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November 24, 2024
 

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Hitomi Tashiro
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
Mar 3, 2020
Talking about other people in Japanese using the 'garu' structure
You can tack 'tai' on the end of a verb to express what you want to do, but if you're going to speak for someone else then it's best to get a handle on the 'garu' ending.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 25, 2020
Endowed with the talent for understanding the Japanese structures using 'nagara ni'
The structures 'nagara ni' and 'nagara no' are used in very specific ways in Japanese, which makes their comprehension slightly easier.
U.S. aircraft carrier returns to Japan carrying navy’s ‘most capable fighter’
U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Fred Kacher speaks to reporters shortly after the arrival of aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Friday.
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.
Japan approves ¥21.9 trillion stimulus plan
The policy chiefs of the Democratic Party for the People, Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito — Makoto Hamaguchi (left), Itsunori Onodera (center) and Mitsunari Okamoto — shake hands after reaching an agreement on an economic stimulus package on Wednesday.
Woman dies after train collides with car in Tochigi
A Moka Railway train car
Japan will spend ¥325 million in government funds on Princess Yuriko's funeral
Princess Yuriko waves during the New Year's public greeting at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in January 2019.
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.”
Around a quarter of Japan married couples in their 20s met through dating apps
A survey released by an organization promoting “Good Couples Day” shows that 24% of couples in their 20s met their marriage partner through a dating app.

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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mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world
mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world

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