We say this in Okinawa dialect..
AGA instead of ITAI (ouch)
It means "It's alright" Nankurenaisa.
People are so kind here.
Instead of rushing, people here seem to have more time.
HAISAI. - This is Cathy Cat
This is Haruna from Okinawa.
Let's enjoy Okinawa.
We speak differently here in Okinawa.
And our intonation is totally different from standard Japanese.
It's like an Okinawan dialect?
Yes.
Can you tell me some words, like your favorite ones.
In Okinawa we often just speak with one syllable.
Like just saying "ya".
Meaning "You".
Ya = You
In Okinawa we say "Aga" when we are hurt.
We all often say AGA.
- Instead of the usual "ITAI" (ouch) - We say "AGA"
When we wanna say studying is a bore we say "benkyo masai".
Masai is used like boring.
Benkyo masai (studying is boring)
I leaned something useful there.
Let me teach you something too...
Konnichiwa is hello
in Okinawa we say HAISAI
We also say in Okinawa dialect "nankuru naisa"
We say it when "things will be alright".
Everything will be ok.
We often take things easy.
So this expresses our "It's alright" attitude.
- I got dumped! - Nevermind, it will be alright.
That's how you use it? - Yes.
It means things will be alright.
It's dialect with a nice touch.
Any other okinawan?
Nife debiru. - Nife DEVIL?
Not a devil! It means thank you!
When you wanna say "Thank you" then say "Nife Debiru".
Many foreigners in Japan like the word "Arigatou."
So if you come here, please use Nife Debiru
NIFE DEBIRU
Nice.
What's good about Okinawa?
The ocean is beautiful...
And I like how kind the people here are.
The sea.
The northern see.
When comparing Okinawa and Hiroshima...
What's different?
Well the climate here is dryer.
It really has a southern climate.
Hiroshima is more humid.
Hiroshima has the Inland Sea...
so you can't see the horizon.
Here you can see the horizon.
So the evening sun is a really moving view.
It feels like we are in a foreign country.
If you compare Okinawa and Tokyo...
What do you think is different?
It's so hot here.
The people are so kind here .
For example?
The taxi driver said he couldn't take us to a specific point but
took us close and said "3000yen is enough"
He was so kind.
That's a nice story.
People are very kind here.
When I walk around, people often mistake me for a foreigner.
But older ladies often tell me the way, and people are so friendly.
I really think so.
We are quite warm hearted.
I like the people and such
What's different?
The time here seems to flow differently. - How so?
Here things seem to be more relaxed.
The climate and the people.
People generally seem to be more happy here too.
Instead of hurrying around, people seem to have more time.
You were born and raised here, right Haruna?
That's right. I am born here and have been raised here.
And now I am working here.
What do you personally think is best about Okinawa?
The thing that's best about Okinawa would be after all...
The sea.
The blue sea. - Yes the color is amazing!
It has a strong emerald blue color.
The ocean is beautiful, the air is fresh
And the people here are kind and gentle.
Do you know about our traditional culture here?
For example?
One world famous thing would be Karate.
Karate originally comes from Okinawa? - That's right.
That's why there are many strong Karate people who come from Okinawa.
Wow that's amazing.
So if I see a cute girl here, she might be able to kick my bum with karate!
Exactly!
We have many detailed parts in our culture.
When you meet people from Tokyo, are they a bit different to people from here?
Here people are friendly and somewhat... warm.
???
It means we are all friends and we are told that from a young age.
We all help each other out and we carry a warm heart.
You are a small island in a series of islands so people get close.
Yes we are all close.
This is my first time in Okinawa, what souvenir shall I buy for home?
pork... cartilage Tankotsu.
It's quite unusual right.
It's tasty and I can recommend it.
What part of the pig is it?
Tankotsu is actually the ear, right? Right here.
THE EAR!? - Yes.
The ears are tasty Cathy.
Yes they are crunchy and tasty.
We also all just eat chinsukou normally
We also bring them to school.
What was Chinsukou again?
They are cookies made from pork fat
They are a famous Okinawan souvenir sweet.
Cathy you should buy some. - Alright.
Before you go back to Saitama, what souvenirs will you buy?
You mean Asa! I see.
The seaweed Asa.
Asa tastes great in soup.
Sanpin Jasmine tea, right.
And Beniimo Tarts!
I will get a Shisa.
Umibudou (Sea grapes)
We are in Naha right now but do you have a favorite place here?
My recommendation in Naha would be...
Walking down Kokusai international street...
Looking at the merchandise and such. I think that's fun.
This type of fashion here is cute too.
What was the name of this style?
We call is Kariushi wear.
Yes that's right, this is traditional Kariushi wear.
You wear that ...
On formal occasions, on celebrations, or just when going out.
You can wear your traditional wear in different ways. That's nice.
I want one myself...
Cathy this would suit you! - I wanna try wearing one like that.
You would look cute in it
In Okinawa Bukka (living cost) is cheap.
Buta (pork) is cheap?!
I mean the cost of living here.
And that's why its easy to buy things.
I see.
If one wanted to live in Okinawa, it would be easy? - I think so.
I bet it's a lot cheaper than in Tokyo. - Yes definitely.
My rent in Tokyo is a real struggle.
Even on a holiday you can afford buying many things here.
That's good.
Since you already speak Japanese...
Do you want to have a turn
and ask them about souvenirs?
What presents did you buy?
Those salty cookies. - Chinsukou!
Yes Chinsukou.
A Shisha. - You mean Shisa! Yes!
I like Shisa.
They are cute. - Please display yours
It's my niece's birthday so we'll probably get her a little hello kitty.
Cause she loves Hello Kitty.
We only have small bags, we only have room for
We have small backpacks. Not a lot of room.
You're bringing home the memories. - Yes more memories.
Pictures. Lots of pictures.
Are there any presents you wanna bring back home to Italy?
Awamori. - What is Awamori?
A sort of sake.
I think I like it a lot. I tried it and I like it.
Something for parents.
I see Awamori.
Have a great trip in Japan! Thank you so much!
We asked quite a lot of people about Okinawa which is the south of Japan.
It is very tropical and sometimes compared to for example Hawaii
As you can see, lots of Japanese travel there,
lots of westerners travel there
people from all over the world travel to Okinawa and have different reasons for being there.
This is one video out of a whole series we did on a special on Okinawa.
We asked YOU GUYS what you would like to find out
And what you'd like to know about Okinawa.
We did a couple of videos for you, so if you're curious
about Okinawa be sure to click the playlist
so we can take you on a tropical holiday to the south of Japan.
I hope you enjoyed this video, don't forget to give it a like.
Also let me know, what did you learn about Okinawa and what interests YOU
about Okinawa.
I am sure there will be a couple of good comments so you can maybe
comment on each others comments
and start a discussion.
looking forward to reading your comments and
catch you soon on Ask Japanese! Bye!