A-I

J-R

S-Z

Note:  This glossary contains Japanese words, Nisei slang, Hawaiian slang, American slang, Navajo, Spanish and French, as it is used in this book, correctly or not.

Pronunciation: for Japanese words: pronounce every syllable, all vowels have the soft sound:

     A = ah

     E = eh

     I = ee

     O = oh

     U = oo

O's are pronounced open like Oh, not closed like Bowed.  And R's are pronounced more like a lilting D.

Generations:   Issei (EE-say) - first generation, immigrants from Japan

                     Nisei (NEE-say) - second generation, American-born children of immigrants

                     Sansei (SAHN-say) - third generation, grandchildren of immigrants

                     Yonsei (YOHN-say) - fourth generation

                     Nikkei (NEE-kay) - general term for Japanese American

442nd - the 442nd Regimental Combat Team comprised of Niseis (second generation native born Americans of Japanese ancestry, mostly from the mainland) combined with the 100th Batallion, Japanese Americans from Hawaii to form the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.

abunai (ah-boo-NYE) - dangerous

altarcito - (Spanish) small shrine or marker on a memorial stie

amabo - babyish, whiny - slang derived from amaembo (spoiled brat)

azuki (ah-zoo-KEE) - sweet red beans

Bachan (BAH-chahn) - grandma - familiar term for Obachan (grandmother)

bachi - bad karma, omen

banzai (BAHN-zye) - battle cry

benjo - (slang) toilet

bento (BEN-toh) - box lunch

biligana - (Navajo) white man

bonsai (BOHN-zye) - mini tree

Buddhahead - originally slang for Hawaiian of Japanese ancestry; later also American of Japanese ancestry or any Asian

Bushido - Samurai warrior code of behavior, going back centuries, emphasizing loyalty, honor, bravery, self-control.

cha-shu - Chinese style bbq pork

chawan (CHAH-wahn) - rice bowl

daikon (DYE-kohn) - long, white raddish

Dineh - (Navajo) the Navajo people

dojo - martial arts school building

enryo (en-rYOH) - holding back, sacrificing unnecessarily

"Est-ce que parece-que vous m'aimez?" - (French) "Is it because you love me?", the last line from "Dites Moi" from "South Pacific", lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

F.O.B. - recently arrived immigrant (fresh off the boat)

footballs - inari sushi - fried soy bean curd stuffed with rice

gaman (gah-MAHN) - persevere

gohan (goh-HAHN) - rice

gobo - burdock root

gotso (GOH-tsoh) - delicious food (correctly gochiso)

gotsosama (GHO-tsoh-SAH-mah) - thank you for the good food - (correctly Gochisosama)

hakujin (hah-koo-JEEN) - Caucasian

haole - (Hawaiian) white man

happa or hapa (HAHP-pah) - multiracial, mixed race

hazukashii - shy, bashful

Hiroshima (Hero-SHEE-muh) if you're referring to the Asian American band that was playing dances in the late '60's and early '70's.  Otherwise, the city in Japan (hee- ROH-shee-mah)

itadakimas(u) - (Ee-tah-DAH-kee-MOSS) - a simple grace - thank you, start eating.

itazura (ee-TAH-zoo-rah) - mischievous