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Explore Japanese learning resources, Japanese language and culture.

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 […]
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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 […]
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Taking Pictures – How to ask for Permission to take Photos in 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 […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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A Japanese word for August : ‘net tai ya’

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 […]
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"I appreciate that!" in Japanese: 助かります (Tasukarimasu)!

Expressing GratitudeWhat is 助かります (Tasukarimasu)?Usage ExamplesBeing more Respectful Expressing Gratitude Learning Japanese is not always easy, especially when you have to understand some very tricky nuances. When you received help and want to express your gratitude, what should you say? What is “I appreciate that” in Japanese? The answer is a simple word… tasukarimasu! What is 助かります […]
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A Japanese word for July : natsubate

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 […]
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How to Say Thank You (ありがとう) in Japanese

Luckily, with a little bit of crash course, you’ll be able to understand the social cues of the art of saying thank you in Japanese.
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A Japanese word for May: Gogatsu byou

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 […]
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Saying "Goodbye" in Japanese: Can it only be さよなら (Sayonara)?

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), […]
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