As time goes by more and more characters are created. How many Chinese characters do we have? And how many characters should a foreign learner master that can manage daily conversations ? Am I suppose to learn all Chinese characters? Don't be worry, this audio will give you an answer.

Learning Chinese culture with Miss Zhang

Chinese characters 2

This story is about a day in the life of a Japanese office worker, using the expression “なければならない” (must/ have to). There are two types of sentences: the formal “なければなりません” and the casual “なきゃ,” so please listen for both.

＜たんごwords＞
 会社員（かいしゃいん）– office worker　
 起きる（おきる）– to wake up
 電車（でんしゃ）– train
 乗る（のる）– to get on / to ride
ラッシュ – rush hour
混む（こむ）– to be crowded
なければなりません – must / have to (formal)
なきゃなりません – must / gotta (casual, spoken)
 着く（つく）– to arrive
メール – email
チェックする – to check
返信（へんしん）– reply
会議（かいぎ）– meeting
上司（じょうし）– boss, superior
予定（よてい）– schedule, plan
説明する（せつめいする）– to explain
お昼（おひる）– lunch
資料（しりょう）– documents, materials
急ぐ（いそぐ）– to hurry
プレッシャー – pressure, stress
夕方（ゆうがた）– evening
終わらせる（おわらせる）– to finish (something)
定時（ていじ）– fixed working hours / regular closing time
残業（ざんぎょう）– overtime work
生活（せいかつ）– daily life / living

A short story in Japanese

会社員の一日　 a day in the life of a Japanese office worker

This is a short story that includes mimetic words (gitaigo) related to summer.

たいようが　ぎらぎらとかがやく。
→ The sun is shining brightly.
あせが　だらだらながれる。
→ Sweat is dripping down.
せみが　みんみんなく。
→ Cicadas are buzzing loudly.
海（うみ）の水（みず）は　ひんやりする。
→ The sea water feels cool.
かぜが　そよそよふく。
→ A gentle breeze is blowing.
うとうとひるねをする。
→ I take a light nap.
ばたばたする。
→ I'm rushing around.
のんびりする。
→ I relax and take it easy.

夏のある日　A summer day

＜English translation＞
About Teru Teru Bozu
Teru Teru Bozu is a traditional Japanese doll.
Children make it when they don’t want it to rain, such as before a sports day or a school trip.

Teru Teru Bozu is made from white paper or tissue.
Sometimes it doesn’t have a face, but some people draw a face after the next day if it is sunny.

People hang the doll outside and say,
"Please make the weather sunny tomorrow."
This custom has been passed down for many years in Japanese culture.