In this episode of "Nihongo no Tane," Yumi shares delightful stories about Pon-chan, the newest member of her family—a curious and calm kitten! She recounts how Pon-chan has grown from a tiny ball of fluff to a playful companion with a big personality. From quiet visits to the vet to bonding moments with her daughter and dog Maro-chan, Pon-chan’s gentle yet bold nature continues to charm everyone around him. Tune in to hear about his adventures and discover why Yumi believes he’s destined to be a “big deal”!
The term 大物(おおもの) is often used in Japanese to describe someone of significant stature, importance, or influence in a particular field. It's a versatile word that carries a sense of admiration and respect but can also be used humorously or sarcastically depending on the context.
- When used sincerely, 大物(おおもの) refers to someone who is influential or accomplished.
あの人(ひと)は政治(せいじ)の世界(せかい)では大物(おおもの)です。 (That person is a big shot in the world of politics.)
- It can describe someone with an aura of greatness or a larger-than-life presence.
彼女(かのじょ)は新人(しんじん)だけど、大物感(おおものかん)があります。 (She’s a newcomer, but she has the presence of a big deal.)
- Sometimes, it’s used to describe someone who shows promise or potential to become a prominent figure.
彼(かれ)は若(わか)い頃(ころ)から将来(しょうらい)の大物(おおもの)と言(い)われていました。 (He’s been called a future big shot since he was young.)
- It can also be used jokingly to describe someone acting overly confident or pretending to be important.
彼(かれ)は自分(じぶん)のことを大物(おおもの)だと思(おも)っているみたい。 (He seems to think he’s a big deal.)
The term is tied to the Japanese appreciation for hierarchy and respect for accomplishments. Calling someone 大物(おおもの) implies they have achieved or will achieve something noteworthy, but the tone and intent can vary depending on how it's said and the relationship between the speaker and the subject.
If you're describing someone as 大物(おおもの), it's a way of acknowledging their significance—whether genuinely or playfully. Context is everything!
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-164
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-164-m
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