285 - Autumn Stuff!
The internet is starting to explode about autumn. Who knew so many people around the world loved this season more than summer?
Well, in Kyoto it's still close to 30° every day (that is like 86° in freedom units...). So while you guys are sipping your pumpkin spice lattes by the fireplace, I am still longingly looking at the sweaters in my closet while sweating in the hot Kyoto sun.
But it's only a matter of weeks until it starts to cool down here, so in preparation, I am pretty sure you guys want to talk about fall.
If you are in love with this season like I am, then you need to learn some words so you can talk to all your Japanese friends about it.
Fall leaves - In Japanese 紅葉（こうよう/もみじ） is the word used to describe fall leaves, it is comprised of two kanji meaning “crimson” and “leaf.” The reading もみじ is common for talking about a single leaf, but when talking about the changing of the leaves in general, こうよう is used. Japan has a whole fall leaf culture, with temple light ups, view spots, and special walks to see all the bright autumn colors.
そこでは秋に紅葉を楽しめる。
そこ では あき に こうよう を たのしめる。
You can enjoy the fall leaves there.
Literally: “there + では + fall + に + leaves changing color + を + can enjoy”
私は紅葉を見るのが好きです。
わたし は こうよう を みる のが すき です。
I love to see the changing leaves.
Literally: “I + は + leaves changing color + を + see + のが + love + です”
Sweaters - セーター
私はセーターを着たまま眠り込んだ。
わたし は せーたー を きた まま ねむりこんだ。
I fell asleep wearing a sweater.
Literally: “I + は + sweater + を + wear + まま + fell asleep”
Candy - in Japanese candy is お菓子（おかし）(though that can also include savory snacks like chips). For fall there are many flavors of candy and snacks like くるみ (walnut)、くり / マロン (chestnut)、さつまいも (sweet potato) and of course, パンプキン. There is also カボチャ (kabocha) which can also be translated as “pumpkin” sometimes, but it is a small Japanese variety of winter squash.
Pumpkin spice latte - パンプキン・スパイス・ラテ unfortunately for all of us here in Japan, they don't offer the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks. However, they do have a lot of delicious fall drinks to choose from. Starbucks in Japanese is スターバックス but it is often shortened to just スタバ.
スタバのパンプキンスパイスラテは日本には出ない。
すたば の ぱんぷきん すぱいす らて は にほん には でない。
Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte doesn't come out in Japan.
Literally: “starbucks + の + pumpkin + spice + latte + は + Japan + には + doesn't come out.”
Fireplace - 暖炉
私は暖炉の傍に座って本を読んでいた。
わたし は だんろ の そば に すわって ほん を よんでいた。
I was sitting by the fireplace reading a book.
Literally: “I + は + fireplace + の + next to + sit + book + を + was reading”
Camping - キャンプ
私は明日キャンプに行きます。
わたし は あした きゃんぷ に いきます。
I will go camping tomorrow.
Literally: “I + は + tomorrow + camping + に + go”
Soup & stew - スープ (soup) and シチュー (stew) are katakana words in Japanese. There are also the Japanese variety of soups like おでん and 鍋（なべ）which means “(one) pot.”
シチューを何時間もぐつぐつ煮込んだ。
しちゅー を なんじかん も ぐつぐつ にこんだ。
The stew was left to simmer for hours.
Literally: “stew + は + how many hours + も + simmering + boiled well.”
Boots - the katakana word ブーツ is the most common, but 長靴（ながぐつ）canalso be used for rain boots.
彼女はブーツを履いて、散歩をしている。
かのじょ は ぶーつ を はいて、さんぽ を している。
She is wearing boots and going for a walk.
Literally: “she + は + boots + を + wear + walk + を + is doing”
Scarf - there are two words in Japanese for scarf. One is スカーフ and the other is マフラー.The former being a small scarf worn right around the neck (think flight attendant) and the latter being the big chunky knit scarves you will wear in the fall.
そのマフラー可愛いね。
その まふらー かわいい ね。
That scarf is cute.
Literally: “that + scarf + は + cute + ね”
Hot chocolate - ココア
熱いココアが飲みたい。
あつい ここあ が のみたい。
I want to drink hot chocolate.
Literally: “hot + cocoa + が + want to drink”
Hiking - ハイキング
週末にハイキングに行こう。
しゅうまつ に はいきんぐ に いこう。
Let’s go hiking this weekend.
Literally: “weekend + に + hiking + に + let’s go”
Now you are ready to talk about fall to all of your friends! Hope you can use some of these words to describe to everyone what you like about this season.
This lesson was written by Cassy L., a guest contributor:
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