VIDEO: Speakin’ Japanese: Paying respects to our ancestors

VIDEO: Speakin’ Japanese: Paying respects to our ancestors

by Shoji Kudaka
Stripes Okinawa

Visiting graveyard is an important tradition whether you live in mainland Japan or in Okinawa. So, if you have a chance to join locals in this custom, keep in mind this phrase.

“Ohaka mairi wa senzo wo uyamau tameno gyouji desu”, which means “A grave visit is an event to pay respect to the ancestors.”

(“Ohaka” – grave/tomb, “mairi” – visit, “Wa”– a proposition to put after a noun which functions as a subject, “Senzo” – ancestor, “Uyamau” – pay respect, “Tameno” – for the purpose of, “Gyouji” – event)

Ok, stay safe and see you all in the next episode of Speakin’ Japanese!

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