは出かけているの？ Ima, Suzuki san wa dekakete iru no?

Is Suzuki-san out now?

５）料理、冷めるから早く食べたら？ Ryouri, sameru kara hayaku tabetara?

Help yourself before the food gets colder.

６）これ誰が描いた絵？ Kore dare ga kaita e?

Who drew this picture?

７）田中さんって知ってる？ Tanaka sanntte shitteru?

Do you know Mr.Tanaka?

:jjj: (答え）Kotae　Answers

(1) 明日会社 に来ますか？

Ashita kaisha ni kimasuka?

明日は、会社にい らっしゃいますか？

Ashita wa kaisha ni irasshaimasu ka?

(2) 今週の会議はどうしますか？

Konshuu no kaigi wa doushimasu ka?

今週の会議はどうされますか？

Konshuu no kaigi wa dou saremasu ka?

(3) この 映画を観たことはありますか？

Kono eiga wo mita koto wa arimasu ka?

この映画をご覧になったことはありますか？

Kono eiga wo goran ni natta koto wa airmasu ka?

(4) 今、鈴木さんは出かけていますか？

Ima, suzuki san wa dekakete imasu ka?

只今、鈴木様はお出かけでしょうか？

Tadaima, Suzuki-sama wa odekakete de shouka?

(5) 料理が冷めてしま うので早く食べたら如何ですか？

Ryouri ga samete shimau node hayaku tabetara ikaga desuka?

どう ぞ、お料理が冷めてしまいますのでお早くお召し上がり下さい。

Douzo, oryouri ga samete shimaimasu node ohayaku omesiagari kudasai .

(6) これは 誰が描いた絵ですか？

Kore wa dare ga kaita e desu ka?

こちらの絵はどなたがお描きになったのでしょうか？

Kochirano e wa donata ga okaki ni natta node shouka?

(7) 田中さんを知っていますか？

Tanaka san wo shitte imasu ka?

田中さんをご存知ですか？

Tanaka-san wo gozonji desu ka?

Note　:

コンビニ敬語 (=conbini keigo) 、ファミレス敬語(=famiresu keigo)　or バイト敬語 (=baito keigo) バイト＝part-time.

Recently the peculiar form of 敬語 (= keigo) among young people who work for the family restaurants or convenience stores is getting controversial.

The examples of those “konbini”or “famiresu” keigo are…

* こちらメニューになります。→こちらがメニューでございます。

* お会計、２０００円になります。→お会計は、２０００円でございます。

*こちら、Aランチのほうになります。→こちらがAランチでございます。

* １万円からお預かりします。→１万円をお預かりします。

* 温めますか？ →温めましょうか？

They even have manuals using these 敬語（＝keigo)

So like all anguages, the Japanese language has been changing,too.

マギー先生より Maggie sensei yori 　From Maggie-sensei

本日、御多忙中、こちらのブログにいらっしゃって下さった皆様、誠に有難うございました。

またのお越しを心からお待ち申し上げております。

honjitu gotabouchuu kochirano burogu ni irasshatte kudasatta minasama , makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.

mata no okoshi wo kokoro kara omaci moushiagete orimasu.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit this blog. I really hope you come visit us again.

:maggie-small: 「う〜ん、食べたい！ラス１食べたい！」 (Uun rasu ichi tabetai!)

“Oh~~I want the last piece!”

The other day, I posted “Enryo” lesson. This is an additional lesson.

「遠慮のかたまり」（”Enryo no katamari”） is a fun word to remember and you may not be able to find it in a dictionary.

Mostly in Kansai (west part of Japan such as Osaka, etc.) area. But we hear that often in Chubu (ex. Nagoya) area as well.

What is it?

Well, as I explained the other day, “some” Japanese people are 　「遠慮深い」enryobukai ” (being politely reserved).

You know in certain situation when you eat with your friends or family, you see the last piece of food or snack left on a plate which nobody has the guts to eat because other people might think you are a pig! Everybody knows that it is there but they all act as if it doesn’t exist.

That is called 「遠慮のかたまり」（”Enryo no katamari”） “a last piece of food/snack which people are reluctant to eat for courtesy.)

If that happens, someone might jokingly point to the last one and say “遠慮のかたまり！”（Enryo no katamari! or 「誰かこの”遠慮のかたまり”食べたら？」Dare ka kono enryo no katamari tabetara? “Somebody should eat this last piece!”)

「塊 」（or 「固まり 」）”Katamari” is a piece or lump.

I was thinking…

「う〜ん、食べたい！ラス一！」“Uu〜n tabetai! Rasuichi “　means “Oh..I want the last one!”

「ラスイチ」「ラス一」, or 「ラス１」 Rasuichi is a slang and means “the last one”.

最後の一つ or 一個 saigo no hitotsu (or ikko) (the last one)→ラストの一つ rasuto no hitotsu (=one)

ラスイチ（イチ＝１or 一）　Rasuichi

You may hear that expression in a boutique.

「これラスイチですよ！」kore rasu ichi desuyo!　“This is the last one!”

:k: 「食べたい」 tabetai ：〜(し)たい　（shi)tai = want to (wanna) + do something

Ex. １）寝たい（netai) want to sleep　(寝る neru = to sleep)

Ex. 2) 　歌いたい （utaitai) 　want to sing (歌う utau = to sing)

このラスイチのお菓子は、広島名物、「紅葉まんじゅう！」です！

誰が「遠慮のかたまり」を食べたって？当ててみて！

Kono rasu ichi no okashi wa hiroshima meibutsu “momiji manjyuu” desu!

Dare ga “enryo no katamari” wo tabetatte? Atete mite!

That last piece of sweet is called “Momiji manjyuu” which is very famous in Hiroshima.

Who ate that last piece? Guess who!

:maggie-small: 「ねえ、今からスタバに行ってカフェラテとフラペチーノ買ってくるからお小遣い頂戴！」

Nee, ima kara sutaba ni itte kafe rate to furapechiino katte kuru kara okodukai choudai!

Hey, I will go to Starbucks to get a Caffe Latte and Frapechino, so gimme some money!

(お小遣い：okozukai = allowance 頂戴 ：chodai = Give me! 買ってくるから : kattekuru kara because I will go buy…)

Today we will learn 片仮名＝カタカナ＝Katakana words.

Katakana words are used when writing foreign words, foreigners’ names, country names and etc.

Ex. レストラン (resutoran)=restaurant • イギリス(igirisu)=U.K. • カナダ人(kanada jin) = Canadian •

アイフォーン(ai fo~n)=iPhone

Lots of Japanese people try to write “katakana” when they see/hear some English words that they can’t pronounce. It acts as a reading aid.

Ex. My name is Maggie. =マイネーム　イズ　マギー (mai neimu izu magii)

Some foreigners seem to stumble over “katakana” words when reading and listening.

Part of the reason for this is that Japanese people change the original pronunciation. Also some of the “katakana” words are completely different from the original words because they abbreviate them.

Ex.　パーソナルコンピューター　(paasonaru konpyuutaa)→パソコン（pasokon) =　a personal computer

:jjj: テスト （tesuto) TEST

OK, let’s practice. Fill in the following blanks by either listening to the sound file or reading. You choose!

1) 明日（　　　　　）の（　　　　　）に行くの。

Ashita （　　　　） no baagen ni ikino.

I’m going to a sale at the department store tomorrow.

２）彼は（　　　　）で（　　　　　）をしています。

Kare wa （　　　　） de（　　　　） wo shiteimasu.

He is working part-time at a convenience store.

３）このトラックは３（　　　　　　）の長さです。

Kono （　　　　） wa san （　　　　） no nagasa desu

That truck is 3 meters long.

４）今晩、（　　　　　）を飲みながら（　　　）を見ます。

Konban （　　　　） wo nomi nagara （　　　　） wo mimasu.

I’m going to watch a night (baseball) game and drink beer tonight.

５）その（　　　　　）可愛いですね。

Sono （　　　　） kawaii desune.

That dress (one-piece) is cute!.

６）（　　　　）に答えて下さい。

（　　　　） ni kotaete kudasai.

Please respond to the questionnaire.

７）昨日、あの有名な（　　　　）に（　　　　　）をもらいました。

Kinou ano yuumeina （　　　　　） ni （　　　　） wo moraimashita.

I got an autograph from that famous TV personality (or entertainer. )

８）この間、（　　　　　　）に行って（　　　　　　）を（　　　　　）にこぼしました。

Kono aida （　　　　　　　　　）ni itte （　　　　） wo （　　　　） ni koboshimashita.

I spilled ketchup on my T-shirt at Kentucky Fried Chicken the other day.

９）（　　　　　　　　）が切れたので（　　　　　）に買いに行きます。

（　　　　　　　） ga kireta node （　　　　） ni kai ni ikimasu.

I’m running out of toilet paper so I will go buy some at a supermarket.

１０）最近、とても（　　　　　　）になったね。

Saikin totemo （　　　　） ni nattane.

You look so slim lately.

答え：

１）デパート(depaato) a department store、　 バーゲン (baagen) sales

２）コンビニ (konbini ) a convenience store、 アルバイト(arubaito) a part-time job

３）トラック (torakku) a truck 、 メートル (meetoru) meter

４）ビール (biiru) beer 、 ナイター (naitaa) a night game (→ baseball)

５）ワンピース (wanpiisu) a dress

６）アンケート (ankeeto) a questionnaire

７）テレビタレント (terebitarento) a TV personality , an entertainer 、 サイン (sain) autograph

８）ケンタッキーフライドチキン (kentakkii furaido tikin) Kentucky Friend Chicken、

ケチャップ (kechappu ) ketchup 、ティーシャツ (tiishatsu) T-shirt

９）トイレットペーパー (toiretto peepaa) toilet paper、スーパー (suupaa) a supermarket

１０）スマート (sumaato) slim

フロム マギー (From Maggie)

ハ〜イ！エブリワン！今日のレッスンはエンジョイしてくれましたか？

（Hi, everyone! Did you enjoy today’s lesson?)

:maggie-small: 「恐れ入りますが、おかわりを頂けますか？」

Osoreirimasu ga, okawari wo itadakemasuka?

“I am awfully sorry to bother you but could I have a second serving, please?”

（おかわり okawari : seconds, a second helping, a refill

頂けますか？ Itadake masu ka? Could you give me~）

Today we will learn very formal and polite Japanese expressions.

You say 「恐れ入りますが…」 =”Osore irimasu ga…” before you ask someone a favor or a question.

Ex. １）「恐れ入りますが、ゴミはこちらにお捨て下さい。」

Osore irimasu ga gomi wa kochirani osute kudasai .

I am truly sorry to bother you but please throw away the trash here.

(ex. ゴミ：gomi = trash, こちら: kochira = here/ this way, 捨てる suteru throw away.)

Ex. ２）「恐れ入りますが、駅までの行き方をお教え頂けますでしょうか？」

Osore irimasu ga, eki made no iki kata wo ooshie itadakemasu de shouka?

Excuse me / I am awfully sorry to bother you, but could you tell me how to get to the station please?

(駅 eki station までの madeno : to

行き方 ikikata direction 教える oshieru to teach,to tell, to instruct,

「お教え〜」=”ooshie” is more polite than 「 教えて〜」= “oshiete”

（〜して）頂けますでしょうか？ = itadakemasudeshouka could you do something for me? )

Ex. ３）「恐れ入りますが、そこの塩を取って頂けますか？」

Osore irimasu ga, sokono shio wo totte itadakemasuka ?

Excuse me / I am sorry to bother you, but could you pass me the salt (which is near you) please?

(塩 shio salt　　 そこの sokono : (right) there

取る toru to take, to pass

（~して）頂けますか？ itadakemasuka could you do something for me?

→Note :The former example （~して）頂けますでしょうか？ itadakemasu deshouka sounds a bit more softer.)

Ex. 4) 恐れ入りますが、お名前を頂けますか？

Osore irimasu ga onamae wo itadakemasuka?

I am sorry, but may I have your name, please?

(名前：nama You add the honorific “o” at the beginning to make it more polite. →お名前 onamae )

:l: You say「恐れ入ります。」(osore irimasu) after someone does something for you,too.

That means “Thank you!” or “Sorry for all the trouble.”

•「恐れ入りました。」 (osore irimashita. = past tense)　could be translated as “I’ll be damned.”

Also you say that to a person who defeated you in a match or a game with respect implying “You are great/strong/much stronger than I.” or “Now I see your greatness/strength.” Cf. 「参りました！」Mairimashita. ” I lost! ” or “You won!” )

:w: Also you will hear, 恐縮する　meaning “to feel very grateful” in a humble way.

:i: Note : Kanji

The kanji,「恐」: On reading＝kyou. Kun reading is 「恐れる」(=osoreru) meaning→“to fear”

「縮 」On reading=shuku. Its Kun reading is 「縮む」(= chijimu) meaning →”to shrink”

So literally you tremble and feel like shrinking for the gratitude or feeling bad for making someone do something for you.

Ex. 5) 「恐縮ですが、コピーを頂けますか？」

Kyoushuku desuga, kopii wo itadakemasu ka?

Sorry to trouble you, but may I have a copy, please?

:maggie-small: 「恐縮です！」

Kyoushuku desu.

“Thank you for all your trouble!”

(ガツガツ）

(Gatsu gatsu)

The sound you make when you gorge yourself.

マギー先生より From Maggie-sensei,

ほらね、私はいつでも誰にでも礼儀正しくしているから、見習ってね！

「あっ！また、おかわり、頂戴！」

Horane, watashi wa itsu demo dareni demo reigi tadashiku shiteiru kara minaratte ne! “Ah, Mata Okawari choudai!”

See, I am trying to be polite to everybody all the time. So please learn from my attitude!

“Now gimme a third helping!”

Let’s continue from the previous “Body Part Lesson Part 1″

1. 　顎 （あご）ago chin

2.　背中（せなか）senaka back

3.　腰 （こし） koshi (also ウエスト uesuto ) lower back

4.　お尻 （おしり）oshiri (also 尻（しり）shiri

* Oshiri is more polite and sounds cuter.) butt

5.　胸 （むね） mune (also バスト basuto referring women’s breast ) chest / breast

6.　肘（ひじ） hiji elbow(s)

*Actually Maggie has four “legs” but let’s think of her forelegs as arms.)

7.　お腹 （おなか）onaka (also 腹（はら）hara

* Onaka is more polite and sounds cuter like tummy.) abdomen, belly

8.　膝（ひざ）hiza knees

9.　足 （あし）ashi legs / feet

Did you memorize them? OK, test yourself again with the following picture!

Note : Maggie doesn’t have a tail (anymore) but tail in Japanese is 尻尾 (shippo) or simply 尾 (o)

How to use them :

Ex. 1 ) • お腹がすいた (すきました） onaka ga suita (sukimashita→more polite )= I am hungry

Ex. 2 ) •　〜　が痛い ：〜ga itai. ＊＊＊ hurts. /I have ＊＊＊ache/pain.

Ex. 　腰が痛い Koshi ga itai. My lower back hurts.

Q u i z ! :ii:

:l: OK, now it’s time for advanced level people.

Fill out the blanks!! :u:

1) How do you say a person who is evil-minded.

（　　　）黒い　~guroi

（黒い：kuroi = black)

2) How do you say “running over budget”?

（　　　）が出る　: ~ ga deru.

（出る deru stick out)

3) When you are starving, you say,

（　　　）と（　　　）がくっつく。　: ~ to ~ ga kuttsuku.

（くっつく kuttsuku : stick together)

4) How do you say face-to-face in Japanese using the above mentioned body part?

( 　　 )と ( 　　 )を付き合わせる。 : ~ to ~ wo tsukiawaseru.

（付き合わせる：tsukiawaseru　to get closer)

5）How do you say when you fall flat on your behind?

尻（　　　）を付く　: shiri ~ wo tsuku.

( 付く tsuku：to pound ) (hint : Japanese food)

6) When you are excited expecting upcoming fun event, you say

胸が（　　　　）。: mune ga ~

（hint : verb)

皆、出来た？(dekita?) Did you finish them alright?

(答え）Kotae Answers

1) 腹 hara 2) 足 ashi ３）お腹 onaka &　背中 senaka　（There is a children song,too!)

4) 膝 hiza &　膝 hiza　５）餅 mochi = Sticky rice cake (Japanese people eat mochi especially on New Year’s Day) 6) 踊る odoru = to dance

マギー先生 :maggie-small: より　From Maggie-Sensei

私、ナイスバディーでしょ〜！ Watashi naisu badei de shoo!

Don’t you think I have a really nice body?

Max : 「マギーの家に行くけれども一緒に行く？　」

Maggie no ie ni iku keredomo issho ni iku?

I’m going to Maggie’s house. Do you wanna come with me?

Cookie : 「ちょっと遠慮しておくよ。」

Chotto enryo shite okuyo.

Well, I’d rather not.

皆さん、今日は！(Minasan konnichiwa! )

Hello, everyone!

Today I will teach you this word, enryo(suru). (→enryo is a noun. enryo suru is a verb.)

The original meaning is to behave with modesty, to be reserved or humble or to hesitate.

For example, when serving snacks or food to guests or offer a present to someone who is reluctant to receive, you can say:

♦「どうぞ、遠慮なさらずに。」Douzo, enryo nasarazu ni.（formal suru<nasaru)

♦「どうぞ、遠慮しないで下さい。」Douzo, enryo shinaide kudasai.

♦「遠慮しないで、どうぞ！」 Enryo shinaide douzo! （between friends)

meaning “Please help yourself ! “ “Please don’t hesitate! “”No need for formalities!”

♦「遠慮なくおたずねください。」 Enryo naku otazune kudasai . Please do not hesitate to ask. (formal)

♦「遠慮しないで何でも聞いて！」Enryo shinai de nandemo kiite. Please don’t hesitate to ask me anything. (casual)

If somebody offers you something, you take it saying,

♦「遠慮なく頂きます。」Enryo naku itadakimasu. Don’t mind if I do.

Meanwhile, if you see someone who is very blunt and says things or receives things without any reservation, you can describe this person by saying,

♦ あの人は遠慮がない(です）。Anohito wa enryo ga nai (desu).

Literally: “That person has no reservation.” Of course, we would never say that in English, but you might say, “He sure has a lot of nerve.” Or you might sarcastically say, “He sure is shy.”

Sometimes you say jokingly to this kind of people,

♦「ちょっと、遠慮したら！」 Chotto enryo shitara! Be more considerate to others!

Now, please take a look at the picture for today.

Someone asked Cookie if he wants to go visit Maggie and Cookie doesn’t want to go so he declined saying,

「ちょっと遠慮しておくよ。」Chotto enryo shite okuyo. (“okuyo” is usually for boys. Girls would say “okuwa”.

Formal Japanese is ”遠慮しておきます。” Enryo shite okimasu. This can be said both by women and men.)

It means “No thank you.” in a kind of roundabout way.

「ちょっと」(chotto) is “a little” but it is used when you don’t want to say things too cleary. It makes things sound softer.

ちょっと困ります。 chotto komarimasu. I am in trouble. or This is a problem.（Don’t trouble me.)

ちょっと出来ないです。 chotto dekinai desu. I can’t do that.

Cookieへ　：私は全く遠慮しないであんたの家にいつでも遊びに行くわよ！

Cookie e : watashi wa mattaku enryo shinai de annta no ie ni itsudemo asobi ni ikuwayo!

To Cookie : I will come over your house anytime without any hesitation!

*マギーが世界で一番可愛いよ！

Maggie ga sekai de ichiban kawaiiyo!

Maggie is the cutest in the world!

*嘘!

Uso!

Liar! / No way! / You must be kidding!

Today’s word is 嘘 ＝ Uso.

It means “lie”.

(Please check the sound file below!)

:w: verb : 嘘をつく uso wo tsuku. =to lie

Ex. 私に嘘をつかないで（+下さい。）

Watashi ni uso wo tsukanai de (+kudasai).

(kudasai : more formal, watashi ni = to me.)

= Don’t lie to me!

:k: a liar = 嘘つき usotsuki

Ex. 彼は嘘つきだ。／です。 Kare wa usotsuki da./ desu. (“desu” is more formal than “da” ) =He is a liar!

Japanese often use “Uso!” when they are surprised, like ”Really?” “Are you sure?” “No kidding!” No way!” or when they hear something unbelievable or unexpected.

Ex. 「マギーがミスユニバースで優勝したよ！」Maggie ga misu yunibaasu de yuushou shitayo.

=Maggie won the “Miss Universe” contest! (優勝する= yuushou suru : to win　優勝した＝yuushou shita. past tense.)

「うっそ〜！」 “ Ussoo“

=”No way!” （うっそ〜= ” Ussoo” is more colloquial.)

:rrrr:  (Note : 「ありえない！」arienai （it can’t be true!) can be used in this situation!)

They often combine Uso and Hontou (=本当　the truth)

Ex.

A : 「昨日、街でヴィクターに会ったよ！」 Kinou machi de bikutaa ni atta yo. I saw Victor on the street yesterday.

B : 「えっ？うそ！本当？」 E? Uso? Honto(u)? No way, really?

As you can see “うそ！”＝“uso！” is used very casually in daily conversation and doesn’t always mean “lie”.

( Note : 本当? hontou? Really? could be replaced by “マジ（で）？” Maji（de)? “Are you serious?” in colloquial Japanese.)

Ex.

A : 「 明日雨だって！」“Ashita ame datte!” (They said / I heard it would rain tomorrow.)

B:　「うそ~！ 」 “Usoo!” （No,kidding! / I didn’t expect it would rain tomorrow.)

:jjj: Added Sound file for the above phrases.

From Maggie :

でも、本当は私は自分のことを世界で一番可愛いと信じています。

Demo hontou wa watashi wa jibun no koto wo sekai de ichiban kawaii to shinjite imasu.

But the truth is that I do believe I’m the cutest girl in the world!

＊「おもちゃ貸してくれる？ 」Omocha kashite kureru? ( Can I play with your toys?)

Maggie :「 だめ！」 Dame! (No! )

Today’s word is 意地悪 Ijiwaru . (意地 iji = in this case “cast of mind”, 悪 waru = bad)

It means “mean” “ill-natured” “wicked” “jxrk” “bitch” or “nasty”.

- マギー は意地悪だ。 Maggie wa ijiwaru da. Maggie is mean!

- マギー は意地悪です。 Maggie wa ijiwaru desu. Maggie is mean!

(Note: if you end the sentence with “desu”, it is more polite than ending the sentence with “da”)

You can also say 意地が悪い Iji ga warui.

- マギー は意地が悪い。 Maggie wa iji ga warui. Maggie is mean!

- マギー は意地が悪いです。 Maggie wa iji ga warui desu. Maggie is mean!

:jjj: -意地悪しないで！ Ijiwaru shinai de.（more casual) Don’t be mean.

-意地悪しないで下さい。Ijiwaru shinai de kudasai. Please don’t be mean.

:mm: 形容詞 Keiyoushi adjetive :

意地の悪い / 意地悪な＋名詞 : Iji no warui／ijiwaru na + Meishi (=noun)

- 彼女 は意地の悪い人です。 Kanojyo wa iji no warui hito desu. She is a mean person.

- 彼女 は意地悪な人です。 Kanojyo wa ijiwaruna hito desu. She is a mean person.

:ddd: 動詞 Doushi verb :

意地悪をする Ijiwaru wo suru. 　 To do something mean to someone.

:jjj: -意地悪をしないで！ Ijiwaru wo shinaide! ”Don’t do mean things.”

-意地悪なことを言う。 Ijiwaru na koto wo iu. To say something mean. =意地の悪いことを言う Iji no warui koto wo iu.

:jjj: -意地の悪いことを言わないで！ Iji no warui koto wo iwanai de! ”Don’t say mean things.” ( :jjj: Used by woman. Men would say 「意地の悪いこと言うなよ！」 Iji no warui koto iunayo. )

:ee: おもちゃ貸してくれる？ Omocha kashite kureru? Can I play with your toys?

-貸す Kasu to lend

-くれる Kureru to do something for a speaker for his/her favor.

貸してくれる Kashite kureru

貸してくれますか？ Kashite kuremasuka? (more polite) Can you lend me your toys? = Can I borrow your toys? = Can I play with your toys?

(Please check the former lesson, “(shi)tekite kureru”. I will make a new lesson with Ageru vs Kureru sometime.)

:ii: “だめ！” Dame = “No!” : You say that when you tell people (especially to kids) not to do something. You can also say 「いや（だ）！」 Iya ” or “「やだ」 Yada！”　when you don’t want to do certain things although it sounds a bit childish.

From Maggie

「誰か私におもちゃを貸してくれる？」Dare ga watashi ni omocha wo kashite kureru? Now, who’s gonna let me use your toys?