Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week's lesson will focus on food once again. Now that Thanksgiving is over and your bellies are stuffed, it's time to stuff your brain with Japanese!

SHICHIMENCHO (しちめんちょう)

SHICHIMENCHO means "turkey." The turkey is native to North America and isn't very common in Japan. And while eating bird for the holidays is becoming more popular among Japanese people, it is mostly restricted to chicken. SHICHIMENCHO literally means "seven-faced bird," and this name is said to be derived from the color-changing skin around a turkey's neck and head.

IMO (いも)

IMO means "potato." Japanese sweet potatoes are very common and popular in Japan. YAKIIMO, or baked sweet potato, is a favorite winter snack. You can even buy them from food carts or trucks like the one seen in Hikaru no Go. The freshly baked potato warms your hands and your belly on a cold winter day!

ITADAKIMASU (いただきます)

We've gone over this one before, but it's always good to have a refresher! ITADAKIMASU literally means something like a polite version of "Let's eat," and it's often said before a meal as a way to say thanks. This phrase is very common in anime and manga, especially in Toriko. And with all that delicious food, Toriko sure has a lot to be thankful for.

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