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Glossary for Life in Japan Related Terms in Japanese

学生   [gakusei] - student

学生 (gakusei) is a Japanese term that translates to "student" in English. It refers to individuals who are enrolled in educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, or universities, and are actively engaged in studying and learning. The term encompasses students of all levels, from elementary school students to university students. The term is broadly used in educational contexts to describe anyone who is pursuing formal education.

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掛かる   [kakaru] - to take

掛かる (kakaru) is a Japanese verb that translates to "to take," "to require," "to cost," or "to hang" in English, depending on the context in which it is used.

In the context of time or effort, 掛かる means "to take" or "to require." For example, when saying "It takes time," you would use "時間が掛かる" (jikan ga kakaru).

When referring to cost, 掛かる means "to cost." For example, "It costs money" is "お金が掛かる" (okane ga kakaru).

In the context of something being suspended or hanging, 掛かる means "to hang." For example, "A picture is hanging on the wall" would be "絵が壁に掛かっている" (e ga kabe ni kakatte iru).

Therefore, 掛かる is a versatile verb used in various contexts to describe the necessity of time, effort, cost, or the state of being suspended or attached.

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基本   [kihon] - basis

基本 (kihon) is a Japanese term that translates to "basis," "foundation," "fundamentals," or "basic" in English. It refers to the essential or foundational elements of something. In various contexts, kihon can imply the fundamental principles, underlying concepts, or basic techniques that form the core of a subject or activity.

In education, kihon might refer to the foundational knowledge or basic skills that students need to learn a subject effectively. In business, kihon could refer to the core principles or standard practices that guide operations and decision-making. In martial arts or sports, kihon often refers to the basic techniques or fundamental moves that practitioners must master.

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手段   [shudan] - means

手段 (shudan) is a Japanese term that translates to "means," "method," or "way" in English. It refers to the tools, techniques, or approaches used to achieve a particular goal or objective.

Shudan can be applied in various contexts to describe the process or means by which something is accomplished. For example, in business, shudan might refer to the strategies or tactics used to reach sales targets or improve operations. In everyday life, shudan can refer to the methods or ways individuals use to solve problems, achieve personal goals, or complete tasks.

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相殺   [sosai] - offset

相殺 (sosai) is a Japanese term that translates to "offset" or "set-off" in English. It refers to the process of balancing or canceling out two opposing claims or amounts, resulting in a net amount. This concept is commonly used in financial, legal, and business contexts.

In accounting, sosai might involve offsetting a debt with a credit, thereby reducing the net amount owed. For example, if two parties owe each other money, they can agree to cancel out the amounts to determine the net balance.

In legal terms, sosai can refer to the process of offsetting mutual claims in a lawsuit, where one party's claim is set off against the counterclaim of the other party, resulting in a net obligation.

The principle of sosai helps in simplifying financial transactions and legal disputes by allowing parties to settle their accounts or claims against each other more efficiently.

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奥行き   [okuyuki] - depth

奥行き (okuyuki) is a Japanese term that translates to "depth" or "dimension" in English. It refers to the measurement or extent of something from front to back. In various contexts, okuyuki can describe the physical depth of an object, such as the depth of a shelf, a room, or a piece of furniture.

Beyond its literal meaning, okuyuki can also be used metaphorically to describe the depth or complexity of something non-physical, such as a thought, a conversation, or a piece of art. In this sense, it implies a richness or a multi-dimensional quality that goes beyond the surface level.

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