Let’s dive in and make sure you’re fully prepared and equipped to ace the JLPT!

You may be familiar with the JLPT, but have you heard of the BJT and TOPJ? While the JLPT is the most widely recognized proof of Japanese language proficiency, an increasing number of companies and foreigners are now opting for the JLPT test alternatives. But from JLPT, BJT, and TOPJ, which one should you take? […]

Why do Japanese people omit words? The Japanese often omit words because the meaning is clear from the context. Instead of repeating information that both speakers already know, Japanese relies on shared understanding, making conversations sound more natural and efficient. Now we journey beyond the textbook to dive into natural Japanese, which often involves omitting words […]

Many people are surprised to learn that Japanese hand gestures don’t always mean what they expect — and in some cases, they mean the exact opposite of a similar gesture back home. Body language might seem more universal than spoken language, but it’s still shaped by culture, and Japan has plenty of its own unique […]

Like lol, jk, and even XD; Japanese people have their own version of internet slang and texting lingo — also known as ネットスラング (netto surangu). Have you ever tried using social media, like Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter, in Japanese? Scoured across comments sections, posts, and message boards are letters and symbols being used in ways […]

Pokémon is undoubtedly one of our favorite franchises ever; however, you may have noticed that many of the names of the Pokémon we know and love in English are completely different in Japanese. So, why is that? Turns out Pokémon names are not translated directly from Japanese to English, since the names wouldn’t make much […]

Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced.  In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences. This depends on what you’re […]

The Japanese phrases しょうがない (shou ga nai) and 仕方がない (shikata ga nai) express your graceful resilience in situations out of our control. They communicate something that doesn’t translate neatly into English, and yet they are used all the time in Japanese.  So, let’s learn these uniquely Japanese expressions, how they express a Japanese cultural sentiment, […]