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?
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 […]
