Monday, August 29, 2016

Answering Phone Calls

Luffy introduces himself as the man who will become the Pirate King
Luffy introduces himself as the man who will become the Pirate King
At one point, Luffy developed a habit that every time the Den Den Mushi rings, he picks it up and say: “もしもし! 俺はモンキDルフ! 海賊になる男だ!” (Moshi Moshi! Ore wa Monkii Dii Rufi! Kaizoku ou ni naru otoko da!), which mean “Hello! I am Monkey D. Luffy! The man who will become the Pirate King!”
He did that recklessly without thinking who may be on the other side of the Den Den Mushi.  The first time he said that was to Big Mom, then to a random person asking for help from Punk Hazard, and then to Doflamingo.  This especially annoys Usopp, who thought that they had enough enemies already.

Of course, when we pick up the phone, we do not speak like Luffy did.  Though greeting with もしもし (moshi moshi) is correct.  もしもし is the most common Japanese way of greeting when answering the phone, similar to “hello” in English.  After that, you can probably introduce yourself, ルフィです (Rufi desu), or if you work in a company or agency, the name of the company and agency.

Den Den Mushi of Trafalgar Law
Den Den Mushi of Trafalgar Law 
In One Piece, the Den Den Mushi is used for communication.  In our world, we have telephones, 電話 orでんわ (denwa) and mobile phone, 電話 or けいたいでんわ (keitaidenwa).  When you want to ask someone their phone number, say 電話番は何ですか (denwa bangou wa nan desuka). 

If someone asks that to you, you can tell your phone number like this, の一三四五の六七八九です (zero ni zero no ichi san yon go no roku nana hachi kyuu desu).  Add  between the codes and you will need to know the numbers from one to nine plus zero.  You can add  or ばん (ban) if you want to ask for someone else’s number, like ルフィさんの電話番は何ですか (Rufisan no denwa bangou wa nan ban desu ka).

Try practicing it, or you can introduce yourself as the man who will become the Pirate King like Luffy.



Thursday, August 25, 2016

Midnight Diner, 深夜食堂

深夜食堂, Midnight Diner
深夜食堂, Midnight Diner
Recently I came across an interesting Drama Series and Movie, 深夜食堂 or しんやしょくどう (shinya Shokudou).  深夜 (shinya) means midnight, while 食堂 (shokudou) is an eatery or diner.  Therefore, 深夜食堂 literally means midnight diner.  This show is based  on the manga series, 深夜食堂 by 安倍夜 (Yaro Abe).
master
Master
As its title suggest, the diner only opens at midnight.  The owner, played by Kaoru Kobayashi, 小林, is known as Master by the customers.  The diner opens till 7 a.m. and has a small menu.  Only Pork Miso Soup, 豚汁 or とんじる (tonjiru), Beer, (biiru), Sake, or さけ (sake), and Shochu, or しょうちゅう (shouchuu) was listed.  Master also limits alcohol to three servings per customer as his diner is not a bar.
A simple menu
A simple menu
Despite the simple menu at めしや (meshiya - shown on the sign outside the shop, meaning a restaurant that makes simple food), Master has a business policy of trying to make anything the customers asked for if he is able to. 
Octopus Shaped Red Wiener, 赤いウインナ (akai uinna)
 Octopus Shaped Red Wiener, 赤いウインナ (akai uinna)
For each story, there will be a dish associated with the background story or memory of the characters.  Usually Master will have customers with some concern or problem at that moment, and as they dined at the めしや, we will slowly learn the plot and Master will usually offer some advice or go out of his way to help his customers.  After every episode, there will be some tips on how to make the dish of that episode. 

While watching, I can’t help wanting to make most of the dishes.  You will come across many famous dishes in Japan like お茶漬け (ochazuke), バタライス (bataaraisu), ルキャベツ (rourukyabetsu), 玉子 (tamagoyaki), から揚げ (karaage), とろご飯 (tororogohan), and many other.

Japanese
Romaji
English
豚汁 or とんじる
Tonjiru
Pork Miso Soup
Biiru
Beer
or さけ
Sake
Sake
or しょうちゅう
Shouchuu
Shochu
お茶漬け
Ochazuke
Steamed rice with Green Tea
バタライス
Bataaraisu
Butter Rice
ルキャベツ
Rourukyabetsu
Cabbage Roll
玉子
Tamagoyaki
Japanese Rolled Omelette
から揚げ
Karaage
Japanese Fried Chicken
とろご飯
Tororogohan
Steamed Rice topped with Grated Yam
赤いウインナ
Akai Uinna
Red Wiener

Enjoy the Show and try the foods.



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Royalty

Right after entering into the Grand Line, the Straw Hat Pirates encounters the gigantic whale, Laboon and Crocus, the Lighthouse caretaker who is also a doctor treating Laboon.  Crocus was once the doctor on the ship of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, 海賊王 or かいぞくおう  (kaizoku ou).
Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King
Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King
Also present is Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday, two agents of the criminal organization, Baroque Works.  The two are under a mission to kill Laboon so that the whale meat can serve as food for the bounty hunters in their island.  Miss Wednesday is actually a spy infiltrating Baroque Works.  Her real name is Nefeltari Vivi, Alabasta’s princess, 王女 or おうじょ (oujo).
Vivi instructs Carue to go beforehand to Alubarna Palace
Vivi instructs Carue to go beforehand to Alubarna Palace
What is happening in Alabasta is that a rebellion, or はんらん (hanran) is imminent.  Since a drought struck, there was no rain and the people are suffering.  Crocodile uses his sinister plans and wins the heart of the citizens, or こくみん (kokumin), while pushing the blame of the people’s sufferings on Nefeltari Cobra, Vivi’s father and also the King, or おう (ou).
Nefeltari Cobra, the King
Nefeltari Cobra, the King
The truth is, Cobra is a kind and righteous king who cares deeply for his people.  He refused to clash with the rebel army and is even willing to face death.  Cobra always affirms to Pell and Chaka that a country, 国 or くに (kuni) is its people.  Even if the palace, 宮殿 or きゅうでん (kyuuden) is destroyed, the people will still be able to rebuild the country. 

Kanji
Hiragana
Romaji
English
くに
Kuni
Country
こくみん
Kokumin
Citizen
おう
Ou
King
女王
じょおう
Joou
Queen
王子
おうじ
Ouji
Prince
王女
おうじょ
Oujo
Princess
宮殿
きゅうでん
Kyuuden
Palace
はんらん
Hanran
Rebellion