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 feature terms of travel! We just flew back from San Diego and learned some brand-new words!

HIKOUKI (ひこうき)

HIKOUKI means “airplane.” This can be used for any kind of plane, whether it be paper or a jumbo jet. One of the best plane-related scenes in recent Shonen Jump was the touching moment between Chitoge and her mother in Nisekoi. That is one powerful woman. However, I cannot, under any circumstances, recommend landing a plane right next to your daughter and her fake boyfriend. Good thing that Raku is extra tough from all those slaps he receives.

KUUKOU (くうこう)

KUUKOU means “airport.” I was once stuck in an airport for about seven hours... Not exactly a fun time. I should have flown TAL (Tontatta Airlines)! What?! It doesn’t exist in real life? Only in the world of One Piece? Great, my dream of flying around on beetles has been officially dashed!

FUNE (ふね)

FUNE means “boat.” My only chance to experience life on a boat lately comes from the pages of One Piece. Luffy and his crew sure seem to have an awesome time on the Thousand Sunny! Nobody seems to ever suffer from seasickness, even on the craziest of waves. I guess pirates are just tough like that! So which is your favorite ship in the series? The Merry Go or the Thousand Sunny?

In One Piece, pirate ships can go underwater. Why not?!

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