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  • Japanese lessons
  • How to learn Japanese
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Hannah Stafford

Hannah is a half Irish/half Japanese girl living in Ireland. Her love for Japan and the Japanese language led her to studying languages and translation in university where she specialised in Japanese. She spent a year studying abroad at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys using her sewing machine to upcycle clothes and create new pieces!

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Japan

by Hannah Stafford
Person in Japan forming a heart shape with hands in front of their face, smiling and celebrating the joy of Valentine’s Day.

February 14th is the day of love! And who doesn’t love love? 💖 I suppose some people may think that Valentine’s day is just another over-commercialised holiday, and that we should show our affection to our loved ones all year round, not just this one day… But actually, I think it’s a great excuse to … Read more

Categories Japanese culture Leave a comment

What Does Otaku Really Mean? All About Otaku in Japanese Culture

by Hannah Stafford
An otaku in a red and white costume with a headpiece holds a yellow plush toy, standing proudly in front of a green-tinted glass wall, embodying the vibrant spirit of Japanese pop culture.

Otaku culture is a craze which began in Japan but has since spread all across the globe! In English, the Japanese word otaku is often translated as ‘geek’. Specifically, it’s usually used to mean someone obsessed with anime or manga. But in Japanese, as we’ll learn, the meaning is a little more nuanced than that! … Read more

Categories Japanese culture, Japanese lessons Leave a comment

60+ Vibrant Japanese Onomatopoeia Words To Bring the Language to Life

by Hannah Stafford
The person in the pink shirt and overalls holds a hand to their ear, embodying Japanese onomatopoeia with an intent listen against the vibrant orange background.

The world of onomatopoeia in Japanese is one of the more amusing aspects of this wonderful language! So what is onomatopoeia?  Simply put, onomatopoeia are words which read or sound like the word they are describing. In English, think of words like bang, buzz or hiss. You will see that onomatopoeia is a fun way … Read more

Categories Japanese lessons Leave a comment

How to Say ‘Rain’ in Japanese

by Hannah Stafford
Visitors with umbrellas stroll under a large red torii gate at a Japanese shrine, surrounded by traditional lanterns and lush greenery, as the rain gently falls.

What better to do on a rainy day than learn some new vocabulary? If we were to really dive deep, we could discuss the hundred-odd of ways to describe rain. Ranging from light to heavy rain, morning to evening rain or even winter to summer rain. I know, when it rains, it pours! But don’t … Read more

Categories Japanese lessons Leave a comment

How to Say ‘Star’ in Japanese

by Hannah Stafford
A night sky adorned with stars, or "hoshi" in Japanese, stretches above the silhouette of a snow-capped mountain and a glowing cityscape.

We have already discussed how to say ‘moon’ and ‘sun’ in Japanese, so it is only right that we teach you how to say ‘star’ as well! The main Japanese word for ‘star’ is hoshi (星 / ほし). This the word we use to talk about a star in the night sky. For those of … Read more

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How to Say Drunk in Japanese (and More Essential Drinking Vocab!)

by Hannah Stafford
A person in a red shirt holds a frothy glass of beer forward, smiling in a blurry restaurant setting.

Drinking in Japan can be such a fun experience. There are many interesting bars, delicious drinks and good company to enjoy at any given time in this bustling country. That being said, entertaining such activities can leave you feeling ‘drunk’! But how would you express that in Japanese? Would you even remember, in a drunk … Read more

Categories Japanese lessons Leave a comment

How to Say Cheers in Japanese (Kanpai and More!)

by Hannah Stafford
Three people in traditional Japanese yukata raise their glasses of beer, smiling warmly as they say "kanpai" (cheers in Japanese) in a room with a shoji screen backdrop.

No matter where in the world you visit, ‘cheers’ is one of the most useful phrases to learn in a country’s local language! There is a sense of community and warmth when a group of people come together and clink their glasses, toasting to health, to congratulate or even to remember someone. You may even … Read more

Categories Japanese lessons Leave a comment

Going Drinking in Japan? Everything You Need to Know About Japanese Drinking Culture

by Hannah Stafford
A hand pours sake from a white ceramic pitcher into a small cup held by another person.

You may be surprised to learn that drinking is actually a big part of both social and business culture in Japan! Japanese people are generally more reserved, and tend to hold their true feelings back. Therefore, when alcohol or ‘liquid courage’ is involved, they may feel more comfortable to open up and be more expressive! … Read more

Categories Japanese culture Leave a comment
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