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Beb’s back after a rather long time away from the microphone. In this week’s lesson, Beb teaches us the meaning of 情けない – nasakenai which means pathetic, uncool or wretched.
For example:
情けない人 – nasakenai hito – a pathetic (wretched) person
情けない状態- nasakenai joutai – a sad or wretched situation
Check out the lesson for more examples and craziness from Beb and Alex.
In this week’s Slang from Japan we look at “胡散臭い” (usan kusai) which refers to something that is suspicious or unbelievable. This uses two words: 胡散 usan – which means suspicious and 臭い kusai – which means smelly. It almost literally means something that “smells fishy”. For example:
Listener request podcast?! “What’s that?!” I hear you cry. We are taking requests from you to make premium podcasts that can be accessed from the Learn Japanese Pod iPhone and Android apps.
This is our very first listener request podcast which was inspired by a request from @fransgaard on twitter. This lesson deals with reserving a table at a restaurant and we were lucky to have Asami sensei to teach us the correct Keigo which you will hear when dealing with restaurant staff in Japan.
We have just uploaded our first premium podcast for the Learn Japanese Pod iPhone and Android Apps. What’s all this I hear you say?
As always, we will be producing free podcasts however we are now starting a new series of podcasts that can be accessed from the iPhone and Android apps. Both apps stream premium content to your phone and include extra show notes, downloadable wall paper and more.
To hear this podcast please purchase one of the following:
The premium podcasts will consist of a series of short, 5 minute, phrasebook style lessons for busy people on the move. We’ll be concentrating on vocabulary building and useful, natural everyday phrases.
Also, we’d love to get your feedback on the shows. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please email us at info[at]learnjapanesepod.com. We even take requests, so if there is something you would like to learn then we will record a podcast for you.
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In this week’s Learn Japanese Pod show, Asuka teaches us how to use the somewhat un-Japanese sounding Gamushara. This has various meanings in Japanese including to be completely involved or engrossed in something. For example “がむしゃらに働いてる” (gamushara ni hataraiteru) or to work really hard.
If you have any comments, questions or opinions, please write to us at info[at]learnjapanesepod.com. Alternatively please leave your comments on the forum.
Today Asuka and I checked out a small festival (祭り) in the trendy neighbourhood of Sangenjaya (三軒茶屋) in western Tokyo.
三軒茶屋 means three tea houses which is a reference to it’s past as a stop over for travellers coming in and out of Tokyo. Today it has coffee shops, restaurants and a great drinking area near the station.
It’s also close to Shimokitazawa (下北沢) which is known for it’s youth culture, second hand stores and music which is definitely worth a visit if you are in the neighbourhood.
One great aspect of Tokyo are the local festivals such as the one we checked out today in Sangenjaya. As with many small festivals in Japan there is a check list of things essential for making a Japanese Matsuri. These include but are not limited to:
屋台- yatai – stalls that sell food and other items
焼きそば – Yakisoba -fried noodles, yum
タコヤキ – Takoyaki – Cooked octopus in a dumpling
金魚すくい – Kingyo sukui – A game where children try to scoop up goldfish to win them
お面 – Omen – Plastic masks for kids usually in the form of a manga or anime character
御神輿 – Omikoshi -A portable shrine that is carried by the local community around the town
The list goes on but I shall end it there.
A huge shout out and thank you to Asuka who took me around the festival and told me a little about her life and Japanese culture. She has her own podcast which you can find at Asukashow.com Check it out!
やっと私のLearning Japanese Podのマグカップが届きました！（嬉しい顔）もっといっぱい注文して、友達にプレゼントとしてあげたいと思います！ リカルドというとても尊敬する友達が、Learn Japanese Podファンの皆さんのためだけに、デザインしてくれました。さーて、日本語勉強しながら、このマグカップで何飲もうかな？
At last, my new Learn Japanese Pod mug has arrived. (Happy face) I was pretty happy with the results so I want to buy more as presents for my friends. This cute logo was done my friend Ricardo who is made of pure win and awesome when it comes to design. So the next question is, what shall I drink with this new mug while studying Japanese?
In this week’s Learn Japanese Pod show, 
