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’ […]
Ki o Tsukuete! Meaning of 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete)When to use 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete)? What does 気を付けて (Ki o Tsukete) Mean? Have you ever heard of this Japanese expression before? When learning foreign languages, some nuances can often get lost when we try to translate a certain word or phrase into our native language. We found […]
It is well known that Japanese summer can be unbearably hot and humid, especially during July and August. All day long people will drag themselves from a building’s shadow to the cool undergrounds of Tokyo’s metro and shopping mall, resting from the heat. One would hope that at sundown, the heat would die down… But alas! During summer, when […]
