October 31, 2016　=========

☆   alleviate  緩和する

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If you alleviate pain, suffering, or an unpleasant situation, you make it less intense, or less severe. This is a formal word, and you’ll often hear it used by doctors, who might tell their patient ways that they can alleviate pain. You might also hear it in political news, such as the government is trying to alleviate the problem of poverty or unemployment.

It is a formal word, but you can still use it in everyday English. However, if you’d like an alternative word, it would depend on the situation, but you could use any of these: ease, lessen, lighten, reduce, relieve or soothe.

Happy Halloween!

Bye,

Chris

October 30, 2016　=========

☆   reputation  名声

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There are three ways to use today’s word. Firstly, to “have a reputation” for something means that you are known or remembered for that thing. This can be a good or a bad thing. For example, “Sarah has a reputation for always being late.” Or “Barcelona has a reputation for being a design-conscious, creative city.”

Someone or something’s reputation is the opinion people have about that person or thing. For example, “Harvard University has a good reputation.” Or “After the company went bankrupt, his reputation as a good CEO was ruined.”

And finally, if you “know someone by reputation” it means that you have never met them butRead more about reputation 名声[…]

October 29, 2016　=========

☆   relationship  人間関係

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There are three words that you can used to refer to people or to the connections between people: relationship – relation – relative.

A relationship between two people or groups is the way that they are connected, or the way that they feel about each other. For example, Australia and New Zealand have a friendly relationship. Or, we resumed our relationship easily after many years of not seeing each other.

You can use “relations” in a similar way: to refer to the contact between people or groups and the way they behave toward each other. For example, the East-West relations continued to deteriorate.

Your relations and relatives are theRead more about relationship 人間関係[…]

October 28, 2016　=========

☆   originality  創造性

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Originality is the ability to think independently and creatively. We often talk about people being able to write with originality, meaning that their writing is creative and inventive.

I like to take photographs, and many years ago I started a “365 Project” which was to take one photo a day. After the 365 days, I kept going, and now I am on day 2,899. Wow! But taking a photo every day for such a long time, means it can be hard to find originality in the things I am photographing.

However, last weekend I went on a night photography field trip and took a photo of my localRead more about originality 創造性[…]

October 27, 2016　=========

☆   attitude  姿勢

============================

Did you see my Facebook page? I posted a couple of photos from my 57km running event last Saturday. Good news! I completed it! This was my second year, and although it was hard, I was able to complete the distance in the time that I wanted, and part of the reason was my attitude.

Your “attitude” to something is the way you that you think or feel about that thing. Although it is possible to tell people how you are feeling – and therefore indicate your attitude toward the situation. However, mostly, you show people your attitude in the way that you behave.

Last year, my attitudeRead more about attitude 姿勢[…]

October 26, 2016　=========

☆   requirement  必需品

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“Requirement” can be used in two ways. Firstly, a requirement is a thing that you need. For example, food labels often show what percent of our daily food requirement that the food provides. Or a program might be able to be “arranged to suit your requirements.”

The other way to use this word is to refer to a quality or a qualification you must have in order to be allowed to do something. For example, a driver’s license is a legal requirement to be able to drive. Or in Australia, in order to become a teacher, the minimum requirement is a graduate degree in education.

How about inRead more about requirement 必需品[…]

October 25, 2016　=========

☆  worry  不安

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Today’s word can be used as either a verb or a noun. Today’s “worry” is a noun, meaning anxiety, fear, trouble, uneasy or concern. Worry is the start or feeling of anxiety and unhappiness caused by the problems you have or by thinking about unpleasant things that might happen.

In fact, a lot of our worry comes from thinking about things that might happen… Mark Twain has a fantastic quote that I love: “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”

This is so true; don’t you think? Imagine if we concentrated on the present and didn’t bother with worries about thingsRead more about worry 不安[…]

October 24, 2016　=========

☆  fatigue  疲労

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Ha ha! Today’s word is another relevant word to describe my weekend! I am feeling a lot of fatigue right now!! On Saturday, as you know I ran a 57km ultra marathon event. Then Sunday morning, I got up early to take my sons to their registration day for the soccer club season for 2017.

Then I went to a Japanese cooking class for four hours. After that I went to a Night Photography workshop for three hours! My goodness! So busy! But it’s all been fun. 🙂 And, hopefully my fatigue will have lessened by the end of this week.

How about your weekend? Are you feelingRead more about fatigue 疲労[…]

October 23, 2016　=========

☆  practical  現実的な

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Today’s mini mail has been written in advance… Why? Because I had to be practical! As I said in yesterday’s email, I was running a 57km event on the 22nd of October. It’s a very hilly course, and I was expecting to take about 10 hours (Hopefully much less! Check on Facebook to see how I did). So knowing that I would be exhausted this morning, I decided to be very practical and write this email last Friday!

A practical person is someone who makes sensible decisions, deals effectively with problems, or uses methods that are likely to be effective or successful in a situation. What doRead more about practical 現実的な[…]

October 22, 2016　    =========

☆  competent  優秀な

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Someone who is competent is efficient and effective. They have the skills, abilities, or experience necessary to do it well. Do you remember around this time last year, I posted on Facebook and in this newsletter that I was going to attempt my first 100km ultra marathon? I had trained hard, and was feeling competent, and was sure that I would make the distance.

Unfortunately, on the day, many things happened – blisters and sore feet, very hot weather, and a friend was in trouble and so I stopped to help, and therefore missed the cut-off time, so I couldn’t finish the event. I completed theRead more about competent 優秀な[…]

October 21, 2016　    =========

☆  proud  誇りとする

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If you feel proud, you feel pleased about something good that you did or someone close to you did. For example, you can feel proud of your hard work at your job, or you can feel proud of your child’s effort at school. You can also feel proud to be a certain thing, such as a nationality. You might hear people in the USA say, “I’m proud to be American.” Of course, it’s perfectly fine for you to say you are proud to be Japanese, too!

Proud is usually used in a positive, complimentary way. For example, “She is a proud, hard-working woman.” In this situationRead more about proud 誇りとする[…]

October 20, 2016　    =========

☆  valid  もっともな

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A valid argument, comment, or idea is one that is sensible and reasonable. The useful phrase this week is, “That is a valid argument.” Can you imagine when you might use this phrase? One situation might be that A wants to do something, but B offers a reason or idea why A should not do that (perhaps it is dangerous, or will cost too much money.) Then A would consider the idea, and might respond by saying, “That is a valid argument.”

Of course, just by saying, “That is a valid argument” doesn’t mean that A will change their mind and not do what they areRead more about valid もっともな[…]

October 19, 2016　    =========

☆  unpleasant  嫌な

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Today’s word uses the prefix, “un” to turn “pleasant” into a negative. You can use “unpleasant” to describe a thing that makes you feel upset or uncomfortable. For example:

There was an unpleasant smell coming from the room.
The symptoms of the illness are unpleasant, but not life-threatening.
The humidity during rainy season is so unpleasant.

You can also use “unpleasant” to describe a person who is unfriendly or rude. For example:
He’s such an unpleasant man!
I’ve never met her, but I have heard that she can be quite unpleasant to strangers.
Why do you always have to be unpleasant to my friends?

Can you use unpleasant in a sentence?

Bye,

Chris

October 18, 2016　    =========

☆  autonomous  自立した

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Oh my goodness! What a morning I have had. Have you ever heard of the English saying from Murphy’s Law, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”? That has been my morning! Nothing too serious, but little annoying things that take up time!

So, please let me apologize for the lateness of today’s word!

Now, someone who is autonomous is someone that makes their own decisions rather than being influenced by someone else…. Ha ha! After my morning, that is rather ironic! Actually, I was acting in an independent and autonomous way, and making my own decisions, but wow I was affected a lot by otherRead more about autonomous 自立した[…]

October 17, 2016　    =========

☆  relevant  関係のある

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Something that is relevant to a situation or person is important or significant to that situation or person. For example, the police often ask for help from the public by asking for people to tell them any information they think might be relevant to the crime.

You can also talk about things not being relevant. For example, if you and I were talking about how to learn English and I told you that today is my mom’s birthday (which it is) you might say to me, “Chris, that’s not relevant to learning English!” Although, it might be better to say, “Chris, how is that relevant toRead more about relevant 関係のある[…]

October 16, 2016　    =========

☆  develop  改良する

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When you develop something, it becomes better or more successful. Or it grows and changes over a period of time and becomes more advanced. One way this word is often used is to describe the situation where a country develops. When a country develops we mean that it has changed from being a poor agricultural country to being a rich industrial country.

I think it is different in Japan, but in Australia a common way for some people to make money is to buy land and develop it. They develop it by building two houses (or more) on the land where there used to be justRead more about develop 改良する[…]

October 15, 2016　    =========

☆  enhance  強化する

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When you enhance something, you improve its value, quality, or attractiveness. It can be a tangible thing that you are enhancing, such as a room or building, or even clothing For example, “Her jewelry really enhanced the elegance of the dress she was wearing.” Or it can be an intangible thing, such as your reputation. For example, “The Republicans are keen to enhance their reputation with women.”

Other words you can use instead of enhance are:

improve
add to
boost
increase
strengthen

Bye,

Chris

October 14, 2016　    =========

☆  fend  （自力で）生活する

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The word “fend” is usually used with “for” afterwards, and it is most commonly used to say that you have to “fend for yourself” meaning that you have to look after yourself without relying on help from anyone else. Can you think of examples when you might have to fend for yourself? Here are some that I thought of:

Her husband left her and the kids after 10 years of marriage and she had to fend for herself and the kids.
My boss gave me a new project but is too busy to help, so I have to fend for myself!
Many adult children now live at homeRead more about fend （自力で）生活する[…]

October 13, 2016　    =========

☆   appeal  魅力がある

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There are a few different ways to use today’s word: appeal.

Firstly, as in today’s translation – if something appeals to you, you find it attractive or interesting. For example:

His idea really appealed to me.
Our aim with the new product is to appeal to all ages.

You can appeal to someone to do something. This means that you make a serious and urgent request to them to do something. For example:

The residents have appealed to the government for financial help after the disaster.
She plans to appeal to her boss for a second chance at the promotion.

Bye,

Chris

October 12, 2016　    =========

☆  depend  ～次第である

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There are a couple of ways to use “depend”. Today’s meaning is that when one thing depends on another thing, you mean that the first thing will be affected by or determined by the second. For example:

The cooking time depends on the amount you are cooking.
What I do next will depend on what my boss recommends.
It can be cheaper, depending on how much you buy.

And like the useful phrase this week: It will depend on what time I finish work.

When would you use this kind of phrase? For example, if someone asks you, “What time will you be home tonight?” Or if someone asks, “AreRead more about depend ～次第である[…]

October 11, 2016　 =========
☆ control 管理する
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If you control something or someone, then you have the power to make that thing or person do what you want. We usually don’t talk about “controlling” people as that sounds a bit one-sided, instead you would use words like:

manage
administer
have power over
handle
supervise

It’s spring school holidays here at the moment, and the two things I really wish I could control is my time and my kids! Controlling either of these is impossible!! It’s hard to control my schedule in order to work but on the upside, I can have a bit of free time to spend with my kids. Is there something in your life youRead more about control 管理する[…]

October 10, 2016　 =========
☆ acquiesce しぶしぶ従う
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Today is a public holiday for “Sports Day” right? What are you doing? Do you have a holiday or do you have to work? It’s school holidays here, so I’m acquiescing to my kids’ demands and only working in the morning, so that we can have a fun afternoon together.
Today’s word is a formal word, but you can still use it in every day English, like I just did. If you find this word hard to remember, or hard to say, some simpler choices are:
give in
accept
consent
go along with
Do you know any others to add to this list?
Bye,
Chris

October 9, 2016　 =========
☆ ongoing 進行中の
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Something that is ongoing is a situation that has been happening for a long time, and seems likely to continue for some time in the future. For example:
There is an ongoing debate on the issue.
He is taking part in ongoing research.
The police investigation is ongoing.
The charity supports people who are likely to have an ongoing need for food and shelter.
I’m not sure if you are watching much about the election happening in the USA between Clinton and Trump, but the social media news about it seems to be ongoing! I hope it ends soon!
Bye,
Chris

October 8, 2016　 =========
☆ desirable 望ましい
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Something that is desirable is worth having or worth doing because it is useful, necessary, or popular. Last week, I took my kids to see The Secret Life of Pets, and before the movie, there was a short 5-minute Minions cartoon. In the cartoon, the minions were watching a TV commercial for a banana blender. The commercial made the blender look so desirable – and easy to use, compared to just eating a banana – that the minions tried to earn the money to buy one.
Of course, they managed to buy one, but they got tired of pressing all the buttons when they wanted to blend bananas. So, it was lucky that the next, new desirable banana blender was now being advertised! This new improved, and very desirable blender, didn’t need you to push the on/off button! It did it itself. Ha ha.
I’m always amazed by how marketers can make things that we don’t need look so desirable! How about you?
Bye,
Chris

October 5, 2016　 =========
☆ fit ふさわしい
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Yesterday I received a package from IBC Publishing containing the 2017 Eigo Techo. This year’s new green color is beautiful and really fit for my new black handbag. It’s the perfect size and color. I didn’t know what color this year’s special edition would be, but I couldn’t have asked for a more fit color!
I prefer the small Eigo Techo as I don’t like to carry a lot with me. I also use my phone for my calendar, so my planner doesn’t need to be big. How about you? What size do you prefer? Which size and color is fit for you? Why?
Do you have your 2017 edition? If not, check it out on Amazon!
http://tinyurl.com/he7c432
Bye,
Chris

October 7, 2016　 =========
☆ pleased 喜んで
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If you are pleased with something, you are happy about or satisfied with it. For example, I was really pleased with the 2017 green Eigo Techo! The opposite of pleased is displeased, and you can use the following adjectives to indicate how pleased or displeased someone is. At the top of the list are the “very pleased” words, leading down to the bottom words, “very displeased.”
thrilled
delighted
glad, pleased
satisfied
resigned
disappointed, displeased
upset
devastated
I hope you spend your day feeling like the words at the top of the list!
Bye,
Chris

October 6, 2016　 =========
☆ afraid 心配して
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If you are afraid of something or someone, you are frightened of it or them because you think that something unpleasant will happen to you. Frightened and afraid have the same meaning, however, even though “afraid” is an adjective, you do not use it in front of nouns. In this situation you would use frightened. For example:
An afraid child – No
A frightened child – OK
Use afraid after verbs such as ‘be’ and ‘feel’. In this case, you can use either afraid or frightened. For example:
She was afraid of him. – OK
She was frightened of him. – OK
Bye,
Chris

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October 4, 2016　 =========
☆ unconditional 無条件の
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Today’s word is most often used to talk about “love.” If you describe something as unconditional it means that the person doing X or giving X is doing it without requiring anything back in exchange.
So, unconditional love is when you love someone without needing them to be a certain way or do something for you. We tend to give our children unconditional love, but not usually other people in our lives!
How about you? Is your love for all the people in your life unconditional? Even your boss? 😉
Bye,
Chris

October 3, 2016　 =========
☆ self-sufficient 自己満足の
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Our topic this month is “Independence” so this is an important word to know: self-sufficient. My dictionary says that someone who is self-sufficient is independent and “able to live happily without anyone else.” What do you think about this idea? I think it is strange to say “happily” without anyone else.
Of course, I am self-sufficient, and could support myself in all areas of my life without needing help from anyone… however, I’m not sure I could do this “happily” … what do you think? I’d much rather have friends and family in my life, wouldn’t you?
Bye,
Chris

October 1, 2016　 =========
☆ lifestyle ライフスタイル
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※10/1分の配信が遅れ失礼しました（事務局より）

Recently I heard some advice for people starting a business. The “guru” said, “Think about the lifestyle you want, and then build your business around that lifestyle.” What do you think about this idea? I really like it! When I started my business I was just thinking about flexible working hours while my kids were young and needed more help from me… I wish I’d thought a little more about the lifestyle I wanted in more detail.
How about you? When you got your job or started your business or became a parent, did you think about the lifestyle you wanted before making those choices? For Japanese people is it common to plan your work around your lifestyle or the other way around?
Bye,
Chris

October 2, 2016　 =========
☆ opportunity チャンス
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You may notice that the translation for today’s word is “chance” which is also a common word in English. So have you ever wondered if “chance” and “opportunity” are really the same in English? Basically, yes, they are and you can use either one… but let’s look at it a little more deeply.
You can use both these words when there is a “chance” or “opportunity” to do something. For example, you might get the opportunity or chance to speak English in your work.
However, if you are using “chance” to talk about the possibility of something happening, then this is different from “opportunity.” For example, if you buy a lottery ticket, you have a chance of winning, but you don’t have an opportunity to win. It’s all about luck, not opportunity. When you have no control over something, it is more likely to use “chance.”
Hope that helps!
Bye,
Chris