Hey there everyone!

I was in deep meditation pondering about what I could teach you in today's lesson, but there's something that never gets old: Verbs. Especially those used in 'standard expressions' differently.

Because in Japan, you don't 'open' an umbrella, you don't 'catch' a cold and you don't 'go' to class. Which sucks, because difficulty goes up a level, and you not only have to remember a word, but remember an entire new approach to everyday actions.

So what is a poor student of the Japanese language to do when confronted with such a dire situation? Well, in my case, I completely immersed myself in the language. Like "you have to become the Japanese to understand the Japanese". That means thinking in the language you're learning. Now this could be a little weird at first, but just stick to it and you'll get used soon enough.

So when you want to 'brush' your teeth tonight, think it in Japanese:

歯を磨く
は　を　みがく
to brush ones teeth
Literally: 'teeth + を + polish'

No.. not that Polish, sorry bro...

Polish as in squeaky clean polish!

And speaking of polishing, there is at least one more unusual use for this verb:

自分を磨く
じぶん　を　みがく
improve oneself
Literally: 'self + を + polish'

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Let's see, what else we got here...

Right, showers.

シャワーを浴びる
しゃわー　を　あびる
to take a shower
Literally: 'shower + を + ......shower'

Yes, you kind of 'shower a shower in Japanese' but I guess you could also translate it as 'to bathe in, bask in, dash (water or smth) upon oneself' so I guess it works.

And what else would one shower?

Well, it's actually quite heartwarming. You shower in the sunlight.

太陽の光を浴びる
たいよう　の　ひかり　を　あびる
to bask in the sunlight
Literally: 'sun + の + light + を + shower'

気持ちいい！
きもち　いい！
Feels good!
Literally: 'feeling + good'!

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Speaking of showers, what about rain? Now if you find yourself outside you would think that 'opening' an umbrella would be a good idea, but that's not how things are done in Japan!

傘をさす
かさ　を　さす
to open an umbrella
Literally: 'umbrella + を + point/poke/thrust'

...which almost makes sense because umbrellas traditionally have that tip which you point at the sky? I guess something like that.

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Hmmm, what else? Rainy days make me think of depressing things, and when I think of depressing things I think of.. School!

授業に出る
じゅぎょう　に　でる
go to class
Literally: 'Class + に + go out'

Makes very little sense. I'm guessing something along the lines where, going to school means you have to get out of the house so you 'go out'... I suppose? Or, since 出る has a nuance of "showing up," it could just be that you "show up" in class. Kind of like how Godzilla "went out / showed up" in Niko's last lesson.

In the same sense, this can be used for participating in sporting event.

試合に出る
しあい に でる
participate in the game.
Literally: 'match + に + go out'

Here's another good use for this verb.

顔に出る
かお　に　でる
(it) shows on one's face
Literally: 'face + に + come out'

For example, you hate your classmate's guts and it would really make your day if they failed that one test miserably? What? Turns out they actually did fail? Mwaaahahaha, *evil grin*.

Witnessing your grim smile, a concerned friend might turn to you and say..

顔に出てるよ！
かお　に　でてる　よ！
It's showing on your face!
Literally: 'face + に + come out + よ！'

Warning you to keep that great sense of satisfaction deep down inside your dark but overjoyed little heart!

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What else is there? Well, if you did not in fact have an umbrella and you had to walk all the way home in the pouring rain you most certainly have caught a cold. I mean pulled a cold, sorry!

風邪をひく
かぜ　を　ひく
to catch a cold
Literally: 'cold + を + pull/draw'

And of course, having caught a cold you also get a fever. Uhh... I mean your 'fever comes out'

熱がでる
ねつ　が でる
to get a fever.
Literally: ' fever + が + come out'

Getting a fever is no fun, even when it means you get to skip school. I especially didn't like how I was feeling thirsty all the time.

Which brings me to a very basic example of Japanese - to - English verb misuse.

喉が渇く
のど　が　かわく
to get thirsty
Literally: 'throat + が + get dry'

And also:

お腹が空く
おなか　が　すく
to get hungry
Literally: 'stomach + が + get empty'

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Wow! Who knew there were so many common actions with hidden literal meanings right underneath our noses? I must tell you though, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Anyway, that's it for today folks! hope you learned some fun stuff today! have fun with your studies and see you next time!

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This lesson was written by Adriana, a guest contributor.