Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

November 28, 2022

How to Use Japanese Conditional Form なら (Nara)

なら is a conditional particle. It means something like "if" in English. なら is attached to the sentence which describes the condition where certain events or situations happen.

November 21, 2022

How to Compare Something in Japanese: JLPT N3 Grammar に比べて (Ni Kurabete)

In Japanese grammar, に比べて (ni kurabete) is used to compare things, places, or experiences. After all, comparing something is an action we do all the time, even if it’s just in our minds. How else would you be able to hold up those days when you knew zero Japanese against now when you can have […]

November 18, 2022

Our Review on Learning Japanese with Duolingo

Duolingo is a great learning app because it makes studying Japanese accessible. Here is our our in-depth Duolingo Japanese review.

November 7, 2022

Guide to Past Tense in Japanese

Let’s say you’ve mastered greetings and you have your jikoshoukai or self-introduction down. This means that you can successfully talk about where you’re from, your favorite foods, your hobbies and your interests. When it comes time to tell your coworkers that you did, in fact, watch your favorite movie over the weekend, you find yourself […]

November 2, 2022

Aisatsu: 19 Japanese Greetings for Beginners

A beginner's cheat sheet to all the essential Japanese greetings you need for any context.

November 1, 2022

48 Useful and Basic Japanese Phrases You Need to Know Before Coming to Japan

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If you've recently moved to Japan, knowing all of the most useful and basic Japanese phrases is essential to tackle daily activities. But even if you've been practicing Japanese for a while, the thought of having to talk with a native speaker can be scary.

October 21, 2022

How Do You Use The Japanese Phrase そうです(Sou Desu)?

Why do Japanese people like to use the word そうですね (sou desu ne), そうですよ (sou desu yo), そうですか (sou desu ka) and more? Learn the meaning behind そうですね and why is this an important Japanese phrase?

October 20, 2022

9 Japanese Language Schools in Sydney, Australia

Looking to learn in Sydney, Australia? One of Australia's biggest cities doesn't fall short on Japanese language lessons from beginner to advanced.

September 30, 2022

Japanese Words You Can’t Translate to English

Like any other languashes, in Japanese, there are certain words and phrases that cannot excactly be accurately translated in English. Because of this, it may feel frustrating to capture the right emotion for a specific situation, even as something as saying Ganbatte to wish for someone else to keep it up, when in reality Ganbatte […]

August 16, 2022

Keigo (敬語) and Tameguchi (タメ口): Guide to Casual and Polite Japanese

Japanese casual and polite language varies greatly in relationships depending on how well people know each other and whether each party agrees to be treated in the way they are.

August 3, 2022

Why けど (Kedo) and が (Ga) Doesn’t Just Mean “But”

The conjunctive particle けど is interchangeable with the particle が and has a similar meaning to the English word “but” or “even though”. However, Japanese people like to put けど (kedo) at the end of sentences to sound less confrontational and polite.

July 21, 2022

How to Use Kawaii (かわいい): Japan’s Obsession with Cuteness

Life in Japan

You've probably heard of the Japanese word kawaii, which means lovely, charming, cute and adorable. but what is the kawaii culture, and how does one become kawaii? How do you use かわいい?