Japanese

If you’ve ever wondered how to say ‘me in Japanese’ or seen words like boku, watashi, or ore in anime or textbooks—this guide is for you.

Ever noticed how characters in your favorite Japanese dramas seem to share the same few Japanese surnames? You’re not imagining things. Names like Watanabe, Tanaka, and Yamaguchi appear frequently because Japan has a relatively small pool of common family names compared to many Western countries. For Japanese language learners

When I landed in Sumida Tokyo as an ALT, I thought I knew enough Japanese to get by. Boy, was I wrong! My first week, I embarrassed myself countless times by using the wrong version of yes in Japanese in different situations. My students erupted in laughter when I casually

Ever been in a situation where you needed to say no in Japanese but didn't want to come across as rude? Japanese culture places huge value on politeness and avoiding direct confrontation, making a simple "no" much trickier than you might expect. In this post, I&

Learning to say thank you in Japanese isn't just about knowing a single phrase - it's about mastering a key part of Japanese culture. Whether you're planning a trip to Tokyo, watching anime without subtitles, or just starting your Japanese learning journey, knowing different

With countless Japanese textbooks filling the market, finding the perfect learning companion feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Whether you're dreaming of Japanese anime without subtitles or planning a trip to Tokyo, the right Japanese learning textbooks can make all the difference between frustration and

Curious about writing Japanese kanji for love? These beautiful characters can express feelings that sometimes words in English can't capture. Whether you're writing a note to someone special, looking for a Japanese-inspired tattoo, or just growing your language skills, learning these kanji is both useful and

Did you know that Japan has 47 dialects? Pretty surprising for a country smaller than California! Each Japanese variety has its own special words, phrases, particles, and meanings. Even something as basic as how to say thanks in Japanese can sound completely different depending on where you are. And it&

Ever stared at a Japanese kanji character and wondered why it has multiple pronunciations? You're not alone! The struggle between onyomi vs kunyomi is real for every Japanese learner. One minute you're confidently reading 山 as "yama," and the next, you're seeing