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16 Basic Japanese Greetings to Know

There are four basic Japanese greetings, or aisatsu (挨拶), that can be used at different times of the day. If you’re starting to learn Japanese, this will be the first thing you’re introduced to. After all, you don’t want to accidentally claim “Good morning” in the middle of the night or say “Have a good […]

4 Basic Japanese Greetings Ohayou, Konnichiwa, Konbanwa and Oyasumi

How To Ask Someone on a Date in Japanese

Have you ever wanted to ask someone you are romantically interested in out on a date in Japan? The most straightforward way to do so in Japanese is デートしませんか (Deeto shimasen ka), which means “Would you like to go on a date?” While this is technically correct, you might notice that not a lot of […]

Feature image of dating in Japan blog, image displays a couple sitting by the beach facing a sunset

Wakaranai: 8 Ways Say “I Don’t Understand” in Japanese

In Japan, you might run into plenty of situations where you will need to say “I don’t understand,” especially if you’re just starting to learn Japanese. The most common and straightforward way to say “I don’t understand” in Japanese is わからない (wakaranai) in casual speech, or わかりません (wakarimasen) in its polite form. But Japanese actually […]

Feature image for "I don't understand" in Japanese or 分からない

How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT?

Learn how many hours of study it will take you to pass each level of the JLPT. This illustrated guide compares how many hours of Japanese study per JLPT level. Did you know that it takes just as long to pass the N2 as it does to become a certified public accountant in the US?

Classic black alarm clock next to study books, symbolizing the time and effort needed to prepare for the JLPT exam.

Guide to Japanese Writing System: Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji

Did you know that the Japanese language has three types of writing systems? They are hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Hiragana is curvy, represents small syllables, and is used for grammatical information, particles, and native Japanese words! Katakana is straight, also represents small syllables, and is used for loanwords from other languages. Kanji are complex characters […]

Japanese Writing System Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana Explained