Words January 2026 Week 1

Musicians, manual labor workers and athletes often get calluses on their hands and feet. (A blister is a fluid-filled pocket that feels tender and painful and a callus is a hard and thick.)

Kōdan narratives are often based on real or legendary historical events, samurai heroes, battles (Gundan), and local stories (Sewamono). (In ancient times, kodan-shi, a.k.a. storytellers, passed down historical events from generation to generation through story telling.)

The kinkan tree is the Japanese name for the kumquat. (During the New Years celebrations, they are a symbol of wealth.)

I trimmed tree branches on several trees and bushes. (To trim a tree means to give it a nice shape, to cut a branch means to remove the whole branch and to cut a tree means to remove the whole tree.)

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. (The winter solstice, or Toji in Japanese, welcomes the returning sun, symbolizing new beginnings, health, and good fortune. Traditions on this day are taking yuzu baths and eating kabocha squash to ward off illness and bring luck.)

The U.S. Mint exclusively produces U.S. coins. (The Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints all U.S. paper currency.)

She was crying tears of joy. (She was so happy that she cried.)

She always has a ball of yarn nearby for knitting. (The 90-year-old lady has dementia but enjoys knitting.)

She often misplaces her dentures. (Examples of “misplaced” and “lost”: "I misplaced my keys in the house, but I will find them" versus "I lost my keys and need to get new ones.)

I brought Zongzi, a.k.a. sticky rice dumplings. (She, her aunt and cousins had a potluck party.)

Gyoza is also known as “pot stickers.” (The gyoza sticks to the fry pan when cooking.)

I’ll be there in a drop of a hat. (I’ll be there in a flash.)

ASAP means as soon as possible. (The boss said that he wants to see you ASAP. When saying ASAP, the nuance is “right now”.)

US paper money is made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (Coins are made in one of four mints in the US.)

The electric window shutter suddenly shot up. (The motor needs to be repaired or replaced.)

Many elderly drivers drive with confidence but have slow reflexes. (A reflex is a quick response to an action.)

She wore reindeer antlers. (Everyone at the Christmas party had to wear something “Christmasy.”)

I had a runny nose and a sore throat. (“His nose was running” is ok but don’t say “he had a running nose.”)

I strained a muscle in my shoulder. (He pulled a muscle in his shoulder.)

Onomatopoeia are words that imitate the natural sounds they describe. (Some common examples include buzz, hiss, thud, bang, and animal noises like oink or meow.)

The doctor will take a biopsy of the tumor. (He will remove a tiny piece of the tumor to see if it is cancerous.)

The origin of Chinese characters came from cracks in tortoise shells and animal bones. (About 4,000 years ago they drew pictures of the cracks and gave them meanings.)

He has good penmanship (kakikata). (It is easy to read his handwriting.)

A cold wave hit Japan and caused a multi-vehicle pileup on the Kan-etsu Expressway. (Over 50 cars smashed into each other, resulting in one fatality, 26 injuries (five serious).)

May 2026 bring you all much happiness and good health!