DISGRASIAN™

The Japanese Have A Special Word For Mom

As with every culture, the Japanese have words that are difficult to translate into other languages. Most well-known among them are honne, one’s “true feelings and desires,” and tatemae, “the behavior and opinions one displays in public.” There’s also a Japanese word, yoko meshi, for the “stress induced by speaking a foreign language.”

Then there’s this one from the 20 Awesomely Untranslatable Words from Around the World list:

But, see, here’s where I’m confused. Because I always thought the word for that person was just… “Mom”?

What you can't see in this picture is the invisible gun Mom's holding to her child's head.

[Matador Abroad: 20 Awesomely Untranslatable Words from Around the World]
[NPR: Translating the Untranslatable]

Thanks, Angela!

Filed under: Hardass Asian Mamas, Hardass Asian Moms, Hardass Asian Mothers, Hardass Asian Parents, Hardass Asian Parents and Their Love of Academic Achievement, Japanese, Japanese Word for Hardass Asian Mom, Kyoikumama, Lost In Translasian, Lost In Translation, Moms, Pushy Parents, Untranslatable Words