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Useful Japanese Lessons Archive

A young girl on a bicycle being held by her mom. She is kissing her mom on the cheek.

How Do You Say Mother in Japanese?

November 8, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
The “general” Japanese word for mother is お母さん (okaasan). However, there are many different ways to say mother …
Two young Asian woman standing next to each other, looking at the camera and giving the "okay" gesture with their hand.

What Does Daijoubu Mean in Japanese?

October 26, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
The word 大丈夫 (daijoubu) means certainly, undoubtedly, alright, okay, problem-free. If you want learn how to speak Japanese quickly, …
A blackboard with the text, "What do you want?" written on it in different colors (pink, yellow, blue, yellow).

Tai Form: Expressing Desire in Japanese

October 26, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
In Japanese, the ~たい(-tai)form is used to express desire. When a verb is conjugated using the -tai form, …
An Asian woman dressed in a Japanese kimono standing in front of a Japanese style entrance, with her hands gesturing to the entrance to welcome someone.

Natural Japanese Expressions: Ittekimasu, Itterasshai, Tadaima and Okaerinasai

October 16, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Whether you’re settling into your Japanese homestay, trying to fit in better at the office, or just wanting to make some …

What Does Sugoi Mean in Japanese?

October 11, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
The word すごい (sugoi) is very popular, even among people who don’t know a lot of Japanese.  Sugoi has two …
A small rectangular chalkboard with the words, "LEARN JAPAENSE" written on it in white chalk. Behind the chalkboard are a stack of books. In front of it is an alarm clock, paper rolled into a tube. a pen, and a ruler. On the right side is a pencil holder with pencils in it.

The Complete Guide to Learning Japanese

September 28, 2020 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
This complete guide to learning Japanese will go into detail of how and what to study. Most traditional …
A traditional Japanese room with tatami style mats, with the door open that looks out into a green Japanese garden. In the center is an elderly Asian man and woman seated on a cushion on their knees, with a black table between them. The woman is pouring the man a cup of tea.

Itadakimasu and Gochisousama Deshita: Being Polite in Japan

September 24, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
If you’ve watched anime or other Japanese media, you’ve probably heard the phrases いただきます(itadakimasu) and ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita). …
An open note book with a the text "13 Amazingly Useful Japanese Words" written on the left page, with a paper with a red circle on the right page. A pen is resting on top of the left page.

13 Amazingly Useful Japanese Words

September 18, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
If you’re studying Japanese, then you know it can be a tricky language. However, it can also be …
An illustration of a pink Mt. Fuji, a red sun, cherry blossoms, a golden monkey and cut bamboo. A white crane is also flying in the sky. The title "Conjugating Japanese Adjectives" is written in black in the center of the image.

Conjugating Japanese Adjectives: It’s Easier Than You Think!

August 21, 2020 • Kristen Wolter • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Adjectives are words that are used to describe things. They play a vital role in increasing your language …
A young Asian man wearing glasses sitting down with headphones on his head. He also is tangled in a bunch of wires, and is biting down of them to express frustration.

The Many Meanings of Yabai in Japanese

August 11, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
The word ヤバい (yabai) is used so often by young Japanese people that many of them might struggle …
A silhouette of a traditionally dressed Japanese woman sitting on her knees bowing to the right. On the left, the silhouette of a tree with its sparse branches, and a teapot on the ground. The sun is in the background, partially covered by a cloud. Three birds can also be seen flying in the background.

Understanding Japanese Keigo: The Honorific Language of Japan

August 4, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Keigo is considered one of the more challenging aspects of studying Japanese. Its three-tier system of honorific levels …
A Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossom) flower pattern on top of a white background. The Title "Japanese Past Tense Verbs: A Complete Guide" is written in the center. Colors: Japanese - Red, Past Tense Verbs = Black, A Complete Guide = Pink

Mastering Japanese Past Tense Verbs

August 1, 2020 • Kristen Wolter • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Once you’ve mastered present tense verb conjugations, what comes next? Now you’re ready to take your skills to …
Vertical strips of colored paper (from left to right: purple, dark blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, and red) to for a rainbow pattern

Learn the Colors in Japanese: A Complete Guide

July 25, 2020 • Kristen Wolter • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Colors add detail and texture to your words and paint an image in your listeners’ minds. Learning the …
An illustration of a green forest with a stream running through it, with the text that says, "21 Cool Japanese Words That Are Hauntingly Beautiful."

21 Cool Japanese Words That Are Hauntingly Beautiful

July 25, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Some Japanese words are so succinct and deeply ingrained in Japan’s culture that they can’t be easily translated. …
Young and Cute Japanese girl teaching how to say "My hobby is ~." in Japanese.

Japanesepod101 Discounts and Coupon Codes

July 20, 2020 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
  Japanesepod101 is the best program I have used to learn natural Japanese.  Not only is there a …
Two young Asian girls dressed in a Japanese kimono (one blue and the other purple) looking at a cherry blossom or plum tree branch with flowers..

How to Say Beautiful in Japanese Naturally

July 12, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Say you’re watching the sun setting behind Mt. Fuji. How do you tell your Japanese friend that the …
A picture of an young anime girl character with red hair (side view of her face). She is looking to the right, where the title is displayed (なるほど Naruhodo in Japanese)

What is Naruhodo in Japanese, and How Is It Used?

July 6, 2020 • Rachel Hagiwara • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Japanese speakers often use the word Naruhodo(なるほど) in everyday conversation.  Learning how to use naruhodo correctly can make …
A cute, young, Asian girl holding a half an orange in her right hand and showing the number one with her pointer finger on her left hand

The Most Useful Japanese Counters You Need to Know

July 3, 2020 • Erin Himeno • 1 Comment • Useful Japanese Lessons
Along with kanji and onomatopoeia, counting is an element of Japanese that seems daunting due to the sheer …
A cute rabbit and cat statue praying pose on the grass

10 Ways to Say You’re Welcome in Japanese

June 13, 2020 • Erin Himeno • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Learning Japanese can be daunting. It is a language with three levels of formality depending on social standing …
Someone's hand is seen holding a folded up stethoscope.

Japanese Phrases for the Doctor’s Office

May 6, 2020 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
If you need to visit a doctor in Japan, you might run into some difficulties when communicating.  While …
A collage of the Miyajima Toori gate, a Shinto priest with his fingers touching his head, and some sort of alter, with mountains in the background. The image has tints of yellow and purple over it.

Shinto: A Look Into the Religion of Japan

January 27, 2020 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Shinto, which means “the way of the Gods” or “Kami” (spirits), as they are referred to, is the …
A big Buddha statue in Japan. This statue shows the Buddha sitting down and meditating.

Buddhism: A Look Into the Beliefs, Practices & History 

January 19, 2020 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Buddhism is an exercise in spiritual development. The ultimate aim is achieving enlightenment through the practices of meditation …
An illustration of a young boy and girl smiling, with Japanese characters all around them. The text on this illustration reads, "An Introduction to Japanese Particles."

An Introduction to Japanese Particles: (は, が, に, へ, で, を)

April 7, 2019 • TheTrueJapan • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Japanese particles are among the most fascinating and important to your understanding of the language. Particles are suffixes …
An illustration of a boy and girl on top of an open book. In the book, the headline, "The TE form in Japanese A complete GUIDE" can be seen.

Japanese Te Form: A Complete Guide

February 27, 2019 • Kevin • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Te-Form, Part I: Putting It All Together How do you go from the short, choppy sentences found in …
An illustration of a boy and girl in a park, with the girl pointing to a sign that says, "JAPANESE PARTICLES: WA VS GA."

Japanese Particles: Wa vs Ga

February 27, 2019 • Kevin • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Wa and Ga: A Tale of Two Particles When I started learning Japanese way back in 2002, my …
An illustration of a boy and girl standing beneath a title that reads, "JAPANESE VERBS: A Beginner's Guide to Conjugation."

Japanese Verbs: A Beginner’s Guide to Conjugation

August 31, 2018 • Dallen Nakamura • 1 Comment • Useful Japanese Lessons
Mastering Japanese verbs is probably one of the most important skills you need to become fluent in Japanese.  …
A young man is see shrugging his shoulders looking confused. Above both of his outstretched hands are illustrations of a thinking comic bubble with an exclamation mark over his right hand, and a question mark over his left.

What Level of the JLPT Should I Take?

August 11, 2018 • Dallen Nakamura • 1 Comment • Useful Japanese Lessons
Are you planning to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) but don’t know which level you should …
How Long Does it Take to Learn Japanese

How Long Does it Take to Learn Japanese?

July 31, 2018 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Everyone who studies Japanese always wants to know how long it will take for them to become fluent, …
How to Learn Japanese Fast

How to Learn Japanese Fast

July 25, 2018 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons
Do want to know how to learn Japanese fast?  How about becoming fluent in 3 months?  Or maybe …
How to Say Thank You in Japanese

How to Say Thank You in Japanese

June 14, 2018 • Yuka Fujiwara • 1 Comment • Useful Japanese Lessons
Planning a trip to Japan? Interested in learning Japanese? Then you have come to the right place. Although …

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