Japanese Learning Blogs
Learn Japanese Vocabulary Quickly: How Are “Shikata (ga) Nai” and “Shou ga Nai” Used In A Conversation?
Author: Mizuki Ichihira If you've ever watched a Japanese anime or movie or have visited Japan, you've probably come across phrases like "shou ga nai naa!" or "shikata nai." These expressions have become quite famous and are worth exploring to learn Japanese more comprehensively. "Shou ga nai naa!" and "shikata nai" convey a similar meaning, […]
Introduction | Nihongo Sprit Series [日本語道]: Japanese Mythology
Author: Katsuyuki Hasegawa Prologue : Japanese Mythology In Japanese mythology, there is a story of the creation of a land called "Kuni-Umi"(the birth of the country). It is also called the "Kuni-umi-Shinwa" myth. The "Kuni-Umi" was commanded by the "Kotoamatsu-gami (Kotoamatsu-gods)," special deities responsible for creating all things, to a couple, "Izanagi and Izanami." 日本神話には「国生み（くにうみ）」という国土創世の物語があります。「国生み神話」ともいいます。 […]
Yoki [New Expression and Buzzword]
Author: Natsuko Seki When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. よきgood Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 好ましい このましい favourable 「よき」は元々「好ましいこと」を意味する言葉です。"Yoki" (good) is a word that originally means "favorable" in Japanese. 古語 こご archaic word 「よき」は古語です。"Yoki" […]
Jiwaru [New Expression and Buzzword]
Author: Natsuko Seki When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. じわるTo get funnier and funnier Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 面白さ おもしろさ fun 「じわる」は面白さを表現する言葉の一つです。"Jiwaru" (To get funnier and funnier) is one of the words used to […]
Japanese language lesson: Body Part Idioms
5 most used idioms in Japanese 開いた口が塞がらない | aita kuchi ga fusagara nai This phrase literally translates to "the opened mouth doesn't close," and it's used when something is so surprising or shocking that one is left speechless. It's similar to the English idiom "my jaw hit the floor." Example: 「大切な会議で取締役たちが寝落ちしたって?!」「 開いた口が塞がらないわ。」 "Taisetsu na kaigi […]
“An Inconvenient Truth” Is a Reality
Author: Natsuko Seki When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 記録的な きろくてきな Record-breaking 世界中で40度を超える記録的な高温が森林火災を引き起こし、日本でも6月以降に記録的な猛暑が続きました。 Global record temperatures surpassing 40°C sparked wildfires, while Japan had record-breaking heat from June. 洪水 こうずい Flooding 河川や湖が干上がる一方で、大雨で洪水が発生しました。The torrential […]
Waita [New Expression and Buzzword]
Author: Natsuko Seki When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. 沸いたーBoiled Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 沸騰 ふっとう boil 「沸いた」は、本来はお湯が沸騰したことを表す言葉です。“Waita” (boiled) is originally a word that expresses when water is boiled or reaching boiling point. 興奮 […]
Yuru Bukatsu [New Expression and Buzzword]
Author: Natsuko Seki When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. ゆる部活Laid-back club activities Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 勝ち負け かちまけ winning or losing 「ゆる部活」は、勝ち負けよりも運動を楽しむことに重点を置いています。The focus of "Yuru Bukatsu" (laid-back club activities) is to enjoy exercising rather […]
What Saved Asakusa’s Rickshaws
Author: Natsuko Seki When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 人力車 じんりきしゃ rickshaw 東京・浅草では人力車に乗ることができます。In Asakusa, Tokyo, you can experience riding a rickshaw. 昨年 さくねん last year 昨年まで人力車のお客は減っていました。Until last year, the number of rickshaw […]
Dejitaru Seppuku [New Expression and Buzzword]
When reading on a smartphone, we recommend turning the screen to landscape mode. デジタル切腹Digital Seppuku Warming up Audio Keywords and Summary Japanese Word Furigana English Word Example Sentence (Japanese & English) 責任 せきにん responsibility 「デジタル切腹」はデジタル上で責任を取ることを表しています。"Dejital Seppuku" (Digital Seppuku) represents taking responsibility in the digital realm. 削除 さくじょ delete 責任を取るために、ゲームのキャラクターやアカウントを自分で削除します。To take responsibility, they delete their game […]