As a Conversation-Starter…<\/a> \u201cHisashiburi!\u201d Is one of the most common ways to start a conversation. \u201cHisashi\u201d means \u201ca long time,\u201d while \u201cburi\u201d means \u201csince.\u201d I love the way that this one short word conveys the happiness one feels after reuniting with someone after a long time. (In English – the direct equivalent would be close to “Long time no see!” But it can also be used to make other statements.)<\/p>\n You may also add specific numbers to this phrase to say things like \u201cjuu-nen buri\u201d or \u201cni-juu-nen buri.\u201d Frequent drinkers have an \u201coyaji gag\u201d (a cheesy pun) that goes, \u201ckino buri ni sake, nonda yo\u201d (I had a drink for the first time since yesterday). That\u2019s just for your reference. Yasuko Hidari received her Masters of Literature at graduate school in Scotland and studied about rock music as a commodity, after which, she worked for a culture related think tank. She has a very extensive knowledge of music and movies. AIUEO – A (\u3042)<\/a>
Adding numbers to Buri<\/a><\/p>\nHisashiburi As a Conversation-Starter<\/h3>\n
There are many kinds of greetings, but I don\u2019t think that any carries the mixed emotions of cheerfulness and mild embarrassment like this one does.<\/p>\nAdding numbers to “~Buri”<\/h3>\n
Examples:<\/strong>
1. A:<\/strong> Wa! Hisashiburi. Itsuburi kana? (Oh! Long time no see. How long has it been?)
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0B:<\/strong> Saigo atta no wa, tashika tomodachi no kekkonshiki datta kara, tabun san-nen buri gurai ka na.
Translation:<\/strong> The last time we met must have been at our friend\u2019s wedding, so probably around three years ago I guess.)
2.\u00a0<\/strong>Han-toshi buri ni <\/span>eakon no <\/span>soji o <\/span>shita. <\/span>
Translation:<\/strong> I cleaned the aircon for the first time in half a year.<\/span>
3.\u00a0<\/strong>Nihongo o gakko de <\/span>narau no <\/span>wa, ni-<\/span>juu-nen <\/span>buri gurai kamoshiremasen. <\/span>
Translation:<\/strong> It may have been around twenty years since I learned Japanese at school.<\/span><\/p>\nBy the Way<\/h3>\n
In a business or other formal situations, please use \u201cohisashiburi\u201d or \u201cgobusata shiteorimasu\u201d which can definitely make you sound more polite!
For the Japanese version of this blog,\u00a0visit this page<\/a>.<\/p>\nAbout this week\u2019s AIUEO Author:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Co-author of\u00a0 the Japanese beginner textbook, \u201cNihongo Fun & Easy\u201d.
<\/p>\nOther A I U E O Series<\/h5>\n
AIUEO – I (\u3044)<\/a>
AIUEO – U (\u3046)<\/a>
AIUEO – E (\u3048)<\/a>
AIUEO – O (\u304a)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ki(\u304d)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ku(\u304f)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ke(\u3051)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ko(\u3053)<\/a>
AIUEO – Sa(\u3055)<\/a>
AIUEO – Shi(\u3057)<\/a>
AIUEO – Su(\u3059)<\/a>
AIUEO – Se(\u305b)<\/a>
AIUEO – So(\u305d)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ta(\u305f)<\/a>
AIUEO – Chi(\u3061)<\/a>
AIUEO – Tsu (\u3064)<\/a>
AIUEO – Te (\u3066)<\/a>
AIUEO – To (\u3068)<\/a>
AIUEO – Na (\u306a)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ni (\u306b)<\/a>
AIUEO – Nu (\u306c)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ne(\u306d)<\/a>
AIUEO – No (\u306e)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ha (\u306f)<\/a>
AIUEO – Hi (\u3072)<\/a>
AIUEO – Hu (\u3075)<\/a>
AIUEO – He (\u3078)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ho (\u307b)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ma (\u307e)<\/a>
AIUEO – Mi (\u307f)<\/a>
AIUEO – Mu (\u3080)<\/a>
AIUEO – Me (\u3081)<\/a>
AIUEO – Mo (\u3082)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ra (\u3089)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ri (\u308a)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ru (\u308b)<\/a>
AIUEO – Re (\u308c)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ro (\u308d)<\/a>
AIUEO – Ya (\u3084)<\/a>
AIUEO – Yu (\u3086)<\/a>
AIUEO – Yo (\u3088)<\/a>
AIUEO – Wa (\u308f)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Want to master Japanese? Start taking Japanese lessons with us! <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t