Language Jun 24, 2019
The Japanese words 'mono' and 'koto' can make things tricky
by Paul Dargan
Both "mono" and "koto" mean "thing" in Japanese, but they're used in different ways. And the thing is, nuance matters.
Language | BILINGUAL Jun 17, 2019
In praise of the perfect Japanese compliment
by Kaori Shoji
The Japanese haven't traditionally complimented one another in the workplace, but a book on the power of positive reinforcement has garnered a following.
Language | BILINGUAL Jun 3, 2019
Don't give up yet on giving and getting in Japanese
by Peter Backhaus
One of the first things taught in anthropology classes is that presents exchanged in a given society hardly ever come for free. When someone gives another person something, that always entails some sort of obligation. Acts of giving and receiving are hence highly sensitive ...
Language | WELL SAID Jun 3, 2019
Don't forget to use 'sokonau' to mark your failings in Japanese
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Ikō to omotte-ita-n-da kedo, misokonatchatta. (I was going to go, but I missed it.) ...
Language | WELL SAID May 27, 2019
Speaking of that, 'sore' and 'kore' can come in very handy
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
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.) ...
Language | WELL SAID May 20, 2019
What's that we were talking about? Ah yes, the many uses of 'are'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
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.
Language | WELL SAID Apr 29, 2019
Raising your voice can convey a different meaning, 'deshō'?
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The Japanese words "deshō" and "darō" can be said with different intonations to provide various nuances.
Language | WELL SAID Apr 22, 2019
Wondering aloud in Japanese about our Heisei Era memories
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The words "deshō" and "darō" can help us put a little conjecture into the way we speak, but that's not the only thing they're used for.
Language | WELL SAID Apr 1, 2019
Take your Japanese to the point where you can even use 'sae' and 'made' correctly
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The particles まで and さえ both emphasize degree, the former expressing the limits of time, space, quantity and so on. By attaching it to a noun (X), the construction Xまで can translate to “until X”
Language | BILINGUAL Mar 18, 2019
Hay fever season gets people sneezing and talking
by Kaori Shoji
A good way to start a conversation in Japanese at this time of year is to talk about allergies and hay fever in particular. Learning the vocabulary for sore eyes and runny noses can also help at your local pharmacy.
Language Mar 4, 2019
Navigating the tricky world of permission when speaking Japanese
by Daniel Traylor
When speaking Japanese, getting the basics of language relating to permission can be helpful, from asking a colleague to pick up your slack to requesting a photo with a celebrity.
Language | WELL SAID Feb 25, 2019
Use 'ijō' to go beyond the usual boundaries in Japanese
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The term 'ijō' usually translates as 'more than,' but it can be used for more than just that.