[berrypie]

Originally Posted by Sashimister

It's spring time here in Japan and it's also the Spring Pop Quiz time on JF, according to me. I created this hoping it would help you learn more about Japanese culture and its language. You don't have to answer all of the questions, naturally, as they require different levels of prior knowledge.

Please note that I'm putting this specifically in the Japanese language section, meaning that I would appreciate the answers in Japanese (with the exceptions of #8 and #10). Intermediate and Advanced learners are encouraged to answer those two in Japanese as well. I will post the answers in a few days.

SM先生の日本文化教室？はい、参加します！

1. When Japanese-speakers name the four seasons, which season always comes first? Just for practice, write all four in the proper order.

春夏秋冬ではありませんか。「しゅんかしゅうとう」っ て、発音がものすごくにくいです！

2. In what month does the academic year for schools as well as the fiscal year for most organizations start in Japan?

四月です！

3. What is the spring's first strong gust of wind that is said to bring the season called in Japanese?

昨日、ある日本人のウェブ友が教えてくれました。春一 番です。冬将軍を吹き飛んじゃいます？

4. What is the other meaning of さくら other than the cherry (tree or blossoms)? For that meaning, the word is always written in kana.

この質問があまりわかりません。問５．と関連をしてい ますか。

5. What kind of meat is called 桜肉?

うまの肉のこと。食べることがありません。おいしいで すか......

6. What is the word for "spring rain" and what's its exceptional reading in kana?

春雨(はるさめ)です。

7. What is the other meaning of that word above? (Hint: food)

Greenbeanとかポテトから作られる透明なヌードルです。中 国料理にもよく使われますね。韓国のチャプチェが好き なのです。

8. 「春が来る」 has two completely different meanings. Its literal meaning is obvious. What is its figurative meaning? If you're willing to, give me an example sentence using the phrase for that meaning.

理系学生なので、これパス！

9. Name a few seasonal words for spring that are used in haiku.

俳句なんか知りません(笑）。理系学生ですから。

10. Why does the spring break please many Japanese students when it's considerably shorter than the summer break? (This is related to question #2.)

Is it because the spring break means "the end of the school year", so after the break students are either promoted to the next grade, or graduated? At least, I don't think there will be any homework in spring break as the school year has ended already.