Ever wondered why it takes longer for you, a native English speaker, to learn Japanese compared to your other foreign friends? In our previous article, we discussed how while Japanese is already a challenging language to learn, it’s even more difficult if you grow up speaking English. Why is that?

The answer lies in the vast differences between the English and Japanese languages. From the writing systems and grammar structures to the contextual basis of communication, there are a few similarities that can speed up the learning process. Unlike Chinese and Korean speakers, who can draw upon some similarities in their own language, English speakers face additional hurdles. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why Japanese is more difficult for English speakers to learn and provide insights on how to navigate these challenges!

Are there any similarities between English and Japanese?

While the differences between English and Japanese outweigh the similarities, there are some non-obvious traits that both language share. Hopefully, these similarities give you a piece of mind when you start learning Japanese. 

Japanese and English languages borrow words from each other

Loan words in Japanese, or gairaigo (外来語), are words borrowed from foreign countries other than China. While there are some loanwords that come from Europe like Dutch and Portuguese — but most of them come from English. In fact, 10% of the vocabulary of modern Japanese comes from English.

For example, besides arigatou gozaimasu, a lot of friends would say a Japan-ized “thank you” to each other casually. The Japanese alphabet doesn’t recognize the consonant “th, so instead,the “s” is used.

サンキュー
Sankyuu.
Thank you. 

Nowadays, a lot of Japanese people tend to prefer using English loanwords over their Japanese equivalents. Some people might even have a hard time identifying the pure Japanese word because they’re so used to using its loanword equivalent! For example:

EnglishLoanwordJapanese
Copy machineコピー機 (kopiiki)写真機 (shashinki)
Knifeナイフ (naifu)包丁 (houchou)
Tableテーブル (teeburu)机 (tsukue)
Hotelホテル (hoteru)客舎 (kyakusha)

Likewise, while the Japanese language has borrowed a lot of English words, we can say the same thing the other way around. Let’s take tsunamis, for instance. There’s no English word to describe huge tidal waves, so it was borrowed from the Japanese. Other examples include sushi, katsu, skosh (as in “just a skosh”) and tycoon. Read more loanwords that come from Japanese here!

Japanese and English Languages Start with a Subject 

This is a fundamental aspect of both Japanese and English. In English, we know that the subject of a sentence will always come first, followed by a verb, and then the object — this is the simplest grammar structure.

For example, in the word, “The dog is playing a ball”, “the dog” is the subject”, “is playing” is the verb, and “the ball” is the object.

While Japanese has a different structure (more of that later!), the subject is usually placed at the beginning of the sentence. Simple, right? Take a look at the sentence below.

私は犬を愛しています。
Watashi wa inu o aishite imasu.
I love dogs. 

Here, “Watashi” is the subject, “neko” is the object, and “aishiteimasu” is the verb.

Although there are some exceptions to these rules in both languages, such as in questions or certain types of emphasis, the general tendency is for sentences to follow this structure. 

Like Japanese, English Has Honorifics

If you have heard  -kun (くん), -chan (ちゃん), -san (さん), and -sama (さま) before, then you know that in Japan, you just simply do not call people by their names. To address someone or speak about someone, you need to use honorifics — a suffix that goes after the person’s name. For example:

佐藤さん
Satou san

田中様
Tanaka sama (sama indicates more respect) 

English also has its own list of honorifics, like Mr., Mrs., and Ms. They’re used to address people politely, and in formal situations. The only difference is that Japanese honorifics can also be used to address someone younger or socially lower than you — such as -kun (くん), used on friendly terms for male friends, and chan, used for children. Another thing is that English doesn’t use honorifics as regularly as Japanese. In fact, you won’t find someone calling you Mister or Miss on a casual meeting.

Differences Between Japanese and English

Different Writing Systems

While the English language only has 26 letters based on the Latin alphabet, the Japanese has not one, not two, but three writing systems. The first two, katakana and hiragana, are phonetic systems that share the same sounds. Katakana is usually used for foreign words while hiragana is used for everything else including particles.  

Hiragana and katakana are similar to the alphabet; these characters represent a syllable that when combined with other characters, makes up a Japanese word. 

The trickiest part that most foreigners have a hard time with is kanji — the third writing system in the Japanese language. Unlike hiragana and katakana, a kanji must be memorized separately as one character does not represent one “sound”, but one “meaning”. In other words, kanji are closer to ideograms that represent words and concepts instead of a writing system.

This is why there are thousands of kanjis there are thousands of them — approximately 4,400 kanji characters. Just as a reference, to pass JLPT N3, you’ll need to learn 650 kanji. 

Japanese has a different sentence structure

I want a cat. I read a book. You are drinking a cup of coffee. The English language follows the basic grammar pattern that we all use unconsciously: the subject-verb-object (SVO) pattern.

In Japanese, the basic sentence structure follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) pattern. For example:


Watashi

wa
寿司
sushi
を食べます
o tabemasu
SubjectObjectVerb

On the other hand, it will look like this in English.

Iam eatingsushi
SubjectVerbObject

This means when you’re deciphering a Japanese sentence too literally, the translation can go awry. Take a look at another example below.

SubjectSubject ParticleLocationLocation particleObjectObject ParticleVerb
田中さん喫茶店コーヒー飲んでいます。
Tanaka-sanwakissatendekoohiionondeimasu
Tanakacafeatcoffeeis drinking

Doesn’t make sense, right? If you’re used to speaking in a language that adopts the basic SVO pattern, you might need some time before getting used to the Japanese sentence pattern. 

The Japanese Language Likes to Omit Subjects

As you learn to speak Japanese in real situations or listen to conversations, you might notice that a lot of Japanese people like to omit subjects, especially when it indicates the first person.

In English, removing a subject from a sentence is grammatically incorrect. You can’t just say “want eat” to someone, as this is technically an incomplete sentence. Who wants to eat?

In Japanese, however, when the subject is obvious and heavily implied in the context of the conversation, a sentence would not require one. For example, imagine a scenario where you just got home from the convenience store. Your mom was there waiting for you at the entrance, and she asks:

Mom
何を買ったの?
Nani o katta no?
What did (you) buy?

You
ファミチキを買った。
Famichiki okatta.
(I) bought a Famichiki. 

Noticed how even the mom omits “you” in her question? The right sentence would be, あなたが何を買ったの (anata ga nani o katta no). However, when spoken, it will sound unnatural because, at this point, we know that your mom is directly asking a question to you. 

The same goes for your answer. You can say, 私はファミチキを買った (watashi wa famichiki o katta), but it’s clear that you’re referring to yourself. 

Another example will be when you are feeling a headache. In English, this will simply be, “I have a headache.”

In Japanese, the literal translation will be

私は頭がいたい。
Watashi wa atama ga itai. 

However, as you study more advanced Japanese, you realize that “ha” is used to put emphasis on the subject. Therefore, when you say, “私は頭がいたい,” you are claiming, “I am having a headache.”

Of course, the meaning doesn’t change, and it’s not dramatically incorrect. However, it’ll affect. the overall nuance of your statement.

Keep in mind that the use of subject omission in the Japanese language is a complex cultural and linguistic phenomenon that has developed over time due to various social and linguistic factors. Japanese is a language that places a high value on brevity and efficiency in communication, and omitting the subject can help to make sentences shorter and more concise. If a sentence contains a lot of obvious possessive determinators and subjects, we can clean it up. For example:

私は私のカバンを忘れてしまいました。
Watashi wa watashi no kaban o wasurete shimaimashita.
I lost my bag. 

Here, if you are declaring that you are losing your own bag, you can simply say:

カバンを忘れてしまいました。
Kaban o wasurete shimaimashita.
(I) lost (my) bag. 

There are also other ways in which the Japanese language can help indicate if someone is performing the action for someone else — without explicitly mentioning the subjects. These are done through conjugations like 〜てあげる, 〜てくれる, and 〜てもら. If you want to read more about that, head here

The Japanese language has different levels of formality

English has its own system of formal language, but it’s generally less complex than Japanese. To put it into perspective, English ‘formal’ language relies more on vocabulary and syntax rather than specific verb forms and grammar rules. 

In the Japanese language, there is a special way of speaking called keigo which is used to show respect to people of higher social status. There are three main levels of keigo: sonkeigo (respectful language), kenjougo (humble language), and teineigo (polite language). Each keigo with its own set of verb forms, vocabulary, and grammar rules.

Which level of keigo to use depends on the relationship between the speaker and the listener. For example, if you are talking to your boss, you should use sonkeigo (尊敬語) to show the utmost respect.

On the other hand, when talking to a client, your boss becomes part of your in-group or uchi (内), and the client is perceived to be of higher social status. In this case, you would use kenjougo (謙譲語) to show humility towards the client. Complicated, right? 

In essence, keigo is used to show respect and maintain social harmony, but it can be hard to navigate as it depends on various social hierarchies and relationships.

English has more vowels than Japanese

Despite its intricate writing system, we can bet that Japanese is more simple in one thing: its pronunciation. The Japanese language has significantly fewer vowels sounds than English. 

Japanese has only five vowel sounds: /a/, /i/, /u/, /e/, and /o/ (あ, い, う, え, and お). These sounds are more consistent than in English because they are pronounced based on how they are written. For example, the word haha (母) is pronounced as it is: ha-ha.

This isn’t necessarily true for English. English has fifteen vowel sounds represented by the letters a, e, i, o, and u. This means that even when a word has the same vowel, it can be pronounced differently. For example, words like “able” (ay-ble) or “salt” are pronounced differently, even when it contains the vowel “a”.

Different Pronunciation

Now that we’ve gotten over the vowels, we can dive into how Japanese pronunciation differs from English. Japanese uses double consonants and long vowels more than English, which can be a bit of a tricky gap to overcome if you speak English all the time. 

For example, the grandpa and uncle are pronounced almost similar if not for the fact that grandpa, or ojii–san, in Japanese, has a long vowel.

おじいさん
Oji-i-san
Grandfather

おじさん
Oji-san
Uncle

This is another tricky part that foreigners have trouble with. English also has more consonant sounds in Japanese; 24 compared to 14 consonants. While this makes it seem like Japanese people will have a harder time learning English, native English speakers have found it tricky to nail pronouncing “R” in Japanese. The “r” in Japanese sounds like a middle point between the English “r” and “l”.

Japanese is a highly contextual language compared to English

お疲れ様です (otsukare sama desu). よろしく音がいします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu). We all have probably learned these basic phrases and started using the regularly. Intepreting their nuance and meaning, however, is another thing.

Both otsukare sama desu and yoroshiku onegaishimasu are one of the many phrases with multiple meanings. This is because Japanese is considered a high-context language. This means that in Japanese, a lot of meaning is conveyed through context, nonverbal cues, and implicit communication. What does this mean?

In Japanese, it’s common to use vague language and rely on context to convey the intended meaning. For example, if you’re asking someone on a date tomorrow, they might say:

明日は厳しいけど…
Ashita wa kibishii kedo…
Tomorrow is (a bit hard).

Here, we might be inclined to press further: what about the next day? Or the weekend? This is where you will need to read between the lines and realize that that person is indirectly saying no.

On the other hand, Englsih is a more direct language, and meaning is often conveyed through explicit and precise language. Nonverbal cues are less relied upon than in Japanese. English sentences usually include the subject and verb, and context is less important for understanding the meaning of a sentence.

Let’s Learn Japanese with Coto Academy!

Overall, there are a lot of differences between Japanese and English that can make studying the language hard. If you’d like to study Japanese with professional teachers, why not join Coto Academy? We have a range of courses ranging from beginner crash courses to business Japanese!

We also have an online lesson portal, where you can easily browse lessons and book a class.

If you’re ready to get started, fill out the inquiry form below for a free level check and course consultation!

Learning Japanese has never been easy. From memorizing vocabulary and new alphabets to studying different grammar structures, it’s like a long and difficult journey where there are so many struggles and challenges that we all have to face and have to figure out the best approach to tackle the obstacles by ourselves. 

It’s perfectly fine to make mistakes when learning Japanese or any new language because that is how we learn and improve our skills.

However, there are some common pitfalls in your study routine that can be avoided. Here are 10 common Japanese learning mistakes to be careful of.

Don’t have a goal or set the goal too high

Sometimes we want to learn a new language just because it looks interesting or cool. On the other hand, a lot of people have their own reasons to study Japanese, for example, they might want to understand their favorite anime completely without subtitles.

Either way, having no clear goal or setting a goal way too high can affect your learning experience. Japanese is not an easy language and you can feel like giving up when it gets to the point where it’s getting too hard or it’s not reaching where you aim to be.

Tip: It’s good to set a goal as a motivation to keep learning Japanese. When it comes to a goal, it doesn’t have to be something big like passing JLPT N1.

A goal should be something enjoyable and achievable. When I started learning Japanese, my goal was to be able to communicate in the restaurant. I wanted to order food, request any utensils and ask for the bill completely in Japanese by myself.

After you reach your goal, you can set a harder goal and so on to keep going with Japanese learning.

Read more: How long does it take to learn Japanese?

Learning Japanese too much and too fast

It’s always good when you set up your mind to learn the language and decide you will be fluent in Japanese as fast as you can. You study every day and try to learn as much as you can.

However, doing something in extreme can lead to the point where you become stressed and unmotivated especially when you don’t get the good result you expected.

Tip: The best way to avoid being overwhelmed in learning Japanese is to take things in a moderate way. It’s good to make a study plan to balance the study.

You can study one chapter a day or focus on different skills on each day. In this case, you don’t have to memorize too much vocabulary or kanji in one day and become stressed when you immediately forget the next day.

Me, I only study a chapter of a grammar book or a set of vocabulary or kanji per day. I also don’t study every day and set some cheat days to recharge myself.

Not being consistent in learning Japanese

Contrary to the previous point, you don’t have to study too hard but you shouldn’t study too little as well. Learning only a few hours a week won’t help much because you will completely forget what you have studied many days ago because you don’t really review it regularly enough.

If you find an excuse not to study today, you will find one tomorrow, and so on. When the motivation is gone, it’s really hard to get your head back into studying.

Tip: If you really don’t have time to study, just try your best to at least learn something. You can learn Japanese on a mobile app when you are on a train or listen to a podcast while cleaning the house. It’s better to study only 5 minutes a day and keep your motivation rolling than study nothing at all! 

Putting your eggs in one basket

There are so many resources to learn Japanese out there and it can be overwhelming. It’s good to read some reviews and decide which book series to study or what app to use. However, sticking with one resource or following what other people say might not be ideal. Some resources only focus on a particular skill and don’t teach much about others.

For example, apps like WaniKani are good to memorize vocabulary and kanji, but it doesn’t help with speaking or reading. You might be an auditory learner and like to listen to podcasts, but you’ll lack in reading skills if you only rely on audio learning.

It can be disheartening when you know so many kanji but can’t really speak well. On the other hand, some resources match someone’s learning style but not yours and you can easily lose interest because the book looks boring to read or too complicated to understand.

Tip: The best resources are the ones you pick by yourself! It’s always good to read any reviews to see how the books or the apps are. However, it’s better to check them by yourself.

You can go to the bookstore, check the online version or download the app to see whether they suit your style. It will be extremely discouraging if you have to give up on a book after a few pages because you can’t really stand it.

Learning from anime

Anime is fun and it can be a good inspiration to learn Japanese. You can also learn so many interesting words you don’t find in any textbook.

Why? Because you don’t really use those kinds of words in real life! As Japanese have a level of politeness, most Japanese in anime are quite casual and full of slang so it might not be suitable to use as a sole resource, especially for beginners.

Tip: It’s absolutely okay to use your favorite anime as one of the resources to learn Japanese. It makes learning Japanese fun, but don’t completely rely on it.

There are so many ways you can learn from anime such as watching it with subtitles to learn new kanji, then rewatching it without subtitles to practice listening or writing down some unknown vocabulary.

It’s also safe to check if the language used in the anime is appropriate for daily life, or how people actually use these words in real life before actually using them.

Focusing only on particular skills

Many people think that because they don’t really use Japanese in a professional environment, it’s okay to focus on speaking in daily life but don’t put any effort into reading or writing.

On the other hand, some people rely so much on textbooks and know so much grammar and kanji but don’t really go out there and actually speak it.

Learning a new language is all about balancing all the skills. You can be very good at one particular skill but if you don’t know the rest, it’s hard to say that you are actually able to communicate in every aspect.

Tip: It’s perfectly fine if you aren’t good at everything, no one is! Instead of focusing only on particular skills, you can find your weak point and put a little more effort into it so this skill becomes at a similar level as others.

Try using different resources that focus on different skills so you can practice and enjoy them at the same time. For example, you can read textbooks for grammar, use an app for kanji and vocabulary and follow some YouTubers for listening skills.

Don’t care about the pronunciation

A lot of people don’t care much about pronunciation because they are more worried about the other aspects of the language such as kanji reading, grammar structure, or a level of politeness.

You shouldn’t worry about it too much because it’s not the most important thing but it shouldn’t be completely neglected as well. There are things like long vowels and double consonants that are important in communiction.

A wrong pronunciation can create a misunderstanding as Japanese has many words with the same sound but different intonations as well as words with very similar sounds.

I had an experience when I said “there are a lot of houses (uchi) in this area.” However, I couldn’t pronounce “ch” and “sh” correctly so everyone ended up confused why there are so many cows (ushi) instead. (We have more wacky Japanese language mistakes here)!

Tip: It’s actually hard to learn the pronunciation by ourselves. However you can try to practice by yourself by listening to podcasts, videos or even talking to the native speakers to understand and be familiar with Japanese pronunciation.

There is also another learning technique called shadowing which you can listen to someone speaking and you repeat it back out loud at the same time.

Moreover, if you have a chance to learn a new vocabulary, you can take note of the different intonation such as HAshi means chopsticks and haSHI means bridge.

Translating everything into your native language

When you speak, read or listen to your second (or third) language, it’s normal that you want to compare it with your native language to make it easier to memorize or understand.

However, every language has different word choices, grammar structures or even how to form the sentences.

For example, in my native language, we use “eat” medicine, while “take” and “drink” are used in English and Japanese respectively so it can become unnatural or even completely wrong if you try to make sentences in Japanese while thinking from your native language’s perspective. 

Tip: Try to understand the language as it is. It’s good to learn vocabulary or grammar and how to use them by memorizing examples in Japanese, rather than comparing and memorizing them with your native language.

There are many examples that are hard to translate into other languages such as 雨が降られた (ame ga furareta)。It might sound weird in English to say “you have been rained on” but it’s just a Japanese way to state the negative nuance.

Don’t really use Japanese

The best way to learn any language is by using it in real life. If you know grammar and vocabulary by heart but you don’t really use it, it’s really hard to become fluent in the language.

Many people are afraid to speak because they feel embarrassed to make mistakes. However, making mistakes is how we learn and improve our skills.

Tip: Find a chance to use Japanese! You can try to meet Japanese people in language exchange, use some apps or join Japanese classes.

Even though you aren’t in an environment where you have to speak Japanese everyday, it’s still great to speak whenever you have a chance like in a conbini, restaurant or train station.

Besides speaking, you can practice other skills like reading easy news, listening to podcasts or writing diaries in Japanese. 

Read more: 10 Best Apps for Japanese Language Exchange

Compare yourself with others

Everyone learns in a different way, style and pace. Someone can learn a new language really fast while others might not be able to do so.

Sometimes you meet other foreigners and notice that they are better. However, you don’t really know their learning process because they might have been learning it for a long time or they have more time to study than you.

Comparing yourself to others can be very disencouraging and make you want to stop learning because you feel like you can’t keep up or you aren’t good or smart enough to learn a new language.

Tip: Don’t compare yourself with others! It’s easier said than done because it’s what we normally do. If you want to compare yourself with anyone, compare your current self with your previous self.

Everytime you feel disheartened, try to look back and see how far you have been from the day you started learning Japanese. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s not easy to learn Japanese or any new language and we are prone to make mistakes along the way. However it’s best to avoid some common mistakes that will make your learning experience even harder than it should be.

The most important thing, however, it’s never giving up! If somehow you become stressed or unmotivated, just give yourself a little break and come back whenever you are ready again.

You might also want to consider guidance from a qualified teacher and learn Japanese in a structured and supportive environment. With Coto Academy’s immersive approach, you’ll not only learn the language but also gain valuable insights into the culture and society of Japan.

If you’re ready to start a new language journey, enroll in a course at Coto Academy today and take the first step towards mastering Japanese!

By offering intensive, part-time, JLPT-focused, and online classes, you are sure to find the option that fits you the best!

Start learning Japanese at Coto Academy today! Contact us for free level check and consultation.

What are the common mistakes people make when learning Japanese?

Some common Japanese learning mistakes people make when learning Japanese include not practicing speaking and listening enough, relying too heavily on textbooks and grammar rules, and neglecting to learn Kanji characters. To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible, practice regularly with native speakers, and focus on building a well-rounded set of language skills.

How can I avoid relying too heavily on Romaji when learning Japanese?

To avoid relying too heavily on Romaji (the Romanized version of Japanese), it’s important to start learning Hiragana and Katakana characters as soon as possible. These characters represent the basic sounds of Japanese and are used in combination with Kanji characters to write Japanese words and phrases

What are some common errors to avoid when using Japanese particles?

Common errors to avoid when using Japanese particles include using the wrong particle, using particles incorrectly in sentences, and failing to use particles at all when necessary.

How important is proper pronunciation in Japanese, and what are some common errors to avoid?

Proper pronunciation is essential for effective communication in Japanese. Common errors to avoid include failing to distinguish between similar sounds like “shi” and “chi,” mispronouncing long vowels, and pronouncing words too distinctly.

Like lol and jk, Japanese people have their own version of Japanese internet slang and texting lingo — also known as ネットスラング (netto surangu). Have you ever tried using social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter in Japanese? Things are going fairly well! That is until you reach that one word. You’ve never encountered it before; it doesn’t even seem vaguely familiar. What on earth does it mean? Perplexed, you go to look up the word and, in the definition, you see the reason for your confusion: slang.

Japanese internet slang is confusing at the best of times. Words can change based on a speaker’s age, gender, accent, background, interests – and whether or not the conversation is in real-life or online. Worse, because Japanese internet slang terms aren’t official Jgapanese language, you can’t find them in textbooks. 

As confusing as they may be, Japanese internet slang terms are important to know if you want to be able to speak or text informally — or even make new Japanese friends. Plus, with so many places to practice Japanese online, knowing internet slang terms is especially important. While we’ve already covered some useful slang terms for in-person conversations here, take a look at the internet-based words below to start slinging slang like a native online! 

Jump to:

About Japanese Internet Slang

スラング (surangu) is a loanword from English that means “slang”. As with any language, you’ll come across numerous words, expressions, and abbreviations that are exclusively used on the internet or in text messages. Japanese internet slang terms can be difficult to understand because it doesn’t follow the same rule as the normal Japanese language. If you have Japanese friends on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you may find it challenging to comprehend what they are saying. 

Like the regular Japanese writing system, which uses hiragana, katakana, and kanji, Japanese internet and texting slang uses romaji (ローマ字), or the roman alphabet. They are often shorter and more casual, incorporating English words and expressions. Additionally, they can change rapidly over time, making it essential to stay updated with the latest trends.

Furthermore, Japanese slang often uses wordplay, abbreviations, acronyms, and puns that may be difficult to decipher without an understanding of Japanese culture and context. For example, a common Japanese slang term “JK” refers to “joshi kousei,” which means high school girl, but the abbreviation itself doesn’t necessarily indicate its meaning to non-native speakers.

Take a look at the example below.

どこかから DQN が 現れて わりこんでいったよ!ムカつく!
Doko ka kara DQN ga arawarete warikonde itta yo! Mukatsuku!
A DQN appeared from somewhere and cut in the line! Annoying!

See the word DQN that sticks out among Japanese characters? Pronounced ‘Dokyun’, it’s used to describe someone who is stupid and acts without thinking. Because it’s technically written in romaji, we might quickly assume that the other text had made a typo — it’s actually not!

Popular Japanese Internet Slang Terms Used on Social Media

Using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube is super fun, but it’s important to know the text slang terms that are everywhere. This is especially true for Twitter, where brevity is key and phrases need to be shortened, or in text messages where speed-texting is more important. So let’s check out some awesome Japanese text slang terms that are frequently used on the internet!

1. 飯テロ

Reading: meshi tero
Meaning: food terror

Do you ever see a photo of really delicious food and get upset that you can’t eat it? This is exactly what 飯テロ is talking about! 飯 (meshi) means food, and テロ (tero) means terror or terrorist; combined, they refer to when someone uploads such pictures on social media and makes people hungry (especially late at night)4! The more appetizing the food, the more テロ (tero) is unleashed!

彼はパスタの写真をあげて、飯テロした。
Kare wa pasuta no shashin o agete, meshi tero shita.
When he uploaded those photos of pasta, he did “food terror.”

2. リア充

Reading: riajuu
Meaning: Someone who has a fulfilling life offline

We all know it’s not good to spend too much time on the internet. But, for many of us, the internet is key to countless hobbies and interests. However, for リア充, they tend to find most of their happiness in the real world. Taken from the phrase リアルが充実している (riaru ga juujitsu site iru), which means one’s real-world life is fulfilling, リア充 are usually characterized by having significant others, many irl friends, non-internet based hobbies, and active lifestyles3.  In other words, they have a satisfying life away from the internet!

彼女はピアノを弾いたり、絵を描くのが好きです。リア充です!
Kanojo wa piano o hiitari, e o kakitari suru noga suki desu. Riajuu desu!
She likes to play piano and paint; she is a riajuu!

3. w or 笑

Reading: wara
Meaning: laughing

This is the Japanese version of LOL! The “w” or 笑 is taken from the beginning part of the verb 笑う (warau), which means “to laugh.” Just like LOL, it’s usually used at the end of a sentence, and the more w’s you add, the harder you are laughing! 笑 is usually seen as the more “mature” way to write this, but many men just use “w” instead.

うちの猫、私の枕で寝てるwwww
Uchi no neko, watashi no makura de neteru wara
My cat is sleeping on my pillow lolll

4. 888

Reading: pachi-pachi-pachi
Meaning: clapping sound effects

What? This isn’t a word! It’s just numbers! Well, remember that the Japanese love to use onomatopoeias. The onomatopoeia for “clapping” is pachi-pachi-pachi, and 8 can be read as either hachi or patchi. So, if you put a bunch of 8’s next to each other, you get the clapping sound when you read it! Most of the time, you will use this to denote congratulations. Just like with “w”, the more 8’s you write, the more clapping you are doing!

言語学の学位をとったんですね! 888
Gengogaku no gakui o tottan desune! Pachi pachi pachi
You got your degree in Linguistics! (clap, clap, clap)

5. フロリダする

Reading: furorida suru
Meaning: to leave a conversation to have a bath

Usage: Yes, this does sound like Florida. No, it does not have anything to do with that state. Instead, this very specific verb is actually a combination of the words furo (bath) and ridatsu (to withdrawal), and refers to leaving a conversation (either online or through text) to hop in the bath or shower. A lot of Japanese people soak in the bath before bed, so this word probably came about because so many people need to take a break from the conversation!

彼女は、8:45にフロリダした。
Kanojo wa 8:45 ni furorida shita.
She left the conversation to shower at 8:45.

6. KY

Reading: keiwai
Meaning: A person who cannot read the room

It may be strange to see the Roman alphabet here, but it will make sense in a little bit! KY comes from the expression 空気読めない (kuuki yomenai); this literally means to be unable to read the air. Instead of typing all this out, however, many Japanese people just take the “k” from kuuki and the “y” from yomenai to make this abbreviation! People who are KY tend to have behaviors inappropriate to the situation at hand or are simply oblivious to what is happening around them. This is definitely not something you would want to be called!

彼氏と別れたばかりの友だちの前で、自分の彼氏自慢とか、あの子、KYすぎ。
Kareshi to wakareta bakari no tomodachi no mae de, jibun no kareshi jiman toka, ano ko, KY-sugi.
In front of a friend who just broke up with her boyfriend, she boasts about her boyfriend, and that girl (can’t read the room).

7. なう or ナウ

Reading:  nau
Meaning: Doing something right now, at a place right now

A lot of people like to use social media to show people what they’re up to. Sometimes, this means letting people know what they’re doing as they’re doing it! If you want to say what you’re doing now, you can just use the word なう (nau)… which sounds almost like now. This makes it pretty easy to remember!

京都なう/ たこ焼きナウ
Kyouto nau / takoyaki nau
I’m in Kyoto now / I’m eating takoyaki right now

8. 乙

Reading: otsu
Meaning: Good job! Well done!

Ever want to congratulate someone online, maybe for a good round in a game or in a video comment? 乙 is perfect for this! 乙 stands in for the Japanese phrase お疲れ様でした (otsukare sama deshita), which means thank you for your hard work. Many times, this is said at the end of a work day or after a big task. The kanji 乙 doesn’t have any relation to this phrase, by the way; it’s just used for its reading!

9. 炎上

Reading: enjou
Meaning: to be roasted on social media

Social media can be a wonderful place, but it can also be a harmful one as well; we’ve all seen how common it is for someone to be heavily criticized, or “roasted” online. Leaning into the fire analogy, Japanese netizens started using the word 炎上, which actually means flaming, to describe when this happens. Things can get pretty hot using this word!

彼はそのパンツを履いて炎上した。
Kare wa sono pantsu o haite, enjou shita.
When he wore those pants, he got roasted.

10. オワコン

Reading: owakon
Meaning: Dated content, no-longer-current media

Usage: With new content and trends being created every minute, things can get dated on the internet pretty quickly. To talk about content that has already passed its prime, オワコン is the perfect word. It’s formed from a combination of 終わった (owatta, meaning finished) and コンテンツ (kontentsu, contents)4. So, it’s content that’s finished being relevant! Now, I wonder how long it will take before this word goes out of date.

ゾンビ映画はオワコンになってしまった。
Zonbi eiga wa owakon ni natteshimatta.
Zombie movies became dated content.

11. △

Reading: sankakkei
Meaning: Mr./Mrs.___ is cool.

Alright. We’ve already had both the Roman alphabet and letters appear in this list. Now, what on earth is a shape doing here? Well, it’s a little complicated. The Japanese word for a triangle is sankakukei, but most people pronounce it as sankakkei as it’s easier. The san- in the beginning is pronounced the same as さん, or the honorific title meaning Mr. / Mrs. Then, –kakkei is a short form ofかっこいい (kakkoii), which means cool or attractive. So, put them together, and you get a reading of a triangle that can also mean so-and-so is cool. It’s a play on words that also saves time typing! (FYI: Many Japanese netizens will use this for celebrities or anime characters!)

みどりや△ 。
Midoriya san-kakkee.
Mr. Midoriya is cool.

12. ずっ友

Reading:  zuttomo
Meaning: friends for life

We all know the abbreviation for BFF – Best Friends Forever. But what if you want to say this in Japanese? Turns out you can just call your closest friends ずっ友! Like a lot of words on this list, ずっ友 is a combination of two words: ずっと (zutto), meaning forever, and 友達 (tomodachi), meaning friends3. It was first used by young girls taking pictures together, but now it’s expanded so anyone can use it3; sounds like the perfect word to say instead of “cheese”!

旅行の後、ずっ友になりました。
Ryokou no ato, zuttomo ni narimashita.
After their trip, they became BFFs.

13. Wkwk

Reading: wakuwaku
Meaning: to be excited

If you’re a fan of the series SPYxFAMILY, one of the popular anime series available on Netflix, you might already be familiar with ワクワク (wakuwaku). The adorable main character Anya says a lot! ワクワク is an onomatopoeic word meant to imitate excitement3; and if you’re excited about something, you may not want to spend too much time typing it out! Many Japanese internet users just type wkwk instead as a result, taking each letter from the beginning of each kana used. You can use wkwk in a myriad of situations, such as starting a new school or finding out your adoptive dad is really a spy in disguise!

アニャはピーナッツを食べたがっています wkwk。
Anya wa piinattsu wo tabetagatteimas wakuwaku.
Anya wants to eat peanuts!

Kaomojis (*^_^*)

Finally, we can’t finish an article about Japanese internet and texting slang without touching on kaomoji. Kaomojis, or literally face characters, are faces created using different elements and symbols found on your keyboard. You can almost think of them as old-school emojis! Just like emojis, kaomojis help to make the meaning of your words clear and to emphasize certain feelings. There’s a lot of focus placed on the kaomoji eyes, which makes them very expressive and particularly appealing to Japanese netizens. Many users place them at the end of a sentence or idea, or even just by themselves!

A lot of kaomojis are clear as to what they mean, such as (^_^;) being embarrassment or (-_-)zzz being sleeping. Some are a little harder, such as m(_ _)m being apologetic (bowing) or (#`Д´) being anger. However, the more you see kaomojis and get used to them, the more you will be able to pick up on their meaning! To learn more about kaomoji usage and see a huge list of faces, try checking out this webpage!

Conclusion

Whether it’s on social media, online games, or just chatting with friends, slang is bound to pop up everywhere you go. Hopefully, now that you have this list of Japanese internet and texting slang, navigating the Japanese web will be a bit easier! The next time you reach that one word, you’ll already know what it means. For more useful tips about life in Japan and the Japanese language, keep following the Coto Academy blog!

Want to talk more like a Japanese native and get more practice in speaking Japanese? Why not check out some of our classes at Coto Academy? We focus on fun, practical lessons. We also have online courses, which would be the perfect place to practice what you’ve just learned! Fill out the form below for a free level check and course consultation.

What are some popular Japanese internet slang terms and expressions used on social media platforms?

Some popular Japanese internet slang terms and expressions used on social media platforms include “w” (short for “warai” meaning laugh), “www” (representing laughter).

Why is it important to know Japanese internet and text slang terms when communicating online with Japanese speakers?

Knowing Japanese internet and text slang terms is important when communicating online with Japanese speakers because it helps to improve understanding and connection with others. These terms are often used in social media, messaging apps, and other forms of digital communication.

How do Japanese internet and text slang terms differ from traditional Japanese language?

Japanese internet and text slang terms differ from the traditional Japanese language in various ways. They are often shorter and more casual, incorporating English words and expressions. Additionally, they can change rapidly over time, making it essential to stay updated with the latest trends.

Can Japanese internet and text slang terms be offensive or inappropriate to use in certain situations?

Yes, some Japanese internet and text slang terms can be offensive or inappropriate to use in certain situations. It is crucial to understand the context and appropriateness of these terms to avoid offending others or using them inappropriately. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when using internet slang in any language.

Out of many Japanese learning resources, you’ve probably heard of WaniKani before. It’s a website that uses mnemonics and an SRS system — specifically, to teach kanji. As one of the most dreaded Japanese language elements, kanji demands serious study hours and, most of the time, quality resources.

If you’re serious about learning Japanese, you might want to find the right to help you read kanji. And with so much buzz and reviews on WaniKani (and other great learning apps), you might ask: is WaniKani actually worth the money? And is it the most effective kanji app? 

We’ve made a WaniKani review and gathered all the information you need to know about this learning tool.

wanikani

What is WaniKani?

WaniKani is a website that uses the spaced repetition system (SRS) and mnemonic methods to teach Japanese radical, kanji and vocabulary. The website is divided into 60 levels, and it claims that you can learn around 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabularies in just over a year. 

Specifically, WaniKani teaches 2,136 Jouyou kanji  (常用漢字), which literally means “daily kanji”. This is a set of kanji characters frequently used, and s usually ordered based on how often you’ll come across it day to day. 

The one-year claim has been confirmed by a lot of users, but keep in mind that there is no magic route to achieving Japanese fluency. Learning Japanese takes time and dedication, so if you’re not committing to your study routine and achieving your daily (or weekly target), you’ll fall back from the desired time. 

The first 3 levels are free. However, you need to pay for the subscription plan ($9/month, $89/year or $299 lifetime) later on. There is no official app, so you have to learn either on your computer or on the browser on your phone. However, you can use third-party options such as Flaming Durtles, Jakeipuu, or Tsurukame on iOS and Android phones.

wanikani learning kanji

How Does WaniKani Teach Japanese?

There are two parts on the dashboard — Lessons and Reviews. As the names suggest, the “lessons” page is where you learn radicals, kanji characters, and vocabulary, and the “reviews” page is where you review what you have studied so far. Once you start learning, each level will teach you radicals, kanji that use these radicals, then vocabulary that uses these kanji. You learn all of this in a mnemonic method as the explanation, example comes with short and (sometimes) funny sentences so you can remember easier and faster.

After you finish the lessons, you will move to the review stage where you have to answer what is the meaning of these radicals, how to read these kanji and vocabulary (in hiragana) and what they mean (in English). 

The review phase uses the spaced repetition system similar to Anki, which means you will have to repeatedly review them like using a flashcard. However, the time between each review and how often you see the same words is entirely customized to match how well you answered before. If you get the answer wrong, it will come up more frequently and the items you answer correctly will eventually come up right before you forget them. Hence, the method is enhancing long-term memory.

WaniKani’s Features

wanikani review

Every radical, kanji and vocabulary start from the “apprentice” stage. When you answer them correctly, the boxes underneath will be filled. Once they are full, you will pass and move them to the next stage called “guru”. When the radicals reach the guru stage, the kanji using these radicals will be unlocked. In the same manner, when the kanji reaches the guru, the vocabulary using these kanji will be unlocked as well.

Even though you level up, this doesn’t mean you won’t see these words ever again. The review continues as there are 5 stages in WaniKani’s spaced repetition system—apprentice, guru, master, enlightened, and burned

Once you reach the “burned” stage, this means you have memorized them in your brain and the word will be removed from the review session. However, there is an option to “unburned” the items and put them back in the apprentice stage.

The same system also applies to their vocabulary section, which utilizes the kanji you have learned. Additionally, it includes high-quality audio recordings of both male and female speakers.

wanikani

Besides the regular lessons and reviews, WaniKani also offers a new “extra study” option which has been recently added to the website. You can answer all the recent reviews as well as recent mistakes. However, these won’t count as the regular review and don’t affect the overall spaced repetition cycle. 

The Levels at WaniKani

WaniKani divides the kanji into 60 levels, with each level consisting of approximately 30-33 kanji. These levels don’t directly correspond to JLPT levels, but they’re extra useful because they help split the kanji characters into digestible chunks, rather than compiling them into one, giant list. 

To advance to the next level, you must first reach the “Guru” level by answering the majority of the kanji in that level in the review sessions that occur at 4, 8, 24, and 48-hour intervals. 

Once you attain this level, the corresponding vocabulary items for those kanji will be unlocked, but they do not affect your level-up time.

All of these effectively timed levels prevent you from burning out and help you retain the kanji in the long term. 

mnemonics in wanikani

How does WaniKani teach kanji and vocabulary through mnemonics?

WaniKani is also known for its use of mnemonics. These mnemonics, combined with the SRS (Spaced Repetition System), are considered the best feature as they help reinforce the information in the learner’s memory. 

Mnemonics are basically very short poems or special words used to help a person remember something. Ever wondered why your brain can remember the full lyrics to a Japanese karaoke song, but not when you’re learning a new set of vocabulary? This is a great, simple example. Think  ABCs music to memorize the alphabet and catchy rhymes.

Additionally, the examples often add a touch of humor to the mnemonic and uses the same characters to maintain consistency. 

Pros and Cons of Wanikani

So does WaniKani help with Japanese study? Here are the pros and cons of this website:

Advantages of WaniKani

1. You memorize kanji and vocabulary faster

Since WaniKani uses mnemonics methods so you can remember radicals, kanji, and vocabulary with the story in explanation and example sentences, this makes it easier to memorize everything. Most of the story is quite short, straightforward, and easy to memorize. However, there are some stories that are a bit hard to understand. In that case, I will use the same technique and come up with a story that I think I will easily remember and use instead.

2. WaniKani helps you stay consistent

Due to the spaced repetition system, you will have new reviews in a timely manner so you have to study regularly. This method helps you to build a good study habits so that you don’t have many reviews piling up. There was a time when I was busy and left WaniKani for weeks. I ended up having more than 2,000 reviews. From that moment, it has encouraged me to study a little bit every day in order to avoid the situation again. Even though I recently discovered a vacation mode where you can stop all the reviews, I tend to use it only when I’m actually away for a long time.

wanikani community

3. WaniKani has a big, active community

Besides the study itself, WaniKani also has a community where users discuss Japanese learning and other fun stuff such as reading everyday challenges or Japanese book club. The forum is very active as you can see people post something every day. Moreover, there is also a blog called Tofugu which is the creator of WaniKani. In the blog, you can read various things about Japanese culture and language learning as well as listen to podcasts to practice your listening skill. 

Check out: Our Review on Duolingo for Learning Japanese

Disadvantages of WaniKani

1. You can’t go as fast as you want

A spaced repetition system has its own time management. You need to wait until a certain time to get another review so you can’t really rush into the next level. In the first few levels when I still didn’t have a lot of radicals, kanji and vocabulary, sometimes I had to wait for a whole day to get new reviews. Even though I was in the mood for studying, I just couldn’t do it and had to wait, which was a bit frustrating. 

2. You don’t really learn how to write kanji

Even though WaniKani focuses on kanji, the website doesn’t really teach you how to write. You know the radical of the kanji, how to pronounce and the meaning in vocabulary. However, you don’t really know how many strokes the kanji have or what the stroke order is. If you rely only on WaniKani, you probably can read many kanji without knowing how to write any. As the JLPT test doesn’t require you to write so this won’t be a problem. However, as I want to know how to write, I usually check how to write each kanji and write it in my notebook. Check here for our 5 recommended apps for kanji writing.

3. It’s not for advanced learners

WaniKani is a great resource to learn kanji and vocabulary for beginners because you will start learning from the most basic kanji such as 一, 二, 三. The more you learn, the more you know kanji and reach the harder (and hardest) kanji. 

However, it has a fixed system, which means there is no way to skip the level. Hence, you have to start learning from scratch. If you have already known some kanji, it will probably take some levels before you reach kanji you don’t really know and you might learn something you don’t know before along the way. However, if you are an advanced learner and know hundreds of kanji already, WaniKani might not be suitable for you. 

4. It teaches kanji and vocabulary

WaniKani’s strongest point in being an effective Japanese kanji and vocab trainer is also its weakest: it just teaches you that, and nothing else. Much like many learning resources, you’re not supposed to rely on WaniKani alone to be fluent in Japanese. WaniKani doesn’t incorporate other essential skills, like reading, listening or talking. It just focuses on what it’s intended for.

Is it worth paying for WaniKani?

There are many free learning applications out there so you might be less thrilled to pay for WaniKani. As I have mentioned earlier, the first 3 levels are free and after that, you have to pay for a monthly, yearly or lifetime subscription. 

However, around New Year’s every year, there is a big discount for a lifetime subscription so you pay only around $199 and save around $100. I paid a monthly subscription in the first year and switched to life later on. I have been studying for 4 years so if I still paid monthly, it would cost me $432. It is worth paying for a lifetime subscription if you decide to use it for a long time.

WaniKani Alternatives

If you think WaniKani might not be for you. There are other alternatives that teach kanji and vocabulary in similar manners.

1. Anki

Anki is a free (except for iOS) flashcard app using the spaced repetition system. You can either create your own card decks or download pre-made decks to learn Japanese. In this case, you can pick what content you want to learn by yourself. Beginner learners can learn how to read each hiragana and katakana alphabet while advanced learners can learn kanji and vocabulary. Moreover, you can also set a daily limit for new cards and maximum reviews so you can choose your own pace and don’t feel too overwhelmed when studying. 

2. Renshuu

Renshuu is a Japanese learning app that is suitable for learners of any level. In the beginning, you can pick which level you are, what JLPT you aim to take or which book you are studying in order to use the app at an appropriate level. You can learn vocabulary, kanji, and grammar using various methods such as mnemonics, examples, writing, or listening. You can also learn by playing fun and easy games such as crossword and shiritori. The app has both free and paid versions.

If you want an in-depth review of Renshuu, head to this insightful article!

3. Memrise

Memrise is a language learning app that has both free and paid versions. There are 2 types of courses—official ones curated by staff and user-generated content (some might contain mistakes). Each course consists of many levels and topics you can choose from, however, it focuses more on vocabulary. Memrise also uses spaced repetition and mnemonics systems where learners can use flashcards with audio and video to learn new words. You can also review and learn how to pronounce and listen to native speakers. 

WaniKani: Final Review

If you are looking for a place to learn kanji and vocabulary, WaniKani is probably one of the best applications as it helps you learn faster with spaced repetition and mnemonics methods. As the reviews pile up every day, it also encourages you to study regularly and have good learning habits. However, it is more suitable for Japanese learners in the beginning levels who still don’t know many kanji as you can’t skip to the harder levels. If you aren’t sure yet, I recommend you try the first 3 levels which are free to see whether it suits your learning style before actually paying for it.

Ultimately, when you’re learning Japanese alone, we don’t recommend putting your eggs in one basket, as a lot of resources are not created equal. While self-studies can be effective, it’s also helpful to get support from a native instructor. If you’re looking to study in a small group to help you practice your speaking skills (in a fun and engaging way), check out the courses at Coto Academy! We offer classes from beginner to advanced levels and provide students with comprehensive language training that includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Head to WaniKani’s homepage.

Is WaniKani a great resource to learn Japanese?

As WaniKani focuses on kanji learning, it is one of the best places to learn the alphabet because you can really memorize them due to the spaced repetition and mnemonics methods. However, you might need other resources to learn how to write kanji. WaniKani also teaches vocabulary but it is based on the kanji you have learned, not how often you can see these words in daily life. WaniKani doesn’t offer other Japanese skills such as grammar, reading or listening.

What JLPT level does WaniKani teach?

According to the WaniKani statistics page, you can learn all N5 kanji when you finish level 16, all N4 kanji after finishing level 27 and all N3 and N2 kanji after finishing level 51. When you reach level 60 which is the last level, you will learn around 80% of N1 kanji. When I started to prepare for JLPT N2, I was at level 35 and most of the kanji was really in N2 levels so it actually helped me a lot during the exam preparation.

In the world of languages, Japanese is often said to be one of the easiest to pronounce. After all, its words are made up of easily discernible syllables with sounds most familiar to English speakers. But, like all languages, not everything is as simple as it may look on the surface; Japanese also has its fair share of auditory quirks! Today, we’ll walk you through two things – long vowels and double consonants. What are they? Where are they found? Why are they significant? And, most importantly, how can they help you seem like a native Japanese speaker? Your skills are sure to become twice as nice once you master these elements!

Before you continue, make sure you know how to write and read hiragana and katakana — both are really related to today’s article! Besides that, make sure to check out in-person and online courses at Coto Academy to help fast-track your Japanese learning progress!

 Jump to:

What are Long Vowels in Japanese?

In short (see what I did there?), long vowels, also known as chouon (長音) are vowels with a pronunciation twice as long as a normal vowel. To put this a different way, when you pronounce a word with a long vowel, you would “hold” the vowel sound for double the time you would a normal vowel. So, the long version of the “ah” sound is pronounced “aa”, the long version of the  “ee” sound is “ee”, and so on. All of the vowels in Japanese — あ, い, う, え, and お — can be long. The length of these vowels is important in Japanese, as length can sometimes change the meaning of the word.

Let’s see an example of long vowels in action!

  • おばさん(obasan) “o-ba-san” = aunt
  • おばあさん (obaasan) “o-baaa-san” = grandma 

Do you see the difference? In aunt, the “ah” sound is normal length, while in grandma, the “ah” sound is longer and pronounced “aaahh”. So, grandma has a long vowel, and this long vowel is what differentiates grandma from aunt! Not too bad, right?

 Let’s see another example. 

  • おじさん (ojisan) “oh-gee-san” = uncle
  • おじいさん (ojiisan) “oh-geeee-san” = grandpa

Did you spot the difference quicker that time? In uncle, the “gee” sound is normal length, while the “gee” sound in grandpa is longer and is thus pronounced, “geee.” So, grandpa has a long vowel that separates it from uncle. This isn’t so hard after all — just be careful not to call a young aunt a grandma and risk offending her!

How to Pronounce Long Vowels in Japanese

Japanese vowels always sound the same, making them unruly compared to the English language. As mentioned before, Japanese only has five vowels (boi, 母音), transcribed into the English alphabet as a, i, u, e and o. In other words, あ (a) will always sounds the same, no matter the context or spelling.

Trying to pronounce long vowels can be easy if you remember a few key rules. Long vowels are just an extension of their shorter bowels, so there can only be five Japanese long vowels, too. For example, when we come across the word お母さん (okaasan, mother), we simply think of saying the prolonged “a” (ah) vowel. Think of it as saying “aa”, or saying two short “a” sounds put together without a break.  

Writing Long Vowels in Hiragana

As you might have already noticed, these long vowels are also reflected in Japanese writing systems. In Hiragana, for あ,い, and う sounds, you simply add the same kana after the sound that is being made long. For example: 

  • ま [ma] becomes まあ [maa]
  • き [ki] becomes きい [kii]
  • ぬ [nu] becomes ぬう[nuu]

For え [e] and お [o] sounds, it’s a little bit more complicated. Most of the time for え[e], you will actually add an い [i] afterward to signify a long vowel. This looks like:

  • へ [he] turning into へい [hei]
  • せ [se] turning into せい [sei]

We can also see this in the word for movie えいが (eiga), for example. The え[e] sound is long, so an い [i] is added instead of the expected え[e]. It might be tempting to pronounce this い [i] when saying the word, but just remember that the い [i] extends the え[e]! 

There are a few cases where え[e] is indeed written instead of い [i], but using い [i] is by far the most common way of writing this.

For お [o] sounds, you will usually add an う[u] to make the vowel longer. So, for example: 

  • ろ [ro] becomes ろう [rou]
  • と [to] becomes とう [tou]

To demonstrate with an actual word, law is ほうりつ (houritsu), with the ほ [ho] sound being lengthened by the う[u]. Of course, it might be confusing to pronounce the う[u]. 

Side Note!

For beginner learners, pay particular attention to long vowels on “e” and “o” when you are reading something. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

先生 (sensei; teacher) is pronounced sen-see. We may have the tendency to say sen-se-i. 

方法 (houhou; method) is pronounced hoo-hoo, and not ho-u-ho-u. 

There are also a few exceptions when the long vowels on え (e) and お (o) use the same corresponding character in spelling. The word おねえさん (oneesan), which means older sister, uses both “e” vowels, instead of being spelled as おねいさん (oneisan). The Japanese adjective おおきい (ookii), which means big, is spelled with a double ‘o’ instead ‘ou’. 

Reading these long vowels might be easier, but when you are writing long vowels in Japanese, double-check that it’s the correct spelling!

Writing Long Vowels in Katakana

The good news is that writing long vowels in katakana is simpler than in hiragana! In Katakana, all long vowels are simply written with a long dash “―” (or  an | if you are writing vertically), placed after the vowel being extended. You can see this in words such as カー (kaa, car) and ボール (booru, ball)! For example:

  • ケース (keesu): case
  • キャラクター (kyarakutaa): character
  • コーヒー (koohii): coffee

Before we move on, it’s also important to note that long vowels can happen at the beginning of words and at the end – not just in the middle! Additionally, if a syllable ends with a contracted sound like using the small y-sounds, such as きょ(kyo) or ちゃ(cha) the vowel will lengthen following the vowel in the y-sounds.

In this case, きょ(kyo) might become きょう (kyou) and ちゃ (cha) might become ちゃあ (chaa).

And there you have it – that’s long vowels in a nutshell! That wasn’t too bad, right? You’ve already learned half of the auditory oddities for today; let’s keep going and learn the other one!

Double Consonants in Japanese

Much like long vowels, double consonants, or 促音 (sokuon), are simply consonant sounds that have been doubled. This is easiest to see when the word is written in romaji.

When you pronounce a double consonant, you actually make a pause or a clipped sound before you say the following kana. It’s like you are saying one syllable, pausing, and then saying the next one! So, if the “p” sound in “tapa” was doubled, you would say it like “tap-pa.” Pretty easy, right! 

Kana beginning with t, s, k, p, or n (or any of these consonants with a diacritical mark) can be doubled (Konomi). As with long vowels, understanding double consonants is important, as they can also change the meaning of a word.

Let’s look at an example to make this a bit easier to understand. 

  • さか (saka) “saka” = slope 
  • さっか (sakka) “sak-ka” = writer 

See the difference? In slope, the “k” sound in “ka” is pronounced normally, but in writer, the sound is doubled; so, it is said with a pause before the “ka”. Again, this double consonant is what differentiates slope from writer

Take a look at another example. 

  • かた (kata) “kata” = shoulder
  • かった (katta) “kat-ta” = to win (short form, past-tense) 

Could you tell which one was doubled? In to win, the “t” sound in “ta” is the one that is doubled, so it is said with a pause before the “ta.” Pretty simple, right?

How Do I Write Double Consonants?

Again, this difference in pronunciation is also reflected in Japanese writing systems. For the most part, you simply place a small つ (tsu) before the consonant that is double

Since Japanese uses syllables as the basis for its writing systems, you have to write a whole syllable – you can’t just write a consonant As you might have noticed in the examples, a small つ [tsu] is simply a smaller version of this kana; it’s written as っ in hiragana and as ッ for katakana words. 

So, in hiragana, this would look like: 

  • ぴ [pi] becomes っぴ [ppi]
  • そ [so] becomes っそ [sso]
Double consonants in hiragana
Double consonants in hiragana

In katakana, you would write it as:

  • グ [gu] turns into ッグ [ggu]
  • ぺ [pe] turns into ッぺ [ppe]
Double consonants in katakana
Double consonants in katakana

The only exception to this rule is if you are doubling the ん (n) sound. In that case, you would write the ん (n) hiragana in front of one of the kana that starts with n: な(na), に (ni), ぬ[nu], ね[ne], or の[no]). (Note that you only write in hiragana in this situation!) Thus, it would look like:

  • な [na] becoming んな [nna]
  • の [no] becoming んの [nno]
Double consonants in hiragana
Double consonants in hiragana

You can also see this in words such as: 

  • さんねん (sannen, three years
  • あんない (annai, guide)

This isn’t too hard either! 

Here are some more examples of words that have double consonants in Japanese:

JapaneseRomajiEnglish
雑誌ZasshiMagazine
切ってKittePost stamp
ちょっとChottoA little bit
カップKappuCup
残念ZannenRegretable, disappointing (that’s too bad)

Before we wrap up this section, it’s also important to note that you can’t start a word with a double consonant. (After all, how do you start a word with a pause?) Double consonants can only be found in the middle or toward the end of words. As long as you remember these things, you won’t have to pause for long when reading and speaking double consonants!

Why Are Learning Sokuon and Chouon Important?

So, you just finished learning about long vowels and double consonants. Why though? Why are these aspects a key factor in being able to improve your Japanese skills? Why did we take the time to write this whole article? For one thing, as mentioned above, these elements can change the meanings of words. If you don’t know how to tell when long vowels and double consonants are being said, you won’t be able to tell the difference between these words – and you might accidentally say the wrong thing! These aspects are commonly found in Japanese, so you are not going to be able to simply avoid words that have them! 

Another reason is that knowing how to accurately articulate long vowels and double consonants is a key part of pronouncing Japanese correctly. It might be tempting to just skip over these aspects or think that they don’t make much of a difference, but they absolutely do!

Aside from changing the meaning of words, these elements also pop up in grammar (such as the informal って [tte] after quoting someone) and colloquial expressions (such as “えええ?” [eee?] to express surprise). You also don’t want to create a habit of pronouncing these words incorrectly; it’s much easier to learn the right way in the beginning, instead of trying to correct improper pronunciation later on. It might take a little while to get used to, but once you do, it will come naturally afterward (sort of like riding a bike)!

Finally, long vowels and double consonants are imperative if you want to be able to read and write well. You’re not going to be able to read words with long vowels and double consonants if you don’t know what they mean, and you certainly won’t be able to spell them! Worse yet, you won’t be able to look these words up in a dictionary without knowing what they are! Not to fear though – now that you’ve read this article, this is one thing you won’t have to worry about!

Practice, Practice, Practice

That said, it won’t hurt to have a little extra practice just to make sure you’ve really got these ideas firmly cemented in your head. For writing practice, check out this short quiz by MIT OpenCourseWare. It’s just 16 questions long, so it’s perfect for a quick review session! For both listening and writing practice, check out this page based on the Genki 1 workbook. It also helps you learn how to type in Japanese if you don’t already know how!

Conclusion

Some parts of the Japanese language are easier than others. Many find learning kanji to be hard while remembering katakana words to be simple. Japanese pronunciation tends to be one of the easier parts, but as we’ve seen today, sometimes there can be a few wrenches thrown into a generally straightforward process. Long vowels and double consonants, while initially confusing, aren’t too bad once you take the time to really understand them. Now that you’ve got them under your belt, you are well on your way to gathering all of the tools you need to become a Japanese language master!

 If you want to become fluent in double the time, however, you can also check out some of our classes here at Coto Academy! By offering intensive, part-time, JLPT-focused, and online classes, you are sure to find the option that fits you the best!

Start learning Japanese and master Japanese pronunciation today!

What is a double consonant in Japanese?

Double consonants, or 促音 (sokuon), are consonant sounds that have been doubled. When you pronounce a double consonant, you actually make a pause or a clipped sound before you say the following kana.

What is a long vowels in Japanese?

Long vowels, also known as chouon (長音) are vowels with a pronunciation twice as long as a normal vowel. There are five long vowels in Japanese: /aa/, /ii/, /uu/, /ee/, and /oo/.

How many vowels are there in Japanese?

There are five vowels in Japanese — あ, い, う, え, and お. Each vowel are pronounced the same, regardless of context.

References:
Banno, Eri, et. al. Genki I: An integrated course in elementary Japanese. 2nd ed., The Japan Times, 2011.
Konomi, Emiko. Beginning Japanese for professionals: Book 1. E-book, Portland State University Library, https://doi.org/10.15760/pdxopen-4

Visiting historic and beautifully crafted shrines, hiking up a scenic mountain, enjoying exciting rides at Tokyo Disneyland… Golden Week is one of the most amazing times that you can visit Tokyo and experience Japan! But what if you want to improve your Japanese conversation skill while enjoying your vacation in Tokyo?

Look no further! Our 5-Day Golden Week special course is the perfect choice for you! Coto’s special Golden Week course allows you to meet new friends in the city, learn Japanese — and have fun!

The best part? If you sign up before March 31, you’ll get a special discount of up to 5,000 yen! A full five-day course will only cost you 44,800 JPY, and a 3-day course cost 27,780 JPY. Plus, we’ve got you covered as the material fee is included in the course fee. And for new students, we offer a free initial registration fee for this course.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn Japanese while enjoying your vacation in Tokyo. Sign up for our 5-Day Golden Week Special Course today!

Golden Week Intensive Course Detail

  • Date: May 1 – May 5, 2023 (Monday – Friday)
  • Time: Morning: 9:30 am – 12:20 pm (JST)

Course Fee

Don’t miss out on our special discount for early birds! Register before March 31 to get the best price for our 5-Day Golden Week Japanese intensive course.

  • Full course (May 1 – 5): 49,800 JPY → 44,800 JPY
  • 3-day course (May 3 – 5): 30,78 0JPY → 27,780 JPY

For new students, you don’t have to worry about any additional fees as the material fee is included in the course fee. And as an added bonus, your initial registration fee for this course is free!

Available Course

No matter what your level of proficiency is in the Japanese language, we have a course that is perfect for you. We offer a variety of courses that cater to different skill levels, including:

  • Beginner Conversation Course
  • Upper-Beginner Conversation Course
  • Bridge to Intermediate Course
  • Upper-Intermediate Conversation Course
  • Business Email Writing Course (Upper-Intermediate)

Registration

Registering for our 5-day Golden Week special intensive course is easy! All you have to do is contact us or head to our booking page for a free online consultation! Our staff will be able to help your registration and answer any questions you might have about this special program in more detail!

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at info@cotoacademy.com. We’re always happy to help and look forward to seeing you in class!

Japanese Class Detail Class Detail

Beginner Conversation Course

The Beginner Conversation Course is designed to provide students with a strong basis for Japanese communication. The aim is to enable you to speak naturally using basic conjugated forms. This course is an ideal choice for those who prefer to use the Genki 1 textbook for their studies.

Before joining, students should already know basic verbs and adjectives. They should be able to read hiragana and katakana fluently, too.

Upper-Beginner Conversation Course

In this course, you will reinforce your understanding of fundamental verb conjugations and sentence structures and learn to utilize them with everyday words. It is a suitable choice for those interested in studying alongside the Genki 2 textbook. Prior to enrollment, students should have a solid grasp of the present and past tense, as well as the ~te verb form, and be able to construct basic sentences with appropriate Japanese particles.

Bridge to Intermediate Course

In this course, you will learn fundamental Japanese sentence structures and increase your everyday vocabulary, allowing you to create more complex sentences. It is suitable for students who have completed the Genki 2 textbook and have a solid grasp of basic conjugations and can conduct simple conversations in Japanese.

Upper Intermediate Conversation Course

In this upper-intermediate Japanese course, you will acquire many common expressions through conversational practice and grammar instruction at a level equivalent to N3. Prior to enrolling, students are expected to be familiar with all N4-level grammar and able to communicate effectively using these structures.

Business Email Writing Course (Upper-Intermediate)

This course is perfect for students who have achieved N3 or higher level proficiency in Japanese and are looking to enhance their business writing skills. You will learn fundamental Japanese business writing techniques, enabling you to write business emails using business Japanese. Prior to joining the course, it’s recommended that students have a solid understanding of basic keigo, and are familiar with at least 600 kanji characters. By the end of the course, you will have gained valuable skills to help you thrive in a professional environment.

Knowing how to use time markers such as before, after, and during in Japanese, can give you a strong foundation for communicating. When you’re a Japanese beginner learner, you might find yourself confronted with the different ways to use these time markers. 

These Japanese grammar points are covered at the JLPT N4 for good reason. Understanding them is essential for making your interactions in Japanese smoother. In this lesson, we’ll explain how to use 前に (mae ni, before), ~てから (te kara, and then/after/since), 後で (ato de, after),  とき (toki, when) and 間に (aida ni, while) when talking about time.

Contents

Expressing After in Japanese using 後 (あと)

In the Japanese language, using 後で (ato de), alongside its other variations, is very common to express one action that takes place after another action. It’s simply a conjunction to express, “After X occurs, Y occurs.”  To express something that has happened after something, we use the past verb tense (~ta form) or a noun, followed by あとに (ato ni), あとで (ato de) or あと (ato). 

How do you know which one should you use? あとに (ato ni) refers to a specific point in time, while あとで (ato de) refers to a time after an event in general.  In casual speech, で may drop after あと.

Keep in mind that while あとで indicates a second action after the first is completely finished,  does not necessarily imply that one event immediately follows the other. You will want to use 後で (ato de) when the second action is not under your (or the subject’s) control.

Verb past form + あとで
Noun + の + あとで

Example sentences with verbs 

友達と会ったあと、昼ごはんを食べました。
Tomodachi to atta ato, gohan o tabemashita.
I saw my friend, and then I had lunch.

In the example above, 友達と会った後昼ごはんを食べました, the actions are seeing the friend and eating lunch. Seeing the friend takes place, and is completely finished before lunch. 

宿題が終わったあと、テレビを見ます。
Shukudai ga owattaato terebi o mimasu.
I’ll watch TV after I’m done with my homework. 

Example sentences using 後 (あと) with nouns 

仕事のあと、同僚と飲みに行きます。
Shigoto no ato douryou to nomi ni ikimasu.
After work, I’ll go drinking with my colleagues.

Now let’s break it down a bit. The た form of verbs is usually made by dropping the ます (masu) and adding た. For example:

Dictionary FormMasu (polite) formた form
食べる食べます食べますた→食べた
終わる終わります終わりますた→終わった
見る見ますますた→見た

The た form of verbs is overwhelmingly used to express the past tense. Check out this guide to making the past tense in Japanese to refresh your memory. 

Place the た-form of a verb before 後で to indicate that the action before is completely finished before the action that comes after. This pattern always references two or more actions, split before and after the grammar point itself. 

To use 後で with nouns, don’t forget the の.

会議の後, お客様に電話します。
Kaigi no ato de, okyaku sama ni denwa shimasu.
After the meeting, I will call the guest. 

In this case, also, action A is completely finished before action B is started. Contacting the customer will take place after the meeting is finished. 

Expressing ‘After’ in Japanese using てから

This grammar point is also used when talking about something that takes place after another action. It is quite similar to 後で and can sometimes be used in its place, but not always. Understanding the nuances of each point will help you decide when to use which.

The key point about grammar てから (te kara) is that it emphasizes the order in which actions occur. In other words, action A is necessary in order for action B to take place. 

Be careful not to confuse あとで with てから. てから implies that an action will take place immediately after, while あとで implies any span of time following some action, and therefore has less immediacy. 

準備をしてから寝ます。
Junbi wo shitekara nemasu.
After getting everything ready, I’ll go to bed.

In this case, you’re trying to express that you will sleep immediately after you study. Thus, てから is appropriate and あとで is not.

Unlike 後で, this can only be used with verbs.  We also want to avoid てから when the event that occurs after is not under your control. To better understand it, let’s take a look at another example. 

うちへ帰ったあとで雨あめが降った。
Uchi e kaetta ato de ame ga futta.
After I got home, it rained.

In this case, てから is unacceptable because rain isn’t something we can control. 

Let’s look at some example sentences.

日本に来てから日本語の勉強を始めました
Nihon ni kitekara nihongo no benkyou wo hajimemashita.
I started studying Japanese after coming to Japan. 

ここをよく読んでから、サインをして下さい。
Koko wo yoku yondekara, sain wo shite kudasai.
Read this carefully, then sign it. 

友達と会って、昼ごはんを食べます。
Tomodachi to atte, hirugohan wo tabemasu. 
I’ll meet up with my friend, then we’ll have lunch. 

This Japanese grammar point is formed by adding から to the て form of verbs: Verb て-form + から. In Japanese, the て form is used in many ways, including linking actions and in sentences giving an order or instruction. Refer to this te-form conjugation guide for some detailed help. Here’s a quick look at making the te-form for some commonly used verbs. Note, some of these verbs are irregular. 

Dictionary FormMasu Form- polite formTe Form
食べる食べます食べます→食べて
来る来ますます→来て
会う会いますいます→会って
読む読みますみます→読んで

To use てから, remember that in order for B to take place, A is necessary. 

Expressing “Before” in Japanese Using 前に (Mae Ni)

前に (まえに) is used to say something occurs before something else. One of the great things about this grammar point is that no fancy conjugation is required. You can use this with verbs (dictionary form) and nouns. It can also be used to indicate the physical location (in front of)

Example sentences:

寝る前に準備します。
Neru mae ni junbi shimasu
I’ll get things ready before going to bed. 

昼ごはんの前に、友達と会います。
Hirugohan wo taberu mae ni tomodachi to aimasu.
I’ll meet my friend before lunch. 

日本に来る前に日本語を勉強しませんでした。
Nihon ni kuru mae ni nihongo wo benkyoushimasen deshita. 
I didn’t study Japanese before coming to Japan. 

Verb dictionary form + 前に
Noun + の + 前に

The dictionary form of verbs is the plain form before any endings are added. All groups of verbs can be used as is with 前に. There is no tense change to the verb before 前に. The tense at the end of the sentence should indicate when the action takes place. 

Using の前に to indicate location or place

This grammar point can also be used to indicate that something is located in front of something else. As this is usually used with nouns, の comes before 前に.

家の前にお寺があります。
Ie no mae ni otera ga arimasu.
There is a temple in front of my house. 

目の前に美味しそうなケーキが置いてあります。
Me no mae ni oishisou na keiki ga oite arimasu.
There is a yummy-looking cake right in front of me. 

Expressing ‘When’ in Japanese Using とき (Toki)

This handy grammar point is often written in hiragana, but sometimes the kanji 時 is used. In a sentence with parts, とき shows a relationship between them: When A (happens), then B. とき (toki) shows a relationship between two parts of the sentence and can be used with nouns, verbs, and な and い adjectives

Let’s look at some examples.

レストランを決めるとき、いつもレビューを見ます。
Restoran wo kimeru toki, itsumo rebyuu o mimasu.
When deciding on restaurants, I always read reviews. 

私はいつも寝るとき、電気を消します。
Watashi wa itsumo neru toki, denki o keshimasu. 
I always turn off the lights when going to bed. 

眠いとき、コーヒーをのみます。
Nemui toki koohii o nomimasu.
When I’m sleepy, I drink coffee. 

暇なとき、ネットフリックスを見ます。
Hima na toki netofuriksu wo mimasu. 
When I have free time, I watch Netflix. 

田中さんは30歳のとき、結婚しました。
Tanaka san ha san ju sai no toki, kekkon shimashita.
Ms Tanaka got married at 30. 

VerbsDictionary Form + とき決めるとき
い adjectivesAdjective +  とき眠いとき
な adjectivesAdjective + な+とき暇な
NounsAdjective + の+とき30歳のとき

とき can be used with the past tense form of verbs. In such cases, it is added to the た form of verbs. For example:

行ったとき、だれもいなかった。
Ittat toki, daremo inakatta.
There was no one there when I went. 

結婚したとき、30歳でした。
Kekkon shita toki sanjusai dehita.
I was 30 when I got married. 

とき can be used with the negative or ない form of verbs. 

日本語が分からないとき、翻訳翻訳アプリを使います。
Nihongo ga wakaranai toki, jisho apuri wo tsukaimasu.
When I don’t know something in Japanese, I use a translation app. 

お金がないとき、納豆を食べます。
Okane ga nai toki, nattou wo tabemasu.
When I don’t have any money, I eat natto. 

How to say ‘During’ or ‘While’ in Japanese Using 間に

間に (あいだに) references something that takes place within a set space of time, or at the same time something else was going on. It is close in meaning to ‘while’ or ‘during’. This grammar point can be used with verbs, nouns and adjectives. Rather than just simply describing an action in fixed time, it 間に sometimes carries the nuance that doing that action means taking advantage of that fixed time

We’ve covered the grammar point of aida ni in greater detail in another article! Check them out here. 

日本にいる間に富士山に登りたい。
Nihon ni iru aida ni Fuji san ni noboritai.
I want to climb Mt Fuji while I’m in Japan. (Taking advantage of this time, as I might soon leave.)

先生がいない間にお菓子を食べます。
Sensei ga inai aida ni okashi o tabemasu. 
I’m gonna eat a snack while the teacher is still out. (Taking advantage of the absence.)

食事中にインターホンがなりました。
shokuji chuu ni intahone ga narimashita.
The doorbell rang while we were eating. 

明るいうちに散歩しましょう。
Akarui uchi ni sanpo shimasu.
While it’s still bright outside, let’s go for a walk. (Taking advantage of the light.)

元気なうちに色々な国に行ってみたいです。
Genki na uchi ni iroirona kuni ni itte mitai desu. 
I want to visit many countries while I’m still in good health. 

VerbsDictionary Form + + 間にいる間に
い adjectivesAdjective +  間にご飯の間に
な adjectivesAdjective + な+間に明るい間に
NounsAdjective + の + 間に元気な間に

間に can be used with the negative form of adjectives as well. For example:

暗くならないうちに、遊びましょう。
Kurakunaranai uchi ni asobimashou.
Let’s play before it gets dark.

安いうちに、苺をたくさん買いたい。
Yasui uchi ni ichigo takusan kaitai. 
I want to buy a lot of strawberries before they get expensive. 

Conclusion

Ubiquitous time markers あとで、てから、まえに、とき and あいだに are indispensable for your journey toward fluency in Japanese. Use あとで to describe an action that takes place after another. Use てから to emphasize the order in which actions occur. Use まえに to say ‘before’, ときに to say ‘when’, and あいだに to say ‘while’.

To learn grammar points covered on the N4 Exam, you can check out the below articles on basic Japanese Grammar for free:

In addition to the resources mentioned above, Coto Academy offers offline and online classes to help you through your studies. Offline classes are offered at our schools in Tokyo and Yokohama.

To sign up for and enroll in classes, visit this page and you will be directed to schedule a free interview!

How can I know when to use てから or あとで?

Be careful not to confuse あとで with てから. てから implies that an action will take place immediately after, while あとで implies any span of time following some action, and therefore has less immediacy. 

What does aida ni, 間に (あいだに), mean in Japanese?

間に (あいだに) references something that takes place within a set space of time, or at the same time something else was going on. It is close in meaning to ‘while’ or ‘during’.

How do you use とき (toki) in Japanese?

In a sentence with parts, とき shows a relationship between them: When A (happens), then B.

Are you looking for new Japanese learning resources for your study plan this month? It seems like yesterday we’re asking you what are your Japanese learning target for 2023. How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up? 

Either way, it’s never too late to discover new Japanese learning resources to boost your Japanese study. In this edition, the Coto team has been loving a lot of Japan-based Tiktok creators. Take a look below at our favorite learning resources for the month! 

Jump to:

Todai Easy

Todai Easy is a powerful tool to practice Japanese reading comprehension and a get starting point to get exposure to real Japanese. It’s been featured in one of our articles on an easy Japanese reading tool for beginners and is very similar to NHK Web Easy. But what is it, exactly?

Todai Easy collects Japanese news articles, covering a number of different topics, and provides furigana and English translations of the texts to maximize what you’re reading. When you click on an article, you’re taken into the full text. There’s an audio recording of the article, but the article feature is where you want to take full advantage of it (as the audio is usually AI-generated). 

todai easy japanese

You’ll notice right away that the title and body of the article are full of underlined words in different colors that correspond to the JLPT level. If can click on a word, a small window will pop up on the site to show a breakdown of the kanji, meaning, and example sentences. Beyond these words, you can also highlight phrases and sentences in the text, and an auto-generated translation will appear, too. 

While the articles are Todai Easy’s main feature, you can explore its dictionary and JLPT test section. The dictionary comes with a unique image search function. Searching for 鉛筆 (enpitsu) will give you a picture of a pencil, but this option is very limited to tangible, physical objects. 

Todai Easy is a free website, but we recommend downloading the app to enjoy its full features. You can also upgrade to a paid version to enjoy an ad-free experience and the ability to read the news, use the dictionary and take the JLPT tests offline. 

Target level: Intermediate to advanced learner
Website here or download on Google Play or App Store

Check out our previous edition: Fall 2022 Learning Resources

Bunpo Japanese Learning App

bunpo japanese app

We usually think that flashcards are exclusive to learning Japanese vocabulary, but Bunpo grammar learning app uses a minimalistic, flashcard-like design. 

Each lesson starts with a skippable explanation of the topic, followed by exercises that give you multiple-choice questions or let you put words in the correct order. The lessons will be marked ‘complete’ when you master all the tasks. 

If you’re a beginner, you would get by with the free version. There are JLPT sections and 18 sections dedicated to hiragana, katakana, basic phrases and vocabularies called “Alphabets and Basic Words”. Don’t worry if you haven’t fully mastered the Japanese writing system, as all Japanese characters and expressions are equipped with romaji by default.

Bunpo is very well-structured and concise, which is a good fit if you’re a Japanese learner who prefers no-frills lessons. We view Bunpo as similar to Duolingo. The only difference is that Duolingo takes a gamification approach to Japanese language learning. It’s jam-packed with fun and playful design and cute mascots. If having too many visuals an over-sensory problem for you, you might want to try Bunpo. Ultimately, it’s a matter of preference!

Target level: Beginner to the intermediate learner
Download on App Store or Google Play

Kotonoha Study

You can think of Kotonoha as a trilingual blog: Japanese, English and German. It was founded by a group of international friends: Rika, Rin, Fiona and Ronja — all of whom are connected to their love of Japan. Articles at Kotonoha Study contain audio or video, accompanied by photos and matching texts for full immersion. The site has a huge list of article libraries ranging from hiragana and culture to origami. When you click on an article, the first thing you see will be the Japanese text. There is a separate tab on the same window for the translated English and German texts. 

A strong point in Kotonoha Study is that it enforces you to really work through the text to understand it. You will have to switch from one tab to the next for translations, so it’s a great method to internalize the new words you remember. We would recommend this site for intermediate to advanced learners, as the vocabulary is more advanced and doesn’t come with furigana. 

Target level: Intermediate to advanced learner
Website here,

Hajimete JLPT Tango Series

The JLPT Tango series is an effective structured study material, whether you’re actually studying for the test or using it as an additional resource. We’ve mentioned this book in our JLPT N4 success story. Part of the reason why this book is great is that it has themed chapters and sections, making memorization easier. Example sentences also use vocabularies that are already introduced, which further allows you to learn intuitively. These sentences also progressively use grammar concepts, which means you can learn grammar rules without actually memorizing them directly. 

You can find the audio downloads for each book (there are 5 in total) for free. The physical book is small, packed with just the essential vocabulary. You can easily slip it in your purse or bag, and take it out during your train commute. In conclusion, we see the JLPT Tango series as the default recommendation for those inclined to self-study.

Get it here

@takanihongodojo I can fly😎👍 Can you? mae 前 Front ushiro 後ろ Back zengo 前後 Front and back hidari 左 Left migi 右 Right sayū 左右 Left and right ue 上 Up shita 下 Down jōge 上下 Up and down #japanese #japanesewords #kanji #learnjapanese #studyjapanese ♬ オリジナル楽曲 – Taka Nihongo Dojo

Taka Nihongo Dojo

Taka Nihongo Dojo uses the basic concept of kinesthetic learning: he utilizes physical activity to learn — or in this case teach — Japanese. His learning content mostly covers basic Japanese phrases and words (like adjectives). The typical TikTok sketch follows a stern-faced Taka-san, who would do funny activities that represents a Japanese word he’s teaching. For example, in one of his videos, he keeps panning back and forth to teach mae (前) and ushiro (後ろ). 

Overall, his TikTok videos are great to keep you motivated, mostly because of its entertaining element. It surely doesn’t cover a comprehensive list of Japanese lessons, but you can follow him to incorporate some Japanese learning when you’re just mindlessly scrolling through the app. 

Target level: Beginner

Follow him on TikTok 

A Ringo a Day 

A Ringo a Day is created by Ottavia Baldi, a freelance illustrator from Italy. Although they mentioned that A Ringo a Day is a simple pet project to showcase their passion for learning Japanese, they’ve garnered a few thousand followers on Instagram and posted a lot of cute, mesmeric illustrations filled with Japanese words regularly. The word ringo (りんご) means apple in Japanese, which is their way of expressing learning Japanese regularly in small amounts. They’ve been building this visual dictionary for the past 2 years so that they could help anyone learn a new Japanese word every day. The simple illustrations are usually made built basic shapes, which is their distinctive artistic style. All of the Japanese is written in furigana, with the English word and romaji written underneath. 

Through simple illustrations, the account teaches you Japanese vocabulary ranging from job professions, object names, people’s names and many more. Unfortunately, it seems like they’ve stopped posting new visual flashcards since 2018, but you can still follow the illustrator on their real Instagram account @bisc_otti. 

Target level: Beginner 
Follow @aringoaday on Instagram!

Cobato Japanese

There are not a lot of grammar-focused Japanese learning Instagram accounts, but Cobato Japanese is one of them. The Japanese learning content focuses on grammar and sentence building rather than infographics. They post new Japanese grammar points every week. Each post consists of a JLPT label to indicate the level, the grammar of the week, and a short explanation of it. Keep in mind that they mostly cover JLPT N3 to N1 grammar points. It’s a great additional account to help with occasional reviews. 

Target level: Intermediate to advanced (N3 to N2)

Conclusion

That’s all for this month’s Japanese learning resources! We always recommend that you use a mix of apps, websites and textbooks to supplement your Japanese studies instead of putting your eggs in one basket. There are tons of great resources on the internet that are free, but it’s good to keep in mind that what works for other people might not work for you!

Ultimately, the best way to learn Japanese is through immersion and actual interactions with a Japanese native. Coto Japan Academy has helped thousands of students achieve their dream of conversing in Japanese. Our courses range from basic conversation for everyday use to business Japanese. We teach more than just proper Japanese and include casual conversation skills enabling our students to improve their lives in Japan.

If you’re interested in flexible, part-time courses, Coto Academy will find a course that suits your level, Japanese language goals and availability so you don’t have to worry!

Inquire below to learn more and get a complimentary course consultation!

When I began learning Japanese, the idea of taking, let alone passing any JLPT test seemed like a pipe dream. And while the JLPT N4 is the second-lowest level in the test, it has only been a few weeks since I memorized the hiragana and katakana characters, so I was overwhelmed and underprepared. In any case, I took it as a challenge and invested my time and energy during those critical five months to pass theJLPT N4.

Long story short, I passed my exam — and I’m glad I took it. It helped me discover a lot about my learning style and motivated me to study further. From understanding the exam format to studying effectively, I’ll explain in detail how I passed JLPT N4, the resources I used, and how I stayed motivated. 

This blog isn’t a definitive guide to passing a JLPT. If you want a more detailed rundown, check out our guide to passing JLPT N4

Study the JLPT Smarter with Coto Academy!

Getting ready for the JLPT? Boost your chances of passing with Coto Academy’s JLPT Prep Course — designed for busy learners. This class is perfect for students who plan to take the JLPT exam and work optimally towards their objectives. It covers exam practices and explanations of essentials such as Japanese grammar, vocabulary, kanji, and more! 

Why I Took JLPT N4

Unfortunately, JLPT N4 doesn’t have any professional benefits, and its real-life use is pretty much non-existent. JLPT N1 and N2 certifications earn you “points” and preferential treatment in Japanese immigration. Even an N3 certificate looks good on a resume when you are applying for a part-time job. JLPT N4  serves as a great measuring stick for your language competency and determines where you are in learning — but that’s it.  

Still, I saw taking JLPT N4 as an opportunity to gauge my Japanese language skill and solidify my commitment to my studies. I thought I would be able to discover my strengths and weaknesses in the language. Besides that, taking a lower-level JLPT will help me get familiar with the actual test environment. I knew at some point that the experience would help me prepare for the more difficult stuff covered at higher JLPT levels — something that would be proven useful when I took and passed JLPT N2 two years later.

How I Studied for the JLPT N4

Here, I’ll discuss the textbooks I used, what my study routine looked like and what I found worked for me. It’s also worth mentioning that at this time, I was taking beginner-level Japanese classes. In the morning, I would study in class, I would catch up with JLPT N4 study materials by myself. As you can see, this isn’t the most ideal study routine, and I never wanted to cram two different levels at the same time again. Still, I was already committed to it. 

I had dedicated most of my time to studying vocabulary and grammar. I didn’t have a set schedule, but I made sure I dedicated once a week to doing mock tests. 

1. Grammar

For grammar, I used two textbooks: Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 Grammar and the Minna no Nihongo. Both books have their strengths and weaknesses, but in all honesty, I bought Minna no Nihongo because it’s one of our required textbooks in my classroom. The downside of Minna no Nihongo is that it didn’t have direct English translations, so while it’s good when you’re studying with a Japanese teacher, you would have to make an extra step looking at translations and in-depth explanations. 

Aside from that, I felt like I had more practice with Try! JLPT N4, and it had a better way of explaining each grammar point.

2. Vocabulary and Kanji

For me, I dedicated more time to learning vocabulary than kanji. In fact, I would say I dedicated most of my time to learning vocabulary than other test elements. I had the advantage of learning kanji beforehand,  so I was already familiar with the characters and only needed a bit of review. 

A common slippery slope I tend to see from people is dedicating too much time to kanji — especially for lower JLPT levels. It’s understandable that kanji might be one of the hardest elements in the Japanese language, but surprisingly, there wasn’t a lot of kanji coverage in the test itself. In any case, if you’re studying for JLPT N4 or N5,  I would discourage you from spending all of your time trying to go above and beyond what’s recommended for these levels. 

For vocabulary, I can’t recommend the N4 Tango 1500 (1500 Essential Vocabulary for the JLPT N4)  enough. It’s a small book, but it’s packed with all the vocabulary you will need for the test — not just the vocabulary test section, but everything in general. There are several reasons why I love this book.

a. Vocabulary words are categorized based on themes and chapters (i.e. family, nature, household, emotions) which not only makes memorizing vocabulary easier, but your study plans more organized too. The example sentences didn’t use vocabulary that was not already introduced, so it allowed you to learn intuitively without needing to look back to previous pages or open up a dictionary.

b. It comes with a special red sheet! The book is set out like a table layout, with the Japanese kanji and hiragana colored in red, and the English translation in black. When you put the red sheet over the page, the Japanese character blends together, which reinforces you to memorize the words during the review process. 

c. Multi-lingual translations. Depending on the version you bought, you can get English, Vietnamese, Chinese or Korean translations, 

d. It’s travel-sized. Most Japanese N4 textbooks aren’t travel-friendly. They’re heavy and gigantic, and they don’t really pack the essential materials. My N4 Tango 1500 fits in my purse, and because it contains vocabulary (and nothing else), I can easily whip it out during my train commute to the city. 

3. Reading and Listening

You really can’t learn the reading and listening section of the JLPT. I view these two sections as an accumulation of everything you’ve learned in the other section: grammar, vocabulary and kanji. With that said, there are some textbooks with an attached CD for their listening section and books dedicated to JLPT reading problems. However, 

Although there is no speaking component to the JLPT exams at any level, it’s an essential part of learning practical Japanese and it will help you build your listening skill at the same time.

I find using free mock tests on the internet the best way to practice the JLPT reading and listening section. For example, I tune into Japanichiwa’s JLPT N4 listening videos. For the reading section, I go through all the exercises I could find on the internet, like this one. Just a simple Google search of “JLPT N4 reading sample” should do the trick.

I also recommend regularly tuning in to NHK News Easy or other Yasashii Nihongo news sites, which provide simpler Japanese versions of daily news stories. 

how i passed jlpt n4

Other Resources I Use to Study for JLPT N4

Besides a Japanese dictionary app and Google Translate, I actually didn’t download any Japanese learning apps — for a simple reason, too. I’m the kind of person who retains more information by writing out what I’ve learned. My Tango 1500, Minna no Nihongo and Try! JLPT N4 is full of scribbles. With that said, I assumed I was a visual learner, but regardless if apps are more effective or not, I find traditional note-taking more enjoyable. 

For vocabulary and kanji, in particular, I would use flashcards. I would write words and characters that I have trouble with on basic flashcards I bought from the 100-yen store. If you’re a big fan of using flashcards and want more control of the content, I recommend trying out Anki. It’s a spaced-repetition flashcard app that’s probably the most customizable out of all Japanese learning apps, so you can tailor them (adding audio, pictures, removing cards you don’t want, etc.) according to your preference. 

How I Did During the Exam Day

JLPT N5 and N4 have three sections: vocabulary (which includes kanji), grammar and reading, and listening comprehension. Each section is timed differently. The vocabulary test lasts for 25 minutes, grammar and reading for 55 minutes, and listening for 35 minutes. 

For me, I passed through the vocabulary test section relatively fast. Most JLPT questions (at least in the vocabulary and kanji) section are fairly straightforward, so it’s less an analytical skill than it is a recollection of the words and kanji you memorized. 

One of the topics of debate is what is the correct sequence once you reach the next section: grammar and reading. Some people suggested going through the reading section first and using the time left to finish the grammar section, which would take less time to answer.  

My advice is to go through the easier section first: the grammar section. Answers many questions as possible and use whatever time you have left for the Reading section. Unless you are an advanced student, you will not have enough time to analyze every aspect of the story. The time crunch forces you to skim the passages. It’s also a waste of time, too: the story takes up an entire page, only for you to get rewarded with two questions  

The reading section is basically a skimming test. I would recommend skimming through the questions first. This way, you know what kind of information you need to get from the story, and you have less risk of running out of time and scrambling through the passages in sheer panic. 

The listening section, or choukai, was less frantic, but it was still a very tricky part of the JLPT. The proctors were very strict about any noise from my classmates, and they made sure the volume of the recording was loud. One very important thing to know is that the audio will be played only once. In certain sections, the question will be played before and after the conversation. Because of this, the listening section was the part where I paid attention the most. 

Thankfully, because it was still JLPT N4, it was a slow-spoken conversation about daily life situations. I ended up writing notes on the question paper (there might be illustrations in the question paper) to help me summarize the key points of the conversation. I would also advise writing the spoken question from the start. This way, you know which information matters the most. 

My JLPT N4 Results

You can check the results of your JLPT a few months after the test. To pass the test, you need to earn 38 points in the Language Knowledge section and 19 points in the listening section. However, the overall pass mark is 90 points.

The JLPT works off a weighted score system, and no one really knows how it’s calculated in full detail. We do know that some questions are valued higher than others. This makes it really hard to accurately guess your test score until you actually receive it.

how i passed jlpt n4

My listening score came out lower than my language knowledge section, which made sense because I was rushing through the recordings. However, in all sections, I scored an A in the reference information section. This reference information section helps you get an idea of what percentage of questions you got right (since the point section is based on their own calculation).

  • A: The number of correct responses is 67% or higher.
  • B: The number of correct responses is between 34% and 66%.
  • C: The number of correct responses is less than 34%.

Advice I Would Give to Myself (And Everyone) to Pass the JLPT N4

One of the most important parts of the JLPT, or any standardized test, is being familiar with the test format. Here are some of the things I regret I did (or didn’t do). 

Do: Take more mock exams with an actual pencil and paper. The JLPT uses a multiple-choice computer-scored answer sheet, and you will have to shade the correct letter. You’re not going to experience this when taking mock exams and sample questions on the internet. Shading your answer actually takes a bit of time, and if you’re not used to this method, it might draw out more unnecessary time.

Do: Time your mock exams. There’s less urgency when you know you are doing a sample test — you tend to take more time analyzing the question and answering them. Because of this, you lost a sense of the “real” test. I recommend recording your score and time for each section of the test. Try to finish the test even if you go over the allotted time. The goal here is to get you used to rush through the tests — especially the reading test.

Don’t: Cram your studies the night before. Out of sheer panic, I managed to convince myself I needed to study even more vocabulary and kanji the night before the big test day. I stayed up until 3 am, woke up in the morning (the test site is around one and a half hours away from my house) and felt miserable. What’s worse was that all the things I tried memorizing were gone. Study doesn’t have to be traditional, but you need to continue using the information you’ve learned to retain it in your mind. Consistency is more important than doing an overnight sprint. 

More Practical Tips When Preparing and Taking the JLPT N4

For a more detailed list, check out our list of 10 JLPT tips for the actual test day.

1. Do a lot of mock tests.

This goes without saying, but mock tests help you evaluate your skill and re-identify your point of weakness. JLPT has its “Official JLPT Question Booklets” (日本語能力試験 公式問題集), which you can buy or try for free. 

2. Don’t ignore adverbs and onomatopoeias.

The vocabulary section often includes katakana and onomatopoeia, which a lot of people tend to not review.

3. Use question papers for note-taking

I mentioned this before, but JLPT listening audios are only played once, so if you missed anything, you would have to make do with what you have. Information and questions are laid in less than a minute before you’re left to answer them. Try to scribble down the keywords as the recording goes on so you can have a better point of reference. Side note: you can write notes on all of the question papers, which might also be helpful in the reading section.

4. Use any learning tools and books as long as they suites your style of learning.

Great resources will go as far as how you effectively use them. For me, I don’t like to use apps, but some of you might prefer to have a digital tool. Some people might want to incorporate podcasts or more textbooks. However, avoid thinking just because someone passes the JLPT N4 with that book, it’ll automatically guarantee a pass. 

5. The best way to improve your listening is to go to Japan, live in Japan, or be in Japan and have Japanese go into your ears.

If you have the time and resources, I recommend joining JLPT prep courses or a general Japanese class like Coto Academy. It’s always nice to have a teacher give you direct feedback and get the right lesson plan that supports your goal. Besides that, Japanese teachers are experienced in helping people who want to take the JLPT, so they can probably design a better lesson plan.

Conclusion

 JLPT N4 can be a challenge, but it’s important to note that at the end of the day, it is just a test and will not provide any benefits for doing business in Japan or challenge those who already have basic knowledge of the language. Remember that your speaking ability — something that’s not gauged in the test — might be valued more by employers. Some people may retake N1 and N2 to improve their scores and increase their chances for immigration, but N4 is simply a stepping stone to a higher level.

In any case, I hope this has been an insightful guide. Two big takeaways I learned are to know the test’s format (and adapt yourself to it) and practice consistency. The best part of passing the JLPT is that you no longer have to worry about passing the JLPT as the certificate has no expiry date. Even if you do not pass the test, use it as a learning tool to evaluate where you need to improve. Good luck to anyone taking the test!

If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by contacting us. Courses can be found here.

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

When you find yourself preparing to attend a funeral in Japan, how do you express condolences in Japanese? Funerals are solemn respectful occasions to pay homage to the deceased and their loved ones. Therefore, it is imperative to learn the customs, traditions and etiquette in order to be dressed and act appropriately at a Japanese funeral to properly grieve for your friend, family or acquaintance. 

In this article, we explain Japan’s funeral customs and traditions, the process of funeral service in Japan, and how to express condolences in Japanese. We also briefly explain the memorial service and death anniversary that follows a funeral. 

The Funeral Process in Japan

Funerals in Japan consist of a wake, the funeral service and the cremation or burial after the funeral service. Let us look at each in further detail below. 

1. The Wake Before the Funeral 

Funerals in Japan typically begin with the wake, which is a time for friends and family to pay their respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the bereaved. The wake is usually held at the deceased’s family home or a funeral parlor on the night before the funeral. A wake is called お通夜 (otsuya) in Japanese which can also translate to “overnight”. Originally, the wake is held overnight as mourners accompanied the deceased for one final night together but nowadays it only lasts a few hours. 

During the wake, mourners offer incense senkou (線香) and flowers to the deceased, as well as have a final meal of food and alcohol with the deceased, usually of vegetarian food as per Buddhist customs. Sometimes, there will be a sutra chanting called dokkyou (読経) performed by the monk. Burning the incense is called shoukou (焼香).

2. The Funeral Service

The day after the wake is when the funeral service is held. Funerals are called お葬式 (osoushiki) or お葬儀 (osougi). Both words actually have slightly different meanings but are used interchangeably these days. Religion is strongly reflected in funeral ceremonies. Buddhist funerals are the most common in Japan as it shares many similarities with Shinto funerals. 

In Buddhist funerals, monks recite sutras and incense is burned. Christian funerals are also held depending on the deceased’s faith.

3. Sending the Deceased Off

After the funeral service, it is time to say goodbye to the deceased in a farewell ceremony. Note that attendance is usually limited to the deceased’s family unless special permission is given to other guests. It is a very private and personal affair for the bereaved family so be considerate. Cremation is called kasou (火葬 ) in Japanese; cremation is the most common choice these days with more people opting for cremation over burial. 

After the cremation is completed, a ceremony to collect the remaining bones is done. A special pair of long chopsticks are used, and the lifting of bones is usually done by 2 people together. The lifting of bones needs to be done in a correct order that starts with the teeth, then the bones from the feet up to the head, and is finished with the larynx (throat bone). The bones are placed into an urn. 

Saying “I’m Sorry for Your Lost”: How to Give Condolences in Japanese?

How to Give Condolences in Japan: Guide to Japanese Funeral
Photo by Max Michatz on Unsplash

What do you say to the bereaved family when being informed of someone’s death, or when attending a wake or funeral service? Here are a few Japanese phrases to give condolences. 

1. Okuyami moushiagemasu (お悔やみ申し上げます): My sincerest condolences. 

This is the most basic way to express condolences in Japanese, similar to saying “I am sorry for your lost” in English. If you want to add a deeper layer of sincerity, you can say:

心よりお悔やみ申しあげます.
Kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.
My sincerest condolences from the bottom of my heart.

You can also say:

ご逝去の報に接し、謹んでお悔やみ申し上げます
Go seikyo no hou ni sesshi, tsutsushinde okuyamimōshiagemasu
I would like to express my deepest condolences upon hearing the news of their passing

2. Goshuushou sama desu (ご愁傷さまです): I am sorry for your lost

“Go shuushou sama desu” is a general expression used to express sympathy or condolences, it has the same meaning as the above “お悔やみ申し上げます”. You can also combine them into:

この度はご愁傷さまでございます。心よりお悔やみ申しあげます.
Kono tabi wa goshuushou sama de gozaimasu. Kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.
I am very sorry for your loss. I would like to express my deepest condolences.

3. Gomeifuku o oinori moushiagemasu ご冥福をお祈り申し上げます: May they rest in peace (in the afterlife)

“Gomeifuku wo oinori mou shiagemasu” is a prayer for the deceased’s soul meaning “May his/her soul rest in peace” or “I pray for his/her happiness in the afterlife”. The kanji 冥 means “dark” and is used in 冥土 (meido, the underworld), while 福 (fuku) means good fortune. Together, 冥福 (meifuku) means happiness in the afterlife.

  It is normally used in condolence messages in Buddhist religion, so you need to be careful when using this phrase. It may be offensive if the deceased or bereaved family does not believe in the afterlife. It is best to avoid saying this if you are not sure of their religion.

4. Aitou no i o arawashimasu (哀悼の意を表します): Please accept my condolences

Although it expresses the same thing, this funeral phrase is less colloquial. 哀悼の意を表します implies, “I am sad and heartbroken when I think of the deceased”. While it is often used in messages, people avoid saying this verbally. It is usually reserved for expressing condolences in formal speeches — such as when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expresses his devastation after Shinzo Abe’s passing — and in telegrams. 

Yasurakana nemuri ni tsukaremasu you oinori moushiagemasu (安らかな眠りにつかれますようお祈り申し上げます): I wish you a peaceful sleep

While Christianity is not a major religion in Japan, if you ever attend a Christian funeral or want to, you can say 安らかなお眠りをお祈り申し上げます. Rather than reincarnation, Christianity believes that you will go to heaven to be with God once you have died. Saying the third phrase above would be inappropriate.

What Not to Say During a Japanese Funeral 

There are a lot of taboos in Japanese culture, and the same can be said in greetings and condolences at funerals. 

1. Refrain from using the word “death” (死)

Avoid being straightforward when mentioning this, as it’s still a heavy subject. A way to cushion saying “death” is by using seikyi (逝去) or eimin (永眠), which means eternal sleep.

If it is a sudden death don’t use kyuushi (急死), which literally translates to “sudden death”. Instead, opt for kyuusei (急逝) or totsuzen no koto (突然のこと), which means “sudden event).

2. Avoid sensitive topics

Avoid discussing or asking about the details of the deceased’s death, cause of death, and days leading up to the death which may be too painful for the family. Also, avoid asking about any inheritance or financial matters related to the deceased.

Funerals are not the time to make friends or expand your social circle, so avoid doing so. It is a solemn occasion for mourning the deceased. Also, avoid controversial topics such as politics or religion. 

3. Don’t use repeated phrases

Japanese adverbs such as masu masu (ますます), tabi tabi (たびたび), kurekure (くれぐれも) evoke the idea of repeated unhappiness.  give the image of repeating unhappiness. Similarly, don’t use phrases that mean “again”, such as tabi (再び) and otte (追って). 

Check out more words to avoid using during Japanese funerals below.

JapaneseHiraganaEnglish
重ね重ねKasanegasaneOverlapping
たびたびTabitabioften
またまた
MatamataOnce again
重々JuujuuHeavily
いよいよIyoiyoFinally
ますますMasumasuMore and more
次々TsugitsugiOne by one
再三SaisanRepeatedly

4. Words such as “Do your best” and “Cheer up”

​​Words such as “Do your best” (ganbatte kudasai; 頑張ってください) and “Cheer up” (genki o dashite kudasai; 元気を出してください) are intended to be encouraging, but they can come across as insensitive. This is because you’re adding an extra burden to the bereaved family, so it’s best to empathize and grieve with them. 

Japanese Vocabulary Related to Funeral Culture in Japan

JapaneseHiraganaEnglish
お通夜OtsuyaWake
線香SenkouIncense
読経DokkyouSutra chanting
焼香ShoukouBurning incense
お葬式OsoushikiFuneral
お葬儀OsougiFuneral service
火葬KasouCremation
冥福MeifukuAfterlife
逝去SeikyiDeath
永眠EiminEternal sleep
急逝KyuuseiSudden death
香典KodenCondolence money
香典袋KodenbukuroCondolence money envelope
成仏JoubutsuEnlightenment or Nirvana (Buddhist term)
往生OujouDeath (Buddhist term)
帰天KitenReturn to Heaven (Christinaity)
召天ShoutenSummon

Preparing to Attend a Japanese Funeral

How to Give Condolences in Japan: Guide to Japanese Funeral

In this part, we will explain the funeral customs, etiquette and traditions for funerals in Japanese. The most important things to know are what to wear, preparation and giving of condolence money “koden”, and how to burn incense during the funeral service. 

What to Wear

When attending a Japanese funeral, it is important to dress in formal and respectful attire. Black clothing is the best. In Japan, funeral attire for men is a black suit and tie over a white shirt, and black dress shoes. Women should wear a simple black dress or a black blouse with a black skirt, black stockings and black dress shoes. Revealing flashy clothes and bright colors is inappropriate for the solemn occasion. In the case of accessories, generally, no accessories are best, but exceptions are made for wedding rings. Simple pearl earrings and necklaces or black onyx ones are also accepted. For students still in school, the formal attire for funerals is their school uniform. 

Preparing Condolence Money

Condolence money is called koden (香典). Originally, incense sticks and powdered incense were offered as koden, but nowadays cash money is given which covers the cost of incense burnt for the deceased, the funeral service, and other related costs. The bereaved family may even donate the condolence money to charities or religious institutions in memory of the deceased.

The appropriate amount of condolence money to give depends entirely on the relationship with the deceased; the closer the relationship, the higher the amount. Koden usually ranges from 3,000 yen to 30,000 yen with factors like financial status taken into consideration. In any case, koden is an expression of sympathy and support to the bereaved family, so you do not need to force yourself to give a lot if it is above your means, a heartfelt condolence message is also greatly appreciated. 

The condolence money is normally placed in a white envelope called a kodenbukuro (香典袋) which is wrapped in a small silk cloth. Never use new bills as condolence money. If you only have new bills, then fold them vertically first. The right time to hand over koden is at the funeral reception. Start by offering your condolences, then pass over the kodenbukuro after unwrapping it from the silk cloth. 

Burning Incense

Burning incense is the most important part of a Japanese funeral service. It is an important ritual for offering prayers to the deceased and for mourners to gain closure. The process for burning incense is slightly different depending on whether powdered incense or incense sticks are used. 

For both incense types, start with a deep bow to the bereaved family. Then, hang the prayer beads over your left hand. For powdered incense, lift some incense using your right hand’s thumb, index and middle finger and touch the incense to your forehead before lowering and dropping the incense into the burner. This is usually done 1~3 times depending on the religious sect. For incense sticks, light incense sticks with a candle and use your hand to extinguish the flames by fanning, never blow on the incense sticks. The number of incense sticks to burn, 1~3, also depends on the religious sect. After that, bring your hands together in prayer, facing the deceased’s portrait whilst offering a silent prayer, then bow to the portrait. Bow once more to the bereaved family. 

Aside from burning incense, offerings like flowers and fruits are also common at Japanese funerals. These are usually placed on the altar. If you bring flower offerings, make sure to get the right funeral flowers. If in doubt, just inform the florist of the purpose of these flowers and they will help pick and arrange them accordingly.   

Memorial Service and Death Anniversary

In Japan, a memorial service is usually held on the 7th or 49th day after the funeral. There is a possibility that you will be invited to attend. The customs and traditions are the same as for the funeral service so you should have no problems attending. Your dressing and how to prepare condolence money is the same, the average amount is 5,000 yen to 100,000 yen depending on the relationship with the deceased.

In Japan, the first and second death anniversaries can be quite big and important events. The dressing is different, casual clothing in dark colors like black, navy and grey are expected. Furthermore, the funeral envelope used is different from those used at the funeral service and the memorial service(s), so be careful when preparing. The range of condolence money is between 3,000 yen to 100,000 yen depending on the relationship with the deceased. 

Conclusion

Image by HeungSoon from Pixabay 

Funerals are solemn and formal occasions in Japan. It is very important to know the proper funeral customs and etiquette that are practiced in Japan before attending the funeral of someone you know. Not only does it show respect to the deceased, it also helps to not further upset the already aggrieved bereaved family. Most importantly, it allows you to properly mourn and grieve over the loss of a friend or acquaintance or to be of comfort to other mourners. 

When you are unsure of the grieving family members’ beliefs or religious denominations, it is best to stick to the standard expression. Avoid mentioning any words that are considered taboo, and don’t bring up sensitive or political topics.

FAQ

What does Okuyami mōshiagemasu mean?

Okuyami mōshiagemasu” means “my sincerest condolences.” 

What does Go shūshō sama desu mean?

“Go shūshō sama desu” is a general expression used to express sympathy or condolences.

What does condolence money called in Japanese and how to prepare it?

Condolence money is called “koden (香典)” in Japanese. The amount to give depends on the relationship with the deceased. Koden usually ranges from 3,000 yen to 30,000 yen. The recommended amount for friends and acquaintances is a minimum of 5,000 yen, and for relatives a minimum of 10,000 yen.

What's the difference between powdered incense and incese sticks and how to you use them?

For powdered incense: 

  1. Bow once to the bereaved family.
  2. On your left hand, hang the prayer beads. 
  3. Using the thumb, index, and middle finger of your free right hand, pinch some powdered incense.
  4. Touch the incense to your forehead before lowering your hand to drop them into the incense burner. Repeat 1 to 3 times depending on the religion sect. 
  5. When done, put your hands together in prayer and bow once to the deceased’s portrait.
  6. Bow again to the bereaved family

For incense sticks:
Generally the same procedure as above.

  1. Bow once to the bereaved family.
  2. Light an incense stick, usually only one but sometimes 2 or 3, with a candle.
  3. Fan with your hand to extinguish the flame, do not blow on the incense stick. 
  4. Stick the incense sticks into the burner. 
  5. Put your hands together in prayer and bow once to the deceased’s portrait.
  6. Bow again to the bereaved family

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