[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

[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!).