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October 19, 2025
 

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VOCABULARY

Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 3, 2022
Looking to make an escape in Japanese? You'll need to know your kanji.
As the war in Ukraine looks far from over, there is no shortage of discussions on how to “get out” of such a dangerous situation. Here's a closer look at some escape-related terms.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Jun 3, 2022
Returning a pencil, returning to work and the return of Okinawa
Last month marked the 50th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japanese control. But the word used for 'return' in this case wasn't the same as what you'd use to 'return' a pencil.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 20, 2022
Use certain Japanese phrases to turn that 'mansplaining' monologue back into a constructive dialogue
Japanese dating sites tend to encourage women to listen to and praise their male partners, but the conversation doesn't have to go in one direction.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 13, 2022
Finding the right words for when you discover a lost item in Japan
Take a verb and turn it into a noun simply by adding 'mono' to the end of it and you're halfway to verbalizing that you've found something that was lost.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 6, 2022
The ‘nuclear’ terms you should know when discussing current affairs
Nuclear issues are always in the news. If you want to get into discussions on these topics, it's good to know your vocabulary.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 29, 2022
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 22, 2022
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 15, 2022
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 5, 2022
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Mar 22, 2022
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.”
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Mar 11, 2022
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Mar 5, 2022
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.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Feb 18, 2022
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Feb 11, 2022
Love stories for your Valentine's Day date with the books
There's no better time for a love story than around Valentine's Day. Sit back, have a read and maybe enjoy some chocolate while you study.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Feb 4, 2022
Finding the words for letting others know you may have COVID-19
As we enter the third year of the pandemic, it's good to get a refresher on the kind of vocabulary we're using to describe PCR tests and travel-related quarantines.
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Feb 4, 2022
'Minashi yōsei' and other recent pandemic-related terms
It seems like every week Japanese-language learners are introduced to new terms that are connected in some way with the pandemic.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Feb 2, 2022
Is Wordle too easy for you? Try it in Japanese.
Excitement over a simple online word game has spread to Japan for an entertaining way to practice your kanji and vocabulary.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 28, 2022
Fire up a chat about Japanese pottery by increasing your vocabulary
From Arita ware to wave patterns and the technique of crazing, get to know the different types of Japanese pottery through the language.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 14, 2022
A look at the kanji that helps us turn nouns into adjectives
The kanji for 'teki' can be seen in many words, and it's a rather versatile one that works particularly well as a suffix.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost
Jan 14, 2022
Language roars to life in 2022, the Year of the Tiger
The arrival of the Year of the Tiger is an opportune moment to go over a few idioms and sayings that involve the animal of 2022.
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
Jon Heese (second left) takes part in a 2024 New Year's nihonshu barrel opening ceremony.
Tokyo ordered to pay damages to South Asian woman over police response
The Tokyo High Court held that, “even taking the woman’s consent into account” for sharing her personal information, the officers breached their duty of care and acted unlawfully.
Former PM Tomiichi Murayama dies at age 101
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama speaks during an interview in Tokyo in March 2007.
Japan's fractured politics could ensnarl Takaichi's economic plans
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, attends a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Oct. 4.
Tokyo homebuyers split on purchase plans as living costs soar, survey shows
A survey showed that some potential homebuyers in Tokyo are delaying purchases while others are wary of missing out on opportunities posed by rising home prices.
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood is a haven for book lovers, its rows of secondhand bookstores spilling over with printed materials.
What you need to see at this year's Tokyo film festival
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"
New film explores how Japan and the U.S. found common ground through baseball
Masanori Murakami became the first MLB player from Japan when he made his debut with the Giants on Sept 1, 1964.
As they wrestle for power, Japan’s political parties must remember their base
Rengo's head Tomoko Yoshino speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Oct. 8.
Sumo is about to hit London and the West with a force previously unseen
Preparations advance on Monday for the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

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