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Hitomi Tashiro
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 23, 2017
Better to be read than end up misled about the uses of 'mashi'
Introduce the na-adjective u307eu3057u306a — meaning better — and its related expressions.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 16, 2017
Do not disturb: Mind your 'jamas' and 'shitsureis' as you come and go in Japan
Introducing two expressions used in formal comings and goings: u304au3058u3083u307eu3057u307eu3059 and u5931u793c(u3057u3064u308cu3044)u3057u307eu3059.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 9, 2017
Play down the hype with a so-so phrase
Un ... māmā-kana. (Hmm. It was ... so-so.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 2, 2017
Start your year off with the right Japanese greeting
Around New Year's Day you'll hear 'yoroshiku' a lot, but it's a word that's useful throughout the year.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 26, 2016
If it's time for a change, it's time for 'kawari ni' or 'kawatte'
Today, we will introduce u304bu308fu308au306b and u304bu308fu3063u3066, which both indicate an exchange. Xu304bu308fu308au306bY expresses that someone does Y instead of X. Y is the thing that makes up for X. X is a noun + u306e or the noun modifying form of a verb or adjective.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 19, 2016
Getting your thoughts together and settling things with 'matomeru' and 'matomaru'
Introducing the proper use of two verbs, u307eu3068u3081u308b and u307eu3068u307eu308b.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 12, 2016
Coming to a logical conclusion with 'wake da'
Introducing the sentence-ending expression Xu308fu3051u3060, which is used when the speaker wants to explain a reasonable conclusion based on what they have seen or heard.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 5, 2016
In denial with 'wake ga nai' and 'hazu ga nai'
Introducing two expressions — u308fu3051u304cu306au3044 and u306fu305au304cu306au3044 — that express strong denial.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 28, 2016
Be inspiring, break the news gently or just buy some time with versatile 'saa'
Introducing some uses of the interjection u3055u3042 (saa), which is often heard in spoken language.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 21, 2016
Taking things to the wire with 'girigiri' and 'suresure'
Introducing the proper uses of two similar expressions — u304eu308au304eu308aand u3059u308cu3059u308c .
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 14, 2016
With 'bun,' get your share in Japanese — or as much as you put in
Introducing some expressions using u5206 (u3076u3093), which means 'share,' 'part' or 'portion.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 7, 2016
Articulating the unknown, unreliable or just plain dodgy with 'ayashii'
Introducing some uses of the adjective u3042u3084u3057u3044, which means 'dubious' or 'strange.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 31, 2016
Using 'kiri' in Japanese to leave it at that
Introduce some uses of u304du308a, which is used to set limits on things.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 24, 2016
Getting quite a lot across with 'kanari' and 'daibu'
Introducing the use of two adverbs, u304bu306au308a and u3060u3044u3076, that show the degree of something.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 17, 2016
Leaving some things left unsaid with 'no ni' and 'kedo'
Today we will introduce the use of u306eu306b and u3051u3069 as sentence-ending particles.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 3, 2016
Setting up contrary clauses with 'no ni,' 'te mo' and 'de mo'
Introduce the proper usage of u306eu306b and u3066u3082/u3067u3082, which link two contrary clauses.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 26, 2016
A lesson on not only 'bakari ka' for emphasis but also 'bakari ni' for concern
Following on from last week, introducing more phrases using the particle of emphasis u3070u304bu308a, meaning only/always/merely.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 19, 2016
Make a point about too much of a bad thing with 'bakari'
Introducing phrases using the particle of emphasis u3070u304bu308a, meaning 'only' or 'always.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 12, 2016
How you use 'dake' can mean the difference between 'giving it a try' and 'trying your best'
Introducing forms of the pattern X(verb)-dake Y, which expresses limitations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 5, 2016
Say it like it sounds in Japanese with onomatopoeic verbs
Introducing some combined verbs made up of various adverbial onomatopoeia combined with u3068 and u3059u308b (do).

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