This list contains 100 popular boys’ and girls’ names in North America (mainly the USA). Due to this, the Japanese translation listed in this guide uses the “standard” pronunciation found in the USA. For example, in the USA, “Michael” is pronounced as “My-kul,” but can also be pronounced as “Mee-kel,” “Mee-shell,” or “Mee-chai-el.” We will … Read more
Language is a reflection of culture, and Japanese is no exception. In Japanese, expressing beauty is an art, with a rich vocabulary to describe various levels of attractiveness. However, it’s equally important to know how to convey the opposite: ugliness. In this article, we’ll explore the nuanced ways to say “ugly” in Japanese and delve … Read more
Asking someone, “How old are you?” seems simple enough, but it is a little more complicated in Japanese. There are different ways to ask someone their age, depending on the situation. Knowing how to answer this question properly is also important. So, let’s jump right into the different ways to ask, “How old are you?” … Read more
“What are you doing?” is one of the fundamental and common questions you’ll use in Japanese. However, using it naturally in Japanese can be a little complicated. Not to worry! This guide will show you how to use this question naturally in different situations. In Japanese, it is essential to adjust the politeness/formality of your … Read more
Have you tried practicing lines out of a Japanese textbook only to get blank stares from native speakers? As you may already know, the material in textbooks can sound stiff and unnatural. Take a look at the following two examples; which do you think sounds more natural? 1a. 私はお酒を飲みに行きました。すごく楽しかったです。 (Watashi wa osake o nomi ni … Read more
People have always been fascinated by pseudosciences such as astrology, tarot cards, and personality typing. The Japanese are no different. In addition to regular fortune telling, personality typing by blood types, and palm reading, zodiacs are especially popular in Japan. There are two prevailing zodiac systems in Japan; one is the traditional Chinese zodiac, which … Read more
Have you had a dream recently? Was it a good dream or a nightmare? The word for “dream” in Japanese is “夢 (yume),” but there are several types of dreams. This guide will teach you words and expressions for different types of dreams and nightmares in Japanese. Some terms in this guide express things that … Read more
やった (yatta) has a few meanings, but one that you might have heard before is, “I did it!” In Japan, school starts in April, but before that, most students must pass the entrance exam to enter high school or a university. They study very hard, with some students going to cram school until late at … Read more
Working in Japan can be very difficult. Many people work long hours and even have to work on the weekends. Karōshi (death by overwork) is a real thing in Japan. At the very least, business owners, company workers, and even students work hard and can get very tired. Here’s how native Japanese speakers express their … Read more
Don’t you think it’s true that laughter is one of the most important things in our life? Check out this Japanese proverb: 笑う門には福来たる (Warau kado ni wa fuku kitaru)Laughter will bring luck. / Fortune comes to those who laugh/smile Let’s break this down: The Standard Way to Say Laugh in Japanese There are a variety of … Read more