Next on the list of beautiful Japanese words… 15. It was one of a kind and hence it’s worth treasuring. So, that meeting you had with a friend or someone… that EXACT moment and everything that happened will never, ever happen again in this life. Usually, it’s translated as “ one chance in a lifetime.” But the BEST translation is: Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur. Literally, it means – one time, one meeting. This is actually a Japanese proverb a Zen Buddhist one. 一期一会 Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur 甲斐 – kai (though it’s changed to gai) – meaning: worth or useġ4.生き – Iki – Meaning: living or being alive.It’s probably why I’m writing this at 3:17AM on a Saturday morning! Knowing your ikigai might require a lot of introspection and search. 生き甲斐 Reason for BeingĪs the Japanese say, everyone has an ikigai.
Why the flower comparison though? Well, because it’s kind of like petals in the wind. Except, this word is used to describe snow flurries in the wind. If you go by the kanji, the first one stands for wind and the other one is for flowers. Here’s a sexy example – if it moves you, you can say you felt “ yugen” or that it’s “ mono no aware.” However, this typically refers to Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and how their petals come floating down, slowly, en-mass, as if a snow storm or blizzard. 花 means flower, petal (or cherry blossom) and 吹雪 means blizzard or snowstorm. It literally does mean “浮 – float” and “世 – world/society.” Although it can also be interpreted as “transient world” or “fleeting life.” Basically, this word was used to describe Japanese life-style in Edo-period Japan, where normal people escaped the pressures of the samurai state to entertainment/pleasure districts (whether theater, tea-houses, etc.). Now, this isn’t a recent term and you won’t hear it much. For example, if you suddenly received an anonymous letter, you could use “kimyou.” It can also be used to describe creepy locations like forests, cemeteries, or houses. This is a word that can describe things that are strange or odd. It’s something to do to relax, reduce your stress and improve your health.Īnd studies confirm that this indeed lowers blood pressure and cortisol. And this refers to being immersed in a forest or talking a walk through the woods. So, 森林/shinrin means forest and 浴/yoku stands for bathing. So, this color is a pretty big deal and a pretty beautiful Japanese word, in my opinion.
Back in the old, old days– say around the year 1400 – this color was the color of the upper class and only high level officials and Imperial family could wear it. Say it with me – murasaki! Okay, there’s more. Simply because of how it sounds to the ear. Why did it make the list of beautiful Japanese words? So, now, it’s just a word (used by businesses) to describe the process of “always improving” and getting better. It’s not until later that it become continuous improvement by the Japanese business world. Whether one time or continuously – this is not implied or intended. And it refers to Japan and the Japanese way itself. It implies the importance to of avoiding conflict – so as to maintain the ( Wa) harmony. To settle your mind, this word is not translatable and has no English equivalent… so if you’re confused, it’s okay. But most of the time, it refers to a profound awareness of the nature of the universe – the oneness of all things – to the point where it affects you emotionally. Literally it means “ subtle grace” or “ mysterious profundity.” This word has different meanings depending on context. Kind of like the last day of summer or the cherry blossoms – which don’t last long. So this refers to the “ bittersweetness of fading beauty” – the acknowledged but appreciated, sad transience of things. 物/Mono means “ thing.” And, “ aware” looks like the English word, but it doesn’t have the same meaning or pronunciation. You know that 木 stands for tree, 漏れ/もれ means leakage and the 日 kanji stands for the sun. When sunlight filters through the tree leaves and produces rays. 木漏れ日 Sunlight filtering through the trees You know, the kind that sends the shivers down your spine and gives you goosebumps.Ģ. It lets you know of the arrival of winter. “ Kogarashi” is a chilly, cold, wintry wind. In this guide, you’ll learn 50+ words and phrases. Words that don’t have an English counterpart and require explanation.
KAGE JAPANESE MEANING FULL
Japanese is chock full of words and phrases that are not immediately translatable into English. Learning Japanese and want to learn some beautiful Japanese words in the process?