Phrase of the Week: Merry Christmas

What’s the difference between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Christmas”? Both are Christmas greetings. “Merry Christmas” is the only way to wish someone a good Christmas in the U.S. “Happy Christmas” is used alongside “Merry Christmas” in the United Kingdom and Ireland....

Phrase of the Week: Do Not Open Until Xmas

Label on a package: “Do not open until Xmas” This label appears on a package containing a Christmas gift. In writing, we often see “Xmas” instead of “Christmas”. X looks like the first letter in the word “Christ” when written in Greek, so it is an old abbreviation of...

Phrase of the Week: All I Want

“All I want for Christmas is a pony!” “All I want is for you to be happy.” “All I want” or “the only thing I want” is something I’ll be satisfied if I get, but dissatisfied if I don’t. In other words, it’s the most important thing to me. This phrase appears in the...

Phrase of the Week: You Can Say That Again!

“That movie was terrible.” “You can say that again! It was the worst I’ve ever seen!” We say, “You can say that again!” when we agree strongly with something. It is so true, you could say it twice! There is no need to actually say it again, except as a joke....

Phrase of the Week: Fine!

“Don’t take my advice then! See if I care!” “Fine! I won’t!” “Fine!” “Fine” usually has a positive meaning, but it is also used in frustration when arguing. When we say “fine” angrily, we usually are not fine with it at all! 「じゃあ、私のアドバイスなんか無視するんだね!もう知らない!」...

Phrase of the Week: Thankful

“Looking back at graduation, I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had at this school.” November is a time to be thankful for the harvest and all the other good things in life. 「卒業する際に振り返ってみると、この学校がくれたたくさんの機会に感謝します。」...