(Illustrations by Yukiyo Oda/Stripes Okinawa)

We're in the midst of January, the coldest time of the year.

Stay safe and warm and don't catch a cold.

Today's Japanese phrase:

“Kazewo hikanaide!” 風邪をひかないで！ = Don't catch a cold!

“kaze" 風邪 = a cold, ".. wo hiku" ひく = get/catch/draw.. "naide" ないで = don't be/get

To make it more polite, you can add "kudasai" (means please) to the phrase:

"Kazewo hikanaide kudasai" 風邪をひかないでください！ = Please don't catch a cold!

It's cold, but I wish you a nice, heartwarming winter in Japan!