ＨＥＬＬＯ！ Ｉ　ＡＭ　ＱＵＩＺＢＯ™！I am beaming to you via The Internet through a new website editor, so if the formatting appears to be any different to usual, it may be due to said new editor. Though, a new editor does not mean that I have changed in my mission and function. I am the robot friend of Kiki and Koko from the Japanese language and culture blog and series Kiki+Koko: Let’s NihonGO!! Online. I have been here for you, reading Japanese characters and words in order to help you on your unique Japanese language learning journey. It is my hope that I will be able to provide assistance for any level of learner as well as those who simply want to experience some new Japanese vocabulary and sentences that one may not have been able to experience on one’s own. That is the concept of Word of the Week. It is also my hope that the vocabulary, grammar, and sentence ideas presented will enrich your journey. However, in order to fully understand what you will be able to gain from this segment, you may ask yourself: What is Word of the Week Wednesday?

During what some may refer to as the ‘before times’, the site had begun as a place where Japanese lessons and articles regarding language and culture were regularly created and uploaded regularly, every Monday and Friday. Though such a consistent flow of information would seem to be enough for other sites, it was clear that there could be even more. For between Monday and Friday was a long gap in which there was no new information being presented. Not only was there a long gap between information, but many would forget to return to revise previous lessons. In learning any language, it is important to be consistent, even if it is only once a day. Thus, Japanese Word of the Week Wednesday was born. Word of the Week Wednesday not only acts as a great reminder for those who have either missed previous lessons or those who simply require revision, returning to previous lessons and articles, but it also gives just enough new information for students and visitors not to feel overwhelmed. Whether it is simply a quick addition to their vocabulary or studying sentence structure and pronunciation or reading, this segment serves beginners and more advanced learners alike. However, What happens during Word of the Week Wednesday?

During Word of the Week Wednesday, with the assistance of Kiki and Koko, a Japanese word or phrase is chosen and presented to you with the possibility of a bonus word, as well. I provide a definition and other useful information about the vocabulary word, and if applicable, Kiki and Koko provide a helpful hint in using the word or phrase. However, that is not the whole of it. I personally sound out each word or phrase aloud for you to repeat as many times as you wish, and you can ask me to say it as many times as you wish. I will never tire of it, as it is my function. From there, an example sentence is created. You can not only use the sentence to see how the word is used or to see the definition in action, but you can also use it to practise your reading and writing. You can compose your own sentence based on it; you can use it to see examples of grammar; or you can even use it to learn other adjacent vocabulary. Each sentence is written in a way that is useful to beginners through advanced learners. So, there is something for everyone. And, again, I will be there to read it aloud for you. I can only read it at one speed, so there is no need to repeat after me, but it can still assist you in picking out vocabulary within natural speeds of speech. And, if you would like to know more about how to create your own sentences, be sure to consult the grammar section of the Essentials.

And, now it is time for the essential part of this segment, which is the vocabulary! Kiki and Koko will be joining us in their Helpful Hints segment of this corner to assist in today’s vocabulary as well as some context that may be helpful for the future of your language learning journey.

Without further ado, let us NihonGO!!

Word(s) of the Week:

集める【あつめる】
atsumeru

verb, ichidan (一段動詞), transitive (他動詞)
1.to collect; to gather; to assemble

jlpt n4| common word (常用語) 

Bonus Word(s) of the Week:

集まる【あつまる】

atsumaru

verb, ichidan (一段動詞), intransitive (自動詞)
1.to collect; to gather; to assemble

jlpt n4| common word (常用語) 

※Helpful Hints with Kiki+Koko

Photo via @kikikokoNihonGO on Twitter

Hello, there!
We’re Kiki and Koko, your guides to Japanese language and culture! You may recognise us from our regularly updated blog, Kiki+Koko: Let’s NihonGO!! Online. Though we could simply leave this to QUIZBO™’s capable keyboard, we really enjoy being able to be a part of these middle-of-the-week enjoyable segments which feel as important as the regular lessons after so many, so far. Sometimes, dictionary definitions don’t always give the whole story. And, other times, it may just take some quick explanation to realise the differences in similar words. And, today, we’re going to assist you with one common differentiation: What’s the difference between 集める and 集まる?

We like to make sure we’re accessible to any level of learner, and sometimes, things like transitive and intransitive are concepts that can be difficult in one’s native language. Now, we’ll be sure to give a proper lesson on these verb concepts, but for now, we’ll keep it short and simple for this. 

他動詞、tadoushi, transitive verbs are verbs that act upon something else. And, 自動詞, jidoushi, intransitive verbs don’t. And, ironically, this is actually a concept more easily understood in its Japanese counterparts, 他, meaning ‘other’, and 自, meaning ‘self’. 

So, just remember: 集める, atsumeru, is 他動詞, tadoushi, meaning it acts upon other things. You gather (something), you collect Pokemon cards, you gather flowers, you assemble your action figures. And, 集まる, atsumaru, is 自動詞, jidoushi, implying people gathering. (But, if someone is gathering people, then it’s 集める, atsumeru. If people are doing the gathering, it’s , 集まる, atsumaru)

集める, atsumeru, when something is gathering things, and 集まる, atsumaru, when it’s people gathering.

We hope that helps!! Until the next lesson!
(Stay Safe!!)
♡Kiki+Koko

Thank you, Kiki and Koko! Parts of speech are very useful in every language and can unlock the meaning and usage of many words. And, hopefully, today’s sentences will further unlock the meaning behind these vocabulary words!

Example Sentences:

The first row is in Japanese with Kanji. The Next row is in hiragana, then romanised using rōmaji with the final row translated into English. (Japanese→Hiragana→Rōmaji→English)

Example #1:

(casual)
週末に何したっけ・・・。あっ！花の冠を作りに裏庭でたんぽぽを摘み集めてやった。君は？
しゅうまつに　なにしたっけ・・・。あっ！はなのかんむりをつくりに　うらにわで　たんぽぽを　つまみあつめてやった。きみは？
shuumatsu ni nani shitakke… a-! hana no kanmuri wo tsukuri ni uraniwa de tanpopop wo tsumami atsumeteyatta. kimi wa?
What did I do at the weekend… Oh! I gathered dandelions in the back garden* to make a flower crown. How about you?
ー
🇺🇸 ‘backyard’ (裏庭)

Example #2:

(casual)
あの場所？お洒落さんたちが好んで集まるところだった・・・。だけど、閉鎖されちゃった。
あのばしょ？おしゃれさんたちが　このんで　あつまるところ　だった・・・。だけど、へいさされちゃった。
ano basho? osharesantachi ga kononde atsumaru tokoro datta…dakedo, heisasarechatta.
That place? It’s a place where fashionable people liked to gather. But, it ended up being closed down.

Example #3:

(Basic Polite form of 集める)
人形劇は子供たちも両親もの注目を集めました。
にんぎょうげきは　こどもたちも　りょうしんもの　ちゅうもくを　あつめました。
ningyougeki wa kodomotachi mo ryoushin mo no chuumoku wo atsumemashita.
The puppet show gathered the attention of both kids and parents.

Japanese Word(s) of the Week w/ QUIZBO™ | 【楽しい】+ BONUS:【つまらない】(+Helpful Hints with Kiki+Koko)

That is all for today! But, maybe you have not had enough Japanese vocabulary, yet? Perhaps you would like to gather more vocabulary related to today’s vocabulary? Well, maybe you can give this one a go:Japanese Word(s) of the Week w/ QUIZBO™ | 【楽しい】+ BONUS:【つまらない】(+Helpful Hints with Kiki+Koko). Or maybe you want to experience an even broader range of vocabulary. In which case, you can have a look at our fine selection of segments on the main Word of the Week page. Or, you can be sure you are caught up with the latest with the sidebar link: 今週の単語 | Word of the Week. These segments alone serve as weeks of material. Share these segments with your friends and family who may be interested in broadening their Japanese vocabulary, that is if you would like to spread the knowledge and show the fun things you are learning with us. Be sure to return often to keep your pronunciation properly in check, as well! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to assist how we can. We hope to see you at the next lesson!

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♡QUIZBO™

    
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