New posts

Lost in Translation: When Chotto Means No: The Japanese Team Thought They Had Said No

Chotto (ちょっと) means "a little," but "Sore wa chotto…" usually means no. An interpreter shares a meeting story and explains how to recognize and respond to a soft Japanese refusal.

Lost in Translation: When Kentou Shimasu (“We’ll Consider It”) Actually Means “Probably Not”

In Japanese business, kentou shimasu (検討します), "we'll consider it," can be a polite no. An interpreter explains how to tell a real "maybe" from a soft refusal.

Lost in Translation: When Hai (Yes) Doesn’t Mean Yes in Japanese

In Japanese, hai (はい) often means "I'm listening," not "I agree." A Japanese-English interpreter shares a real meeting story and tips for confirming agreement.

～込む (Komu) Meaning & Usage: “Into” and “Intensely” in Japanese

Learn JLPT N3 compound verb ending ～込む (komu). Covers both meanings — movement into something, and doing an action thoroughly over time — with formation rules, example dialogues, practice, and FAQ.

level1 (N5)

How to Say “It Will Probably…” in Japanese | Using (short) + deshou（〜でしょう）

Deshou (でしょう) in Japanese grammar: learn the (short-form) + deshou pattern to express guess & prediction, see examples, common mistakes, practice drills, and FAQs for JLPT N5-N4 learners.

2025.04.25 2026.08.26

How to Say “I Intend to” in Japanese | Using V + tsumori da（〜つもりだ）

Learn how to express plans and intentions in Japanese using the grammar pattern 〜つもりだ、～つもりです. This guide covers how to say things like “I intend to study” or “I don’t plan to eat” with verb short forms and clear examples.

2025.04.24 2026.08.25

How to Say “Do Such Things As V1 and V2” in Japanese | Using V たり V たりする

Learn how to say “do things like A and B” in Japanese using the grammar pattern V-たり V-たりする. This guide explains how to list example actions naturally with clear conjugation rules and sample sentences.

2025.04.23 2026.08.24

How to Say “As Many As” and “Only” in Japanese | Using Number + も / しか

Learn how to say “as many as” with 〜も and “only” or “as few as” with 〜しか in Japanese. This guide shows how to express surprise or limitation with numbers and the correct verb forms for each.

2025.04.22 2026.08.24

level2 (N4)

V (short) + ことにしている: How to Say “Make it a Habit to …”

Learn V (short) + ことにしている to express “I make it a habit to …” in Japanese. Clear formation, nuance vs. ことにする / ことになる / ことになっている, natural examples, practice, and common mistakes.

2026.01.08 2026.08.16

V (short) + ことにする: How to Say “Decide to do …” in Japanese

Learn V (short) + ことにする to express “decide to do …” in Japanese. Clear formation, nuance vs. ことになる and ことにしている, natural examples, practice prompts, and common mistakes—perfect for JLPT N4 learners.

2026.01.04 2026.08.23

N のように / N のような: How to Say “Like N / Similar to N” in Japanese

Learn N のように (like N + verb/adj) and N のような (N-like + noun) to express similarity in Japanese. Clear rules, natural examples, common mistakes, and practice for JLPT N4 learners.

2026.01.01 2026.08.23

V-stem + 方 (kata): How to Say “How to do ~” in Japanese

Learn V-stem + 方 (kata) to express “how to do ~” in Japanese: formation (ru/u/irregular), particle changes (を→の), への for destinations, natural request patterns, examples, practice, and common mistakes. Perfect for JLPT N4 learners.

2025.12.29 2026.08.23

Culture

Father’s Day in Japan (父の日) – Gifts, Customs & Meaning

Discover how Father’s Day (Chichi no Hi) is celebrated in Japan on the third Sunday of June. Learn about gift ideas like katatataki-ken and Japanese customs.

2025.06.16 2026.03.17

Haha no Hi (母の日) – Mother’s Day in Japan, Second Sunday of May

Haha no Hi celebrates mothers across Japan on the second Sunday of May. Discover the post-WWII origins of this American-inspired event, why red carnations are the go-to gift, and how families show appreciation through sweets, handmade cards, and helping with household chores.

2025.05.12 2026.03.17

Kodomo no Hi (こどもの日) – Japan’s Children’s Day (May 5th) Traditions, Symbols & Golden Week Fun

Kodomo no Hi crowns Golden Week with flying carp streamers, samurai dolls, and sweet kashiwa mochi. Discover the holiday’s history, must‑see events, and how Japanese families celebrate children’s health and happiness.

2025.05.06 2026.03.17

Midori no Hi (みどりの日) – Japan’s Greenery Day on May 4th & Golden Week Nature Events

Midori no Hi—Greenery Day—honors Emperor Shōwa’s love of plants and spotlights Japan’s environmental ethos. Explore the holiday’s history, eco‑events, free‑entry zoos, and how it slots into Golden Week travel plans.

2025.05.05 2026.03.17