Ack, I've been slacking on my worlds lately. I've just been so busy! But here's something I think you'll enjoy. I learned a very amusing phrase from my friend Naoki recently, and I thought I'd share it with everyone!
空気を読めない (kuuki o yomenai)
Literally, this means "cannot read the air." It's an idiomatic phrase for someone who is so awkward that it seems like they're not reading the situation at all. Lately, teenagers in Japan have been shortening this phrase to "KY."
Variations on this are ちょうKY (chou KY, or "very awkward,") and MKY, which stands for マジでKY (maji de KY, or "seriously awkward.")
Examples of KY behavior might be... say, a guy on the bus who sits right next to you despite the fact that there are plenty of empty rows. XD Or that person in your hall/apartment building/neighborhood who always stares blankly when you try to greet them.
I just generally think this phrase is the best thing ever.
Feature: 04/15/08 | Posted By: NightBeck | | Personal | Tags: japanese, slang
This is a good one to get out of the way first!
So, I know that I, when I was a total novice at Japanese, was pretty much "durrr?" when it came to the writing system. So I will try to explain the way all three systems are broken down witho...
Read the full post »
Guide: 03/17/08 | Posted By: NightBeck | | Personal | Tags: hiragana, kanji, katakana
Welcome to my (in)comprehensive nihongo journal, guys!
I was going to make this for when I go to Tokyo next year to study abroad, but as it turned out, I couldn't wait! And besides, sometimes, when I learn something cool in my Japanese class, I just feel the need to babble about it to someone. And that someone usually looks at me like I'm crazy and tries to feign interest. So I set this up in order to share these things with the otaku community.
Of course, I'm a long way from knowing everything. I started learning Japanese on my own in the spring of 2006, and officially in the fall of 2006, so it hasn't quite been two years since I started taking classes. I'm currently in the fourth level of the language class, and I've taken classes regarding Japanese literature, films, history, and culture. And I know fully well that, in the grand scheme of things, that ain't nothin'. So writing these things down in order to explain it to others is as helpful to me as anyone else!
(And, of course, if anyone else here knows more than I do, you should feel free to chime in at any time. The more you know, right?)
So here's what I have planned so far. Until my study abroad begins, this will be the place for me to talk about interesting linguistic and cultural quirks, teach some vocab and kanji, and talk about some of the places in Japan I've been so far. Other than that, if there's anything you want to know about, ask! If you have something you've always been curious about, I'll do my best to answer it. That, or I'll ask my esteemed Japan expert... by which I mean "my friend Ayako from Osaka." XD
I hope this journal might be helpful to you!
Guide: 03/15/08 | Posted By: NightBeck | | Personal | Tags: intro
