| sou desu | that is right |
| chigaimasu | that is wrong |
| sumimasen | excuse me, I am sorry |
| arigatou gozaimasu | thank you |
| dou itashimashite | you are welcome |
| mou ichido itte kudasai | please say it one more time |
| minna de itte kudasai | please say it together |
| douzo | please, go ahead |
| ohayou gozaimasu | good morning |
| konnichi wa | good afternoon, hello |
| konban wa | good evening (greeting) |
| sayoonara | good bye |
| onamae wa nan desu ka | what is your name? |
| imi wa nan desu ka | what does that mean? |
| shukudai-o dashite kudasai | please hand in the homework |
| wakarimasu ka | do you understand? |
| ii desu ka | is this okay? |
| yoku dekimashita | good job |
| oyasuminasai | good night |
| shitsurei shimasu | I’ll lose courtesy, please excuse me, good-bye, I humbly leave |
| onegai shimasu | excuse me (to get attention at store), thank-you in advance |
| gomen kudasai | hello?! (to get attention at store, house) |
| ojama shimasu | I will make an interruption, I humbly come in |
| ojama shimashita | I have made an interruption, I humbly take my leave, I’m sorry to have bothered you |
| doumo sumimasen | thank-you very much for your trouble, I am very sorry |
| (kono X), arigatoo gozaimashita | thank you for what you have done, thank you for lending me X |
| hajimemashite | how do you do (only when meeting for the first time) |
| douzo yoroshiku | glad to meet you, lit. please be good to me |
| sou desu nee | let me think… |
| Xsan-o onegai shimasu | can I speak to X please |
| osoku natte sumimasen | sorry for being late |
| wakarimashita | understood |
| arimashita | here it is! found it! |
| aa, soo soo | now I remember |
| dou shitan desu ka | what happened, what’s the matter, what’s up |
| jitsu wa … n desu | actually, the fact is… |
| shikata-ga arimasen, (shouganai) | nothing can be done |
| okagesamade | thanks to whoever is responsible |
shaneycrawford dotcom
Articles
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Expressions that You Need to Learn for Level 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
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Story of the Byakkotai
BACKGROUND
- Edo period – shogunate rule (local lords, no central government)
- Bushido – samurai were not busy with war, since Edo era was a 200 year era of peace
- Tokugawa (shogun) was in power, many people didn’t even realize that there was an emperor
- Meiji Restoration – give emperor real power, centralize government
- Boshin Civil War – supporters of Tokugawa rebelled against Meiji government
EVENTS OF BYAKKOTAI STORY
- Byakkotai are fighting near Inawashiro and losing
- return, defeated to Wakamatsu — arrive at Iimoriyama to see castle burning
- seppuku (August 22 (or 23), 1868)
- tragic twist – castle wasn’t burning, and the war in Aizu continued until November 6, 1868
- the Boshin Civil War continued for 11 months until June 27, 1869 when Hakodate fell
WHAT THE FUTURE HELD
- people of Aizu were forced to give up clan system and follow orders of Meiji government
- two options – stay here and become farmer (lowest class under shogun system) or move north to try to regain influence
- 4000 chose to move north to Misawa-shi, Aomori-ken — conditions were extremely difficult, farming almost impossible, many former samurai became poor [hato-zamurai] and had to live on food that was normally used for animals
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Tajima Restaurant Reviews
Tajima-machi is a wee town nestled in the mountains of Aizu (Fukushima, Japan). It is the largest town in Minami Aizu (south Aizu), and boasts a population of 14,000. As the focal point of Minami Aizu, Tajima is graced with all of the modern conveniences, including a Lion Do, a York Benimaru, and two 7-11s. It is also home to a rather disproportionately large number of restaurants. I could probably go on for a couple of pages about each of the restaurants, but for the sake of time, I will limit my chatter to a couple of words about my two favourites. Both of these restaurants are owned by young, hip couples and eating at their restaurants feels like hanging out at your friends’ place.
BAMBOO (0241-66-2305)
Owned by Takeharu and Junko Baba
15 minute drive from Tajima station
5 minute drive from Aizu Kogen station
Bamboo is a standard kissaten (cafe) that serves the standard fare, including hamburg, spaghetti, curry, and sandwiches. However, these dishes are not like the normal coffee-shop-that-has-to-serve-some-meals-to-make-it-look-like-a-restaurant kind of food. They are really quite beyond compare. Try the cream spaghetti. (In fact, the cream spaghetti is so good that I rarely order anything else.) You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with an assortment of parfaits and crepe desserts. They serve no less than 11 different kinds of coffee and 14 kinds of tea. An English menu is available.KURIYA (0241-62-5178)
Owned by Takatomo and Ruriko Baba
30 second walk from Tajima station
Some people say it’s Korean, some say it’s south-east Asian, but they’re all wrong. The dishes served at this izakaya (pub/bar) were created by the resident chef, Takatomo, making it 100% original. The open kitchen lets you watch Takatomo perform as he “creates” your order. Try the Popeye Salad and the Onigiri Croquette (breaded rice ball with cheese centre covered in a tasty sauce). The menu changes often as the Babas (no relation to the Bamboo owners) think up new dishes. This is the kind of restaurant that sticks in your mind. You won’t taste anything like it again — until you pay the Babas another visit.
