22.Feb.2010 Kishou
希少 [きしょう] – scarce; rare
- 希 [キ・のぞみ] – hope; rare
- 少 [ショウ・すくない・すこし] – few; little
18.Feb.2010 Houtai
包帯 [ほうたい] – bandage; dressing
- 包 [ホウ・つつむ] – wrap; conceal
- 帯 [タイ・おび] – belt; sash; region; zone
14.Feb.2010 Giri Choko
義理チョコ [ぎりチョコ] – Obligation Chocolate
- 義 [ぎ] – justice; loyalty; honor
- 理 [リ・ことわり] – logic; reason
- チョコ – chocolate (abbr.)
As a compound, 義理 means a social obligation or courtesy, and plays heavily on a socially-trained sense of “honor.” To get an idea of exactly what “obligation chocolate” is and how it’s used in Japan, let’s take a look at a paragraph from Wikipedia:
義理チョコは、一般には、女性がバレンタインの日に、恋愛感情を伴わない男性に対し、日頃の感謝の気持ちを込めて、またはホワイトデーの返礼を期待して贈るチョコレートのこと。あるいはその儀式全般を含有した日本特有の文化を指す。
Obligation Chocolate is, in general, given by women on Valentine’s Day to men for whom they have no romantic feelings in order to express gratitude. In addition, it can be given as a return gift to those who gave White Day* gifts and expect something in return. This ritual is peculiar to Japanese culture.
*(White Day is celebrated a month after Valentine’s Day, and involves men giving women candies, marshmallows, even lingerie.)
08.Feb.2010 Shoubenkozou
小便小僧 [しょうべんこぞう] – a statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain
- 小便 [しょうべん] – urine; pee (lit “small convenience.” Opposite of 大便 [だいべん] – feces; excrement.)
- 小僧 [こぞう] – youngster; young Buddhist priest
I shudder to consider the possibility of a 大便小僧.
07.Feb.2010 Kajiru
齧る [かじる] – to chew, bite, gnaw, have a nibble
01.Feb.2010 Senshuuraku
千秋楽 [せんしゅうらく] – concluding festivities; the final day of a sumo tournament
- 千 [セン・ち] – thousand
- 秋 [シュウ・あき] – autumn
- 楽 [ガク・ラク・たのしい] – music; carefree; fun
This word is a favorite of mine. I love how it sounds and love the poetic nature of the characters that comprise it.
31.Jan.2010 Nukumori
ぬくもり – warmth
This warmth doesn’t just refer to heat, but also seems to have an emotional connotation. A warm glow, warm hearted, a warm feeling running through your heart. This is ぬくもり.
30.Jan.2010 Fukusuukei
複数形 [ふくすうけい] – plural (grammatical term)
- 複 [フク] – double; multiple
- 数 [スウ・ス・かず] – number; figure
- 形 [ケイ・かた] – shape; form
Most Westerners have heard of the kanji 数 (sorta), even if they aren’t aware of it. That’s because it’s one of the characters that make up the name of the popular number puzzle “Sudoku” – 数独 [すうどく]. While it’s written “Sudoku” in English, the “u” should actually be elongated slightly, as in “Sūdoku.” So, the next time you find yourself in Kinokuniya, asking for a book on “suhdookoo,” don’t be surprised if you’re met with curious stares.
- 数 [スウ・ス・かず] – number; figure
- 独 [ドク・ひとり] – single; alone