Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

August 12, 2015

Common Japanese Mistakes: Using あなた (Anata) to refer to "You"

Contents: Subject Omission Referring to more than 2 People… Why should I avoid using あなた (Anata)? Subject Omission Japanese is not always easy to use, especially when it comes to identifying the sentence’s subject. A sentence in English always requires a subject, but that’s not the case for the Japanese. In particular, personal pronouns such as […]

August 10, 2015

Japanese Slang: Being Egocentric/Selfish/Self-centered in Japanese, 自己中 (Jikochuu)!

Describing someone as Egocentric, Selfish or even Self-centered… Derivation of the Word 自己中 (Jikochuu) In a Formal Context… Describing someone as Egocentric, Selfish or even Self-centered… Jiko chuu「自己チュー」「自己中」「ジコチュー」! It is a well known fact that Japanese society cares for selflessness and considers it to be an important value. For Japanese people, nothing is greater than to put others’ […]

August 7, 2015

Common Japanese Mistakes: Using 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete)

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Ki o Tsukuete! Meaning of 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete)When to use 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete)? What does 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete) Mean? Have you ever heard of this Japanese expression before? When learning foreign languages, some nuances can often get lost when we try to translate a certain word or phrase into our native language. We found […]

August 3, 2015

A Japanese word for August : ‘net tai ya’

It is well known that Japanese summer can be unbearably hot and humid, especially during July and August. All day long people will drag themselves from a building’s shadow to the cool undergrounds of Tokyo’s metro and shopping mall, resting from the heat. One would hope that at sundown, the heat would die down… But alas! During summer, when […]

July 27, 2015

"I appreciate that!" in Japanese: 助かります (Tasukarimasu)!

Expressing GratitudeWhat is 助かります (Tasukarimasu)?Usage ExamplesBeing more Respectful Expressing Gratitude Learning Japanese is not always easy, especially when you have to understand some very tricky nuances. When you received help and want to express your gratitude, what should you say? What is “I appreciate that” in Japanese? The answer is a simple word… tasukarimasu! What is 助かります […]

July 27, 2015

A Japanese word for July : natsubate

July’s Japanese word: Natsubate Have you experienced Japanese summer yet? They are very hot and humid! Starting July, temperatures reach such point that you have literally the impression to be in a permanent sauna. Not only foreigners, but Japanese people too suffer from the Japanese summer heat. You may feel physically tired, lose your appetite and have trouble […]

July 17, 2015

Coto's events in August

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Go for Lunch!　Kagurazaka area ランチツアー！神楽坂 Wednesday, August 5th 12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka If you like donburi, you will probably love Hitsumabushi. Hitsumabushi is a donburi with three different ways to eat! Of course you can eat […]

July 13, 2015

Summer(夏) Photo Contest!

School News

Coto Japanese Academy’s Summer Photo Contest is BACK! All you have to do to take part is to post a picture of your experience during Summer in Japan and you stand a chance to win up to 10,000yen worth of exciting prizes! Contest details Theme: Japan’s Summer in 2015 Contest Period: 13th July to 20th […]

June 24, 2015

Coto's coming event in July

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This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Go for Lunch!　shabushabu/sukiyaki ランチツアー！しゃぶしゃぶ/すき焼き Have you ever tried Japanese beef (wagyu)? There are many great restaurants around the Iidabashi-Kagurazaka area, lets go for lunch together! We will recommend some of the good restaurants in the area! […]

June 5, 2015

Coto's coming events! in June 2015

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Cooking class 料理クラス Monday, June 8th 12:40-13:55 in Coto Japanese Academy Oshi-zushi Did you know that there are various different ways to make sushi? These include nigiri-zushi, maki-zushi, temaki-zushi, chirashi-zushi, and oshi-zushi. In this event, we […]

May 21, 2015

How to Say Thank You (ありがとう) in Japanese

Japanese Study

Luckily, with a little bit of crash course, you’ll be able to understand the social cues of the art of saying thank you in Japanese.

May 7, 2015

Coto Japanese Academy's coming events! in May 2015

Japanese Culture

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Cooking class　料理クラス Wednesday, May 13th 12:40-13:55 in Coto Japanese Academy Oshi-zushi Did you know that there are various different ways to make sushi? These include nigiri-zushi, maki-zushi, temaki-zushi, chirashi-zushi, and oshi-zushi. In this event, we will […]