New "Bushism" Slang Word Sweeps Japan! "KAKKATE KOI!" ("OK, Bring Them On"): Japanese Press

Nikkan Gendai News ^ | 4 July 2003 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

President George Bush's threat and taunt of terrorists to 'try their hand against the United States' has been highlighted, above the fold, in the Japanese press.

The newest buzzword sweeping Japan in connection with Bush and his image as a 'tough guy, no nonsense on terrorism dude' is:

"KAKKATE KOI!" or "OK, BRING IT ON THEN"

Directly transliterated, it means, "If you are going to come after me, then come on!"

This phrase is often heard in tough, burly precincts of blue collar Japan just before fists are hurled.

[Seeking the truth]

Yeh, all those Uncle Sams look alike!

[Paradox]

For the dummies wondering what yer talkin about..

This is an AKCA Champion koi fish. Basically a heavily inbred carp, resulting in some fantastic colorations. They grow quite large, given the right conditions, and can live as long as 100 years (documented)

"Kakkate" sounds alot like "caga te" in spanish, which means, basically, "sh*t yourself". So this could be construed as an insult or a command to these poor fishies..

[AmericanInTokyo]

I wish I knew what it sounded like!

[martin_fierro]

I love those fish. Very, very kewl.

[AmericanInTokyo]

yep. and the Spanish for 'garlic' (ajo) when said is the Kansai (Osaka) dialect essentially for 's---head'. Funny how all these things are connected. I guess we will did originate from the horn of Africa after all.....

[martin_fierro]

The link worked briefly, but then Geocities discontinued it.

How does one say "bite me" to Geocities in Japanese? <|:)~

[TC Builders]

[AmericanInTokyo]

The exact direct literation of [bite me] in Japanese would be "watakushi wo kaminasai!", quite literally, 'bite me'. However, 100% of Japanese would not have a clue as to what you meant.

So, you would have to do the Japanese 'equivalent' rather than the Japanese 'direct translation'. Could be something like 'urrrrusai' (roll the r just like in spanish in a gutteral way of contempt). Basically means, 'shut up!'. I don't advise this is public unless you enjoy karate chops to the solarplexis.

[Warren]

The dems are already slamming Bush for being insensitive.

[mollynme]

Could be something like 'urrrrusai' (roll the r just like in spanish in a gutteral way of contempt). Basically means, 'shut up!'.

Gee - I always thought it just meant noisy. I wonder if my Mom knew that when she said that to us kids! LOL

[mollynme]

Chee, chee, paa-paa,
chee paa-paa.
Suzume no gakko,
No sensei, wa..

Now that brings back memories!! Little sparrows in school. LOL

[section9]

You know, the minute that the Chia Pet starts firing his missles into the Sea of Japan, the Japanese Political Elite is going to get really . That's why I don't put too much stock in this anti-Bush crapola. Most people like to blame the messenger for bringing the bad news. When the feces hits the fan, they'll come running.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[AmericanInTokyo]

Actually you are correct on that part of it. "Urusai" is both an adverb and a transitive imperative verb. Urusai means "loud" or "noisy". But when said as a command, it really means "Shut up!". I first thought it sounded strange. That the Japanese for "shut up" was a person just yelling "Loud!" to the recipient. But the full impact is to order them to 'shut up'.

Just as in a the US when a husband is nagged by his wife with a 'honey-do' while he is busy in the garage, he may mumble in a low voice so as to release his frustrations but not have her hear "Oh, will ya' just shut up?', but if he wants to ramp it up a notch, he will address her directly with "Shut up!". Same with 'urusai'. It can be said very low key to oneself in resignation such as a stressed out babysitter (saaa...urusai), and as you would as to a corrupt business partner you busted who was getting in your face: "Urusai!!" (Shut up!).

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, but you know we can still count on some of the trade unionists and communists and students to keep right in there, burning the US flag and demonstrating, even as elements of Taepodong-II testing come crashing down into the northwest Pacific Ocean, shocking the whole of decent Japanese.

[Dusty Rose]

"KAKKATE KOI!" or "OK, BRING IT ON THEN"

Okay, now I'd like to know how to say it in Polish.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I think all one has to do is to go to the newspapers of those countries on the day after Bush made the statement. Look for "Bush" and "Iraq". You are bound to find out how it is said in Polish, Urdu, Swahili, French, Yoruba, whatever. I think it as a rock in a pond so to speak!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Well, here it is in French! The AFP carried the quote today in the French news. His quote is really making the rounds:

""Certains pensent que les conditions sont telles qu'ils peuvent nous attaquer là-bas. Ma réponse est: qu'ils y viennent !", a-t-il lancé. "Nous avons suffisamment de troupes pour gérer la sécurité du pays", a-t-il assuré.

[AmericanInTokyo]

"Well, Bring Them On!"

KAKATTE KOI ! (Japanese)

QUI'ILS Y VIENNENT ! (French)

How many others can spot the recent Bushism in the international press and add that to this list???

[Paradox]

How would you say BEEOTCH! In Japanese, or maybe we could just leave that part in english. "Bring it on, bitches" would be a double insult to the bad guys in that part of the world. Being a "bitch" would insinuate two hated things over there. One, that you are a woman, and two, that you are a dog...

[AmericanInTokyo]

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