In English, an interjection is a word or expression meant to express sudden emotion or an immediate reaction. Have you ever heard your Japanese friend say things like “I see,” “Is that so,” or even “That’s amazing?” These interjections, or “aizuchi,” can be heard throughout their conversations, and they can be handy if you’re trying […]
Japanese people don’t just hear insect sounds, but “hear” insect voices. While most languages treat the chirping of crickets or the buzzing of cicadas as mere noise, Japanese culture has long considered these sounds to be koe (声), voices worthy of deep appreciation. Why do they perceive insect noises as “voices”? Read more to find […]
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 […]
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.
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. Just as people in the United States often turn to horoscopes, birth charts, and star signs to explain personality, and Chinese […]
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 […]
