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May 21, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 20, 2015
Tarry awhile to learn sakki and, after that, ato
Today we look at various ways of using the colloquial nouns u3055u3063u304d (a short while ago) and u3042u3068 (after a while).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 13, 2015
Coming to terms with 'kuru'
Chotto, sanpo-ni itte-kuru-yo. (I'm going to take a walk for a while.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 6, 2015
Life gets more beautiful when you know how to use 'kirei'
Kireina Tanabata kazari-ga dekita (We've done well decorating our bamboo tree.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 29, 2015
Sitting on the fence in Japanese depends on these sentence patterns
Sore-wa ashita-no tenki-ni yorimasu-ne (It depends on tomorrow's weather.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 22, 2015
Let your green-eyed monster loose with 'urayamashii'
Today we introduce the proper use of the adjective u3046u3089u3084u307eu3057u3044, meaning 'jealous' or 'envious.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 15, 2015
Use -tara to herald the expected and the unexpected
Today we introduce the proper use of 'X (verb in ta form) u3089u3001Y (= phrase).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 8, 2015
Though you may think you don't need to know mono-no, you do
Today we will introduce the proper use of 'Xu3082u306eu306eY,' which is used to connect contrasting phrases.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 1, 2015
Zuibun is more useful than you could have possibly imagined
Today we will introduce some uses of the adverb 'zuibun,' which is used when the speaker wants to say that the degree of something is higher than they were expecting.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 25, 2015
Courteous keigo is about showing respect to the listener
'Courteous expression' utilizes such verbs as mairimasu, itashimasu , zonjimasu and orimasu.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 18, 2015
When it comes to you and your group, keep your verbs humble
Introducing another kind of keigo, known as 'humble expression.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 11, 2015
Polish up your honorific verbs and show some respect
Today, we will introduce the proper uses of honorific expression, one of the forms of keigo.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 4, 2015
Introducing goto, the go-to suffix for each and every time
Today we will introduce the proper use of the suffix u3054u3068, meaning 'every' or 'each.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 27, 2015
So many "you" and "I" words, but best used sparingly
Today we will introduce the proper use of 'you' and 'I' in Japanese.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 20, 2015
Whether or not to use ka-dō-ka
Today we will introduce the proper use of Xu304bu3069u3046u304bY and Xu304bY, which mean 'Y whether or not/if X (or not).'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 13, 2015
Getting in the mood with kibun
Introducing the proper use of u6c17u5206uff08u304du3076u3093), which means feeling, mood or sentiment.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 6, 2015
Make it 'narubeku' short and 'dekirudake' snappy
Today we will introduce uses of the adverb u306au308bu3079u304f and u3067u304du308bu3060u3051.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 30, 2015
Hang on, did you say 'kakeru'?
Today, we will introduce the meanings and ways of using the verb u304bu3051u308b (literally, to hang) when it is attached to another verb (X), forming a compound verb (Y).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 23, 2015
Don't go easy on 'assari'
Today, we will introduce the adverb u3042u3063u3055u308a(simply/easily, etc.) and its related expressions.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 16, 2015
Learn 'nantoka' any way you can
Today, we will introduce the adverb u4f55uff08u306au3093uff09u3068u304b (in any way) and some related expressions.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 9, 2015
If you're going to do it, do it wazawaza
Today, we will introduce the meaning and ways of using the adverb u308fu3056u308fu3056 ([doing] deliberately/on purpose) and its antonym u3064u3044u3067 ([doing] on one's way).
Rare sequel to 'My Neighbor Totoro' to play at Cannes
A screening of "Mei and the Baby Cat Bus," which is being billed as a "mini-sequel" to the Studio Ghibli classic "My Neighbor Totoro," is set to take place at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.
America wasn’t made for walking, and it’s killing them
A 2010 study found that U.S. adults averaged 5,117 steps daily and that this was lower than the averages found in similar studies in Switzerland, western Australia and Japan.
Fuchu Prison adapting to foreign prisoners
From the outside, the light-brown complex that is Fuchu Prison in western Tokyo could easily be mistaken for a city hall.
Why half of Japan's cities are at risk of disappearing in 100 years
A couple looks out onto the Fukuoka nightscape. Due to its distance from Tokyo and its close proximity to South Korea and China, professor Tomoya Mori believes that Fukuoka is one of the few metropolitan regions of Japan that will see some form of growth in the decades to come.
Japan concerned over U.S. officials' remarks on atomic bombings
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to reporters during a news conference in Washington on Thursday.
Fuchu Prison adapting to foreign prisoners
From the outside, the light-brown complex that is Fuchu Prison in western Tokyo could easily be mistaken for a city hall.
The politicians moving Japan forward on climate
While not the most outspoken politician on the issue, digital minister Taro Kono has a track record of being serious in his commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
Seoul's eclectic Art OnO shines light on Japan's artists and galleries
Art OnO, which took place from April 19 to 21 in Seoul, featured a modest number of 36 participating galleries from 15 countries.
Want to be a voice actor? Stay 'true to the character'
SungWon Cho is a veteran with more than 10 years of experience portraying characters in anime, cartoons and video games.
Local theater in Japan is more than a hobby — it’s a community
Japan Times contributor Laura Pollacco (front right) was offered the role of one of her all-time favorite heroines, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bennet, in the Tokyo International Players’ production of “Pride and Prejudice.”

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

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
By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle
Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

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