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April 30, 2024
 

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Akemi Tanahashi
For Akemi Tanahashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 21, 2019
Expressing what you've been thinking about doing with 'to omotte-iru' and '-tai to omotte iru'
Using the 'tai' verb ending expresses desire in Japanese, but adding 'omotte-iru' can help convey the idea that your wants are not spontaneous.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 7, 2019
Speak Japanese with certainty by using 'zettai'
The word 'zettai' has a feeling of absoluteness and certainty that can emphasize the confidence you have in what you're saying.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 30, 2019
Figuring out how to count objects in Japanese? There are numerous ways
There's no one way to count in Japanese, it just depends on what you're counting. The most standard comes with a 'tsu' on the end.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 23, 2019
Vary your way of emphasis with 'totemo' and its cousins
The word 'totemo' is a very handy word as it means 'very.' But it's not the only word that can help you emphasize what you're talking about.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 16, 2019
Just once I'd like to use 'ichido' correctly
The word 'ichido' can mean 'one time,' but the nuance changes depending on the particle you pair it with.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 26, 2019
A great way to describe exceptions and surprising happenings
Using 'ni shite' can help describe someone or something who stands out from the norm or can be used to highlight a surprising fact.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 19, 2019
Don't sweat phrases that use the word 'ase'
'Asedaku,' 'ase-kkaki,' 'asebamu' ... all of these words indicate that you're working up a sweat. Just how much sweat depends on the temperature and your nerves.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 5, 2019
Learning how to use 'ureshii' and 'tanoshii' is an enjoyable experience
The adjectives 'ureshii' and 'tanoshii' are used specifically to mean 'happy and 'enjoyable,' respectively. When it comes to fun times, though, there's a slight difference in how they are interpreted.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 29, 2019
Joining Japanese sentences is easy if you learn the difference between 'sore de' and 'soko de'
The terms 'sore de' and 'soko de' translate as 'and so' or 'therefore,' but there's a slight difference between their nuances.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 22, 2019
With some luck you'll master the Japanese words for good fortune
If you're going to play the u798fu5f15 (u3075u304fu3073u304d, lottery) in Japan, you're going to need some u904b (u3046u3093, luck).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 8, 2019
The Japanese verb 'kuru' comes in many forms
The irregular verb 'kuru' (to come) changes sound and structure depending on the context. And once you learn the rules of using it, prepare to break them.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jul 1, 2019
'Kireru' is a cut above other Japanese verbs
When you're out of breath, losing your temper or can't stand the tension in the room, the verb 'kireru' can help describe the situation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 24, 2019
The ugly truth behind using 'mittomonai' and 'kakkowarui'
The words 'mittomonai' and 'kakkowarui' are used when behavior or appearance is unbecoming, but the former carries more shame.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 17, 2019
Speak Japanese smoothly by mastering the difference between 'sara-sara' and 'zara-zara'
The onomatopoeic terms 'sara-sara' and 'zara-zara' both refer to textures, but do you know which is soft and which is coarse?
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 10, 2019
Finding amazing ways to use the word 'sugoi'
If you're in Japan, then you've probably heard the term u3059u3054u3044, or it's adverbial form u3059u3054u304f, more times than you can count.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jun 3, 2019
Don't forget to use 'sokonau' to mark your failings in Japanese
Ikō to omotte-ita-n-da kedo, misokonatchatta. (I was going to go, but I missed it.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 27, 2019
Speaking of that, 'sore' and 'kore' can come in very handy
Karutago-tte iu resutoran ni itta-n-da kedo, sono mise, sugoku yokatta-n-da. (I went to a restaurant called Carthago and it was really good.)
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 20, 2019
What's that we were talking about? Ah yes, the many uses of 'are'
The demonstrative pronouns related to 'ano' are for more than just describing what's 'over there.' For instance, Japanese uses them to convey sentimentality and in monologues.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
May 13, 2019
You'd be considerably well off in Japanese by learning to differentiate between 'daibu' and 'kekkō'
The adverbs u3060u3044u3076 and u3051u3063u3053u3046 both convey a sense of degree.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 29, 2019
Raising your voice can convey a different meaning, 'deshō'?
The Japanese words 'deshu014d' and 'daru014d' can be said with different intonations to provide various nuances.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Raising kids in Japan as a single parent? It takes a village.
Making things work as a foreign, single mother in Japan isn't easy, but these tips and tricks can help you through the hardest parts.
Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990
The yen dropped to ¥160.245 per dollar on Monday before heading into the other direction to ¥155.01 amid speculation of an intervention by Japanese currency authorities.
Man, 28, arrested in Okinawa over burned bodies found in Tochigi
Hikaru Sasaki enters the Metropolitan Police Department's Osaki police station in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward on Monday after being arrested on suspicion of disposing of two bodies found in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, earlier this month.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.

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

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree
By Alex K.T. Martin

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