Start Learning Japanese– category –
New to Japanese? Start here. Beginner guides covering the learning path, kana, numbers, basic phrases, and core grammar. See /how-to-start-learning-japanese/ for a curated starting point.
-
16 Examples of “食べる”(To eat): You’d Be Using
I know 食べる means 'to eat,' but I've seen it used in so many different ways beyond just 'eat food.' Is there more to it? 食べる is richer than you think! Beyond the literal meaning, it appears in set expressions, idioms, and patterns t... -
Ready for Fluency? What’s the meaning of キャラが立つ?
I heard someone say キャラが立つ about a TV personality. I know キャラ means character, but what does it mean for a character to 'stand'? Great question! キャラが立つ is a Japanese expression meaning a character or person has a strong, d... -
By Using たっぷり, It Sounds Native Japanese Speakers
I've heard Japanese people say たっぷり a lot but I'm not sure exactly what it means or how to use it! たっぷり is a great word! It means 'plenty of' or 'more than enough' — with a sense of generous abundance. Once you learn it, you'll s... -
Why Haven’t You Been Using 経つ While Talking?
I know 立つ means 'to stand,' but I've also seen 経つ with the same reading. What does 経つ mean? Great distinction! 経つ (tatsu) means 'time passes' — it's all about the passage of time. It's a different word from 立つ (to stand) entire... -
Use Friendly Words of タメ口 For Your Close Friends
My Japanese friend uses タメ口 with me, but at work they speak completely differently. What exactly is タメ口? タメ口 (tameguchi) is casual, informal speech — the way you talk with close friends or people the same age. It drops all the p... -
Did You Know The 9 Ways to Use “tataku” in Japanese
I learned 叩く means 'to hit,' but I keep seeing it in totally different contexts. Does it really have that many meanings? 叩く is one of Japanese's wonderfully versatile verbs! It covers hitting, knocking, tapping, playing drums, critic... -
尋ねる sounds the same as 訪ねる？ They are Different!
Wait — 尋ねる and 訪ねる are both read たずねる but written with different kanji? How do I know which to use? Yes! Same reading, completely different meanings. 尋ねる (to ask/inquire) vs 訪ねる (to visit someone). The kanji are your key ... -
Do You Know How to Say “Help” in Japanese?
How do I say 'help' in Japanese? I know 助けて but is that the only way? There are several ways to ask for help in Japanese — and the right one depends on the situation. Let me walk you through all of them! Knowing how to ask for help in... -
Probability Adverbs: ぜったいに, たぶん, もしかすると, etc…
Japanese people use so many different words for 'probably' and 'definitely.' How do I know which probability word to use? Japanese has a whole spectrum of probability adverbs — from absolute certainty to wild guesses. Once you learn them... -
The 10 Most Popular Foods You’d Eat in Japan
What Japanese foods should I know how to talk about? I want to discuss food with my Japanese friends but I don't know all the vocabulary! Japanese cuisine is a great conversation topic! Let me introduce the most popular Japanese dishes, ...
