Japanese

English

Wa puro

Word processor

Apaato

Apartment

Masu komi 

Mass communication

Choco

Chocolate

Don mai  

I don't mind

Paso kon

Personal computer

Once you get the hang of Japanese pronunciation, you will find it a little easier to guess the word or phrase. This is where the real fun begins.  

Try a few of these to test your skills.  Remember to pronounce each syllable, watch the long and short vowels, and then try to figure out the English meaning.

Japanese

English

raibu hausu

live house

surii saizu

three size

sumaato

smart

peepaa-doraibaa

paper driver

chenji-rebaa 

change lever

goo-stoppu      

stop sign/traffic light

konpyuutaa arerugi

computer allergy

If you guessed all of these correctly, you can probably skip Japanese lessons!  For those of you who missed a few, here is the translation...

Japanese

English

raibu hausu

If you want to hear a live musical performance, visit a "live-house."

surii saizu

A woman's "three-size" are her measurements.

sumaato

Smart does not mean intelligent, but refers to a woman having a good figure.

peepaa-doraibaa

If you are a "paper driver," please drive carefully because you are a driver on paper only, probably do not own a car, and have had very little driving experience.

chenji-rebaa

Hopefully at least you will know where the "change lever," or gearshift, is.

      goo-stoppu      

You had better stop at the "goo-stoppu" or traffic light!

konpyuutaa arerugi

If you guessed computer virus, you are wrong. A computer allergy refers to those with a fear or phobia about using computers.  

 Part Three - Slogans, product names and signs