日本語一　　１月 7日

New Year’s Greetings：

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btwfKRxtdgE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1SzO9GtBb0

Now walk around the room and greet each other.

あけまして、おめでとう　ございます。

In many Asian countries, the new year also brings a new animal in

the cycle of 12 animals.

• People in China and Vietnam follow the lunar new year calendar, which means that the new year begins later in January up to early February.

• Japanese used to follow the lunar calendar many years ago, but no longer do.

• The animal zodiac signs and their traits are the same.

２０１４ねんは　うまどしです。

午年／うまどし

This kanji is only used when referring to the horse year.

馬／うま

This kanji can be used when referring to the horse or the year of the horse.

なにどしですか？

せんせいは　１９５６ねんに　うまれました。

さるどし　です。

わたしは　さるです。

いつ　うまれましたか？When were you born?なにどし　ですか？What (animal) year are you?

You will learn the names of the 12 animals of the zodiac and learn how to tell someone your year.

In pairs:

• Use the dictionary to look up the meanings of the animals on the list and label the pictures in hiragana.

• After you have labeled the pictures, take turns pointing to the animals and asking “what animal year?”

A: これは　なにどしですか？(what [animal] year is this?)

B: それは　＿＿どしです。(that is the [animal] year)

You will now find out:your animal birth yearthe kanji for your animalthe personality traits for people born in your

year.

のーとに　かいて。Write in your notebook.

わたしは　 (year) ねんに　うまれました。わたしは　 (animal )どしです。

Answer sensei’s questions:なんねんに　うまれましたか。なにどし　ですか。

しゅくだい

Be able to read fluently and with good speed all of the names in hiragana of the 12 animals of the zodiac.