Learn Japanese with Calvin and Hobbes – January 14 2026

Speaker:
“What’s THIS disgusting slimy blob?”
（これは何のひどいヌルヌルした塊？）
(Kore wa nan no hidoi nurunuru shita塊?)

Vocabulary: 塊 (かたまり) — blob
Note: The term “塊” conveys a sense of something unappealing and emphasizes the speaker’s disgust.

Speaker:
“Try it. You’ll love it.”
（食べてみな。気に入るよ。）
(Tabetena. Kini iru yo.)

Vocabulary: 気に入る (きにいる) — to like
Note: This phrase encourages trying something new, often seen in casual conversations.

Speaker:
“Oh yeah? Well what if I DON’T love it?!?!”
（ああ、そう？じゃあ、もし気に入らなかったらどうすんの？！）
(Ā, sō? Jā, moshi kiniiranakattara dōsunnno?!)

Vocabulary: 気に入らない (きにいらない) — to not like
Note: This expression captures frustration while employing a rhetorical question for emphasis.

Speaker:
“Then it will build character.”
（そしたら、キャラが育つぞ。）
(Soshitara, kyara ga sodatsu zo.)

Vocabulary: キャラ (きゃら) — character
Note: “キャラ” refers