Start Learning Japanese– category –

One of the fastest ways to connect with Japanese people is to talk about what you love. Whether it is music, food, travel, or a person, Japanese gives you a whole spectrum of words for "like" and "favourite" — from the everyday 好り (oki...

You are sitting in a cafe in Tokyo and your friend says something you don't understand. Your instinct is to say "just Google it!" — but how do you say that in Japanese? The answer is one slick little verb: ググる (guguru). It's one of th...

You are standing in a busy station in Tokyo and realize you do not have your phone. You need to ask someone the time. You know 今何時ですか from your textbook, but is that the most natural way to ask? And how do native speakers actually ...

You probably know 学生 (shakaijin). Literally meaning "a person of society," it describes someone who has left school and joined the working world — and in Japan that transition carries real weight. Understanding this word helps you gras...

If you have ever tried to follow a Japanese conversation about school life, you may have noticed that people rarely say "seventh grade" the way textbooks do. Instead they say 中1 — compact, casual shortforms that every native speaker use...

At a Glance ExpressionReadingMeaning 趣味は〜ですshumi wa ~ desuMy hobby is ~ 〜にハマっている~ ni hamatte iruI'm into ~ / hooked on ~ 〜が好きです~ ga suki desuI like ~ 〜に興味があります~ ni kyoumi ga arimasuI'm interested in ~ One of ...

One of the most natural conversation topics when meeting new people in Japan is where you are from. Whether you are at a language exchange, a work orientation, or just chatting with a new acquaintance, knowing how to talk about your home...

At a Glance WordReadingMeaning 週末shuumatsuweekend 土日donichiSaturday and Sunday (casual) 休日kyuujitsuday off / holiday 連休renkyuuconsecutive days off "週末、何してた？" — "What did you do on the weekend?" This is one of the most com...

One of the first things you will be asked to do in Japan — whether filling in a form, checking into a hotel, or introducing yourself in class — is write your name. But your name in Japanese is not just a translation: it follows a specifi...

At a Glance ExpressionReadingMeaning しっくりくるshikkuri kurufeels right, fits perfectly, clicks しっくりこないshikkuri konaidoesn't feel right, feels off ぴったりpittarifits exactly (more objective) なじむ / 馴染むnajimuto blend in, to...