Japanese Jungle

 31. Asking and Telling Time in Japanese  Do you wonder how to ask for the time in Japanese? The structure pattern "なんじ ですか" (nanji desu ka?) is your go-to for asking about the time, while the formula "(number) +時 (number)+分 です" is used to tell the time.  Asking the Time :
To ask someone for the time, you can use the phrase "なんじ ですか" (nanji desu ka?): 
いま なんじ です か (ima nanji desu ka?)。 - What time is it now?
 Telling the Time :
When it comes to telling time, follow this formula:
いま じゅうにじ ごじゅうごふん です(今12時55分です)。- It is twelve fifty-five now.
 しちじはんです (7時半です)。- It is half past seven.  よじ さんぷん まえ です(４時３分前です)。- It is three to four.
 くじ じゅうごふん すぎ です(9時15分すぎです)。- It is fifteen minutes past nine.
 Important Notes :
There are a few essential things to keep in mind when discussing time in Japanese: Clock Reading: Pay attention to the correct readings for specific hours.  
Incorrect: よん じ, なな じ, きゅう じ
 Correct: よ じ, しち じ, く じ Using "Sugi" and "Mae...

 The Origin of Sushi: From Fermented Fish to Modern Delicacy Sushi has a long history that traces back to a fermented food called "narezushi." People in Southeast Asia used this method around the 2nd century AD. Eventually, it reached Japan in the 8th century, and written records about it appeared in the 10th century. In the Lake Biwa area, "narezushi" became a staple family dish and an important source of protein. Families used rice and salt to ferment fish, preserving them in barrels for months or even years. The most common fish used in this area is the mudfish, known as “nigoribuna.” First, the fish scales are removed, and the entrails are taken out. Then it is salted and left to ferment for several months. Afterwards, it is mixed with rice to continue the fermentation process. The fermented fish can be preserved for months or even decades. In the past, people used to eat only fish and discard the fermented "smelly rice." But around the 1500s, they s...

  How Temperature Affects Our Feelings: A Simple Experiment Did you know that the temperature of what you hold in your hand can actually influence your feelings? Researchers at Yale University conducted an interesting experiment to explore this phenomenon. In the experiment, participants were asked to hold either a hot or iced coffee cup while riding an escalator to a lab. Once there, they were asked to read about a fictional character and share their impressions of them. Surprisingly, those who held the hot drink perceived the characters as warmer and friendlier. The researchers also investigated whether temperature affects people's behaviour towards others. They had participants hold either a frozen or heated therapeutic pad for a few minutes, and then offered them a drink for themselves or a voucher to give to a friend. Interestingly, those who held the warm pads were more likely to choose the voucher to give to a friend. These experiments suggest that people tend to be ki...

  Living as a foreigner in Japan offers several distinct advantages. Let's explore these advantages: Lucrative English Teaching Opportunities: If you are an English speaker, Japan presents numerous opportunities to earn money by teaching English. In fact, English speakers often have the potential to earn more than local Japanese individuals in this field because not many people can speak English. Freedom from Societal Norms: As a foreigner, you are not bound by all the societal expectations and standards that Japanese people typically follow. This grants you the freedom to express yourself more authentically and embrace your individuality. Flexibility in Hierarchy: The hierarchical structure deeply ingrained in Japanese society may hold less influence over foreigners, especially if you are not fluent in Japanese. This means you can navigate social interactions and workplace dynamics with greater flexibility and independence. Better Work-Life Balance: Unlike many Japanese worke...

My Small Land portrays the changes and challenges in Japanese Society ©2022"My Small Land" Production Committee Japan is changing as more foreigners come to live in the country. This brings opportunities and challenges as different cultures mix and communities become more diverse. This article explores these changes and examines the issues portrayed in the movie "My Small Land." The film follows Sarya, a young girl from a Kurdish family who moved to Japan when she was little. By understanding these challenges, we can work towards building a more inclusive and open society for the future. Sarya, a 17-year-old high school student, has a unique background. Her Kurdish family sought refuge in Japan, and she grew up like any other Japanese student. Sarya dreams of becoming a teacher and works part-time at a convenience store to save money for university. She meets Shota, a male high school student, and they become close friends there. However, their lives suddenly turn...

Religion in Japan: Coexistence and Influence When foreigners ask Japanese people about their religious beliefs, they may receive unclear answers or find that many Japanese individuals have little interest in religion. While most Japanese people don't identify with a specific religion, they still practice various religious customs. For example, they celebrate the New Year in the traditional Shintō way. They also attend seasonal festivals at Shintō shrines, visit cemeteries on spring and autumn equinoxes, and pray for their ancestors during the midsummer festival called "obon," which has Buddhist origins. Additionally, it is common for Japanese people to obtain amulets from Shintō shrines or Buddhist temples for various purposes, such as passing school exams or preventing accidents. Weddings are often conducted in either the Shintō or Christian style, while funerals follow Buddhist traditions. One may wonder how the Japanese can embrace Shintō, Christianity, and Buddhism ...