Takashi's Japanese Dictionary

A blog for learning Japanese that introduces Japanese slang words and Idioms!

  • Home
  • Posts ▾
    • Latest Posts
    • Featured Posts
    • Phrases by Topic
    • Slang
    • Idiom
    • Column
    • Grammar
    • Reading Comprehension
    • 英語に関する記事 (in Japanese)
  • Lesson Slides ▾
    • For Complete Beginners
    • For Intermediate/Advanced Learners
  • Tools ▾
    • Furigana Generator
    • Gairaigo/Wasei-Eigo Converter
  • What’s New
  • Social Media
  • About

Meaning and Origin of Reiwa, Heisei and Shōwa, Japan’s Imperial Eras

April 30, 2019

This post explains Japan’s imperial era (gengō) and also briefly describes the origins, meanings and zeitgeists of the latest eras ‘Reiwa’, ‘Heisei’ and ‘Shōwa’. What’s 元号 (Gengō)? Japan’s imperial era is called 元号 (gengō). It is used alongside the Western calendar in official documents such as drivers’ licenses and health insurance cards. Usually, the era ends upon the death of each emperor and followed by the enthronement of his successor, but the current era ‘令和’ has started following the abdication of Emperor Akihito.  How the name of gengō is coined Japan’s era name is determined after a great number of discussions among scholars, experts and cabinet members. There are also…Read More

Heisei Saw “Titanic” Economic Bubble Followed by ‘The Lost Two Decades’

April 30, 2019

Pronunciation Meaning and Origin of 平成 (Heisei) The name of ‘平成‘ (Heisei) reflects the wish for world peace. It was coined in reference to two Chinese phrases ‘内平外成’ meaning ‘peace inside and prosperity outside’ and ‘地平天成’ meaning ‘the peaceful and prosperous world’. The former appears in ‘書経’ (‘Shujing’,‘The Book of Documents’), and the latter in 史記 (‘Shiji’, ‘The Records of the Grand Historian’), both of which are ancient Chinese literature. The Zeitgeist of Heisei Era Bubble Economy The Heisei era got off to an auspicious start, with Japan’s over-inflated economy reaching its pinnacle. At the time, the top 5 companies by market capitalization in the world were all Japanese, and…Read More

Origin and Meaning of the Japanese Era “Shōwa (昭和)”

April 6, 2019

昭和 (Shōwa) is the Japanese imperial era that spanned 62 years from December 25th, 1926 to January 7th, 1989.Read More

Meaning of the Reiwa Era (令和) in Japanese and Its Origin

April 1, 2019

Today, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has announced the name of Japan’s new era, ‘令和’ (Reiwa). The new era is set to start on May 1, when Crown Prince Naruhito will become the new Emperor after Emperor Akihito abdicates on April 30. 令和 will be the 248th era in the history of Japan.Read More

What’s 合コン (gōkon) and 街コン (machikon) in Japanese

November 9, 2018

Basic ○ ● ○ ○ ○Advanced
Standard ○ ○ ● ○ ○Slang
Formal ○ ○ ● ○ ○Informal

Definition

合コン indicates a Japanese-style group blind date. It is usually held at …Read More

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
ブログランキング・にほんブログ村へPVアクセスランキング にほんブログ村

Follow me!

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search on Takashionary
(e.g. 'food', 'cat', 'idiom')

Trending Posts

  • “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” Could Mean “I love You” in Japanese
  • Meaning of Kenjataimu (賢者タイム, Kenja Time) in Japanese Slang
  • Meaning of 卍 (manji) and マジ卍 (Maji manji) in Japanese
  • Funny Japanese Gaming Slang Terms
  • List of Japanese Abbreviated Words and Phrases
  • Meaning and Difference of ガチ (gachi) and マジ (maji) in Japanese
  • 40 Funny Japanese Old Slang Words to Sound like Oyaji (Old Men)
  • 4 Meanings of ノリ (Nori) in Japanese Slang
  • なんでやねん (nandeyanen): Meaning and Usage
  • Meaning of Kaedama, Menkata and Barikata of Ramen Noodles
  • 5 Meanings of ペラペラ (pera pera) in Japanese
  • 20 Japanese Words and Onomatopoeia About Rain (雨, ame)
  • Boku, Ore, Watashi, Atashi: 15 Japanese Person Pronouns
  • 15 Unique Japanese Portmanteau Words with Example Sentences
  • 40 Ways of Saying “Many/Much” in Japanese (Ooi, Ippai, Takusan, …)
  • 50 Japanese Words and Idioms about Love & Relationship
  • Meaning of “Three-Day Monk” (三日坊主, mikka bouzu) in Japanese
  • ヤンキー (yankee) Means “(Old-Fashioned) Loutish Youths” in Japanese
  • List of Intriguing Japanese Compound Words
  • コスパ (kosupa) Means More than Just “Cost Performance”
  • 炎上 (enjou) Meaning “Come Under Fire” in Japanese
  • Meaning of あかん (akan), the Essential Kansai-Dialect Word
  • Essential Grammar in Kansai Dialect (関西弁, Kansai ben)
  • Japanese Slang 帰宅部 (kitaku bu) Meaning ‘Go-Home Club’
  • Meaning of the Reiwa Era (令和) in Japanese and Its Origin
  • 9 Essential Kansai Dialect (Kansai-ben) Words and Phrases
  • Japanese and English Words that Rhyme in Both Languages
  • Meaning of ペーパードライバー (‘Paper Driver’) in Japlish (Japanese English)
  • 深夜テンション (shinya tension) Meaning “Midnight High” in Japanese Slang
  • Meaning of 相合傘 (ai ai gasa): Lovely Dream of Kids in Japan

Popular Posts

  • “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” Could Mean “I love You” in Japanese
  • 30+ Essential Japanese Words and Idioms to Describe Food
  • 9 Essential Kansai Dialect (Kansai-ben) Words and Phrases
  • 十八番 (ohako) Meaning “The Songs You Sing the Best”
  • Boku, Ore, Watashi, Atashi: 15 Japanese Person Pronouns
  • Meaning of Kaedama, Menkata and Barikata of Ramen Noodles
  • ありがた迷惑 (arigata meiwaku) Meaning “Unwelcome Favour” in Japanese
  • Meaning of Kenjataimu (賢者タイム, Kenja Time) in Japanese Slang
  • Japanese Idiom “Put on a Cat”, 猫をかぶる (neko wo kaburu)
  • Meaning and Difference of ガチ (gachi) and マジ (maji) in Japanese

Words by Theme

  • 30+ Essential Japanese Words and Idioms to Describe Food
  • 9 Essential Kansai Dialect (Kansai-ben) Words and Phrases
  • Boku, Ore, Watashi, Atashi: 15 Japanese Person Pronouns

Idiom

  • 十八番 (ohako) Meaning “The Songs You Sing the Best”
  • ありがた迷惑 (arigata meiwaku) Meaning “Unwelcome Favour” in Japanese
  • Japanese Idiom “Put on a Cat”, 猫をかぶる (neko wo kaburu)

Japlish

  • 深夜テンション (shinya tension) Meaning “Midnight High” in Japanese Slang
  • Japanese Wasei-Eigo List (“Japlish”) and Their Meanings
  • Meaning of ペーパードライバー (‘Paper Driver’) in Japlish (Japanese English)

Slang

  • Meaning of *活: 婚活 (Konkatsu), 就活/終活 (Shūkatsu) and 朝活 (Asakatsu)
  • 女たらし (onna tarashi) Meaning ‘Lady’s Man’ in Japanese
  • オワコン (Owakon) Meaning ‘Old-Fashioned’ in Japanese Slang

Column

  • “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” Could Mean “I love You” in Japanese
  • Success Story of Ichiro: What He Means to Japanese Baseball Fans
  • Meaning of 遠慮 (enryo) and 空気を読む (kuuki wo yomu)

Grammar

  • Meaning of 全然 (Zenzen) Without a Negative Form ない (Nai)
  • Essential Grammar in Kansai Dialect (関西弁, Kansai ben)
  • Ageru, Kureru, and Morau: Meaning, Grammar and Difference

日本語記事

  • 韻を踏むお茶目な英語表現、単語、フレーズ、イディオム30+
  • 頭に情景が浮かぶ面白い英語フレーズ、イディオム30+
  • many, much, a lot ofの類語、 言い換え英語表現50+の使い分け
  • 直訳すると変な英語表現、イディオム12
  • 「他界する」を意味するユニークな英語イディオム8選

Categories

Copyright © 2022 · All Rights Reserved