Brownie Broods. Brownie Rants. Brownie Speaks.

8 Japanese Terms You'd Absolutely Love

Since recently I have developed a new love for the Japanese language. I mean, I think it's one of the most meaningful languages out there. It has such beautiful terms/phrases which cannot be exactly translated to English in single words but here are some definitions I put together after a good Google search 😀♥️

1. Ichi-go Ichi-e

Perfectly fits this pandemic, isn't it? We are so unsure of everything that we gotta treasure each and every moment we spend around our loved ones ♥️

2. Koi No Yokan

This phrase has a special place in my heart ever since I saw it. I mean, love at first sight exists in English but that's kinda cringe when you really think about it. This is different though. It's the premonition of love. A special feeling about the future. I would love to write about this someday — either a novel or at least a short story 🤗

3. Ikigai

This is similar to the French term raison d'être. Seeing this word makes me wonder what's really my ikigai? And I'm still thinking. I haven't figured the answer yet. Have you? 🤔

4. Wabi-Sabi

Everyone loves perfection well because it is perfect duh. But what about those things, people and moments that are imperfect? Those hold a special kind of beauty, isn't it? The fact that something could be incomplete or someone could be flawed and broken, and yet make sense and add some sort of value to our lives by merely existing is such a beautiful thing when you think about it 😇

5. Yugen

Just like the definition of this term, even explaining it or discussing it is not so easy. But I'm sure you understand what it is about. We all have got lost in our thoughts about this world, its beings, ourselves and even the entire universe at least once in our lives. And when you try to communicate about it with someone close to you — well, it doesn't make the same sense to them! 🤷🏾‍♀️

6. Mono No Aware

Things start and they end. People come and they leave. One day we are young and the next we are old. The happy moments won't last forever but neither will the sad ones. Change is constant and everything else is temporary. Again, this term makes so much sense during the current times. I go to bed each night unsure of what kind of day will dawn when I wake up. It's scary. But then again, it is the sole reason why I now appreciate and cherish each moment that passes by. Because life is beautiful just like that! 🤠

7. Kuidaore

Ah this! If you are a foodie and you love eating out or buying food or making all those recipes you come across, you know exactly what this is. Food is our life. Food is our motivation. Food is our downfall too. LOL 😂

8. Kuchisabishii

Oh man! I can't thank the Japanese enough for coming up with this word because this is literally my life. Food eaten for boredom definitely holds a larger part of my tummy than food consumed for hunger. Well, at least now I know it's my mouth's loneliness that leads me towards the snacks all the time 😛

So, what's your favorite term? Let me know in the comments 😀