Vocabulary– category –
Japanese vocabulary in context. Nuance between similar words, JLPT vocabulary by level, loanwords, and practical usage. Browse by level: N4/N5, N2/N3, N1/N2. Full overview at the Japanese Vocabulary Hub.
-
Japanese Food Culture Vocabulary: Beyond Sushi and Ramen
Explore Japanese food culture vocabulary: seasonal ingredients (旬), etiquette phrases, restaurant types, cooking methods, and conversation phrases for dining in Japan. -
Japanese Seasons and Weather Vocabulary: 40+ Essential Words
Master Japanese weather and season vocabulary: 40+ words for all four seasons, temperature expressions, seasonal highlights, and small talk patterns. -
Gairaigo: How English Words Become Japanese Katakana (And the Traps)
When you first start reading Japanese katakana and recognize a word — マクドナルド (McDonald's), コーヒー (coffee) — it feels like cheating in the best possible way. But gairaigo (外来語), Japanese loanwords from other languages, can als... -
Japanese Onomatopoeia: Giongo vs Gitaigo — Sound Words vs State Words
Japanese has thousands of onomatopoeia words — far more than English. If you've read manga or watched anime, you've seen them everywhere: ドキドキ (heart pounding), ふわふわ (fluffy), バラバラ (scattered). But did you know Japanese onoma... -
Japanese Honorifics: さん vs くん vs ちゃん vs さま — Complete Guide
If you've ever introduced yourself in Japanese and wondered whether to add さん, くん, or ちゃん after someone's name — you're not alone. Every Japanese learner faces this early on, and getting it wrong can come across as rude, overly fa... -
How to Say Sorry in Japanese: ごめん vs すみません vs 申し訳ありません
Japanese has multiple ways to apologize — and using the wrong one in the wrong context can make you sound rude, insincere, or overly dramatic. This guide covers every major apology expression with usage rules, nuance differences, and rea... -
Should You Learn Kanji? Why You Can’t Skip It and the Fastest Path Forward
Should you learn kanji, or is it a waste of time? Can you get by with just kana? This article gives you an honest, practical answer — including when skipping kanji hurts you and the most efficient path to kanji literacy. If you want to..... -
JLPT N3 Vocabulary: 50 High-Frequency Words to Study Now
N3 tests approximately 3,750 vocabulary words. This guide highlights 50 of the most frequently appearing words across past N3 exams — focusing on words with nuanced meanings. 【High-Frequency N3 Verbs】 WordReadingMeaning 判断するはんだ... -
JLPT N4 Vocabulary: 50 Essential Words You Must Know
JLPT N4 tests approximately 1,500 vocabulary words. This guide covers 50 of the most essential — frequently tested words that appear across reading, listening, and grammar sections. 【At a Glance: Word Categories】 CategoryWord CountFocu... -
Japanese City Life Vocabulary: Neighborhoods, Services, and Urban Words
City life in Japan has its own rich vocabulary — from neighborhood services to urban landmarks. This guide covers the words you'll need to navigate and talk about Japanese city life. 【At a Glance: City Infrastructure】 JapaneseReadingMe...
