「8」が三つ並ぶ縁起のいい日、婚姻届の窓口に行列

Welcome to Japanese Daily News. I'm Maya. Today is August ninth. Yesterday's date was very special in Japan — year eight, month eight, day eight, three eights in a row. Many couples chose that lucky day to get married. Let's listen.

Now let's break it down, sentence by sentence.

Yesterday, August eighth, was year eight, month eight, day eight in the Japanese calendar. It was a special day with three eights in a row.

It means to line up, or to be in a row.

In Japan, the written character for eight has a shape that spreads out toward the bottom. Because of that, eight is considered a lucky number.

It refers to luck or fortune — whether something is a good sign or a bad sign.

There were many couples who wanted to get married on this special day. From the morning, a long line of people formed at the city office windows to submit their marriage papers.

It means a line or a queue of people.

A marriage registration is the important paper you submit to the city office when you get married. There were even special designs available only yesterday.

It means a marriage registration — the official paper a couple submits to make their marriage legal.

If you turn the number eight sideways, it becomes the infinity symbol. Many people chose this day hoping their love will continue forever.

It means love.

Let's listen to the whole story one more time.

Time for a short quiz. Listen and try to answer.

Because it was year eight, month eight, day eight — three eights in a row, a very lucky date in Japan.

A marriage registration — that important piece of paper.

That's all for today. Three eights in a row — a date that comes only once, and thousands of couples chose it to start their new life together. Congratulations to all of them! See you next time!