An example of conversation with younger generations.#

The protagonist, Mikuni, is 63 years old, while Hina, who works part-time at the rose garden, is a high school student, and Ryota is a university student. Mikuni, although he does not use honorific language with the younger generation, always interacts with them in a calm and gentlemanly manner. This provides a good example of how older people can communicate with much younger generations.

Source: Sawaeda Suppoko, Mikunisan no Baraen(KODANSHA)

Learn honorific expressions simultaneously.#

Hina and Ryota use honorific language when speaking to their employer, Mikuni. Therefore, this work allows learners to study both casual speech and honorific expressions simultaneously. Hina uses standard honorific language, while Ryota uses a slightly more casual form, showcasing two different nuances of honorific speech.

Source: Sawaeda Suppoko, Mikunisan no Baraen(KODANSHA)

Breaking Down the Phrase#

・ここは (koko wa) – “Here” or “In this situation”
・ホットコーヒー (hotto kōhī) – “Hot coffee”
・一択 (ittaku) – “The only choice”
・だ (da) – A declarative sentence-ending particle

Why It Can Be Confusing for Learners#

1. 「一択」 is an Advanced Word with a Strong Nuance The word 「一択」 (ittaku) literally means “only one option (to choose from).” Unlike just saying 「ホットコーヒーしかない」 (“There’s only hot coffee”) or 「ホットコーヒーを選ぶ」 (“I’ll choose hot coffee”), the phrase 「ホットコーヒー 一択」 carries a stronger feeling of “There is no other acceptable choice.”

2. Implicit Meaning: Not Just a Simple Choice The phrase 「ここはホットコーヒー 一択だ」 suggests that, in this specific situation, hot coffee is the only correct or reasonable choice. This is what makes it sound humorous or dramatic.

Why This Phrase is Funny or Interesting#

・The phrase sounds overly decisive for something as trivial as choosing a drink.
・It’s commonly used in anime, manga, and casual speech when someone strongly insists on a choice, even when other options exist.
・The exaggerated tone makes it entertaining, as if the speaker is making an absolute decision about something that doesn’t really require such seriousness.

English Equivalent Expressions#

To help learners understand the nuance, here are some English equivalents:

・“Hot coffee is the ONLY way to go.”
・“There’s no other choice but hot coffee.”
・“This is a hot coffee situation, no doubt.”

These translations capture the idea that the speaker feels strongly that hot coffee is the only correct decision, even if other choices exist.

Final Thought#

Understanding expressions like 「一択」 helps learners appreciate how Japanese uses strong, decisive language in a playful way. It’s not just about logic—it’s about tone and attitude, which are key to sounding natural in Japanese!

Relatively difficult kanji appear#

Relatively difficult kanji appear, such as “三國” for Mikuni’s name and “小鳥遊” for Hina’s surname, Takanashi, which can be challenging for beginners learning Japanese. However, furigana (phonetic guides) are provided the first time these difficult kanji appear in each chapter, so it is not a major issue.

Source: Sawaeda Suppoko, Mikunisan no Baraen(KODANSHA)