Happy Sunday Japanophiles, Herewith the 46th issue of the Hai Japan Newsletter — your Weekly Dose of Japan!

Today, we’re reviewing a news article from NHK Japan. The article includes a video if you’d like to watch it ;)

Newsletter: Learning Japanese through News 🌟Topic: Influenza Cases Rising in Japan

📜 Original Japanese Text

インフルエンザになる人ひとがとても増ふえています。

国くにによると、今月こんげつ22日にちまでの1週間しゅうかんに、インフルエンザになった人ひとは、前まえの週しゅうの2倍ばい以上いじょうになりました。この季節きせつでは今いままでの10年ねんで、いちばん多おおくなりました。

47都道府県とどうふけんの全部ぜんぶで、前まえの週しゅうより増ふえました。特とくに大分県おおいたけん、鹿児島県かごしまけん、佐賀県さがけん、千葉県ちばけんなど36の都道府県とどうふけんでは、とても多おおくなっています。

専門家せんもんかは「今年ことしは、とても速はやいスピードで増ふえています。これから、お正月しょうがつで人ひとが集あつまることが多おおくなります。よく手てを洗あらったり、マスクをしたりしてください」と話はなしています。

🌸 Romaji Transliteration

Infuruenza ni naru hito ga totemo fueteimasu.

Kuni ni yoru to, kongetsu nijūni-nichi made no isshuukan ni, infuruenza ni natta hito wa, mae no shū no nibai ijō ni narimashita. Kono kisetsu de wa ima made no jūnen de, ichiban ōku narimashita.

Yonjuu-nana todōfuken no zenbu de, mae no shū yori fuemashita. Tokuni Ōita-ken, Kagoshima-ken, Saga-ken, Chiba-ken nado sanjū-roku no todōfuken de wa, totemo ōku natteimasu.

Senmonka wa, "Kotoshi wa, totemo hayai supiido de fueteimasu. Korekara, Oshōgatsu de hito ga atsumaru koto ga ōku narimasu. Yoku te o arattari, masuku o shitari shite kudasai," to hanashiteimasu.

🌍 Full English Translation

The number of people getting influenza is increasing a lot.

According to the government, during the one week until the 22nd of this month, the number of people who got influenza became more than double that of the previous week. This season saw the highest number of cases in the past ten years.

In all 47 prefectures, cases increased compared to the previous week. Especially in Ōita Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, and 36 other prefectures, the number of cases is very high.

Experts say, "This year, the cases are increasing at a very fast pace. As New Year approaches and more people gather, please make sure to wash your hands frequently and wear masks," they said.

🧩 Grammar Breakdown

• インフルエンザになる人ひとがとても増ふえています

  • Grammar Point:

    • なる (naru) = "to become."

      • Example: インフルエンザになる (infuruenza ni naru) = "to become infected with influenza."

    • 増えています (fueteimasu) = "is increasing."

      • The ている (te-iru) form indicates a continuous or ongoing action.

  • Translation: "The number of people getting influenza is increasing a lot."

• 国くにによると、今月こんげつ22日までの1週間に

  • Grammar Point:

    • によると (ni yoru to) = "according to."

      • Example: 国によると (kuni ni yoru to) = "according to the country (government)."

    • まで (made) = "until."

      • Example: 22日まで (nijūni-nichi made) = "until the 22nd."

  • Translation: "According to the government, during the one week until the 22nd of this month..."

1. 前まえの週しゅうの2倍ばい以上いじょうになりました

   • Grammar Point:

     • 倍 (bai) = "times/multiplier."

       • Example: 2倍 (nibai) = "twice as much."

     • 以上 (ijou) = "more than."

       • Example: 2倍以上 (nibai ijou) = "more than double."

   • Translation: "The number of cases became more than double that of the previous week."

1. この季節きせつでは今いままでの10年ねんで、いちばん多おおくなりました

   • Grammar Point:

     • いちばん (ichiban) = "the most" or "number one."

       • Example: いちばん多く (ichiban ooku) = "the most many" or "the highest number."

   • Translation: "This season saw the most cases in the past ten years."

1. 専門家せんもんかは「今年ことしは、とても速はやいスピードで増ふえています」

   • Grammar Point:

     • 専門家 (senmonka) = "expert."

     • 速い (hayai) = "fast."

       • Example: 速いスピード (hayai supiido) = "a fast speed."

     • で (de) = Indicates the manner in which something happens.

   • Translation: "Experts say, 'This year, the cases are increasing at a very fast pace.'"

1. よく手てを洗あらったり、マスクをしたりしてください

   • Grammar Point:

     • たり〜たりする (tari~tari suru) = Listing examples of actions.

       • Example: 洗ったり (arattari) = "washing (hands)," マスクをしたり (masuku o shitari) = "wearing masks."

     • してください (shite kudasai) = A polite request, "please do."

   • Translation: "Please wash your hands and wear masks frequently."

🌸 Romaji Transliteration

1. Infuruenza ni naru hito ga totemo fueteimasu

2. Kuni ni yoru to, kongetsu nijūni-nichi made no isshuukan ni...

3. Mae no shuu no nibai ijou ni narimashita.

4. Kono kisetsu de wa ima made no juunen de ichiban ooku narimashita.

5. Senmonka wa 'kotoshi wa, totemo hayai supiido de fueteimasu' to hanashiteimasu.

6. Yoku te o arattari, masuku o shitari shite kudasai.

🌟 English Translation

1. The number of people getting influenza is increasing a lot.

2. According to the government, during the one week until the 22nd of this month...

3. The number of cases became more than double that of the previous week.

4. This season saw the most cases in the past ten years.

5. Experts say, "This year, the cases are increasing at a very fast pace."

6. "Please wash your hands and wear masks frequently."

📝 Vocabulary

1. 増える (ふえる, fueru) = To increase

2. 季節 (きせつ, kisetsu) = Season

3. 専門家 (せんもんか, senmonka) = Expert

4. お正月 (おしょうがつ, oshougatsu) = New Year’s holiday

📩 Tips for Learners

• Romaji is helpful for pronunciation practice, but transitioning to kana improves comprehension.

• Review verb forms like 〜ている (te-iru) for actions that are ongoing.

• Practice the たり〜たりする pattern to describe multiple actions.

Keep practicing, and enjoy the journey of learning Japanese! 😊

That’s all folks!

Let me know if you enjoyed this simple news article from NHK japan :)

Have a great Sunday!