Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week’s lesson will focus on One Piece. Last week’s chapter was amazing! Some of the best moments in an intense series can be when things slow down a bit to give the reader an update on what’s been going on in the world. And this chapter also gives us the chance to review some nicknames and the challenges in translating them.

MARIMO (まりも)

MARIMO literally means “seaweed burr.” It is a lake algae found in Japan and some other countries that grows in the shape of a ball. It is also Sanji’s nickname for the green-haired Zolo. Sanji’s hatred for Zolo seems to run quite deep and thus he rarely calls him by his name, preferring to use MARIMO instead. Because MARIMO are not well-known in English, the decision was made to translate it as “moss-head” in the English version.

YOWAHOSHI (弱ほし)

Shirahoshi is the name of the shy princess from the Fish-Man Island arc. She was so sheltered that she was even afraid to go outside. Luckily, her time with Luffy inspired her to no longer be so wimpy. And this chapter showed that she’s determined to keep her promise by going to the Reverie! The YOWA part means “weak,” and YOWAHOSHI sounds similar to YOWAMUSHI, which refers to someone who is a “wimp,” “weakling” or “scaredy cat.” Keeping double meanings like that is always difficult. In English, her nickname was translated as “Wimpyhoshi.” Hopefully Luffy calls her by her real name the next time they meet!