For Hitomi Tashiro's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
The onomatopoeic terms "ira-ira" and "unzari" can help express feelings of frustration and being fed up in general. Therefore, they're helpful during a pandemic-related lockdown.
The terms "isso" and "omoikitte" both convey the nuance of doing something daring, or even "taking the plunge." Learn when it's best to use them.
While "tashika" on its own in a sentence conveys the idea that something is most likely true, adding the particle "ni" to it will make it more definite.
The adverbs "mushiro" and "kaette" indicate alternative preferences, but the difference lies in whether the alternative comes down to personal judgement.
When you've been made to do something against your will, try and wrap your tongue around the causative passive to express yourself.
Ano suigai de ōku no katagata ga hinan-seikatsu o yogi naku saremashita. ...
The "koto da" and "ni koshita koto wa nai" structures express strong certainties that you should do something.
The "uchi ni" and "aida ni" structures denote time frames, but one is more specific than the other.
The causative forms of Japanese verbs can help relay the ideas of making someone do something or letting them do something they want to do.
The structures 'naradewa' and 'ni kagiru' point out the singularity of something that's usually rather good.
