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? …
Language
♪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 …
♪Japanese phrases have such a good ring to them♪ 〜Huuuuu!!〜
Welcome to the “Japanese language fun time!” First, I’d like to mention that while I’m not a Japanese language teacher, I am happy to deliver fun words and expressions that …
Blue in Japan
I like blue. The color blue is associated with the vast ocean and the clear sky on sunny days. However, there are some interesting Japanese words that call something blue …
How to Use SUMIMASEN Practically
You definitely have heard that Japanese people often say “sumimasen.” Probably you know it means “sorry.” This is true, but actually, it also has another two definitions, like “excuse me“ …
Gokigen-you!~Useful Expressions That Make You Sound Sophisticated~
Do you have any plans to visit Japan? Are you interested in the Japanese language? If so, I’d like to introduce some expressions that make you sound elegant, polite, and …
Phrases popping out of Japanese people’s mouths
This time, I’d like to Introduce 3 phrases that Japanese people use frequently. 1. “Sumimasen” I guess that many foreigners know this phrase because it’s famous. Sumimasen is really useful. …
Japanese Slang
You won’t typically hear Japanese slang in formal places. However, you may use slang if you are a colleague or a good trading partner, and a lot of slang flies …
Too Many in Japan? Onomatopoeia
Japanese people use onomatopoeia very often in conversations. There are about 3,000 of these words in the United States and about 12,000 in Japan. People’s voices, animals, and other sounds …
The complex first person in Japanese
If you talk about yourself in English, you only need to use one letter: “I.” However, there are various first person pronouns in Japanese. When translating into a foreign language, …