Word of the Week: Poisonous

“These mushrooms look very similar, but this one is poisonous and this one is okay to eat.” Something that contains poison is “poisonous”. For example, some mushrooms are poisonous, so it’s dangerous to eat mushrooms you found growing...

Word of the Week: Cooperate

“We can get this done quickly if we all cooperate!” “This assignment teaches the students the value of cooperation.” “Cooperate” means “work together”. Look at the parts of the word. “Co-” means...

Word of the Week: Fib

“I fought a bear during summer break.” “No, you didn’t. You’re fibbing.” A fib is a lie. To fib is to tell a lie. A fib is usually a childish or unimportant kind of lie, rather than a serious lie with grave consequences. 「夏休みに熊と戦ったんだ。」 「やってないよ、うそだろ。」 Fib...

Word of the Week: Coax

“I coaxed the kittens out of the hole using some tuna and took them home.” To coax someone is to try to get them to do something in a gentle manner. Perhaps they are scared or suspicious, so if you try to force them, they will run away or freeze up, so it’s better to...

Word of the Week: Wear

“I’m going out in the cold, so I’m wearing a warm hat, warm mittens and big warm boots.” In English, you can use the same word with any kind of clothing or accessory you put on your body. You wear hats, wear glasses, wear shirts, wear pants and wear shoes....