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Let's Practice !: 5-Mi Nute Japanese CL Ass by Hi Tomi Hi Rayama

The document discusses Japanese onomatopoeia and provides examples of sounds used in the Japanese language to represent actions or noises. It includes a matching exercise pairing onomatopoeic sounds with their meanings. Common etiquette practices in Japan are also listed.

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56 views

Let's Practice !: 5-Mi Nute Japanese CL Ass by Hi Tomi Hi Rayama

The document discusses Japanese onomatopoeia and provides examples of sounds used in the Japanese language to represent actions or noises. It includes a matching exercise pairing onomatopoeic sounds with their meanings. Common etiquette practices in Japan are also listed.

Uploaded by

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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5mi

nut
eJapaneseCl
assbyHi
t
omiHi
r
ayama

mimi
ears

18

Vol.

Design : Masako Ban

It has been one year since I met you in


April, Hirayama-san. You have told me so
many things about Japan, and I have
began to understand Japanese culture.
But please continue to give me your
advice because I believe what I know
about Japan is only the tip of the iceberg.

Time does fly! (ko-in ya no gotoshi) Yes, please feel free to ask me when you
have questions. In fact, Ive been receiving a lot of e-mails from people worldwide
(takusan no e-mail arigato- gozaimasu). Those heartwarming messages are my
encouragement and have given me energy. And I always look forward to reading them.
Now, I am going to give you a question for a change! Did you know that Japanese
people think differently from people in other cultures in regard to onomatopoeia, the
naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it? It may
be hard to describe the sounds, but please try to use your imagination.

You might have noticed that Japanese people make some weird sounds that
make you irritated. But there is no need for you to try making those sounds. (It may
be hard to slurp your noodles without practice!?)

Please draw lines between (A to G) and (1 to 7) in order to make the match.


1) This is the sound of sucking air through ones teeth. It

A)
su-

indicates that the person is thinking.

(e.g. Well...)

B)
su- -su-

2) This is the sound you hear when someone sneezes. It is not rude

to sneeze in public, and there is no need to say, Excuse me,


after you sneeze or, Bless you, after someone else sneezes.

3) This is the sound of slurping noodles (udon, soba, etc.).

(sniff, sniff)

Slurping them loudly gives the impression that you are really
enjoying eating them. Many Japanese people try not to slurp
when they eat spaghetti.

C)
su-

(slurp)

rude to blow your nose loudly in public, but it is acceptable to


sniff when you have a very runny nose. If you are desperate to
blow your nose, just excuse yourself and go to the bathroom.

(slurp, slurp, etc.)

5) This is the sound of slurping when drinking hot coffee, tea or

soup. Slurping cools the hot liquid, and it is quite acceptable


in Japan. Interestingly, you are supposed to slurp the last
drop of your tea when you are invited to tea ceremony. It
means that you have finished your tea.

(achoo)

F)
o hi sui i ne

6) This is the sound of inhaling the air between the teeth when

G)
su--su-

7) This is what people sound like when they try to say, oishi-

- ji). It is mainly
removing the bits of food with a toothpick (yo
done by men, or people who have poorly aligned teeth.

(Its delicious!)

Answers

1) ... A ),

Key words:

If Japanese people ask you questions using these words, please reply in your own words.

doko
where

kuni
country

tabemono
food

driver :


okyaku-san doko no kuni

Mr.Pole :

Im from the South Pole.

4) This is the sound of sniffing when you have a runny nose. It is

D) .
zuru-zuru-zuru
E)
hakushon

These are typical questions taxi drivers may ask you in informal
language. The question form desu ka? is usually omitted in casual
conversation.

3) ... D),

4) ... B) ,

When in Japan, do as the Japanese do.

5) ... C),

6) ... G) ,

h akush

Here is a list of things that are considered bad manners in Japan.


People may cringe when you do them.
Do not blow your nose in public, particulary into your
handkerchief. Please try to use tissues. (They are often handed out
on streets as advertisements.) Handkerchiefs are supposed
to be used as handtowels or napkins. If you are desperate to blow
your nose, say, shitsure- -shimasu (Excuse me).
It is not good manners to eat and drink while you are walking.
Do not put your feet up on your desk at the office.
It is also rude to sit on tables or desks.
It is rude to speak while chewing gum.

on

kazoku
family

toshi
age

Where are you from?

nankyoku

desu

Mr.Pole :

Oh, I love sakana (fish)!!!

driver :


Nihon wa do-

Mr.Pole :

Im getting used to it.

driver :

kazoku wa

driver :

Mr.Pole :

Im single.

sakana


ga suki desu

desu


toshi wa ikutsu

How old are you?

How old do I look?


ikutsu ni miemasu ka

It seems like Mr. Pole is being interviewed by an employer of a company.


But it is not unusual for Japanese people to ask even private things to a
person whom they are meeting for the first time in order to find out what
kind of person he/she is. By the way, when you are asked to count your
family members, you are supposed to include yourself. (e.g. you, your
wife and two children. yo nin desu)

Turning a deaf ear. To not


pay attention to what someone
says.

mimi o kasanai
(not lend)

Doubting your own ears, or


unable to believe what you
have just heard because you
are so fazed

mimi o utagau

D.
mimi ga hayai

Having a quick ear.


Describes a person who is
quick to hear the latest rumors.

(quick)

No matter what I say, he just turns a deaf ear to me.



turns a deaf ear
nani o ittemo ano hito wa
desu
no matter what

that person

I have heard many explanations of it, but I think, after all,



iroiro setsume- o kikimashita ga yappari
but after all

various explanation listen

Seeing is believing.
Seeing is believing


sukoshi naremashita

dokushin

(doubt, suspect)

How is your life in Japan?

Do you have a family?

Seeing is believing, or
literally, Seeing it once is
hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu
much better than hearing about
(seeing it once)
(hundred)
it a 100 times. It means that it
(listening)
is much easier to understand
something if you see it once
with your own eyes, instead of
hearing about it 100 times from
other people.

(ear)

What is your favorite Japanese food?



Nihon no tabemono wa nani ga suki

Mr.Pole :

7) ... F)

doHow is...?

desu ne

When I heard about it, I couldnt believe my ears. Really!

couldnt believe

sono hanashi o ki- ta toki my ears


that

e!

driver :

ne (This is delicious) with their mouths full.

2) ... E),

suki
like

ractic
Lets p

story

listened
when

honto- ni
indeed

What ? You heard the rumor already?



e mo- sono uwasa o shitte-irun desu ka
What?

already

rumor

have known

You have a quick ear.


a quick ear

desu ne

Answers
1 ...... B
3 ...... C

mimi o kasanai
2 ......A hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu
mimi o utagaimashita
4 ...... D
mimi ga hayai
With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga

Copyright 1999 The Yomiuri Shimbun

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