Naoko Kimura

Born in Osaka, Japan, but now resides in the Middle East. Naoko has been living in the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye) for more than 14 years. Speaks Japanese, English, Levantine Arabic, and Turkish. Naoko works as a freelance writer for a Japanese online newspaper and teaches the Japanese language. Moved by her passion for the breathtaking scenery of the Middle East, she has been promoting tourism in the Middle East as a tour consultant/coordinator for more than ten years.

A small, white, rectangular piece of paper with the words, “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” written on it. This paper is stuck to a corkboard with a red pushpin.

Using まじ (Maji) and まじで (Maji De) Naturally in Japanese

June 22, 2023May 17, 2023 by Naoko Kimura

美月：この味、マジやばい～。美味しすぎる!Mitsuki: (Kono aji, maji yabai~. Oishi sugiru!)Mitsuki: This tastes absolutely incredible! So good! 雪子：確かに、これはマジでくせになるね。Yukiko: (Tashika ni, kore wa maji de kuse ni naru ne.)Yukiko: Absolutely, this is seriously addictive. What Does まじ (Maji) and まじで (Maji De) Mean? まじ (maji) and まじで (maji de) are interchangeable in many cases. They both can mean: まじ (Maji) … Read more

A strip of red and white checkered cloth on top of a wooden surface. On top of this strip of cloth at the top are two red and black ladybug figures. Below this is a white card with the text, Good Luck!” on it. On top of this white card is a stem of a plant being clipped by a small clothespin. This stem has a flower at the top with black and green petals.

How to Say Good Luck in Japanese: 4 Different Ways

September 3, 2022 by Naoko Kimura

The most common way to wish someone good luck in Japanese is “頑張って(ね) (ganbatte (ne)).” However, “頑張って(ね) (ganbatte (ne)) doesn’t exactly translate to “good luck” in English but is very commonly used in Japanese. We’ll cover other ways to say “good luck” in Japanese in this article, but “頑張って(ね) (ganbatte (ne)) is by far the … Read more

A young couple embracing one another. The woman on the left has her arms wrapped around the man’s neck, while the man to the right has his arms wrapped around her back. Their faces are close to each other as if about to kiss. Blurry buildings can be seen in the background.

How to Say I Miss You in Japanese: 3 Natural Ways

August 24, 2022 by Naoko Kimura

“I miss you” is such a versatile expression in English. You can use it with friends, family, or a significant other. I wish we had this expression in Japanese! Unfortunately, there is no exact translation in Japanese. However, there are ways to say it with a similar nuance in Japanese. This guide will teach you … Read more

A red heart that is on a blackish-grayish blackboard type of background. On the blackboard in white chalk, a EKG line is drawn from the left side of the heart, extending to the right side of the heart. In front of the heart, a white, curvy line is overlaid on it and connects to the two white, chalk lines on the left and right side of the heart. This makes it appear as if the white EKG line is one solid line that is running above the red heart.

What Does Doki Doki in Japanese Mean?

July 30, 2022 by Naoko Kimura

ドキドキ (doki doki) is used to express emotions such as nervousness, excitement, expectation, surprise, and so on. It describes the condition of your heart beating faster than usual. What Is ドキドキ (Doki Doki)? ドキドキ (doki doki) is an onomatopoeia, the Japanese sound for a “heart beating fast.” Doki doki is the perfect expression to describe … Read more

A close-up image of a young businesswoman holding up a smartphone to her ear.

What Does Moshi Moshi Mean in Japanese? Does It Really Mean “Hello?”

July 16, 2022July 8, 2022 by Naoko Kimura

Using もしもし (Moshi Moshi): Saying Hello on the Phone In Japan, もしもし (moshi moshi) is commonly used when some answers the phone. It is equivalent to saying “hello” in English. However, moshi moshi is only used over the phone. もしもし is one of the first Japanese expressions many students learn. Anytime you answer the phone in … Read more