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N I H O N G O
easy JJapanese apanese
What to say at O-bon! July and August are Bon (盆, O-bon お盆) season in Japan. O-bon is a family reunion holiday where people honour the spirits of their ancestors. People go to O-bon festivals (matsuri, 祭り) dressed in light summer kimono (yukata, 浴衣) and enjoy games, food stalls, fireworks and dancing.
Intermediate When is the Bon dance?
Kara-age refers to any fried food, and without specifying is usually chicken. Mada has many meanings; in this sentence, it is used as “still.” Kara-age runs out quickly at our local festivals, so get some while you can!
花火が一番よく見えるおすすめ のスポットを教えてください。
盆おどりはいつですか? Bon odori wa itsu desu ka?
Do you still have fried chicken?
からあげは まだありますか?
Beginner Odori means dance, and itsu is when. The Bon dance is one of the highlights of O-bon festivals, and is often viewed as a way to celebrate with the spirits of your ancestors.
Please tell me if you know the best spot for viewing the fireworks.
Kara-age wa mada arimasu ka?
Hanabi ga ichiban yoku mieru osusume no supotto wo, oshiete kudasai.
Advanced Fireworks are a big part of summer festivals. Fireworks are literally called fire (hi or bi, 火) flowers (hana, 花). The location around fireworks can get really busy, but the locals usually know where to get the best view.
Compiled by Kris Szabo. Brought to you by the Toronto Japanese Language School | www.tjls.ca | @tjlsca | principal@tjls.ca
Illustration by Reiko Ema
www.bentoboxmag.ca
JULY 2015
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