author

 
 

Meta

Akemi Tanahashi
For Akemi Tanahashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 3, 2016
Setting up contrary clauses with 'no ni,' 'te mo' and 'de mo'
Introduce the proper usage of u306eu306b and u3066u3082/u3067u3082, which link two contrary clauses.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 26, 2016
A lesson on not only 'bakari ka' for emphasis but also 'bakari ni' for concern
Following on from last week, introducing more phrases using the particle of emphasis u3070u304bu308a, meaning only/always/merely.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 19, 2016
Make a point about too much of a bad thing with 'bakari'
Introducing phrases using the particle of emphasis u3070u304bu308a, meaning 'only' or 'always.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 12, 2016
How you use 'dake' can mean the difference between 'giving it a try' and 'trying your best'
Introducing forms of the pattern X(verb)-dake Y, which expresses limitations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 5, 2016
Say it like it sounds in Japanese with onomatopoeic verbs
Introducing some combined verbs made up of various adverbial onomatopoeia combined with u3068 and u3059u308b (do).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 29, 2016
'Kakeru' and 'kakaru': two very useful Japanese verbs worth hanging on to
Introduce some meanings and usages of the verbs u639bu3051u308b and u639bu304bu308b (both 'to hang').
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 22, 2016
Beyond the long and short of 'nagai' and 'mijikai'
Introducing the meaning and usages of the two i-adjectives u9577(u306au304c)u3044 (long) and u77ed(u307fu3058u304b)u3044 (short).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 15, 2016
Learn how to treat others in Japanese and let them treat you with 'ogori' and 'mochi'
Introducing expressions that mean 'to treat' and some related phrases.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 8, 2016
Living it large with 'oki' and 'hiroi'
Introducing the meaning and uses of the adjectives u5927(u304au304a)u304du3044 (big/large/great) and u5e83u3044 (spacious/wide) and their related expressions.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 1, 2016
It'll be all good once you learn how to use 'ii desu' the correct way
Ima-wa ii-desu. (I'm fine for now.)
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 25, 2016
Going from A to Z with 'no ho ga' and 'made'
Tōkyō-kara Fukuoka-made iku-niwa, hikōki-to shinkansen, dochira-ga ii-deshō-ka. (Is it better to go from Tokyo to Fukuoka by plane or shinkansen?)
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 11, 2016
Getting things just right in Japanese with 'kagen'
Introduce the meaning and usage of the noun u52a0u6e1b (u304bu3052u3093).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 4, 2016
Adding that little bit more with conjunctions 'sore ni' and 'sore de'
Introducing the meaning and uses of the conjunction particles u305du308cu306b (and, on top of that) and u305du308cu3067 (therefore, and then).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 27, 2016
The generally positive influence of 'koso'
Today, we will introduce Xu304bu3089u3053u305dY and Xu3066u3053u305dY, two patterns that are used with the particle u3053u305d.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 20, 2016
Divining the difference between 'tama ni' and 'tamatama'
Introducing two adverbs, u305fu307eu306b and u305fu307eu305fu307e, that sound similar but have rather different meanings.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 13, 2016
Just say 'no' to top off informal questions, answers and requests in Japanese
Introduce some proper uses of the sentence-ending particle u306e, which is used in informal conversation.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 6, 2016
Making suggestions without being pushy using 'demo' and 'ka nani ka'
Introduce some uses of Xu3067u3082 and Xu304bu306au306bu304b, expressions that identify one example among others.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 30, 2016
Compounding the good or the bad with 'ue ni' and, on top of that, 'sono ue'
Introduce the sentence pattern u3046u3048(u306b) and conjunction u305du306eu3046u3048.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 23, 2016
Doing it your own sweet way with 'nari ni'
Introducing the proper use of u306au308au306b, which attaches to a noun or verb.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 16, 2016
Two of a kind: complementary compliments 'yasashii' and 'shinsetsu'
Introducing some uses of the adjectives u512a(u3084u3055)u3057u3044 and u89aau5207(u3057u3093u305bu3064)(u306a).

Longform

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan