Lessons: | Beginners | Grammar | Kanji | Culture | Vocabulary | General Lessons | Fun! | Email Lists

折り紙つき certified to be good

言葉の語源 kotoba no gogen - The origin of words:

折り紙つき origami tsuki

There is a popular NHK Word game show which showcases the etymology of a word each week. I wanted to start a section on the origins of some words (言葉の語源 kotoba no gogen ) and thought I'd start with today's word:

Meaning: something very nice; certified to be good

Example: このレストランのピザは、折り紙つきのおいしさです。
kono resutoran no piza wa, origami tsuki no oishisa desu.
this-restaurant-'s-pizza-as for-guarantee-'s-tastiness-is.
I guarantee you'll love the pizza in this restaurant.

Origin: It actually has nothing to do with origami. This ' origami ' actually refers to an official document certifying the authenticity of a sword (刀の鑑定書 katana no kanteisho). The tsuki means the sword comes with this guaranteed certificate. This paper was folded and thus called 'ori' (to fold) 'kami' (paper). It is now used to refer to objects in general.

0

Support those who Support TJP!

User login

Shoutbox

  • 12:37:49 Back in the day the Japanese language used to be so cool. Now it's just sold out...
  • 18:49:06 To whom?
  • 21:19:10 i still thing the Japanese language is totally awesome. im learning sheerly because of how cool it sounds. i will probably never touch the shores of japan or use it in life. the most use i will probably get out of it is being able to watch raw anime and not need subs
  • 21:19:21 think*
  • 00:23:57 I love it too, it's so complex and sounds cool when a native speaks fast.
  • 02:55:08 Nani tabetai=What do you want to eat? Nanika tabetai= Do you want something to eat?
  • 02:56:50 Keatonatron, Mike Cash, where have these guys gone?
  • 02:59:43 Oyaji, Mukade, Paul B, coco...all gone?
  • 03:01:55 All but Paul B are still around :)
  • 03:02:10 I hope Paul B is doing well... We haven't heard from him in ages.

New Forum

Who's online

There are currently 3 users and 25 guests online.