Many Japanese people use PayPay, the cashless payment app. But do you know what the name “PayPay” actually means?
If you are Japanese, have you ever thought about it?
Most people know the word “pay” – it means giving money for something you buy.
But what does “PayPay” mean when used as a sentence?
“PayPay” sounds just like saying “Pay! Pay!” This is actually a strong command telling you to pay immediately!
Think about this: millions of people follow the command of “PayPay” without questioning it.
People enjoy how easy and safe the app is to use. But sometimes they look like they are just following what technology tells them to do, while big companies benefit.
I had a question: what would the PayPay chatbot say if I asked what “PayPay” means? I tried asking many times in different ways, but the chatbot never answered my question about the name.
There is good news, though. You don’t need to protest outside – just remember a simple English grammar rule: “A basic verb by itself is a command.”
So “PayPay” is actually a command – or even a double command – just like “Come! Come!”
Now that you understand this, will you still use it without thinking? Or will you make more conscious choices?
So until next time,
Jiro
私立学校に英語教師として勤務中、40代半ばに差し掛かったころ、荒れたクラスを立て直す策として、生徒に公言して英検1級に挑戦することを思い立つ。同様の挑戦を繰り返し、退職までに英検一級（検定連合会長賞）、TOEIC満点、国連英検SA級、フランス語一級、スペイン語一級（文科大臣賞）、ドイツ語一級、放送大学大学院修士号などの成果を得る。
アメリカで生徒への対応法を学ぶ為に研修（地銀の助成金）。最新の心理学に触れた。4都県での全発表、勤務校での教員への研修を英語で行う。現在も特別選抜クラスの授業を全て英語で行っている。「どうやって単語を覚えればいいですか？」という良くある質問に答える為、印欧祖語からの派生に基づく「生徒には見せたくない語源英単語集」を執筆中。完成間近。常日頃洋書の読破で様々な思考にふれているが、そうして得た発想の一つを生かして書いた論文がコロナ対策論文として最近入賞。賞品の牛肉に舌鼓をうっている。元英検面接委員