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Answer to Mamechishiki Monday: 1. Muzukashii, Why? First, let’s think about the meaning of the English words ‘hard’ and ‘difficult’. Common examples include, this test is difficult! Or, riding a bike is difficult! Think of this ‘difficult’ in relation to how we use ‘hard’ in English.... Fukuzatsu is closer to the English word ‘complex.’ Example sentences include, This way of doing things is so complex! Or, This computing system is exceedingly complex! Konan is closer ‘hardship,’ or severe difficulties. In this compound, the character on the right is the same character for muzukashii. The character on the left represents a tree entrapped in a box. It is like adding pain to difficulty. It is also used to describe situations more so than objects. Such as, This situation is extremely difficult! Think of this variation in the same way that we use ‘difficult’ in English. Taihen is both in between ‘hard’ and ‘difficult’ but is also used to modify words sometimes in a similar way as totemo does. For instance, you can use taihen to mean ‘very’. As in, this is VERY difficult. However, if you hear a story about someone going through a difficult time, you can also say, That seems difficult/Sore wa TAIHEN desu ne. Here’s a perspective on what’s muzukashii about Japanese: www.japantimes.co.jp//when-muzukashii-means-more-than-dif/

It's Mamechishiki ( ) Monday! Here is your trivia question for August: Which word means difficult, in the sense of ‘hard’ in English? 1. muzukashii 2. fukuzatsu... 3. kon’nan 4. taihen Answer will be posted on Wednesday!

This August at the Language Center: Conversational Japanese Courses (and more) begin Aug. 10 : Aug. 19 Virtual Nihongo Chat (Language Exchange event/ ): Aug. 21... Hiragana Workshop: Aug. 28 Visit www.japansociety.org/language for full details. (and many of the Fall courses are open for registration too!)

720 ( ´) www.japansociety.org/language/summer-2020/mid-summer-english

Answer to yesterday's Monday: D. : tsunokakushi, means hiding horns to show obedience to the groom.

Monday: Trivia Monday! What is the name of the head piece (pictured below) that Japanese brides wear at weddings? (If you attended our Virtual Nihongo Chat, you may know the answer!) A. oni mimi, literally ogre ears... B. bijin kakushi, literally hiding the beautiful C. kitsune mimi, literally fox ears D. tsuno kakushi, literally hiding horns Answer will be posted tomorrow. https://wild-about-travel.com/traditional-japanese-wedding/

Weekend courses begin this Saturday! Japanese levels 1-4 are offered, and you can complete one level in less than a month. Details: www.japansociety.org/summer-2020/summer-weekend-japanese

Reminder: classes do not meet this Tues, 6/30-Fri, 7/3. All classes resume Mon, 7/6. Office staff are available thru Thurs.Reminder: classes do not meet this Tues, 6/30-Fri, 7/3. All classes resume Mon, 7/6. Office staff are available thru Thurs.

You may not be traveling tomorrow, but we're still here dreaming about Japan! Start your future travel preparations now, with this quick introduction to Japanese language and customs. This event will take place virtually on Zoom.... Details: https://www.japansociety.org//crash-course-for-travelers-t See more

Nihongo Chat is back virtually! Join Japanese-language students and native Japanese speakers at this informal virtual gathering to practice Japanese and English! Anyone with at least beginner Japanese and English language experience is welcome to attend. Friday, June 26, 7 8 PM EDT... Required RSVP with information. See website for more details: www.japansociety.org/event/nihongo-chat See more

Our communities are experiencing tremendous pain and anger after the murders of #GeorgeFloyd, #AhmaudArbery, and #BreonnaTaylor alongside too many others. Black... voices must be heard and now is the time to listen. We stand in solidarity. #BlackLivesMatter Please support the following organizations: Black Lives Matter, ACLU, NAACP, Innocence Project, Southern Poverty Law Center [Naoya Hatakeyama, 2012.3.24 Kesen-cho (2013), from the series Rikuzentakata, 2012; Naoya Hatakeyama] See more