Exploring the origins of kanji is a fine science
Many of us learn kanji by associating them with the pictographs on which they were originally based. What happens when scholars dispute those commonly held associations?
You can count on 'zutsu' to help with dividing up your Japanese study tasks
A grammar lesson goes over each and every aspect of the particle "zutsu," which is used to indicate both quantity and degree.
Complaint calls over virus-related scams top 10,000 in Japan
A Kyodo news article looks at a rash of scams that are targeting those worried about the outbreak of COVID-19.
Outlook uncertain for Japanese-language exams
Japanese-language exams are in an uncertain state due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus around the world. Your Japanese study doesn't need to stop, though.
Expressing a sense of degree with 'kurai'
The particle "kurai" is very helpful in trying to illustrate the degree of something happening, though translating it isn't as straightforward as you'd think.
Japan post suspends delivery of international mail due to pandemic
According to a Kyodo story that outlines vocabulary related to postal services, Japan Post can't guarantee the delivery of international mail due to a disruption in airline travel.
COVID-19 spurs debate over loanwords
During her March 25 news conference, which was held to address a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases in the capital, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike used visual aids and a script filled with foreign loanwords to convince residents that they should stay at home so ...
What to do when a Japanese word shows signs of needing 'meku' attached to it
Attaching the verb "meku" to certain Japanese words can emphasize the idea of showing signs of something or appearing to look like something.
Let's look at some business terms via a Japanese news article about a rise in sales at convenience stores during the early days of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Cancellations, postponements, suspensions — words that define the times
March was a month of cancelled classes, postponed planes and sudden suspensions. Let's take a deeper look at the ways we express delays.
The Japanese words used to encourage self-restraint
As concern over the new coronavirus increases so does a Japanese learner's vocabulary. Get to know the words that are most commonly being used in news stories about the outbreak.
The 'ni ataranai' structure is actually a grammar point that's worth learning
The terms "ni(wa) ataranai" and "made mo nai/naku" point out things that aren't worth doing, but they have slightly different nuances.
