👵🎀♻️

How to Say ‘It's actually remade from my grandmother's obi.’ in Japanese

実は祖母の帯をリメイクしたものなんです。

jitsu wa sobo no obi o rimeiku shi ta mono na n desu

[jitsu wah SOH-boh no OH-bee oh ree-MAY-koo shee tah mono nah n dess]

💬 Usage Tip: 実は (jitsu wa) "actually" signals a small reveal, which is perfect for sharing the story behind something.

Phrase Breakdown

実は祖母の帯を

jitsu wa sobo no obi o

actually, my grandmother's obi

実は (jitsu wa) means 'actually' or 'to tell the truth'. を marks 帯 as the object.

Example

実は祖母の帯を持っています。

Actually, I have my grandmother's obi.

Words in this phrase

実

jitsu

[jitsu]

in fact, actually

Used to reveal real facts or truth.

Example

実は今日、誕生日です。

Actually, today is my birthday.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

祖母

sobo

[SOH-boh]

(my) grandmother

Humble/formal word for your own grandmother.

Example

祖母は京都に住んでいます。

My grandmother lives in Kyoto.

の

[no]

of; 's

A particle linking a noun to what belongs to it or describes it.

Example

あなたの強みは責任感です。

Your strength is a sense of responsibility.

帯

obi

[OH-bee]

obi; kimono sash

Wide sash worn with a kimono.

Example

きれいな帯ですね。

That's a beautiful obi.

を

[oh]

object marker

The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

チケットを二枚ください。

Two tickets, please.

リメイクした

rimeiku shi ta

remade

This is the past tense of リメイクする, 'to remake'.

Example

ジーンズをリメイクしたバッグです。

It's a bag remade from jeans.

Words in this phrase

リメイク

rimeiku

[ree-MAY-koo]

remake; upcycle

Reworking an old item into something new.

Example

古い服をリメイクした。

I remade old clothes.

し

shi

[shee]

do; make

The verb stem of する, attached to 交換 to form the action 'to exchange.'

Example

名刺を交換したいです。

I want to exchange business cards.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

ものなんです。

mono na n desu

it's something (that...)

なんです gives a soft explanation of the background.

Example

旅行で買ったものなんです。

It's something I bought on a trip.

Words in this phrase

もの

mono

[mono]

thing

Refers to an object or entity.

Example

これはつまらないものですが、どうぞ。

This is a small gift, but please accept it.

な

[nah]

copula linker before ん

Form of だ used before のだ/んです after nouns.

Example

学生なんです。

I'm a student, you see.

ん

[n]

explanatory tone

Adds explanation or background to what the speaker is saying.

Example

写真のプロジェクトをしているんだ。

I'm doing a photography project, you know.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

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