‘Teacher’ is actually a widely used word in everyday conversation in Japanese. Many different people go by the title ‘teacher’, even if they don’t work in a school. I know, sounds confusing, right?! This is because ‘teacher’ can have a deeper, cultural meaning in the Japanese language. You might have heard the word sensei (先生 … Read more
Japan in January is full of fresh starts, fun traditions and frosty scenery! January is one of the most important times of the year for Japanese culture, with an array of nationwide and local celebrations to bring in the New Year. Whether you’re planning a winter trip or just want to enjoy a little Japanese … Read more
Let’s be honest… when you’re learning a language, one of the most important things to say is that you’re hungry. Especially when you are travelling around Japan with soo many delicious food options to get your stomach rumbling! From expressing your hunger in casual or polite ways, to describing what exactly you are craving, this … Read more
Black Friday week is the best time of year to snap up some deals, and the same applies with Japanese language resources! Here are some of the best Black Friday deals I’ve found on my favourite products for learning Japanese: JapanesePod101 JapanesePod101 is my top recommended resource to learn Japanese online. They have a GIANT … Read more
If you have ever been exposed to Japanese culture, whether it be spending time with Japanese friends or enjoying an anime or drama, you will have likely heard the phrases itadakimasu and gochisousama. If you pay particular attention, you will notice that these terms are always reserved for meal time! This is a really beautiful … Read more
Making new friends? One of the first questions that comes up in conversation when meeting someone is ‘where are you from?’ – especially when we meet people in an international environment, such as travelling, at university or language school! And if you’re lucky enough to visit Japan, it’s a question you’re likely to hear from … Read more
There’s something special about the calm, thoughtful wisdom that runs through Japanese culture. No wonder so many people feel drawn to Japanese philosophy. And the wonderful thing is that so many Japanese concepts are easy to apply to everyday life, even in the west. You don’t have to become a monk or give away all … Read more
When we make a new friend, it’s natural to want to ask ‘how old are you?’ But age can be a bit of a touchy subject, so it is important that we approach this topic in the most appropriate way! ‘Age’ in Japanese is nen rei (年齢 / ねんれい). Although it is grammatically correct to … Read more