You’ve probably learned the Japanese word ちょっと (chotto), but did you know it can be used for almost any situation? While most people learn ちょっと as meaning “a little,” it actually has a much wider variety of uses for different contexts.  As we dive into how ちょっと is actually used in Japanese conversation, we will […]

In Japan, “rock paper scissors” is referred to as “じゃんけん”(Janken). Although it is called different names in different places, the rules of the game are generally the same in every country. The full countdown phrase is じゃんけんぽん (Janken pon!), equivalent to “Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!”In Japan, janken is used to settle disagreements, select participants, and […]

Interested in someone at the office, at university, or at your local bar, but don’t know how to flirt in Japanese? Or maybe you just want to make your friend groan with a cheesy one-liner. Either way, you might be wondering: do pick-up lines even work in Japanese? It takes confidence to ask someone out, […]

Ever wondered about different ways to respond to “Thank you” in Japanese? In this article, we cover the various ways to say “You’re Welcome” in Japanese.

Ganbare (頑張れ) or ganbatte (頑張って) is a Japanese phrase that means “Come on!” “Let’s go!” or “Go for it!” in English.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tokyo’s Minato area? The bustling nightlife, luxurious apartments, or the night skyline from Tokyo Tower? It’s obvious that the Minato area is one of the most wealthy parts of Tokyo, home to many large corporations, high-end shops and restaurants in Azabu, and many […]

In Japanese, you can say Happy New Year with various expressions, so let’s get familiar with a few phrases.

Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you wanted to compliment someone, but didn’t know how to express it naturally in Japanese? Knowing how to homeru (褒める) — the Japanese word for “to praise” or “to compliment” — is one of the simplest ways to make friends and form genuine connections. But getting […]