Today, I’m introducing 焼いてる二人 - Yaiteru Futari, a heartwarming and humorous manga that depicts the story of a shy newlywed couple deepening their bond over a barbecue.
Work Information
Yaiteru Futari (焼いてる二人)
Author: Shiori Hanatsuka
Publisher: Kodansha
Amount of text: moderate
Challenge level: ★★
Latest volume : Vol.18（Dec.2024 / Ongoing）
Story overview
Kenta and Chihiro had a fateful encounter on a matchmaking app. Both too shy to take the first step, their relationship took off rapidly when Kenta’s transfer to Hamamatsu prompted a sudden turn of events. Believe it or not… They decided to get married after zero days of dating. As a couple who became husband and wife without knowing each other well, they deepen their relationship over leisurely weekend BBQs.
Meat, beer, and the person you like next to you. “Happiness” is simple! Let’s start a slow-paced weekend newlywed BBQ life, nurturing it carefully!
Why this manga is suitable for learning Japanese
The two main characters are speaking in polite language.
The two main characters, Kenta and Chihiro, protagonists of this story, converse in polite language. This is due to their reserved personalities, and as their relationship gradually develops (which is also a main theme of this work), they continue to do so. Readers can acquire plenty of good examples of polite language expressions that Japanese beginners learn.
The relationship between the two, where the distance doesn’t seem to close easily, is both frustrating and heartwarming. Through their interactions, readers can learn polite Japanese expressions that show consideration for others.
You’ll learn natural Japanese expressions for everyday life.
This work is set in modern Japan, featuring characters who are ordinary people without special abilities. They engage in everyday activities such as eating, conversing, and working, just like us in the real world, leading normal everyday lives. Therefore, readers can learn natural Japanese expressions for everyday life through this work.
The volume of text is not too heavy, so even beginners can read through it without feeling overwhelmed.
Phrase Spotlight
Casual Polite Responses in Japaneseですね
When giving a positive response in polite Japanese, the expression 「ですね」“desu ne” is sometimes used.
For example, in the context described above, the phrase 「けっこう歩きましたね」“Kekkou arukimashita ne” (“We walked quite a bit, didn’t we?”) might be appropriately responded to with 「確かにけっこう歩きましたね」“Tashika ni kekkou arukimashita ne” (“Indeed, we walked quite a bit”). However, this response can feel overly verbose. In such cases, it is more common to use the shorter phrase 「そうですね」“Sou desu ne” (“That’s right”) as a substitute.
The expression 「ですね」“desu ne” in this instance is a further abbreviation of 「そうですね」“sou desu ne,” making it a casual yet polite way to express agreement. It also carries a nuance of approachable warmth, subtly conveying friendliness while affirming the other person’s statement.
While this phrase is not appropriate to use with superiors or customers, it can be suitable for conversations with people you are relatively close to, where polite language is still necessary. In such situations, using 「ですね」“desu ne” might help create a sense of closeness.
In the manga panel above, the phrase 「ですねー」“desu neー” includes a prolonged sound at the end, making it an even more casual version of 「ですね」“desu ne.” By elongating the ending, it adds a greater sense of familiarity and even conveys a slightly cute nuance.
A Little Warning
Not all expressions in the work are in polite language.
Conversations with colleagues, monologues, and psychological descriptions are not expressed using honorific language.
Work Information
Yaiteru Futari (焼いてる二人)
Author: Shiori Hanatsuka
Publisher: Kodansha
Amount of text: moderate
Challenge level: ★★
Latest volume : Vol.18（Dec.2024 / Ongoing）
This Blog’s ConceptIn this blog, we are introducing manga that are not only highly captivating but also ideal for Japanese language learners. Studying Japanese through manga is both fun and effective. Manga allows you to understand the subtleties of keigo (honorifics), teineigo (polite speech), and casual conversation in Japanese. We hope you find works that match your interests and use them to enhance your Japanese learning journey.