Nihongo Lesson - Dec 26, 2014

Learn how to celebrate the holidays...in Japanese!
By December 26, 2014

 
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 on the holidays. No matter what you celebrate this time of year, it’s definitely merrier with manga!

AGERU (あげる)

AGERU is the verb “to give.” Most of the words connected to Christmas in Japan are the same as in English, but that doesn’t mean they celebrate it the same way! In Japan, Christmas is more of a date night event like Valentine’s Day. That’s why you will often see manga characters making a big deal about their Christmas Eve plans. A popular activity on Christmas Eve for couples is to go out and see all the light displays that pop up around town during the end of the year. But you better make your plans far in advance because it’s hard to get a table at a romantic restaurant on the night before Christmas!

MORAU (もらう)

MORAU is the verb for “to receive.” Kids in Japan don’t usually receive a bounty of gifts on Christmas like we do in many western countries. Kids often receive money as a gift on New Year’s Day in Japan so that’s probably their favorite holiday! But they do get to eat Christmas cake on 12/25 and who doesn’t like cake? And for some reason, fried chicken has become a traditional Christmas food in Japan. Sounds like my kind of party!

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