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Hitomi Tashiro
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 23, 2019
Vary your way of emphasis with 'totemo' and its cousins
The word 'totemo' is a very handy word as it means 'very.' But it's not the only word that can help you emphasize what you're talking about.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 16, 2019
Just once I'd like to use 'ichido' correctly
The word 'ichido' can mean 'one time,' but the nuance changes depending on the particle you pair it with.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 26, 2019
A great way to describe exceptions and surprising happenings
Using 'ni shite' can help describe someone or something who stands out from the norm or can be used to highlight a surprising fact.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 19, 2019
Don't sweat phrases that use the word 'ase'
'Asedaku,' 'ase-kkaki,' 'asebamu' ... all of these words indicate that you're working up a sweat. Just how much sweat depends on the temperature and your nerves.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 5, 2019
Learning how to use 'ureshii' and 'tanoshii' is an enjoyable experience
The adjectives 'ureshii' and 'tanoshii' are used specifically to mean 'happy and 'enjoyable,' respectively. When it comes to fun times, though, there's a slight difference in how they are interpreted.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 29, 2019
Joining Japanese sentences is easy if you learn the difference between 'sore de' and 'soko de'
The terms 'sore de' and 'soko de' translate as 'and so' or 'therefore,' but there's a slight difference between their nuances.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 22, 2019
With some luck you'll master the Japanese words for good fortune
If you're going to play the u798fu5f15 (u3075u304fu3073u304d, lottery) in Japan, you're going to need some u904b (u3046u3093, luck).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 8, 2019
The Japanese verb 'kuru' comes in many forms
The irregular verb 'kuru' (to come) changes sound and structure depending on the context. And once you learn the rules of using it, prepare to break them.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 1, 2019
'Kireru' is a cut above other Japanese verbs
When you're out of breath, losing your temper or can't stand the tension in the room, the verb 'kireru' can help describe the situation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 24, 2019
The ugly truth behind using 'mittomonai' and 'kakkowarui'
The words 'mittomonai' and 'kakkowarui' are used when behavior or appearance is unbecoming, but the former carries more shame.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 17, 2019
Speak Japanese smoothly by mastering the difference between 'sara-sara' and 'zara-zara'
The onomatopoeic terms 'sara-sara' and 'zara-zara' both refer to textures, but do you know which is soft and which is coarse?
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 10, 2019
Finding amazing ways to use the word 'sugoi'
If you're in Japan, then you've probably heard the term u3059u3054u3044, or it's adverbial form u3059u3054u304f, more times than you can count.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 3, 2019
Don't forget to use 'sokonau' to mark your failings in Japanese
Ikō to omotte-ita-n-da kedo, misokonatchatta. (I was going to go, but I missed it.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 27, 2019
Speaking of that, 'sore' and 'kore' can come in very handy
Karutago-tte iu resutoran ni itta-n-da kedo, sono mise, sugoku yokatta-n-da. (I went to a restaurant called Carthago and it was really good.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 20, 2019
What's that we were talking about? Ah yes, the many uses of 'are'
The demonstrative pronouns related to 'ano' are for more than just describing what's 'over there.' For instance, Japanese uses them to convey sentimentality and in monologues.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 13, 2019
You'd be considerably well off in Japanese by learning to differentiate between 'daibu' and 'kekkō'
The adverbs u3060u3044u3076 and u3051u3063u3053u3046 both convey a sense of degree.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 29, 2019
Raising your voice can convey a different meaning, 'deshō'?
The Japanese words 'deshu014d' and 'daru014d' can be said with different intonations to provide various nuances.
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.
Alerts issued for Tokyo area cities as Shanshan crawls across Japan
A submerged area of Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on Thursday after Typhoon Shanshan dumped torrential rain throughout the Kyushu region.
Typhoon Shanshan batters Kyushu ahead of likely landfall
A satellite image shows Typhoon Shanshan south of Kyushu on Wednesday afternoon
From tropical storm to 'violent': Japan’s typhoon classifications
A satellite image from Wednesday shows Typhoon Shanshan south of Kyushu as the storm was rapidly intensifying.
Tropical Storm Shanshan soaks Japan as flood and landslide risks rise
People walk in front of closed ticket gates for the Tokaido Shinkansen in Tokyo Station as train operations between Tokyo and Nagoya remain suspended due to Tropical Storm Shanshan on Saturday.
Japan scraps idea to woo women out of city with cash
Bureaucrats had envisioned payments of up to ¥600,000 for women who got married and settled outside of Tokyo, according to media reports.
Japan seeks another record-breaking defense budget for fiscal 2025
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force hold a live-fire exercise at the GSDF's training grounds in the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May. Japan's Defense Ministry is seeking another record-breaking budget for fiscal 2025.
Can Japan handle a heat wave and natural disaster at the same time?
A member of the Self-Defense Forces wipes away sweat as he conducts a search and rescue operation at a landslide site caused by heavy rain in Kumano, Hiroshima Prefecture, on July 11, 2018.
Did you feel that? It may be time to refresh your disaster kits — and vocabulary.
A map of western Japan shows the Nankai Trough and, to its north, the hypocentral region where the energy for an earthquake is thought to be building.
This English schoolboy has big dreams of becoming yokozuna — and more
Nicholas Tarasenko trains at Minato stable in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on Tuesday. Tarasenko’s potential in sumo was made obvious when he won U18 gold in the 90-kg weight class at the 2023 Baruto Cup in Estonia despite being four years under the age limit and having only had a total of one hour of sumo training before the meet.
Kitakyushu clashes with academics over Meiji Era remains
Remnants of the first Moji station complex are located near the current Mojiko Station in the city of Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Podcast

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

Longform

A store clerk tries to cool things down in front of their shop by spraying a hose.
Is extreme weather changing the way Japan shops?
By Alex K.T. Martin

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