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November 22, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Nov 26, 2018
'Aru' exists to serve more than one purpose
To indicate the state of a thing or matter, use the u3066-form of a verb (X) and add u3042u308b (to exist) on the end.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 19, 2018
Two words that seem completely similar to one another — how do you tell the difference?
The words 'sokkuri' and 'sukkari' are used to show resemblance, but one can be used in entirely different situations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 12, 2018
To totally understand 'zenbu,' you have to learn all of its usages
u5168u90e8 and u5168u90e8u3067 have similar meanings but are not interchangeable.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 5, 2018
A grammar point you won't need to be told twice
Today, we'll look at the Xu3088u3046u306bu8a00(u3044)u3046 pattern and some related expressions. Xu3088u3046u306bu8a00u3046 means to 'tell someone to do X,' and it's used when a person reports what they told someone to do, like how the mother told Takako to get milk.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Oct 22, 2018
Lowering expectations in Japanese with 'tada' and 'tatta'
Introducing two expressions — u305fu3060 and u305fu3063u305f — that are used for emphasis.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Oct 15, 2018
Know your 'wake de wa nai' from your 'wake ni wa ikanai' in Japanese
Introducing two expressions that use u308fu3051 — u308fu3051u3067u306fu306au3044 and u308fu3051u306bu306fu3044u304bu306au3044.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 1, 2018
Impress with your powers of prediction in Japanese by using 'yappari'
Introducing the adverb u3084u306fu308a and its casual spoken version, u3084u3063u3071u308a, which is frequently used in Japanese conversation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 24, 2018
Know your spicy from your sweet in Japanese with 'karai' and 'amai'
Introducing the meanings and uses of u8f9b(u304bu3089)u3044 (spicy) and u7518(u3042u307e)u3044 (sweet), two adjectives that relate to taste.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 17, 2018
Living and working — choosing the right verb in Japanese
Introducing the differences between the verbs 'sumu' and 'kurasu,' as well as 'tsutomeru' and 'hataraku'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 10, 2018
Chilling in Japanese with 'hieru,' 'hiyasu,' 'sameru' and 'samasu'
Introducing the verb u51b7(u3072)u3048u308b (to become cold) and its related words and expressions.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 3, 2018
In Japanese, turn to 'omoi' when something weighs on your shoulders or mind
Introducing the i-adjective u91cd(u304au3082)u3044/u91cdu305fu3044 (heavy).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 27, 2018
Using 'zenzen' in Japanese is no problem at all
Introducing some of the usages of the adverb u5168u7136(u305cu3093u305cu3093, never/not at all), which is often heard in conversation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 20, 2018
A little Japanese primer on using 'chotto' in Japanese
introducing some uses of the adverb u3061u3087u3063u3068, which comes up in all kinds of situations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 13, 2018
The good, the bad and the 'by all means' of 'zehi' in Japanese
A closer look at u662fu975e(u305cu3072), which means 'good and/or bad' or 'by all means.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Aug 6, 2018
Raise a glass, count your squid, say you're full but watch your tone with 'hai'
Introduce the word u4e00u676f (u3044u3063u3071u3044, one cup) and its related expressions.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 30, 2018
In Japanese, 'sorosoro' shows what's coming slowly and carefully, or what's coming up
The adverb u305du308du305du308d can be used to indicate that an action is done not only slowly but also carefully, or that it is almost the time for something.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 23, 2018
Much ado about 'nothing but' in Japanese with 'shika nai'
Introducing some uses of the phrase Xu3057u304bu306au3044/u3057u304bu3042u308au307eu305bu3093 (There is nothing but X).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 16, 2018
There's quite a lot you can do in Japanese with 'nakanaka'
Introducing some uses of the word u306au304bu306au304b (quite)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 9, 2018
'Beki,' the little Japanese word that's 'should'
Introducing some uses of the word u3079u304d (should).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 2, 2018
Take care in Japanese when using 'sewa' or you could offend
Introducing some uses of the noun u4e16u8a71 (u305bu308f, care) and related expressions.
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?
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