Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Did ancient Japanese people eat eggs?

Question:

Poultry? Fish eggs? Any kind?

Answer:

Ordinarily no, the Buddhist/Shinto religion had injunctions that tended to prohibit the eating of meat, but could be lifted in time of famine.

How to say this in Japanese...?

Question:

How do you say "I have known _______ for _____ years." in Japanese?

Help is much appreciated~ ^^

Answer:

Regarding additional details:

"I have known him for five years today."

彼と知り合ってから、今日で5年が経ちます。

かれとしりあってから、きょうでごねんがたちます。

Kare to shiriatte kara, kyou de gonen ga tachimasu.

I have translated the sentence quite naturally.
This kind of natural Japanese will never turn up in Google Translate...

On a separate note: There are some mistakes, presumably typos in the answer provided by Tramp Dole.

- A natural translation provided by a Japanese living in Japan -

Edamame and broad beans?

Question:

is edamame and broad bean the same? or izzit different types of beans?? thanks

Answer:

No, edamame are immature soy beans. Edamame is also a Japanese dish of salted immature soy beans :)

IF YOU GET A FREE TRIP TO JAPAN WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?

Question:

10,000 Free Round-Trip Tickets to Japan news made me OMG.
Let`s just dream about if you win the tickets or maybe you will.

Answer:

I'd visit a couple of friends. But the free ticket thing is still just a thought. It has a catch to it, and wouldn't even start until next April.

Questions about mt fuji ?

Question:

Famous eruption ?
When ?
What happened ?
Thanks(:

Answer:

Any of the eruptions were famous. They became more famous the closer you were when it happened. People running down the side of Fuji trying to get away had that memory etched into their brains as 'famous' to the utmost degree.

Many times.

What happened? Boom. Spew. Lava. Rocks. Screaming. Death.

Sounds like a homework assignment. You have no idea how much I hope I helped you.

Is this japanese passage grammatically correct?

Question:

こんにちは。
私のパーティーヘ行きませんか。　
土曜日のごご十二時にパーティーにはじめましょう。
パーティーがたのしいです。
ぱーてぃーに私のうちでケーキをたべます。
私の友達とパーティーへ行きます。
　ごご　五時にわすれます。
私とダンスをしませんか。

行きませんか。
はい
いいえ

This is a homework assignment for my japanese class, where we have to write an invitation using the polite "shimasenka" form. I am worried about my particles and kanji usage. Is this correct?

Thank you.

Answer:

1) Obviously, you have a problem in the usage of particles: は、が、に、を....
2) You don't have a clear distinction between 行く and 来る　(I know it is confusing)
3) There is a logical contradiction between the line 5 and 6.
4) The line 7 does not make a sense.

しかし、日本語でこれだけ書ければ大したものだ！
あなたは努力家ですね。
きっと、すごく上手くなるよ。頑張ってください。

Does anyone know of an online refererance where i can look for specific japanese letters and see there meaning?

Question:

I am going to attempt to play a game that was realeased only in japanese.
I really want to learn japanese and i thought this might be the best way to learn.

I need a referance so that i can be able to read and understand the dialogue in the game.
Can someone help?

Answer:

jisho.org?

If you need to write the character then you will want an electronic dictionary.

Back to your intention, though, you are probably going to need much more of a foundation before this method of learning becomes fun or useful.

Is Japan a good place to live? (manga artist to be)?

Question:

one day i want to go to japan and I want to become a manga artist i'm only 12 right now but i was wondering if japan was a good place to live. I am like a light caramel colored african american and i am already learning japanese. i hope to speak it fluently by 14 or 15 (that's my goal) my mom says for christmas i can get a savings account for it if i put my own money in of course she would help me) I want to go on a trip there when I'm 16 to see if i like it and if I do I'll go there to study manga and visual arts for college. I'm very good at art and I'm wonderful at manga males. I'm definetly working on my manga females and skill in general. Here is a picture of one of my recent arts

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68159440@N07/sets/72157627673614073/

sorry for the lighting (ITS HORRIBLE) but i know its the third most expensive place to live and I'd most likely like to live in a city that is at least a little use to foreigners but at the same time is not TOO over powering because i like big cities but i at least want to know where I'm going :P I have a really good imagination and have some good ideas and I'd love to interpret it through art but not just any art (MANGA!!) because i enjoy doing it. So what kind of place would be good to live in? as far as finance and location. (Also put my wanted occupation into consideration if you can)

Thanks :)

Answer:

To add to what Louis has said, it would be better to gain employment first with small companies as an artist and then the big guys (whoever they are) at the same time learning the language. This will take years of course but you will develop along the way. You are much likely to stand a chance this way than as a fresher with no experience

Where can i find me some delicous pocky?

Question:

I want pocky but I live in Vermont highgate I don't know were to go please give me alot of places to check

Answer:

In the US it can be found at most large supermarkets such as World Market, Wegmans and Wal-Mart in either the international section or Asian food aisle. A lot of Asian Supermarkets also stock it or you can find it online at Amazon.com.

Japanese Pocky
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Are there any cities or towns named after Japan?

Question:

There are towns named after Mexico, Peru and China, etc. But what about Japan?? No love for Japan??

Answer:

You should know the fact that "Japan" is not a Japanese word.
We don't call our country Japan; we don't call ourselves Japanese.
Therefore, there is no cities or towns named Japan. Understand?

In Japan, what qualities do people look for in the opposite gender?

Question:

This question is about both genders.

Also, if you feel like answering:
- How easily or difficultly turned on are people in Japan?
- Does dating and relationships work in any different ways compared to other countries?

Answer:

It depends on each person.

Does fish cost less in Japan than in the USA?

Question:

Answer:

No..

How to look like an japanese? 4 Guy?

Question:

Basicly, what to do to look like an japanese guy? Give please all the tips u can ;)

Answer:

If you look East Asian, whether you are East Asian or not, there is a much higher chance to "look" Japanese physically.

Style wise, look on the internet at what Japanese men wear. Go Uniqlo's, Taka:q's, or Male & Co.'s Websites.

But unless you are the first one, don't expect anyone to think you are Japanese though.

How to look like an japanese? 4 Guy?

Question:

Basicly, what to do to look like an japanese guy? Give please all the tips u can ;)

Answer:

Is a school trip to japan safe?

Question:

in april i have been invited to join my high school japanese class in a 9 day trip to japan. i know this sounds ignorant, but, is it safe to go to japan (radiation wise)?
radiation is one of my biggest fears, any where, even X-rays scare the daylights out of me.
(mainly because you cant see, feel, or know you have been affected until you get like cancer in the future...)
but i really want to know for sure that i will be completely safe, i will be visiting tokyo, kyoto, and Nara.
i need to know for sure it is safe. thank-you.

Answer:

Safe as a trip to Hawaii ! There are no, and never has been a radiation problem in Tokyo. The only problem area is within a 20 km radius of the Fukushima nuke plant.
Tokyo, Kyoto & Nara are perfectly safe. Don't you think it would be in the news if they weren't safe ?
Go ! It's a once in a life time opportunity !

Is the murder of Junko Furuta real?

Question:

I don't believe a person can survive through 44 days of brutal torture!! Did this ACTUALLY happen in Japan?!

Answer:

And the scariest part is that they are now out of jail. I assume that would be unthinkable in your country. One of them committed another crime and is back in jail right now.

Anyone Japanese? Can you answer this question!?

Question:

I'm really confused. There was this Japanese girl that wentt o my school. Not for long. But she said she came here to learn english. Well she was really pretty, she had dyed blonde hair. I thought she looked like a gyaru but of course I didnt say anything. I didn't even really talk to her, because I thought she would think I'm an anime nerd or something...>.>...Well now I regret it and I;m curious what is going on with her..I saw in the suggested friends thing on facebook that she has a facebook...well she has freaking professionaly done modely pictures...I'm so confused!! She is still in highschool, and she even looks like she might have gotten plastic surgery done. What is going on with her? That isn't normal in Japan, is it? Her hair was suuuper bleached and she worse ALOT of makeup everyday..I just didn't know what to think of her, what do you think? :o

Answer:

No matter it's normal in Japan or not, it's her personal matter to wear make-up or have a cosmetic surgery. So you don't need to mind it, do you?

I love to eat at Japanese Steakhouses, and really love the shirmp. Is it ok to eat there and the shrimp?

Question:

Almost two months pregnant with my first baby :)

Answer:

Yummy that sounds amazing! There should be no problems its only raw fish you can't have. (: congratulations!

When is the cherry blossoms season in japan?

Question:

Answer:

As noted, it depends where you are in Japan. It starts from the south and then moves northward as the weeks pass. There are variables however and I've seen it actually start in late February when it was still quite cold out; but most often March and April.
There are Japanese websites that give news and make forecasts on when the cherry blossoms start.
You might look at:
http://www.rurubu.com/season/spring/saku…
http://www.sakurazensen.com/
http://weathernews.jp/sakura/

When is the cherry blossoms season in japan?

Question:

Answer:

How much is it to fly to japan?

Question:

i have 800 dollars saved now and i like to how more money in need to go there?

Answer:

You don't say from where, or when - so how can anybody answer such a question?

It depends on the kind of ticket that you buy, when you fly, which airline(s), etc. If you are in Podunk and have to connect in a big city for the international flight, that will cost you more. If you fly in the summer or start/end of the year, that will cost more too.
Most likely you will need at least US$1000. It looks like many airlines will not change their insane fuel surcharges for the rest of the year either.
Just remember the fine print for those cheap-o airline tickets - you may have no refund value if you have to cancel, and/or high charges or no ability to make a date change if needed.
You can try kayak.com or mobissimo.com for some lower fares, and some airlines have specials directly through their websites.
The rest is up to what you want to do, and your standards. Where will you go and what will you do?
If you want to travel, then a JR Pass might well be worth it - see www.japanrailpass.net -; or look into an airpass like www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/ or
http://www.staralliance.com/en/fares/reg…
or
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_common…

You don't need tons of money for hotels either...there are discount places to stay, such as the Superhotel chain or Toyoko Inn and others, see:
www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
www.superhoteljapan.com/en/
http://www.kid97.co.jp/~jeh-group/jeh-gr…
or even cheaper places like
www.newkoyo.com
www.juyoh.co.jp
www.hotel-toyo.jp
www.shrek-watta-house.com
www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/original/
You can also get a day pass for the city subways for about 1000 yen or USD$13 or so, and for food you can easily eat at some less expensive places for about 3000 yen a day or less. If you want to go all over the Tokyo area then a JR East Rail Pass might be a good idea.
Souvenirs can be a couple of bucks to anything higher, whatever you want to spend.
And a good website to look at is
Tokyo Price Guide at www.tokyopriceguide.com
So you need to save more, but you don't need to sell your soul as some proclaim.

How much is it to fly to japan?

Question:

i have 800 dollars saved now and i like to how more money in need to go there?

Answer:

What are the sleeves of a Kimono like?

Question:

I have heard they are "detached underneath" but I didn't really understand what that meant...

Answer:

The sleeves on women's kimono are not attached to the side of the kimono all the way down the length of the sleeve. They're attached at the shoulder and most of the way around the arm hole, but otherwise they swing free. Men's kimono, on the other hand, are completely attached to the side of the kimono except for an inch or two at the very bottom that stays loose.

What are the sleeves of a Kimono like?

Question:

I have heard they are "detached underneath" but I didn't really understand what that meant...

Answer:

How do you perform an "alveolar tap"?

Question:

Well I think the alveolar ridge is that 'bumpy round' thing at the top of you mouth (just a bit behind the font teeth). Anyway how do you perform this thing (also called aveolar flap). It's for pronouncing Japanese and the way I do it is to lift my tounge up from the bottom of my mouth and then slightly tap the alveolar ridge in the middle. However, I seems much more natural to go from the near back of my mouth, bring the tounge to approach the aveolar ridge, then tap it and let it drop. What way should it be done? It would be helpful to me if you could answer this soon :).

Answer:

Second best TRAVEL question this month

I want to move to Japan but I need help?

Question:

So I've decided I wanted to move to japan after high school, maybe. im a junior now...but I was wondering how to do this? I've looked up recent information but im still not sure. i really want to be a nurse here so i want to know if i can go to a trade school here and work at a hospital in japan with a trade school degree in nursing? What are the steps i can do to become a nurse or even a teacher there after i finish trade school here?

Answer:

I am sorry if this sounds offensive, but you sound like you have no idea how different things could be in different countries. It's not just about becoming a nurse. Japan is not a multiethnic or multiracial country like yours, assuming you are from the US. You might be picturing a scene in Grey's Anatomy and figure things are not much different over here. Sorry but that image is far out of sync with the reality here. Japan is still a very conservative, mono-ethnic, mono-racial society. Pretty much all the doctors and nurses here are Japanese and will remain so for a long time to come.
What I mean is it's not about whether you'll be able to get certified as a nurse or whatever job, it's more of a cultural or societal thing. In short, Japan is not America.

Can you give me some Japanese food recipes?

Question:

My question pretty much sums it up. I'd like some recipes for typical Japanese food, and some helpful tips if you have any. Some easy ones, some hard ones, but nothing too expensive or unhealthy.

Thanks,
Bre

Answer:

The most important recipe to learn for Japanese food is perfect sticky rice. You need to make sure that you get short grain Japanese rice as long grain varieties such as basmati etc will not be sufficiently sticky.

Here is a recipe online to help you make Japanese style rice easily with a normal saucepan:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/15

Once you have the rice preparation done, there are a huge amount of different types of Japanese food that you can make. A typical Japanese meal will consist of a bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, some grilled fish and perhaps some pickles on the side.

Here is a recipe for miso soup, a healthy and tasty soup that Japanese people often eat at every meal:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/2

Noodles are a popular dish in Japan if you want a change from rice. Noodles are usually served in a rich soup broth, or can also be fried noodles called yakisoba.

Ramen noodle soup recipe:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/233

Yakisoba fried noodle recipe:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/4

Maybe you want to try making sushi rolls? Maki sushi are made with either raw or cooked fish, vegetables and rice wrapped up in nori seaweed:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/18

Donburi is the Japanese name for a bowl filled with rice and then topped with something tasty.

Oyakodon is a mix of chicken and egg and tastes great:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/49

Gyudon is a beef bowl with thin slices of beef cooked in a sweet soy sauce before being laid on the rice:
http://www.japancentre.com/recipes/113

Make sure to check all the other recipes online at Japan Centre, over 75 authentic recipes in total!
http://www.japancentre.com/recipe_catego…

How do you hook up with a girls in Tokyo?

Question:

I'm from Dubai, late 20's years old..good looking.
i love travailing alot, been around alot... just got back from Ayia Napa.
i have decided to spend the x-mas & new year's eve in Tokyo.
I'm travailing by my self, but definitely i don't want to be alone their.
any advices, where to stay in Tokyo, where to go, what to do, how to act and how to dress.
i sound weird with my questions but a little heads up wont harm.

regards

Answer:

Go to a phone booth near any train station and you will see a poster with pictures of girls and their phone numbers. Rest is up to you.

What does the traditional Japanese meal consist of?

Question:

Hi there, I'm doing a project about 5 countries I want to visit for Geography homework, and I'm just wondering about Japan ...
What is the traditional Japanese meal? What do the majority of Japanese people eat usually?

Thank you!

Answer:

Typically a standard Japanese meal will consist of cooked white Japanese rice (gohan) accompanied by a number of different side dishes made from fish, meat, tofu or vegetables. These side dishes are known as okazu. They add flavour to the rice. The meal will also include soup (e.g. miso) and pickles (Tsukemono).

The most standard meal comprises three okazu (and is called "ichijū-sansai" literally "one soup, three sides"). Each ozaku will be prepared a different way (e.g. raw (sashimi), grilled, boiled in stock, deep fried, steamed, or vinegared). An emphasis is placed on balance and on presentation as well as taste. Most dishes will be flavoured with dashi stock, made with dried tuna flakes.

Noodles are often eaten as an alternative to a rice-based meal.

As Japan is an island nation, fish tends to be eaten much more than meat. Meat eating until quite recently was rare due to the influence of Buddhism.

During meals there is also etiquette to pay attention to.

It is customary to say "itadakimasu" (literally "I receive") before starting to eat a meal, and gochisōsama deshita, (literally "It was a feast") to the host after the meal and the restaurant staff when leaving.

You are often given a hot towel or wet napkin before the meal. This is for cleaning your hands before eating and should NEVER be used to wash any other part of the body (e.g. face).

Rice is eaten by picking up the rice bowl with the left and and using using chopsticks with your right hand, although it is now acceptable to reverse this if you are a leftie. Bowls may be lifted to the mouth to make getting food into it easier BUT it should never touch the mouth unless you are drinking soup.

You should never, ever, ever leave your chopsticks sticking vertically into rice. This is because they are said to resemble the incense sticks used at funerals. It is the height of bad manners. It is also bad manners to chew or lick your chopsticks, or use them to point to or spear food.

Soy sauce is not usually poured over most foods at the table - you use a dipping dish. In particular, soy sauce should never be poured on to rice or soup. You can pour soy sauce on to tofu. It is considered very rude to waste soy sauce.

You should eat everything you are given. It is considered rude not to.

Is it possible to get to japan when you buy a house?

Question:

if i buy a house on : sakurahouse.com and be able to move in cheaper with international movers?

Answer:

No. You need to have a visa if you are not a Japanese Citizen and buying a house does not qualify you for that visa. You need to have a job and an income and prove that you can sustain yourself. Have no idea where you are from but since you mention international movers, I assume you are coming from somewhere else.

BTW - Sakura-house.com appears to be a rental site for either shared rooms or a place by yourself and not a "real estate" site for purchasing a home. These are for short term leases.

I just read some of your other question and now understand your are 14 years old. Your mother won't sign for your passport and you and your friend want to move to Japan. Did you see the rents on sakura-house.com? 40,000 Yen a month is about $400. How do you plan to make that money? You can't work at 14 and you can't live alone at 14 or with your friend. A plane ticket alone to Japan is over $1,000 round-trip so get busy selling lemonade.

Stay in school, study hard, do as your mother says and maybe one day, the distant future, you may be able to travel to Japan as a tourist and realize your dreams. I did it and lived in Japan for nearly 6 years and loved each and every minute of it.

What is the really good doujin stores in japan?

Question:

well im heading there soon and i want to get some doujinshi. where is a really big and nice place to go?

Answer:

This Toranoana is a Doujin store and have stores across Japan.
http://www.toranoana.jp/shop/

I am looking into moving to Japan?

Question:

I am looking into moving to Japan for a couple of years and need to know what I need besides a passport. I am learning Japanese and want to move there to learn it firsthand and also help teach english on the side. Other than a passport what do I need. I am wanting to get a job and an apartment there and I plan on being there 2+ years!!! Can anyone help me???

Answer:

Greg, you need a BA / BS degree to get a work visa. You also need to have a job offer before you get there. And a skill a Japanese doesn't have. A rule of thumb is if a Japanese can do the job, they will always be hired first.

Japanese speakers please translate from Japanese to English?

Question:

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6523/00…
I don't need exact translation, at least general directions.
Thank you

Answer:

Is this a package of azuki ?

2. Boil them with 3 times the amount of water. Once boiled, drain water (using a strainer)
3. Add 4 or 5 times the amount of water and boil the azuki once again. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered until fully cooked.
4. When softened, add the same amount of sugar and a little salt, or as you like.
-----
*If you used a pressure pan, it'd be much faster with better result.

Looking for a Japanese word?

Question:

something that sounds like "chukurimashio"

I am not sure if its sound is "chu" or "shu" or "tsu".

Do you know what this Japanese word may be?

Thank you!

Answer:

Tsukurimasho?

That would mean, "Let's make it."

Bangohan tsukurimasho?

Shall we make dinner?

Hai, tsukurimasho.

Yeah, let's make it.

Queations for people either currently in, have been to, or from japan?

Question:

I'm intrested in Learning all i can about how the japanese celibrate christmas. Like the songs always found playing on the radio, the moives everyone has seen a thousand times everychristmas, the traditinal foods that everyone expects to have during chrsitmas, the tipical people you give gifts to, and things like that . Is anyone willing to give, or exchange infromation about a japanese christmas? I would gladly share everything i can on an american one~

Answer:

They certainly do celebrate Christmas - just not exactly in the same way it's done in western countries. It's not a Christian country but there is quite a proliferation of Christian churches and private schools/universities, especially in the larger cities. Most people know what it's about due to their awareness of it's importance to the rest of the rest of the world and via media and cinema. It's probably more of a marketing scheme than anything else to encourage gift buying just as it is for Valentine's Day. It probably weighs in more on young people as a another excuse or opportunity for gift-giving. You certainly see it in Japanese movies and television shows. Tokyo becomes Christmas-ly festive. If you google "Christmas in Japan" and then click on Images, it will be hard to see much of a difference from any other western country. And of course, they do it in their own special way.

An interesting thing that's come about since I left Japan is the tradition of Christmas cakes and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Here's are some links to sites that more adequately describes this and all the other things about Christmas in Japan.

http://www.planettokyo.com/news/index.cf…
http://tanutech.com/japan/jxmas.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_w…

Mabuhay translation of japan?

Question:

Answer:

Person above may be true.
But as far as I know, Mabuhay is equivalent of "Cheers!" in English ("kanpai" in Japanese).
I know Filipinos use this Tagalog word when they drink a toast.
Not to mention, Tagalog is the official language in the Philippines.

Any decent Hotels in Saitama? (Watching UFC Fight in Japan on Feb. 2012)?

Question:

My friend and I are planning to watch the UFC Fight which will be held at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on Feb. 26, 2012. Any decent hotels you can suggest us that is near the venue?

We would also like to know if it's cheaper to just get a cab at the airport or better to arrange for roundtrip airport transfers? Hope anyone can help us regarding this. We will be arriving from Manila by the way. Thanks.

Answer:

You don't need to take a cab to your hotel. Tokyo and around areas have extensive train networks. You can take trains to your hotel no matter where it is.

I think there have already been good suggestions on hotels. So I won't give you any more.

Meaning on "sumimasen, moichido itte kudasai" & "Ganbatte!"?

Question:

^ look up there :)

Answer:

Sumimasen - Sorry / excuse me
Moichido - one more time
itte kudasai - please go
gambatte! - do your best! try hard!