Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

September 16, 2015

Japanese Slang: チンする (Chin Suru), The Sound of a Microwave?

As in other languages, Japanese slangs are important in daily conversations. Today, let’s take a look at one phrase that you can immediately use in your life Microwaving your Bento/FoodWhat did it Originate from?Using it in Casual Conversations Microwaving your Bento/Food Do you often buy prepared meal to warm up with a microwave oven? In […]

September 11, 2015

Japanese slang: Otsubone

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During you learning, knowing some Japanese slangs is a nice and fun way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “otsubone”. The working place is not always kind […]

September 9, 2015

Let's learn how to use the Japanese Word: ぶり (Buri)!

Useful ExpressionsIn a Conversational Setting…How about Hisashiburi (久しぶり/ひさしぶり)? Useful Expressions Expressing the passing time in a foreign language can be quite tricky. Japanese is no exception. So let’s learn a very important and useful expression to convey “for the first time in…”, “It has been – x time – since…” in Japanese! → ５年ぶりに柔道しました。→ Go nen buri […]

September 4, 2015

Japanese Slang: Hamaru

Who has never gone crazy over a new video game, an anime or a new phone? Like children, we can easily be absorbed by an exciting new item or activity. We unknowingly let time pass by when doing this activity, oblivious to our surroundings. Japanese people are no exception to that phenomenon and they too are attracted to […]

September 2, 2015

Japanese Slang: Mattari (Suru) for Chilling Out!

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang mattari (suru)! DefinitionOrigins of MattariConversation Examples Definition Japanese […]

August 26, 2015

Taking Pictures – How to ask for Permission to take Photos in Japanese

Are you wondering if you should know how to ask the permission to take photos in Japanese? When you are in Japan, you will find yourself reaching for your camera more than once. Whether you are facing an interesting scenery, an incredible building, an old town or people, you will want to seize the moment. Concerns […]

August 24, 2015

Japanese Slang : Dekikon

One of the many ways to become more fluent in a foreign language is to study its slangs. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Let’s see today, how you would say “shotgun wedding” in Japanese. Well, with the expression: “dekikon” 「できこん」「でき婚」! This expression describes a wedding that is or was […]

August 21, 2015

What Does Chotto Mean in Japanese?

Some frequently used words convey different meanings according to context, and among them, the Japanese word chotto 「ちょっと」is quite a challenge to master. If you are learning Japanese, you have probably heard this word before. But what is the meaning of chotto? How and when should you use it? 教師：新（あたら）しいうち、見（み）つかった？学生：いいえ、まだです。昨日（きのう）見（み）に行ったけど、家賃（やちん）が９万円だった。教師：ああ、そうか。それはちょっと高（たか）いね。学生：いいえ、ちょっとじゃないです。すごく高（たか）いです。 Teacher: Have you found your new flat?Student: No, not yet. […]

August 19, 2015

Asking to go on a Date with someone in Japanese

We’ve already presented the Japanese slang “nanpa” and “gyakunan” to describe flirting with someone – in particular on the street. This time, let’s get more serious, and develop important words for dating in Japanese. Whether you live in Japan for a short time or for a few years, you never know what might happen. Who […]

August 17, 2015

Japanese Slang: Nanpa Suru and Gyakunan Suru

Picking People up?Where did the Word come from?Usage Examples When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s see how Japanese people […]

August 14, 2015

Common Japanese Mistakes: Pronouns 彼 (Kare) and 彼女 (Kanojo)

「彼」Kare and「彼女」Kanojo「私」Watashi Japanese Personal Pronouns are really hard to get for Japanese learners. In truth, we rarely use them. Not only “I” 「私・watashi」and “you”「あなた・anata」are hard to get, but third person pronouns are also problematic. These include “he”「彼・kare」 and “she” 「彼女・kanojyo」which can typically lead to common Japanese mistakes. 「彼」Kare and「彼女」Kanojo Generally speaking, in the […]

August 12, 2015

Common Japanese Mistakes: Using あなた (Anata) to refer to "You"

Contents: Subject Omission Referring to more than 2 People… Why should I avoid using あなた (Anata)? Subject Omission Japanese is not always easy to use, especially when it comes to identifying the sentence’s subject. A sentence in English always requires a subject, but that’s not the case for the Japanese. In particular, personal pronouns such as […]