Have you ever wanted to ask someone you are romantically interested in out on a date in Japan? The most straightforward way to do so in Japanese is デートしませんか (Deeto shimasen ka), which means “Would you like to go on a date?” While this is technically correct, you might notice that not a lot of […]
Did you know that the Japanese language has three types of writing systems? They are hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Hiragana is curvy, represents small syllables, and is used for grammatical information, particles, and native Japanese words! Katakana is straight, also represents small syllables, and is used for loanwords from other languages. Kanji are complex characters […]
After mastering hiragana, one of the three Japanese writing systems, the natural next step is to learn katakana, the second Japanese syllabary. Commonly used to write loanwords, katakana represent the same set of sounds as hiragana, but they look completely different. Katakana characters are typically boxier and more geometric, with sharp corners, in contrast to […]
The Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) is both a great addition and an alternative to the JLPT, especially if you want to work in Japan. But should you take it?
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! What is hiragana? Hiragana (平仮名) is one of three writing […]
Downloading and using Anki decks can be one of the most effective and easiest ways to learn Japanese. Anki is a free, open-source flashcard program that uses a spaced repetition system (SRS), allowing you to revisit new vocabulary repeatedly but in a programmed time frame. Through this, you can spend more time on words you […]
When you’re just starting to learn Japanese, which kanji should you tackle first?
What are some unwritten rules and things you should not do in Japan? Japanese people are known for being well-mannered and following their strict, subtle etiquette. But while Japanese people are non-confrontational, there is a set of “unwritten rules” that people expect you to follow. These rules are considered common sense and are one of […]
