Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

January 22, 2016

Apologizing in Japanese – すみません (Sumimasen), I'm Sorry!

Do you know how to apologize in Japanese correctly? Apologizing is an important part of the Japanese culture, and it’s something that our students always notice and ask about when they come to Japan. You will often see Japanese people saying sumimasen and bowing repeatedly, and you’ll hear it many times throughout your time […]

January 3, 2016

Japanese New Year: The lasting traditions

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Did you know that until the Meiji era, the Japanese New Year calendar was similar to the Chinese calendar? It was only until 1873 that the Japanese New Year changed for the Gregorian calendar, however, all the traditional customs were maintained. January is a great time to discover Japan! The Japanese New Year culture is also great occasion […]

November 25, 2015

Japanese Kotatsu: One of the wonders Japanese culture

What so special about the Japanese kotatsu table? Foreigners traveling around Japan during the winter are often very surprised by how cold Japanese homes can be. They wonder why such an advanced country is incapable of heating houses. Indeed, whether traditional or western, most Japanese homes don’t provide any type of isolation from the cold. One […]

November 18, 2015

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test: JLPT

Are you currently studying Japanese? If so, then you might be interested in knowing more about the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, in short, the JLPT! Launched in 1984 as a biannual testing service by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges & Services, the JLPT is a tool to evaluate and certify the Japanese proficiency of […]

October 30, 2015

Shopping in Japanese: Common words and phrases to use

Finally, you are living the dream here in Tokyo! Do you enjoy discovering Japanese culture and traditional food? Any difficulty shopping in Japanese? If so, we are here to help you! But first, let us give you an overview on Japanese size. Firstly, Japanese body structure is quite different from foreigners. Even skinny foreigners have […]

October 16, 2015

Japanese Slang: ダメもと (Damemoto)

What’s ダメもと (Damemoto)? Conversational Uses… When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen 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 the […]

September 16, 2015

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 […]

September 11, 2015

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 […]

August 26, 2015

Taking Pictures – How to ask for Permission to take Photos in Japanese

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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 […]

August 24, 2015

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 […]

August 21, 2015

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. […]

August 14, 2015

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 […]

Japanese Blog

Explore Japanese learning resources, Japanese language and culture.

Apologizing in Japanese – すみません (Sumimasen), I'm Sorry!

Japanese New Year: The lasting traditions

Japanese Kotatsu: One of the wonders Japanese culture

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test: JLPT

Shopping in Japanese: Common words and phrases to use

Japanese Slang: ダメもと (Damemoto)

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

Japanese slang: Otsubone

Taking Pictures – How to ask for Permission to take Photos in Japanese

Japanese Slang : Dekikon

What Does Chotto Mean in Japanese?

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

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