Tag - nihongo

 
 

NIHONGO

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.
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.
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.
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 1, 2020
Whether or not you'll succeed in Japanese is up to 'ka dōka'
The 'ka du014dka' structure helps to explain that there's a choice between one option or the other and is quite convenient in conversational Japanese.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Sep 1, 2020
#MeToo movement journalist sues lawmaker for liking defaming tweets
A Japanese-language Kyodo piece looks at Shiori Ito's most recent actions to defend her reputation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 25, 2020
What bugs me most about the summer
It's summertime and that means the sounds of cicadas and the bites of mosquitoes.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 25, 2020
When it comes to Japanese, 'mamire' and 'darake' have you covered
While 'darake' and 'mamire' both have different nuances, the one thing they have in common is that they always refer to something bad.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Aug 25, 2020
Japanese social conformity behind wearing of face masks amid pandemic
A Kyodo piece explores the language of peer pressure after a study shows that Japanese people tend to wear masks in order to fit in.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 18, 2020
Talking about the weather is increasingly extreme
As the weather gets more extreme we will no doubt be talking about it a lot more. Get a start on your climate vocabulary so you can join the conversation.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Aug 18, 2020
Fears grow over heat exhaustion during summer classes amid pandemic
Schools have to worry about heatstroke and COVID-19 according to a Japanese article by Kyodo.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 18, 2020
Take the time to study 'narubeku' and 'dekiru dake' if possible
'Narubeku' conveys the idea of 'as u2026 as possible,' while 'deikru dake' conveys the same idea with stronger intent.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 11, 2020
Finding the right words for a solemn occasion
As Japan marks some war anniversaries, certain vocabulary tend to pop up again and again.
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.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan