Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Feb 18, 2019
Japan bolsters steps to aid non-Japanese in event of a quake
This Japanese news article introduces vocabulary that has to do with disaster preparedness, a topic we should all know a little more about.
Language | BILINGUAL Feb 4, 2019
Wake up and smell Japan through new vocabulary
by Peter Backhaus
The world is full of smells. Good smells and bad smells, pleasant and unpleasant smells, fragrant and pungent smells. Though the nose is not our most reliable advisor in perception — eyesight is far more important, as is well known — smells clearly have ...
Language | WELL SAID Feb 4, 2019
After learning how to use 'irai' properly, you'll be able to look back with confidence
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The word "irai" translates as "since," and it can be tacked on to both nouns and verbs.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Feb 4, 2019
A Japanese news article sums up the issue of Naomi Osaka's anime avatar and its controversial color.
National Feb 1, 2019
Aeon rolls out real-time video interpreting service for non-Japanese customers in 10 languages
by Kazuaki Nagata
In light of an increasing number of foreign customers, supermarket giant Aeon Co. on Friday launched a real-time video interpreting service. Shop clerks at about 550 Aeon stores now carry smartphones or tablet devices that can access interpreters through video chat software to assist non-Japanese ...
Language Jan 28, 2019
by Tom Hanaway
According to a recent survey, around 1 in 11 Japanese say they identify as LGBT. Therefore, knowing the language of this diverse community can help greatly with understanding.
Language | WELL SAID Jan 28, 2019
The '-ppanashi' structure is so useful that you'll want to keep using it over and over and over
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Often used in casual conversation, "-ppanashi" is added to a verb to indicate something that is done for an extended period of time. It can also have the nuance that something has been left in an improper state.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Jan 28, 2019
A Dentsu survey finds that people are more aware of the LGBT acronym, giving learners of Japanese the opportunity to discover a world of new vocabulary.
Language | WELL SAID Jan 21, 2019
Throw out idioms left and right using ... the Japanese words for left and right!
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
"Hidari" (left) and "migi" (right) are used in several well known expressions in Japanese that indicate everything from a level of skill to a propensity for spending money.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Jan 21, 2019
When reading about a group of monks protesting on social media, the collision of traditional and modern words is a treat.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Jan 14, 2019
Tokyo is gearing up to host an esports tournament, read about what Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said about it in Japanese.
Language Jan 14, 2019
You still need to know your ABCs if you're living in Japan
by Hannah Kunert
Written Japanese has three different scripts — hiragana, katakana and kanji — so you wouldn’t think there’d be room for any more. But you’d be wrong.