Japanese Phrase Picks

Animals in Japanese

By K.H.J.
Staff Writer

Especially during the summer vacation, I see children playing at the park copying the sounds of animals and their behaviors when I go for a walk. I just thought it would be nice to know what types of animals they are imitating while they play. I am sure most of children like animals, and they would even love to own one as their own pet. When I was a child, I slept on my bed buried my face in a pile of stuffed animals, such as teddy bears, dogs, and cats. My children, for instances, were also so crazy about animals that they were so enlightened when we visited Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Today, more children in Japan began learning English than before and the names of animals are one of the first English words they learn. Here in this section, I would like to introduce some of them in Japanese. If you ever thought of learning Japanese, by taking advantage of this great opportunity of living in Japan, you may begin exploring and listening to what Japanese children are saying while you are out walking.

Dog Inu 　（いぬ）
Cat Neko　（ねこ；猫）
Pig Buta （ぶた；豚）
Cow Ushi 　（うし；牛）
Chicken Niwatori 　（にわとり：鶏）
Panda bear Pannda 　（パンダ）
Elephant Zou 　（ぞう；象）
Tiger Tora (とら；虎）
Lion Raionn 　（らいおん；ライオン）
Penguin Pennginn　（ペンギン）
Giraffe Kirinn　（きりん；麒麟）
Whale Kujira　（くじら；鯨）
Snake Hebi　（へび；蛇）
Bear Kuma　（くま；熊）
Duck Kamo or Ahiru　（あひる；アヒル）
Frog Kaeru　（かえる；カエル）
Monkey Saru　（さる；猿）
Bear Kuma　（くま；熊）
Camel Rakuda　（らくだ；駱駝）

Japanese Holidays

By K.H.J.
Staff Writer

Foreigners like us visiting Japan are excited to explore and to visit places. At fi rst, we thought that most of the Japanese holidays are celebrated on the same day as those of in the U.S; yet, such stereo typical notion had resulted in us coming home with disappointment, when my friend and I decided to go shopping one day. It happened to be a Japanese holiday and the stores we intended to visit were closed. Many of those holidays celebrated in the U.S are also celebrated in Japan like Father's day, Mother's day, Labor Day, and Memorial Day are the holidays celebrated in both of the countries; however, some holidays, such as; Earth day, Children's day, and Cultural Day are uniquely celebrated only in Japan. In this section, I am going to introduce those Japanese holidays and their meanings.

Teas in Japan

By K.H.J.
Staff Writer

When I went to the local grocery store with my friend, she mentioned to me that the packages used on the products in Japan do not represent anything about their contents. The wrappers used on the packages are a variety of colors, and letters that they are indistinguishable. Some are identical in colors, but the letters written on their packages do not necessarily express the same meanings. If you were to purchase a plain, conventional style of prepared green tea in a bottle, all you have to know is two Chinese kanji letters defi ning green tea; however, the beverage companies today have come up with names that are not so constant in their definitions but rather striking to consumers' eyes. They created the names emphasizing the effects of dieting and of body cleansing in order to stimulate the healthy conscience of people. The problem is, however, that many cannot identify what the basic ingredients of these products are at a glance. Although the title letters written on the front side of the bottle seem unfamiliar to many, the ingredients label on the back of the bottle will give you a clear indication of what kind of tea you are purchasing. There are so many kinds of teas obtainable in Japan that I cannot introduce every tea that exist. Today in this section, I am going to introduce some of the most popular kinds of tea consumed in Japan as well as their meanings.

Easy Nihongo Vol. 5

By Nao H. Kauffman
Chief Editor

We have started having more warm sunny days, and Misawa is having more bright colors. People like purchasing plant seeds at local home centers or supermarkets in order to partake in gardening. It is enjoyable and anticipatory to see how the seeds will grow brilliantly, as summer gets closer. If you like gardening, you may have a better sense of it and know what you are supposed to do just by looking at sample flower pots or pictures on tags. Even so, I would like to list up some key words so that you may have a better idea for what you are purchasing.

To learn the basic mechanisms and other editions, please review the previous archives (No. 134)

タネ蒔き時: Tane (seeds) maki doki / time of planting seeds
植え付時: Uetsuke doki / time of bedding young plants
暖かい地域: Atatakai chiiki/ a warm region
寒い地域: Samui chiiki/ a cold region
寒冷地: Kanreichi / a severe cold region
開花時期: Kaika jiki /　blooming season
収穫時期: Shuukaku jiki/ crop season

春 (Haru: spring）　
夏 (Natsu: summer)
秋 (Aki: fall)
冬 (Fuyu: winter)
月（gatsu: month）
＊1 (Ichi/ 一 : one) January
＊2 (Ni/ 二: two) February
＊3 (San/ 三: three) March
＊4 (Shi, Yon/ 四: four) April
＊5 (Go/ 五: five) May
＊6 (Six/ 六: six) June
＊7 (Shichi, Nana/ 七: seven) July
＊8 (Hachi/ 八: eight) August
＊9 (Ku/Kyuu/ 九: nine) September
＊10 (Jiu/ 十: ten) October
＊11 (Jiuichi/ 十一: eleven) November
＊12 (Jiuni/ 十二: twelve) December

草丈　(Kusatake: the height of plants)
一年草　(Ichinensou: Annuals)
多年草 (Tanensou: Perennials)
宿根草 (Shukunesou: Groundcovers)

耐寒性　(Taikansei: cold-resistant)
耐暑性　(Taishose: heat-resistant)
強 (Kyou: strong) 弱 (Jyaku: weak)

つり鉢・ハンギング（Tsuribachi/Hanging: good for hanging baskets）
花壇　（Kadan: flowerbeds）
寄せ植え(Yoseue: group planting)
グランドカバー　(Groundcover)
コンテナ　（Kontena: planter）
屋外　（Okugai: Outdoor）
屋内 (Okunai: Indoor)

Easy Nihongo Vol. 4

By Nao H. Kauffman
Chief Editor

In this edition, let's study some useful Japanese words and numbers for prices and fees, so you do not have to hesitate to try any local places or make use of the information for trips outside Misawa city.

To learn the basic mechanisms and other editions, please review the previous archives on the left.

＊1 (Ichi/ 一 = one)
＊2 (Ni/ 二 = two)
＊3 (San/ 三 = three)
＊4 (Shi, Yon/ 四 = four)
＊5 (Go/ 五 = five)
＊6 (Six/ 六 = six)
＊7 (Shichi, Nana/ 七 = seven)
＊8 (Hachi 八 = eight)
＊9 (Ku/Kyuu 九= nine)
＊10 (Jiu 　十 = ten)
＊100 (Hyaku 百 = hundred)
＊1,000 (Sen 千 = thousand)
＊10,000 (Man 万 = ten thousand)
＊Yen = 円 (En)
＊入場料 (Nyuujou ryou: admission)
＊入園料 (Nyuuen ryou: park fees/admission)
＊入館料 (Nyuukan ryou: museum admission)
＊参拝料 (Sanpai ryou: visitor fees for shrines/temples)
＊使用料,　利用料 (Shiyou ryou, Riyou ryou: charges)
＊レンタル料 (Rental ryou: rental fees)
＊消費税込み（Shyouhizei komi: tax included）
＊消費税抜き (Shouhizei nuki: tax excluded)
＊おとな・大人(Otona: Adults)
＊こども・子供（小児）（Kodomo: children）
＊幼児 (Youji: Small children younger than 1st grade students)
＊学生（Gakusei: students）
＊小学生（Shougakusei: Elementary School Students）
＊中学生（Chuugakusei: Junior Highschool Students）
＊高校生　(Koukousei: High School Students)
＊大学生 (Daigakusei: College students)
＊学生割引（Gakusei Waribiki: student discount）
＊シニア　(Senior: Elders over 60 years old)
＊無料　(Muryou: Free)
＊平日 (Heijitsu: weekday)
＊土・日・祝日(Do/Nichi/Shukujitsu: Saturday, Sunday, holidays)
＊個人・団体　(Kojin/Dantai: Single/ Group)

Dialects in Aomori

By Chiho Tsukiashi
Staff Writer

Japanese that is studied at a school is standard Japanese. However, one might have had to struggle to communicate with locals, especially elderly, because they tend to speak a dialect which sounds very different from what one has learned.

In northern Japan, Tohoku dialect is spoken. Literature with Southern accent from the U.S. is often translated into Tohoku dialect, maybe because they give similar impression to non-native speakers of both dialects -- unpolished (sorry!), and warm.

Tohoku dialect can be categorized into ten or more sub-dialects. In Aomori Prefecture, two main sub-dialects which are spoken: Nanbu dialect in the east including Misawa and Hachinohe; Tsugaru dialect in the west covering Hirosaki and Aomori City.

To me as a non-native Aomorian, Nanbu dialect sounds somewhat closer to the standard Japanese, easier to understand. I especially like to hear people in Hachinohe speak in unique intonation that sounds like singing. Nanbu dialect is characterized by adding "suke" at the end of a sentence. On the other hand, the stronger accent and distinct vocabulary of Tsugaru dialect make it more difficult for me to comprehend. A sentence often ends with "hande," or "byon." Both the dialects can have words or sentences ending with "be," "kya," and "zu."

It's hard to master a dialect perfectly, but if you speak some of it, even a word, locals would be deeply impressed. Imagine a Japanese person speaks in American southern accent! Wouldn't it be cool?

Here are some words and phrases in the dialects.
*(SJ) - standard Japanese (N) - Nanbu dialect (T) - Tsugaru dialect
- I : (SJ) watashi; (N&T) wa
- you : (SJ) anata; (N&T) na
- friend : (SJ) tomodachi; (T) keyagu
- yes : (SJ) hai/ un; (N&T) nda
- Wow! Gosh! : (SJ) Wa!/ Ara!; (N) Waiha!/ Onroo!; (T) Ja(jaja)!
- embarrassed : (SJ) hazukashii; (N) shoshi; (T) meguse
- comfortable : (SJ) kimochiii; (N&T) azumashii
- no good : (SJ) dame; (N) wagane; (T) maine
- delicious : (SJ) oishii; (N&T) nme
- Eat it : (SJ) Tabete.; (N&T) ke
- full/ stuffed : (SJ) onaka ippai; (N) hara acche; (T) hara atssue
- Keep up with your good work : (N&T) keppare
- a lot : (SJ) takusan; (N&T) zuppari

Example 1: We are friends, aren't we? -- Yes!
(SJ) Watashi to anata, tomodachi dane? -- Un!
(T) Wa do na, keyagu dabe? -- Nda!

Example 2: Wow! (You fell over on street.) I'm embarrassed.
(SJ) Wa! Hazukashii na.
(N) Ja! Shoshi na.
(T) Waiha! Meguse na.

Example 3: Can I join you? -- Sure. Join us.
(SJ) Watashi mo irete. -- Haitte, haitte.
(N) Wa mo kade kero ja. -- Kadare, kadare.

Example 4: Eat it. -- Delicious! (after a while) Now I'm stuffed.
(SJ) Tabete. -- Oishii! (after a while) Onaka ippai.
(N) Ke. -- Nme! (after a while) Hara attse.

Example 5: I'm leaving now.
(SJ) Ja, watashi kaeru ne.
(N) Seba, wa kaeru suke.
(T) Heba, wa kaeru hande.

How to Order Sushi

By Nao H. Kauffman
Chief Editor

Sushi now has become a world-known authentic Japanese dish. As a healthy meal, you will find a lot of sushi restaurants on the west coast or in major large cities in the U.S. In fact, Misawa and Hachinohe are the place for sushi. After Kappa Zushi (a quick conveyor sushi bar) opened in Misawa, people tended to visit there for the convenience and the reasonable prices. However, ordering fresh-made sushi through sushi chefs is the most unique and one-of-a-kind experience you can get while you are in Japan. Let’s learn how to order sushi in Japanese so you can visit local hidden exquisite sushi restaurants.

＊ What is this? (Kore wa nan desuka? これは何ですか？)
＊ What is your special today? （Kyou no osusume wa nan desuka? 今日のお勧めは何ですか？）
＊Would you make XXX? （XXX o onegaishimasu. ＸＸＸ をお願いします。）
＊Without wasabi (Wasabi nuki de. わさび抜きで)
** XXX sushi items reference is below.

Sushi Items: Sushi Neta　（寿司ネタ）
Rolled Sushi: Maki Zushi　（巻き寿し）
Hand-shaped Sushi: Nigiri Zushi　（握り寿司）
Ginger: Gari　（がり）
Market Price: Jika　（時価）

Mackerel: Saba　（さば）
Horse Mackerel: Aji　（あじ）
Sardine: Iwashi　（いわし）
Tuna: Maguro　（まぐろ）
Fatty Tuna: Toro　（とろ）
Medium Fatty Tuna: Chu-Toro　（中とろ）
Premium Fatty Tuna: Oo-Toro　（大とろ）
Bonito: Katsuo　（かつお）
Yellowtail: Hamachi/Buri　（はまち・ぶり）
Sea Bream: Tai　（鯛）
Turbot: Hirame　（平目）
Blowfish: Fugu　（河豚)
Sea Bass: Suzuki　（すずき）
Salmon: Salmon　（サーモン）
Saury: Samma　（さんま）
Whale: Kujira　（鯨）
Conger eel: Anago　（穴子）
Eel: Unagi　（うなぎ）
Oyster: Kaki　（牡蠣）
Abalone: Awabi　（あわび）
Scallop: Hotate　（ホタテ）
Ark shell: Akagai　（赤貝）
Sweet shrimp: Amaebi　（甘エビ）
Shrimp: Ebi　（えび）
Mantis prawn: Shako　（しゃこ）
Snow crab: Taraba Gani　（たらばガニ）
King crab: Zuwai Gani　（ずわいガニ）
Squid: Ika　（いか）
Octopus: Tako　（たこ）
Salmon roe: Ikura　（いくら）
Herring roe: Kazunoko　（数の子）
Sea urchin: Uni　（うに）
Egg omelet: Tamagoyaki　（玉子焼き）
Cucumber: Kappa Maki　（かっぱ巻き）
Pickled radish: Oshinko Maki　（おしんこ巻き）

Easy Nihongo Vol. 3

By Nao H. Kauffman
Chief Editor

In this edition, let's study some useful Japanese that you often see at stores or restaurants.
To learn the basic mechanisms, please review the previous archives in issues Easy Nihongo Vol.1 and Easy Nihongo Vol.2 at our Website.

- 味噌　（みそ/ Miso: Soybean Flavor ** 味（あじ/Aji: Flavor）
- 醤油　（しょうゆ/ Shouyu: Soy sauce）
- 塩　（しお/ Shio: Salt）
- 豚骨　（とんこつ/ Tonkotsu: Pork base soup）
- 辛　（しん/Shin: Hot ** 辛い/Karai: hot/spicy）
- 甘　（かん/Kan: Sweet/mild, 甘い/Amai: Sweet, まろやか/Maroyaka: Mild）
- 海鮮　（かいせん/Kaisen: Seafood）
- 硬麺　（かためん/Katamen: chewy noodle）
- 温　（おん/On: warm）冷（ひや・れい/Hiya, Rei: cold）
- 替え玉　（かえだま/Kaedama: Refill for more noodles）
- セルフサービス・セルフ　（self-service/ self）
- 返却口　（へんきゃくぐち/ Henkyakuguchi: Please return here.）
- 前菜　（ぜんさい/ Zensai: Appetizer）
- 副菜　（ふくさい/ Fukusai: Side dish）
- 肉料理　（にくりょうり/ Niku Ryouri: meat）
- 魚料理　（さかなりょうり/ Sakana Ryouri: fish）
- 焼き物　（やきもの/ Yakimono: grilled/ torched dish）
- 揚げ物　（あげもの/ Agemono: deep fried dish）
- 飯物　（はんもの/ Hanmono: Rice）
- パスタ　（Pasta/ noodles）
- 汁物・スープ　（しるもの・スープ/ Shirumono・soup: Soup）
- サラダ　（Salad）
- デザート　（dessert）
- お飲み物　（おのみもの/ Onomimono: drinks）
- アルコール　（alcohol）
- 現金　（げんきん/Genkin: Cash）
- ポイントカード　（point card）
- クレジットカード　（Credit Card）
- メンバーカード　（Member Card: Membership card）
- 会計　（かいけい/ Kaikei: Casher）
- お手洗い・トイレ　（おてあらい/ Otearai: bathroom/ toilette）
- 食べ放題　（たべほうだい/ Tabehoudai: all-you-can-eat）
- 飲み放題　（のみほうだい/ Nomihoudai: all-you-can-drink）
- バイキング　（Baiking: buffet）

Japanese Names and Their Meanings

By K.H.J.
Staff Writer

When you first find out you are expecting a child, you will certainly wonder what your child’s gender will be, and eventually come up with a list of names you would preferably use when your baby is born.

In Japan, naming a child is a tricky duty among parents who are expecting. Since one's given name is superstitiously believed as influential in order for their child to sustain a good quality of life throughout the child’s future living; expecting parents tend to spend a great amount of time in selecting an ideal name for their precious little one. There are, however, certain rules parents must adapt into the process of choosing their child's name. For instance: the total amount of strokes each Chinese characters (kanji) entail in a name must be adjusted accordingly to the rules of "luck of fortune"; the sound of each Kanji character used in a name are carefully inspected as a whole, before they come to a decision of naming their new born child with the name they choose.

Parents in Japan today, especially those of female babies, are seemingly adapting a new style into naming their children by excluding "KO" at the end. Although, those names ending with "KO" were recognized as the most popular ending used for Japanese female names a few years ago, they became an unusual ending for the upcoming style.

Many Japanese names chosen today are, however, keeping traditional ways to a certain extent by associating Kanji characters with Japanese seasonal terminologies. As Girl's top ten of most popular names for 2008; Yuuna, Sakura Misaki, Kaede, Aoi, Rin, each Kanji characters applied on these names embody the implication of flowers from four seasons. Moreover, Shota, Ren, Riku, Tsubasa, Hayato, Sho, are voted as most popular names for boys, embody the meaning of the world of nature. I'd like to introduce some of those popular Japanese names and their gist of meanings to you today.

For female babies:
1. Yuuna (優奈)　Gentle
2. Aoi （葵）Hollyhock, Althea, Blue
3. Rin （凛）Pride, Haughty
4. Misaki （美咲）Beautiful or Elegant, combined with, Blossom.
5. Yui （結衣）Tie, combined with, Garment, Gentle, Superior
6. Sakura （さくら）Cherry, Spring
7. Kaede （楓）Japanese maple
8. Haruka （遥）Distance, Far off
9. Ai （愛）Love
10. Hina （陽菜）Sun, Sunlight, combined with, Green, Spring vegetables

For male babies:
1. Shota (翔太) Fly, Soar, combined with, Thick
2. Ren (蓮) Lotus
3. Riku （陸）Land, Earth
4. Tsubasa （翼）Wing
5. Hayato （隼人）Fast, combined with, Person
6. Yamato （大和） This name is rooted in the Japanese ancient era, Yamato, or, the name of legendary warrior Yamato Takeru.
7. Takumi （巧）Artisan, Skilled
8. Kenta （健太）Health, combined with, Thick.
9. Taisuke （大輔）Large, Strong.
10. Sho（翔）Fly, Soar

English & Japanese Sayings

By Nao H. Kauffman
Chief Editor

Let's take a look at some meaningful sayings and compare them in English and Japanese. It is surprising that two different languages can be similar barring linguistic and cultural differences.

1. Between two stools one falls to the ground.
(二兎を追うものは、一兎をも得ず。Nito o Oumono wa, Itto omo Ezu. -- If you chase after two bunnies, you will catch none.)

2. Birds of a feather fl ock together.
(類は友を呼ぶ。Rui wa Tomo o Yobu. -- People who have something in common naturally become friends.)

3. Let bygones be bygones.
(済んだことは水に流せ。　 Sundakoto wa Mizu ni Nagase. -- Flush bygones into water.)

4. Easy come, easy go.
(悪銭身につかず。Akusen Mi ni Tsukazu. -- Underserved money will not be kept.)

5. Do not throw pearls before swine.
(豚に真珠。Buta ni Shinju. -- Pearls on Pigs.)

6. When in Rome, do as the Roman do.
(郷に入りては、郷に従え。　 Gou ni Iritewa, Gou ni Shitagae. -- Once you are in a different country, you should think it is like a home and follow their rules.)

7. Let sleeping dogs lie.
(触らぬ神にたたりなし。Sawaranu Kami ni Tatari Nashi. -- Do not upset God, and there is no curse.
寝た子を起こすな。Netako o Okosuna. -- Do not wake up a sleeping child.)

8. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
(よく遊び、よく学べ。Yoku Asobi, Yoku Manabe. -- Play well, and learn well.)

Easy Nihongo Vol. 2

By Nao Kauffman
Chief Editor

Simple phrases and useful words are introduced in this column. Today, I would like to start a new series of common Japanese letters and words you often see around us. First of all, you usually start learning Hiragana (ひらがな), Japanese phonetic syllables, which is either composed of vowels such as “a,” “i,” “u,” “e,” “o,” or is combined with consonants such as “k,” “s,” “t,” “n,” “h,” “m,” “y,” “r,” and “w.” The “n” is a nasal sonorant which sounds like “m”, “n,” or “ng” in English.

These are used for cases when there is no Kanji (漢字 - Chinese characters) to express. The next learning step after Hiragana will be Katakana (カタカナ); which are another set of syllables primarily used for foreign words. These symbols are made up of sharp, straight lines. The basic commonly used Hiragana or Katakana has 46 symbols each. If you master Katakana, it will help your understanding of Japanese language and enhance your vocabularies, since a variety of English words are also familiar in Katakana with the same meanings and sounds. (e.g. Door/Gate is “ドア/ゲート.) Kanji is Chinese characters which have more than one meaning in their graphical symbols. It was often said that thousands of kanji are hard to learn and memorize. So nowadays, many people believe the graphical symbols provide a great influence on early children’s education since children capture the symbols as pictures. This helps their learning especially when they come across more complicated Kanji as they get older. This applies to many foreigners who tend to quickly learn Kanji rather than Hiragana or Katakana since they do not follow the general learning system as Japanese students receiving lessons at school.

Here are some examples below you might often see in town:

＊病院 (びょういん/ Byoui: hospital)
** 小児科(しょうにか/ Shounika: Pediatrics)
内科 (ないか/ Naika: Internal Medicine)
外科(げか/ Geka: Surgical Unit)
歯科(しか/Shika: Dental Office)
耳鼻科（じびか/Jibika: Otolaryngology Department）
産婦人科（さんふじんか/Sanfujinka: OB-GYN）
救急（きゅうきゅう/Kyuu Kyuu: emergency）
＊薬局（やっきょく/Yakkyoku: pharmacy）
** 休院（きゅういん/Kyuuin: clinic is closed.）
＊定休日(ていきゅうび/Teikyuubi: regular holiday)
＊売り出し（うりだし/Uridashi: on sale）
バーゲン（bargain）
＊曜日（ようび/youbi: day）
** 日(Sun)曜日（にちようび/Nichiyoubi: Sunday,）
月(Moon)（げつ/Getsu: Monday,）
火(Mars)(か/Ka: Tuesday,)
水(Mercury)(すい/sui: Wednesday,)
木(Jupiter)（もく/Moku: Thursday,）
金(Venus)（きん/Kin: Friday,）
土(Saturn)（ど/Do: Saturday）
＊午前（ごぜん/Gozen: am）
＊午後（ごご/Gogo: pm）
＊正午（しょうご/Shougo: noon）

Easy Nihongo Vol. 1

By Nao Kauffman
Chief Editor

Simple phrases and useful words are introduced in this column. Today, I would like to start a new series of common Japanese letters and words you often see around us. First of all, you mostly start learning Hiragana (ひらがな), Japanese phonetic syllables, which is either composed of vowels such as “a,” “i,” “u,” “e, “ or “o” or is combined them with consonants such as “k,” “s,” “t,” “n,” “h,” “m,” “y,” “r,” “w.” Then “n” is a nasal sonorant which sounds like “m”, “n,” or “ng” in English.

These are used for the case when there are no Kanji (漢字 - Chinese characters) to express. In the meantime, the next learning step after Hiragana will be Katakana (カタカナ); which are another syllables primarily used for foreign words. These symbols are made up of sharp straight lines. The basic commonly used Hiragana or Katakana has 46 symbols each. If you master Katakana, it would help your understanding of a Japanese language and enhance your vocabularies since a variety of English words is also familiar in Katakana with the same meanings and sounds. (e.g. Door/Gate is “ドア/ゲート.) Kanji is Chinese characters, which have more than one meaning in their graphical symbols. It was often said that thousands of kanji are hard to learn and memorize. So nowadays, many people believe the graphical symbols provide a great influence on early children’s education since children capture the symbols as pictures. This helps their learning especially when they come across more complicated Kanji as they get older. This applies to many foreigners who tend to quickly learn kanji rather than Hiragana or Katakana since they do not follow the learning system as general Japanese students receive lessons at school.

Here are some examples below as you might often see in town.

＊入口 (いりぐち/ Iriguchi: Enter)
＊出口　(でぐち/ Deguchi: Exit) **口 (くち/ Kuchi: Mouth)
＊開　(かい/Kai: Open)　　** 開くverb. (ひらく/ Hiraku)
＊閉　(へい/Hei: Close) ** 閉める　verb. (しめる/ Shimeru) **開閉 (KAIHEI)
＊上 (うえ./じょう Ue/ Jou: Up) 下 (した/げ: Shita/ Ge: Down)
**上下左右 (Jou Ge Sa Yuu)
＊右 (みぎ/う　Migi/ U: Right) 左　(ひだり/さ: Hidari/ Sa: Left)
＊駐車場 (ちゅうしゃじょう/ Chuushajou: Parking)
＊入（いり/ Iri: On） ＊切　(きり/Kiri: Off)
＊ 国産　(こくさん/ Kokusan: Made in Japan) ** Japan is called 日本国（nipponkoku.）
＊アメリカ(America-san)産　(Made in the US) ** オーストラリア（Australia）, カナダ(Canada), ブラジル(Brazil), チリ（Chili）, タイ（Thai）, 中国（ちゅうごく/Chuugoku: China）, 韓国 (かんこく/Kankoku: South Korea), インド（India）, メキシコ（Meixico）

What's your occupation/ job? PART II

By Nao Kauffman
Chief Editor

Continued from the last edition of the insider, I would like to add some more vocabularies introducing a variety of basic useful Japanese; for example, greetings, daily handy Japanese phrases etc. Let’s step up and learn about occupation(SHOKUGYOU　職業), or you can also say job(SHIGOTO　仕事).

What's your occupation/job? あなたの職業/ 仕事はなんですか？（Anata no SYOKUGYOU/ SHIGOTO　wa Nanndesuka?）
I am XXX. (Watashi wa XXX　desu.) ＊Please insert the following key words.

Pharmacist (YAKUZAISHI 薬剤師)
Photographer (SHASHINKA 写真家)
Pilot (Pilot パイロット)
Plumber (HAIKANKOU 配管工)
Police officer (KEIKAN 警官)
Real estate agent (FUDOUSANGYOUSHA 不動産業者)
Receptionist (UKETSUKE GAKARI 受付係)
Repairperson (SHUURIYA 修理屋)
Salesperson (HANBAIIN 販売員)
Scientist（KAGAKUSHA 科学者)
Secretary (HISHO 秘書)
Security guard (KEIBIIN 警備員)
Tailor (SHITATEYA 仕立屋)
Taxi driver (TAXI UNTENSHU　タクシー運転手)
Teacher (SENSEI/KYOUSHI 先生/ 教師)
Translator/interpreter (HONYAKUSHA/ TSUUYAKUSHA 翻訳者/ 通訳者)
Travel agent (RYOKOUDAIRIGYOUSHA/ 旅行代理業者)
Truck driver (TRUCK UNTENSHU トラック運転手)
Waiter/Waitress (WAITER/WAITRESS ウェイター/ウェイトレス)
Veterinarian (JYUUI 獣医)
Air Force (KUGUN 空軍)
Navy (KAIGUN 海軍)

What's your occupation/ job? PART I

By Nao Kauffman
Chief Editor

The Insider has been introducing a variety of basic useful Japanese; for example, greetings, day-to-day handy Japanese phrases. Let's step up and learn about occupation (SHOKUGYOU　職業), or job (SHIGOTO　仕事).

What's your occupation/job? あなたの職業/仕事はなんですか？（Anata no SYOKUGYOU/SHIGOTO　wa Nanndesuka?）
I am XXX. (Watashi wa XXX　desu.) ＊Please insert the following key words.

accountant (KAIKEISHI 会計士)
actor (HAIYUU 俳優)
architect (KENCHIKUKA　建築家)
artist (ARTIST 芸術家)
baker (PANYA　パンや)
barber (TOKOYA 床屋)
bookkeeper (BOKI　GAKARI 簿記係)
bus driver (BUS UNTENSHU バス運転手)
carpenter （DAIKU 大工)
casher （REJI　GAKARI レジ係）
chef/cook (CHEFU/KOKKU シェフ/コック)
computer programmer (computer programmer コンピュータープログラマー)
electrician (DENKI KOU　電気工)
farmer (NOUKA　農家)
firefighter(SHOUBOUSHI 消防士)
fisherman (RYOUSHI 漁師)
gardener (NIWASHI 庭師)
hairdresser (BIYOUSHI 美容師)
housekeeper（KASEIFU　家政婦）
journalist/reporter (KISHA 記者)
lawyer (BENGOSHI 弁護士)
mechanic (KIKAI SEIBIKOU/MECHANIC 機械整備工/メカニック)

Personality -- 性格 Seikaku

By Nao Kauffman
Chief Editor

Describing a person’s personality in Japanese would be interesting to learn and would be very helpful to introduce one another. How would you describe yourself?

Funny - おもしろい　Omoshiroi
Cheerful - 陽気な　Youki na
Kind - 優しい　Yasashii
Creative - 独創的な　Dokusouteki na
Generous - 寛大な　Kandai na
Passionate - 情熱的な　Jounetsuteki na
Practical - しっかりした　Shikkarishita
Short-tempered - 短気な　Tanki na
Forgetful - 忘れっぽい　Wasureppoi
Stubborn - 頑固な　Ganko na
Conservative - 保守的な　Hoshuteki na
Critical - 批判的な　Hihanteki na
Selfish - わがままな　Wagamama na
Curious - 好奇心旺盛な　Koukishin Ousei na
Cold-hearted - クールな、冷たい　Cool na、Tsumetai
Cool - かっこいい　Kakkoii
Easygoing - のんびりした　Nonbirishita
Active - 積極的な　Sekkyokuteki na
Lazy - 怠惰な　Taida na
Dependable - 頼りになる　Tayorininaru
Reliable - 信頼できる　Shinrai dekiru
Laid-back - おおらかな　Ooraka na