Amanda Sun - Ink

An encouraging phrase meaning to fight with one’s might or do one’s best

Furikake:

A seasoning to sprinkle over white rice

Furin:

A traditional Japanese wind chime

Gaijin:

A person from a foreign country

Ganbare:

“Do your best,” said to encourage one in academics, sports or life

Genkan:

The foyer or entrance of a Japanese building. Usually the floor of the genkan is lower than the rest of the building, to keep shoes and outside things separate from the clean raised floor inside

Gomen:

“I’m sorry”

Guzen da:

“What a coincidence!”

Gyoza:

Dumplings

Gyudon:

Sauced beef on rice

Hai?:

“Yes?” but used as it is in Ink, it expresses surprise, such as “I’m sorry?”

Hakama:

The skirtlike clothing worn by kendouka

Hana yori dango:

“Dumplings over flowers,” meaning substance over appearance

Hanami:

Flower viewing, in particular cherry blossoms

Hanshi:

Special paper used for calligraphy

Hazui:

“Embarrassing,” slang form of hazukashii

Hebi:

Snakes

Hidoi na:

“You’re cruel!” or “That’s mean/harsh!”

Ii ka:

“Okay?”

Ii kara:

“It’s okay (so just do it)”

Ikemen:

A good-looking guy

Ikuzo:

“Let’s go,” said in a tough slang

Itadakimasu:

“I’m going to receive,” said before a meal like “bon appétit”

I-te/Itai:

“Ouch” or “It hurts”

Ittekimasu:

“I’m leaving (and coming back),” said when leaving the home

Itterasshai:

“Go (and come back) safely,” said to the one leaving home

Jaa ne:

“See you later”

Kado:

The tradion of flower arranging, also known as ikebana

Kakigori:

Shaved ice with syrup, much like a snow cone

Kankenai darou:

“It’s none of your business” or “It doesn’t concern you”

Karaage:

Bite-size fried chicken

Kata:

A series of memorized movements in kendo or other mar-tial arts

Keigoki:

The soft top worn under the kendo armor

Keiji-san:

Detective

Keitai:

Cell phone

Kendouka:

A kendo participant

Ki wo tsukete na:

“Take care”

Kiai:

A shout made by kendouka to intimidate opponents and tighten stomach muscles for self-defense

Kiri-kaeshi:

A kendo exercise drill

Koibito:

“Lovers,” dating couple

Kote:

Gloves worn during kendo

Kun:

Suffix generally used for guy friends

Maa:

“Well,” but it can be used as a subtle way of affirming something (“Well, yes”)

Maji de:

“No way”

Manju:

Small Japanese cakes, usually with some sort of filling inside

Matte:

“Wait”

Men:

The helmet warn during kendo

Migi-kote:

The right glove

Mieta:

“I saw it”

Momiji:

Maple tree

Moshi mosh(i):

Said when answering the phone

Mou ii:

“That’s enough”

Naaa:

“Hey” or “You know,” a filler word that indicates the speaker is going to say something

Nasubi:

Eggplant

Ne:

“Isn’t it?” It can also be used as “Hey!” to get someone’s attention (like “ Ne , Tanaka”)

Nerikiri:

A sweet white-bean-paste cake eaten during a tea ceremony

Nikujaga:

A Japanese dish of meat and potatoes

Noren:

An awning hung over the doorway of a shop

Ohayo:

“Good morning”

Oi:

“Hey”

Okaeri:

“Welcome home,” said when one arrives home

Okonomiyaki:

A Japanese pancake or pizza-type dish where diners choose the ingredients that go into the dish, such as cabbage or other veggies, noodles, meat or fish

Okyaku-sama:

Guests/customers

Omiyage:

Souvenirs

Onigiri:

Rice balls

Ore sa, kimi no koto ga...(suki):

“I like you” or more literally “About you, I, you know… (like you).” This is a common way for a boy to confess he likes someone

O-Torii:

The giant orange Shinto gate at Itsukushima Shrine

Peko peko:

“I’m starving,” usually said by younger children or girls to be cute

Purikura:

Print Club, little sticker pictures taken and printed by machines at arcades or department stores

Purin:

A popular Japanese pudding

Sado:

The tradition of tea ceremony

Saitei:

“You’re the worst,” something despicable

Sakura:

The cherry blossoms

Sankyu:

“Thank you”

Sasa:

A bamboo tree used for Tanabata festivities

Seifuku:

Japanese school uniform based on the look of old sailor uniforms

Senpai:

A kneeling stance used in kendo

Senpai:

A student older than the speaker

Shinai:

A sword made of bamboo slats tied together, used for kendo

Shinkansen:

The bullet train

Shoudo:

The tradition of calligraphy

Shouji:

A traditional rice-paper door

Sonna wake nai jan:

“It’s not like that!”

Sou da na:

“I guess that’s right.”

Sou ka:

“Is that right?”

Sou mitai:

“Looks that way”

Sou ne:

“You’re right, aren’t you?” or “That’s right, isn’t it?”

Su-ge:

“Wow,” slang form of sugoi Suki:

“I like you”

Sumi:

An ink stick, ground against the suzuri to make ink Sunpu-jou:

Sunpu Castle

Suzuri:

An inkstone, used in making liquid ink

Tadaima:

“I’m home,” said by one arriving home

Taihen da ne:

“That’s tough” or “That’s a difficult situation.”

Tanabata:

A holiday celebrating the stars Altair and Vega reuniting in the sky

Tatami:

Traditional mat flooring made of woven straw

Te m e :

A really foul way to call someone “you.” Usage is not ad-vised!

Tenugui:

A headband tied under the men helmet Tomodachi:

“Friends”