Language | BILINGUAL May 12, 2023

Moved to tears: Guys, it’s OK to express your emotions now and then

Are there cultural differences when it comes to men crying in public? In Japan, sometimes tears can even get you out of trouble.

Language | BILINGUAL Mar 17, 2023

For some in Japan, the first day of spring means a visit with the ancestors

While visits to the family grave are often done during the Bon holidays in August, the spring and autumn equinoxes are also a traditional time to reconnect with your ancestors.

Language | BILINGUAL Jan 9, 2023

Make sure your nouns and verbs match when talking about what to wear

Did you notice more kimono than usual being worn on Jan. 9 this year? That's because it was Coming of Age Day, an occasion for which Japanese youth sport their "Sunday best."

Language | BILINGUAL Sep 16, 2022

When breaking up in Japanese, be sure to give up the ghosting

It’s hard to break up with someone in any language, but the inclination toward “ghosting” may make one side feel even worse.

Language | BILINGUAL Aug 12, 2022

Read between the lines when it comes to party invitations

Japanese people tend to avoid giving a clear "no" when asked a question. Learn the sentences that infer a negative outcome early on in your studies here.

Language | BILINGUAL Jul 15, 2022

Retrieve your lost item in Japan with the right words

Connect verbs and adjectives using the te-form to describe your missing item and you're a step closer to getting back what you've misplaced.

Language | BILINGUAL May 13, 2022

Finding the right words for when you discover a lost item in Japan

Take a verb and turn it into a noun simply by adding "mono" to the end of it and you're halfway to verbalizing that you've found something that was lost.

Language | BILINGUAL Apr 5, 2022

In Japan, April marks a fresh start for students and employees

April is a fresh start for everyone and things can get pretty busy, so don’t forget to smell the flowers while you can.

Language | BILINGUAL Feb 4, 2022

Finding the words for letting others know you may have COVID-19

As we enter the third year of the pandemic, it's good to get a refresher on the kind of vocabulary we're using to describe PCR tests and travel-related quarantines.