July’s Japanese word: Natsubate Have you experienced Japanese summer yet? They are very hot and humid! Starting July, temperatures reach such point that you have literally the impression to be in a permanent sauna. Not only foreigners, but Japanese people too suffer from the Japanese summer heat. You may feel physically tired, lose your appetite and have trouble […]
In Japan, a mysterious sickness to a foreign eye appears every year around May. Termed as the May sickness, 五月病（ごがつびょう） is not a specific disease per se, but more a disorder created by the rhythm of the Japanese year. April marks the start of a new school semester, and for most Japanese companies, this is also a popular hiring […]
What does “Muri Shinai De” Mean?When can I use it?In Daily Contexts… What does “Muri Shinai De” Mean? Japanese people have at heart to care for others. In Japan, you often hear the expression “muri shinai de”. Broadly speaking, the phrase means “don’t overdo it” or “take it easy”. The expression shows that you care about […]
Do you know the Japanese word Kaizen? It means improvement. For example, the word is synonymous with quality control at a car assembly line. The concept is widely adopted not only in manufacturing but also in service industries. This includes retail, transportation and even education. As long as the starting block is a solid one, […]
How Can I Say “Goodbye” in Japanese? Are you using Sayonara to say “goodbye” in Japanese? It may not mean quite what you think…Using さよなら (Sayonara) to express FarewellCasual ConversationsIn Formal Context…Not meeting for a while… Using さよなら (Sayonara) to express Farewell One of the first words that you will learn when studying Japanese is さよなら (sayonara), […]
Article written by our contributor Jason Cohen. He has a master’s degree in Japanese language and worked in a variety of unique fields as a multi-cultural consultant and as a translator. Jason will explain to us the differences between Japanese and English in his point of view.
Learning the NuancesPractice & ExamplesGoing Further… Did you know that both “wakarimasen” or “shirimasen” can be used to say “I don’t know” depending on the situation? Take a look at the examples below to find out when to use each phrase! Learning the Nuances “Shirimasen” can be used to simply convey that you don’t […]
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. IntroductionDefinitionExamples of Usage Introduction If you have been to Japan and met with some […]
