Expert

Japanese company produces high-tech wheelchairs

wheelchairs

Photo by © AFP via The Straits Times Vocabulary: establish /ih-STAB-lish/ [verb] to create or set something in a particular way You need to use different kinds of material to establish a new building. paralympic /PAR-uh-LIM-pik/ [adjective] an international sports competition for people with disabilities I would have felt better if I had joined Paralympic games. classified /KLAS-uh-fahyd/ [adjective] officially secret information Alan’s voluminous penmanship is classified as good. durability /du-ra-bil-i-ty/ [noun] the fact of something continuing to be used without getting damaged The durability of this product is essential. accomplish /UH-kom-plish/ [verb] to finish something successfully You have to work hard to accomplish all your goals. Ox Engineering, a…
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Nagano attempts to keep traditional insect dishes

nagano

Photo by © Kyodo via The Japan Times Vocabulary: practice /PRAK-tis/ [noun] something that is usually or regularly done, often as a habit, tradition, or custom There are some old practices of my generation that I don’t want to take on. colloquially /kuh-LOH-kwee-uhl-lee/ [adverb] words and expressions that are informal, more suitable for use in speech than in writing His poetry is quite beautiful but when expressed colloquially, it has a different meaning. cuisine /kwi-ZEEN/ [noun] a style of cooking My best friend has an expensive taste when it comes to French cuisine. legacy /LEG-uh-see/ [noun] something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier…
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A box of delight: Shiba Inu marshmallows

shiba inu

Photo by © Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 via Japan Today Vocabulary: befit /bih-fit/ [verb] to be right or suitable for someone or something He was offered a position that befits his seniority and experience in the field. sweet tooth /swit tuth/ [idiom] a strong liking for sweet foods James doesn’t have a sweet tooth but he eats chocolates every now and then. mirror /mir-er/ [verb] to be similar to someone or something Emil finds it bothersome when Lukas mirrors his sense of fashion. confection /kuhn-fek-shuhn/ [noun] a decorated cake or sweet dish Besides music, Vienna is also renowned for its coffee and confections. munchies /muhn-cheez/ [noun] snacks eaten between meals, at…
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Survey shows Japanese youth spend three hours online each day

online

Vocabulary: survey /ser-vey/ [noun] a set of questions people are asked to gather information or find out their opinions A recent survey shows that the density of the rural population is decreasing. consume /kuhn-soom/ [verb] to use time, especially in large amounts Several minutes were consumed searching for the puzzle piece. surf /surf/ [verb] to spend time visiting a lot of websites She likes to surf the internet in her spare time. official /uh-fish-uh-l/ [noun] a person who has a position of responsibility in an organization Health Department officials have been urging people to eat less meat. outcome /out-kuhm/ [noun] the result or effect of an action, situation, or event…
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China to launch new generation of driverless maglev trains in 2020

maglev

Vocabulary: maglev /mag-lev/ [noun] short for magnetic levitation: an advanced type of transport system in which a train travels on a magnetic track, often at very high speeds South Korea’s first maglev train began operations on February 3, 2016. acceleration /ak-sel-uh-rey-shuhn/ [noun] the increase in something’s speed, or its ability to go faster He bought a sports car that has impressive acceleration. intercity /in-tur-sit-ee/ [adjective] traveling from one city to another, or happening between cities There is an intercity bus station near the shopping mall. solely /sohl-lee/ [adverb] only and not involving anyone or anything else He is solely in charge of the event that will be held next week….
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Rising tennis star Naomi Osaka bags more sponsors

naomii

Photo by © The Mainichi via The Mainichi Business Vocabulary: sponsorship /SPON-ser-ship/ [noun] an act of supporting a person, organization, or activity with the use of money The sponsorship for sports this year has surprisingly increased. pre-order /PRE-AWR-der/ [noun] an agreement to sell something before it is finished or available The book you have been waiting for is now available for pre-orders. exceed /ik-SEED/ [verb] to be greater or to go past an allowed limit Your performance exceeded the given criteria. contract /kon-trakt/ [noun] a formal agreement between two different people or groups, or the agreement itself If you signed a contract then you are obliged to comply accordingly. assume…
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Let it Be: The new Beatles documentary

the-beatles-509069_960_720

Vocabulary: acclaimed /uh-KLEYMD/ [adjective] enthusiastically praised The book was written by the acclaimed author J. R. R. Tolkien. chronicle /KRON-i-kuhl/ [noun] a record of events in the order in which they happened I think the movie is the most persuasive chronicle of his life as an emperor. assure /uh-SHUR/ [verb] to cause something to be certain The last phone call from the client assured the company’s financial profit. revision /ri-VIZH-uhn/ [noun] a change that is made to something After checking, the student’s business proposal needed a lot of revision. long-awaited /long-uh-WEYT-ted/ [adjective] having been expected for a long time Yesterday, the health department successfully submitted its long-awaited report to the…
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Less sitting can make you live longer

sit

Vocabulary: prolong /pruh-lawng/ [verb] to make something last a longer time Daily exercise and proper diet prolong life. epidemiology /ep-i-dee-mee-ol-uh-jee/ [noun] the scientific study of diseases and how they are found, spread, and controlled in groups of people Epidemiology is the method used for finding the causes of diseases in populations. sedentary /sed-n-ter-ee/ [adjective] involving little exercise or physical activity People shouldn’t have so much sedentary time for it brittles their bones. mortality /mawr-tal-i-tee/ [noun] the number of deaths within a particular society and within a particular period of time Infant mortality rates have remained unchanged at about 35 deaths per 1,000 births. vigorous /vig-er-uhs/ [adjective] very forceful or energetic…
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Japanese hospitals to use translation services

doctor

Vocabulary: interpreter /in-tur-pri-ter/ [noun] a person whose job is to change what someone is saying into the words of another language The president had a talk with the prime minister with the help of an interpreter. mitigate /mit-i-geyt/ [verb] to make something less severe or less unpleasant Some cities have ordinances that can mitigate the effects of global warming. framework /freym-wurk/ [noun] the ideas, information, and principles that form the structure of an organization or plan The implementation of the house rules was a failure due to the lack of framework. expertise /ek-sper-teez/ [noun] a high level of skill or knowledge His expertise in the courtroom is widely acclaimed, despite…
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Japan to give 2.5 million yen scholarship for foreign nursing students

Diverse medical or nursing school students raise their hands to ask or answer a question during class. They are using laptop computers.

Vocabulary: resolve /ri-zolv/ [verb] to solve or end a problem or difficulty The office staff worked quickly and effectively to resolve the problem. workforce /wurk-fohrs/ [noun] the group of people who work in a company, industry, or country The company has to reduce its workforce to cut their labor cost. sector /sek-ter/ [noun] one of the areas into which the economic activity of a country is divided Most of the employees in a private sector are not given a paid medical leave. amend /uh-mend/ [verb] to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document The judge agreed to amend my date of birth on my…
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