Japanese Slang: チンする (Chin Suru), The Sound of a Microwave?

As in other languages, Japanese slangs are important in daily conversations. Today, let’s take a look at one phrase that you can immediately use in your life Microwaving your Bento/FoodWhat did it Originate from?Using it in Casual Conversations   Microwaving your Bento/Food Do you often buy prepared meal to warm up with a microwave oven? In […]

Japanese slang: Otsubone

During you learning, knowing some Japanese slangs is a nice and fun 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 with the word “otsubone”.  The working place is not always kind […]

Let’s learn how to use the Japanese Word: ぶり (Buri)!

  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 […]

Japanese Slang: Hamaru

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 […]

Japanese Slang: Mattari (Suru) for Chilling Out!

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 […]

Japanese Slang : Dekikon

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 […]

What Does Chotto Mean in Japanese?

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. […]

Japanese Slang: Nanpa Suru and Gyakunan Suru

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 […]

3 girlfriends hanging out and having fun.

Common Japanese Mistakes: Pronouns 彼 (Kare) and 彼女 (Kanojo)

「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 […]