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.
Trying to cool down without the air conditioning? Look to Kyoto and Brisbane for some ideas.
Temperatures are up and that means a lot of us are trying anything to beat the heat.
Cherry blossoms, cranes and the language of Japanese symbols
The bald eagle of the United States and the orchids of China have deeper meanings in their respective cultures. What items do the Japanese give symbolic weight to?
A shocking incident provides an unexpected language lesson
When former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed this month, the Western media called it an “assassination.” So why did the Japanese media avoid the term?
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.
Summer's here. It's time to find the perfect fit for your first yukata.
It’s the season for festivals and fireworks displays, which is the perfect time to wear yukata, a lighter and more versatile version of kimono. Here's how to shop for your first yukata with confidence.
These senbei are making me thirsty! How ‘Seinfeld’ sounds in Japanese
Japanese students have been using “Seinfeld” on Netflix to bone up on their conversational English. Does the joke land when it’s the other way around?
Getting ‘hai’ is more difficult than you think
It’s a simple word but sometimes using a well-placed “hai” is all it takes to facilitate a good conversation in Japanese.
Running your work ideas through a nemawashi cycle
Don’t go into a meeting with your guns blazing. In Japan, you need to do a lot of preparation in advance so that things will go smoothly.
Looking to make an escape in Japanese? You'll need to know your kanji.
As the war in Ukraine looks far from over, there is no shortage of discussions on how to “get out” of such a dangerous situation. Here’s a closer look at some escape-related terms.
Returning a pencil, returning to work and the return of Okinawa
Last month marked the 50th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japanese control. But the word used for "return" in this case wasn't the same as what you'd use to "return" a pencil.
Da trouble with da, the less formal cousin of desu
The simple "da" in Japanese isn't so simple when you delve into the purposes it serves and the ways in you should be using it correctly.
