Summer festival
Japanese for a summer festival: words and phrases
You're friends, wandering between the stalls at a summer festival. Mei speaks first, in casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.
casualWith Mei, at the summer festival
How Mei opens the conversation
Mei always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
わあ、屋台がいっぱい！まず何食べる？
Wā, yatai ga ippai! Mazu nani taberu?
Wow, so many stalls! What should we eat first?
You could say
たこ焼きが食べたい！
Takoyaki ga tabetai!
I want takoyaki!
Other ways it can begin
No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:
浴衣、似合ってる！自分で着たの？
Yukata, niatteru! Jibun de kita no?
Your yukata looks great on you! Did you put it on yourself?
You could say
ありがとう！これ、姉に借りたんだ。
Arigatō! Kore, ane ni karita n da.
Thanks! I borrowed it from my sister.
金魚すくい、やろうよ！わたし、得意なんだ。
Kingyo sukui, yarō yo! Watashi, tokui nanda.
Let's do goldfish scooping! I'm good at it.
You could say
いいね、やってみる！
Ii ne, yatte miru!
Sounds fun, I'll give it a try!
太鼓の音、聞こえる？ドキドキするね。
Taiko no oto, kikoeru? Dokidoki suru ne.
Can you hear the drums? It's so exciting.
You could say
うん、いい音だね。
Un, ii oto da ne.
Yeah, it sounds great.
花火、八時からだって。楽しみ！
Hanabi, hachiji kara datte. Tanoshimi!
They say the fireworks start at eight. I can't wait!
You could say
へえ、あと少しだね！
Hē, ato sukoshi da ne!
Oh, not long now then!
このお祭り、来るの初めて。あなたは？
Kono omatsuri, kuru no hajimete. Anata wa?
This is my first time at this festival. How about you?
You could say
わたしは去年も来たよ。
Watashi wa kyonen mo kita yo.
I came last year too.
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the summer festival, each with when you'd say it.
- 浴衣、似合ってるねYukata, niatteru neYour yukata looks great on you.Say it when you first meet up at the festival and notice what they're wearing.
- 金魚すくい、やってみる？Kingyo-sukui, yatte miru?Wanna try goldfish scooping?Use in front of a game stall to invite your friend to give it a go.
- たこ焼き、一緒に買わない？Takoyaki, issho ni kawanai?Should we get takoyaki together?Say it when you spot a food stall and want to share the order.
- 人、すごいね。はぐれないようにしようHito, sugoi ne. Hagurenai yō ni shiyōWow, it's packed. Let's not get separated.Use while pushing through the crowded stall lanes.
- 花火、そろそろ始まるよHanabi, sorosoro hajimaru yoThe fireworks are about to start.Say it to hurry your friend toward a viewing spot.
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 祭り | matsuri | festival |
| 屋台 | yatai | food stall |
| 浴衣 | yukata | summer kimono |
| 花火 | hanabi | fireworks |
| 金魚すくい | kingyo-sukui | goldfish scooping game |
| たこ焼き | takoyaki | octopus balls |
| かき氷 | kakigōri | shaved ice |
| りんご飴 | ringo-ame | candy apple |
| 人混み | hitogomi | crowd |
| 射的 | shateki | cork-gun shooting game |
How polite to be
casual Here Mei speaks casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.
Eating out somewhere else? The guide to ordering food in Japanese walks through a whole meal, from the door to the check.
Try it out loud
In Unsubtitled, Mei says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.
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Or see every scene, with all four characters.