Coto Japanese Academy

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will also sound more like a native speaker and surprise your Japanese friends! It also provides an insight into the Japanese culture. Let’s learn the expression “tame”.

A quick peak into Japanese society and culture will show you how much Japanese people care for social hierarchy. Social status and age matters to the way you address other people and to the way you behave around them. For example at school or at the office, younger or inexperienced Japanese will be called “kouhai” 「後輩、こうはい」while the older or experienced one will be called “senpai”「先輩、せんぱい」. Japanese people pay attention to the social position of others before addressing them carefully and do so from a very young age.

In such context, how would a young Japanese address someone of the same age ? Well, with friend he might casually use the Japanese slang “tame” 「ため/タメ」.

Originally, tame was a gambling word used prior to the Showa Era. It was refering to two dices showing the same number. Such combination is also called “the same number of eyes”, “Zorome” 「同目（ゾロ目）」. From the Showa Era, the meaning of tame started to change to mean “equal”.

However, among the yakuza (Japanese mob) of the 60’s  tame’s meaning completely change for “the same” and became similar as the word “onnaji”「同じ」.

The expression was then quickly borrowed by young deliquents during the 70’s and by the end of the 80’s, this new meaning was popular among all young people and even appeared in the newspapers.

In a general context, tame will convey the same meaning as “onnajidoshi” 「同じ年」, the “same age”. It can also be a reference not to the age but to the school year for students:  “tame dōkyūsei”,「タメ　同級生」,  “same year classmates”. But beyond that meaning, tame convey an image of comradeship: you are not only the same age (or in the same school year) but you are peers.

Considering its origin and its meaning, Japanese people would be quite shocked to hear a non native Japanese speaker say the word “tame”!

Let’s read a conversation with the word tame:

例：飲み会で
A: Bさんっていくつ？
B: 25だけど。
A: じゃ、私とためじゃないですか！私も25です～。

In romaji:

Rei: Nomi-kai de
A: B-san’tte ikutsu?
B: Nijyu-go dakedo.
A: Jaa, watashito tame janaidesuka!  Watashi mo nijyu-go desu.

English Translation:

Example: At a drinking party
A: B-san, how old are you?
B: I am 25.
A: That is the same age as me! I am also 25!

From the word “tame” is born a quite interesting expression: “tameguchi”「ため口」. Combining “tame” with the kanji for “mouth”, tameguchi litteraly means the “same mouth”. This expression refers to a casual way of speaking, considering the speaker as an equal, when you shouldn’t. Some Japanese people,  without any consideration for their speaker (age, status…) will address them with casual Japanese, ommitting polite forms. So… Being “tameguchi” means a person is really rude!

Click this link to read about Japanese slang dotakyuan ドタキャン！

Credit CC BY 2.0: Melanie Tata
Title: No Dice?
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

 

If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.

What’s ダメもと (Damemoto)?
Conversational Uses…

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about the expression “damemoto”.

What’s ダメもと (Damemoto)?

In life, no matter what you choose to do, you will not make things worse for yourself or create a situation that you are at a disadvantage. Let’s simplify things with a perfect example: a job offer. You read an interesting job offer online and you would like to apply, but you are not sure if your profile matches the job requirements. Well, why don’t you apply and see what happened next? Because…

You’ve got nothing to lose!

The Japanese slang has a perfect expression for that concept and it is easy to remember: “damemoto de __ suru”. You will say “damemoto” whenever you think something probably can’t be done, but there is nothing to lose if you go for it. It expresses the act of doing something with little expectation.

“Damemoto” is a contraction of “dame de moto moto.” Where “ダメ (Dame)” originally meant no good, hopeless or can even be used to disallow something from happening. 元々 (もともと/Moto Moto), on the other hand, refers to “from the start” so there’s nothing that’s hopeless nor bad from the start! 

“Dame de moto moto” can sometimes also be used instead of “damemoto”. You can translate it in many ways: there is nothing to lose, might as well give it a go or there is no reason not to try.

Conversational Uses…

First, let’s see the slang “damemoto” used in a conversation between colleagues:
A：今年の夏に、できれば一週間休みを取って海外旅行をしたいんだけど、部長が何て言うか心配…。
B：いいって言うかもしれないでしょ。ダメもとで聞いてみなよ。
In romaji:
A: Kotoshi no natsu ni, dekireba isshuukan yasumi wo totte kaigairyokou wo shitai nda kedo, buchō ga nan teyuuka shinpai…
B: Iitte iu kamo shirenaidesho. Dame moto de kiite mi na yo.
Let’s read the English translation:
A: I want to see if I can take a week off this summer to travel abroad but I’m not really sure what to say to my boss…
B: He might say yes. Just ask, you’ve got nothing to lose.
And now, let’s read a conversation between friends:
A: ２クラスで転送女の子はすごく可愛いよな。
B: 話しかけてみれば？
A: う～ん、そういうの苦手なんだよね。
B: ダメもとでさ！ 行ってみろよ！
A: わかったよ。えぇい、ダメもとだ！
In romaji:
A: Kurasu de tensou on’nanoko wa sugoku kawaii yo na.
B: Hanashikakete mireba?
A: Un, souiu no nigatena nda yo ne.
B: Dame motode sa! Itte miro yo!
A: Wakatta yo. Eei, dame motoda!
Let’s read the English translation:
A: The transferred girl in 2-class is very cute.
B: Go and talk to her, then.
A: Well, I’m no good at chatting girls up.
B: What’s to lose? Go, man! Go!
A: All right ! Might as well give it a go!

Damemoto is a very useful expression, however, as you have all understood by now, you can only use it in casual context with colleagues you know well or your friends! And remember… Whether you wonder if you can ask a girl out on a date or if you can make a reservation at a popular restaurant, you have nothing to lose trying!

Damemoto da! ダメもとだ！

Credit CC BY 2.0: Tomoyuki Kawashima
Title: bud
Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

What is ガチ/”Gachi”? Using Japanese Slang

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is an easy and fun way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “gachi”, “gachi de”. 

 

A Sumo Match…?
Sentence Examples
In Colloquial Conversations
 

A Sumo Match…?

Have you ever seen a sumo match? It is really impressive. When the rikishi (sumo wrestlers) rush into the fight, it is usually over in a second but not without a noise! On the contrary the violent clash of sumo wrestlers echoes in the arena… The Japanese onomatopoeia for that sound is “gatsun” (“crash”, “thump”).

Well, it is said that “gatsun” is the etymology for the word “gachinko” which originally meant a “serious match”, “a heated battle”, “a violent collision”. However, from the second half of 2000s, young Japanese people started to use “gachi” and “gachide” in conversation like “super” and “serious”. In short, Gachi is the short form of gachinko and is used as a prefix, often with the particle 「で」”de”.

 

Gachi comes to reinforce your opinion of something or to highlight a critical situation and has gained popularity among Japanese teenagers. In particular, it replaced the colloquial word maji which means “in earnest” and “seriously”.

 

 

Sentence Examples

例：「このお笑いコンビ、ガチで面白い！」
Rei: Kono owarai konbi, gachi de omoshiroi!
Example: This comedy duo is super fun!

例：「○○大学の学食のカツカレーって、ガチで辛いよね。」
Rei: Daigaku no gakushoku no katsukarē tte, gachi de tsurai yo ne.
Example: The cutlet curry of our University’s cafeteria is seriously spicy!

例：「ここのお店のたぬきうどん、ガチでしこってるな～」
Rei: Koko no o-ten no tanuki udon, gachi de shikotteru na.
Example: This shop’s tanu gyudon are super tasteful!

 

If one of your Japanese friend says that he is “on a gachi diet”, it means he is “seriously doing a diet” and “having a gachi match” means “having a battle seriously”. Of course, you should use gachi and gachi de only during conversations with people you know well.

 

In Colloquial Conversations

会話１）【若い男性同士の会話】
A：今何時？
B：3時。
A：うっわ、やべー＊！急がねぇ＊＊とガチで遅れる！
B：何？これから何かあるの？
A：彼女とデート！この間遅刻したら、ガチでキレられた。
＊（＝やばい）
＊＊（＝急がない）
Kaiwa 1) Wakai dansei doushi no kaiwa.
A：Ima nan ji?
B：3 ji.
A：Uwa, yabee＊! Isoganee＊＊ to gachi de okureru!
B：Nani? Korekara nani ga aruno?
A：Kanojo to deeto! Konoaida chikoku shitara, gachi de kirerareta. Wakai dansei doushi no kaiwa.
＊（＝yabai）
＊＊（＝Isoganai ）
Conversation 1) [Conversation between young men]A: What time is it now?
B: 3 o’clock.
A: Yikes, it’s bad!  I gotta run, otherwise I’ll be seriously late!
B: What? You’ve got an appointment or something?
A: Got a date with my girlfriend! The last time when I was late, she got super angry.
 
会話２）【恋人同士の会話】
男性：遅れてごめん！
女性：もう、遅いよ！ガチで。ほんと、勘弁してよ。
男性：ほんっとに、ごめん！！今日は焼き肉、おごるからさ。
女性：当然でしょ！
Kaiwa 2) Koibito doushi no kaiwa.
Dansei：Okurete gomen!
Josei：Mou, osoi yo! Gachi de. Honto kanben shiteyo.
Dansei：Honto ni gomen!! Kyou wa yakiniku ogoru kara sa.
Josei：Touzen desho!
Conversation 2) [Conversation between lovers]Man: Sorry, I’m late!
Woman: Yep, you’re super late! I can’t take it any more.
Man: My apologies, really! Tonight’s barbecue is on me.
Woman: It better be!

Click here to read more about Japanese slang and the word chin suru! Click to tweet this article and share it with more Japanese learners!

Credit CC BY 2.0: Nakatani YOshifumi
Title: Wrestler of sumo wrestling 相撲
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

 

Want to master Japanese? Start taking Japanese lessons with us!

As in other languages, Japanese slangs are important in daily conversations. Today, let’s take a look at one phrase that you can immediately use in your life

Microwaving your Bento/Food
What did it Originate from?
Using it in Casual Conversations
 

Microwaving your Bento/Food

Do you often buy prepared meal to warm up with a microwave oven? In Japan, takeout or home-packed meal, commonly known as “bentō” 「弁当 in Japanese cuisine are mass produced and sold everywhere.

A bentō holds rice with fish or meat and vegetables in a box-shaped container. Some might have a debate over the nutritional value of a prepared dish. Nevertheless, it had been clear that since the 80s, bentō had already become an integral part of the Japanese’s daily life.

There are several reasons. Working hours are quite long and Japanese people are sometimes so busy that they do not have time to prepare proper meal or even to go to the food court. As such, they some would just run to the closest convenience store to buy their lunch. 

A bentō might also be prepared at home in the morning to be eaten in school or at the workplace. This gives the Japanese many opportunities to recycle any leftovers they have from the previous night.

In general, precooked meals had became popular with the emergence of the microwave oven. If that’s the case, what Japanese word would you use to indicate that you are “warming up your bentō in a microwave oven”? Well, it would none other than the Japanese Slang word: “Chin Suru” 「チンする」!

What did it Originate from?

Funny word, isn’t it? The word finds its origin in the sound “chin” that the first household microwave ovens made to notify that cooking was complete. By adding the suffix “~suru” to this sound, it creates the verb “chin suru”: to warm up/cook with microwave oven.

The sound “chin” was so well known in Japan, that it was even used in commercial for a snack, known as “chinchin potato” 「チンチンポテト」. Not to mention that this was a poor choice of words on the part of the company. Well, it sounded kind of inappropriate to say the least.

Nevertheless, the sound of the microwave oven had changed over the years and in Japanese onomatopoeia, the microwave oven now goes by the sound of “pi pi pi” 「ピピピ」. The popularity of the word “Chinsuru”, however, remained.

Surely, it may sound like kid talk, but it is used by all generations. In convenience stores, the clerk usually asks if you need to warm up your meal. The word typically used would be “atatamemasuka”「温めますか？」 which would basically translate to “would you like to have it warmed up?”.

From time to time, the staff may also ask you “chin shimasuka?” 「チンしますか？」. The word itself had also been used very often by takeout companies to advertise the convenience of their prepared meal or to advertise recipes’ books:

料理する時間ながない時、チンするだけ
“When you don’t have time to prepare meal, only warm up”.
忙しい女性へ☆レンジでチンするだけのレシピ
“Only warm up with microwave oven recipes for busy women”
チンするご飯
“Meal to warm up”
 

Using it in Casual Conversations

Let’s see the use of this Japanese slang in a casual conversation!
【朝、夫婦の会話】
夫：　じゃあ、いってきまーす。
妻：　あ、ちょっと待って！今夜、友達と食事する予定だから、昨日の残り物のおかずで悪いんだけど、チンして食べてくれる？冷蔵庫にいろいろ入ってるから。
夫：　あ、そうなんだ。分かった。
【Asa, fufu no kaiwa】
Otto: Jaa, itte kimasu!
Tsuma: Ah, chotto matte. Konya tomodachi to shokuji suru yotei dakara, kinou no nokorimono okazude waruindakedo, chin shite tabete kureru? Reizouko ni iroiro haitteiru kara.
Otto: Ah, sou nanda. Wakatta.

English Translation:
【Morning conversation between husband and wife】
Husband : Well, I am off, see you later.
Wife : Oh, wait a minute! I am going out for dinner with a friend tonight, would you mind to warm up (chin suru) yesterday’s leftovers and eat them? There are various things in the refrigerator.
Husband : Oh, I see. Ok, sure. 

Click this link to read about the Japanese Slang: Jiko chuu!

Credit CC BY 2.0: Ryan Li
Title: Angry Bird in Microwave
Modified by Coto Japanese Academy
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

During you learning, knowing some Japanese slangs is a nice and fun way to deepen your vocabulary.

Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “otsubone”. 

The working place is not always kind to female workers. Particularly in Japan, it is proven to be difficult for a woman to have a career.

Indeed, traditionnally, a woman is expected to get married and have a family and this point of view is still strong. For many Japanese, after her marriage, an office lady will – should – quit her job to become a housewife.

But in those last decades, Japanese women are more and more willing to keep working, despite the few chances to get a promotion, and do not get married. In Japanese slang, they are called “otsubone“.

Otsubone is an archaism. Historically, the word was a title of honour given to a woman of high ranking, serving the Imperial Houshold or the Imperial Court. To tell the truth, an otsubone was a respected capable woman.

The word was diverted from its original meaning in the 90s, and became a Japanese slang word. Nowadays, an “otsubone” is an office lady over a certain age and level of seniority in a Japanese company who is often single.

Although she has worked in the office for a long time in the same division, she commands others. She is not interested in promotion or pay-raise, but she became influential from behind in the office. 

She is perceived as intimidating and her coworkers feel she is frequently complaining. Even though she is a regular employee, coworkers will treat her with respect, just like they would with the head of the division. Not sure to get the idea yet?

Let’s see a conversation example:

A：　昨日、おつぼねに結婚の報告をしたら、予想通り嫌味を言われたの。
B：　やっぱりねー。本当、あの人苦手。。。。

A: Kinō, otsu bone ni kekkon no hōkoku o shitara, yosō-dōri iyami o iwa reta no.
B: Yappari nee. Hontō, ano hito nigate…

A: Yesterday, when I informed that Ms. Bossy Pants about my marriage she said something rude, just as I expected she would.
B: That’s not surprising. I really can’t stand that woman …

Another example…

Ａ：雪国育ちおつぼねの影響により、まだ暖房をつけることができません。
全員は震えながら仕事をしています・・・
B：ウワー、大変ですね！

A: Yukiguni sodachi otsu bone no eikyō ni yori, mada danbō o tsukeru koto ga dekimasen.
Zen’in wa furuenagara shigoto o shite imasu…
B: Uwaa, taihen desu ne!

A: Because Ms bossy pants got raised in a cold place, we cannot start the heater yet.
Everyone has to work while shivering…
B: Uhr, must be hard!

Translation of otsubone is not quite easy, but it would be close to “straw boss” or “Ms. Bossy Pants” in English.

The word ostubone has a negative image and is often used when gossiping behind someone’s back. It connotes spitefulness and a tendency to nag. You shall not used it for your senior coworkers that you look up to with respect.

 Click this link to read about Japanese Slang : Deki-Kon でき婚

Credit CC BY 2.0: Nestor Lacle
Title: West Shinjuku Silhouettes
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.

Who has never gone crazy over a new video game, an anime or a new phone? Like children, we can easily be absorbed by an exciting new item or activity. We unknowingly let time pass by when doing this activity, oblivious to our surroundings. Japanese people are no exception to that phenomenon and they too are attracted to new trends! Interested in a popular novelty they have heard about, some Japanese may even become completely consumed by it to the point they forget about everything else.

Well, becoming absorbed by something new and being crazy about it can be expressed in Japanese using the slang with hamaru【はまる】.

Originally, the verb hamaru means to “fit in” and can be used for situation like “to fit into the river” 「川にはまる」”fits into the trap” 「罠にはまる」 or to say that one is entangled in a bad situation.

However in Japanese slang, hamaru means “to be crazy into something”,”to be infatuated with”, or “totally absorbed by”. In that context, hamaru is not so far from its original meaning. It describes how you “fit” into that enthusiasm, and you cannot escape it. We know well of the addiction Japanese people have to online and smartphone gaming, which is easily noticeable on morning train!

  • 「趣味にはまる」「shumi ni hamaru」to be crazy with a hobby
  • 「私はあの歌手にはまる。」「watashi ha ano kashu ni hamaru」I’m obsessed with that singer.

Japanese slang hamaru はまる

Generally speaking, hamaru is mainly related to hobbies such as video games, animes, tv-shows and so on. Hamaru may also be used to describe a person in love, obsessed with the object of their affection.

Oddly, though hamaru may refer to pleasant things (activities or a person you are infatuated with), it can also be used for considerably less fun things… such as working and studying! Generally seen as troublesome activities, if one become crazy about his work or his study, you can also use hamaru. Crazy indeed!

Let’s see a conversation between two friends:

≪友達同士の会話≫
A: 久しぶり。最近どう？
B: 実はさ、最近オンラインゲームにハマってて。
休みの日は10時間はやってるかも。
A：え～！めちゃくちゃハマってるね。

≪Tomodachi doushi no kaiwa≫
A: Hisashiburi. saikin dou?
B: Jitsu hasa, saikin onrain geemu ni hamattete.
Yasumi no hi ha 10 jikan hayatteru kamo.
A: E~! mechyakuchya hamatteru ne.

English Translation

“Conversation between friends”
A: It’s been a while. How are you doing lately?
B: The truth is, lately I’ve been addicted to online games. On my days off I play for maybe ten hours.
A: What?! You must be addicted like crazy.

Another word used in the same way as the verb hamaru, is the Japanese-made English phrase, “my boom”, 「マイブーム」. Yes, in Japan, you will hear a lot of English phrases scattered into Japanese conversations that will make no sense to anyone who isn’t Japanese. We call it “wasei-eigo”, 「和製英語」 or “Japanese-Made English”. To get back to our point, the expression “my boom” is translated by “I am into…”, “I am crazy about…”.

例: 最近オンラインゲームにハマってるの。（最近オンラインゲームがマイブームなの！）
rei: Saikin onrain geemu ni hamatteru no. (saikin onrain geemu ga mai buumu na no!)
Example: Lately I’m really into online games (Online games are my boom lately!).

The next time you will speak about your hobbies with your Japanese friends, you will know what to say!

Want to find out more about some other Japanese Slang? Damemoto is one of which you might be interested in!

Want to find out more about Coto Japanese Academy? Try taking a look at the various Japanese Language Courses we offer!

Credit CC BY- ND 2.0: We Make Noise！
Title: 發夢中
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

 

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang mattari (suru)!

Definition
Origins of Mattari
Conversation Examples

Definition

Japanese people are known for their dedication to their work often to the detriment of their private life, working overtime, sometimes even on weekends. In some companies, things are so hectic and intense, that it makes us wonder if salarymen get any rest at all.

That being said, Japanese people care for their days-off. They will meet their friends, go see a popular exhibition or a movie. Or simply enjoying chilling out on their couch doing nothing. Being relaxed and laid-back is expressed by the Japanese slang word: mattari (suru)  [まったりする]. 

 

Origins of Mattari

The word mattari belongs to the vocabulary of the gastronomy and has been around for a long time. It was originally used in the Kansai area to describe a “mild, but deep taste“. Not only was it describing the taste, but also the way this kind of flavor spreads slowly in your mouth.

It is around 1998 that the word was diverted from its original meaning in an anime, called “Ojarumaru”「おじゃる丸」, broadcasted by the NHK. In the anime, the word was used to describe the mood and attitude of someone.

Progressively, mattari became used to describe a state of laziness (being carefree or at ease). Used with this meaning, a sense of boredom is also implied. It can also be translated by “to lounge”, “to relax” or “to chill out“. It is close to other Japanese words such as “yukkuri (suru)”「 ゆっくり（する）」, “nonbiri shite iru”「のんびりしている」、”daradara (suru)”「ダラダラ（する）」, gorogoro (suru) 「ゴロゴロ（する）」.

With young people using it more commonly to say they are chilling out, the original meaning grew unusual and the Japanese slang mattari (suru) was born!

 

Conversation Examples

例：≪友達の会話≫
A: ねぇ、ちょっと疲れちゃった。
どっかでまったりお茶でもしない？
B: いいね、そうしよう。

Example: ≪ Tomodachi no kaiwa ≫
A: Ne~e, chotto tsukare chatta. Dokka de mattari ocha demo shinai?
B: Ī ne, sō shiyou.

Example: <<Conversation between friends>>
A: I’m pretty tired. Do you want to relax somewhere and maybe get some tea or something?
B: Good idea. Let’s do that.

例：≪恋人同士／夫婦の会話≫
A: 週末はどうしようか？
B: 今週は残業続きで疲れたから、家でまったりしたいな。

Example: <<Conversation between a married couple or boyfriend and girlfriend>>
A: What should we do this weekend?
B: I’ve had to work a lot of overtime this week, so I want to stay home and take it easy.

Example: ≪ Koibito dōshi/ fūfu no kaiwa ≫
A: Shūmatsu wa dō shiyou ka?
B: Konshū wa zangyō tsudzuki de tsukaretakara, ie de mattari shitai na.

例：≪友達の会話≫
A: GWはどうだった？
B: んー、特に何も。家でまったりしてた。

Example:≪ Tomodachi no kaiwa ≫
A: GW wa dōdatta?
B: N- , tokuni nani mo. uchi de mattari shi teta.

Example: <<Conversation between friends>>
A: How as Golden Week?
B: I didn’t really do anything. Just stayed home and was lazy.

Japanese summers are so hot and humid, that you may not want to hang out with your Japanese friend when they invite you to go somewhere. Mattari offers you a nice way out. Now, you know what to say!

“Today, I’m chilling out at my place.”

 

Click this link to read about Japanese slang dotakyan suru!

Credit CC-BY-SA 2.0: Takashi Hososhima
Title: Kinda sleepy
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.

One of the many ways to become more fluent in a foreign language is to study its slangs. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. 

Let’s see today, how you would say “shotgun wedding” in Japanese. Well, with the expression: “dekikon” 「できこん」「でき婚」!

This expression describes a wedding that is or was arranged to avoid embarrassment due to an unplanned pregnancy rather than out of the desire of the participants!　

You can literally translate as “we already made (a baby) marriage”. Have you heard it before?

Now, let’s take a look at the interesting construction of this Japanese slang word. The first part, “deki” comes from the sentence 「（子どもが）できてしまった」 which means “got pregnant” or “gave birth”.

As the sentence carries a very negative nuance, it is closer in meaning to the expression ” to get knocked up”. 

The second part, “kon” originates from the word “kekkon” 「けっこん」「結婚」 which means marriage. Finally, the both parts “dekikon” were combined as an abbreviation for the following sentence:

  • 「（子どもが）できちゃった（から）結婚（する・した）」
    [(kodomo) ga dekichatta (kara) kekkon (suru・shita)]

The literal translation is “to get / got married because of having conceived a child”. But we all now the underlying meaning: because you conceived a child before getting married, you have to get / had to get a quick wedding to save face”.

The Japanese slang “dekikon” appeared during the 90’s as for some various reasons, wedding triggered by pregnancy increased.

By 2000’s, marriages due to unplanned parenthood became popular among young Japanese of 19/20 years old, as several celebrities such as idols made it a trend in Japan. This way of getting married is also called 「ダブルハッピー」 “double happy” or 「マタニティウェディング」 “maternity wedding”.

If those words have a pretty obvious meaning, there is a third and quite euphemistic way to speak about shotgun wedding: 「おめでた婚」 “omedeta kon”: a “blessed” marriage.

Let’s see the word dekikon used in a conversation between two friends:

（男性の友達同士の会話）
A：実は、再来月に結婚することになったんだ。
B：え？それはおめでとう。ずいぶん急だな。もしかして、でき婚？
A：うん、そう…。

(Dansei no tomodachi dōshi no kaiwa)
A: Jitsuwa, saraigetsu ni kekkon suru koto ni natta nda.
B: E? Soreha omedetō. Zuibun kyūda na. Moshikashite, dekikon?
A: Un,-sō…

English Translation
(two male friends are discussing together)
A：To tell the truth, in two months, I am getting married.
B：Wow, that is a great news! Congratulations! That was pretty quick. Wait. Don’t tell me it’s a shotgun wedding?
A：Actually… Yeah.

（女性の友達同士の会話）
A:　聞いた？Cさんは来月結婚するそうです。
B:　ええ。でき婚らしいですね。
A:　えー、知らなかったです。

(Jyosei no tomodachi dōshi no kaiwa)
A:　Kiita? C san ha raigetsu kekkon suru sou desu.
B: Ee. Dekikon rashidesune.
A: E-, shiranakattan desu.

English translation
(Two female friends are discussing together)
A: Have you heard? C san is apparently getting married next month.
B: Yeah. Seems to be a shotgun wedding.
A: Eh? I didn’t know.

Of course, as it is used casually with friends, family, or those close to you, you should avoid using it in more formal conversation.

Click this link to read about how to use the Japanese word: chotto!

Credit CC BY 2.0: amira_a
Title: Let love rule
source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.