Hiragana, katakana, and kanji make up the Japanese writing system. When you start learning Japanese, figuring out how to read and write can feel overwhelming; after all, Japanese is completely different from the Roman alphabet! You then learn that there are three different writing systems used all at once. How is that even possible? Not […]
After mastering hiragana, one of the three Japanese writing systems, the natural next step is to learn katakana, the second Japanese syllabary. Commonly used to write loanwords, katakana represent the same set of sounds as hiragana, but they look completely different. Katakana characters are typically boxier and more geometric, with sharp corners, in contrast to […]
Between people’s fascination with Japanese culture and the desire to live in Japan, Japanese has become one of the most popular languages to learn – but also the hardest, too.
In English, an interjection is a word or expression meant to express sudden emotion or an immediate reaction. Have you ever heard your Japanese friend say things like “I see,” “Is that so,” or even “That’s amazing?” These interjections, or “aizuchi,” can be heard throughout their conversations, and they can be handy if you’re trying […]
If you’ve ever wanted to say “me too!” in Japanese, も (mo) is your particle. One of the most natural and frequently used particles in the language, も marks inclusion. It signals that something is being added to a group, a conversation, or a shared experience. Think of it as the Japanese way of saying […]
Japanese people don’t just hear insect sounds, but “hear” insect voices. While most languages treat the chirping of crickets or the buzzing of cicadas as mere noise, Japanese culture has long considered these sounds to be koe (声), voices worthy of deep appreciation. Why do they perceive insect noises as “voices”? Read more to find […]
The JLPT N3 phrase, にしては, is often used to express a contrast or comparison of someone or something. It is similar to saying “for” or “considering that,” and it is often used to express how something or someone is somewhat different from the norm or what is expected. So, let’s learn how to use this […]
Welcome to your free JLPT N3 Kanji mock test! This test is designed to test your ability to use kanji in certain contexts, as well as build the skills necessary to take the actual JLPT N3 test with confidence. While we provide an online quiz version for those who want to get their results instantly, […]
