恋する英語

Expression
じっと見つめる　gaze at ～

　I was gazing at the gray sky. Finding out the way to cure for the “rainy season, Tsuyu, blahs”, I just went out for walking with Yuka before it started raining. It’s really nice dare to do something even if it’s a really small matter.
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人気ブログたち★

英語ブログならこちら★

Expression
うっそー！　You must be kidding!

Oh my god! You must be kidding! The dog was walking in a festival costume!
Look closely, it was the same dog I met on the other day. She (or he?) was walking as if she (or he) was showing off her cloth. You look pretty, kid.

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人気のブログたち☆

英語ブログが楽しい！

Expression
おいしそうな。垂涎ものの　　　mouth-watering

I walked over to a neighborhood market that carries fresh fruits, vegetables and so on. I love looking around those stuff. They offer special price for everything. A mouth-watering tiny water melon was just for 100yen! Two peaches were for 200 yen. It’s a fantastic place, isn’t it?

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人気ものたち★/A>

英語でがんばる人に

Expression
もしそこにいたら If you were there

I’ll talk about the sky again! This is the sky the other day. When I looked up it, I found the canvas like blue sky looked like unfinished. I’m not good at drawing but just felt like to paint it. If you were there, what did you draw?

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★お天気★人気のブログでもひとつ

英語ブログはココ☆

Expression
うっすらと。なんとなく　　slightly

The sunset was really lovely yesterday.
The sky was slightly pinkish.
I just feel happy when I notice the beauties of nature.
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人気ブログはこちら☆

英語ブログなら

Expression
ちょっと立ち寄る　　drop by

There always is a long line in front of Nihonbashi maru, a Japanese sweet cracker shop.
The other day, the line wasn’t so long by chance so I just dropped by to buy some crackers. One of the crackers is Negi-miso, the taste of soy seasoning and Chinese onion. I enjoyed the unusual taste. Yum!

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人気ブログたち☆

英語ブログならこちら

Expression
やらなきゃならないことがある　I've got things to do.

I had "Blushing Mango Cloud" at Cold Stone Creamy. At that shop, you can choose some　ice creams and mix those the way you want it. They have three sizes;like it, love it, Gotta have it! Well, I've got to do...I'll have "Ultimate Indulgence", strawberry shortcake serenade in Gotta have it! size next time.
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★Cold Stone Creamy , Marubiru B1
人気ブログたち★

英語ブログならコチラ

Expression
感動する　　be impressed　

I’m （just one year old） back from Hong Kong. That was the first time to go to abroad. I was impressed! Traveling in a foreign country was not an easy thing for a baby like me, but it was fun! I rode on the ship to go to Macao. I had some Chinese foods that were so yummy but a bit oily for me. It was very hot and humid but I enjoyed the trip anyways.
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いいお天気の日★人気ブログで英語

英語力アップに！

Expression
背伸びをする stretch up

On the way to Great Grandma & Grandpa’s house in the Tohoku area, I found trees with white flowers. Those were apple trees. I was brought up in Kanto area and haven’t seen apple trees. The shape of the tree is unique as if the branches stretch up as each one likes.

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I青空が気持ちいい☆人気ブログ

英語ブログならコチラ

～へのこだわり　　commitment to～

I visited Hiroo Yamagata’s, a translator and writer (and also works for Nomura reserch institute), apartment for a home party. Kyudogakusha is the oldest reinforced concrete apartment building in Japan, which was built in the Taisho era as a dormitory. This renovated corporative housing has both a nostalgic atmosphere and the newest facilities. Hiroo has good taste and commitment not only to his translation and writings but also to his life style.
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人気のブログたち

英語ブログならコチラ

Expression
～で楽しむ　amuse with～

I meet these two dogs with an old man sometime on the same street. Today, I dared to ask to take their pictures. The old man seemed to be getting used to it. He just stood behind me and kept these dogs amused with a rattle. Well, I wanted to take a picture with you though…They are always strolling around the city very happily.

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人気ものたち★

英語ブログはコチラ

Expression
真っ二つ　split of～

This is the sky one day. The picture is naturally taken and I didn’t do CG work or anything at all. See? The sky is split into cloudy and clear blue very sharply.
Wow, it really happened!　It must be clear over there!
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人気のブログたち☆

英語ブログはコチラ

Expression
まさにその日　　The very day

The very day I wrote the travel column about Tibet, Chinese state media carried a report of disturbances in Tibet. I really hopefor the improvement of the situation…Also, well, actually, what I really care about is…I have to rewrite my column!!! I had a call from the editor. He said “nobody cares for the story of a peaceful trip to Tibet under the circumstances”. He's right…there is another disturbance here…
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人気のブログたち☆

英語ブログで上達！

Expression
言外の意味　　　connotation

These Hina Dolls are collected by old Japanese family. One of the significant dolls is “Tsurusi bina”, hanging many different dolls, such as herbal leaves to avoid insects ( the connotation of bad guys) and so on. People pray their daughter’s happiness decorating these dolls, which will take over all evil matter happen to their daughter. It’s really nice to enjoy Hina dolls in old Japanese house with the smell of Tatami mat.The number of dolls is...tremendous!

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★Licorice House (Kanzo-yashiki) is located right in front of Enzan-station on Chuo-line.

人気ランキングです☆

英語ブログの人気もの

遠足　excursion

I visited my hometown and went to see Shingendutumi, which was a river-bank created by Takeda Shingen, the lord of Kai in Sengoku era. I went there for my excursion in elementary school. I didn’t feel anything at that time. This time, however, I was impressed by the beautiful scenery.
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人気ブログですよ☆

英語ランクならこちら

Expression
とっつきにくい。ツンとした reserved.

There is a cat at a tailor. She always sits on the table and looks outside through the window.　“How do you like the desk? “ “ None of your business”…The cat seems very reserved…I feel like……Staring at people, she says “I prefer being a cat than being you guys”. She is sooooo “cat”!

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こんな人気ブログはいかがでしょ。

英語が身につきますよ

Expression
お天気はいかが？ How's the weather in～？

We had strong wind last night. It started snowing and changed into like snow storm. Now it’s brisk but freezing! How’s the weather in your area?It’s almost the end of January. I can’t wait the arrival of spring!

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★う～、寒いですね。こんなブログたちも。

★寒い寒い。英語のブロとかも。

Expression
ハーブの煎じ茶　　herbal infusion

I had rose petal and verbena herbal tea on the forty fourth floor. Rose petals offer a flowery aroma and a fragrant taste. The essential oil in the rosebud can help to improve circulation. It is popular in Europe as an after dinner drink to help digestion. It’s really nice to enjoy the flower aroma with the great view of Tokyo!

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★Add 2-3 teaspoons of any herbal infusion per cup to a teapot, tea-filter or brew basket. Pour boiling water over the tea. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Good with honey.

今日もいいことありますように☆
ランキング、おかげさまで上位です

Expression　　
霜柱　needle ice

Strolling along the river bank, I stepped on the needle ice. I haven’t seen it for a long time. Needle ice is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature of the soil is above 0°C and the surface temperature of the soil is below 0°C. The underground moisture is brought to the surface. I love the crispy sound it makes when I step on it.

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★Alternate names for needle ice are "frost column", "kammeis,"　 "pipkrake"　and so on….
人気のブログたち

今日も１日ハッピーでありますように☆

Expression
飛行船　airship

An airship was sailing very smoothly in the clear blue sky.
The white color seemed so peaceful and it seemed as if a white dove was flying.
I hope that it shows me a good sign of this year!
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人気のブログたち

おかげさまで、ランキングも上位です

Expression
赤みを帯びる tinged with red

The leaves in my parents' home yard are tinged with red. In recent years, the season for autumn leaves has started later than before because of global warming.There are many places where you can enjoy colored leaves even in December. This will be, however, the last autumn color in this season for me.

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人気のブログたち

おかげさまで、ランキングも上位です

Expression
気持ちを落ち着ける calm the mind

I couldn’t meet the deadline for the book! Gee, I was exhausted. A friend of mine recommended me to try Oxygen capsule. Oxygen calms the mind and stabilizes the nervous system and is responsible for the health and maintenance of every cell in the human body (including skin cells). The effect is……I’m not really sure, but it might make a difference, I hope.
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★David Beckham, Yuki Saito and other athletes use the same kind of machine.

人気ブログ　が楽しめます

おかげさまで、上位にいます

Expression
田んぼ　　rice paddy

I was impressed! There is a rice paddy on the second basement level of a build　in Marunouchi area. The place was used to be the safe of Daiwa bank, now the place has turned into a rice paddy like in the picture! Wow, it’s a very ecological and charming use of the bank safe, isn’t it?
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★The building is located at right across the street from Tokyo station, north exit. PASONA is on the first floor.Everybody can walk into the place

人気ブログたち

おかげさまで、ランキングも上位です

Expression
元気が出ないdown in the dumps

Walking on the street, I found a Nymphalidae butterfly, Tate ha chou! I was almost stepped on it. Wow, where are you coming from in this season? It’s almost the beginning of the winter though… It’s really nice to meet you pretty. I was down in the dumps these days but it cheers me up a bit.


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★The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed in all parts of the world.Usually you can find it in the summer or spring.

人気ブログたち

おかげさまで、ランキングも上位にいます。

Expression
よくお出かけする先　 my frequent outings

In my frequent outings to a Starbucks ( almost every morning!), I often see the same people . The author of one of my favorite novels “Jyuryoku Piero” is also there. Today…here he is! I’m really curious what he is writing now!?　Well, I have to concentrate on my writings.
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人気のブログたち

英語のブログ

Expression
感じ取る　perceive

How do you perceive the arrival of Autumn? There is a street where a fragrant orange-colored olive is planted every few meters. I love to walk on that street in this seasonaｌ fragrant. Orange-colored olive scent is　one of the symbols of Autumn for me.
Mmm, its tender scent makes me feel calm and relaxed.
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★How do you perceive the arrival of Autumn.…from the temperature? That’s one reason. …from your increasing appetite? It’s also another reason!

人気blogたち 　　　 英語のブログ

女性向けの人気ブログ

Expression
うちの裏　 the back yard of my place

This bird comes to the back yard of my place very often.
It flies very smooth and might be feeling good!
Do you remember the example, you learned at school,” I wish I were a bird”?
I just felt like that.

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★The bird (could be a hawk?) moves it’s wings several times and after that, just keeps them straight as if it were an airplane. It seems very relaxed.

人気blogランキングへ

Expression
夕立のあと　after the scattering shower

After the scattering showers, it stopped raining and I just went out walking.　The little drips on the leaves were shining with the glow of the sunset. Youka was looking around with widely opened eyes and enjoying the time after the rain.
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人気blogランキングへ

濃厚な味わい　rich in taste

I had Chocolixir at Godiva. Chocolixir is a frozen chocolate drink similar to a chocolate shake in many ways. Milk Chocolate Caramel flavor, the one I had, is blended with Godiva caramel pieces and topped with caramel sauce. It’s really rich in taste! Mmm yum.
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★I had the one at Shinmarunouchi bld. shop. Godiva

人気blogランキングへ

Expression
気持ちよさそう　It seems comfy

I took the Shinkansen with Youka again!
Around Omiya, we saw three clouds floating in the sky.
They were like a family; Dad, mom and a child. They seemed very comfy.

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★When I was a kid, I wanted to ride on a cloud. Now, I just wanna put Youka on the cloud. I never improve in a way.

Expression
鉄道マニア　railroad buff

You can enjoy different scenery depending on the train. I took Kaiji express leaving from Tokyo station, which is surrounded by buildings, went through mountain area and arrived at Kofu. It’s very nice to see metropolitan scenery and green scenery from the same train window.
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★I’m not a railroad buff, however, I love traveling by train and I understand their feeling a bit

人気blogランキングへ

Expression
ひいおじいちゃん・おばあちゃん great-grandpa/great-grandma

We took Youka to great-grandpa and great-grandma’s home. They were so happy to see Youka.　Youka also enjoyed the stay. Just the thing is…ｔheir house was built in the end of Edo period and they even had old Japanese warehouses, Kura. It’s a very nice and old house, however, the atmosphere was a bit scary for me as if the house were haunted by ghost…excuse me!　This is one of good memories of this summer.

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人気blogランキングへ

Expression
マンネリから抜けだす 　　bust/get out of a rut

When I was walking on the street, I just looked up and found a signal just above me. It seemed a bit different from the one you find when you are waiting for the signal to change when you want to cross a street. If you look at a thing from a different angle, you’ll find something new.
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★When you want to bust out of a rut, look at things from a bit different angle than usual.

人気blogランキングへ

Expression
夏の風物詩　Summer feature

I just went to see Tanabata ornaments with Youka.
There were many beautiful handcrafted Japanese paper ornaments.
Tanabata festival is one of the most beautiful summer features with a sentimental story.
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★Sendai tanabata is held from August 6th this year.

人気blogランキングへ

　さて、暑い日本から抜け出して、避暑のため、あるいはカラリと暑いビーチを求めて海外に出かける人も多い時期になりました。せっかくだから英語でコミュニケーションを！とＤＳや、しゃべる電子辞書を持って奮闘している人もいることでしょう。今回は、ちょっと番外編。英語でコミュニケーションをとるときのコツについてです。詳しくは＜日本語・解説はこちら＞↓で。

人気blogランキングへ
←I appreciate your vote!

Expression
―に・・・直前に飛び乗る　hop into―right before…

You-ka took the Shinkansen for the first time. Usually I just hop into the coach right before leaving using coupon tickets. This time, however, I reserved a seat in advance and checked out the service room and everything. I was a kind of nervous with a three-month-old baby, but You-ka seemed very excited looking at everything. Well, I envy those baby times, when they don’t understand the situation and just enjoy
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★If you are with baby and don’t want to bother people, you have to prepare to stand in the deck during your whole ride. then if your baby fall in sleep, you will feel you are lucky!

人気blogランキングへ

Expression
花言葉　　language of flowers

According to Wikipedia, The Ajisai is“ a Japanese flower of the Hydrangea family. Many Japanese enthusiasts observe its color-changing during the "Tsuyu" rainy season from June to July.” I didn’t know till now that the Japanese kind is called Ajisai, distinguished from the western one.

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★Ajisai is most beautiful when it has raindrops on its petals and leaves.
In the language of flowers, Hydrangea signifies strong love, family ties, and volatile emotions.

Expression
ちらと見る　give a glance

There is an old man, who always talks to You-ka whenever we pass by in front of his shop. But he was talking to a young girl and he didn’t even give a glance to You-ka today. Well, he seemed to prefer an adolescent girl to a baby. You-ka is a bit too young.
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★Elderly people tend to talk to You-ka.People that age will remember when they were bringing up their baby, I guess.

Expression　
新緑　verdure
Fresh verdures are shiny in the rain now.
They are the most beautiful when shining under the sunshine, actually.
The leaves are brushing each other and rustling. The hot summer season will begin very soon.
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★Young leaves have a tender color as if the sunshine shines through them.

Expression
肩を並べる　be on par

There are two shops close to my place. One is Café Mozart. The other is a select shop Bukowski. Mozart is a famous composer, as you know, who was even painted in a picture with Marie Antoinette. Bukowski is an author, who wrote very decadent stories in 20th century. They are totally different types of artists, but here, they are on par.
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★Two artists are so different, though, everything goes together in Japan!

Expression
―日和　 perfect day for―

It’s a very clear day today. It means…perfect day for laundry!　I love the smell and the touch of dried clothes after the laundry.　Those clothes touch is a bit warm and smooth. You-ka seems happy when she is wrapped with washed towels.
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★After I hold dried clothes, I put those into closet with soaps. Then when I wear it, I can enjoy a bit incense of soaps.

Expression
あいにくの雨　ill-timed rain

When I was about to go out, it started raining.
It’s all the timing. I had ill-timed rain and decided to stay in my place.
So much for that!

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Expression
put me in a sentimental vein 　　　 感傷的な気分になる

Now there are many tours related to Tokyo Tower, such as a stay at a hotel with the tower view, in tribute to the best selling book. I stayed at Tokyo Prince when I had to catch the flight early in the morning for my biz trip. I asked to the hotel “I ‘d like a room with Tokyo Tower view.” The room was almost at the foot of Tokyo Ｔower and I even looked up at it! It was kind of a nice stay.

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★I love watching Tokyo Tower at night. The orangish light putｓ me in a sentimental vein.

Expression
もちもちした　elastic

Bread & Company serves a lunch special with their freshly-baked breads.
The bread’s outside texture is crispy and the inside is very elastic. When I went to the restaurant, I was so hungry. Even if I subtract this aspect…the taste was good!
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★Bread & Company becomes a grill bar at night. 。 http://www.breadandcompany.jp/　
The lunch special was served with two breads, a dish and drink for 1200 yen.

Expression
よーく見ると　 Look closely　

I found a world map made of felt. All the dolls are attached with magic tape and you can move them whenever you want to. A handmade map seems very sweet and it’s a very good idea that you can put these ethnic characters on by yourself isn’t it?
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★Look closely, you’ll find a Mexican man in Africa.
I found this map at Conran shop.http://www.conran.ne.jp/shop/

Expression
心のゆとり breadth of mind

How often do you notice the white moon in the daytime? It means how often do you have breadth of mind, I gueess. It’s been a long time since I saw it last. I just wonder if I can see it every day if I look up at the sky? I should take time to see the white moon once a day to relax.
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★Why does the moon look white in the daytime?

Expression
make me feel like-　 -の気分になる。

The poster, showing two tiny bunny boys, is really cute, isn’t it? 　
This is an advertisement of London. It makes me feel like flying to London.
Well…the advertisement is really successful. Good job! 　for the creator.
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★There is an adult version of these bunnies, however the impact is not as strong as the kids’ one.

Expression
土の香り　smell of soil

Cabbage growing in this season is very soft and has a special sweetness.
It also is very tender green and has a little bit of the smell of soil. I love a dish cooked with these cabbages with asparagus, sweet pepper, bacon and pasta.
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★I found a small cabbage patch on the riverbank.

Expression
花びら　petals

Flowers are very colorful in this season. After the cherry blossom season, I feel spring when I look at tulips. This tulip has a special color that is hard to depict. It’s basically orange but yellowish in a way and red in the other way. I’ll say it’s a burning orange. It sounds very passionate don’t you think?
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★There are many kinds of tulip, some bloom in April and some are in May, some have eight petals and some have just a few.

Expression
ほのぼの　warm feeling

I wonder how many people have ever recognized these frogs at Ginza 4 chome crossing. Right across the street from WAKO and the other side of Mitsukoshi, there is a small police box. On the top of it, there are two frogs’ dolls. There are many things passing through without even being given a glance.
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★These are not Ginza taste. It seems a bit dumb, however, I have a warm feeling about it.

Expression
近い将来　　in the near future

I found Telephone booths in the Hibiya area. Those boxes seem retro and actually are really old. The Telephone has jacks for an ISDN telephone line. The cell phone, we are using now, will be old in the near future. What’s to come next after the cell phone?