Chibi's ワン-Point English: Abyssinia, Chibiチャン (April 1, 1998〜May 22, 2013)

Hi everyone,

I am sorry that it has been such a long time since I've given you advice. The truth is that I was diagnosed with cancer (がんと診断された) earlier this year and died yesterday morning. I was 15 years old. According to the vet (獣医さんによると), I was 93 in human years. I have asked Alan to write this final blog entry for me. In it I want to teach you some words and phrases related to death.

• Chibi died on May 22nd. (ちびチャンは５月２２日に死にました。) 
• Chibi passed away on May 22nd. (ちびチャンは５月２２日に亡くなりました。)
• His family held a wake for him last night. (昨夜、家族が彼の通夜を行いました。)
• His funeral was held today. (彼の葬式は今日行われました。)
• He was cremated. (彼は火葬されました。)

When someone passes away, we often say 「(心より)お悔やみ申し上げます。」in Japanese. In English, we use the phrase "Please accept my (heartfelt) condolences."

It was a pleasure teaching you English for the past several years. Take care and good luck with your future studies. I have to go now, my brother Maru-chan is calling me . . .

From Heaven with Love,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: Frequency Adverbs

Hi everyone,

The other day, a dog in my neighborhood (近所) asked me how often Alan walks me off (my) leash (ひも [リード] なしで). My answer was "Never." I then started to think about other frequency adverbs (頻度の副詞) and came up with the following examples:

Always (いつも) - Alan always walks me on a leash.
Almost always (大抵、ほとんどいつも) - He almost always drinks coffee after breakfast.
Usually (普段は) - It is usually still cold in March.
Often (しばしば) - She often oversleeps (寝坊する).
Sometimes (時々) - I sometimes go fishing.
Rarely (めったにしない) - I am rarely late for work.
Hardly ever (めったにしない) - We hardly ever eat out (外食する).
Never (ぜんぜんしない) - They never go drinking.

Did you notice that the frequency adverb came after the verb "be" (be動詞の後) in two of the above sentences?

Bye for now,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: What kind of 〜 do you like?

Hi all,

Alan tells me that his students have been studying the following sentence pattern recently:
What kind of 〜 do you like? (どんな〜が好きですか).
In this case (この場合), ”kind” means 「種類」.
Here are some sample sentences for you with my answers added:

QUESTIONS
1. What kind of music do you like? (どんな音楽が好きですか)
2. What kind of food do you like? (どんな食べ物が好きですか)
3. What kind of dogs do you like? (どんな犬（種類）が好きですか)

ANSWERS
1. Classical, especially Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
2. Delicious food.
3. Hot dogs!

See you later, alligator!

Chibi

P.S. Today is February 29th, also known as "Leap Day" (うるう日).

Chibi's ワン-Point English: Top 10 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter

Hi everyone,

Although Groundhog Day isn't until next week, it is already being predicted (予測されている) that the cold weather will continue all the way to April. I love winter, but Alan often complains about the cold (寒さについて文句を言う) and is always thinking of new ways to keep warm. He even asked his intermediate class (中級クラス) students for advice. Here are some of their ideas:

Top 10 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter
10. Work out (運動する) = Train = Exercise
9. Drink hot water with ginger (生姜湯)
8. Eat kimchi nabe
7. Use pocket body warmers (懐炉)
6. Use a futon drier (布団乾燥機) to warm up your bedding (寝具類)
5. Use a hot water bottle (湯たんぽ)
4. Wear thermal underwear/long johns (股引、パッチ、らくだ)
3. Wear a belly-warmer tie/belly band (腹巻)
2. Put on a short winter coat (半纏、ちゃんちゃんこ) and rest under a kotatsu while eating mandarin oranges (みかん) and drinking hot sake
1. Move to Okinawa . . . or Miami!

Stay cool and don't be a fool,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Happy Holidays"

I asked Alan the other day (この間) why he says "Happy Holidays" more than "Merry Christmas" in December. He explained that since different people celebrate (祝う) different holidays during this season, he prefers "Happy Holidays" so as not to offend anyone (誰の感情も害さないため).

I then asked him why we never have a Christmas tree. He said that one reason was because he didn't want me to spread my "Christmas cheer" in the house. Then he told me the real reason: Because we're Jewish (ユダヤ人), we celebrate Hanukkah, also known as (a.k.a.) (～の別名でも知られる) the Festival of Lights (光の祭り).

Hanukkah lasts eight days, during which time we light a 9-branched menorah (9本枝の大燭台), starting with two candles on the first night and adding a candle each night. We also exchange presents (プレゼント交換) and eat special food like brisket of beef, latkes (potato pancakes), and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

Our family enjoyed Hanukkah very much this year, in part thanks to R.T. and his wonderfully-timed present: The menorah in the above photo.

We wish the best for everyone during this holiday season.

Happy Holidays,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "I'm Only Sleeping"

Hi music lovers,

As many of you know, Alan's favorite band is the Beatles. Of all the great songs by the Fab Four, Alan says that he can't decide on (決定できない) which one he likes best, but MY favorite number (歌) is "I'm Only Sleeping" (僕は眠ってるだけなんだ).

Here are the lyrics (歌詞) from the first verse (序奏部、バース):

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I wake up early in the morning (朝早く目覚めたときには)

Lift my head, I'm still yawning (頭をもたげてもまだあくびしてる)

When I'm in the middle of a dream (夢の中にいるときには)

Stay in bed, float upstream (ベッドの中でふわふわ浮いてる)

Please don't wake me (頼むよ、起こさないで)

No, don't shake me (だめだよ、揺すらないで)

Leave me where I am (このまま放っといて)

I'm only sleeping (僕は眠ってるだけなんだ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goodnight Vienna,

Chibi

P.S. Click on the following link to hear the song (with all of the lyrics):
I'm Only Sleeping

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Take a nap"

Hi everybody,

As many of you know, my favorite activity (一番好きな活動) is going (for) walkies (散歩連れていってもらうこと). I also love taking naps (昼寝すること). In fact, I love to take a nap or two (or ten) every day. Alan says that taking a short nap every day is good for one's health (健康に良い). Here are some other healthy things that I "take" once in a while:
take a bath (風呂に入る)
take a bite (一口食べる)
take a break (休憩する)
take a chance (いちかばちかやってみる)
take a piss (小便する) (NEVER in the house!)
take a shower (シャワーを浴びる)
take a trip (旅行する) and of course, my favorite . . .
take a walk (散歩する)

Take it easy,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Walkies"

Hi everybody,

My name is Chibi and my favorite activity (一番好きな活動) is going (for) walkies (散歩連れていってもらうこと). Alan takes me for a walk at least (少なくとも) twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Sometimes he walks me a third time late at night. I love going for walkies, but when it rains I have to endure (我慢しなきゃ) my least favorite activity (嫌いな活動): Taking a shower!

See you on the streets,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Looking Back on the Dog Days of Summer"

Hi everyone,

Well, September is near and it's still hot and humid (蒸し暑い) here in Kagawa. I'm looking forward to the cooler days of autumn, but in the meantime, I'll have to endure (我慢しなきゃ) the muggy (蒸し暑い) weather.

The other day, Alan taught me about the "dog days" of summer (盛夏) between early July and early September. This period is the hottest time of the year and is called the "dog days" because it is when Sirius (the Dog Star) rises and sets with the Sun.

According to Alan (アランによると), people in ancient Rome (古代ローマ) used to sacrifice a brown dog at the start of the "dog days" every summer. This was to appease (なだめる) Sirius because they believed that the Dog Star was responsible for the sultry (蒸し暑い) weather.

Although I may complain of the heat, I am happy that I'm a white dog living in present-day Japan (現代日本).

Stay cool,

Chibi

P.S. I am Sirius . . . and don't call me Shirley!

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "連続Red Sox"

Hi everyone,

These days (最近), Alan has been driving me crazy talking about the Boston Red Sox. He checks the games' box scores in the newspaper every day and watches the highlights on TV every night. He even had their logo shaven and dyed into my fur during the 2007 season (please see the above photo).

According to Alan (アランによると), the Red Sox have been playing great as of late (最近). He says that just recently (つい最近) they won nine games in-a-row(九連勝した). This got me thinking about the different ways we say 「連続」in English. Here are some examples:

連続３試合負ける - lose 3 games in-a-row
５試合連続で - in 5 consecutive games
連続７人抜きをする - beat 7 opponents in succession
連続９試合 - 9 straight matches
連続して１１年間 - for 11 years running

Go Sox,

Chibi

P.S. Did you notice all the different ways I used 「最近」 above?

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Cooking"

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry that it's been such a long time since I've written this blog. Alan tells me that some of you have been studying about cooking in your lessons at E-Style. Here are some useful (役に立つ) verbs (動詞) to know:

bake/天火で焼く
boil/ゆでる
broil/直火で焼く
fry/炒める・揚げる
steam/蒸す
scramble/かき混ぜながら焼く
stir-fry/かき混ぜながら炒める
microwave/電子レンジで調理する

You can change the above verbs into adjectives (形容詞) by using the past tense form (過去形) in front of a noun (名詞). Examples include the following:

baked potato; (hard) boiled egg; broiled chicken (だからブロイラーと言う); fried rice; steamed dumplings (餃子); scrambled eggs (スクランブルエッグは和製英語); stir-fried vegetables; microwaved popcorn.

I hope that this comes in handy (役に立つ) in the kitchen.

Bon appétit (いきなりフランス語が出た),

Chibiドン

P.S. Did you notice that "useful" and "comes in handy" both mean 「役に立つ」 in the above explanation?

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Golden Week"

Hi everyone,

It's hard to believe that Golden Week is already upon us. According to Alan (アランによると), Golden Week doesn't exist (存在していない) in the United States. However, he suggested (提案した) that I teach you some of the English words that correspond to (一致する) the holidays during this period.

April 29: (昭和の日) - Showa Day
May 3: (憲法記念日) - Constitution Memorial Day
May 4: (みどりの日) - Greenery Day
May 5: (こどもの日) - Children's Day

By the way, did you know that the managing director of Daiei Films came up with the name Golden Week back in 1951 because the movie 「自由学校」had higher ticket sales during this period than at any other time during the year?

Enjoy the holidays,

Chibi

P.S. Please remember that E-Style will be closed from Showa Day (April 29) to Children's Day (May 5). Classes will resume on Thursday, May 6.

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "White Day"

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry that it's been such a long time since I've given you advice. Of course, it's Alan's fault for not typing for me.

Anyway, I'd like to teach you some useful expressions for White Day, which was this past Sunday, March 14th:

義理チョコ - Obligatory chocolate:「義理」means "obligation." When used as an adjective (形容詞), it changes to "obligatory."
本命チョコ - Chocolate for someone special: We cannot translate this directly (直訳できない）because in English「本命」means "favorite," as in "Pre-race favorite" 「レース前の本命」. Of course, we could say "Chocolate for my favorite person."
三倍返し - Return three-fold: The "fold" in "three-fold" means "times."

By the way, White Day was started by the National Confectionery Industry Association (全国飴菓子工業協同組合) and was first celebrated in Japan in 1978. These days, South Korea, Taiwan, and China also observe White Day. In fact, in South Korea there is also a "Black Day" on April 14th, when single (独身) or broken-hearted people (失恋した人）get together to eat jajangmyeon (white Korean noodles with black bean sauce).

Enjoy your chocolate,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Japanese Holidays"

Hi everybody,

I hope that you had a good "Silver Week," which included both "Respect for the Elderly Day" (敬老の日) on the 21st and the "Autumnal Equinox" (秋分の日）on the 23rd.

Here is a list of several holidays that we celebrate in Japan. Do you know when they are and how to say them in English?

（１）節分、（２）元旦、（３）七夕、（４）ひな祭り
（５）天皇誕生日、（６）文化の日、（７）昭和の日
（８）アランの誕生日、（９）みどりの日、（１０）こどもの日

How many did you know? Here are the answers:
（１）February 3rd or 4th - The Bean Throwing Ceremony
（２）January 1st - New Year's Day
（３）July 7th - The Star Festival
（４）March 3rd - The Doll Festival
（５）December 23rd - The Emperor's Birthday
（６）November 3rd - Culture Day
（７）April 29th - Showa Day
（８）February 8th - Alan's Birthday (VERY IMPORTANT!)
（９）May 4th - Green(ery) Day
（１０）May 5th - Children's Day

What's your favorite holiday? I like "Respect for Dogs Day" (敬犬の日）best. It's on April 1st.

Later,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "How often do you～?"

Hi everyone,

Sorry that it's been so long since my last entry, but I've been suffering from the summer heat (夏ばて) recently and have been feeling sluggish (だるい).

Anyway, Alan promised to take me swimming if I reviewed "How often do you ～?" (どれぐらい～をしますか。) with you. So, here are some sample questions:

1. How often do you study? (どれぐらい勉強しますか。)
2. How often do you exercise? (どれぐらい運動しますか。)
3. How often do you get a haircut? (どれぐらい散髪しますか。)

You can answer these questions in a few different ways. One method is to say "Every day/week/month/year." (毎日、週、月、年）. Another way is to say "Once/Twice/Three times a day/week/month/year." (日、週、月、年に１、２、３回). You can also answer by saying "Always." (いつも); "Often."(しばしば); "Sometimes."(時々); "Rarely."(めったにしない); or "Never."(ぜんぜんしない).

I hope this helps you. If you want to know MY answers to the questions above, please ask Alan in class next week. Of course, you will need to change the question pattern from "How often do you ～?" to "How often does Chibi ～?"

Good luck,

Number 8, Chibi

P.S. Corre ocho!
P.P.S. Do you know "8000 Hams" in Shibuya?

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Boss～around."

Hi guys,

Alan's at the gym right now, so I'll use this time to drink one of his beers and give you some more advice.

If you want to boss someone around (もし誰かに偉そうに命令したいなら), try using the imperative form (命令形) of verbs (動詞). Please say "Hey Alan, get me another cup of coffee!"「おいアランちゃん、コーヒーもう一杯くれ！」OR "Turn on the A.C.!" 「エアコンをつけなさい！」. It's easy to use because the verb forms are just like the dictionary forms. So feel free to boss Alan around from time to time. Remember, it's good to be the King.

Of course, if you want to be polite, please use "Please" before the verb, as in the following: "Please turn on the A.C."

Next time, I'll teach you more about verbs and how to mow the lawn.

Peace out,

Chibi

P.S. STUDY!

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "I'm good at～."

Hi everybody,

I'm still a little sleepy because Alan just woke me up from my afternoon nap to ask me this question:

"Hey Chibi," he said, "How do you say 「得意なものは何ですか。」 in English?"
I was angry that he woke me, but told him the answer anyway:
"What are you good at?"

This is a good question to ask your classmates. You can also be more specific (具体的）by asking "What ～ are you good at?" Examples include "What sports are you good at?" and (過去形の場合） "What subjects were you good at in school?"

As for me, I'm good at sleeping.

Goodnight,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "It's not my fault!"

Hi everyone,

I'm Alan's dog, Chibi. I was born and raised in Kagawa. My hobbies are going for walks, watching TV, and having my belly rubbed.

While my master is busy teaching, I'd like to explain a very useful phrase to you:
"It's not my fault!" means 「僕のせいじゃないよ！」 in Japanese.

I use this whenever Alan is angry at me for barking at strangers or when I have an accident in the house. Feel free to use it in class or whenever you have an accident of your own.

See you on the Streets of Takamatsu,

Chibi