Satoko Kakihara

An overhead shot of three people (only their hands are visible) at a desk with a laptop and papers on in. The men appear to be talking about business with each other.

What Is Kaizen in Japanese, and How Is It Useful?

August 2, 2021 by Satoko Kakihara

Back in January, I set a bunch of goals for the year 2021 to reclaim my life after 2020. But with the year more than halfway over, I want to pause and reassess my progress toward accomplishing those goals. In Japan, there is a tried-and-true method for achieving better results and higher productivity: kaizen, meaning, … Read more

An image of a man (only his torso is visable) wearing a suit and tie holding a red balloon. There are buildings in the background and a comic speech bubble that has text that reads, "LET'S PARTY"

How to Use the Volitional Form in Japanese

July 15, 2021 by Satoko Kakihara

The volitional form of a verb in Japanese expresses an invitation or suggestion. In English, the volitional form is often translated as “let’s ~,” suggesting an action that involves the listener in some way. The volitional form also expresses one’s will or intention when referring to an action done by the speaker (but that does … Read more

A low table in a tatami style Japanese room with chairs that sit directly on the ground. On the table are three meals made up a different dishes like salmon, egg, and assorted vegetables.

How To Say Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Japanese Naturally

June 26, 2021 by Satoko Kakihara

You’ve probably heard different words to refer to the various meals of the day in Japanese. But how do they differ? Read below to learn what words work better in what situations! Breakfast in Japanese Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that applies in Japan too. While fewer folks nowadays eat the … Read more

The Himeji Castle seen from afar, with the surrounding landscape and sky visible all around. There is text in it that reads, "The Sou Form in Japanese: It Looks Like ~ I Hear That ~"

Using the Sou Form in Japanese: It Seems/Looks Like ~/ I Hear That ~

November 10, 2021June 12, 2021 by Satoko Kakihara

The 〜そう (~sou) suffix expresses two different things: It seems/looks (like) I hear (that). Let’s take a look at how it’s used. Sou Meaning #1: It Seems/Looks (Like) ~ “It looks/seems (like)” using 〜そう expresses the speaker’s impression or opinion based on visual cues. For this usage, 〜そう can be attached to verbs and adjectives. … Read more

A group of business people (4 men and 2 women) talking to each other. The two women are talking in one group, and the 4 men are talking in their own group.

Sou in Japanese: One Of the Most Useful Words You’ll Learn

December 16, 2021May 21, 2021 by Satoko Kakihara

We use そうです (sou desu) and its variations to confirm or ask about the way things are. Related to the demonstrative pronouns これ (kore)、それ (sore)、あれ (are)、and どれ (dore)、the word そう (sou) means “that.” The various forms of そうです (sou desu = (things are/in) that way) are used in many ways, in formal and casual registers, … Read more

A silhouette of a Japanese gate and a samurai sitting on his knees holding a sword. The title reads, "The Causative Form in Japanese: A Detailed Guide"

Japanese Causative Form: A Detailed Guide

July 22, 2022April 23, 2021 by Satoko Kakihara

Imagine that you’re a genius high school student who is the vice president of the school council. You have a crush on the council president, but you can’t confess your feelings because that would mean admitting that you liked them first, making you the loser in the relationship! But what do you do if you … Read more