When you study Japanese, one of the first phrases you will often hear is お疲れ様 (otsukaresama). This phrase appears everywhere in Japanese daily life. A direct translation might be “You must be tired,” but in reality, the meaning is much more flexible.
expression
Published: 2025/8/31
The Japanese verb 「つける」(Tsukeru) is highly versatile. We will explore the main categories in order of frequency of use.
expression
Published: 2025/8/31
Looking for a natural way to say “the complete opposite” in Japanese? The modern word magyaku (真逆) is widely used in casual and written language today—but it wasn't always that way. In this article, you'll learn what magyaku means, how it's formed, why it sounds so striking, and how its usage has shifted across generations.
expression
Published: 2025/8/29
When studying Japanese, one small word appears again and again: the particle 「と」. You will find it in sentences like pan to miruku (bread and milk), tomodachi to hanasu (to talk with a friend), or ashita iku to iimashita (he said he will go tomorrow). It looks simple, but its uses are surprisingly wide and varied.
grammar
Published: 2025/8/28 （Updated: 2025/9/1）
If you're learning Japanese, chances are you've come across many Japanese names—whether in anime, dramas, news, or from your Japanese friends.
expression
Published: 2025/8/26
Japanese pronunciation might look simple at first, but for English speakers, vowels can be surprisingly tricky. The good news is: Japanese vowels follow very clear rules. Once you learn them, your Japanese will sound much more natural.
expression
Published: 2025/8/24
If you're learning Japanese, you’ve probably heard that “わたし (watashi)” means “I.” But wait — have you also heard ぼく (boku), おれ (ore), あたし (atashi), うち (uchi), 自分 (jibun)? Yes, they all mean “I”, but each has its own unique tone, image, and context. Your gender, age, region, and relationship with the listener can all affect which one sounds natural. Let’s explore six commonly used Japanese first-person pronouns with examples and context, and also introduce a few fun, old-school expressions you might hear in anime or novels.
expression
Published: 2025/8/24
In this article, we’ll look only at cases where there’s a single clear answer—no “both are fine” situations. That way, you’ll build a strong foundation before tackling the gray areas. At the end, you can test yourself with a short quiz!
grammar
Published: 2025/8/23 （Updated: 2025/9/21）
If you've ever talked with native Japanese speakers, you've probably heard the word “mendokusai”. It doesn’t usually appear in textbooks, but it’s a word Japanese people use all the time in everyday life. So what does it mean, and how can you use it naturally? In this article, we’ll break it down with real examples and helpful tips!
expression
Published: 2025/8/19 （Updated: 2025/8/19）
