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May 17, 2024
 

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Hitomi Tashiro
For Hitomi Tashiro's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 19, 2015
Explaining the cause of the problem with sei
Today, we will introduce the meanings and usages of the noun u305bu3044 (because of), which expresses someone's belief about the cause of something.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 12, 2015
If the au fits, wear it
Today we will introduce the meanings and usage of the verb u5408uff08u3042uff09u3046 that means to fit. u5408u3046 is used to describe how something or someone (X) fits with something or someone else (Y) using the pattern X(a thing or person)u306fY(a thing or person)u306bu5408u3046, as in u4ecauff08u3044u307euff09u306eu4ed5u4e8buff08u3057u3054u3068uff09u306fu79c1uff08u308fu305fu3057uff09u306bu5408u3063u3066u3044u308b (My current job suits me).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 5, 2015
20 years of learning Japanese with Well Said!
Today, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Well Said column by talking with some of its characters.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 29, 2014
Feeling good about using kimochi
Today, we will introduce the proper use of u6c17u6301uff08u304du3082uff09u3061, a phrase that refers to a feeling.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 22, 2014
Express yo-self with this one essential particle
Today, we will introduce u3088, a particle which is added to the end of a sentence to show a speaker's intention.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 15, 2014
There's still more to know about ne, after all
Last week, we introduced the end-of-sentence particle u306d and its uses. The basic meaning of u306d is to show or require agreement.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 8, 2014
The greatest of all Japanese particles is ne, isn't it?
Today, we will introduce the proper use of u306d, an end-of-sentence particle that shows the feeling of a speaker.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 1, 2014
Would you rather flunk out of Japanese than learn kurai-nara?
Today, we will introduce two expressions: Xu304fu3089u3044u306au3089Y and Xu304fu3089u3044Y u306fu306au3044/u3044u306au3044, where u304fu3089u3044 shows the degree of something.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 24, 2014
Getting your words just right with pittari
Today, we will introduce some uses of u3074u3063u305fu308a, an adverb that shows the state of something.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 17, 2014
Koto and kedo are useful, but only if you know what to do with them
Today, we will introduce the proper use of the pattern Xu3053u3068u306fXu3051u3069u3001Y, which is used to mean that X may be true, but Y.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 10, 2014
Without kara-de-nai-to, you could be in trouble
Today, we will introduce some uses of the phrase Xu304bu3089u3067u306au3044u3068Yu306au3044, which indicates an essential condition for something to happen.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 3, 2014
Say it with a bang using mō and mattaku
Today we will introduce some uses of u3082u3046 and u307eu3063u305fu304f, which help to emphasize something when speaking.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 27, 2014
Mashō-ka: Let's do this thing
Today, we will introduce some uses of Xu307eu3057u3087u3046u304b. X is a verb in masu-form without u307eu3059.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 20, 2014
Kuyashii: a useful word for those of us who frequently fail miserably
Today, we will introduce proper usage of the i-adjective u304fu3084u3057u3044, which is used to show feeling — it can express anger caused by humiliation, defeat or frustration.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Oct 6, 2014
Controlling the sensation of time with 'buri'
Today, we will introduce the meanings and proper use of suffix u3076u308a, which comes after a noun that shows a certain length of time.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 29, 2014
Powering through space, time and bad jokes with 'bakari'
Today, we will introduce the meanings and usage of the particle u3070u304bu308a, the colloquially emphasized form of which is u3070u3063u304bu308a.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 22, 2014
Kyatchibōru-ni tekitō-na basho-wa nai-ka-nā
Today, we will introduce the meanings and usage of the na-adjective u9069u5f53uff08u3066u304du3068u3046uff09u306a (adequate).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 8, 2014
Natsuyasumi-chū, hitotsu-mo jiko-ga nakatta
Today, we will introduce the meanings and usage of the suffix uff5eu4e2duff08u3061u3085u3046uff0fu3058u3085u3046uff09 meaning 'in.'
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Sep 1, 2014
Saifu-ni sen-en shika nai
Today, we will introduce the meanings and usage of the particle u3057u304b (only).
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Aug 25, 2014
ii-yo!
Today, we will introduce the meanings and usage of the adjective u3044u3044 (good).
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Kishida defends planned rule to revoke foreigners' residency
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a meeting of the Lower House Judicial Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Human bone-like objects found at Nippon Steel plant’s molten iron pot, with one worker missing
Police believe it’s highly possible that human bones found in a molten iron pot at Nippon Steel's Oita factory belong to a missing male employee.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Man suspected of using smart glasses to cheat on Waseda University exams
The Waseda University campus in Tokyo. An 18-year-old male test-taker is suspected of using smart glasses to cheat during the university's entrance exam.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Japanese rap creates its mecca in Pop Yours
Tokyo-based artist Jumadiba says he forgoes the label of simply “rap” for his music because the Japanese rap scene isn’t confined to a particular sound.
Who’s toughest on China? Biden’s tariff tactic ups ante as election looms.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about new actions to protect American workers and businesses from China's "unfair" trade practices, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Ishin struggles to set itself apart from other parties
Nippon Ishin no Kai Secretary-General Fumitake Fujita (right) speaks beside Yui Kanazawa, the party's candidate in the Tokyo 15th district by-election on April 28. Nippon Ishin lost in this by-election as well as another in Nagasaki held on the same day.

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

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there
Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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