Want to get better at Japanese? Reading is one of the best ways to improve your language skills. It’s especially important to read a lot when you’re learning a language with a different writing system, like Japanese. Hiragana, katakana and kanji can be overwhelming at first. But with enough reading practice, reading these characters will … Read more
Readers, you know I am a HUGE fan of learning Japanese through immersion. When you are enjoying a Japanese TV show or a movie that you love, you absorb new language much more easily than studying from a book. And it doesn’t even feel like learning! Lingopie is a new site and app that will … Read more
Feeling like your Japanese learning is getting a little ho-hum? Let’s take a break from all the grammar and daily vocabulary. The best part of learning a new language is the funny words! Some of these Japanese words and phrases have a funny sound, or mean something funny when translated into English. There are a … Read more
Ah… those three little words ❤ Some people have called ‘I love you’ the most powerful three words in the English language. It’s also one of the most common phrases people want to learn in a foreign language. So, how do you say I love you in Japanese? It might not surprise you to know … Read more
Ah, love! One of the greatest feelings on earth. In English, ‘love’ encompasses varying degrees of liking, admiration, or passion for something or someone. Meanwhile, the Japanese language has many different words for ‘love’. The most common Japanese words for ‘love’ are koi (恋 / こい) and ai (愛 / あい). Love like koi can … Read more
One of the best known ways to say ‘shut up’ in Japanese is urusai / うるさい. This versatile word also has the definitions of ‘noisy’, ‘annoying’ and ‘irritating’ but we guarantee using urusai with a loud voice will get anyone to tone it down a little… or a lot! There’s something about Japanese and describing … Read more
In Japan, whether you’re sightseeing, trying on a kimono, or shopping for household decor, you’re bound to find something beautiful. The most common words for ‘beautiful’ in Japanese are kirei (綺麗 / きれい), and utsukushii (美しい / うつくしい). However, the degree of beauty being described by each word is different. While kirei can be used … Read more
If you’re wondering how to learn Japanese or what’s the best way to learn it, you might be interested in exploring your language learning style. Language learning styles are part of a larger category known as ‘Learning Styles’ which are divided into four major groups: visual, auditory (also called ‘verbal’), kinesthetic (also called ‘tactile’) and … Read more