あなたのマイブームは何ですか？

Do you understand this question? I just studied a Japanese lesson on learnjapanesepod.com about the katakana English phrase "my boom". You can find it online here: http://learnjapanesepod.com/97-my-boom/

Basically, in English fad has a bit of a negative connotation or feeling. You don't really understand why it is so popular or you don't approve of it's popularity. Whereas boom simply means that something has increased.

Now the Japanese katakana マイブーム (my boom) would NEVER be said by a native speaker. A boom in English is something outside yourself: a population boom, an oil boom, a boom in housing prices, a boom in mini-skirt sales, etc.

If you translate:

あなたのマイブームは何ですか？

literally you get:

What's your my boom?

Which makes no sense, the correct translation would be:

What have you been into recently?

So my boom means a recent increase in interest or activity, lately you have been doing it alot or often. It would be translated as to be into recently or to be getting into recently.

My feeling is that my boom includes the fact that recently you are doing it more, that it is what you are into NOW.

If you want to learn more, please listen to learnjapanesepod's podcast!

Phil

Boom vs. Fad

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a nice golden week vacation! I had a nice time relaxing in Kansai and visiting Nagasaki ^_^ Today, I will answer Akiko's question:

"What's the difference between a boom and a fad?"

Well, let's take a quick look at what the dictionary has to say about boom:

1. v.intr.
   1. To make a deep, resonant sound.
   2. To grow, develop, or progress rapidly; flourish: Business is booming.
   
2. v.tr.
   1. To utter or give forth with a deep, resonant sound: a field commander booming out orders.
   2. To cause to grow or flourish; boost.
   
3. n.
   1. A deep resonant sound, as of an explosion.
   2. A time of economic prosperity.
   3. A sudden increase, as in popularity.

We are talking about a noun so let's look at number 3 in detail. The first meaning of boom, is an onomatopoeia(giongo). Tt means, a big deep loud sound like a jet breaking the sound barrier or an explosion.

I was woken up by a loud boom last night! But it was just some kids setting off fireworks.

The second meaning, is when the economy is doing well, all aspects of the economy are rising.

The economic boom that followed the Great Depression was largely the result of spending on wartime goods due to World War II.

The third meaning, is that there is a sudden increase in something, including an increase in popularity.

There was a population boom following World War II.

Due to high gas prices there has been a boom in hybrid cars.

This usage is similar to the katakana English word: ブーム.

In English, boom tends to be used in newspapers or when talking about things from a BUSINESS perspective. It is also often used in academia, such as in research journals, history books, etc.

The main difference between boom and fad is that fad has an added value judgement... you are saying you think the popularity of something will end soon or that you don't think it should be so popular.

A: Can you believe all those people with that crazy haircut?

B: Eh, it's just a fad. Next month, their hair will all be back to normal.

Boom is more neutral, you are just saying that something has increased or is more popular.

There's been a big boom in robotic toys this year.

Here, you are saying there are many more robotic toys than before but you AREN'T saying if you think that it is good/bad or if you think it will eventually stop.

I hope that helps clarify things, have a nice Mother's Day!

Phil

Eh, it's a fad...

Hey everyone, just a really quick lesson today as I wanna rush out and enjoy the sunshine during my Golden Week holidays~! Also, due to the holidays, I think I will be just posting about 6 times in May. I'm gonna give myself a small break ^_^ I hope you all enjoy the nice spring weather and your days off!

Ok, so today's lesson is about the word fad. Have you heard this word before? Any idea what it means?

It means that something is very popular for a short time. It is often used to talk about fashion, toys or even behaviors. We use it when something is suddenly super-popular and it seems like EVERYONE is doing it! When you say that something is a fad though you are ALSO saying that you think it's popularity will not last...

Did you see the latest fad out of Japan? My kids are crazy about tamagochis!

Ok, that's an old example but hey I don't really follow fads. I try to do my own thing! hahaha

Check out this link for a history of toy fads, including the slinky, hula hoop, Frisbee, super ball, etc.: http://www.drfad.com/fad_facts/timeline.htm

There are also fad diets like the Atkins diet, the banana diet, etc. These diets are in all the magazines one month and then disappear...

時好 (じこう) is I think the best way to say fad in Japanese... but I may be wrong! hahaha

Have a great Golden Week!

Phil