Guide – Particle 「へ」

The へ particle in Japanese is commonly used to indicate the direction towards which an action is headed. Here are several examples of how the へ particle is used in Japanese:

Indicating Direction:

The へ particle is used to indicate the direction in which an action is headed. It is often used with verbs of movement such as 行く (iku, to go), 来る (kuru, to come), 帰る (kaeru, to return), and so on. Here are some examples:

学校へ行く (gakkou e iku)
to go to school

空港へ行く (kuukou e iku)
to go to the airport

家へ帰る (ie e kaeru)
to return home

Indicating Purpose:

The へ particle can also be used to indicate the purpose of an action. In this usage, the verb before the へ particle is often a verb of movement or action. Here are some examples:

プールへ泳ぎに行く (puuru e oyogi ni iku)
to go swimming at the pool

公園へ散歩する (kouen e sanpo suru)
to take a walk to the park

祖母の家へ手紙を送る (sobo no ie e tegami wo okuru)
to send a letter to my grandmother’s house

Differences between へ and に:

While both the へ and に particles can be used to indicate the direction of an action, there are some differences between them:

Movement vs Destination:

The へ particle is used to indicate the direction of an action, while the に particle is used to indicate the destination of an action. For example:

学校へ行く (gakkou e iku)
to go to school (indicates the direction towards school)

学校に行く (gakkou ni iku)
to go to school (indicates the destination of going to school)

Time vs Destination:

The に particle can also be used to indicate the time at which an action takes place, while the へ particle cannot. For example:

9時に会う (kuji ni au)
to meet at 9 o’clock (indicates the time at which the meeting takes place)

9時へ会う (kuji e au)
incorrect usage

Formality:

The に particle is more formal than the へ particle. In formal writing or speech, it is more common to use the に particle to indicate direction or destination. In casual conversation, however, the へ particle is more commonly used.

In conclusion, the へ particle is an important particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direction towards which an action is headed or the purpose of an action. While it is similar to the に particle, there are important differences in their usage and formality.

Guide – Particle 「ね」

The ね sentence ending particle is a very common and versatile particle used in Japanese. It is used to express a variety of things including seeking agreement, confirmation, or understanding. Here are some examples of how the ね particle is used:

Seeking Agreement:

One of the most common uses of the ね particle is to seek agreement or confirmation from the listener. It can be used in a statement to turn it into a question, seeking agreement or confirmation. For example:

今日は暑いね。(Kyou wa atsui ne.)
It’s hot today, isn’t it?

この店のラーメンは美味しいね。(Kono mise no raamen wa oishii ne.)
This restaurant’s ramen is delicious, isn’t it?

Seeking Understanding:

The ね particle can also be used to seek understanding from the listener, similar to “you know” or “you see” in English. For example:

日本語は難しいね。(Nihongo wa muzukashii ne.)
Japanese is difficult, you know.

あの人はまだ来ていないね。(Ano hito wa mada kite inai ne.)
That person still hasn’t come, you see.

Softening a Statement:

The ね particle can also be used to soften a statement, making it sound more friendly and approachable. It is often used in conversations between friends or people with close relationships. For example:

あのね、聞いてくれる?(Ano ne, kiite kureru?)
Hey, can you listen to me?

Expressing Empathy:

The ね particle can also be used to express empathy towards the listener. It is often used to show that the speaker understands how the listener feels. For example:

体調が悪いね、大丈夫?(Taichou ga warui ne, daijoubu?)
You don’t look so good, are you okay?

大変だったね、心配したよ。(Taihen datta ne, shinpai shita yo.)
That must have been tough, I was worried about you.

In conclusion, the ね particle is a versatile particle used in Japanese to seek agreement or confirmation, seek understanding, soften a statement, and express empathy towards the listener. Its usage can vary depending on the context and relationship between the speaker and listener.

Onomatopoeia in conversations!

These are from our recent discussions at tonbo cafe!  Let’s take a closer look.
最近のトンボカフェでの会話からです。詳しく見てみましょう。

ボチボチ

leisurely; slowly; gradually

休憩はこれくらいにして、ボチボチ仕事を始めますか。
Pretty soon we’d better wrap up this break and get back to work.

ブスブス

sputtering; smoldering

小遣いが足りないといつもぶすぶす言っている。
He is always grumbling about his small allowance.

焼け落ちた柱がまだぶすぶすとくすぶっていた。
The fallen column was still smoldering.

ゴチャゴチャ

messy; confused; disorderly

あれもこれもごちゃごちゃになっている。
All sorts of things are jumbled [mixed] up together.

パサパサ

state of being dried out

このパンはぱさぱさだ。
This bread is all dried out.

ゴワゴワ

stiff; starchy

このシーツはごわごわしている。
This sheet is stiff.

バキバキ

with a crack (e.g. branches, knuckles)

スマホの画面がバキバキに割れた。
The screen of the smartphone shattered.

 

Let’s examine these similar Kanji!

露 霜 霧 霰 靄

これらは一つの重要な相違点を除けば実によく似通っている。勉強しましょう!

つゆ dew

葉に露を宿す。
The leaves are wet with dew.

しも frost

霜が溶ける。
The frost breaks up.

きり fog、mist

霧が晴れた。
The fog cleared.

あられ hail

霰が降っている。
There is a hail-storm.

もや haze

海面に靄がかかっている。
The sea is in a haze.

もし宇宙世紀に“文春砲”があったら? 文藝春秋、「証言 機動戦士ガンダム」発売

What if there were Bunshun guns in the Universal Century? Bungei Shunjū launches “Mobile Suit Gundam a testimony”

 文藝春秋は「機動戦士ガンダム」シリーズの世界を独自の目線で伝えるムック「証言 機動戦士ガンダム 文藝春秋が見た宇宙世紀100年」を3月8日に発売する。1980円(税込)。
 In the Bungei Shunjū series “Mobile Suit Gundam” world, a unique vision is conveyed through the mook “Mobile Suit Gundam a testimony, through the eyes of Bungei Shunjū in the 100th Universal Century” will be on sale beginning March 8th. 1980 yen (tax included)

ガンダムの世界に文藝春秋があったと仮定し、一年戦争が始まる宇宙世紀0079から、ラプラス事変が起きた宇宙世紀0105年までの記事を1冊にまとめた。
Assuming the Gundam world of Bungei Shunjū were to be realized, an article spanning from when the One Year War which took place in 0079 of the Universal Century, until the Laplace disaster in 0105, was arranged.

連邦が極秘で進めていた「V作戦」のスクープ、ギレン・ザビ総帥「戦死」公報を覆す新証言、一年戦争の殊勲艦“木馬”の乗組員が全員少年兵という匿名告発……数々のスクープで宇宙世紀の真実を暴く。
The exclusive on how the federation proceeded with “V tactics” in absolute secrecy, new information on the cover-up of commander Gihren Zabi’s “death in battle”, the One Year War’s distinguished warship “Trojan Horse” and the anonymous accusations about a child soldier crew compliment…… Various exclusives reveal the truths of what occurred in the Universal Century.

巻頭グラビアは「ミネバ・ラオ・ザビ殿下の肖像」。5月に公開する映画「閃光のハサウェイ」の特報も掲載する。サンライズが監修した。
“a portrait of His Highness Mineva Lao Zabi” leads the front page illustration. There will also be news about the upcoming film “Hathaway’s Flash” which will be released in May. Supervised by Sunrise.

ORIGINAL: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c77272904b4585e710d2bbae28e7c13326e4b353
[One of my translated articles (for practice)]

食べるのもったいない!小学生考案の「笑顔になる」弁当、午前中で完売

So appetizing, it would be a shame to eat! “Make you smile” bento (lunch box) design devised by elementary school students sells out during the morning

販売が始まった「食べるのもったいない!えみらる風弁当」 “So appetizing, it would be a shame to eat! Emiraru-style bento” is now on sale https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20210302-OYT1T50089/

三重県名張市立つつじが丘小学校の6年生が、「コロナ禍でも地域が元気で笑顔になる」をテーマに考案した弁当の販売が1日、近くのスーパーヤオヒコ名張店で始まった。約1週間の期間限定で、1日10~15食が店頭に並ぶ。
Sixth graders at Tsujigaoka Elementary School in Nabari City, Mie Prefecture, started selling bento boxes (lunch boxes) themed “Despite Corona, the neighborhood smiles with spirit.” at the nearby Super Yaohiko Nabari store on the 1st. For a limited time of about one week, 10 to 15 meals a day are lined up at the store entrance.

弁当は、6年生児童の案を基に同スーパーが商品化した「食べるのもったいない!えみらる風弁当」。地域キャラクター「えみらる」をパッケージにあしらい、きなこ入りかたやき、からあげ、エビフライなどを詰めた。ラベルのデザインは児童が考え、応援メッセージも添えた。429円(税込み)。
The lunch box “So appetizing, it would be a shame to eat! Emiraru-style bento” was commercialized by a supermarket based on the ideas of sixth graders. The package is decorated with the local mascot “Emiraru” and is packed with broiled soybean paste, deep-fried tofu, and fried shrimp. The label was designed by children with a message of support also included. 429 yen (tax included).

弁当の考案は、コロナ禍で家庭科の調理実習ができなくなり、子どもたちに食を主体的に考える機会を持ってもらおうと同小が企画。6年生110人が弁当案をイラストなどにまとめた。校内の発表会で候補3点を選び、そのうち1案を基に同スーパーが作った。
This bento idea was implemented by the elementary school cooking class to give kids the opportunity to think independently about food and home economics for the Corona crisis. 110 sixth graders complemented the lunch box with illustrations etc. Three candidates were selected at a school assembly, and out of them, one plan was chosen and produced by the supermarket.

初日は15食を販売。午前中で完売した。同スーパー惣菜部の担当者は「名張の食と色のある弁当。彩りと栄養バランスがいい」と話していた。110点の弁当アイデアも店内に掲示している。
15 meals were sold on the first day. They sold out during the morning. “Nabari’s bento is full of food and color. It has a good balance of color and nutrition.” says the person in charge of the supermarket side dish department. All 110 bento ideas are also on display in the store.

ORIGINAL: https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20210302-OYT1T50089/
[One of my translated articles (for practice)]