Yojijukugo: The four-kanji words that pack a whole lot of meaning
Some of the more common four-kanji idioms that we use in our daily lives include the word for daily life itself. Learn a few of them to impress your Japanese friends.
Linguistic strategies for winning a Japanese quiz show
Want to test your knowledge of Japanese alongside native speakers and TV personalities? Try watching a quiz show on television.
Getting to know Japanese castles and picking out your favorites
The warmer weather has arrived and that provides a great opportunity to get out to some of Japan’s many historical sites, starting with its castles.
A well-crafted speech is powerful in any language
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been delivering a series of online speeches to various countries. Here's a closer look at how his speech in Japan was different.
In Japan, April marks a fresh start for students and employees
April is a fresh start for everyone and things can get pretty busy, so don’t forget to smell the flowers while you can.
Are your Japanese translations sounding robotic? Opt for the human touch.
Too many companies see machine translation as their ticket to being understood in foreign countries. It can be a costly move in the long-run.
Describing an invasion and expressing unity in Japanese amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, Japanese-language learners are discovering that there’s no shortage of terms relating to “invasion” and “unity.”
A ‘beautiful’ translation does not preclude a ‘faithful’ result
There are a few myths when it comes to the accuracy of any given translation; the process is more complicated than you think.
Military words are back in the headlines after Russia launches an invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been all over the news in Japan, which means we’ll be seeing a whole new set of kanji and conflict-related terms.
The murky metaphors of 'Drive My Car' are a good way to venture into reading Japanese
Metaphors and similes are an important part of any language, but they’re also a huge part of “Drive My Car.” Here’s a look at how to break them down in Japanese.
Translation: The fifth language skill no one tells you about
Knowing two languages must mean you can translate between them, right? Not necessarily. Here are a few tips for when you suddenly find yourself in a translator role.
The rules for deciphering the Japanese words for regulations
While the Olympics are proving fun to watch, it seems not many fans have checked the rulebook.
