Useful Japanese Lessons

なければならない (nakereba naranai)is used to express an obligation to do something. It means “must, “have to,” or “should” in English. For example, “I have to do my homework” or “I must study for the test tonight.” It also means “has to” when talking about someone else. For example, “She has to finish up her work.” … Read more

さすが (sasuga) has many uses in Japanese. It generally means: As one would expect. / Just as you’d expected. Compliment (That’s awesome. That’s great. I’m proud of you. Amazing.) さすが (sasuga) is an adverb used to express surprise and admiration for something we expected that then came true. It’s like saying, “I knew you would … Read more

Depending on how it’s used, もう (mō) and まだ (mada) can have different meanings. Generally, they can have the following meanings: もう (mō) can mean: already, not anymore, again, soon, almost certain, or even “come on!”    まだ（mada) means “not yet” or “still.” What is もう(Mō) in Japanese?  もう(mō) is an adverb that can mean “already, soon, … Read more

You hear the word どうも (dōmo) all the time in Japan. どうも (dōmo) has many different meanings. It can be used as: an adverb to emphasize feelings of appreciation and gratitude.  an adverb to emphasize feelings of apology. a greeting, “hi,” “hey,” or “hello.” a casual way of saying “thank you,” like “thanks.” sorry well … Read more

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

“お久しぶり！ (ohisashiburi!)” or “久しぶり！ (hisashiburi!)” is a common Japanese greeting that is said whenever you haven’t seen someone in a long time. This short but convenient phrase is equivalent to English phrases like “long time no see!” or “it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”  Let’s take a look at how to … Read more

Have you ever been in a situation you couldn’t control, and the only thing you could do was accept it? Or how about a situation where you wanted something very badly? I bet you probably experienced both of these situations in your lifetime. In these situations, the phrase しょうがない (shōganai) might really come in handy.  … Read more

“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

The “buzzwords award” started in Japan in 1984, and since then, the “words of the year” get announced at the end of each year. Most words are fads, but some words have become a part of Japanese vocabulary.  1. 激辛 (Gekikara) – 1986: Extremely Spicy 激 (geki) means very/extremely. 辛い (karai) means hot/spicy. This word … Read more

The sun. The source of life and even considered a god among many cultures. Japanese culture also values the sun. When written in kanji, “Japan” uses a character to reference the sun: 日本 (Nihon/Nippon). This kanji translates to “origin of the sun.”    Let’s discover how to say sun in Japanese, along with related words and … Read more

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

Most beginner Japanese classes teach you “konnichi wa” or “ogenki desu ka” as ways to greet people, but would you use that in casual conversations with friends? What if you want to play it cool and toss out a casual “‘sup” to your friends instead?  We have just the solution to your problem.  “What’s up” … Read more

If you are in serious trouble, you can ask for help using the phrase 助けて (tasukete). 助けて (tasukete) means “help!” or “save (me)!” in Japanese.  Example:  誰か、助けて！(Dare ka, tasukete!)Somebody help me! However, you need to be careful when you use this word, as it might not be appropriate in some situations. 助けて (Tasukete): The Basics 助けて(tasukete) … Read more

Japanese girl names changed a lot with the times. In this list, you’ll find some of the most common, popular, and even unconventional Japanese names for girls.   Common Japanese Girl Names Japanese girl names often use the kanji characters 子 (ko) or 美 (mi / yoshi). The direct translation of 子 is “child.” However, using … Read more

The moon is full of symbolism, relevant to any culture in the world, and Japanese culture is no exception. In this article, you will discover how to say moon in Japanese, related words, and much more. Let’s dive into it! How to Say Moon in Japanese: 月 (Tsuki)  月 (tsuki) means “moon” in Japanese. It … Read more

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

In Japanese, 欲しい (hoshii) means “to want” and is used when:  you want a physical object (noun) you want someone else (a third person) to do something for you.  Using 欲しい (Hoshii) with Nouns: I Want ~ When you express your desire to have a physical object, you need to use 欲しい with a noun.  … Read more

Poop. Everyone does it, but nobody talks about it. Or at least, not often. Even so, there are times you might need or want to speak about poop, whether at the doctor or joking with friends. But which term should you use?  1. うんこ (Unko):  Poop, Feces うんこ (unko) means “poop.” You can use うんこ … Read more

Names reflect the times and the era. Here are some common 2022 Japanese names for boys. Common Japanese Boys’ Names Just as in all countries, there are countless Japanese names in Japan. Here are some common Japanese names for boys in the last decade. 1. Hiroshi The basic feeling of Hiroshi is “big” or “vast.” … Read more

Flowers play an essential role in the culture of Japan. Every spring, people in Japan enjoy hanami, or cherry blossom viewing.  Ikebana is the beautiful art of flower arrangement. Gardening is also a popular hobby among many.   This article will teach you how to say flower in Japanese and useful phrases and expressions related to … Read more

Have you ever daydreamed about introducing yourself in Japanese? Maybe you are thinking about getting a job, making friends, or even mustering up the courage to talk to a Japanese person? Or perhaps you are still learning the basics or want to advance, and it is all a bit confusing. Never fear, your guide is … Read more

These 100 Japanese phrases are a great starting point for communicating with people from Japan. Knowing these common phrases can help you while traveling, working, or even making friends in Japan. Even advanced students of Japanese may pick up a thing or two from this list! Self-Introduction Key Phrases If you work or go to … Read more

One of the most common English phrases used when replying to someone is “no problem.” This is quite a popular phrase in Japanese, too. There are many different ways to say “no problem” in Japanese, depending on the situation you are in. Many of the Japanese terms in this article are commonly used to respond … Read more

There are many ways to say “because” in Japanese. One way is 何故なら (nazenara); however, 何故なら may be a bit too formal for everyday conversations. 何故なら (nazenara) is more useful in writing.  In casual conversation among friends or family, Japanese people use other words like だから (dakara), なので (nanode), or ということで (to iu koto de). … Read more

おいしい (oishii): delicious, yummy, tasty: can also mean attractive, favorable, or convenient The most common use for oishii in Japanese is to describe food or drinks. When you enjoy the food you just ate, you can say it’s “oishii!” However, there are other ways to use this term. Let’s see how.   Writing Oishii in Kanji … Read more

They say there’s nothing better than sliced bread, but as far as Japan is concerned, there’s nothing better than freshly cooked rice! Rice is a food staple of Japan, and it is perhaps the most essential part of Japanese cuisine and food culture. Historically, Japanese people would eat rice with every meal – and many … Read more

The Most Common Ways to Say Stop in Japanese If we want to describe things stopping in English, there’s not much we need to know beyond the word “stop” and its conjugations. However, in Japanese, it’s a bit more complicated.  You will use different words depending on what is stopping, how it’s being stopped, and … Read more

The simplest way to ask “are you okay?” in Japanese is 大丈夫ですか？ (daijōbu desu ka?) Although you can use this phrase in most cases, there are a few other ways to ask if someone is okay. This article will look at different ways to say “are you okay?” in Japanese.  How to Say “Are You … Read more

Winter plays an important part in Japanese culture, and the amount of winter-related words in the language reflects that well. In this article, we’ll cover all the essential vocab you’ll need to talk about winter in Japanese, from weather to holidays to food and activities! Whether you’re here to learn the basics or brush up … Read more