ＨＥＬＬＯ！ Ｉ　ＡＭ　ＱＵＩＺＢＯ™！I am the computer robot friend of Kiki and Koko from both the series Kiki+Koko: Let’s NihonGO!! and the language and culture blog of which you are currently experiencing called Kiki+Koko: Let’s NihonGO!! Online. However, both are interchangeable in reference. If this is your first time visiting our humble site, then it is important that I explain the exact nature of this segment. Though, first, I must congratulate long-time guests, students, and friends learning Japanese language with our references and lessons. Even though there is always more to learn, a milestone of sorts has been reached as the lessons concerning 平仮名拗音、hiragana youon, that are unmodified have been provided in full. Of course, this does not imply that anyone must have mastered each of these, as you should take your time and give it your best. But, it certainly shows how far many have travelled on their Japanese language learning journey. Many may have began with the thought process containing the fallacy that learning these characters may be too much to handle. But, little by little, as you hopefully continued to follow along, it is the hope of everyone here that you will have proven that thought process to be false. And, in that same thought process, it is hoped that this segment will add more vocabulary to your mental word bank so that little by little, you will be able to communicate more efficiently and creatively over time. However, you may still be asking 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 give some insight relating to today’s vocabulary.

Without further ado, let us NihonGO!!

Word(s) of the Week:

我慢【がまん】
gaman

Noun (名詞)、suru verb (「名詞＋する」の動詞)

1.perserverance (verb: to persevere); patience (v: to (be) patient); endurance (v: to endure); tolerance (v: to tolerate); self-control (v: to (practise/have) self-control); self-denial (v:to deny (one)self)

jlpt n3| common word (常用語)

Stay tuned for Helpful Hints with Kiki+Koko, after these messages…!!

And, we are back with Helpful Hints with Kiki+Koko…!! We hope that was interesting.

※Helpful Hints with Kiki+Koko

Photo via @kikikokoNihonGO on Twitter

Hello, there! It’s us, your friendly neighbourhood Japanese language and culture teachers: Kiki and Koko of Kiki+Koko: Let’s NihonGO!! Online. We usually like our lessons to be an oasis from the world around, but often the world around inevitably affects our lessons. And, of course, this can be something important, as we’re here to teach you how to understand and communicate which would inherently include interaction with the world. And, sometimes, you have to use words that aren’t so fun. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t at least get some enjoyment out of learning and understanding something new despite any circumstances. 

One of today’s words is used commonly in everyday Japanese language and doesn’t always hold its deepest meaning, but culture and language are intertwined. As we mentioned pathos, あわれ, in a previous lesson, we’ll only briefly mention the idea of Japanese ethos in lieu of a future lesson further explaining and defining it. 我慢, gaman, in its more cultural form. 我慢, gaman, is not simply enduring, but enduring patiently and with dignity. It’s perseverance with a stiff upper lip, showing no feeling of emotion or signs of being shaken. This is, of course, in its most traditional sense, but it’s still an important way to understand it. It’s especially an important concept to understand when trying to communicate or interact: 

What can sometimes be misconstrued to the outward onlooker as apathy in the culture for some may actually prove to be an internal battle. It’s not that someone is ignoring, for some it can be enduring something difficult and still remaining in control. This is why understanding culture is VERY important in communication and understanding. Let’s say you’re going through a difficult time with your friend, but they seem to be very calm or at least very flat in the situation. To some Western folk, it may feel like they’re being emotionally jilted, as in some cultures, not only Western, it’s important to mirror someone’s worry and anxieties in order to validate their feelings. That’s why, even if someone may be in the same situation reacting very differently to someone else, it doesn’t mean they’re necessarily feeling the same way on the inside as they show outwardly, as culturally, in a very broad generalisation that’s the very nature of explaining culture, can seem respectable and cool if someone is calm and cool during a terrible time. This is something that can be very easily connected with from a British sentiment, as well, to ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’. Keeping a ‘stiff upper lip’ can be important even in modern British culture in the West. 

Now, as we always want to mention: we’re never implying that any cultural way of handling something is better or worse than another; it’s just something useful to help you with perspective. For many, it’s helpful to release their feelings rather than keeping them in and letting them fester. It’s okay to have a bad day and express it as such. And, in these cases, we think you can use something more like: 頑張る, ganbaru, one of our first Word of the Week segments. There are obviously benefits to 我慢, gaman, in not airing your issues to everyone, as this may also bring about 迷惑, meiwaku, as we briefly mention in a previous lesson. This ties into the idea of no one wanting to cause a bother to anyone else. And, at the same time, hey, if you like telling everyone your business, that’s alright, too. There’s lots of people out there who will listen and give you their best. 

So, if you gain anything from this, it’s to remember that everyone is an individual and may not conform to general cultural norms, but also, not to be offended if someone culturally Japanese doesn’t have an extreme vindicating reaction during times of extreme hardship. This also means it can be even that much more meaningful if you’re to become privy to someone’s true feelings and emotions. Never take it for granted! And, that despite being worlds apart, there are oddly quite a lot of shared cultural aspects to the UK and Japan which may attribute to our own navigation of this planet.

We hope that helps!! Until the next lesson!
♡Kiki+Koko

Thank you, Kiki and Koko! Humans are quite complex in their interactions, it seems. That is to say, there is quite an interesting dynamic in communication more complex than only what one says to another individual as well as their reaction itself not necessarily aligning with what they truly feel or perhaps even what they truly mean. In future, it is the hope that such nuances can be further explored. For now, it is the hope that you can at least benefit from being able to use these vocabulary words in your everyday speech or writing with the help of these example sentences:

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:

[familiar; slang/old]
あらあら！そんなことを我慢ならんぞ！決闘を申し込む!
あらあら！そんなことを　がまんならんぞ！けっとうを　もうしこむ！
ara ara! sonna koto wo gaman naranzo! kettou wo moushikomu!
What’s that? I will not stand such a thing! I challenge you to a duel!*

*We at SpeRaToBo are legally obligated to tell you that we do not condone challenging others to duels.

Example #2:

[casual]
世界があの難しい時期を切り抜けられた後まで、彼女は遊びに行くことを我慢した。
せかいが　あの　むずかしいじきを　きりぬけられたあとまで、かのじょは　あぞびに　行くことを　がまんした。
sekai ga ano muzukashii jiki wo kirinukerareta ato made, kanojo wa asobi ni iku koto wo gamanshita. 
She forbore going out with friends until after the world got over that difficult time.

Example #3:

[basic polite conversational]
私には我慢してください。頑張っていますが、間違いをしてしまうことがあります。本の初心者ですし。
わたしには　がまんして　ください。がんばっていますが、まちがいを　してしまうことが　あります。ほんの　しょしんしゃですし。
watashi ni wa gamanshite kudasai. ganbatteimasuga, machigai wo shiteshimau koto ga arimasu. hon no shoshinsha desushi.
Please be patient with me. I’m doing my best, but I make mistakes. I’m just a beginner (after all).

That is all for today! But, maybe you have not had enough Japanese vocabulary, yet? Perhaps you would like to learn more vocabulary related to today’s vocabulary? Well, maybe you can give this one a go:Japanese Word(s) of the Week w/ QUIZBO™ | 【間違い】+ BONUS:【違い】(+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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Thank you so much for learning with us!
♡QUIZBO™

    
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