Language Jul 31, 2021
Skateboarding slang comes to the hallowed halls of NHK
by Haruka Murayama
"Hella risky" and "totally hot" are not the usual terms that NHK commentators use on air, but Ryo Sejiri isn't your usual commentator.
Language | BILINGUAL Jul 30, 2021
Gold, silver and bronze aren't just words for the Olympics
by Mark Schreiber
With all the talk about gold, silver and bronze medals, take a look at some metal-related vocabulary that you can use even when the Games are done.
Language Jul 29, 2021
The many views of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony
by Tadasu Takahashi
Use Japanese words such as "suki" or "yoi" to tell people that you liked or didn't like the opening ceremony for this year's Olympics.
Summer Olympics Jul 24, 2021
Andorra, then Yemen: Japan's alphabet gives unique order to opening ceremony parade
Unlike previous Olympics held in Japan, where athletes marched into the stadium in the English order of their names, Tokyo 2020 followed Japan's writing system.
Language | BILINGUAL Jul 23, 2021
Explore the vocabulary of beginnings ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympics
by Eric Margolis
The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics may have you thinking about new beginnings and fresh starts. It's time to raise the curtain on some new vocabulary.
Language | BILINGUAL Jul 16, 2021
Know the right words to use when speaking to the police in Japanese
by Tadasu Takahashi
With the Olympics less than a week away, police may be increasing the amount of random spot checks they regularly engage in. Learn some vocabulary to help you if you get stopped.
Language | BILINGUAL Jul 9, 2021
Grow your Japanese with care, like the plants in a garden
by Eric Margolis
Before you start planting seeds, make sure you know if you want "yasai" or "hana" — and make sure you know what those even are.
Language | BILINGUAL Jul 2, 2021
‘PPAP,’ ‘golden jewels’ and other words that make the Japanese giggle
by Daniel Morales
Website Omocoro conducted a survey of 365 Japanese people asking them what words in the language sound the funniest. Body parts, "p" sounds and croutons all made the comedic cut.
Language | BILINGUAL Jun 25, 2021
Japan's office workers get poetic on life during the pandemic
by Haruka Murayama
The nation's office workers express themselves on COVID-19 and pop culture for the 34th Senryu for Salaried Workers Contest.
Language Jun 25, 2021
Variants, the Olympics and other boosters for your vocabulary
by Haruka Murayama
Frequent Japanese words popping up in the media have more to do with vaccinations, but could an Olympic shift be ahead?
Language | BILINGUAL Jun 18, 2021
Take in the beauty of Hokusai's wave and then give your verdict on it in Japanese
by Tadasu Takahashi
Learn the basics of art criticism in Japanese while taking in Katsushika Hokusai's iconic print, "Under the Wave off Kanagawa."
Language | BILINGUAL Jun 12, 2021
What exactly does it mean when someone tells you to ‘act your age’?
by Daniel Morales
The phrase "ii toshi shite" can make someone chuckle or could cause offense. Make sure you use it carefully.