Unraveling the Unique Osaka-ben (Part 1)
Japan has many different dialects. One reason for this is that words originated in the capital or cultural centers and spread to the regions through transmission. This happened because the …
Language
Japanese seasonal beautiful words ~Autumn~
Do you know what the shortest form of poetry in the world is? It is the haiku, a three-line poem of only 17 syllables (5-7-5) that describes a natural scene …
Sumimasen Culture in Japan
Have you often heard or been called “sumimasen すみません” in public places or stores? When you’ve heard the word “sumimasen” as an apology, did you wonder, “Why do Japanese people …
♪Japanese Phrase Having a Good Ring♪ 〜Ton〜
♪Ton, Ton, Ton♪ Welcome to the third edition of “Japanese language fun time!” Today’s sound is ”Ton(とん/トン)!“ First of all, it has nothing to do with a big amount of …
Let’s talk using “cushion words”!
Have you ever heard of the Japanese word “cushion words”? Today, I want to talk about some of the most polite Japanese words, “cushion words.” The Japanese language has honorific …
Let’s Enjoy Japanese Literature! 〜 Annani Annani 〜
Did you have a moment when you were irritated with your kid today? Are you tired of caring for your elderly parents? This book might help you pause your hectic …
Japanese seasonal beautiful words ~Spring~
As a lover of spring, I feel my heart leaping with excitement when spring arrives. Plants and trees sprout new shoots, and flowers bloom. It is the season that warm …
Why conbinis are really called conbinis?
Most of you reading this probably know what “conbini” is. Yes, it is a convenience store. Nowadays, a lot of people recognize the word globally. Surely a lot of you …
The difference in perception as expressed in Japanese
When you ask Japanese people, “How many fingers do you have?” most people will answer 10 or, after some thought, proudly 20. This is surprising for English-speaking people, isn’t it? …
♪Japanese phrase having a good ring♪ ～Jyan～
“Ta-da!” Can you imagine how surprised and amazed I was when I first heard this English phrase? It was one of the moments that I felt learning foreign languages was …