Author: Peter-Wang-Mobile-2026

Notes：
emergency 緊急[非常]時 (上の文章では形容詞的に使われていることにも注意。);
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Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were in an emergency overseas? The most important thing you need to know is the emergency phone number. In some countries there are different phone numbers for police, fire and medical. In Australia the number is simply 000 and in most of Europe it is 112. In Canada the number is 911, which is the same as the American emergency phone number. Most countries do not use the same number three times because many people believe it is easy to make a mistake. Even though the emergency phone number for police in Japan is 110 and the number for medical or fire is 119, just remember that in other countries the emergency phone number is probably different. But I hope you don’t need it – travel safely! 　(by Prof. Wendy Tada)
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Notes:
a tad  [くだけた言い方]　少し(= a little, slightly );
nippy  [くだけた言い方]（とても）寒い

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Have you ever thought about the Japanese language? People often say samui, tukareta, abunai, and muzukashii. In English, of course, we also say It’s cold, I’m tired, and This is difficult. But, we often use more comparative words. It’s chilly. It’s a little cold. It’s a tad nippy. It’s freezing. It’s so cold I’m going to die! You get the idea.

Why do you think the English language has, what would seem to be, more variety? Is it because more people use it? Or because we don’t like to exaggerate, to say something more strongly than is true? Or could it be because we like to talk more, so we use more words to say the same kind of idea? Think about it. Maybe a student from another country will ask you one day, and then you’ll have an answer.(by Prof. Carmella Lieske)
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