Learn about plants that are common in Japan
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| INTRODUCTION |
| Yura:Hi everyone, I’m Yura. |
| Natsuko:And I’m Natsuko! |
| Yura:In this lesson you'll learn 5 essential words related to Geography &Nature. These are five common plants in Japan. Hand picked. |
| FIVE KEY VOCABULARY ITEMS |
| Yura:Natsuko, what’s our first word? |
| Natsuko:桜 |
| Yura:cherry blossoms |
| Natsuko:(slow) 桜 (regular) 桜 |
| Yura:Listeners, please repeat: |
| Natsuko:桜 |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Yura: |
| Japanese people enjoy cherry blossoms in spring. In spring weather forecasts, the so-called "cherry blossom front" is also mentioned; this is like a sign of spring coming for Japanese people. - |
| Yura:Now, let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Natsuko:(normal) 日本人は、夜桜も楽しみます。 |
| Yura:Japanese people enjoy cherry blossom viewing at night as well. |
| Natsuko:(slow) 日本人は、夜桜も楽しみます。 |
| Yura:Okay, what’s the next word? |
| Natsuko:松 |
| Yura:pine |
| Natsuko:(slow) 松 (regular) 松 |
| Yura:Listeners, please repeat: |
| Natsuko:松 |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Yura: |
| The pine is considered an auspicious tree which represents youth and long life. Pines are often used as garden trees and/or miniature potted trees. - |
| Yura:Now, let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Natsuko:(normal) 正月の間、門松を家の前に飾ります。 |
| Yura:During the New Year period, traditional decorations made from pine and bamboo are placed in front of houses. |
| Natsuko:(slow) 正月の間、門松を家の前に飾ります。 |
| Yura:Okay, what’s the next word? |
| Natsuko:菊 |
| Yura:chrysanthemum |
| Natsuko:(slow) 菊 (regular) 菊 |
| Yura:Listeners, please repeat: |
| Natsuko:菊 |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Yura: |
| Chrysanthemums have long been used in Japan as the family emblem of the aristocracy. It's known as the Imperial Seal of Japan. - |
| Yura:Now, let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Natsuko:(normal) 菊は、仏花の代表的な花です。 |
| Yura:Chrysanthemums are a typical flower to offer at the Buddhist family altar and tomb. |
| Natsuko:(slow) 菊は、仏花の代表的な花です。 |
| Yura:Okay, what’s the next word? |
| Natsuko:あじさい |
| Yura:hydrangea |
| Natsuko:(slow) あじさい (regular) あじさい |
| Yura:Listeners, please repeat: |
| Natsuko:あじさい |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Yura: |
| The hydrangea is a flower representative of the rainy season in Japan. Japanese people enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas in the wet, humid and hot rainy season. - |
| Yura:Now, let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Natsuko:(normal) あじさいの花の色は、土壌の酸性度によって決まります。 |
| Yura:The colour of a hydrangea depends on the pH level in the soil. |
| Natsuko:(slow) あじさいの花の色は、土壌の酸性度によって決まります。 |
| Yura:Okay, what’s the last word? |
| Natsuko:イチョウ |
| Yura:ginkgo |
| Natsuko:(slow) イチョウ (regular) イチョウ |
| Yura:Listeners, please repeat: |
| Natsuko:イチョウ |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Yura: |
| Ginkgo trees are mostly found lining streets. In autumn, their leaves' colour changes to a beautiful yellow. - |
| Yura:Now, let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Natsuko:(normal) 多くの日本人が、イチョウの種である銀杏を好んで食べます。 |
| Yura:Many Japanese people enjoy grilled or cooked ginkgo seeds. |
| Natsuko:(slow) 多くの日本人が、イチョウの種である銀杏を好んで食べます。 |
| QUIZ |
| Yura:Okay listeners, are you ready to be quizzed on the words you just learned? A will give you the Japanese – please say the English meaning out loud! Are you ready? |
| Natsuko:桜 |
| [pause]Yura:cherry blossom |
| Natsuko:松 |
| [pause]Yura:pine |
| Natsuko:菊 |
| [pause]Yura:chrysanthemum |
| Natsuko:あじさい |
| [pause]Yura:hydrangea |
| Natsuko:イチョウ |
| [pause]Yura:ginkgo |
Outro |
|---|
| Yura:There you have it – five common plants in Japan! Thanks everyone, see you next time! |
| Natsuko:またね！ |
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