Welcome to the JapanFaveTimes podcast! I’m your host, GoiGoi, here to make learning Japanese fun and exciting!
Today, we have an expression requested by a listener with the radio name reiwa no gyaru-san. Thanks for the request, reiwa no gyaru-san! Quite the trendy name you’ve got there!
The expression we’re exploring today is yabatanien. Ever heard of it? No? Well, you’re in for a treat!
Imagine this: You and your friend are planning a trip to the famous Golden Temple in Kyoto. But, oh no! You realize that you’ve left your camera at the hotel. You turn to your friend and exclaim, yabatanien desu ne! which means something along the lines of This is such a disaster!.
Now, let’s break it down. The word ‘yabatanien’ is a playful combination of the slang term ‘yabatan’ which means something is ‘yabai,’ or bad in English, and ‘tanien’ from ‘nagatani en.’ Together, they form an ultra-dramatic way to say something is really bad or disastrous.
This phrase cleverly combines ‘yabatan’ with ‘tanien,’ referencing the well-known food company ‘nagatanien,’ famous for its instant foods like tea over rice and seasonings. The mashup sounds humorous and catchy, making it a fun way to express dismay or surprise.
While there’s no direct English equivalent, think of it as a dramatic Oh no! or This is the worst! It’s one of those expressions that, when used in moderation, can make your Japanese conversations much more engaging and lively.
So next time you’re in a pinch in your Japanese practice, try using yabatanien! It’s bound to get some laughs and nods of understanding from native speakers.
That wraps it up for today. Thanks again to reiwa no gyaru-san for the awesome suggestion. Keep those requests coming! Until next time, this is GoiGoi, signing off from JapanFaveTimes. Mata ne!