If vocabulary and grammar make up the crux of the Japanese language, Japanese conjunctions are the glue that holds them together. Also called 接続詞 (setsuzokushi), these small but powerful words help you connect ideas, express contrast, show cause and effect, and make your sentences flow naturally. Of course, there are the basic conjunctions like “and” […]

Want to learn Japanese hiragana? In this blog, we share our own PDF learning Hiragana practice sheets and links to some popular apps for learning Japanese. Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide! Apps for Learning Hiragana If you are just getting started […]

While China and Japan may be relatively close geographically and both shape today’s cultural, economic, business, and pop culture landscapes, the Chinese and Japanese languages have clear distinctions. The Chinese language is estimated to be spoken by more than one-fifth of the world’s population. Japanese, on the other hand, is primarily spoken in Japan. And […]

As the year comes to a close, Coto Academy is bringing the holiday cheer early! From November 1 until December, new and continuing students can enjoy up to 10% off on select course packages when they make a purchase within the campaign period, regardless of when they start their classes. Whether you’re just beginning or […]

Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced.  In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences. This depends on what you’re […]

The phrases, ittekimasu, itterasshai, tadaima, okaerinasai symbolize so well Japanese spirit that once you grasp the nuance of their meaning you will have a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Hiragana, katakana, and kanji make up the Japanese writing system. When you start learning Japanese, figuring out how to read and write can feel overwhelming; after all, Japanese is completely different from the Roman alphabet! You then learn that there are three different writing systems used all at once. How is that even possible? Not […]

Congratulations! Whether it’s something you’ve achieved or a win for someone you care about, celebrating life’s big and small moments is a universal experience. Acknowledging these moments verbally is just as important. The most common way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is おめでとう (omedetou). But just like in English, there are many other ways to […]

Welcome to Coto Radio, a Japanese learning podcast by Coto Japanese Academy, Japan’s No. 1 Japanese language school. Each episode, our host combines captivating storytelling with engaging conversations, all delivered in clear, natural Japanese. Japan is known for many great things: fresh food at convenience stores, high-tech bidet toilets, and an amazing transportation system. Cheap […]

If you’ve spent any amount of time in Japan, you’ve probably noticed that point cards are everywhere. Almost every shop, big or small, has its own point card system.