level3 (N3)～てばかりいる・Nばかり～ている: “Do Nothing But ~” in Japanese
Learn JLPT N3 grammar ～てばかりいる and ～ばかり～ている, meaning “do nothing but ~.” Covers the critical nuance, the casual form ばっか, comparison with ～てばかりだ and ～たばかり, examples, practice, and FAQ.
New posts
level3 (N3)
level3 (N3)～た + Noun (Noun Modification): Describing People and Things in Japanese
Learn how ～た + Noun works in Japanese (名詞修飾). This JLPT N3 guide covers the resultant-state meaning — めがねをかけた女性, 壊れたゲーム — with formation rules, ～ている comparison, example dialogues, practice, and FAQ.
ConversationLost 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.
ConversationLost 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.
level1 (N5)
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.
level1 (N5)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.
level1 (N5)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.
level1 (N5)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.
level2 (N4)
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.
level2 (N4)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.
level2 (N4)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.
level2 (N4)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.
Culture
CultureFather’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.
CultureHaha 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.
CultureKodomo 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.
CultureMidori 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.