The question that perplexes all Japanese learners at the beginning: Why is ha (は) read as wa in Japanese, sounding exactly the same as わ? We all thought Japanese phonetics were pretty straightforward, but just when you think you’ve nailed the hiragana and katakana writing systems, you come across this conundrum. Of course, once you’re […]
Out of all Japanese particles that exist, the particle を (pronounced “o”) might be one of the most straightforward. The を particle is used to make a word the direct object of the sentence or the thing that is acted upon by the verb. There is no direct equivalent in English since the language doesn’t […]
It’s overwhelming to think about all the unique kanji you have to remember; however, there’s a little secret to making kanji much easier to remember called radicals. Let’s say it’s our radical solution to remembering kanji — no pun intended. Radicals are basically the building blocks of kanji; while there are seemingly endless amounts of […]
How to count Japanese numerics on a base-ten system up to 100 million, write Japanese kanji for numbers and say Japanese counters.
Whether you are coming to Japan to look for work or just want to apply to Japanese companies, a good cover letter will help you stand out! Just like in any other country, a cover letter is a chance for you to make an impression on your potential employers and personally explain your experience and […]
Primary colors in Japanese seem easy and straightforward, but you’d be surprised by how much culture and history go behind them.
If you have Japanese artist friends, plan to study art, or pursue a career in art in Japan, then you might want to know some Japanese vocabulary related to arts — more specifically, visual art. Japan has a rich history in the arts, from the ukiyo-e works of Hokusai to more recent manga and anime. […]
Saying ‘no’ in Japan is a tricky subject. The Japanese will rarely give a direct no to an answer, preferring instead to give an indirect answer that conveys the message of no.
