Many cultures celebrate the change from childhood to adulthood. In Japan, this special occasion is celebrated on Coming-of-Age Day. Known in Japanese as Seijin no Hi, it is celebrated for everyone who had or will have their 20th birthday between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year. Coming-of-Age Day was once held on January 15. However, starting in the year 2000, the holiday was moved to the second Monday of January. This made iteasier forpeople to celebrate the special day as part of a long weekend.
According toearlier Japanese law, a person was considered an adult when they turn 20 years old. This gives them the right to make their own decisions without the agreement of their parents. In 2022, however, the age of adulthood was lowered to 18, causing a bit of confusionabout when to celebrate Coming-of-Age Day. The general attitude among youths is to continue celebrating the holiday at age 20. This way, students can focus on preparing for college entrance exams. Also, it serves as a chance to meet with former classmates and mark a new chapter in life.
The coming-of-age ceremonyis quite old. Many people say it started around 700 CE. A young prince marked his passage into adulthood by wearing special robesand a unique hairstyle. While the ceremony has a long history, Coming-of-Age Day only became a national holiday in 1948.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
childhood
[ˋtʃaɪld͵hʊd]
n. 童年時期
Andrew was quite naughty in his childhood.
安德魯小時候很調皮。
高中 Level 2
●
adulthood
[əˋdʌlthʊd]
n. 成年（時期）
People gradually mature from childhood to adulthood.
人們從童年到成年會逐漸變成熟。
英檢中高
●
previous
[ˋpriviəs]
a. 先前的
=
early
=
former
Do you have any previous experience in this job?
你之前有沒有這種工作經驗？
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
lower
[ˋloɚ]
adj. 下方的，底部的
vt. 降低
My lower back hurts. Could I just take a rest?
我的下背疼痛。我可以休息一下嗎？
Mary’s friends felt that she was lowering her standards when she agreed to marry Peter.
瑪麗同意嫁給彼得時，她的朋友認為她在降低標準。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
attitude
[ˋætətjud]
n. 態度
Tony has a positive attitude towards life.
東尼對人生持積極的態度。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
passage
[ˋpæsɪdʒ]
n. 通道；一段（文字）；（時間）消逝
There was a dark passage leading to a secret room.
有一條黑暗的通道通往一間密室。
This is my favorite passage in the book.
這是本書中我最喜歡的一段。
With the passage of time, the little girl has grown into a beautiful lady.
隨著時間的消逝，這個小女孩已長大，變成漂亮的小姐了。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
confusion
[kənˋfjuʒən]
n. 混亂；混淆，困惑
The whole city was in great confusion after the earthquake.
地震過後，整座城市陷入了一片混亂。
The confusion of the word “borrow” for “lend” is a common mistake among English
learners in Taiwan.
把『借入』一字誤以為是『借出』是臺灣學英文的學生常犯的錯。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
ceremony
[ˋsɛrə͵monɪ]
n. 典禮
The principal awarded five outstanding students
during the ceremony.
校長在典禮上頒獎給 5 位優秀學生。
Don’t stand on ceremony; please make yourself at home.
不要拘束，自己來別客氣。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
robe
[rob]
n. 長袍；浴袍
=
bathrobe
The judge was wearing a black robe.
那位法官穿著黑色長袍。
Bryan put on his robe before he went to answer the door.
布萊恩去應門前，先穿上了他的浴袍。
Bryan put on his bathrobe before he went to answer the door.
布萊恩去應門前，先穿上了他的浴袍。
高中 Level 3
●
hairstyle
[ˋhɛr͵staɪl]
n. 髮型
Changing to a short hairstyle in the summertime is comfortable and easy to manage.
夏天時改留一頭短髮的髮型既舒服又容易整理。
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
make it + N/Adj. + for sb/sth + to V
使（做）⋯⋯對某人／某物而言變得⋯⋯
My motorcycle makes it easier for me to travel between school and my home.
機車讓我往返學校和家裡變得更容易。
●
serve as...
作為⋯⋯之用 / 擔任⋯⋯
This book can serve as a guide to help you learn to cook.
這本書可作為幫助你學習烹調的指南。
Sharon's excellent speaking skills allow her to serve as the host of the event.
雪倫傑出的演講技巧使她得以擔任這場活動的主持人。
●
mark a new chapter
象徵新的篇章
My first day of college marks a new chapter in my life.
上大學的第一天象徵我人生的新篇章。
●
according to...
根據⋯⋯
According to the victim, the robber is a lefthanded man. 根據受害者的說法，竊賊是一名左撇子的男子。
