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A weekly podcast for upper beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Listen to Yumi talk about... whatever she wants to talk about. Practice your listening comprehension with natural (howbeit slightly slowed down) Japanese on various topics such as Japanese culture, fun idioms, and, of course, cats. The episodes can be enjoyed in any order. -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript and a list of key vocabulary. www.MakotoPlus.com
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lla student
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一個很愛碎碎念的人。 喜歡講一些大道理， 喜歡分享自己的想法， 也喜歡閱讀， 更喜歡不停的學習， 希望在這裡能有更多美好的體驗。 Powered by Firstory Hosting
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人人都是主播
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Yumi Kumamaru's Hawaiian Time 熊丸由美のハワイアンタイム
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Yumi Kumamaru's Hawaiian Time 熊丸由美のハワイアンタイム
Yumi Kumamaru 熊丸由美
Bridging Hawaii and Japan one story at a time. 人々のインタビュー、伝統、文化、イベント、最新情報をハワイからお届けします！日本とハワイの架け橋になりたい番組です。
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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: 昔(むかし)ながらの unchanged as old time; as …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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: 恥(は)ずかしがる to be shy of; to be bashful お相(す)撲(もう)さん Sumo wrestler(s) [a…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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: 湧(わ)いてきた started gushing out; started bubbling out [湧(わ)いて from 湧(わ)く(to gush out)…
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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 a…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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: こまめに frequently; diligently; regularly 大(おお)掃(そう)除(じ) major cleanup 掃(そう)除(じ)機(き) vacuum cleaner 拭(ふ)く to wipe 隅(すみ)っこ corner; recess [隅(すみ)っこ is casual or spoken…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
In today’s episode, Yumi shares a few things she does every single day (or almost every day). KEY VOCABULARY: 精神的(せいしんてき) psychological; mental; spiritual [精神(せいしん) (mind; spirit; soul); 的 suffix (-ical, -ive, -al, -ic,-y and etc.)] 専門的(せんもんてき) professional; [専門(せんもん) (specialty; expert; area of expertise)] 運動(うんどう)不(ぶ)足(そく) lack of physical exer…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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: 遠足(えんそく) school trip; field trip 揃(そろ)って all together [揃(そろ)う(to m…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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: 必死(ひっし)に with one’s best effort; work very hard to do something; with one’s best effort; desperately 節約(せつやく)する sav…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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 "flu…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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; fac…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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)(trou…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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: …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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 c…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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 …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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 …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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 …
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Nihongo no Tane 118 2023年 令和5年 あけましておめでとうございますHappy New Year Reiwa 5 / 2023! | Japanese Immersion podcast
2:53
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…
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Nihongo no Tane 117 今年一年ありがとうございました！ Thanks for your support this year! | Japanese Immersion podcast
4:22
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 accompani…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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)…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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 R…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi has a problem. The three large pecan trees in her backyard have produced tons of pecans. In this episode, she talks about what she’s doing with the pecans and then compares pecans to chestnuts in Japan. KEY VOCABULARY: ピーカン pecan 我(わ)が家(や) my house 裏庭(うらにわ) backyard 地面(じめん) ground 食(く)い込(こ)む bite into; to dig into; to encroach 敷(し)き詰(つ)められた to…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
In this episode Yumi talks about Kuroyanagi Tetsuko, a longtime announcer and personality, and her secrets for living long and well. KEY VOCABULARY: 義理(ぎり)のお母さん Mother-in-law 物忘(ものわす)れ forgetfulness 予防(よぼう) prevention 若々(わかわか)しく youthful 将来(しょうらい)に備(そな)えたい to prepare for the future 黒柳徹子(くろやなぎてつこ) Kuroyanagi Tetsuko (born August 9, 1933) 女優(じょゆう) ac…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Description: It’s Thanksgiving and Black Friday season in the US. Yumi talks a little about what she and her family is doing and compares that with Japanese holidays. KEY VOCABULARY: 感謝祭とブラックフライデー Thanksgiving and Black Friday For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the websit…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Daylight savings time in America is the one thing all Americans can agree to hate, and yet… they still can’t seem to come together long enough to pass a law to rid themselves of the twice-a-year menace. Yumi shares her thoughts and hope that this “Fall back” will be the last. KEY VOCABULARY: 夏時間(なつじかん) summer time 早起(はやお)き rising early 時刻(じこく) time…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi’s family band! It was one of her dreams and recently her family had a chance to perform. Listen as she tells us her thoughts on families coming together to perform. KEY VOCABULARY: 弾(ひ)きます to play (stringed instrument such as piano or guitar) 中級(ちゅうきゅう)の初(はつ)め beginning of intermediate stage 音符(おんぷ) musical notes 伴奏(ばんそう) (musical) accompanime…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Fall is a great time for families to get together and have fun. In this episode, Yumi shares a little about a recent multi-family getogether. There was much talking, children playing, and then… someone brought out a rope for a game of tug-of-war. KEY VOCABULARY: 遊(あそ)びに行(い)く to go visit (someone); to have fun with ちっちゃい子(こ)どもさん a small child それぞれ思(…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Most years, Yumi takes her family to a nearby farm to experience cows, goats, fun outdoor activities, and homemade ice cream. Clay… didn’t do very well in the heat. Listen as Yumi talks about this year’s trip, and her thoughts on cows. KEY VOCABULARY: 秋(あき) fall; autumn 牧場(ぼくじょう) farm 先日(せんじつ) the other day 同士(どうし) fellow (cousin); mutual 写真(しゃしん) …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
The taste of fall has come and Yumi shares her thoughts about what this time of the year means in Japan. For more fun autumn words, please see our new lesson page here: https://thejapanesepage.com/no-aki-the-autumn-of-japanese-expressions-for-fall/ KEY VOCABULARY: 秋(あき) fall; autumn 特(とく)に especially 大喜(おおよろこ)び great joy 南部(なんぶ) southern part 秋(あき)…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Hurricanes and typhoons. Not much fun, but both Japan and where Yumi currently lives, Florida, experience them annually. Japan not only has typhoons but other natural disasters— particularly earthquakes. Therefore, Yumi reasons, Japanese people tend to have a higher sense of crisis and therefore make tons of preparations. Listen as she compares Jap…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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Nihongo no Tane 105 乾燥機の穴そうじ その2 Cleaning the Dryer’s Vent Part 2 | Japanese Immersion podcast
4:43
The exciting conclusion of Yumi’s “cleaning the dryer vent” two-part series. Okay, maybe not too exciting, but there are a number of useful vocabulary words (see below), and she ends with a lesson how this relates to learning Japanese. KEY VOCABULARY: 詰(つ)まっている clogged 乾燥機(かんそうき) dryer 穴(あな) hole 私自身(わたしじしん) myself 直(なお)したい want to fix ホームセンター DIY …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
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Nihongo no Tane 104 乾燥機の穴そうじ その１ Cleaning the Dryer’s Vent Part 1 | Japanese Immersion podcast
4:37
Yumi is a do-it-yourselfer. With the help of YouTube, she has learned how to fix quite a few things around the house. But this time, it was a big challenge. The dryer’s vent going outside was clogged and the length and angle of the vent made reaching the clog very difficult. Listen as she describes the challenge. KEY VOCABULARY: 乾燥機(かんそうき) dryer 調子…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Last week, a friend of ours brought his son over to talk about Japan. This young man really wants to move to Japan. Yumi felt a little nostalgic after the meeting. His strong desire to learn Japanese and live in Japan reminded her of her husband Clay when he was younger. Today, she tells a little more about this son and the challenges he has to ove…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Japan is a very safe country. It is also very clean. There isn’t much garbage on the streets as you might see in other countries. However, there aren’t many public garbage cans. Listen as Yumi explains the connection between the lack of garbage cans and public safety. KEY VOCABULARY: 先日(せんじつ) the other day 我(わ)が家(いえ) our house; our family 長年(ながねん)の…
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The 101st episode. Today, Yumi shares some details and trivia about a 1991 hit TV drama called The 101st Proposal starring Takeda Tetsuya and Asano Atsuko. KEY VOCABULARY: 101回目(かいめ) 101st time 101回目(かいめ)のプロポーズ 101st Proposal (1991 Fuji TV drama) 平成(へいせい)3年(ねん) Heisei 3; 1991 フジテレビ Fuji TV (TV Station) 放送(ほうそう)された was broadcast 武田鉄矢(たけだてつや) Takeda …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
100th episode. Yumi started this podcast exactly two years ago and is now on her 100th episode. Today, Yumi talks about several interesting Japanese phrases that include the word 百【ひゃく】 (hundred). Also, to celebrate the 100th episode, Makoto+ members not only get a full transcript, but we also created an Anki flashcard deck with dozens of key vocab…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi has been on a cleaning kick. She’s always been tidy, but recently, she’s gotten serious about it. Japan has very clean streets despite (or perhaps because of) the fact that there are few public trash cans. Is there some connection with Japanese history and mythology to explain this? KEY VOCABULARY: 掃除(そうじ) cleaning ピカピカ with a glitter; with a …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi continues her discussion on onomatopoeia in Japanese. Japanese use sound words and mimetic words far more frequently than in English. Learning how to use these words well will help improve your fluency. KEY VOCABULARY: オノマトペ onomatopoeia ごちゃごちゃ messy; confused; chaotic 整理(せいり)されていない not organized 状態(じょうたい) condition; state of things ペコペコ very …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi continues her discussion on onomatopoeia in Japanese. Japanese use sound words and mimetic words far more frequently than in English. Learning how to use these words well will help improve your fluency. KEY VOCABULARY: オノマトペ onomatopoeia 日本人(にほんじん)らしく話(はなし)せる to be able to speak like a Japanese 汗(あせ)をかいた to sweat さっぱり refreshed 含(ふく)まれます inclu…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi continues her discussion on onomatopoeia in Japanese. Japanese use sound words and mimetic words far more frequently than in English. Learning how to use these words well will help improve your fluency. KEY VOCABULARY: オノマトペ onomatopoeia 擬音語(ぎおんご) sound word onomatopoeia 擬態語(ぎたいご) mimetic word 音(おと)を真似(まね) imitating sounds ぴかぴか光(ひか)るto sparkle…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi is surprised by Clay’s usage of onomatopoeia. “Just as a Japanese person would say,” she thought. Onomatopoeia is used much more often in Japanese than we would in English. Yumi is convinced learning to use onomatopoeia correctly and in natural situations will greatly improve your Japanese conversation. KEY VOCABULARY: オノマトペ onomatopoeia よっぽど …
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Today, Yumi looks at a few ways to help prevent dementia. Good news! By listening to this podcast, you are already doing one very powerful thing. KEY VOCABULARY: 認知症(にんちしょう) dementia; senility; cognitive impairment 認知症予防(にんちしょうよぼう) dementia prevention 言(い)い方(かた) way of saying; term アルツハイマー型認知症(がたにんちしょう) Alzheimer's disease 症状(しょうじょう) symptoms 開口一番(…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
We spend so much time behind our computer screens, so it is nice to, once-in-a-while, actually meet people. Today, Yumi shares a meeting with a Makoto+ member who happened to be in town. It was a lot of fun and helped motivate Yumi to keep on doing what she's doing. KEY VOCABULARY: わざわざ taking the trouble (to do something) 海(うみ)を越(こ)えて crossing the…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
A Makoto+ member had a question for Yumi. "Why are Diet members (Japanese parliament) called "kun" when "kun" is mostly for little boys?" Good question. Listen as Yumi delves into the fascinating history behind this common honorific title. KEY VOCABULARY: 子供(こども)の頃(ころ) when I was a kid; childhood そういう感(かん)じ such a feeling; that's how (I) feel 新聞社(し…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi continues to talk about counters in Japanese. This series started due to a question from a listener about how to count Godzilla. Then, she talked about rabbits (which uses 一羽 ichiwa -- just like birds). This time, she turns her attention to fish. Fish in general are easy to count. But… of course, it isn't that simple in the real world. KEY VOC…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi continues counting in Japanese. Last time, she discussed how to count Godzilla (is it 一匹 ippiki or 一頭 ittou?). This week, she turns her attention to the interesting counter for rabbits. Is it 一匹 ippiki? Nope. It's 一羽 ichiwa -- just like birds. Why? Listen as Yumi gives two possible etymologies. KEY VOCABULARY: 数(かぞ)え方(かた) way of counting 頭(とう)…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
In the original Godzilla movie from 1954, the professor uses the counter 一匹 to count Godzilla. But isn't 匹 used with small animals? Shouldn't Godzilla be counted as 一頭? This was a bit of a puzzle for Yumi too, so she researched the subject. Listen as Yumi explains what she discovered. KEY VOCABULARY: ゴジラ Godzilla [mix of ゴリラ (gorilla) and クジラ (whal…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Japan has many wonderful things. The latest technology, tons of entertainment, low crime… but Japan also has one of the highest rates of suicide. Why is this so? Yumi talks about this difficult subject and gives a few of her thoughts about how to help prevent it. KEY VOCABULARY: 自殺率(じさつりつ) suicide rate 私自身(わたしじしん)は I, myself; as for me, I… 有名(ゆうめい)…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Yumi was very careful to always keep a sharp eye out on her children when they were young. In the shortest of moments, the unthinkable can happen. Japan is a very safe country most of the time, but children are left unsupervised moreso than in other countries. Yumi wonders is it's time to rethink that. KEY VOCABULARY: 行方不明(ゆくえふめい) missing (person);…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Did you know Yumi once fell asleep during a production of Cats. You may be thinking, that's because it was in English! Nope. It was a performance in Nagoya in Japanese. She then concluded stories with lines sung rather than spoken make her sleepy and aren't worth the money. But then she saw The Phantom of the Opera. Listen as Yumi explains a simila…
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にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi
Walk 10,000 steps a day! Have you heard that slogan? Today, Yumi talks about how many steps the latest research suggests you should walk and what one should do with conflicting health suggestions. KEY VOCABULARY: 体(からだ)に良(よ)い good for the body 若(わか)い頃(ころ) youth; when (I) was young ラジオ局(きょく)に勤(つと)めていた Worked at a radio station 田舎町(いなかまち) country tow…
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