Is it true that Japanese say "ma ma ma ma" and "otoh toh toh toh" when they pour a drink? I saw this on a video on youtube. Any idea?
2006-10-31 09:06:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
♡Good answer spooky! (*^o^*)
Yes, be careful about these 'traditional' videos!
～Actually, I live in Japan and I usually only hear 'older' gentlemen (ojisan) say this, especially when out drinking osake and beer.
*Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.
My hubby and other friends never say this. So perhaps it might have been more commonly used before. (I've only been here in Japan 9 years and my hubby is Japanese.(^_-)-☆)
～You should always pour for others though, that's tradition even today! I'm a lady and they pour for me as well.
～☆When in doubt - ASK! (*^o^*)
In my opinion, those videos seem VERY exaggerated!
Gyougyoushii! (仰々しい)
Hope this helps!♡
2006-10-31 11:25:43 · answer #1 · answered by C 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think "otoh toh toh toh" is not as common as "Ma ma ma ma".
Just go to an Izakaya and you'll see people doing the "Ma ma ma ma" at least once during the evening.
As a matter of fact, I say "ma ma ma ma" when I drink with people from my office!!
I guess that means I'm a part of the Oyaji (Older business men) society now....Man that sucks!
Ma ma ma ma!!!!
2006-11-01 11:18:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's right, these phrases are used by older men and when they pour and say "ma ma ma ma" is usually has the nuance of "I know that you had enough to drink but have some more" and the "otoh toh" when you are pouring has the nuance of "Watch out! It is about to spill!".
2006-10-31 11:31:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Yes most part of the video are based on the Japanese tradition and culture.
However, the video is comical work. Don't copy (imitate) 50% of that.
2006-10-31 16:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by Joriental 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When you pour, you don't need to say anything. Just make sure to pour other people and have someone else pour for you.
When people start to drink, people routinely say GAMPAI or cheers.
2006-10-31 17:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by Adam 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yeah, some older men say that.
They also say "ore no sake ga nomenai noka", which means "You dare to say you can't drink my sake?", when rejected their pouring sake.
2006-11-01 16:08:54 · answer #6 · answered by Black Dog 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes they make slurping sounds as a sign of respect toward the elders siting in the table. 200% true.
2006-10-31 12:47:17 · answer #7 · answered by shantadeva94 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Yes. Because that video was 100% serious. As are all their other videos. Make sure to watch them all before going to Japan! This will help you from making a silly mistake and being scorned and ostracized by the Japanese for the rest of your life. (Word spreads fast in terms of a foreigner making a mistake.)
2006-10-31 10:53:43 · answer #8 · answered by Belie 7 · 4⤊ 9⤋