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Seasonal stories

Japanese seasons are part of the country's culture, folklore and traditions. The four seasons are observed diligently and many linguistic and social terms are based on this aspect of Japan.

Posted by on in Seasonal stories

December is busy in Japan

People are trying to complete the year's tasks before the New Year break. And this leads to the special name for December.

Read on below and found out more about this Japanese lesson blog to learn some new Japanese phrases and vocabulary.

師走
  'Shiwasu', The month of December

yamamoto

By YAMAMOTO Hiroshi

shiwasu

 今回は「師走」を紹介します。

 師走とは、月の動きを元にしたカレンダー陰暦で言う12月のことです。 陰暦は昔使っていましたが、今は使っていません。今は太陽の動きを元に した 太陽暦を使っています。

 しかし、12月だけは陰暦の「師走」という言葉を、今でも使うことがよくあります。 師走とは「師(先生やお坊さんなど偉い人)も忙しくて走り回る」という意味です。

 日本人は今年しなければいけないことは今年中に終わらせて、気持ち良く新年を迎えたいと思う人が多いです。 そのため、多くの人々は12月はかなり無理をして、仕事や用事を済ませたりします。 この気持ちが「師走」という 言葉にぴったりなので、今でも使われているのだと思います。

 あなたの国の12月はどうですか。

To listen to this blog, please watch our Youtube video. 

師走(しわす)

 今回(こんかい)は「師走(しわす)」を紹介(しょうかい)します。

 師走(しわす)とは、月(つき)の動きを元(もと)にしたカレンダー陰暦(いんれき)で言(い)う12月(じゅうにがつ)のことです。 陰暦(いんれき)は昔(むかし)使(つか)っていましたが、今(いま)は使(つか)っていません。今(いま)は太陽(たいよう)の動きを元(もと)にした 太陽暦(たいようれき)を使(つか)っています。

 しかし、12月(じゅうにがつ)だけは陰暦(いんれき)の「師走(しわす)」という言葉(ことば)を、今でも使(つか)うことがよくあります。 師走(しわす)とは「師」(先生やお坊さんなど偉い人)も忙(いそが)しくて走(はし)り回(まわ)る」という意味(いみ)です。

 日本人(にほんじん)は今年(ことし)しなければいけないことは今年中(ことしじゅう)に終(お)わらせて、気持(きも)ち良(よ)く新年(しんねん)を迎(むか)えたいと思(おも)う人(ひと)が多(おお)いです。 そのため、多(おお)くの人々(ひとびと)は12月(じゅうにがつ)はかなり無理(むり)をして、仕事(しごと)や用事(ようじ)を済(す)ませたりします。 この気持(きも)ちが「師走(しわす)」という 言葉(ことば)にぴったりなので、今でも使(つか)われているのだと思(おも)います。

 あなたの国(くに)の12月はどうですか。

'Shiwasu', The month of December

This issue introduces 'Shiwasu'.

'Shiwasu' is the month of December in the lunar calendar, which is based on the movement of the moon. The lunar calendar was used in the past but is no longer used. Nowadays we use the solar calendar, which is based on the movement of the sun.

However, the word 'Shiwasu' from the lunar calendar is still often used for the month of December. The 'Shi' in 'Shiwasu' means "the master" (teachers, monks and other important people) who are usually busy and running around.

Many Japanese people want to finish what they have to do this year by the end of the year and welcome the New Year with a good feeling. For this reason, many people push themselves to finish their work and other errands in December.

This feeling is called 'Shiwasu'. The word fits the feeling so well that it is still used today.

How is December in your country?

師走(しわす) The month of December

カレンダー陰暦(いんれき) lunar calendar

太陽暦(たいようれき) solar calendar

yamamoto

I started teaching Japanese to technical intern trainees and internship students, and since 2019, online Japanese instructor at JOI.

My main focus is on Business Japanese and JLPT grammar (N1,N2.N3) in particular. I am also available for short-term private lessons to improve your business Japanese skills before joining a company, taking an assignment, or changing jobs on your requested schedule.

I worked for a major machine manufacturer for about 40 years. During that time, I was assigned to various departments such as factories, trading, R&D, sales, general affairs, accounting, and auditing. With these experiences, I believe I can provide you with practical assistance in various situations when you are doing business in Japanese.

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