Must be the Pollution

Japanese Word of the Day #24

Good for Skin

Japanese Word of the Day #23

Japanese Word of the Day #22

Advice

Goat Tree

Japanese Word of the Day #21

Japanese Word of the Day #20

ふざける　(fuzakeru) can be translated as “to joke”, “to make fun of”.

Japanese Word of the Day #19

It`s Weekend! Go to the Farm!

Finally, it`s sunday! Why not trying an outdoor activity?

Japanese Ｗord of the Day #18

Japanese Word of the Day # 17

Today’s word is “rest, break”:休(きゅう)憩(けい) (kyuukei)

What Time Is It Now?

Cool website:
Flip Clock

Japanese Word of the Day #16

Today’s word is family:家(か)族(ぞく)（kazoku）

Japanese Word of the Day #15

The word 犬(いぬ) (inu) is a stylized derivative of a pictograph showing a dog with pointed ears standing on its hind legs barking.

Sources: Kanji Look and Learn and A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters

Japanese Word of the Day #14

Japanese Word of the Day #13

How to say "fresh" in japanese: 新鮮(しんせん)

新鮮(しんせん)な牛(ぎゅう)乳(にゅう)は最高(さいこう)です。

(shinsen na gyuunyuu wa saikou desu)

Fresh milk is the best.

It's Sunday! Why not going to the zoo?

Japanese Word Of The Day #12

How to say cow’s milk in japanese: 牛(ぎゅう)乳(にゅう)

Another word for milk is ミルク（miruku）。 

UFC With Cats

Japanese Word of the Day #11

Today's word is "lunch": 昼ひるご飯はん

Japanese Word Of The Day #10

Today’s word is 独身どくしん: single. 

Japanese Word Of The Day #9

Girls that are visiting this humble blog, don't hate me for that.
Note: めす　(mesu) refers only to animals. A human female is 女性（じょせい）.

Japanese Word Of The Day #8

Today's word is ともだち (tomodachi): friend.




友とも達だち

Japanese Word Of The Day # 7

聞くkiku (to hear) consists of two other kanji: 耳mimi (ear) and 門mon (gate).

Therefore, ear listening at a gate.

Einstein's Full Picture

Now you know the picture that Einstein chose to put on his Facebook profile.

Songs That I Like

Today's song is "We are the normal" by Goo Goo Dolls. Great song, great lyrics: "We are the normal/ We live and we die/ With no reason why".

Songs That I Like

Today's song is Aimee Mann's Pavlov's Bell. 

Japanese Word Of The Day #6

Today's word is "たばこ" (tabako): cigarrete.

Nearly 30 million people smoke in Japan, making the country one of the world's largest tobacco markets.
Fortunately, according to research conducted by the Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare last year, the percentage of people smoking in Japan has fallen below 20% for the first time since records began. 

Japanese Word Of The Day #5

Today's word is "onsen" (温泉): hot spring. 

By the way, there's a hilarious anime called Thermae Romae.
As it is written in Wikipedia: " The story follows a Roman architect named Lucius, who is having trouble coming up with ideas. One day, he discovers a hidden tunnel underneath a spa that leads him to a modern Japanese bath house. Inspired by the innovations found there, he creates his own spa, Roma Thermae, bringing in the modern ideas to his time. "
Each episode has just 12 minutes long. In a total of 6 episodes. 

There is also a live action movie about the anime (which is actually based on a manga). But I haven't seen it yet, so I have no idea if it is as good as the anime. All I know is that the actor Hiroshi Abe is in the movie, which is a good thing.

Japanese Word of the Day #4

In Brazilian Portuguese, "queue" is "fila", as in European Portuguese "queue" is "bicha". 
But in Brazil the word "bicha" is a slang that means gay, very similar to the word "fag". 

Japanese Word of The Day #3

Curiously, the pronunciation of the word "hato" (pigeon) is very similar to the pronuncation of the word "rato" in portuguese, which means rat.

By the way, did you know that pigeons are a delicacy in countries such as Italy? I wonder if it tastes good. 

Japanese Word of the Day #2

Lesson #2

Japanese Word Of The Day #1

Lesson #1

Note: In Japanese, Sloth is ナマケモノ (namakemono). 

Can you speak japanese, right?

Whenever people look at me and know that my parents are Japanese, it’s inevitable:

-So, can you speak Japanese, right?

It’s embarrassing, but my reply is “not yet”.  I think the reason that I’m still not fluent in the language is probably because my parents are immigrants. They can speak Japanese properly, but at home -or among other immigrants- they speak something else. They speak what I call “immigrant”. A mix of Japanese and Portuguese. I grew up listening a language that is somehow in the middle of it. 

So, to be fluent in Japanese, I need to study. Just like I did with English. Of course it is easier to me than it would be to a non-descendant. But I still think my parents language is very hard to learn. 

The thing with learning another language is that the more you study and the more you keep in touch with the language, the faster you will be fluent in it. A foreign language can be intimidating. But you need to face it with open heart. And never be afraid to make mistakes.  I make a lot.

Some recommended websites:

http://tangorin.com/

http://japanese.about.com/library/blkodarchives.htm

Some recommended study materials:

-The Key to Kanji: A Visual History of 1,100 Characters

-A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters

-Japanese English Bilingual Visual Dictionary

First Post

I’ve decided to create this blog because it is a good opportunity to put out the things that are crawling in my mind.  It is also a good opportunity to train both my English and my Japanese.  As English is not my first language, I’ll make some mistakes now and then. So, be comprehensive and feel free to correct me.