Boat racing basics
Boat racing (ボートレース, still often called ) is six boats, three laps and a start like no other sport: the boats are already moving when the clock hits zero. This lesson covers the boats, the racers, the lanes and how a race is won. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
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25 boat racing words
Each card shows a word, the form you'll use most and a sentence you'd hear at the stadium or in front of the screen. Five reuse words from Everyday Japanese 1 and 2.
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How a race is won
Most races are decided at the first turn mark. The way a boat wins is called its , and every result lists one.
| Word | What happens | Usually from |
|---|
- Six boats, six colours. Boat 1 is white, 2 black, 3 red, 4 blue, 5 yellow and 6 green, on the boats, the racers' suits and the screens.
- Lane isn't always boat number. Boats usually take the lanes in number order, but a racer can fight for a lane further inside before the start.
- The flying start. Boats must cross the line within one second after the big clock hits zero. Too early is フライング; too late is . Bets on that boat are refunded.
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Four patterns to use today
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Say it in Japanese
Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.