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精米
[seimai] - polished or milled rice

精米 (Seimai) refers to polished or milled rice in Japanese. This process involves removing the outer husk, bran layers, and germ of the rice grains, resulting in white rice that is commonly consumed. The process of 精米 enhances the rice's texture and taste, making it softer and easier to cook. However, it also removes some of the nutritional content, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in the bran and germ layers.

In Japan, Seimai is a standard procedure before rice is sold and consumed. There are different degrees of polishing, which can affect the quality and characteristics of the rice. For example, haigamai is partially milled rice that retains more of the bran and germ, providing more nutrients while still being softer than brown rice.

The process of Seimai is crucial in the production of high-quality rice, a staple food in Japanese cuisine, and it ensures that the rice meets the culinary and consumer preferences for taste, appearance, and cooking properties.


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See Also

生年月日  [seinengappi] - date of birth

生年月日 (seinengappi) is a Japanese term that means "date of birth." When writing a date of birth in Japanese, the standard format is year, month, and day, in that order. The year is typically written in the Western calendar year format or using the Japanese era name.

For example, January 1, 2000, would be written as 2000年1月1日 or 平成12年1月1日 (Heisei 12 nen 1 gatsu 1 nichi), where "年" (nen) stands for year, "月" (gatsu) stands for month, and "日" (nichi) stands for day. This format is consistent across various official documents, forms, and records.

When filling out forms, it is important to use this format to ensure clarity and compliance with Japanese standards. It reflects the structured and precise nature of Japanese documentation practices.

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新  [shin] - new

新 (shin) is a Japanese kanji character that means "new." It is commonly used as a prefix in various contexts to indicate something recent, modern, or newly introduced.

The character 新 can also be found in words like 新年 (shinnen), meaning "New Year," and 新製品 (shinseihin), meaning "new product." Its usage signifies innovation, freshness, and the introduction of new concepts or items. In business and everyday life, the concept of 新 is associated with progress and improvement, reflecting the importance of embracing change and new opportunities in Japanese culture.

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弔慰   [choi] - expressions of condolence or sympathy offered to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one

弔慰 (choi) is a Japanese term that refers to expressions of condolence or sympathy offered to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. This concept is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and involves showing respect and support to the bereaved during their time of mourning.

Acts of choi can take various forms, such as sending condolence messages, offering flowers, attending the funeral or wake, and providing practical or emotional support to the grieving family. It is customary to offer a 弔慰金 (choikin), a monetary gift, to help with funeral expenses or as a gesture of support. These practices help to honor the deceased and offer comfort to those left behind, reflecting the values of compassion and communal solidarity.

The importance of choi in Japanese society underscores the significance of maintaining respectful and supportive relationships, particularly during life's most challenging times.

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Frequently Asked Questions

精米 (Seimai) refers to polished or milled rice in Japanese. This process involves removing the outer husk, bran layers, and germ of the rice grains, resulting in white rice that is commonly consumed. The process of 精米 enhances the rice's texture and taste, making it softer and easier to cook. However, it also removes some of the nutritional content, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in the bran and germ layers.


Polished or milled rice is 精米 (seimai) in Japanese.




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