kenjougo (humble language, 謙譲語): Extra-Modest Expressions for Your Inner Circle in Japanese
Introduction You already know how to humble your own actions with 申します, 参ります, and いたします.But in formal Japanese, you must also speak modestly... Read more.
kenjougo (humble language, 謙譲語): Extra-Modest Expressions for Talking About Yourself
Introduction When you need to lower yourself—at a job interview, greeting a client, or talking to a professor—plain polite Japanese isn’t quite polite enough.... Read more.
N wa V no ni tsukaimasu (N は Vのに使います): Beginner’s Guide to Saying “Use N for …-ing” in Japanese
Introduction Need to say “We use scissors for cutting paper” or “This laptop is handy for writing reports” in Japanese? The go-to expression is N は V-のに... Read more.
no wa … desu (のは…です): Beginner Guide to Emphasizing “It Is Adj/N That …” in Japanese
Introduction Ever wanted to stress one specific part of a Japanese sentence—“It’s grammar that’s hard,” or “It was last night that I arrived”? The... Read more.
o-verb-stem kudasai (お〜ください): Beginner’s Guide to Respectful “Please Do” in Japanese
Introduction You already know basic “please” in Japanese—〜てください.But when you must ask a customer, guest, or professor to do something, you upgrade... Read more.
V-te irasshaimasu (て いらっしゃいます): Beginner Guide to Honorific “-ing” in Japanese
Introduction Need to say “Professor Tanaka is reading” or “The CEO is on the phone” politely?Use the honorific progressive form V-て いらっしゃいます.... Read more.
o-verb-stem-ni naru (お〜になる): Beginner’s Guide to Honorifying Japanese Verbs
Introduction You already know there are a handful of special honorific verbs like いらっしゃる and 召し上がる. But how do we show respect for all the... Read more.
special honorific verbs (sonkeigo): quick guide for beginners
Introduction In Japanese, actions done by people of higher social status than you (such as your superiors, teachers or customers) have to be described with politeness... Read more.
kamoshiremasen (かもしれません): Essential Japanese “Maybe” Grammar
Introduction Wondering how to say “maybe,” “might,” or “may have” in Japanese? The expression you need is (short form) + かもしれません. It lets... Read more.
How to Use 〜みたいです and ようです in Japanese | It Looks Like / It Seems That
Introduction Have you ever wanted to say “It looks like…” or “It seems that…” in Japanese? The expression you need is: 👉 (short form) + みたいです... Read more.