悠仁さま、20歳の誕生日を迎える

Welcome to Japanese Daily News. I'm Maya. Today is September seventh. Prince Hisahito, a young member of Japan's imperial family, has just turned twenty. Today we hear about his birthday and his life as a university student. Let's listen.

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

On September sixth, Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, celebrated his twentieth birthday.

It means birthday — the day you were born.

Prince Hisahito is now a second-year student at the University of Tsukuba. At university, he mainly studies biology.

It means study — learning at school or on your own.

This summer, he also joined a field class, going outside to study living things.

It means living things — animals, insects, plants, and so on.

Since he was a child, Prince Hisahito has loved insects — especially dragonflies. He has even helped write research papers about them.

It means insect, or bug.

He is also interested in maps. He visited a science museum about maps and surveying, in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

It means map — a drawing that shows roads, towns, and mountains.

There, he used old tools to try out how maps were made long ago.

It means hands-on experience — trying something yourself.

Prince Hisahito says he wants to fulfill his role as a member of the imperial family.

It means role — the job or part you are expected to do.

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

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

He turned twenty years old.

He mainly studies biology, at the University of Tsukuba.

Dragonflies — he has loved them since he was a child.

That's all for today. From dragonflies to old maps, Prince Hisahito is a curious student — and now, at twenty, a new chapter begins. See you next time!