(Illustration by Yukiyo Oda/Stripes Okinawa)

When spring returns every year, my allergies kick in. I get watery eyes, runny nose and can’t stop sneezing. That’s right! I have hay fever due to the high cedar pollen in the air.

You may have the same problem as me. It seems there are a lot of pollen in the air today.

Today’s Japanese phrase is:

“Kafunsho desu.” = I’m suffering from hay fever.

("kafunsho" - hay fever/pollen allergy, ".. desu" = it is.../I am.)