Japanese Slang: ダメもと (Damemoto)

What’s ダメもと (Damemoto)? Conversational Uses… When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about the […]

Japanese Slang: ガチ (Gachi)

What is ガチ/”Gachi”? Using Japanese Slang When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is an easy and fun way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word […]

A Japanese word for October: Koromogae

In Japan, the rather sudden change of seasons has lead to a very interesting custom called koromogae 「衣替え」: to change one’s wardrobe seasonally. The tradition began when all the people in certain regions of Japan changed their kimono from winter to summer’s style, then back again. Not only schools but companies and various institutions that have uniform would […]

Coto’s events in October 2015

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Go for Lunch! Kagurazaka area ランチツアー! 神楽坂 Wednesday, October 7th  12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka If you like donburi, you will certainly be fond of hitsumabushi. Hitsumabushi is a kind of donburi with 3 ways to taste it! You can enjoy […]

Japanese Essentials: Sending a Postal Package in Japan

Sending something abroad… Sample Dialogue Vocabulary & Useful Phrases   Sending something abroad… Many challenges await expatriates in Japan. The small actions of daily life may become mountains to cross, and one of them is dealing with the Japanese post office. Sending a letter might not be difficult, but sending a package can prove to be […]

Japanese Slang: チンする (Chin Suru), The Sound of a Microwave?

As in other languages, Japanese slangs are important in daily conversations. Today, let’s take a look at one phrase that you can immediately use in your life Microwaving your Bento/FoodWhat did it Originate from?Using it in Casual Conversations   Microwaving your Bento/Food Do you often buy prepared meal to warm up with a microwave oven? In […]

Japanese slang: Otsubone

During you learning, knowing some Japanese slangs is a nice and fun way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “otsubone”.  The working place is not always kind […]

Let’s learn how to use the Japanese Word: ぶり (Buri)!

  Useful ExpressionsIn a Conversational Setting…How about Hisashiburi (久しぶり/ひさしぶり)?   Useful Expressions Expressing the passing time in a foreign language can be quite tricky. Japanese is no exception. So let’s learn a very important and useful expression to convey “for the first time in…”, “It has been – x time – since…” in Japanese! → 5年ぶりに柔道しました。→ Go nen buri […]