日本語、日本語を勉強、日本、podcast
#74 Itte kimasu
A huge thank you to all of you who came out last Sunday to Yoyogi park and helped to record lesson #74. This wasn’t our first outdoor recording but it did have the most people ever, you all know who you are. This week went back to basics with some easy and useful phrases: Ittekimasu, Itterasshai, Tadaima and Okaeri. Enjoy!
#73 Giving presents in Japan
It’s been quite a while but Beb was back this week to record this week’s podcast together with Waka sensei and myself. We hung outside Osaka castle and I asked Waka sensei and Beb to teach me some useful phrases for giving presents in Japan. The idea to do this show came from a suggestion sent in by Kaya from Canada. So a bit shout out to you. Hope you enjoy this week’s episode.
#72 Give me a break 勘弁して
In today’s lesson, Waka sensei teaches us a very useful phrase “Kamben shite”. This is used for excusing yourself from things you don’t want to do, something you might find yourself doing a lot in Japan. We recorded today’s podcast outside in the park so apologies for the noise in the background
#71 The Law of the Jungle 弱肉強食
In this lesson we learn how to use the phrase 弱肉強食 which means “law of the jungle” in Japanese.
#70 Telephone Japanese
In this week’s lesson, Waka sensei teaches Ben and I some useful basic Japanese for phoning a friend. Enjoy.
#69 What are you into?
In this week’s lesson we study the verb はまる / hamaru. This has various meanings including something that you are really interested in. Enjoy.
#68 気 ki
This week’s lesson covered the various uses of the word 気 "KI".
For example:
気にしないで/ki ni shinai de / don’t worry
気に入った/ki ni itta / I like it.
気をつけてね/ ki wo tsukete ne / take care
We covered five examples in the podcast although there are many more uses that you can find here. The podcast was recorded outside by the river. Waka sensei and I thought we would escape the confines of the studio ( the kitchen ) to the wilderness of Chiba ( the park ). It was wonderful to sit outside and hear the beautiful bird song. 本当に気に入った/I really liked it.
Enjoy.
#67 Sho ga nai / It can’t be helped
If you come to Japan it is impossible to avoid the phrase “sho ga nai” which means “it can’t be helped”. This phrase along with it’s more formal version “shikata ga nai” is used to express the concept of “c’est la vie” when life throws an unpleasant situation your way and you feel powerless to avoid or correct it.
It’s raining today, we can’t go on a picnic, “sho ga nai”.
I failed my entrance exams, “sho ga nai”.
The entire world is against us on our whaling policy, “sho ga nai”.
“Sho ga nai” has been interpreted as the stoic self sacrificing nature of the Japanese which can also be found in Buddhist teachings and their emphasis on group identity.
“I have to go into work on sunday- sho ga nai”
The ultimate expression of “sho ga nai” was at the end of the second world war when their emperor asked his people to endure the unendurable and embrace defeat.
An unkinder and more western interpretation would conclude “sho ga nai” means “I can’t be bothered”. Arguably, you cannot run a sucessful company by shrugging your shoulders when your employees are lazy and unmotivated.
Regardless of whether you think “sho ga nai” expresses a fatalistic unwillingness to make changes or is an enlightened acceptance of life, “sho ga nai” is an essential phrase for students of Japanese.
In this lesson, Waka teaches us how to use “sho ga nai” just like a native. Enjoy.
#66 Ordering beer in Japanese
Today, Waka teaches us how to order a beer in Japan. She also teaches us how to stop your boss trying to get you drunk. KAMPAI!
#65 Asking some out for lunch in Japanese
Today Waka teaches us how to ask people to go out for lunch in Japanese.
#64 How to lie in Japanese
In this week’s podcast we learn how to use the word “USO” in Japanese which means to lie
#63 Tondemonai
In this Learn Japanese podcast we look at the phrase “tondemonai” which has various meanings depending on the context including “outrageous”, “unthinkable” and “impossible”.
Waka sensei was kind enough to research the various uses of this word and type up all the lesson notes for us. She also helped to record the podcast so in the end I paid her for her efforts in ramen.
Enjoy.
#62 To lend something in Japanese
In this week’s podcast we learn how to use the verb 貸す kasu or to lend in Japanese
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