ding-ding n. a streetcar or trolley. Editorial Note: Athough this term is specific to Hong Kong, in Japan streetcars are sometimes called chin chin densha, meaning ‘ding ding trains.’ Etymological Note: Imitative of the sound of a bell. (source:...
koban n.— «The community-based Koban program is celebrating its 10th year. Since starting in 1995, the program has provided a “safe haven” for hundreds of youths while offering educational assistance, mentoring, life and...
shoshika n.— «The decline in Japan’s birth rate is so severe they have invented a word for it—”shoshika,” meaning a society without children.» —“Japan sounds alarm on birth rate” by Jonathan Head in...
kaizen n.— «Kaizen is a Japanese term that means continuous improvement, taken from the words “kai,” meaning “change,” and “zen,” meaning “good.” The general translation is “change for...
Foblish n.— «Your english hasn’t gone downhill, you’ve just learned to speak some fabulous foblish!» —“[Janelle in Japan IV] End of JSP” by kw0n in Japan descend from grace Dec. 18, 2003. (source: Double...
v-film n.— «Shimizu debuted in 2000 with two shot-on-video, released-to-video features (“V-films,” in Japanese parlance) called Ju-on (starring Kill Bill’s Chiaki Kuriyama) and Ju-on 2.» —“‘Grudge’ Match” by...