Language | WELL SAID Jan 16, 2017
Do not disturb: Mind your 'jamas' and 'shitsureis' as you come and go in Japan
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Introducing two expressions used in formal comings and goings: おじゃまします and 失礼(しつれい)します. ...
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Jan 16, 2017
The Japanese anime film “Your Name.” is now the highest-grossing Japanese movie of all time in China.
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Jan 16, 2017
Some callers just want a ride. Others are lonely and simply want to chat. The problem? They’ve called 119.
Language | WELL SAID Jan 9, 2017
Play down the hype with a so-so phrase
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Jan 9, 2017
Amazon on Dec. 5 unveiled a new kind of retail store, with no cashiers. In the concept store in Seattle, customers start by scanning an app on their smartphones when entering the store, and then they can fill their shopping carts and walk out ...
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Jan 9, 2017
Sixty traditional festivals and dances in 20 prefectures designated by local governments as intangible folk culture assets have been ended or suspended due to declines in population and the aging of rural communities, a survey has found.
Language | BILINGUAL Jan 2, 2017
Japanese is affecting the English lexicon in new ways
by Dan Grunebaum
From "emoji" to "KonMari," the English langauge is getting a pleasant dose of Japanese culture.
Language | WELL SAID Jan 2, 2017
Start your year off with the right Japanese greeting
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Around New Year's Day you'll hear "yoroshiku" a lot, but it's a word that's useful throughout the year.
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Jan 2, 2017
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 26, 2016
2016: The year Japan said 'sayonara' to some sexist terms
by Kaori Shoji
What a year 2016 has been. Recently, a usually frugal girlfriend of mine drained her bank account by moving into a new, swanky apartment, and by buying a bag and shoes from Prada.
Language | WELL SAID Dec 26, 2016
If it's time for a change, it's time for 'kawari ni' or 'kawatte'
by Hitomi Tashiro and Akemi Tanahashi
Today, we will introduce かわりに and かわって, which both indicate an exchange. XかわりにY expresses that someone does Y instead of X. Y is the thing that makes up for X. X is a noun + の or the noun modifying form of a verb ...
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Dec 26, 2016
Thirty-three traditional Japanese festivals have been added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.