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Sports, silent meals and 'Shut Up!': What Japan was talking about in 2021

Language | BILINGUAL Dec 10, 2021

Sports, silent meals and 'Shut Up!': What Japan was talking about in 2021

by Tadasu Takahashi

The year's top buzzwords were announced to great fanfare, but the real word on everyone's lip last week was "omicron."

Words that mean how they sound: The power of onomatopoeia

Language | BILINGUAL Sep 30, 2021

Words that mean how they sound: The power of onomatopoeia

by Eric Margolis

You may not understand exactly what’s being said when you hear onomatopoeic words in Japanese, but you’ll most likely have an idea of what they mean based on how they sound.

Japan's office workers get poetic on life during the pandemic

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.

What makes beautiful Japanese? It's as simple as a morning greeting

Language | BILINGUAL Mar 19, 2021

What makes beautiful Japanese? It's as simple as a morning greeting

by Eric Margolis

A word that sounds good rolling off the tongue? Or an everyday greeting that lets people know you care? Japanese speakers sound off on what words they think are beautiful.

The art of the Japanese pun: From classic poetry to dad jokes

Language | BILINGUAL Feb 5, 2021

The art of the Japanese pun: From classic poetry to dad jokes

by Eric Margolis

Wordplay is used in a non-comical way even in traditional Japanese dishes at the holidays, with the names of ingredients recalling expressions of good tidings.

The secret is out: This kanji will remain closely associated with the pandemic of 2020

Language | BILINGUAL Dec 22, 2020

The secret is out: This kanji will remain closely associated with the pandemic of 2020

by Ryan Norrbom

The Japanese have spoken, "密" (mitsu) is the kanji of the year for 2020. But what is this kanji trying to say to us?

Japan's 2020 buzzwords still contain a sense of whimsy in spite of trying times

Language | BILINGUAL Dec 8, 2020

Japan's 2020 buzzwords still contain a sense of whimsy in spite of trying times

by Haruka Murayama

At the start of the year it was expected that 2020's buzzwords would all be related to the Olympics. Oh, how quickly that can change.

Japan's original stamp rally is a godly one

Language | BILINGUAL Nov 3, 2020

Japan's original stamp rally is a godly one

by Ryan Norrbom

Taking part in "go-shuin atsume" is an interesting way to get to know Japan's many shrines and temples.

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