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“ …
Language
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, …
Some tips in Japan
Let me show you some tips for when you visit Japan! We have convenience stores and ￥100 shops, also known as hyakkin, here and there in Japan. So, if you …
How to understand hannarism in Kyoto
What is “hannari”? Have you heard the word, hannari (はんなり)? Hannari describes people’s impression of the Kyoto dialect. It is used to describe a person who is graceful, natural, and …
3 most common helpful Japanese words ~For super beginners in Japanese~
Today most foreign tourists in Japan usually have a cell phone, so it seems to be easy to get various kinds of information such as famous sightseeing spots and restaurants. …