After eight years of dreaming of being able to go to Japan, this year Stephanie decided she would finally make that dream come true. With a year and a half of Japanese lessons she hopes knows enough Japanese to make conversing a little on her trip.
Please visit Stephanie's Travel Bog http://feverandfuture.com/blog/
"Yokoso Japan" (Welcome to Japan) gives you a lot of good information for people who want to visit Japan!
http://www.visitjapan.jp/
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Funny Japanese TV Commercial
I found that the above Japanese CM in the YouTube as a popular Japanese CM. Please try to catch the Japanese sounds. This CM has English subtitles. (Some of translations are not correct.) It is not a moving company's commercial. ^_^ What commercial is this?
トラックの広告Torakku no koukoku (the advertisement on the track)
ひっこし野郎 ガッツあります。出します。
Hikkoshi yarou Gattsu arimasu, dashimasu.
トラックの中 Trakku no naka (in the truck)
あっ！うわあ～ 可愛いなあ みんな可愛くないっすか。この町すごいっすね。決めてよかったなあ。
Aaa! Uwaa….Kawaiinaa minna kawaiku naissuka. Konomachi sugoissune. Kimete yokattanaa…
講義室 Kougishitsu (in a lecture room)
可愛い・・
(携帯の音）cell phone’s sound
もしもし・・・うん、みかちゃん あっ まんなか うん ここ ここ ここだよ
おはよう。よかったあ まにあって
ねえねえ辞書もってる
(もってる）わけないやん・・
おはようございます。それでは授業を始めます。１年間講義を担当します小林です。
Kawaii…
(Keitai no oto)
Moshimoshi…un, Mika-chan A...mannaka Un koko koko koko dayo
Ohayou. Youkattaa…maniatte
Nee nee jisho motteru
(motteru)wake naiyan…
Ohayou gozaimasu. Soredewa jugyou wo hajimemasu. Ichinenkan kougi wo tantou shimasu Kobayashi desu.
コーヒーショップ Koohii shoppu ( in a coffee shop)
桜井先生だったらさあ セクハラじゃなくて・・・
たとえ胸さわられてもセクハラじゃ・・・
わかるわかる・・・
ご注文お決まりですか。
Sakurai-sensei dattara saa.. sekuharajya nakute…
Tatoe mune sawararetemo sekuhara jya…
Wakaru wakaru…
Gochumon okimari desuka?
校庭 Koutei (in a school yard)
あー あー アベマリア
Aaa…aaa… abe maria…
夜の街 Yoruno machi (an entertainment area in the night)
可愛い子が多くてびっくりしてんるんでしょ。え～どの子がタイプ
あら何が気に入らないの？
きゃあ いった～い 痛いじゃないですか。
Kawaiiko ga ookute bikkurishiterunn desho. Eee….donoko ga taipu
Ara naniga kiniiranaino?
Kyaa…Ittaa…i itaijya naidesuka.
ベッドの中 Beddo no naka (in the bed)
ねえ、私のどこがよかったの？
声かな、声・・・
ああ・・・私サッカーとか見に行かないから・・・
えっ？
Nee, watashi no dokoga yokattano?
Koe kana, koe…
Aaaa…watashi sakkaa toka mini ikanaikara
E???
サッカースタジアム Sakkaa stajiamu (in a soccer stadium)
行け～ 行け～ 行け～ 行け～ 行け～
んん～また声かれちゃうよ
Ikee….Ikee… Ikee.. Ikee.... Ikee....
Nnnn…mata koe karechauyo
Friday, May 7, 2010
Warm Water Cleaning Toilet: Washlet
A warm water cleaning toilet seat is very popular (becomes common) in Japan. The most well known brand is called Washlet (by ToTo). Also, we should not forget the brand, Shower Toile (by Inax).
.png)
(Dec.2008)This is a public washroom's Washlet. Currently, many public washrooms (in department stores, hotels, hospitals, or office buildings) installed Washlets. Sound Princess (音姫 Otohime）is a key point in "female" public washrooms.
(Dec.2008)
The first secret! The keyword is SIT DOWN! When Japanese people do their business, we must sit down—and I did say sit—. Probably it would be difficult for you because you would need to concentrate. If you lost your concentration, you might miss the target. For Japanese, squatting is not a problem because we have been trained since we were small children. Me? I am gooooood! Actually, maybe I lost my toilet technique because I’ve lived in Canada since 1999. Now, I’m afraid of going back to Japan.
The second secret! The keyword is BE DIESCRETE. For Japanese women, it’s very shameful to make any noise on the toilet in public washrooms. How do we avoid making these sounds? We flush the toilet while we are doing our business. If woman had to be in a stall for a long time, she would have to flush many times. Using so much water costs a lot, so some public bathrooms have a special machine that makes a flush sound. This machine is called Otohime which means SOUND PRINCESS. However, this machine cannot make the exact same sound of flushing water. Many women feel embarrassed when they use a Sound Princess, so they do still flush. Last summer, I went back to Japan and used a public washroom. Holly Smoke! I forgot to flush during doing! … I lost my Japanese shyness. By the way, I’ve learned from Canada which told me each person makes different noise.
The third secret! The keyword is WASH! Japanese likes high-technology not only for cameras but also for toilets. Today, most of Japanese people use high-tech toilets, called Wash-let, and they are very nice. These high-tech toilets have special functions. First, the toilet seats can be warmed, so even on a cold day, it is comfortable to go to the washroom. Second, when we press a button, a nozzle emerges and it sprays water with which we wash our private parts. We can adjust the strength, temperature, and position of the water jet. Third, after the washing, when we press another button, air comes out to dry our private parts. These functions are very convenient for people who are struggling with haemorrhoids. Oh… are you struggling with…you should import the Washlet from Japan. Also this Washlet provides a very well-regulated schedule to many Japanese. If people felt constipated, the Washlet encourages their movement. After that, the water completely cleans their private parts. Many Japanese appreciate the Washlet; they feel fresh every day. The Washlet supports the Japanese hard working and methodical culture.
Japanese toilet culture is very different from that of Canada. Three key words, sit down, be discrete, and wash describes the secret and pleasant Japanese toilet culture. If you have a chance to go to Japan, please check our bathroom behaviour carefully.
This is my family's washroom in Japan. My parents bought and installed it around 24 years ago. It is a very old type of Washlet, but it still works very well. The key point is over the tank. We can save a lot of water. (I heard that new one has more various functions such as massage, self-cleaning, automatic open and close lid functions... and so on. I would like to use a massage function if I have a chance.)
.png)
(Dec.2008)
(Dec.2008)This is also a public washroom. Many public washrooms provides a paper sheet cover.
This is a traditional style of Japanese toilet. We have to squat when.... We can still see this type of toilets all over the places in Japan. I have lived in Canada for 10 years, so, I found that it is difficult to use this type toilet now. Actually, this type of toilet is very good to train our knees and legs. I would like to introduce Japanese elderly people to you. Their legs and knees are very strong because they squat a lot in their life style. We can see many elderly people (around 80 years old) ride a bicycle to go shopping in Japan.
お手洗い（おてあらい）Washroom/Bathroom
ウォッシュレット Washlet
シャワートイレ Shower Toile
音姫（おとひめ）Sound Princess
トイレットペーパー Toilet Paper
This is my speech when I participated in a humorous speech contest in Toastmasters.
The Title - "Flash with Success"
A washroom is a secret and mysterious place. I’ve learned about Canada through using Canadian washrooms. Canadian toilet culture is like Canadian culture in general: very open. The toilet stall doors in public washrooms are open from top to bottom and there are gaps between the door and the frame. I’m afraid of someone peeping at what I am doing. Good evening Toastmasters. Today, I will tell you about the three secrets of the Japanese toilet culture.
The first secret! The keyword is SIT DOWN! When Japanese people do their business, we must sit down—and I did say sit—. Probably it would be difficult for you because you would need to concentrate. If you lost your concentration, you might miss the target. For Japanese, squatting is not a problem because we have been trained since we were small children. Me? I am gooooood! Actually, maybe I lost my toilet technique because I’ve lived in Canada since 1999. Now, I’m afraid of going back to Japan.
The second secret! The keyword is BE DIESCRETE. For Japanese women, it’s very shameful to make any noise on the toilet in public washrooms. How do we avoid making these sounds? We flush the toilet while we are doing our business. If woman had to be in a stall for a long time, she would have to flush many times. Using so much water costs a lot, so some public bathrooms have a special machine that makes a flush sound. This machine is called Otohime which means SOUND PRINCESS. However, this machine cannot make the exact same sound of flushing water. Many women feel embarrassed when they use a Sound Princess, so they do still flush. Last summer, I went back to Japan and used a public washroom. Holly Smoke! I forgot to flush during doing! … I lost my Japanese shyness. By the way, I’ve learned from Canada which told me each person makes different noise.
The third secret! The keyword is WASH! Japanese likes high-technology not only for cameras but also for toilets. Today, most of Japanese people use high-tech toilets, called Wash-let, and they are very nice. These high-tech toilets have special functions. First, the toilet seats can be warmed, so even on a cold day, it is comfortable to go to the washroom. Second, when we press a button, a nozzle emerges and it sprays water with which we wash our private parts. We can adjust the strength, temperature, and position of the water jet. Third, after the washing, when we press another button, air comes out to dry our private parts. These functions are very convenient for people who are struggling with haemorrhoids. Oh… are you struggling with…you should import the Washlet from Japan. Also this Washlet provides a very well-regulated schedule to many Japanese. If people felt constipated, the Washlet encourages their movement. After that, the water completely cleans their private parts. Many Japanese appreciate the Washlet; they feel fresh every day. The Washlet supports the Japanese hard working and methodical culture.
Japanese toilet culture is very different from that of Canada. Three key words, sit down, be discrete, and wash describes the secret and pleasant Japanese toilet culture. If you have a chance to go to Japan, please check our bathroom behaviour carefully.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Song of the Month for May: Tomato
I introduce the song of the month on my website, www.oharaconsulting.ca The song of the month is “Tomato.” It is a very cute song, isn’t it?
トマトって可愛い名前だね Tomato tte kawaii namae dane
上から読んでもトマト Uekara yondemo Tomato
下から読んでもトマト Shitakara yondemo tomato
トマトってなかなかお洒落だね Tomato tte nakanaka oshare dane
小さい時には青い服 Chiisaitoki niwa aoi-fuku
大きくなったら赤い服 Ookiku nattara akai-fuku
Nakanaka - very
Kawaii namae– cute name
Ue – the top
Kara - from
Yondemo – read
Shita – the bottom
Oshare - fashionableness
Chiisaitoki-When (a tomato) is small
Aoi fuku – blue clothes
Ookiitoki -When (a tomato) grow up
Akai fuku – red clothes
トマトって可愛い名前だね Tomato tte kawaii namae dane
上から読んでもトマト Uekara yondemo Tomato
下から読んでもトマト Shitakara yondemo tomato
トマトってなかなかお洒落だね Tomato tte nakanaka oshare dane
小さい時には青い服 Chiisaitoki niwa aoi-fuku
大きくなったら赤い服 Ookiku nattara akai-fuku
Nakanaka - very
Kawaii namae– cute name
Ue – the top
Kara - from
Yondemo – read
Shita – the bottom
Oshare - fashionableness
Chiisaitoki-When (a tomato) is small
Aoi fuku – blue clothes
Ookiitoki -When (a tomato) grow up
Akai fuku – red clothes
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Passwords for the Month of May
The Passwords for the Month of May 今月の合言葉
I require that my students use passwords when they contact me through the intercom before taking their lessons. I started this activity after I moved to a new place in February. It sounds fun, right?
In March, I used “Open Sesame 開け胡麻 Hirake goma”as a well-known password. It is from the adventure tale of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thievesアリババと４０人の盗賊 Alibaba to yonjuu-nin no touzoku.
In April, I chose “Spring Has Come春が来た Haru ga kita.” I picked this phrase from a children’s song “Spring Has Come.”
Then, this month’s password is “May 5th is Children’s Day 五月五日はこどもの日ですGogatsu itsuka wa kodomo no hi desu.”
Do you have any good ideas for June’s password? June is a rainy season 梅雨 in Japan, so I have been thinking of password which should be related to rain. ^_^
I require that my students use passwords when they contact me through the intercom before taking their lessons. I started this activity after I moved to a new place in February. It sounds fun, right?
In March, I used “Open Sesame 開け胡麻 Hirake goma”as a well-known password. It is from the adventure tale of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thievesアリババと４０人の盗賊 Alibaba to yonjuu-nin no touzoku.
In April, I chose “Spring Has Come春が来た Haru ga kita.” I picked this phrase from a children’s song “Spring Has Come.”
Then, this month’s password is “May 5th is Children’s Day 五月五日はこどもの日ですGogatsu itsuka wa kodomo no hi desu.”
Do you have any good ideas for June’s password? June is a rainy season 梅雨 in Japan, so I have been thinking of password which should be related to rain. ^_^
Sunday, May 2, 2010
How do you do?
My name is Nami Ohara and I teach Japanese language and culture in St. John's Newfoundland. You can find out more about the classes, services and fun Japanese activities offered by my company, Ohara Consulting, by going to http://www.oharaconsulting.ca/.
I am planning to post short Japanese lessons, notes on Japanese culture and lots of other fun Japanese related stuff on this blog. Keep checking to add to your Japanese vocabulary and find out more about all things Japanese. :)
始めまして、小原奈美です。カナダのニューファンドランド州のセントジョンズで日本語を教えています。私のビジネスウェブサイトをhttp://www.oharaconsulting.ca/見てくださいね。このブログでは, 日本語のレッスンのことや日本文化, その他もろもろ・・・紹介したいと思っています。どうぞよろしく。
I am planning to post short Japanese lessons, notes on Japanese culture and lots of other fun Japanese related stuff on this blog. Keep checking to add to your Japanese vocabulary and find out more about all things Japanese. :)
始めまして、小原奈美です。カナダのニューファンドランド州のセントジョンズで日本語を教えています。私のビジネスウェブサイトをhttp://www.oharaconsulting.ca/見てくださいね。このブログでは, 日本語のレッスンのことや日本文化, その他もろもろ・・・紹介したいと思っています。どうぞよろしく。
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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