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November 22, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 11, 2020
Have you heard? 'Rashii' can help you with your office gossip
The term 'rashii' is used when you've heard about something and want to talk about it without using assertions.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 4, 2020
It looks like your Japanese is improving with 'sō da'
The 'su014d da' structure can help convey hearsay and conjecture in Japanese.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 28, 2020
Since you're studying, why not study 'gatera' while you're at it?
The 'gatera' structure is often used in formal situations and points out that you will do one action because you're already doing another.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 21, 2020
And before you know it, you'll be using 'itsu no ma ni ka'
A good way to express surprise is to use the common Japanese term, 'itsu no ma ni ka.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 14, 2020
Use 'tame' in order to show intent in Japanese
You'll hear the word 'tame' pop up a lot in Japanese conversation. Pay attention to the verb that comes before it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 7, 2020
Try using the 'miru' verb stem when attempting something improbable
Adding 'miru' to the te-form of a verb will suggest to others that you're willing to give whatever your doing a try.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 30, 2020
Don't get panicked when learning how to use 'oro-oro'
The words 'oro-oro' and 'atafuta' are used in a panic, but the former is used when you're at a loss of what to do.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 23, 2020
Pointing out things that run counter to a situation with 'X-ta tokoro de'
The 'X-ta tokoro de' structure can help you out even if you don't have too much time on your hands.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 16, 2020
Whether it's 'ni shite mo' or 'ni shiro,' this structure has you covered
Two structures handle the idea of 'whether this or that' in both casual and formal situations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 9, 2020
Look on with awe at the versatility of the 'mono da' structure
The structure 'mono da' can be shortened to 'mon da' in conversation, though women tend to use 'mono ne.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 2, 2020
Totally express yourself in Japanese with 'shimau'
The verb ending 'shimau' and 'chau' patterns help to express things that have been done totally and completely.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 26, 2020
Tell people your hopes and wishes using 'kana'
Stating your desires in Japanese can be done using a number of different structures.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 19, 2020
It would be great if you could master 'to ii'
A grammar lesson looks at the structures 'X to ii' and X-ba yokatta no ni' as was of suggesting an outcome would be good.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 12, 2020
The adjective 'hoshii' is something you'll want to remember
Adding 'hoshii' to a verb can help you express an informal request or wish in a different way than the '~tai' form.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 5, 2020
We can't say you don't have to learn 'nakute mo ii'
The structures 'nakute mo ii desu' and 'hitsuyu014d wa arimasen' let people know they're not obliged to do something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 28, 2020
'Nashi ni' and 'nuki de' will help you do without
The 'nashi ni' structure can sound somewhat formal, so you wouldn't necessarily use it when you want to hold the bacon on a pasta dish. That's where 'nuki de' comes in.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 21, 2020
You can count on 'zutsu' to help with dividing up your Japanese study tasks
A grammar lesson goes over each and every aspect of the particle 'zutsu,' which is used to indicate both quantity and degree.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 14, 2020
Expressing a sense of degree with 'kurai'
The particle 'kurai' is very helpful in trying to illustrate the degree of something happening, though translating it isn't as straightforward as you'd think.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 7, 2020
What to do when a Japanese word shows signs of needing 'meku' attached to it
Attaching the verb 'meku' to certain Japanese words can emphasize the idea of showing signs of something or appearing to look like something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 24, 2020
Pointing out the family with 'ni ataru'
Mari-chan wa Nana no obasan ni ataru. (Mari is Nana’s aunt.)
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

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

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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