THE JAPANESE WORDS
It's time to learn some Japanese! Here are English translations of the Japanese words in the song lyrics, in the order in which they appear.
Itadakimasu! When Japanese are given something to eat or drink, before they take a bite or a sip, they politely say this word, which literally means, "I receive."
Soba Choruses
I want so-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba,
I want so-ba-ba kudasai
So give me so-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba
I need so-ba-ba onegai
Soba is buckwheat noodles.
Kudasai means please give me, and onegai is a stronger request.
Interlude 1
I want saba
I want buri
I want aji
Swimming inside of me!
Saba is Mackerel, Buri is Yellowtail, and Aji is Horse Mackerel.
Bridge 1
See the Japanese Food pages for English translations of the Japanese food names.
The final word in Bridge 1 is Arigatō! This means "Thank you," a useful word to know.
Tōfu Choruses
I want tōfu from Chofu
You know that I'd go for a bowlful right now
So give me tōfu from Chofu
You know that I'd go for a bowlful and how
Tōfu is soybean curd, and Chofu is a town in central Japan, used here for rhyming purposes.
Interlude 2
I want ebi
I want ika
I want tako
Swimming inside of me!
Ebi is shrimp, Ika is Yellowtail, and Tako is octopus.
Bridge 2
See the Japanese Food pages for English translations of the Japanese food names.
Gochisōsama deshita!
After eating or drinking something given to them, or at the end of a meal which has been served to them, Japanese say this phrase, which colloquially means, "Thank you for what you've given me, I'm finished now," and literally means, "It was a delicious feast!"