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New Year is one of the biggest events in Japan, but talking about it in Japanese is trickier than you might expect. Three words — 正月 (shinnen) — all relate to New Year but they are not interchangeable. Using the wrong one can make your...

Christmas is coming! How do Japanese people celebrate it, and what are the most natural things to say? Christmas in Japan is quite different from the West — it's more of a romantic date night than a family holiday! Let me teach you all t...

I want to compliment my Japanese male friend but I'm not sure what to say. かっこいい feels too basic! There are so many great compliments for men in Japanese! Beyond かっこいい, you can comment on their skills, character, and presence. ...

My Japanese friend keeps saying いいね！about everything. Is it just like the social media 'like' button, or does it mean more? いいね is so much more versatile than a social media like! It's one of the most natural and common expression...

I've seen 生活 used in so many contexts — daily life, lifestyle, living conditions. How do I know which meaning applies? 生活 is one of those rich Japanese words that covers everyday living in all its forms! The context makes the meaning...

I want to tell my friend 'You've really grown!' in Japanese. Is 成長 the right word? Yes! 成長 is perfect for that. It covers growth in many senses — physical, mental, personal development. Let me show you all the patterns! 成長（せいち...

I want to congratulate my friend on their success in Japanese. What's the best way? 成功 and 成功する are exactly what you need! There are also some great set phrases for congratulating someone. Let me walk you through it all! 成功（せい...

My boss said 責任を取れ to me. What exactly does that mean? Is it really serious? Yes, 責任を取る means to take responsibility for something — it's a serious phrase, often used in work or when something went wrong. Let me explain the ful...

When I get a quiz question right in Japanese class, what should I say? And how do I say the opposite — wrong answer? Great timing! 正解 (seikai) means 'correct answer' and it's used in so many situations beyond just tests. Let me show yo...

I know some personality words like 優しい and 厳しい, but I want to describe more complex personalities. What other words can I use? Japanese has a rich vocabulary for personality! This is Part 2 — we'll cover words for ambition, reliabi...