A foreigner’s guide to Japanese honorific, humble and polite forms.

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

There are four basic Japanese greetings, or aisatsu (挨拶), that can be used at different times of the day. If you’re starting to learn Japanese, this will be the first thing you’re introduced to. After all, you don’t want to accidentally claim “Good morning” in the middle of the night or say “Have a good […]

Welcome to the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N2! If you’re already studying for it — or at least considering it — chances are you’re ready for a change. JLPT N2 is widely recognized as the practical benchmark for Japanese fluency. Employers in Japan frequently list it as a minimum requirement, and for many […]

Have you heard of yoji jukugo? Piece of cake, break the ice, and cut corners – these are all short idioms we use all the time, and in Japan, they have something similar called 四字熟語 (yojijukugo). A yojijukugo is a Japanese phrase consisting of four kanji. Just like in English, yojijukugo are very popular since […]

The next JLPT will be held on December 2022. Ready to apply? Here’s a guide on how to reguster for the JLPT online.

Learn about the word Senpai and its meaning in Japanese and English in this latest A-I-U-E-O Learning Blog.

Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first, but mastering basic greetings and essential vocabulary is a great way to ease into your studies. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, interacting with Japanese speakers, or just curious about the language, these words and phrases will help you build a solid foundation. But what are the […]