Strange Friendship - Glossary of Japanese words and Other random bizarre words used in the story
-chan: A suffix that the speaker adds to a close female friend's name, or a child's name. Naturally Hatsuki
and Rika use this for each other. Ji uses it for Hatsuki because it's okay with her and because they are on very
good terms. Also, grammar books will deny this, but I've seen loads of cases where close guy friends use it for
each other, too. Why don't Ji and Takun ever use it, then? Well because "Takun" is already the result of adding a
similar suffix "-kun" so it would be kind of dumb. And "Ji-chan" is a way of saying "grandpa", which would also be
kind of dumb. Eh heh. But Takun might call Ji "Jiro-chan" now that they're close or something. Note: The suffix is
rarely used by a woman for a man's name unless he's like a transvestite or something or she's the school bully and
he happens to be particularly girl-like^^...
Disband: Not sure how often people actually use this word. Most people in America say "break up" but I think it's
clearer in this case to use "disband" which means the same thing. Otherwise it sounds like Ji and Takun were
dating...*sweatdrop*
Fanservice: When Takun refers to "fanservice" in his long horrible background rant, he's referring to the
way he and Ji act almost like a couple. Fanservice is just what it sounds like; doing something for the fans
because they want it or expect it. In this case, W.I.N.K.'s selling point is fulfilling the fans' expectations and
acting like they're together even though they're not. This seems to be pretty common among Jpop groups, especially
male and is generally for show and isn't taken seriously to the point of jeopardizing their careers. Go figure...
I'm STILL figuring. And I'd go so far as to say just about everyone that does it is straight.
Ganbatte: From the verb "ganbaru". It means roughly "to persist" or "to do one's best". Ji says "Ganbatte, ne."
("Do your best, okay?") to wish Takun luck before the concert. (You know...it just occurred to me that, being from
Osaka, he would more likely say "ganbare na" or something but I left it the way it is because it's really not that
big of an error.)
Glomp: I think I may have used this as a sound effect once or twice. It's something like an over-energetic
run-tackle-hug. Well you just have to be glomped to understand "glomp" I guess.
Ja ne: An informal way of saying goodbye. Sort of like "see ya!" or "TTYL".
Konbanwa: A greeting. "Good evening"
-kun: A suffix that the speaker adds to a friend's name. This is usually used for a close male friend or by a boss
to employees in his/her charge. This is the "kun" in "Takun".
Moshi moshi: The way to answer a telephone in Japanese. Like saying "Hello?"
Ne: 1. Sometimes female speakers use this at the beginning of a sentence to get the listener's attention like a
polite "hey...". I usually don't see guys use it though. They usually say something like "Na..." or "Oi" or more
extreme "Are" (prn: "Ah ray") or "hora". 2. When used at the end of a sentence it can mean a variety of things like
"okay?" or "isn't it?" and similar things that have to do with asking for confirmation. Sort of like the French
"n'est pas?"
Ni-chan: An informal way to address one's older brother (and also someone who is like an older brother). This is
what Rika calls her brother Ji. It is an informal form of "Onii-san" or "Onii-sama".
Osaka: When I use this I'm reffering to the city Osaka.
pocky: little cookie sticks with chocolately or strawberry-y coating that sort of taste like sawdust but will
addict you immediatelyyyyyyyyy. And since I'm allergic to wheat, this becomes very bad, very quickly. ^^''
-san: Did I even use this? A suffix used by the speaker for people in general as a sign of respect. Like Mr. or
Mrs. For example, if Ji and Takun wanted to be polite, they would call their manager "Yazawa-san". Actually they
probably should, but he really doesn't care and they're not in any mood to be polite. ^o^
Tomodachi: (The name of W.I.N.K.'s album.) It means "Friends". Yes totally dorky album name, I know,
but so fitting.
