Useful ExpressionsIn a Conversational Setting…How about Hisashiburi (久しぶり/ひさしぶり)? Useful Expressions Expressing the passing time in a foreign language can be quite tricky. Japanese is no exception. So let’s learn a very important and useful expression to convey “for the first time in…”, “It has been – x time – since…” in Japanese! → ５年ぶりに柔道しました。→ Go nen buri […]
Who has never gone crazy over a new video game, an anime or a new phone? Like children, we can easily be absorbed by an exciting new item or activity. We unknowingly let time pass by when doing this activity, oblivious to our surroundings. Japanese people are no exception to that phenomenon and they too are attracted to […]
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang mattari (suru)! DefinitionOrigins of MattariConversation Examples Definition Japanese […]
Are you wondering if you should know how to ask the permission to take photos in Japanese? When you are in Japan, you will find yourself reaching for your camera more than once. Whether you are facing an interesting scenery, an incredible building, an old town or people, you will want to seize the moment. Concerns […]
One of the many ways to become more fluent in a foreign language is to study its slangs. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Let’s see today, how you would say “shotgun wedding” in Japanese. Well, with the expression: “dekikon” 「できこん」「でき婚」! This expression describes a wedding that is or was […]
Some frequently used words convey different meanings according to context, and among them, the Japanese word chotto 「ちょっと」is quite a challenge to master. If you are learning Japanese, you have probably heard this word before. But what is the meaning of chotto? How and when should you use it? 教師：新（あたら）しいうち、見（み）つかった？学生：いいえ、まだです。昨日（きのう）見（み）に行ったけど、家賃（やちん）が９万円だった。教師：ああ、そうか。それはちょっと高（たか）いね。学生：いいえ、ちょっとじゃないです。すごく高（たか）いです。 Teacher: Have you found your new flat?Student: No, not yet. […]
Picking People up?Where did the Word come from?Usage Examples When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s see how Japanese people […]
「彼」Kare and「彼女」Kanojo「私」Watashi Japanese Personal Pronouns are really hard to get for Japanese learners. In truth, we rarely use them. Not only “I” 「私・watashi」and “you”「あなた・anata」are hard to get, but third person pronouns are also problematic. These include “he”「彼・kare」 and “she” 「彼女・kanojyo」which can typically lead to common Japanese mistakes. 「彼」Kare and「彼女」Kanojo Generally speaking, in the […]
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 […]
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’ […]
