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Today’s Word: feeling

Today’s Word: feeling

February 28, 2018 =========

☆  feeling  感情

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A feeling is an emotion, such as anger or happiness. There are a couple of interesting idioms you can use with “feeling” such as:

Bad feeling or ill feeling – this describes the bitterness or anger between people that have had an argument.

No hard feelings – this is what you say to someone after an argument or disagreement, and you want to say there is no need to continue being angry. “No hard feelings, OK?”

I know the feeling – you can say this to someone when you want to show that you understand their situation or feel sorry for them and their difficult experience.

Mixed feelings – ifRead more about Today’s Word: feeling[…]

Today’s Word: love

Today’s Word: love

February 27, 2018 =========

☆  love  愛

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This is another word that can easily be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, which we are learning today, “love” describes a very strong feeling of affection toward someone you are romantically or sexually attracted to. Late last year, Australians got the chance to vote on whether the government should change the law to allow same-sex couples to marry, and the slogan and hashtag that everyone was using was “love is love” and #loveislove.

In fact, “love is love” is a common hashtag all over the Internet celebrating the idea that anyone can feel the strong feeling of love for anyone else regardlessRead more about Today’s Word: love[…]

Today’s Word: blame

Today’s Word: blame

February 26, 2018 =========

☆  blame  非難

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So, every now and then, when I am writing these mini mails, I find a mistake in the Eigo Techo. And today is one of those days! Oh no… today’s word is “blame” as a noun… however, blame is often used as a verb, and that is exactly what I did in the Q&A section for this month! Oops! My mistake – I can only blame myself. (verb.) Or, I could say, the blame is all mine. (noun.)

The question in the Q&A is: What do you do when someone blames you for their mistake? (verb)

As a noun, you could rewrite the sentence as: What do youRead more about Today’s Word: blame[…]

Today’s Word: complex

Today’s Word: complex

February 25, 2018 =========

☆  complex  込み入った

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Today’s word is similar to Friday’s “complicated”. Something that is complex has many different parts, and is therefore usually difficult to understand. In Australia, the divorce rate is quite high, and many people get divorced and then remarry and have more kids. So, the situation can become very complex and complicated.

For example, my friends have kids from previous relationships. Then they met each other and remarried. His kids visit every other weekend, and her kids go to their dads place Fridays and Saturdays. Once a month, they have a Saturday night when there are no kids at their house, so they have a “date night”, butRead more about Today’s Word: complex[…]

Today’s Word: painful

Today’s Word: painful

February 24, 2018 =========

☆  painful  つらい

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We usually use painful to talk about a part of our body that hurts. However, it can also be used to talk about situations, memories, or experiences that are painful. A painful situation, memory, or experience is difficult and unpleasant to deal with and makes you feel sad and upset. Here are some example sentences:

Her remark brought back painful memories.
After her parents died, she found it too painful to visit her hometown.
He went through a painful few years after his divorce.
Deciding to quit my job was a surprisingly painful decision.

Can you make a sentence with painful?

Bye,

Chris

Today’s Word: complicated

Today’s Word: complicated

February 23, 2018 =========

☆  complicated  複雑な

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Love and life are often complicated, aren’t they? There are so many parts and aspects to it, that it can be difficult to understand or deal with. I often think my own life is complicated, but then I hear about other people’s situations and how they are juggling so many different things each day and I realize my life is pretty easy and not complicated at all!

Do you think that people attract complicated situations to themselves, through a kind of karma perhaps? My sister recently moved from New South Wales to Tasmania, and every possible thing went wrong! The moving company even lost their furniture!! ItRead more about Today’s Word: complicated[…]

Today’s Word: up-front

Today’s Word: up-front

February 22, 2018 =========

☆  up-front  素直に

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If you are up-front about something, you act or speak openly, so that people know what you are doing and what you believe. This is an informal word, and the more formal options are words like: direct, frank, honest, straightforward.

Do you think an up-front attitude or character is important in a person? In western culture, being up-front is generally a positive characteristic because people know what that you are being honest. However, sometimes if you are too honest or too up-front, it is easy to offend people. I think being open and up-front is important, so long as you can do it while still being kind.Read more about Today’s Word: up-front[…]

Today’s Word: underrated

Today’s Word: underrated

February 21, 2018 =========

☆  underrated  過小評価された

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Well, I guess it is easy to guess what today’s word means – if you read yesterday’s email 🙂

Underrated is the opposite of overrated, and it means that you do not recognized how clever, important or significant someone or something is. For example, in the past, companies would tend to underrate women and not give them jobs, even though they had the right skills. This still happens, but hopefully it is becoming less common!

And, in love, you might underrate someone you know and think they are not a good match for you, but if you just give them a chance, it can turn out to beRead more about Today’s Word: underrated[…]

Today’s Word: overrated

Today’s Word: overrated

February 20, 2018 =========

☆  overrated  過大評価された

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When you say that something is overrated, you mean that people have a higher opinion of that thing or person, that they deserve. For example, the useful phrase this week is, “Relationships are overrated!” This means that the speaker believes that being in a romantic relationship is not as important as most people think it is.

What other things about love are overrated? Well, many people in Australia think that Valentine’s Day is overrated – in other words, companies and advertising make it seem like Valentine’s Day is very important and you “need” to buy something to give to the person you love, and if you don’tRead more about Today’s Word: overrated[…]

Today’s Word: afraid

Today’s Word: afraid

February 19, 2018 =========

☆  afraid  恐れて

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If you are afraid of someone or afraid to do something, you are frightened because you think something unpleasant is going to happen to you. You are scared, apprehensive, fearful, frightened, or nervous.

When it comes to love, what kinds of things are you afraid of? For example, you could be afraid of asking someone on a date – you might be afraid that they will say no. Or you might be afraid of failing in love with someone and worried that they won’t love you back.

When it comes to love, is there anything that you are afraid of?

Bye,

Chris

Today’s Word: expectation

Today’s Word: expectation

February 18, 2018 =========

☆  expectation  期待

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This week, one of our useful phrases is, “I don’t want to have any expectations of how the date will go.” You might wonder when you would use this kind of phrase. It is similar to the phrase, “I don’t want to get my hopes up.” They both meant not wanting to expect something great to happen, just in case you are disappointed.

So, in our example the speaker might be going on a first date with someone, and although she is excited and hopeful that everything goes well – and they go on a second date and more – she doesn’t want to have high expectations,Read more about Today’s Word: expectation[…]

Today’s Word: fantasy

Today’s Word: fantasy

February 17, 2018 =========

☆  fantasy 幻想

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There are two ways to use the word fantasy. The first is when you think about a pleasant or happy situation or event that you want to happen, but that is unlikely to happen. The second is when you have a story or situation that you create in your imagination, that is not based on reality, it is just a fantasy.

So, when we’re talking about one-sided love, a fantasy might be a situation that you imagine in your mind about the other person also being in love with you. This is the second usage, it is a fantasy, not reality. Or you might imagine how yourRead more about Today’s Word: fantasy[…]

Today’s Word: love letter

Today’s Word: love letter

February 16, 2018 =========

☆  love letter  ラブレター

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Is writing love letters popular in Japan? Actually, I wonder if writing love letters is even popular in any country anymore? It would more likely be a “love email” !! Ha ha! But it’s probably true, not many people actually write letters anymore – it’s mostly text messages and emails, right?

How about in your own experience? Have you ever written or received a love letter? What about a “love email” or a “love text”? Which would you prefer to receive, a letter or a text? A love letter seems so romantic, I think… do you think a text or email can be romantic? Is itRead more about Today’s Word: love letter[…]

Today’s Word: soul mate

Today’s Word: soul mate

February 15, 2018 =========

☆  soul mate  心の友

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When I checked my Japanese dictionary for this word, it said the English was either “soul mate” or “kindred spirit.” This interesting to me because in my mind, these are two different things.

A “kindred spirit” is someone that I have a lot of things in common with, we share interests and beliefs on a deep level. It could be a man or a woman, and I can have more than one kindred spirit.

On the other hand, my “soul mate” is my “one and only” – the person I was destined to be with forever (in a romantic relationship, not just friendship).

What do you think, areRead more about Today’s Word: soul mate[…]

Today’s Word: fate

Today’s Word: fate

February 14, 2018 =========

☆  fate  運命

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Did you give (or receive) any “giri-choco” today? I recently read a report that many Japanese women want to continue this custom of “giri-choco” because it means that they can actually give chocolates to the person they like, without being embarrassed! Is this true? In Australia, men and women both give chocolates on Valentine’s Day, but if you like that person, you give it anonymously, without leaving your name on the present.

At my first job, a girl gave chocolates anonymously to the guy that she liked in the office. And amazingly, he gave her chocolates – also anonymously. So they both received chocolates butRead more about Today’s Word: fate[…]

Today’s Word: coincidence

Today’s Word: coincidence

February 13, 2018 =========

☆  coincidence  偶然の一致

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A coincidence is when something happens at the same time, by chance without any planning. For example, you bump into someone at a café or shop. Now, if you always go to the same café in Shinjuku, and always bump into the same person at that café, it’s not really a coincidence. However, if you bump into that person at a café in Osaka, when you are both there for work, then yes, you could say, “What a coincidence!”

Sometimes, people say that a coincidence means that a romantic encounter is true love, they believe it is not a coincidence, but actually fate – you were meantRead more about Today’s Word: coincidence[…]

Today’s Word: adventure

Today’s Word: adventure

February 12, 2018 =========

☆  adventure  冒険

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So, last week I was talking to my boys about today being a public holiday, so they wouldn’t have to go to school… they were excited and we talked about the adventures we could possibly go on. Unfortunately, I soon realized I was looking at my Japanese calendar, not my Australian one!! Oh no! It is NOT a public holiday here in Australia today! And my boys are going to school and not going on any adventures… Two very disappointed boys. Oops!!

The good news is that you do have a day off, right? What are you planning to do today? Do you have any adventures planned?Read more about Today’s Word: adventure[…]

Today’s Word: hurt

Today’s Word: hurt

February 11, 2018 =========

☆  hurt  傷つける

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Hurt can be used to mean physical pain or emotional pain. In relation to this month’s topic, of course we are talking about emotional pain. In the useful phrases this week, we use this word in this way: “You really hurt my feelings.”

Some other examples are:

I never meant to hurt you.
If you are not careful, you’ll get (your feelings) hurt.

In the second example, you don’t need to say “your feelings” because the situation will imply that it is emotional pain, not physical pain. So, it’s OK just to say, “you’ll get hurt.” Of course, this could also mean physical pain, like a mother talking to herRead more about Today’s Word: hurt[…]

Today’s Word: compare

Today’s Word: compare

February 10, 2018    =========

☆  compare  比較する

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Today’s word is a sure-fire way to make a relationship disintegrate, don’t you think? Can you imagine, your current parent is always comparing you to their previous partner – sometimes they are comparing and saying you are better, and sometimes they are comparing and saying you are worse than their previous partner(s). Ouch! Nobody wants to hear how the previous partner was better than them, right?!

But I was thinking about it, and in fact, I don’t think you really want to be compared to the previous partner even in a good way… if your current partner is comparing you to the partners they had inRead more about Today’s Word: compare[…]

Today’s Word: disintegrate

Today’s Word: disintegrate

February 9, 2018   =========

☆  disintegrate  崩壊する

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Disintegrate is used to talk about a thing becoming weakened, divided or destroyed. It might seem like a harsh word to use for talking about love, but it is commonly used! For example, you might use it to talk about a marriage or a relationship that is disintegrating.

Many therapists and psychologists use this verb to describe a relationship that is ending. A common topic is about why a relationship or marriage disintegrates and how to stop that from happening. When a marriage starts to disintegrate or break down, couples in western society tend to try going to “couples therapy” to get help to save theRead more about Today’s Word: disintegrate[…]

Today’s Word: search for

Today’s Word: search for

February 8, 2018      =========

☆  search for  探し求める

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If you search for something or someone, you look carefully for them. This word is often used when talking about romance and love. It seems like people are always searching for true love!

Here are some example sentences:
Despite another failed relationship, he continued to search for true love.
I don’t understand people that search for the perfect person; the perfect person doesn’t exist!
I’m not married yet because I’m still searching for Mr. Right…

Can you use “search for” in a sentence, on the topic of love or romance?

Bye,

Chris

Today’s Word: eavesdrop

Today’s Word: eavesdrop

February 7, 2018 =========

☆  eavesdrop  聞き耳を立てる

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To eavesdrop on someone means that you secretly listen in on what they are saying. When I was younger, I used to love doing this at cafes – to eavesdrop on the people at the table next to me. Then, based on the one or two sentences that I had overheard, I would make up a story about them using my imagination about who they were, what they were doing with their lives and so on.

Have you ever done that kind of thing? I don’t tend to eavesdrop on people anymore, but I still like to make up stories about people that I see whenRead more about Today’s Word: eavesdrop[…]

Today’s Word: take a chance on

Today’s Word: take a chance on

February 6, 2018 =========

☆  take a chance on  〜に賭ける

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Today’s phrase is used in the useful phrases, “I wish she’d take a chance on me.” We use this phrase when we want to take a risk, or we want someone to take a risk. As I’m sure you know, falling in love with someone can be a big risk, who knows if they will love you back, or if it will be one-sided. So, in this case, the speaker wants the woman to risk falling in love with them, because they already like (or love) that woman.

Have you ever taken a chance on someone and asked them out on a date orRead more about Today’s Word: take a chance on[…]

Today’s Word: avoid

Today’s Word: avoid

February 5, 2018 =========

☆  avoid  避ける

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We use “avoid” in three main ways. Firstly, to talk about avoid something unpleasant that might happen, by taking action to prevent it from happening. For example, “Drive carefully to avoid accidents.”

Secondly, you can avoid doing something, which means that you choose not to do it or you make sure you are in a situation where you don’t have to do it. For example, if you see someone often, but then you don’t see them as much, you might ask them, “Have you been avoiding me?”

Thirdly, you can avoid a person or a thing or topic, meaning that you keep away from that person, thing orRead more about Today’s Word: avoid[…]

Today’s Word: perfect

Today’s Word: perfect

February 4, 2018 =========

☆  perfect 完璧な

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Ooh, this is the perfect word to follow on from yesterday… so thinking about the character traits you’d like in a partner, do you have an image of your perfect partner in your mind? Why are they perfect? What do they look like, what do they act like?

Of course, if you are already married or in a relationship, you’ve already found the perfect partner, right? In that case, what makes them the perfect partner for you? I think that’s important to remember – nobody is perfect, but they might be the perfect person for you.

How about taking a few minutes to think about the perfect partnerRead more about Today’s Word: perfect[…]

Today’s Word: consistent

Today’s Word: consistent

February 3, 2018        =========

☆  consistent  着実な

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Today’s word is the opposite of yesterday’s word; someone who is consistent behaves in the same way. They are steady and dependable. You can be sure of how they will act in any situation, as they are always true to who they are. Those all sound like great character traits to have in a partner, don’t you agree?

Have you ever thought about what character traits you want in your partner? Is being consistent one of the traits you like or would like in your partner? If not, why not? For example, would you rather your partner was more spontaneous (or flighty!) instead of being unchanging andRead more about Today’s Word: consistent[…]

Today’s Word: flighty

Today’s Word: flighty

February 2, 2018      =========

☆  flighty  気まぐれな

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Thanks for your messages about my exciting news yesterday. 🙂

So, this month, we’re looking at one-sided love… have you ever felt that way about someone? I think everyone has, right? Today’s word is used to describe someone who often changes partners (or ideas, or activities.)

Now, of course, this isn’t really the sort of person you want to fall in love with, right? Someone that changes partners quickly and easily! Um, maybe no thanks! However, I was thinking that someone who is flighty, might actually be quite easy to fall in love with, unfortunately! When you think about it, if they are flighty, they are probablyRead more about Today’s Word: flighty[…]

Today’s Word: exciting (Open up to read my exciting news!)

Today’s Word: exciting (Open up to read my exciting news!)

February 1, 2018     =========

☆  exciting  刺激的な

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Hi everyone! Can you believe it is February already? I certainly can’t!

But!! I have some exciting news to share with you today – and luckily it means that I can use today’s word, too. That’s handy! 🙂

So, what is my exciting news? Well, my very exciting news is that I had a little baby girl last month! Our baby girl was born on January 18th this year. She is tiny, and very cute! (Of course, I think she is cute, but other people say that too!)

So, that’s my exciting news – my family is now two little boys, and their new baby sister, Sofie.

Do youRead more about Today’s Word: exciting (Open up to read my exciting news!)[…]