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Japanese Language and Culture
One of the unique aspects of the Japanese culture is the monolingualism of the Japanese. They only speak Nihongo. Even textbooks are in the Japanese language, which is why even foreign students are required to learn Nihongo.
2,524 Questions
What is the word heroic in Japanese?
Sorry, I don't know what "heroic" is in Japanese, but I do know what "hero" is.
Hero in Japanese = kanji
Sorry if this didn't help, but...I hope it does!
How do you do a Japanese o with the flat line over the top?
To type the character "ō" in Japanese, you can use the Romaji input method on a keyboard. Type "ou" and then press the space key, which will automatically convert it to "ō" with a macron over the "o". This character is used in Romaji to represent a long "o" sound.
When did the Japanese start using kanji?
The Japanese started using kanji characters around the 5th century AD when they were introduced from China. Kanji became an essential part of the Japanese writing system, used alongside hiragana and katakana scripts.
Why did the Japanese resort to isolation as a response to European expansion?
The Japanese resorted to isolation, specifically the policy of sakoku, in response to European expansion to protect their culture, prevent foreign influence, and maintain political stability. They were concerned about the spread of Christianity and potential threats to their traditional way of life.
What portion of their bodies do Japanese geishas leave bare and why?
Japanese geishas leave their neck and collarbones bare to emphasize their elegance and grace. Exposing this area is considered alluring and beautiful in their traditional attire.
What is a traditional Japanese emblem?
A traditional Japanese emblem is the "mon," which are family crests used to identify a particular family lineage or clan. Mon designs vary widely and can include simple geometric shapes or more intricate patterns. These emblems are commonly found on kimono, flags, and other items to represent a family or individual.
What was the early Japanese writing system like?
The early Japanese writing system was heavily influenced by Chinese characters, known as kanji. Over time, the Japanese developed two phonetic scripts, hiragana and katakana, to supplement kanji. This combination of characters allowed for more flexible and expressive writing.
How has the Japanese culture changed?
Though honor and respect remain a crucial part of the Japanese culture, the need to show the poetic beauty of nature has began to dwindle. Long ago, during the times of imperial Japan, women dressed in kimonos all the time, and most people were simple farmers, and shoguns could do as they pleased to their underling villagers. Back then, a woman could not talk back to her husband, and the most modern weapon would have been a naginata (the longest, swiftest, and sharpest type of Samurai sword). Today, the majority live in cramped little houses or apartments. Today there are automobiles and bullet trains. Women have equal rights, weapons are, of course, modern, and kimonos are only worn on special occasions. A good book to read to learn more would be Blue Fingers: A Ninja's Tale by Cheryl Aylward Whitesel. Trust me, it was both a gripping story, and very well reasurched and historically accurate, which just made it that much more alluring.
What does watashitachi nani suru mean?
"Watashitachi nani suru" translates to "What are we doing" in English.
What was the lowest class of people in the Japanese feudalism hinin or merchants?
The lowest class of people in Japanese feudalism were the hinin, who were considered outcasts and had no rights or privileges in society. Merchants, while initially held in low regard due to their association with money-making, eventually gained wealth and influence as the economy developed.
What are the 4 different writing systems in Japanese?
There are 4 writing systems used in Japan:
- Hiragana
- Katakana
- Kanji
- Romaji
Hiragana (平仮å) is a syllabic system of writing and so instead of characters representing individual sounds it uses characters to represent combinations of consonants and vowels with the one exception of a character for the n sound.
Katakana (片仮å) is a system with the same number of characters and same sounds as Hiragana. Katakana is currently used for loanwords to the Japanese language, onomatopoeia, and often for the names of businesses.
The reason there are two sets of alphabets when they have the same set of sounds is because in old days Hiragana was used by women and Katakana more by men. Today everyone uses both.
Kanji (æ¼¢å—) is a set of 2,136 characters that have been borrowed from the Chinese language. Kanji is used to write parts of Japanese words. Kanji usually has multiple sounds associated with them usually one set derived from the Chinese pronunciation and another uniquely Japanese pronunciation.
RÅmaji (ãƒãƒ¼ãƒžå—) is the Latin alphabet adapted to write Japanese words. This is more targeted at people who are non-native speakers, but you will likely see it in Japan. The most common system is the Hepburn system, known as Hebon-shiki (ヘボンå¼).
How do you pronounce ENSO in Japanese?
In Japanese, ENSO is pronounced as "エルニーニョ・ザ・南方振動" (erunin'yo za nanpou shindou) or simply as "エンゾ" (enzo).
How do you pronounce kigo from the Japanese language?
Kigo in Japanese is pronounced as "kee-goh" with the stress on the first syllable.
What does ofuro mean in Japanese?
Ofuro means "bath" in Japanese. It refers to both the act of soaking in a tub and the tub itself. Taking a hot bath in an ofuro is a common and relaxing practice in Japanese culture.
"ren'ai" is "romance" in Japanese or thought of being loved purely and rightly
Ciao is not a native Japanese word, but like in other countries, is usually understood. A Japanese equivalent to ciao would be 'ja ne,' or 'mata ne.'
What does hattori mean in Japanese?
"Hattori" is a Japanese surname that is derived from the place name Hattori, which means "clothing store" in Japanese. It can also refer to the historical figure Hattori Hanzo, a famous ninja in Japanese history.
The keiretsu system, which are groups of interlinked companies with cross-shareholdings, formed in Japan and played a key role in the development of large industrial conglomerates that dominated the economy. These conglomerates were able to control major segments of the Japanese industrial sector by leveraging their close relationships with suppliers, distributors, and financial institutions. Over time, this system allowed these companies to achieve economies of scale, access to resources, and competitive advantages in the global market.
