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November 25, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 29, 2020
Learning how to use 'ira-ira' without getting frustrated
The onomatopoeic terms 'ira-ira' and 'unzari' can help express feelings of frustration and being fed up in general. Therefore, they're helpful during a pandemic-related lockdown.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 22, 2020
Dare to take action in Japanese with 'isso' and 'omoikitte'
The terms 'isso' and 'omoikitte' both convey the nuance of doing something daring, or even 'taking the plunge.' Learn when it's best to use them.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 15, 2020
Certainly, 'tashika ni' is a Japanese term you'll want to know
While 'tashika' on its own in a sentence conveys the idea that something is most likely true, adding the particle 'ni' to it will make it more definite.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 8, 2020
Study 'mushiro' and 'kaette' rather than falling behind on your Japanese
The adverbs 'mushiro' and 'kaette' indicate alternative preferences, but the difference lies in whether the alternative comes down to personal judgement.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 1, 2020
A verb tense for when you've been the subject of someone else's machinations
When you've been made to do something against your will, try and wrap your tongue around the causative passive to express yourself.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 24, 2020
We won't force you to learn 'yogi naku,' but you can't help doing so anyway
Ano suigai de ōku no katagata ga hinan-seikatsu o yogi naku saremashita.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 17, 2020
You should know there's nothing better than 'ni koshita koto wa nai'
The 'koto da' and 'ni koshita koto wa nai' structures express strong certainties that you should do something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 10, 2020
Learn how to use 'uchi ni' while you're still in Japan
The 'uchi ni' and 'aida ni' structures denote time frames, but one is more specific than the other.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 3, 2020
Learning the causative form will let you speak Japanese with ease
The causative forms of Japanese verbs can help relay the ideas of making someone do something or letting them do something they want to do.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 27, 2020
The possibilities only 'naradewa' can offer
The structures 'naradewa' and 'ni kagiru' point out the singularity of something that's usually rather good.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 20, 2020
Apart from 'bestu ni shite,' the 'tomokaku' structure is useful for making exceptions
The 'tomokaku' structure helps when you want to take one element of what you're talking about out of the conversation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 13, 2020
The more you study 'ba … hodo,' the better you'll be at Japanese
Describing the relationship between two things in Japanese is often understandable with the 'ba u2026 hodo' grammar point.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 6, 2020
See to it that your Japanese gets better with yō ni suru
The verb 'suru' can help you express the idea that you want to intentionally turn something into something else.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 29, 2020
Onomatopoeic terms like 'niko-niko' get us smiling
'Kusu-kusu' and 'gera-gera' are two types of laughs that are used in entirely different situations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 22, 2020
You ought to know how 'beki' can help your Japanese
The negative 'bekarazu' structure may be old, but you can still find it in written Japanese with a strong prohibitive nuance attached to it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 15, 2020
You'd be surprised how far 'naka-naka' can take you in Japanese
The adverb 'naka-naka' can be used to comment on a surprising result, just don't use it when discussing the results your boss gets.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 8, 2020
Learning how to use 'ni suginai' is nothing more than essential
The verb 'sugiru,' which means to exceed, can be used in a variety of ways both positive and negative.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 1, 2020
Whether or not you'll succeed in Japanese is up to 'ka dōka'
The 'ka du014dka' structure helps to explain that there's a choice between one option or the other and is quite convenient in conversational Japanese.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 25, 2020
When it comes to Japanese, 'mamire' and 'darake' have you covered
While 'darake' and 'mamire' both have different nuances, the one thing they have in common is that they always refer to something bad.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 18, 2020
Take the time to study 'narubeku' and 'dekiru dake' if possible
'Narubeku' conveys the idea of 'as u2026 as possible,' while 'deikru dake' conveys the same idea with stronger intent.
Taiwan stuns Samurai Japan to capture Premier12 title
Japan starter Shosei Togo reacts after allowing a three-run home run against Taiwan in the fifth inning of the Premier12 final on Sunday.
Woman dies after train collides with car in Tochigi
A Moka Railway train car
Japan beats Taiwan ahead of rematch in Premier12 final
Keita Sano celebrates with his teammates after scoring on Kotaro Kiyomiya's two-run triple against Taiwan during their Premier12 game at Tokyo Dome on Saturday.
Tokyo’s newest three-star chef wants ‘harmony across every detail’
British-born Daniel Calvert earned his third Michelin star last month — a stunning achievement considering his restaurant, Sezanne, has only been open for just over three years.
'Kohaku' still matters for J-pop bragging rights
Emerging Gen Z J-pop group ME:I will perform on this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen," national broadcaster NHK’s New Year's Eve spectacle.
Tokyo’s newest three-star chef wants ‘harmony across every detail’
British-born Daniel Calvert earned his third Michelin star last month — a stunning achievement considering his restaurant, Sezanne, has only been open for just over three years.
133-year-old Kyushu railway station remains to be partially preserved
The remains of the original Moji Station in Kitakyushu
After Shohei Ohtani bump, Iwate ironware maker sees brighter future
Kaito Kikuchi's decision to send superstar Shohei Ohtani one of his company's traditional ironware tea kettles has paid off with a surge of interest from general consumers.
Shohei Ohtani wins National League MVP award
Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Padres during the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last month.
The slow-burn success of ‘A Samurai in Time’
A 19th-century warrior gets struck by lightning and wakes to find himself in 21st-century Kyoto in Junichi Yasuda’s surprise hit “A Samurai in Time.”

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat
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