Watching rugby: League One and the national team
Most rugby talk happens off the pitch: who you support, last night's game, the national team. This lesson covers Japan's League One, the national side and the big tournaments, the way fans talk about them. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
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25 words for fans
Each card shows a word and a line you'd hear from a fan, at work or in the pub. Five reuse words from Lesson 1.
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Japanese rugby at a glance
The competitions people talk about, the national team, and two moments every fan remembers.
| Japanese | What it is | Note |
|---|
- or ニッポン? Both are right. Fans chant ニッポン; in everyday chat most people say にほん.
- League One. Japan's top league began in 2022, replacing the Top League. Many teams are backed by big companies.
- New Year rugby. The high school tournament at and the university championship run over the New Year holidays, and plenty of families watch on TV.
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Three 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.