Travel
Speakin' Japanese: Autumn talk
Stripes Okinawa
October 18, 2024
(Stripes Okinawa)
Autumn has arrived! Here are some useful words and phrases that might come in handy when getting into the spirit of the season.
“Suzushiku natte kimashita.” = It has gotten cool. (“suzushiku” = cool; “natte kimashita” = has gotten)
“Aki ga totemo suki desu.” = I really like autumn. (“aki” = autumn; “totemo suki desu” = really like)
“Tsukimi ga shitai desu.” = I want to go moon watching. (“tsukimi” = moon watching; “shitai desu” = want to)
“Aki no mangetsu ga ichiban kirei desu.” = The autumn full moon is the most beautiful. (“mangetsu” = full moon; “ichiban” = most [literally, No. 1]; “kirei” = beautiful)
“Aki no mushi no koe ga kikoemasu.” = I hear the song of autumn insects. (“mushi” = insect; “kore” = song [voice])
“Octoobaa Festival ni ikimasho.” = Let’s go to the October festival. (“ni ikimasho” = let’s go)
“Koyo ga tanoshimi desu.” = I am looking forward to seeing the red leaves. (“koyo” = red leaves; “ga tanoshimi desu” = be looking forward to)
“Sanma ga oishii kisetsu desu.” = Chestnuts are delicious this time of year. (“kuri” = chest nuts; “kisetsu” = time of year [season])
•Autumn foods “kuri” = chestnuts “shiitake” = shiitake mushrooms “shinmai” = the year’s new rice “budo” = grapes “sanma” = (local mackerel)
•Old Japanese saying “Aki nasu wa yome ni kuwaseruna.” = Don’t let your wife eat autumn eggplant. (This saying has two meanings. It means that autumn eggplant is too good to share with your wife. Another meaning is that autumn eggplant has less seeds so, it is bad luck for those trying to have babies.)