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.
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Why Don’t You Use それほど? Native Speakers Often Use
I've heard それほど but I'm not quite sure how to use it. Is it the same as そんなに? They're closely related but それほど has a slightly more formal tone and is often used in negative sentences to mean 'not that much' or 'not to that ex... -
8 Ways To Confess Your Love This Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day is coming up and I want to confess my feelings to someone in Japanese. How do I say it naturally without sounding too stiff? Confessing your feelings — 告白 (こくはく) — is a big moment in Japanese culture! There are many... -
Beginner’s Guide: Never Worry about Using 全然
I learned that 全然 means 'not at all' and goes with negative sentences. But my Japanese friend says 全然いい! and 全然大丈夫! all the time. Is that correct? Great observation! Traditionally, 全然 requires a negative. But in modern casua... -
50 Japanese Interjections You Should Use: Part4
I feel like my Japanese still sounds a bit stiff in conversation. What are some interjections that make you sound really natural and native? Part 4 is all about the advanced, nuanced interjections — the ones that show you truly understan... -
50 Japanese Interjections You Should Use: Part3
I've mastered the basic aizuchi. Now I want to sound more expressive and use interjections for encouragement and sympathy. What should I learn? Part 3 is perfect for that! We cover empathy interjections, encouragement expressions, and th... -
50 Japanese Interjections You Should Use: Part2
I've been working on my aizuchi. What other interjections should I add to sound more natural in Japanese conversation? Great progress! Part 2 covers emotion-based interjections — joy, disappointment, relief, and the ones you'll use when ... -
50 Japanese Interjections You Should Use: Part1
I notice Japanese people use short sounds and words like えっ, ああ, and へえ all the time in conversation. What are these called and how do I use them? Those are Japanese interjections — aizuchi and exclamations that make conversation f... -
10 Compliments That Will Make People Smile
I want to make people smile with Japanese compliments. What are the most versatile ones I can use with anyone? There are some compliments that genuinely light up anyone's face — regardless of gender or age. Let me share 10 that always ma... -
How to Friendly Say “I’m flattered.” in Japanese
My Japanese coworker said おせじでも〜と言ってくれた. I know お世辞 is a compliment, but there's something more to it, isn't there? Great observation! お世辞 is actually a flattering remark — but with a hint of insincerity. It's the Japa... -
16 Ways To Celebrate The New Year In Japanese
The New Year season in Japan is one of the most important times of year, and the greetings that go along with it are more varied and nuanced than a simple "Happy New Year." Whether you are sending a message to a close friend or writing a...
