This article originally featured in the February 2022 issue of Connect.
Hey all! Welcome to February. This month’s Japanese pun is pretty apt for the Valentine’s season, though I hope all your love is requited.
片思いで肩重い (kataomoi de kata omoi)—Unrequited love is heavy on my shoulders
For this month’s vocabulary, I’ll go a bit into the different kinds of chocolate given, though it is unfortunately up to you to figure out which type to give to whom!
Vocabulary:
バレンタイン, varentain, Valentine
彼氏, kareshi, Boyfriend
彼女, kanojo, Girlfriend
恋人, koibito, Gender-neutral romantic partner
告白, kokuhaku, Confession
デート, deto, Date
友チョコ, tomo choco, Friendship chocolate
義理チョコ, giri choco, Obligation chocolate (for your boss and coworkers)
本命チョコ, honmei choco, “True romantic feelings” chocolate
逆チョコ, gyaku choco, “Reverse” chocolate (given by a boy to a girl)
自分チョコ, jibun choco, “Self” chocolate (chocolate bought for yourself—the most important kind)
