Nihongo Lesson 01/30/15

Learn how to say the Shonen Jump motto in Japanese!

By John Bae January 30, 2015

Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week’s lesson will focus some very important words associated with Weekly Shonen Jump. In some ways, these three words are the very essence of what the magazine stands for. These are the words that form the golden Shonen Jump motto!

YUUJO (ゆうじょう)

YUUJO means “friendship” and is one of the most powerful forces in manga. According to many of my favorite manga series, you can accomplish anything as long as you have the support of your friends. This includes defeating the most powerful ninja in history or even drawing the perfect card at the right time. YUUJO power is invincible!

DORYOKU (どりょく)

DORYOKU means “effort” or “hard work.” Many Shonen Jump heroes start off weak or inexperienced. And if they want to achieve their goal, be it becoming Hokage or King of the Pirates, they need to work hard. As Naruto once said, there are no shortcuts to success. You have to work hard! Saitama from One-Punch Man trained so hard that he lost all his hair!

1 30 Nl 1

SHOURI (しょうり)

SHOURI means “victory.” It’s pretty common for a Shonen Jump series to have some kind of competition in the story, and that means there are winners and losers. To be a winner in manga, you’re definitely gonna need the help of your friends and loads of hard work. And victory is all that much sweeter when you’ve earned it and have buddies to celebrate with you!

1 30 Nl 2

Get more tips by listening to our PODCAST!