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November 22, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 22, 2019
Wondering aloud in Japanese about our Heisei Era memories
The words 'deshu014d' and 'daru014d' can help us put a little conjecture into the way we speak, but that's not the only thing they're used for.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 15, 2019
'Uchi' is where the heart is
The Japanese word 'uchi' can have several meanings depending on the context it's being used in, but one common thread in all of them is an idea of closeness to the speaker.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 8, 2019
There's nothing more important than learning how to distinguish between 'taisetsu' and 'jūyō'
When trying to convey the idea of importance in Japanese use 'taisetsu' for things that are sentimentally important and 'ju016byu014d' for things that are signifficant.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 1, 2019
Take your Japanese to the point where you can even use 'sae' and 'made' correctly
The particles u307eu3067 and u3055u3048 both emphasize degree, the former expressing the limits of time, space, quantity and so on. By attaching it to a noun (X), the construction Xu307eu3067 can translate to “until X”
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 25, 2019
Whether something smells like rotten cheese or is just plain cheesy, 'kusai' is your go-to adjective
Kono otoko wa kusai. (This guy is sketchy.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 18, 2019
Hay fever can make life hard enough to use the adjective 'tsurai'
A word that indicates hardship, agony and pain, you're most likely to hear it at this time of year because of spring allergies or hangovers from cherry blossom parties.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 11, 2019
How to carefully express carelessness in Japanese
You might be surprised how often you will use the Japanese expressions for 'carelessness' and 'without intention' once you've learned them
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Mar 4, 2019
Learning how 'lukewarm' can apply to food, drinks and people alike
Using the word for 'lukewarm' in Japanese can allow you to express your thoughts on your drinks and your dinner, but can also be used to describe your friends, colleauges and loved ones.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 25, 2019
Use 'ijō' to go beyond the usual boundaries in Japanese
The term 'iju014d' usually translates as 'more than,' but it can be used for more than just that.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 18, 2019
Understanding 'choshi' is a condition you should strive for
It's hard to translate the word 'choshi' into English directly, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't bother with it. Whether it's the condition of your body or your computer, choshi is rather useful.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 4, 2019
After learning how to use 'irai' properly, you'll be able to look back with confidence
The word 'irai' translates as 'since,' and it can be tacked on to both nouns and verbs.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 28, 2019
The '-ppanashi' structure is so useful that you'll want to keep using it over and over and over
Often used in casual conversation, '-ppanashi' is added to a verb to indicate something that is done for an extended period of time. It can also have the nuance that something has been left in an improper state.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 21, 2019
Throw out idioms left and right using ... the Japanese words for left and right!
'Hidari' (left) and 'migi' (right) are used in several well known expressions in Japanese that indicate everything from a level of skill to a propensity for spending money.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 14, 2019
Using 'kaneru' incorrectly is something we simply cannot do
The verb u304bu306du308b is slightly complicated. It translates as “being unable to” and is often attached to a verb (X) in its masu-stem form (the masu-form with u307eu3059 removed).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 7, 2019
Know the circumstances of using 'shidai'
Depending on whether it's used as a noun, an idomatic expression or as an adverb, 'shidai' can mean something entirely different.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Dec 31, 2018
At least learning the term 'sukunakutomo' will help you in your Japanese conversation
A holdover from Japanese past still makes for a convenient way to express the idea of 'at least' in daily conversation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 24, 2018
Redoing things with the help of naosu and kaesu
Sakki no shorui, tsukurinaoshita-n-desu kedo, mite itadakemasu ka? Those documents from before, I've done them over again. Could you take a look for me?
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 17, 2018
Finding the best way to chill out with the verb 'ochitsuku'
There are many ways to use the verb u843d(u304a)u3061u7740(u3064)u304f, which means to calm down, relax and be comfortable.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 10, 2018
Watch what you say when offering your boss a coffee
When trying to figure out what someone wants in Japanese, your relationship with them is as important as their request.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 3, 2018
Coming up with exceptions in Japanese can be tricky, but helpful
The word 'tada' and it's rarer counterpart 'mottomo' help link sentences in conversational and written Japanese.
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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