Language | WELL SAID Dec 10, 2019
The grammar point known as 'to iu'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
When you're trying to describe what something is in Japanese, the structure 'to iu' can come in very handy.
Language | WELL SAID Nov 26, 2019
Work toward mastery of 'ni mukete' and 'o mezashite'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The structures "ni mukete" and "o mezashite" help express your working toward a goal, with the latter being the more concrete option.
Language | BILINGUAL Nov 19, 2019
Reuniting with old Japanese friends of all different kinds
by Samantha Seghers
Whether they're your "shin'yū," your "tomodachi" or your "nakama," reuniting with Japanese friends is always a blast.
Language | WELL SAID Nov 12, 2019
Here's some advice. If you want to help a friend out, stick to -tara ii desu
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
With your friends, giving and asking for advice in Japanese can be done in several ways. Just make sure you don't accidentally use these structures with your boss!
Language | BILINGUAL Nov 4, 2019
How to express the ups and downs of a tax hike
by Kaori Shoji
Describing the rise in a tax hike and a rise in prices means using two different words in Japanese. In either case, things aren't looking up.
Language | WELL SAID Oct 28, 2019
By the way, do you know how to use 'hanashi wa kawaru kedo' in a sentence?
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Changing the topic in a Japanese conversation is easier than you think and two terms in particular can help. 'Tokorode,' have you been studying Japanese long?
Language | WELL SAID Oct 21, 2019
Expressing what you've been thinking about doing with 'to omotte-iru' and '-tai to omotte iru'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Using the "tai" verb ending expresses desire in Japanese, but adding "omotte-iru" can help convey the idea that your wants are not spontaneous.
Language | WELL SAID Oct 7, 2019
Speak Japanese with certainty by using 'zettai'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The word "zettai" has a feeling of absoluteness and certainty that can emphasize the confidence you have in what you're saying.
Language | WELL SAID Sep 23, 2019
Vary your way of emphasis with 'totemo' and its cousins
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The word "totemo" is a very handy word as it means "very." But it's not the only word that can help you emphasize what you're talking about.
Language | BILINGUAL Sep 16, 2019
Listening for the subtle sounds of autumn
by Kaori Shoji
Everyone's talking about the weather. While it's great to know the vocabulary needed to express seasons and temperature, there are also a few adverbs that will come in handy.
Language | WELL SAID Sep 16, 2019
Just once I'd like to use 'ichido' correctly
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The word "ichido" can mean "one time," but the nuance changes depending on the particle you pair it with.
Language | BILINGUAL Jul 22, 2019
Japanese features a lot of ways to complain about the heat in summer
by Kaori Shoji
As we make the shift from 梅雨 (tsuyu, rainy season) to 夏本番 (natsu honban, summertime in earnest), you'll find that the weather will take center stage in many Japanese conversations.