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 […]
Did you know the Japanese language makes more use of passive language than English? Read about how to use the Japanese passive voice here!
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 […]
やれやれ (yare yare)! You might recognize this iconic phrase dramatized in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. You probably remember the line from Jotaro Kujo, who exclaims the catchphrase whenever he’s annoyed or bored. Even for people who haven’t watched Jojo, the line has been immortalized as a trending internet image with the titular character holding his cap […]
What does daijoubu mean? Read this blog to learn the ways to use the word 大丈夫 with practical examples and tips.
Halloween in Japan is just around the corner, and when is better time to learn some Japanese Halloween vocabulary, if not now? How else can you describe some of the ghosts, monsters, and creepy crawlers that will spring up across the nation? Japan is no stranger to celebrating various occasions, and Halloween is quickly gaining […]
Saying “goodbye” can be difficult no matter where you’re from. In Japanese, the word sayonara often carries the weight of a long farewell, hinting that you might not see the person for a long time. But don’t worry: Japanese language has plenty of other ways to say farewell that are lighter, more casual, and full […]
Do you love Japanese pop music? Want to use it to learn Japanese? In this article we recommend some of our favorite artists and songs to use for Japanese learning.
What ghosts or creatures chronicled in Japanese folklore are lurking among the shadows, or perhaps hidden in plain sight?
