Sunday 12 May 2024

Keigo-Japanese polite language

 

1. Today's Japanese words

Here's some basic Japanese vocabulary about animals with romaji:


* **Common pets:**

    * Inu (いぬ) - Dog

    * Neko (ねこ) - Cat

    * Usagi (うさぎ) - Rabbit

    * Hamusutā (ハムスター) - Hamster


* **Farm animals:**

    * Ushi (うし) - Cow

    * Buta (ぶた) - Pig

    * Niwatori (にわとり) - Chicken

* **Wild animals:**

    * Kuma (くま) - Bear

    * Saru (さる) - Monkey

    * Kitsune (きつね) - Fox

    * Tora (とら) - Tiger

* **Sea creatures:**

    * Sakana (さかな) - Fish

    * Iruka (いるか) - Dolphin

    * Kame (かめ) - Turtle

* **Birds:**

    * Tori (とり) - Bird

    * Ahiru(アヒル) - Duck

    * Taka (たか) - Hawk

* **Insects:**

    * Mushi (むし) - Bug

    * Hachi (はち) - Bee

    * Cho (ちょう) - Butterfly

 

2. Today's topic

Keigo-Japanese polite language

Japanese polite language, also known as keigo, is a complex system of grammatical and lexical features that are used to convey respect and deference to the listener. It is an essential part of Japanese culture and is used in a wide variety of situations, from everyday conversations to formal business meetings.


There are three main categories of keigo:


* **Polite language (teineigo)**: This is the most basic level of keigo and is used in most everyday situations. It is characterized by the use of the sentence-ending particle "desu" (です) and the verb suffix "-masu" (ます). For example, the basic form of the verb "to eat" is "taberu" (食べる), but the polite form is "tabemasu" (食べます).


* **Respectful language (sonkeigo)**: This level of keigo is used to show respect to someone who is higher in status than the speaker. It is characterized by the use of special verb forms and honorific suffixes. For example, the verb "to give" is "yaru" (やる) in basic form, but the respectful form is "kudasaru" (下さる). The honorific suffix "-sama" (様) is used to show respect to someone of very high status, such as a customer or a guest.


* **Humble language (kenjougo)**: This level of keigo is used to downplay the speaker's own status or abilities. It is characterized by the use of special verb forms and prefixes. For example, the verb "to know" is "shiru" (知る) in basic form, but the humble form is "oshiete itadaku" (教えていただく). The prefix "o-" (お) is used to make nouns and verbs more humble.


In addition to these three main categories, there are also a number of other keigo features, such as honorific titles and special phrases for requesting and offering things.


Learning keigo can be a bit daunting at first, but it is essential for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in Japanese. There are many resources available to help you learn keigo, including textbooks, websites, and online courses.


Here are some additional tips for using keigo:


* **Pay attention to the situation.** The level of keigo that you use will depend on the situation. For example, you would use more keigo when talking to your boss than you would when talking to your friend.

* **Be respectful of the listener.** Keigo is a way of showing respect to the listener, so it is important to use it appropriately. If you are not sure what level of keigo to use, it is better to err on the side of caution and use more keigo than you think is necessary.

* **Don't be afraid to make mistakes.** Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning a new language. Don't be afraid to make mistakes when using keigo. The important thing is to keep practicing and learning.


3- Today’s news

Mie horse-riding festival held without a hitch after criticism

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15256443

The Shinto ritual, said to date back about 700 years, is held to divine crop harvests based on whether the horses ridden by young residents in feudal attire can clear the final obstacle.

the festival came under fire after a horse broke a front leg and was put down last year.


After consulting with veterinarians, organizers decided to do away with the earthen wall, modify the slope to make it less steep and prohibit riders from inflicting violence on the horses to make them run.


“I am relieved that everything went well,” said Yoshichiyo Ito, who heads the organizing group. “The festival has changed from its traditional form, but it is OK if both people and horses are safe and unhurt.”


Teleworking in Japan shrinks after COVID, hybrid working on rise

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240512/p2g/00m/0li/008000c



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Wakayama Prefecture

  1. Today's Japanese words Here are some useful Japanese sentences and vocabulary related to travel, with romaji for pronunciation:  * ...