Japanese Katakana English : If "Maikeru" = "Michael"...

[UdoKier]

"Terebi" = "Television"
"Teiku auto" = "Take Out"...

Can you guess what this Japanized word is supposed to be?

"Jirenma"


And for a bonus 5 points; "Risutora".

[Bluebear]

1. remember and restaurant?

[UdoKier]

3. NOPE.

But the second one was a good guess. I'll give that one away.

"risutora" = "risutorakucharingu" = "restructuring"

Hence, "risutora" is the common Japanese term for layoffs due to downsizing!

[Richardo]

2. Jirenma = sherry enema?

All the rage here last week.

[UdoKier]

4. Jirenma, in addition to being the name of a J-Pop band...

is also the katakana transliteration of.....(drum roll)


dilemma!



I lived in Japan for 4 years before I figured that one out!

[On the Road]

5. "Jirenma" is Tough

Will have to think about that.

Does "risutora" = "restore"?

I love trying to figure out Katakana. Got a lot of opportunity in Tokyo over Christmas. I don't know any Japanese, but it's amazing the number of words in print that are English, if you can figure out how to pronounce them.

How about "da-la-ee-bu"?

[UdoKier]

6. The answers are above.

And by "da-la-ee-bu", I assume you're referring to "doraibu"


A.K.A. = "drive"

[MADem]

7. I used to crack up at the way they would say

Ma Ku Dono Do for McDonald's.

I enjoyed the corn soup there...they should import that over here, maybe I'd go to one of those joints!

[On the Road]

8. Yes, I Was Doing it Phonetically

based on how a Japanese guy I know pronounces it. Specifically, I understand that "doraibu" is not just any old driving, but tends to be used for a pleasure drive through the countryside.

My favorite was the katakana for Patricia Cornwall. Took half a subway ride to figure that one out.

[7th_Sephiroth]

9. Bonbu

guess

[UdoKier]

10. Da bomb, baby!

NT