I went to see "The Nutcracker" ballet the other day. "The Nutcracker" is one of the many Christmas traditions in North America, but the Japanese don't think about it in the same way and it is performed anytime of the year. Oddly, Beethoven's 9th has seasonal nature in Japan, it is usually played before the end of the year. When I was a little girl, I loved watching ballet. I dreamed of being a ballerina when I grew up.

It has been quite a while since I last saw "The Nutcracker". I was quite moved by the performance and felt it was so nice to see it live. The dancing looked so effortless and graceful, but I can imagine it requires a strong mind and a lot of practice to be a dancer at that level.

Japanese Translation

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Romaji Translation

Senjitsu, baree no "Kurumiwari Ningyou" o mini itte kimashita. Hokubei dewa, "Kurumiwari Ningyou" wa, kurisumasu no kourei gyouji no hitotsu desu ga, nihon dewa sono youni kangaerarete orazu, kurisumasu no jiki ni kagirazu butai o miru koto ga dekimasu. Kimyou ni omowareru kamo shiremasen ga, nihon-jin wa beetooben no koukyoukyoku dai-kyuuban ni sou itta omoiire ga atte, "Daiku" wa nenmatsu ni naru to hinpanni ensou saremasu.

Watashi wa chiisai koro, baree o miru no ga daisuki deshita. Ookiku nattara, bareriina ni naritai naa to yume mite ita mono desu. "Kurumiwari Ningyou" o miru nowa, hisashiburi datta no desu ga, yahari nama no butai wa subarashiku, totemo kandou shimashita. Dansu wa, totemo yuubi de karoyoka ni miemashita ga, sore niwa tsuyoi seishinryoku to boudaina renshuuryou o yousuru mono da to kanjisaseraremashita.

Note: The translation is not always literal.

Beginner's Phrases

I dreamed of being a ballerina when I grew up.

• Ookikunattara, bareriina ni naritai naa to yume mite imashita.
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