Ever heard a Japanese friend say いっしょに食べませんか？ (issho ni tabe masenka) and wanted to respond, or say the same thing yourself? ～ませんか (masen ka) is one of the most natural and polite ways to make suggestions and invitations in Japanese. In this context, 食べませんか (tabemasenka) literally translates as “Won’t you eat?” but naturally means “Would […]
Learn the JLPT N5 grammar という (to iu), used to connect nouns and introduce something by name, meaning “called” or “known as.”
Spring, or haru (春), has arrived in Japan, and that means a few things! The cherry blossoms are blooming, temperatures are warming, and locals and tourists alike have gathered to enjoy and appreciate them. In Japan, the spring season typically lasts from the beginning of March to the end of May, and you know that […]
Politics is a topic many people prefer to avoid. Yet, whether we like it or not, it plays a fundamental role in shaping our society and everyday lives. If you live in Japan, do you know how Japan’s political system is shaped? Following the 2024 Minato Ward Mayor election, Coto Academy teachers Nagai-sensei and Hidari-sensei […]
You might already learn that there are many ways to say “no” in Japanese, but did you know that Japanese people themselves never directly use the word “no” in conversations? Why is this the case? And is there another way that Japanese people say that two-letter word? In this episode, we’ll take a look at […]
A Coto Radio listener asked a question on why their Japanese friend didn’t say a word while they were enjoying their lunch, prompting the question, “Why are Japanese people so silent?” While Japanese people are known for being well-mannered and polite, their silence at certain times may surprise many non-Japanese. This could lead to cultural […]
Did you know that Japan has a second Valentine’s Day called White Day? In Japan, Valentine’s Day has a bit of a twist; the original Valentine’s Day (on February 14) is for women to give chocolates or small gifts to men. These can range from giri-choco (obligatory chocolates for colleagues or friends) to honmei-choco (romantic […]
If you’re living in Japan, chances are that at exactly 5 o’clock in the evening, you’ll hear some music playing in the background.
