Valentine's Day by Jacquelyn | b わたしの英会話 - 女性のためのマンツーマン英会話

This month we celebrate Valentine’s Day – it is the day to celebrate love!

What a great day to remember those closest to you and show them you care.

Have you already bought or made your chocolates?

You may be surprised to hear that in America, we celebrate Valentine’s day a little differently than in Japan.
In America, both men and women celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th.

今月はバレンタインデーがありますね。この日は愛をお祝いするための日！

あなたにとって身近な人を思い返し、そしてあなたがどれだけ大事に想っているかその人にみせるための、なんてすばらしい日なのかしら。

あなたはもうチョコレート買ったり作ったりしましたか？

これを聞いたら驚くかもしれないけど、アメリカではバレンタインデーを日本とは少し違ったかたちでお祝いします。

There is no White Day.

On this day, both men and women exchange gifts or do something special.

Of course, anyone can give anything they want, but some typical Valentine’s gifts are flowers (roses especially), chocolate, candy, jewelry, stuffed animals (teddy bears) and Valentine’s Day cards (homemade or store-bought).

Many people have romantic dinners or drink wine together.

Some people even propose marriage on Valentine’s Day!

In general, we give gifts to our spouses or boyfriends / girlfriends, friends, and family.

Although acceptable, it is not as common to give chocolate (or other gifts) to coworkers as it is in Japan. There is no “giri-choko” in America.

ホワイトデーはないんです！

アメリカでは、男女両方が2月14日のバレンタインデーをお祝いします。

この日はお互いにプレゼントを交換したり、特別なことをして過ごします。

もちろんどんな人でも好きなものをあげることができます。

でも、典型的なバレンタインデーのプレゼントは、お花（特にバラの花）、チョコレート、キャンディ、ジュエリー、動物の小物（テディベア）、バレンタインデーカード（手作りのものでも、市販のものでも）とかよね！

たくさんの人たちがロマンチックなディナーとかワインを一緒に楽しむの。

バレンタインデーにプロポーズする人も何人かいるわね！

一般的に、私たちは自分の夫だったり妻だったり、彼氏や彼女、友達や家族にプレゼントを渡すのですが、日本のようにチョコレート（他のプレゼントでも）を自分の会社の同僚に渡すことは、なくはないですけれど、日本ほど一般的ではありません。

そう、「義理チョコ」はアメリカにはありません。

Some common Valentine’s Day sweets in America are:

アメリカで一般的なバレンタインデーのスイーツは：

Sweethearts (small heart-shaped candies that have fun Valentine’s Day messages on them such as “Be Mine”, “Kiss Me”, “Call Me”, “Let’s Get Busy”, and “Miss You”.

スイートハーツ：楽しいメッセージが書かれている、小さなハートの形をしたキャンディ

※“Let’s Get Busy＝さあ、取り掛かろう！

Assorted Chocolates sold in heart-shaped boxes

ハートの形をした箱に入ってるチョコレートの詰め合わせ

Hershey’s kisses
ハーシーズのキスチョコ

godiva-valentines-day-chocolate-gift-in-heart-shaped-box.jpg

How many of these Valentine’s day phrases do you know?

これらのバレンタインデーのフレーズ、あなたはいくつご存知ですか？

Will you be my valentine?

Will you be mine?

I love you!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

To a special friend:

Can you complete these sentences using the phrases from the list?

Bouquet

Bow and Arrow

Candlelight dinner

Crush

Cupid

Flirt

Flowers

Gift

Greeting Card

Heart-shaped

Love at first sight

Secret Admirer

Sweetheart

Table for two

①Teddy bears are a popular _________ for Valentine’s Day in America.

②After Brian met Belle he developed a _______ on her and decided to ask her out on a date.

③I went to the flower shop to pick up a _______ of flowers to give to my girlfriend.

④I plan to make chocolates and put them in a ____________ box to give to my husband.

⑤When Jeannie met Scott it was _____________. They have been together ever since.

⑥For this Valentine’s Day why not enjoy a __________ with a bottle of wine and romantic music playing in the background?

⑦Ever since Holly received those mystery flowers she has been trying to figure out who her ___________ is.

⑧My wife gave me chocolates and made me dinner for Valentine’s Day.What a ___________.

⑨Hello, welcome to Sushi Yasuda, how may I help you?  Yes, we would like a ___________, please.Certainly, right this way.

⑩_________, the Roman God of love, is often shown carrying a __________ which he can use to fill people with uncontrollable desire.

⑪One way to get a guy to notice you is to _____ with him. Finding small ways to touch him is one way to show him that you are interested. For example, touch his forearm lightly while your talking or “accidentally” lean into him if you’re walking together.

⑫Roses are my favorite _________.

⑬I am going to send my friend a home-made _____________ for Valentine’s day.