As our lifestyles have changed, some languages have also changed. A Japanese term “cha-no-ma” is one of them.
"Cha-no-ma", literally means “the space of tea”, referrers to a place where family members get together to chat, eat and relax. That is, a living room. I am not sure about its origin of the word, but in a good old days, when family members spent time together in the same place, tea was always there. “Cha-no-ma” is a nostalgic word associated with cozy and relaxing time in a large family.
Now, the time has changed. The family is smaller, and we live in busier society, and hustle and bustle of life. Eventually, the term of "cha-no-ma" is on its way out. We call the room “ima (literally, existing room)” or “living room” nowadays.
But still, whatever the term is, whatever the size of family is, spending time together among family while having tea will make us mellow out, always.
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| Manga "Sazae san" Sitting in a family around a table in "cha-no-ma" |
*Sazae san (One of the most popular manga among men and women of all ages) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sazae-san
