英語・英会話の情報ランド

★日本的事物の英訳例(12)《編集A.Y.》

もち

a rice cake made from glutinous rice that is steamed and pounded using a mortar and a mallet, traditionally eaten during the New Year holidays

* glutinous rice もち米, mortar 臼（うす）, mallet 杵（きね）

焼き鳥

grilled chicken skewered on bamboo sticks, which is one of the most popular foods that office workers eat while drinking after work

* skewer（肉など）をくしに刺す

屋台

a small movable food stand or stall by the roadside, which serves such foods as ramen (Chinese noodles), 'oden' (stewed vegetables and fish cake), or yakitori' (grilled skewered chicken), together with drinks

* stew …をとろ火で煮込む

結納

the ceremonial exchange of gifts between the two families of an engaged couple

ゆかた

a informal light cotton kimono worn in summer, used as loungewear or sleepwear

(It is also often worn at fireworks displays and local festivals.)

* fireworks display 花火大会

予備校

a special school where students study to prepare for college entrance examinations

(Many of those who have failed the entrance examinations upon graduation from high school attend a 'yobiko' in preparation for another attempt in the next year.)

落語

a traditional comic monologue depicting ordinary people's lives in the Edo period with a punch line at the end

* punch line（冗談などの）落ち

浪人

(in the feudal times) a wandering samurai without a lord

(today) students who have failed college entrance examinations and are studying to prepare for another chance in the following year

* the feudal times 封建時代