Studying for the JLPT N3? After working through ‘Minna no Nihongo’, gloriously passing JLPT levels N5 or N4 and mastering the basic grammar needed to order your favourite sushi, your next step should be to level up to JLPT N3. This level is described as ‘the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations. Looking […]

Have you ever heard the expression “yuuki yomeru” (空気読める – “to read the air”) in Japanese? Ever stumbled across the expression “Kuuki Yomenai”? This Japanese slang is literally translated as “cannot read the air” and jokingly applies to people who struggle to read social situations. Reading The AtmosphereKuuki Yomenai and Social AwkwardnessHow NOT to be KY? Reading […]

How do you express your emotions in Japanese? If you’re learning Japanese, it’s helpful to know how to let other know what you’re feeling. We’ve gathered a quick list of essential words that might come in handy. Nevertheless, don’t worry about memorizing too much! Japanese Verbs to Express Emotion Happiness 笑（わら）う – laugh 褒（ほ）める – encourage […]

You cannot travel in Japan without hearing at least a story or two about Japanese scary spirits. Are you aware that indeed, Japan is surrounded by a mythology of ancient traditions and superstitions? Each culture in the world has its own folklore about ghosts and spirits, but Japan can certainly be very proud of all […]

With September coming around, you were relieved to feel the weather cooling down. Or so you believed. As the typhoon season reaches its peak, your perfect kit to go out is an umbrella, a raincoat, and some good rain boots. A typhoon (台風（たいふう）) is a tropical cyclone with strong winds occurring in the west Pacific while in the […]

You might have heard of Silver Week (シルバーウィーク), an expression coined in 2009, referring to 3 consecutive Japanese national holidays in early autumn. But did you know that the Japanese Silver Week, in fact, does not occur annually?  The Respect for the Aged Day And… On that day, the Japanese pay their respect to the elderly and […]

Master the heat and humidity of the Japanese summer with our cool kanji guide.

How often do you use your computer? If you’re learning Japanese, it’s helpful to know some Japanese words for computer. Of ourse, we have an extended list as well. These ones are pretty easy since a lot of them come from English and are written in katakana, so don’t worry about having to memorize too […]

Have you been to the doctor in Japan? Are you afraid not to be able to explain your condition in Japanese? Being sick in Japan is one stressful experience if you are not comfortable communicating in Japanese. The good news is that if you have a simple cold, you can skip the hospital and go to a drug store to find […]

Are you wondering how to beat the Japanese summer heat? Indulge yourself with a refreshing kakigori a shaved or crushed ice dessert flavored with syrup and other delicious topping! Symbol of Japanese summer and love by Japanese people, the shaved ice is sold almost everywhere in cafe, restaurants, and is an essential of street festivals. Kakigori is […]