Learn Japanese from the News
Lessons on this site use content from the NHK WORLD JAPAN program "Learn Japanese from the News." Use the news to learn Japanese and take conversations to a new level.
Learn Japanese from the News
Lessons on this site use content from the NHK WORLD JAPAN program "Learn Japanese from the News." Use the news to learn Japanese and take conversations to a new level.
2021年に引退したモンゴル出身の元横綱 白鵬の断髪式が行われたというニュースです。このニュースを通して、大相撲に関する表現を学びましょう。
2021ねんに いんたいした もんごるしゅっしんの もとよこづな はくほうの だんぱつしきが おこなわれた というにゅーすです。このにゅーすを とおして おおずもうに かんする ひょうげんを まなびましょう。
Ni-sen-ni-juu-ichi-nen ni intai-shita Mongoru shusshin no moto yokozuna Hakuhoo no danpatsushiki ga okonawareta to iu nyuusu desu. Kono nyuusu o tooshite, Oozumoo ni kansuru hyoogen o manabimashoo.
Today’s news story is about a topknot-cutting ceremony that was held for the Mongolian-born former Yokozuna Hakuho, who retired in 2021. Follow along to learn expressions related to sumo.
東京の国技館で1月28日、横綱だった白鵬の髪を切る式がありました。
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English
On January 28, a ceremony was held at the Kokugikan in Tokyo to cut the hair of former Yokozuna Hakuho.
Explanation
「横綱(yokozuna)」 means “Grand Champion.” It’s the highest rank in sumo. The second-highest rank is 「大関(oozeki)」. It takes more than technique to become Yokozuna. An ozeki generally must win two consecutive tournament championships or achieve something equally impressive in order to be considered for promotion. To become a Yokozuna, a wrestler must also have 「品格(hinkaku)」, that is, “dignity” or “class.”
They must be outstanding both in terms of performance and poise. Hakuho held the rank of Yokozuna for 14 years. Only a select few of the greatest of sumo wrestlers ever rise to the rank of Yokozuna.
モンゴル出身の白鵬は、大相撲でいちばん多い45回優勝して、2021年の秋に引退しました。
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English
Mongolian-born Hakuho won 45 championships, the most ever in sumo, and retired in the fall of 2021.
Explanation
「大相撲(おおずもう)(Oozumoo)」 means “grand sumo.” 「相撲(sumoo)」 is a general term for sumo wrestling. But when you add the kanji 「大(おお)(oo)」, which means “grand” in front and say 「大相撲」, you’re referring to the sport of professional sumo wrestling as overseen by the Japan Sumo Association. Also note the fact that the pronunciation of 「すもう(sumoo)」 changes to 「ずもう(zumoo)」. When we combine two words into a compound, the initial consonant of the second word often becomes voiced.
去年7月からは宮城野部屋の親方になって、若い力士を育てています。
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Since last July, he has been the stablemaster of the Miyagino stable, where he has been training young wrestlers.
式では、一緒に相撲をした力士や母親のタミルさんなど300人ぐらいが、白鵬の髪を少しずつはさみで切りました。
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English
At the ceremony, about 300 people cut Hakuho’s hair little by little with scissors, including rikishi whom he had wrestled with and his mother, Tamir.
そして最後に、白鵬を育てた親方が大きなまげを切って、約20年の力士生活が終わりました。
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English
Finally, the stablemaster who trained Hakuho cut off (the final portion of) his large topknot, bringing an end to his 20-year rikishi career.
白鵬は「体の一部がなくなって寂しい気持ちがあります。これからは別の戦いが始まります。早く横綱や大関を育てたいです」と話しました。
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English
Hakuho said, “I’m sad because I’ve lost a part of my body. Now another battle begins. I’m eager to raise new yokozuna and ozeki.”
Grand Champion
横綱
よこづな
yokozuna
retirement
引退
いんたい
intai
a sumo wrestler’s topknot
まげ
mage
Shuffle
日
Japanese
E
English
ロン(Long)
最近日本の会社で働き始めた。ソフィアの後輩。
アン、一恵と同じマンションの住人。
ソフィア(Sophia)
ロンと同じ会社で働く先輩。子育てをしながら、日本で5年間働いている。
田中健司
ロンの上司。中学生と、小学生の2人の子どもがいる。
アン(An)
夫が日本で働くことになり、一緒に日本で暮らしている。小学生の娘がいる。
鈴木一恵
ロン、アンと同じマンションの住人。現在は一人暮らし。
教材作成/国際交流基金日本語国際センター
Long’s superior, the department head—or “buchoo” as we say in Japanese—is leaving to start a new company. Today is buchoo’s last day at work. Long goes to buchoo’s desk to pay his respects. Today’s dialogue is on how to express your appreciation to your boss for looking after you, and to wish them success in the future. Some key terms in this dialogue include 「感謝(appreciation)」「迷惑(trouble)」「叱られる(be scolded)」「謝る(apologize)」「立派(come so far)」「活躍(success)」.
ロン:部長…、今まで本当にお世話になりました。部長にはこの会社に入ってからずっとお世話になって…、たくさんのことを教えていただき、本当に感謝しています。
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English
Buchoo...thank you so much for all that you have done for me. Since I started working here you’ve really looked after me...I have nothing but appreciation for your guidance.
Explanation
「いただく」is a humble form of 「もらう」. Here, Long is politely conveying his appreciation for everything buchoo’s done for him by using the expression 「Vていただき、本当に感謝しています」. The verb before 「いただく」 is in the TE-form (conjugation form of verbs that ends with TE).
部長:ロンさん、こちらこそいろいろありがとう。
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English
No, thank you for everything, Long.
ロン:最初の頃、日本語も仕事も全然できなくて、ご迷惑ばかりおかけして…。それなのに、部長はいつも優しくフォローしてくださって…。営業先で叱られたときに、一緒に謝ってくださったこと、本当に嬉しかったです。
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English
At first, I couldn’t speak Japanese or do my job at all, so I know I must have caused you so much trouble.... And yet, you kindly continued to support me... I was really touched when you apologized with me when I was scolded by a potential customer.
Explanation
「くださる」is an honorific form of 「くれる」. By using the expression 「Vてくださったこと、本当に嬉しかったです」, Long is politely expressing how touched he was that his superior apologized with him. The verb before 「くださる」 is in the TE-form (conjugation form of verbs that ends with TE).
部長:そんなこともあったなー。今じゃすっかりロンさんも立派になったけど。
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Oh, I remember that... You’ve come so far.
ロン:部長、新しい会社に行っても、どうぞお体を大切に。ますますのご活躍をお祈りしています。
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English
Buchoo, please take care of yourself at your new company. I wish you continued success.
部長:ありがとう。ロンさんも頑張れよ。
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English
Thank you. I wish you the best too, Long.
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