This time, let me introduce a delightful and mouthwatering story about Eliza, a food-obsessed refined young lady, and a delinquent girl with irresistible treats. Their unique encounters are filled with humor, delicious moments, and natural Japanese conversations—perfect for beginners looking to practice everyday language .
Work Information
Naisho no Ofutarisama(ないしょのおふたりさま。)
Author: Chiyoko Numa
Publisher: KADOKAWA
Amount of text: sparse
Challenge level: ★
Latest volume : Vol.3（Sep.2024 / Completed）
Story overview
Is it wrong to think about eating all day long…? Eliza, a refined young lady whose only interest is ‘food,’ encounters delinquent girl Misaki bearing ‘delicious treats’—scary, but irresistible in its delicious allure!
Why this manga is suitable for learning Japanese
The dialogue is minimal and easy to read.
Throughout the work, the dialogue is sparse and the text is large, making it very accessible for beginner Japanese learners. With ‘food’ as its theme, the manga discusses food topics quite frequently, yet it also portrays plenty of natural conversations between close friends in a school setting.
The panels are large, and the artwork is beautiful.
There are many larger panels, and the panel layout is simple, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with Japanese manga. Additionally, the beautiful and captivating illustrations vividly bring the story to life, making them a major highlight and recommendation.
Phrase Spotlight
Wrong but Right? The Casual Use of “違くない？”違くない？
“違くない？” (Chigakunai?) is a casual and colloquial expression often used in spoken Japanese. It’s an informal way of questioning or pointing out something that seems wrong, incorrect, or different.
Meaning and Usage
In English, “違くない？” roughly translates to:
・“Isn’t that wrong?”
・“Isn’t it different?”
・“Doesn’t that seem off?”
It’s typically used to confirm or challenge something the speaker finds questionable.
Example:
A: この映画、去年じゃなくて今年公開じゃなかった？
“Wasn’t this movie released this year, not last year?”
B: 違くない？一昨年だった気がするけど。
“Isn’t that wrong? I think it was two years ago.”
Why Is It Grammatically Incorrect?
Technically, “違くない？” is not grammatically correct in standard Japanese.
The correct form should be:
・違わない？ (Chigawanai?) – “Isn’t it different?”
・違ってない？ (Chigattenai?) – “Isn’t it wrong?”
Why does it exist?
This form likely emerged because it mimics the grammar of i-adjectives (e.g., おかしい → おかしくない？ “Isn’t it strange?”). Although 違う is a verb, speakers treat it like an adjective in casual speech.
When and Where to Use It
・Appropriate: Informal situations, such as conversations with friends.
・Inappropriate: Formal settings like business or academic discussions.
If you’re aiming for correct grammar or speaking politely, avoid using “違くない？” in professional contexts.
Summary
・Meaning: “Isn’t that wrong?” or “Isn’t it different?” or “Doesn’t that seem off?”
・Grammar: Not technically correct but widely used in casual speech.
・Usage: Fine with friends, but avoid in formal contexts.
By understanding phrases like “違くない？”, you’ll sound more natural in casual Japanese conversations while also recognizing the difference between formal and informal language.
A Little Warning
Those who are not fond of yuri(百合) should take note.
This is a work in the so-called ‘yuri’- 百合 genre. While it’s portrayed relatively softly, those who are not fond of this genre might prefer to avoid it.
Work Information
Naisho no Ofutarisama(ないしょのおふたりさま。)
Author: Chiyoko Numa
Publisher: KADOKAWA
Amount of text: sparse
Challenge level: ★
Latest volume : Vol.3（Sep.2024 / Completed）
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.