Fashion, fast and slow: Discussing shopping ethics in Japanese
Whether it’s a trendy top from a chain store in Shibuya or a vintage piece from the backstreets of Kichijoji, know how to shop with a mind to sustainability in Japanese.
Long story short, cont’d: Brevity rules in Japanese grammar
The Japanese don't just abbreviate their vocabulary, when you're short on time even grammatical structures can get the chop.
Seibu Railway tests new translation device to boost communication
The window-like interface creates real-time translations that appear as text bubbles as people converse on either side of the screen.
Summer festivals like Tanabata are back in full force (yay!), and so is heatstroke (boo!)
Get to know the vocabulary surrounding symptoms of heatstroke, heat exhaustion and how to ask someone if they need help.
Frugal phrases: Finding money-saving tips in Japanese
Cost-conscious Japanese shoppers know various tricks to try and save money. By beefing up on your economic terms, maybe you can get in on the deals.
Politically speaking, how should Japan talk about gender?
When trying to pass legislation on topics dealing with the LGBTQ+ community, lawmakers found themselves using a katakana term as a compromise.
Making a case for Japan’s right to brag about its four seasons
Sure, there are four seasons everywhere in the world. However, Japanese culture tends to treat them with a reverence that isn't observed elsewhere.
Za grammar notes: How to properly handle the 'the' in Japanese
The Japanese have stripped "the" down to one or two of a greater number of tasks that the word normally does in English. We know this process as semantic narrowing.
Sorry to say, apologizing in Japanese isn't always such a big deal
From bumping into a stranger to making amends for a past wrong, it's important to know how to apologize in Japanese.
Get in on the talk of the town when Roppongi Art Night begins
With the all-night art festival taking place this weekend, we look at ways to talk about art in Japanese.
Get to work: Conquer the mountain that is a Japanese resume
While creating a Japanese resume may seem daunting, it is more just a matter of filling out the sections correctly — even if your Japanese is already above par.
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.
