There are multiple ways to string verb phrases together in Japanese, one of which is by using the て (te)-form. The て-form is used to comprehensively list the actions of someone or something like: 夜ご飯を食べて寝た。(Yoru gohan o tabete neta.) I ate dinner and slept. Another grammar point can also be used to make a list: … Read more
The general way to refer to yourself in Japanese is by using the word 私 (watashi). While this is the most common way to say “I” in Japanese, there are many more words to indicate I, my, or me. It depends on your personality, your gender identity, your age, and the context in which you’re … Read more
The Japanese word for “boy” is 男子(danshi). There are several other words for boy that depend on the person’s age and life phase in question. In this article, we’ll cover the different ways to say boy in Japanese and when and how to use them. Be sure to check out our free resources to learn … Read more
Happy birthday in Japanese is 誕生日おめでとう (tanjoubi omedetou). Birthday celebrations in Japan are quieter and more personal than they are in other countries, but Japanese people do extend birthday wishes and cards. Several Japanese birthdays are considered to be extra special. In this article, we’ll cover the two major ways to say happy birthday in … Read more
While the standard textbook definition for you in Japanese is あなた (anata), this pronoun is highly nuanced and depends on the situation and to whom you speak. This can be difficult to master, but this article will teach you how Japanese people say you naturally and discuss the most common Japanese words for the pronoun. … Read more
You need to learn thousands of core vocabulary words to be fluent in Japanese. This is a daunting task; it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the only way to learn that much vocabulary is to memorize it. Enter iKnow. While iKnow is one among a handful of successful vocabulary apps that have risen … Read more
Did you know that it’s possible to learn Japanese for free? All you need is an internet connection, some note-taking tools, and the desire to study. In this article, we’ll share the best resources for learning Japanese—completely free of charge! If you want more, check out our complete list of learning Japanese resources. Free Resources … Read more
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. This means that if you click and purchase something, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) to help support this site. Learn more Back in 2005, I went on a vacation to Japan for the first time. I took basic Japanese classes before, but I … Read more
There are two ways to say “please” in Japanese: ください（Kudasai）– often used when requesting an action or a specific object. お願いします（Onegai shimasu）– a slightly more polite word used when asking for a service or favor. Both words are acceptable in polite conversation. Depending on the sentence structure and the situation, one might be better than … Read more
