にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi TheJapanesePage.com

Discover the art of simple, family-friendly cooking with Yumi in this episode of "Nihongo no Tane." Join her as she shares her culinary journey, from experimenting with vegetarian recipes to catering to her family's diverse tastes. Don't miss this engaging and relatable episode!
 
KEY VOCABULARY:
飽(あ)きられてしまいます Will get tired of [飽(あ)きる (to get tired of); passive form + しまう (to end up); ます (polite form)]
組(く)み合(あ)わせて Combine [組(く)み合(あ)わせる (to combine); て-form (conjunctive form)]
高度(こうど)な Advanced
真似(まね)はできません Cannot imitate [真似(まね) (imitation); は (topic marker); できません (cannot do)]
結婚(けっこん)したばかり Just married [結婚(けっこん)する (to marry); した (past tense); ばかり (just)]
引(ひ)っ越(こ)しをきっかけに Triggered by moving [引(ひ)っ越(ご)し (moving); を (object marker); きっかけ (trigger; opportunity); に (particle indicating context)]
処分(しょぶん)しまして Disposed of [処分(しょぶん)する (to dispose); し (stem form); まして (polite form)]
手元(てもと)にあるのは What I have on hand [手元(てもと) (on hand); に (particle indicating location); ある (to have); の (nominalizer); は (topic marker)]
印刷(いんさつ)したもの Printed thing [印刷(いんさつ)する (to print); した (past tense); もの (thing)]
訳(やく)したもの Translated thing [訳(やく)す (to translate); した (past tense); もの (thing)]
手(て)の込(こ)んだもの Elaborate thing [手(て)の込(こ)む (to elaborate); だ (past tense); もの (thing)]
複雑(ふくざつ)な Complex
書(か)いてあったら If it is written [書(か)く (to write); て-form + ある (to be); たら (conditional)]
パパっと Quickly [onomatopoeic word indicating quickness]
さっと炒(いた)めるだけ Just quickly stir-fry [さっと (quickly); 炒(いた)める (to stir-fry); だけ (only)]
いまいち Not quite right; not very good [slang]
ひき肉(にく) Ground meat, etc.
刻(きざ)んだもの Chopped things [刻(きざ)む (to chop); だ (past tense); もの (thing)]
詰(つ)め込(こ)んで Stuffed [詰(つ)め込(こ)む (to stuff); て-form (conjunctive form)]
喜(よろこ)ばれるもの Pleasing thing [喜(よろこ)ぶ (to please); passive form; もの (thing)]
好(この)み Preference
一人(ひとり)ずつ One by one [一人(ひとり) (one person); ずつ (each)]
野菜(やさい)しか食(た)べません Only eat vegetables [野菜(やさい) (vegetables); しか (only); 食(た)べません (do not eat)]
全員(ぜんいん)バラバラ All different [全員(ぜんいん) (everyone); バラバラ (different)]
少(すく)なくとも At least
食(た)べてもらえれば If they can eat [食(た)べる (to eat); ても (conditional); らえる (potential form); ば (if)]
 
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-157
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-157-m
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Ever wondered why Japanese kids dislike piman more than broccoli? Find out on this new episode of "Nihongo no Tane" as Yumi delves into the fascinating world of vegetables and their cultural significance. Don't miss this entertaining and educational episode!
 
KEY VOCABULARY:
ピーマン bell pepper [ピーマン is a transliteration of "piment," the French word for pepper. In Japanese, it specifically refers to the green bell pepper.]
母語(ぼご) native language [母語(ぼご) consists of 母 (mother) and 語 (language). Together, they mean "native language" or "mother tongue."]
ゲラゲラ笑(わら)います laugh loudly [ゲラゲラ is an onomatopoeia for loud, hearty laughter, and 笑(わら)います is the polite form of 笑(わら)う (to laugh).]
唐辛子(とうがらし) chili pepper [唐辛子(とうがらし) is made up of 唐 (Tang dynasty, here used to mean China) and 辛子(からし) (spicy, pepper). Together, they refer to chili pepper.]
説(せつ) theory [説(せつ) means "theory" or "explanation."]
由来(ゆらい) origin [由来(ゆらい) means "origin" or "source."]
言(い)われている said to be [言(い)われている is the passive form of 言(い)う (to say), meaning "it is said" or "is said to be."]
一番近(いちばんちか)い closest [一番近(いちばんちか)い consists of 一番(いちばん) (number one; the most) and 近(ちか)い (close), meaning "closest."]
代表(だいひょう) representative [代表(だいひょう) means "representative" or "representation."]
日本語版(にほんごばん) Japanese version [日本語版(にほんごばん) consists of 日本語(にほんご) (Japanese language) and 版(はん) (version), meaning "Japanese version."]
入(い)れ替(か)えられていた replaced [入(い)れ替(か)えられていた is the passive past form of 入(い)れ替(か)える (to replace), meaning "had been replaced."]
嫌(きら)われている disliked [嫌(きら)われている is the passive form of 嫌(きら)う (to dislike), meaning "is disliked."]
設定(せってい) setting [設定(せってい) means "setting" or "configuration."]
伝(つた)わった was introduced [伝(つた)わった is the past form of 伝(つた)わる (to be introduced; to be transmitted), meaning "was introduced."]
この頃(ごろ) during this period; these days
一般的(いっぱんてき)に generally [一般的(いっぱんてき)に is an adverbial form of 一般的(いっぱんてき) (general), meaning "generally."]
食卓(しょくたく) dining table [食卓(しょくたく) consists of 食(しょく) (meal) and 卓(たく) (table), together meaning "dining table."]
食(た)べられていました was eaten [食(た)べられていました is the past passive form of 食(た)べる (to eat), meaning "was eaten."]
肉詰(にくづ)め stuffed with meat [肉詰(にくづ)め is made up of 肉(にく) (meat) and 詰(つ)め (stuffed), referring to something stuffed with meat.]
比(くら)べると compared to [比(くら)べると is the conditional form of 比(くら)べる (to compare), meaning "when compared to."]
調理法(ちょうりほう) cooking method [調理法(ちょうりほう) consists of 調理(ちょうり) (cooking) and 法(ほう) (method), meaning "cooking method."]
食育(しょくいく) food education [食育(しょくいく) consists of 食(しょく) (food) and 育(いく) (education), together meaning "food education."]
ないんじゃないかな don't think so [ないんじゃないかな is a casual form of expressing doubt, meaning "I don't think so."]
以上(いじょう) more than; above
太(ふと)りすぎ overweight [太(ふと)りすぎ consists of 太(ふと)る (to gain weight) and すぎ (too much), meaning "overweight."]
負(ま)けずに not losing [負(ま)けずに is the negative form of 負(ま)ける (to lose), meaning "without losing" or "not losing."]
した方(ほう)がいい should do [した方(ほ

What happens when Yumi decides to tackle Spanish through English? Find out on this new episode of “Nihongo no Tane” as she shares the funny and challenging moments of her language learning journey. Tune in and join the adventure!
 
KEY VOCABULARY:
何(なに)かと one thing or another
バタバタしている to be very busy doing different things [a phrase used to describe someone is very busy by moving around doing things constantly. バタバタ is onomatopoeia which is mimicking sounds of a person who is making noise by moving around doing things]
録音(ろくおん)する to record (audio) [録音(ろくおん) (recording)]
～という気(き)持(も)ちになれません don’t feel like doing ~ [literally, “can’t become the mood of ~”;という (used as connector linking modifying phrase and a noun that is modified); 気(き)持(も)ち (feeling; mood); になれません (“can’t become”; polite potential form of polite form of になれない (can’t become))]
何(なに)も文(もん)句(く)はない (I) have no complaint; there is no complaint [何(なに)も (“(not) at all” when used in a negative phrase); 文(もん)句(く) (complaint; objection); はない (there is no ~)]
心配事(しんぱいごと) worries; troubles [something that troubles or worries one’s mind]
忘(わす)れちゃいます end up forgetting; forget unfortunately [contraction of 忘(わす)れてしまいます and it’s very casual; ちゃいます  (contracted form てしまいます); note: (忘(わす)れ)ちゃう is contraction of (忘(わす)れ)てしまう]
韓国(かんこく)語(ご) Korean language [韓国(かんこく) (Korea); 語(ご) (language)]
～ということで since/because/ as it is the case that ~; it is the case that ~ and [という (modifying connector); こと (it means “case”, “situation” or “fact”); で (て-form of だ/です) used to connect to the next phrase. It can be translated as “because/since/ as” or “and” as conjunctive]
～たばかりjust (moved to US) [“plain past form V + ばかり” means “just did ~”/”has just done ~”]
変(か)わりよう the way/manner of (her) change [変(か)わり (“change”; noun form of 変(か)わる (to change); よう (look; appearance; manner; circumstance))]
っていう感(かん)じで (she) was like ~ and [っていう(casual for “という”); で (て-form of だ/です to continue to the next phrase)]
和気(わき)あいあいと very happily; cheerfully; lively [和気(わき)あいあいdescribes the way people are interacting enjoying each other’s company in a lively and cheerful atmosphere; と (making the preceding phrase adverbial form)]
～たところ when (I) did ~; after (I) did ~ [“plain past form V + ところ”]
～た途(と)端(たん) as soon as doing ~ [“plain past V + 途(と)端(たん)”]
教(おし)えてもらえる can receive teaching; can have (someone) teach (me) [“て-form V + もらう” means “to have someone do something for you (or someone else)”); 教(おし)えて (て-form of 教(おし)える (to teach); もらえる (potential form of もらう))]
というふうに (言(い)ってくれまして) said that ~ [“いうふうに” is sort of extra and can be omitted as in “と(言(い)ってくれまして)”. However, Yumi obviously summarized what her husband said instead of quoting him exactly, therefore というふうに is used to give a sense of “(he said) along the line of such and such”]
～じゃないかなと思(おも)います (I) think it might be that ~; I think that ~ [じゃないか (casual forではないか (isn’t that ~?)); な (emphatic particle used at the end of one’s own idea or thought, but it also add softness); と思(おも)います (I think that)]
 
 
 
 
 
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://th

In this episode of her podcast, Yumi shares her personal story of dental discovery and recovery, emphasizing the vital role of dental care in our lives and the resilience needed to overcome oral health hurdles. Listen to this episode and let us know if you had some experience like this!
 
KEY VOCABULARY:
歯(は)医(い)者(しゃ) - dentist [歯(は) (tooth); 医(い)者(しゃ) (physician; medical doctor)]
別(べつ)の件(けん) - another matter; another case [別(べつ) (another; separate); 件(けん) (matter; case)]
診(み)てもらう to be seen/ to be examined (by a doctor) [診(み)て (て-form of 診(み)る (to examine medically); ～てもらう means “to get/ to have ~ done” which indicates one is receiving help or service from someone)]
被(かぶ)せ物(もの) - crown (dental terminology)
取(と)りかえる- to replace
嚙(か)み合(あ)わせ – bite [嚙(か)み (from 嚙(か)む (to bite; to clench)) + 合(あ)わせ (noun form of 合(あ)わせる(to match; to place together))]
型(かた)を取(と)る – take an impression (for teeth)
知(ち)覚(かく)過(か)敏(びん)- sensory sensitivity [知(ち)覚(かく) (perception of physical senses); 過(か)敏(びん) (hypersensitivity)]
我(が)慢(まん) - tolerance; endurance; bearing; patience
まな板(いた) cutting board
暴(あば)れようが声(こえ)を出(だ)そうが no matter how much struggle or scream [～ようが means “no matter how much ~”or “even if (one) does ~”;暴(あば)れよう(plain volitional form of 暴(あば)れる (to act violently; to struggle) + が (however; but)); 声(こえ)を出(だ)そう (plain volitional form of 声(こえ)を出(だ)す (to speak; to vocalize) + が (however; but))]
命(いのち)を握(にぎ)られる one’s life is in the hands (of someone); one’s life is at the mercy of [命(いのち) (life); 握(にぎ)られる (“to be held”; passive form of 握(にぎ)る (to grip; to clasp; to hold; to seize (power)))]
情(なさ)けない- miserable; pitiable; shameful;　pathetic
姿(すがた) - appearance; image; figure; state [In the context of competitions or contests]
麻(ま)酔(すい)の注射(ちゅうしゃ) - anesthetic injection/shot [麻(ま)酔(すい) (anesthesia); の (of); 注射(ちゅうしゃ) (injection; shot)]
歯(は)ぎしり– teeth grinding [歯(は) (tooth; teeth); きしり(grinding; creaking)]
食(く)いしばりclenching
市(し)販(はん)の – store-bought; over the counter [市(し) (market); 販(はん) (selling)]
仕(し)方(かた)ない – there is no other way; there no alternative
随分(ずいぶん)- very; extremely; quite
 
 
 
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-154
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-154-m
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Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com

In this episode of her podcast, Yumi delves into the profound impact of classical music on personal growth, inspired by violin prodigy Yoshimura Himari's mesmerizing performances. She beautifully narrates her own musical journey and the unexpected ways a popular manga stirred a friend's ambition to master Chopin, weaving a narrative that celebrates the transformative power of art and inspiration. Listen to this episode and let us know if you had some experience like this!
 
KEY VOCABULARY:
聴(き)く - to listen to (music)
演奏(えんそう) - music performance
ハマってしまった – got hooked; ended up getting hooked [ハマって (て-form ofハマる/はまる (to get hooked)); しまった(past form of しまう(to end up with ~))]
～というわけです - ～ is what happened; ～ is the reason (for it) [this expression is used to explain a background which lead to a decision or an outcome]
きっかけ - opportunity; occasion [an initial opportunity or situation that leads someone or something to something else]
～を習(なら)う to take lessons in
中級(ちゅうきゅう) - intermediate level [中(ちゅう) (middle; intermediate); 級(きゅう) (grade; class; level)]
吹奏楽(すいそうがく)部(ぶ) brass band club [吹奏(すいそう) (wind instrument); 楽(がく) (music); 部(ぶ) (school club)]
地(じ)元(もと)福(ふく)井(い)県(けん) - (my) home region, Fukui prefecture [地(じ)元(もと) (local area); 福(ふく)井(い)県(けん) (Fukui prefecture)]
行進曲(こうしんきょく) marching band music [行進(こうしん) (march; parade); 曲(きょく) (music)]
全国大会(ぜんこくたいかい) - national competition [全(ぜん) (all; whole); 国(こく) (country); 大会(たいかい) (competition; convention)]
序曲(じょきょく) - overture
～作曲(さっきょく) - composed by ～ [作(さく) (make); 曲(きょく)(piece of music); 作曲(さっきょく) means “composition (of music)”]
懐(なつ)かしい nostalgic [an adjective that describes a feeling one feel when reminiscing about good memories]
青春(せいしゅん) - youth; one’s youthful days; time of adolescence; the springtime of one's life [literally, “blue spring”]
流行(はや)る - to be popular; to come into fashion [流行(りゅうこう)する is a very similar word but is mainly used for fashion or cold & flue.]
(を)目指(めざ)す - to aim to become ~ [also “to aim a location as a goal to get to”
 
 
 
 
 
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-153
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-153-m
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Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
 

Have you ever heard the term "神童" (shindou)? It refers to child prodigy, and this time, Yumi will talk about it. Listen to the podcast and let us know what you think about it in the comments below!
 
KEY VOCABULARY:
神童(しんどう) child prodigy; genius; wonder child [神(しん) (god); 童(どう) (child)]
大(おと)人(な)に負(ま)けない as good as adults; comparable to adults; unyielding to adult; unbeatable by adult [literally, “unbeatable by adults”; 大(おと)人(な) (adult); に(to; against); 負(ま)けない (unbeatable; unyielding); a fixed phrase which is used when describing young child of high skill or strength]
理(り)解(かい)力(りょく) ability to understand; comprehension; ability [理解(りかい) (understanding; comprehension); 力(りょく) (power; ability)]
めちゃくちゃ incredibly; really; super (when used as adverb)
何(なに)気(げ)なくunintentionally; inadvertently; casually
大(おと)人(な)でも難(むずか)しい difficult even for grownups; even grownups would struggle
コンクール competition; contest
審査員(しんさいん) judge
感想(かんそう) comment
特別(とくべつ)賞(しょう) special award; special prize
受(う)け答(こた)え (her) answer (in the interview) [literally, “receiving answering” which means “answering to the question that were received”. 受(う)け答(こた)え doesn’t only mean “the answer” which was spoken but also means the way one carries herself or himself in the whole conversation as well]
立(りっ)派(ぱ) splendid; elegant; impressive; fine
教育(きょういく)が行(ゆ)き届(とど)いている well educated in every way (by her parents) [教育(きょういく) (education); 行(ゆ)き届(とど)いている (ているcontinuous form of 行(ゆ)き届(とど)く(to be complete; to be through); ている here is indicating state of “well educated”, not an ongoing action)]
バイオリンバカ　violin fanatic; violin nut; violin enthusiast [バイオリン (violin); バカ (“fool/ idiot” is used as suffix which means “fanatic” or “enthusiast”)]
鼻(はな)が高(たか)い very proud [literally, “one’s nose is tall”; it is used when parents are proud of his/her child or a teacher being proud of their students]
出来過(できす)ぎてしまう overly capable; too intelligent; too good (in a lot of things) [ 出来過(できす)ぎて(て-form of 出来過(できす)ぎる (出来(でき)る (can) + 過(す)ぎる (beyond; surpass)); しまう(to be ~ unfortunately; to end up ~))]
助(たす)けてあげないといけない must help; should help; unavoidable to help; absolutely necessary to help [literally, “it’s not good if (her parents) don’t help”; 助(たす)けてあげない (negative of 助(たす)けてあげる; あげるindicates providing the action(helping)); と (if); いけない (not good); “～ないといけない” is “must do ~”]
同年代(どうねんだい) same generation [同 (same); 年代 (age; era)]
話(はなし)が 合(あ)わない to have different interest [Literally, “talk don’t match” which means “not able to engage in the same subjects” which really means “can’t have close relationship” or “can’t get along”]
～ならではの unique to ～ [～ならでは (unique to ~); の (“of”; connecting the words before and after it)]
思(おも)いやりconsideration; compassion; understanding (of others situation or emotion)
 
 
 
 
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-152
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-152-m
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