Now that the cool weather is here, it’s time for Koromogae (衣替え), the Japanese custom of completely switching your wardrobe for the new season. This is a practice we don't have in my home country, and I have to admit, it can be such a pain!
I have to wash all my heavy winter clothes because they've been in drawers for so long. It feels like a huge chore, and I'm waiting for the rain to stop so I can finally get my laundry done. However, Koromogae is a very organized and practical custom. It's a great way to mark the start of winter and ensure your clothes are ready for the cold weather.
(涼しくなってきたので、今日は日本特有の衣替えの季節です。衣替えは、季節に合わせて洋服を完全に替える日本の習慣ですが、私の国にはない習慣なので、正直に言って、本当に面倒なことです！)
(引き出しに長くしまってあった冬服を全部洗わなければなりません。まるで大きな雑用のようで、雨が止むのを待ってようやく洗濯をしようとしています。しかし、衣替えはとても整理整頓された実用的な習慣です。冬の始まりを実感し、服を寒さに備えて準備するための素晴らしい方法ですね。)
Key Vocabulary
(重要な単語)
* custom: a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something.
(習慣、風習)
* chore: a routine task, especially a household one that is often tedious.
(雑用、日課)
* wardrobe: a person's entire collection of clothes.
(（個人の）全所有衣類)
* organized: arranged or structured in a systematic way.
(整理された、組織的な)
Key English Phrase
(重要な英語フレーズ)
The phrase is "such a pain." (サッチ・ア・ペイン)
This means that something is very annoying or inconvenient. It's a casual and expressive way to complain about a frustrating task or situation.
(これは、何かが非常に厄介だったり、不便だったりすることを意味します。イライラする状況や面倒なタスクについて、口語的に不満を言うのに適した表現です。)
How to Use It in Conversation
(会話での使い方)
* "I have to wait for the bus for an hour. That's such a pain!"
(「バスを1時間待たなきゃならない。それは本当に面倒だ！」)
* "The paperwork is such a pain to finish."
(「この書類仕事は本当に面倒くさい。」)
* "Finding the perfect gift can be such a pain."
(「完璧な贈り物を見つけるのは本当に大変なことだ。」)
* "Taking the long route home is such a pain."
(「遠回りして家に帰るのは本当にうんざりだ。」)
* "Doing all those extra chores is such a pain."
(「あんな追加の雑用を全部やるのは本当に面倒だ。」)
Quiz Time!
1. What is the English word for「雑用」?
a) wardrobe
b) chore
c) custom
2. The phrase "such a pain" is used to express:
a) happiness.
b) excitement.
c) annoyance or frustration.
3. Fill in the blank: "The __ of Koromogae is to switch your __."
a) chore / custom
b) custom / wardrobe
c) wardrobe / chore
4. Which word means "a person's entire collection of clothes"?
a) laundry
b) wardrobe
c) drawers
5. Fill in the blank: "The system is so __; everything is always in the right place."
a) difficult
b) unorganized
c) organized
Ask your teacher if you are not sure of the correct answers!
What do you think of the custom of Koromogae? Do you find it a chore or a welcome change? I look forward to hearing your comments!
Miami Eikaiwa Blog: https://miamieikaiwa.blogspot.com/?m=1
Quiz Answers
1. b) chore
理由：「chore」は「雑用、日課」という意味です。
2. c) annoyance or frustration.
理由：「such a pain」は、非常に厄介でイライラする状況を表す口語的な表現です。
3. b) custom / wardrobe
理由：custom（習慣）のKoromogaeは、wardrobe（全所有衣類）を切り替えることを意味します。
4. b) wardrobe
理由：「wardrobe」は「（個人の）全所有衣類」を意味します。
5. c) organized
理由：「everything is always in the right place」（すべてが常に正しい場所にある）という文脈から、「organized」（整理された）が適切です。
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