にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi

This time Yumi went to a trip to St. Augustine, a city she usually goes with her family to the beach. But this time she made a different kind of trip. In this first part of Saint Augustine’s trip story, she tells us about the history of the fortress located there, San Marcos, among other things. KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-134 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-134-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Japanese culture about nakedness is different from the occidental one. Japanese people go to onsen naked while most occidental people would feel embarrassed for doing this. In this podcast, Yumi talks about it, and about the changes over time around this culture. KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-133 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-133-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Description: Japan is a country with many hot springs. Going to one is an experience you may not want to miss during your stay in Japan. Listen to Yumi talking about ryokans, hot springs and how she overcame the embarrassment about going naked to one. KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-132 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-132-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Yumi went with her family to see the Super Mario Brothers movie. Listen to Yumi talk about her thoughts on the movie and what she wanted to do after watching it! KEY VOCABULARY: 公開(こうかい)される to be open; to be open to the public [公開(こうかい) (opening to the public; release)] 話(わ)題(だい)に上(のぼ)る to come up in conversation [話(わ)題(だい) (topic)] 毎週(まいしゅう)のように almost every week [毎(まい) (every);週(しゅう)(week)] 期(き)待(たい)通(どお)りas expected; as hoped for [期(き)待(たい) (expectation; anticipation; hope)] 再現(さいげん)される to be reproduced [再現(さいげん) (reproduction; recreation; reenactment)] 心(こころ)をつかまれる to be touched; to be captured [つかまれる (to be grasped); passive form of つかむ (to catch; to grasp)] ネタバレ spoiler; spoiling a story [shortened fromネタがバレる; ネタ(core of a story); バレる(to be exposed)] 揃(そろ)ってall together [adverb stemmed from 揃(そろ)う(to be all present; (all pieces) to be complete)] この辺(へん)にしておく to leave it here [辺(へん) (area); この辺(へん) (around here; this vicinity); にしておく (to leave ~ as)] 平日(へいじつ) week day(s) 物語性(ものがたりせい) story theme; narrativity [物語 (story); 性 (nature; quality; -ness)] 取(と)り入(い)れる to adopt; to take in 動(どう)機(き) motivation; incentive 与(あた)える to give; to provide 冒険(ぼうけん)する to explore [冒険(ぼうけん) (exploration; adventure)] ハマる to get hooked [slang for “to get addicted” but can be used in a good way as well; stemmed fromはまる to get stuck; to fall in (a ditch, trap etc.)] 続出(ぞくしゅつ)する to appear one after another 誇(ほこ)れる can proud [potential form of 誇(ほこ)る (to proud)] 超有名(ちょうゆうめい) super famous [超(ちょう) (super-; ultra-); 有名(ゆうめい) (famous)] For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-131 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-131-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Last time, Yumi talked about things she does on a daily basis. This time, she speaks about things she does occasionally and then things she would like to do in the future. KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-130 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-130-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

In today’s episode, Yumi shares a few things she does every single day (or almost every day). KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-129 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-129-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Yumi brought her family to Universal Studios in Orlando and couldn't help but compare the experience to her visit to Universal Studios in California more than two decades ago. Both the theme park and Yumi herself have undergone significant transformations since then. KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-128 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-128-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Yumi is worried about inflation. Everything is more expensive. Still, she maintains a positive outlook with affirmations and positive thinking. Even when bad things happen, there is always something to be grateful for. KEY VOCABULARY: For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-127 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-127-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

In this episode of Nihongo no Tane, Yumi discusses onomatopoeia in Japanese. She mentions that there are approximately 5,000 onomatopoeic words in Japanese, making it the language with the most onomatopoeia in the world. Onomatopoeic words can have multiple meanings and be used in various situations. For example, you probably know ペラペラ to mean "fluent" when describing someone's language skills, but did you know it can also mean "flimsy" when referring to paper flapping about in the wind? Learning onomatopoeia can be challenging but rewarding. Find a new onomatopoeia expression and use it today! KEY VOCABULARY: 眼(め)鏡(がね)をかけている to wear glasses [眼(め)鏡(がね) (eye glasses); かける (to put on); (て)いる indicates the state of wearing glasses] 視(し)力(りょく) eyesight; vision [視(し) (visual; vision); 力(りょく)(strength; power)] ～は、もちろん not only ~; definitely for (driving) [もちろん (of course)] つまずく to trip (over); to stumble てしまう to end up with doing ~ [“te-form + しまう” is used for unfavorable situation/outcome or unexpected, surprising or unintended outcome] ～じゃないですか isn’t it; right? [sounds fairly casual] 若返(わかがえ)る to be rejuvenated; to feel younger; to reverse aging [若 (young; youth); 返る(to return)] 擬(ぎ)声(せい)語(ご) onomatopoeia (words that mimic people’s voice or sounds or call that animals or insects make) [擬(ぎ) (quasi-; imitation); 声(せい) (voice); also there is 擬(ぎ)音(おん)語(ご) which is words that mimic sound of things] 擬(ぎ)態(たい)語(ご) onomatopia; mimetic word (word that mimics an action, condition or manner that does not make a sound ) [態(たい) (condition; state of things)] 結構(けっこう) fairly; quite bit; rather [it can also mean “excellent”, “delightful”, “enough” or “fine”] ～らしい -like ; typical of ~; characteristic of ~ [a suffix which follows noun] 場(ば)面(めん) situation; circumstance 流暢(りゅうちょう)に fluently [流暢(りゅうちょう) (fluent)] どんどん上(じょう)手(ず)になる to get better at something quickly [どんどん describes quick way that something is being done] 雷(かみなり)thunder 寝(ね)転(ころ)がっている to be lying around (for a period of time) [寝(ね)転(ころ)がってte-form of 寝(ね)転(ころ)がる(to lie down; to throw oneself down)] のどを鳴(な)らす to make a sound with one’s throat [のど (throat); 鳴(な)らす (to ring; to make a sound)] 一(ひと)つ一(ひと)つ one by one 丁寧(ていねい)に thoroughly; carefully; with care 無理(むり) impossible; not able For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-126 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-126-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Yumi wraps up her talk about buying two cars and the problem with buying insurance for teenage drivers. KEY VOCABULARY: 更新(こうしん)する to renew; to update 代理店(だいりてん) agency 事(じ)情(じょう)circumstance; condition; situation 担当(たんとう) being in charge; being 曇(くも)った表(ひょう)情(じょう) worried/sad look on one’s face [曇(くも)った (cloudy); 表情(ひょうじょう) (facial expression; facial look)] ため息 sigh [ため (collect; gather); 息 (breath)] 嫌(きら)う dislike; not to like 計算(けいさん)する to calculate; compute; to figure (out) 予(よ)想(そう)する to expect; to anticipate 仕方(しかた)ない inevitable; having no (other) choice; unavoidable [仕方(しかた) (method; means); ない (not; no)] 年間(ねんかん) one year period; annually; annual 顎(あご)が外(はず)れそうになる one’s jaw drops [顎(あご) (jaw); 外(はず)れる(to unhinge; to come off); そうに(almost; nearly)] ＊Yumi made a mistake with this idiom: 顎が外れるis supposed to be used when laughing hard. However, this is often mistakenly used when shocked or surprised. She probably was thinking of the English idiom “jaw drop” which is used when shocked or surprised and not when laughing—the opposite of the Japanese idiom! 相談(そうだん)する to consult; to ask (someone) for advice 確率(かくりつ) likelihood; chances; probability 加(か)入(にゅう)する to join; to become a member 高齢者(こうれいしゃ) elderly people かけ金(きん) premium なんとかなる to make (things) work one way or another; to manage somehow [なんとか (somehow; one way or another); なる(to result in; to turn out)] 心(こころ)がける to keep in mind; to try to; to aim to; to bear in mind For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-125 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-125-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Today, Yumi continues her story about her recent car-buying experiences. KEY VOCABULARY: 普通(ふつう)(の) normal; common 結構(けっこう) fairly 頑張(がんば)る endure; survive; keep at it; make an effort 自宅(じたく) one’s home; one’s house めでたく happily; with much joy [this word has a celebratory connotation to it] 面倒(めんどう)な troubling; troublesome; difficult [面倒(めんどう)(trouble)] スケジュールを組(く)む schedule ~; arrange a schedule [組(く)む (form; arrange; assemble)] ローンを組(く)む get a loan; take out a loan 重(かさ)なる overlap; occur at the same time; pile up 免許取(めんきょと)り立(た)て newly-licensed [“masu-stem + 立(た)て” means “newly ~” or “freshly ~”] 車屋(くるまや) car dealership [カーセンター is also used] 不思議(ふしぎ)な strange; mysterious 下取(したど)りする trade in ずつ each [written eitherずつ orづつ] 利子(りし) interest (on a loan) 月々(つきづき)の monthly [same as 毎月(まいつき)の] 順調(じゅんちょう) favorable; all right [describes of events when going without any problems] 万歳(ばんざい) hooray 保険(ほけん) insurance For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-124 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-124-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Until recently, Yumi’s family has only had one car. This is unusual in the part of Florida that she lives in. Most families have at least two cars. But Yumi and Clay both work from home and until their son got his driver’s license, they rarely had need for a second car. But now their son has his license, Yumi decided … it was time. KEY VOCABULARY: 仮免許(かりめんきょ) driver’s permit; learner’s permit 同乗(どうじょう)する ride along 運転免許(うんてんめんきょ) driver’s license 取得(しゅとく) obtainment 普通(ふつう) normal; common; ordinary 就職(しゅうしょく) する get employed; come to employed 自動車学校(じどうしゃがっこう) driving school 随分(ずいぶん) very; considerably; extremely のんき carefree; laid back; easygoing 必要(ひつよう)ない not necessary; not needed 経済的 economic 購入(こうにゅう)する purchase; buy 自体(じたい) itself 企業(きぎょう) business; corporation; enterprise 心配(しんぱい) worried; concerned [it’s used as adjective here but it can be noun as well] 安全運転(あんぜんうんてん) safe driving 子煩悩(こぼんのう)な very loving; very dedicated [used to describe very loving and dedicated parents] 奮発(ふんぱつ)する spend some generous amount of money than expected; be generous at gifting something than expected [奮発(splurge; generous spending; generous treat)] 大奮発(だいふんぱつ) big splurge; super generous treat 勇気(ゆうき) courage; bravery 要(い)る need; require For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-123 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-123-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

February 3rd was setsubun in Japan. The day that marks the end of winter and is followed by the beginning of spring. Listen as Yumi tells us a little bit about how this special occasion is celebrated in Japan. KEY VOCABULARY: 節分(せつぶん) last day of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar 立春(りっしゅん) first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar 季節(きせつ)の変(か)わり目(め) time of change of seasons; time when season changes 邪気(じゃき) evil spirit; misfortune; bad vibes that cause illness or other misfortune 煎(い)る roast (beans) 願(ねが)い事(ごと) one’s wish; one’s desire; prayer 叶(かな)う come true; (wish) be answered 風習(ふうしゅう) traditional custom in a regional/ tribal culture 販売(はんばい)を始(はじ)める launch sales 保育園(ほいくえん) nursery school and preschool (usually combined) 大泣(おおな)きする cry one’s eyes out; cry hard 幼児虐待(ようじぎゃくたい) child abuse かわいそうになる feel sorry (for someone) 伝統行事(でんとうぎょうじ) traditional event 相対的(そうたいてき) relative 絶対(ぜったい) definite For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-122 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-122-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

In today’s podcast, Yumi digs deep into an interesting superstition which caused the birth rates to plummet one year in the 1960s. It has to do with the Chinese Zodiac, the Edo period, and Natsume Souseki. Listen to find out about this fascinating bit of historical trivia. KEY VOCABULARY: 十二支(じゅうにし) 12 animal signs of Chinese zodiac 干支(えと) 60 year cycle of 12 zodiac signs and 5 elements in Chinese astrology 暗記(あんき)する memorize ~歳違(さいちが)い ~ years apart ひと回り １２年 [one full cycle of 12 zodiac signs] ~年区切(ねんくぎ)り(で) by ~ year segment マンモス校(こう) very large school; school with a large number of students 当(あ)たり前(まえ) usual; common; ordinary 少子化(しょうしか) declining birth rate [少 (few; a little); 子 (child); 化 (change toward)] 根強(ねづよ)い persistent; deep-rooted; deep-seated 迷信(めいしん) superstition とんでもない outrageous; terrible 江戸時代(えどじだい) Edo period [the last era of ruling of samurai government] 八百屋(やおや) produce store; fruits and vegetable store 小説家(しょうせつか) novelist; fiction writer 現代的(げんだいてき)な modern; contemporary 世代(せだい) generation ~年生(ねんう)まれ born in year ~ [one word and it’s adjective] 気(き)にする worry (about) 明治時代(めいじじだい) Meiji period [the first era after the fall of the samurai government] For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-121 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-121-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Yumi recently visited Silver Springs, a nature park in Florida which is famous for its glass bottom boats and manatees. Did you know manatees may have been mistaken for mermaids? Yumi then shares some stories about Japanese mermaids. KEY VOCABULARY: 州立公園(しゅうりつこうえん) state park 被害(ひがい) damage; injury; harm 諦(あきら)める give up; abandon 水(みず)湧(わ)く spring out; gush out 水族館(すいぞくかん) aquarium 癒(いや)す heal 第一印象(だいいちいんしょう) first impression 好奇心旺盛(こうきしんおうせい) full of curiosity; full of inquisitiveness 好奇 心(curiosity; inquisitiveness) 旺盛(vigorous; exuberant) 人魚(にんぎょ) mermaid 暗(くら)がり darkness 上半身(じょうはんしん) upper body 見世物小屋(みせものごや) show tent; circus tent; freak show 見世物(spectacle; exhibition; show) 小屋(hut) 購入(こうにゅう)する purchase 随分(ずいぶん) a lot; considerably; fairly 不老長寿(ふろうちょうじゅ) immortality 不老 (no aging) 長寿(longevity) 子宝(こだから) fertility 恵(めぐ)まれる to be gifted; to be blessed For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-120 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-120-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Sometimes simple analogies hit home the hardest. Learning a language is like breathing. It’s the small repetitive acts that keep us going and growing. Keep growing your Japanese little by little by studying, reading, and listening to Japanese daily. KEY VOCABULARY: 新年(しんねん)の抱負(ほうふ) New Year’s resolution 一番(いちばん)最初(さいしょ)に the very first thing… 痩せたい want to lose weight 大成功(だいせいこう) big success ∼もつかの間(ま) ∼ was only short time 気(き)が緩(ゆる)む relax too much; lose an intention; become remiss 健康的(けんこうてき)に in healthy way；in healthy manner 瘦せ型体系 body type that is easy to lose weight 維持(いじ)する maintain; keep; sustain 参考にする refer to; learn from 一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい) with utmost effort; as one can 集中(しゅうちゅう)する concentrate; focus 短期間(たんきかん) short period of time 呼吸(こきゅう) breathing; breath 聖書(せいしょ) bible 毎日毎日(まいにちまいにち) every day; day after day For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-119 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-119-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

In this short message, Yumi has some good news to share with the New Year. KEY VOCABULARY: 令和(れいわ)5(５)年(ねん) Reiwa 5 西暦(せいれき) Western calendar 新年早々(しんねんそうそう) early in the New Year; at the beginning of the New Year 引(ひ)っ越(こ)し move (to a new house) 実家(じっか) one’s parent’s home; home where one grew up in 長(なが)い間(あいだ) long time 孫(まご) grandchildren 低学年(ていがくねん) early grade levels 節(ふし) occasion; time; section; passage; season; holiday 情報(じょうほう) information 長生(ながいけ)き long life 一期一会(いちごいちえ) once-in-a-life experience; an encounter that should be cherished 挨拶(あいさつ) greetings For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-118 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-118-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

As the year 2022 comes to a close, Yumi thinks back on all the things that happened to her and her family this year. KEY VOCABULARY: 今年(ことし) this year 最後(さいご) last; final 何(なに)も覚(おぼ)えていません don’t remember anything 性格(せいかく) personality; character 写真(しゃしん) photo 娘(むすめ) daughter ウクレレ ukulele いわゆる the so-called 弾(ひ)き語(がた)り singing to one’s own accompaniment 遊園地(ゆうえんち) amusement park 成人式(せいじんしき) coming-of-age-ceremony 運動会(うんどうかい) sports day 映画(えいが) movie ブルーベリー狩(が)り blueberry picking 掃除(そうじ) cleaning 裏庭(うらにわ) backyard 教会(きょうかい) church 風邪(かぜ)気味(ぎみ) slight cold 体験(たいけん) experience 笑(わら)い話(ばなし) funny story For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-117 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-117-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

This year’s kanji has been selected. Out of 220,000 votes, the kanji for war or battle was chosen. Yumi talks about this as well as what’s been going on in Japan recently. KEY VOCABULARY: 戦争(せんそう) war 漢字能力検定(かんじのうりょくけんてい)協会(きょうかい) Kanji Proficiency Test Association 戦(たたか)う to fight; to battle 全国(ぜんこく) all of the country; the whole country 印象(いんしょう) impression 同時多発(どうじたはつ)テロ simultaneous attacks (particularly 9/11) 物騒(ぶっそう) troubled; disturbed さらに in addition; moreover 大盛(おおも)り上(あ)がり great excitement 優勝(ゆうしょう)候補(こうほ) favored candidate; best bet for the title; favored for victory 勝利(しょうり) victory 残念(ざんねん)ながら unfortunately 練習(れんしゅう)に練習(れんしゅう)を重(かさ)ねて practice upon practice 礼儀正(れいぎただ)しい polite; courteous For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-116 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-116-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

Yumi’s daughter speaks Japanese, but sometimes incorrectly. In today’s episode, Yumi tells us how her daughter messes up “to give” in Japanese, and this spurred her to research how to best teach あげる・くれる・もらう(give and receive). Yumi discovered the key is to understand Japanese culture. Listen as she explains. KEY VOCABULARY: あげる・くれる・もらう To Give and Receive in Japanese ゴチャまぜ mess; jumble; chaos おやつ snack ちょうだい please give me 日本(にほん)の文化(ぶんか) Japanese culture 考(かんが)え方(かた) way of thinking 内(うち)と外(そと) inside and outside 当(あ)たり前(まえ) natural; obvious; common 想像(そうぞう)する to imagine 真(ま)ん中(なか) in the middle 見事(みごと)に splendidly For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-115 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-115-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com