Fruits Basket Vocabulary Harvest: Gathering Japanese Words

Are you a fan of the anime and manga series Fruits Basket? Do you want to learn more about the Japanese language and culture? In this article, we will explore the world of Fruits Basket and harvest some useful Japanese vocabulary along the way.

Introduction

Fruits Basket is a popular anime and manga series that tells the story of Tohru Honda, a high school girl who discovers the secret of the Sohma family. The Sohmas are cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex. As Tohru becomes involved with the Sohmas, she learns about their past and helps them to break the curse.

The Curse of the Sohma Family

The Chinese Zodiac

In the Chinese zodiac, there are twelve animals that represent each year in a twelve-year cycle. The animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

The Sohma Family

The Sohma family is cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex. The curse was placed on the family by the god of the zodiac, who was angry that the animals did not show up to his banquet.

Vocabulary List

– Chinese zodiac: 十二支 (juunishi)
– Rat: 子 (ne)
– Ox: 丑 (ushi)
– Tiger: 寅 (tora)
– Rabbit: 卯 (u)
– Dragon: 辰 (tatsu)
– Snake: 巳 (mi)
– Horse: 午 (uma)
– Goat: 未 (hitsuji)
– Monkey: 申 (saru)
– Rooster: 酉 (tori)
– Dog: 戌 (inu)
– Pig: 亥 (i)

Japanese Phrases and Expressions

Greetings

In Japan, it is important to greet people properly. Here are some common greetings used in Fruits Basket:

Polite Language

In Japanese, there are different levels of politeness that are used depending on the situation. Here are some examples of polite language used in Fruits Basket:

– Please: お願いします (onegaishimasu)
– Excuse me: すみません (sumimasen)
– I’m sorry: ごめんなさい (gomennasai)
– May I?: ～てもいいですか？ (~te mo ii desu ka?)
– Yes: はい (hai)
– No: いいえ (iie)

Vocabulary List

– Good morning: おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu)
– Good afternoon: こんにちは (konnichiwa)
– Good evening: こんばんは (konbanwa)
– Thank you: ありがとう (arigatou)
– You’re welcome: どういたしまして (dou itashimashite)
– Please: お願いします (onegaishimasu)
– Excuse me: すみません (sumimasen)
– I’m sorry: ごめんなさい (gomennasai)
– May I?: ～てもいいですか？ (~te mo ii desu ka?)
– Yes: はい (hai)
– No: いいえ (iie)

Japanese Food and Culture

Japanese Food

Japanese food is known for its fresh ingredients and unique flavors. Here are some examples of Japanese food that are mentioned in Fruits Basket:

– Onigiri: おにぎり (onigiri) – rice balls wrapped in seaweed
– Mochi: もち (mochi) – sticky rice cakes
– Soba: そば (soba) – buckwheat noodles
– Udon: うどん (udon) – thick wheat noodles
– Ramen: ラーメン (ramen) – Chinese-style noodles in soup

Japanese Culture

Japan has a rich culture that is reflected in its art, music, and traditions. Here are some examples of Japanese culture that are mentioned in Fruits Basket:

– Tea ceremony: 茶道 (sadou) – a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
– Kimono: 着物 (kimono) – a traditional Japanese garment
– Sakura: 桜 (sakura) – cherry blossom trees that bloom in the spring
– Matsuri: 祭り (matsuri) – a Japanese festival

Vocabulary List

– Onigiri: おにぎり (onigiri)
– Mochi: もち (mochi)
– Soba: そば (soba)
– Udon: うどん (udon)
– Ramen: ラーメン (ramen)
– Tea ceremony: 茶道 (sadou)
– Kimono: 着物 (kimono)
– Sakura: 桜 (sakura)
– Matsuri: 祭り (matsuri)

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the world of Fruits Basket and harvested some useful Japanese vocabulary along the way. We have learned about the curse of the Sohma family, common Japanese phrases and expressions, and Japanese food and culture. By learning these words and phrases, you can deepen your understanding of the series and the Japanese language and culture.

Questions

1. What is the curse of the Sohma family?
2. How many animals are in the Chinese zodiac?
3. What is the Japanese word for “thank you”?
4. What is the traditional Japanese garment called?
5. What is a Japanese festival called?

Answers

1. The Sohma family is cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex.
2. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac.
3. The Japanese word for “thank you” is “arigatou”.
4. The traditional Japanese garment is called a “kimono”.
5. A Japanese festival is called a “matsuri”.

Fruits Basket Vocabulary Harvest: Gathering Japanese Words