Tag - nihongo

 
 

NIHONGO

Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 20, 2020
Apart from 'bestu ni shite,' the 'tomokaku' structure is useful for making exceptions
The 'tomokaku' structure helps when you want to take one element of what you're talking about out of the conversation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 13, 2020
No need to tiptoe around religion in Japanese
Talking about religion can be a great opportunity for a cultural exchange, especially since it isn't such a taboo topic among friends in Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 13, 2020
The more you study 'ba … hodo,' the better you'll be at Japanese
Describing the relationship between two things in Japanese is often understandable with the 'ba u2026 hodo' grammar point.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Oct 13, 2020
Japan national park facilities upgraded with 'workation' in mind
You're on vacation and u2026 what's that, work is calling? Parts of Japan think a wave of teleworking could allow for a rethink of your work day.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 6, 2020
If only there were one way to write 'only' in Japanese
The various ways of saying 'only' in Japanese can convey a number of nuances.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 6, 2020
See to it that your Japanese gets better with yō ni suru
The verb 'suru' can help you express the idea that you want to intentionally turn something into something else.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Oct 6, 2020
Japan's tallest skyscraper Torch Tower to be built in Tokyo
A Kyodo article looks at the latest plan to build big in Tokyo with the Torch Tower.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 29, 2020
Japan has finally come to its census
Japan undergoes a census every five years and 2020 happens to mark the questionnaire's 100th anniversary.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 29, 2020
Onomatopoeic terms like 'niko-niko' get us smiling
'Kusu-kusu' and 'gera-gera' are two types of laughs that are used in entirely different situations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Sep 29, 2020
Department stores ready to take 2021 new year’s osechi orders
You may think it's too early to start thinking about the new year holidays, but department stores are expecting more work than usual amid the pandemic.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 22, 2020
Channeling that 1964 spirit amid the pandemic
Sacrifice, dedication and training — these were the pillars that supported athletes in the 1964 Olympics. They might help during the pandemic, too.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 22, 2020
You ought to know how 'beki' can help your Japanese
The negative 'bekarazu' structure may be old, but you can still find it in written Japanese with a strong prohibitive nuance attached to it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Sep 22, 2020
Half of people in Japan feel healthier due to coronavirus outbreak
How are you feeling these days? Half of Japan feels healthier thanks to the pandemic, a Kyodo story looks at why.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 15, 2020
A debate on name order highlights an old translation issue
Last name, first? Some Japanese people would like to see their linguistic traditions better reflected in English-language media.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 15, 2020
You'd be surprised how far 'naka-naka' can take you in Japanese
The adverb 'naka-naka' can be used to comment on a surprising result, just don't use it when discussing the results your boss gets.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Sep 15, 2020
Special train unveiled as Hokkaido railroad marks 140th anniversary
A new train pulls into the station in Hokkaido and a Kyodo article looks at its significance.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 8, 2020
Take notes: This is the stationery lesson
September reminds us all of heading back to school even during a pandemic. Hit the local stationery story with the correct Japanese.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 8, 2020
Learning how to use 'ni suginai' is nothing more than essential
The verb 'sugiru,' which means to exceed, can be used in a variety of ways both positive and negative.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Sep 8, 2020
Kabukicho host club workers seek more serious expression in poetry
A Kyodo article looks at a book of poetry written by men who work in host clubs in Tokyo's notorious Kabukicho district.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 1, 2020
Talking about your (un)productive COVID-era hobbies
A lot of us took up new hobbies during the pandemic, but not all of have stuck with our activities.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals