Vernal Equinox Day, also known as Shunbun no Hi (春分の日), is one of two Japanese public holidays that mark the times of the year when day and night are approximately equal in length. Shunbun no Hi is the first of two and typically falls between March 19 and March 22, hence it is often referred […]
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 […]
Japanese honorifics are suffixes or prefixes used to show respect or familiarity when addressing other people. How do you use them?
Saying ‘no’ in Japan is a tricky subject. The Japanese will rarely give a direct no to an answer, preferring instead to give an indirect answer that conveys the message of no.
Although the Japanese monarchy still exists, its role today is largely symbolic—much like the royal family in the United Kingdom. Even so, the Imperial Household continues to observe important traditions, including the celebration of the reigning emperor’s birthday. This occasion is marked by a national holiday known as the Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日, Tennō Tanjōbi). Under […]
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 […]
Have you heard of the term kakkoi (かっこいい)? When you step onto the streets of Tokyo, the fashion alone is enough to stop you in your tracks. You might constantly find yourself doing a double-take at the effortless style surrounding you. In English, you might instinctively reach for a phrase like, “Oh my God, that’s […]
