Otto's blog

Earth Versus The Flying Saucers

Apr

27

I watched this 1958 UFO movie with my kids. It was pretty funny, especially the dated (古風な /その時代を物語る) special effects & costumes.

Pronunciation:
- In English, UFO is pronounced 'ユーエフオー’　(not ユーフオー)

#映画

Plant Plan

Apr

21

I ordered this plant* from Okinawa. It came in a special tall box, which was interesting. For now (とりあえず), I`ve put it in a pot, and then when it grows bigger, I`ll plant** it in the garden somewhere.

Do you know what kind of plant it is...? The answer is in comments.

Vocabulary
*plant (名詞)= 植物 **plant (動詞)= 植える

#園芸

Tape Dispenser Tester Centre

Apr

20

Last Saturday`s business class was about market research. By chance, one of our students was asked by his friend to do some market research for a new type of tape dispenser, so we used them in our role-plays. It was an nice win-win.

By the way, the special feature of the tape-dispenser is a small, moving blade which cuts the tape. Can you see it? Clever. And kind of fun.

Vocabulary:
- 'research' can be a noun (名詞) or verb (動詞), but noun is more common.

Mini Cooper with Roof Rack

Apr

15

I like old Mini Coopers, especially ones with roof racks. I`d like to buy one someday, but actually I have long legs, so I think it would be uncomfortable for me to drive. Anyway, I saw this one outside Shin-Kisogawa Station. The colour of the roof is interesting - dark blue.

- this/my/the red one (単数)
- these/my/the red ones = (複数)

#車

Hideki Matsuyama - Great Golf Player (or Great Golfer?)

Apr

13

On the weekend, Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese golf player to win the U.S. Masters golf tournament. Congratulations!

Have you ever played golf? I guess a lot of Japanese will be inspired to play golf after hearing this news.

Vocabulary:
- 'golf' is a noun (名詞), but recently some people started using it as a verb (動詞) e.g. 'go golfing' & 'we golfed yesterday'. Personally, I think it sounds strange. Also, 'golfer' sounds like 'gopher' (ホリネズミ).

#スポーツ

Speech Contest Article

Apr

13

The Bohme English Academy recently held* a speech contest for junior high school students in Gifu Prefecture. From 25 video entries, we chose six winners. An article about it appeared in The Gifu Shinbun. In the photo, Teragoya Otto is in the front, holding** a pen & paper. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Vocabulary:
- * hold, held = 催す
- ** hold, held = 持つ