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セミの声が鳴り響く8月の暑い日、取材のためにブルワリーを訪れると、太陽に照らされたホップと梅の木が我々を迎えてくれた。
I visited the brewery on a hot sunny day in August amid the hum of cicadas. The sun shines on rows of hops and some Japanese apricot trees growing in front of the building.
高尾駅から少し離れた、のんびりとした住宅街にあるブルワリーは素朴な佇まいで、さながら山小屋のようだ。
The brewery is in a quiet residential area some distance from Takao Station. It somewhat resembles a rustic mountain cabin.
Let’s start the article with a bit of domestic news. Ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe is now being questioned for his “cherry blossom viewing parties” he held when he was in position. Officials are saying that he has spent millions of yen, as well as has invited his supporters. Some say this equates to vote buying, that of which is frowned upon and illegal. Read more into it and let me know what you think!
ー初めにー
Today’s Fill-In-The-Blanks Quiz:
Here’s last week’s song:
(Fast forward to 1:12)
I’ve been walking through, a world gone blind
Can’t stop thinking of your diamond mind
Careful creature, made friends with time
He left her lonely with a diamond mind and those ocean eyes
Here’s this week’s song:
(Fast forward to 0:47)
Do you got plans _______ ?
I’m a _______ hundred miles from _____ and I
And I was thinking if I could ___ to your hotel tonight
Cause I can’t get you off my _____
Can’t ___ you off my ____
ー続いてー
Today’s Idiom:
“a wake-up call”
It can be taken either in its literal form (文字通り), which means a call to wake you up when you need to, or its figurative/metaphorical meaning (比喩表現), which means to take action when something needs to change or be changed.
Here’s a sample dialogue:
A: Honestly, I was feeling lazy these past few weeks, but then my TV broke and I had nothing to do at home, but think.
B: Oh, no! You’re going to miss out on the variety shows we both love!
A: Yeah, but also it’s a wake-up call for me. I have to start working on my projects again before I can relax.
This phrase can be used in both formal and casual situations and for additional help, here’s a video of the same idiom explained in a simpler way:
In the UK, the government has imposed a three-household rule, which means that for the holidays, three people at most can stay indoors to celebrate.In this article, we’ll look into what four people think about this rule. Some will gladly take it to be able to take a step back and enjoy the moment with their family or friends, but others will choose to stay away from their loved ones for safety and a peace of mind.
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Kinrokansha-no-hi, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, is November 23. This day is to honor workers, show respect for labor, and celebrate the nation’s prosperity.
勤労感謝の日は11月23日である。この日は、国民が労働者に敬意を払い、勤労を敬い、そして国の繁栄を祝うためにある。
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最後に次に来る祝日の紹介をと思ったら、12月はないんですね。平成までは12月23日が「天皇誕生日」だったのですが、今は2月23日がその日です。その「天皇誕生日」について『日本的事象 英文説明300選』から引用を。
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Tenno-Tanjobi, or the Emperor’s birthday, is February 23. It is customery for the Imperial Family to appear on the balcony of the Imperial Palace and exchange greetings with the public, who are allowed to enter the compound of the Imperial Palace on this day.
天皇誕生日は2月23日である。天皇御一家が皇居のバルコニーに出て、国民と挨拶を交わすのが慣例となっており、この日には、国民が皇居内へ立ち入ることが許される。
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It’s a given that a lot of airline companies have suffered from losses this year due to the pandemic. However, JAL is looking into other sources of income and according to this article, they’re currently trying out drones carrying goods. This would be beneficial for those who are stuck or caught in a pinch because of a natural disaster. What do you think? Do you think this is a good source of income or do you think otherwise?
ー初めにー
Today’s Fill-In-The-Blanks Quiz:
Here’s last week’s song:
(Fast forward to 1:20)
Bring a friend, join the crowd ; Whoever wanna come along
Word up, talk the talk ; Just move like we off the wall
Day or night the sky‘s alight ; So we dance to the break of dawn
Ladies and gentlemen, I got the medicine ; So you should keep your eye on the ball
Here’s this week’s song:
(Fast forward to 1:12)
I’ve been walking _______, a _____ gone blind
Can’t stop ________ of your diamond mind
Careful creature, made _______ with time
He left her ______ with a diamond mind and those _____ eyes
ー続いてー
Today’s Idiom:
“to be on the same wavelength”
When you have the same opinion as someone else, whether you agree or disagree with the same things, that means you two are on the same wavelength. Sometimes, we also use the phrase, “to be on the same page”.
Here’s a sample dialogue:
A: I wouldn’t be available for a meeting next week because I’ll go on a business trip, but I don’t mind having a teleconference, if that’s fine with you.
B: Actually (実は), I was thinking of the same thing. It might be easier for us to have an online meeting.
A: Alright, it’s good that we’re on the same page. Would Monday at 3 PM be convenient for you?
This phrase can be used in both formal and casual situations and for additional help, here’s a video of the same idiom explained in a simpler way:
Following last week’s news regarding a potential vaccine for COVID-19, a Chinese pharmaceutical company has also released information regarding its vaccine reaching completion.Just like the other vaccines, it claims that its efficacy (効力) is above 90%. Researchers have become positive with the situation and they hope that the vaccines would eradicate (除く) the virus before next year ends.