Japanese Phrases 日本語の文

Arm's pleading
For another glimpse of sun
Starving pedals



Normally when I throw up a post I wonder how I will ever keep the blog going. Today, I feel a little overwhelmed with all the different topics I want to cover. I think a lot of it is relative to how many posts I've done recently. Summers are always quite busy for my family as we travel a lot. As a result the rate of my posting has declined some. My readership has increased, which makes me pretty happy. Though, more than anything this blog, like so many others, is just a way to decompress some of the experiences I've had, regardless of who is reading.

I suppose it's just nice to look back over some of my travels and do a little research and write about them. When I'm traveling, no matter how relaxed I am, it always seems like a rush to get on to the next thing. Going back and covering it in depth re-creates the moment and gives it a little more depth.

On to tonight's post!------------------->

So on my few journeys to Japan I created a few laminated 3/5 cards and stapled them together. They included some cookie cutter phrases along with some cutting edge grammar. (This is grammar that I didn't quite grasp, or remember, but having it at my fingertips gave me the edge.) Not to say that there was anything special about it!

So I'll give you a few of the phrases. These mostly pertain to the person who is staying with a Japanese family, or on homestay. They may help you settle in and help your host family feel more comfortable with your presence.
----Obviously having a basic understanding of Japaneses pronunciation will help here...

Upon entering a home.
-Shitsurei shimasu. しつれいします
　　　　　　－Basically this phrase is begging for forgiveness.... "I've committed a faux paux and am ashamed." It's a way of conveying your gratitude for being placed in a position where you rely on their hospitality.

Upon entering someones supervision.
-Osewaninarimasu. おせわになります
　　　　　　ーThis is used anytime you are 'taken under someones wing'... whether they are giving you directions or letting you in their home. You're saying, "I am in your care."

Following introductions, saying please call me X
-X to yondekudasai. Xとよんでください。
　　　　　　ーI use this phrase fairly regularly when I meet someone in Japanese. Since my first name is Matthew, but people call me Matt it is helpful to clarify that it's okay to call me by my nick-name.
-For example.... watashi wa Mashu-desu....matto to yonde kudasai.
わたし　は　マシューです。　　マットとよんでくださいな。。。

Saying, "Don't worry about me." (my hiragana may be incorrect, my apologies.)
-Kyoutsukawanaikudasai. きょつかわないください。
　　　　　　　ーThis one's easy. Any time you feel the need to say, "Don't worry about me." You now have the tools available to handle the situation. Good Luck!

While being drunk under the table....(Pay attention here....and practice before inebriation..)
-yoimasu or yoimashita よいます　よいました。
　　　　　　　ーOkay, so I know that you tough college aged explorer scouts will never be shown up in a foreign country... but I can honestly say, that in a two week period in Japan I drank more alcohol than I did in one year back home.... it was crazy.... I used this phrase more than once...
A very helpful piece on information... Japanese homes are fairly cozy... It is hard to mask the sound of overindulgence!
-....Not saying that using this phrase literally, "I'm a little buzzed." will stem the flow of alcohol!

If the above phrase doesn't work, try this
-futsukayoimasu. ふつかよいます。　(I'm a two day drunk)　Or if that doesn't work...　
-mitsukayoimasu.　みつかよいます。（I'm a three day drunk)
-This may be more effective than yoimasu... Japanese tend to understand the person who has bad hangovers. Yet, depending on the party.... this may still not be enough... and your on your own!!!

Giving a present.... Very important.
-X shi no tsumaranai mono deshitaga. X しのつまらないものでしたが。
　　　　　　ー X is the city you brought the present from. Traditionally this is called Omiyage. It is a present from your hometown with some value.. Like a local wine, jelly... or even beer nuts. Nuts are very expensive in Japan and make a great gift for Fathers... and Mothers too.
-The basic phrase here is, "Please except this inadequate gift from X."
-If you are able to pull this one off, you may get some giggles from your hosts... it is EXTREMELY polite and therefore a little unexpected for a foreigner to say. It can be a mouthful.

That's it for now... I'll have some more in the future!

-This photo was taken in Tennoji Osaka. This tower is one of the, 'City Symbols'. My favorite part of this symbol is the advertisement for Plasma screen TV's on the tower! Oddly enough... It's named... Osaka Tower. I Actually didn't get lost on this day of travel wandering!!!!





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