Tips for living in Japan

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February 20, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Knowledge of Japanese Culture is Necessary when Translating

When a meal invitation is given, Japanese have a custom where guests bring a present as a token of gratitude for the food that is provided. In the case of Westerners, the guest will give a present saying “This is a nice cake sold at a shop near my house. It is very delicious,” and […]

February 17, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

The Japanese Language has Characteristic ways of Being Expressed

The Japanese language contains so-called “greeting words.” When writing a letter, the opening words are usually “Haikei” (Dear Sir), which are followed with a seasonal greeting and some sentences expressing concern about the receiver and their health. Then, the main section of the letter is closed off with “Keigu” (Sincerely). Due to the large number […]

February 15, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Dialects Create Familiarity and Softens Speech

In January 2007, HIGASHIKOKUBARU Hideo, a former entertainer, was elected as governor of Miyazaki prefecture. It is believed that his speech, “Miyazaki wo dogenka sen to ikan” (We must do something for Miyazaki), spoken in the local dialect to citizens of the prefecture during the election campaign, played a big role in his surprise victory. […]

February 14, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Japanese tend to shorten words to four characters

Do you know the word “Kimutaku”? This is a shortened form of “Kimura Takuya,” a famous Japanese personality and pop singer. “Matsukiyo” is an abbreviation for the leading drugstore chain, “Matsumoto Kiyoshi.” Although “Toshiba” (Toshiba Corporation) used to be a shortened form of “Tokyo Shibaura Denki,” it is now the official company name. As you […]

February 12, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Different Methods of Expression Between Japanese and English

In western countries, most people like to be called by their first names when they meet a person for the first time (e.g. “Hi, John!”). On the contrary, in Japan, people do not like to be called by their first names soon after they meet someone, as they think it sounds too friendly and makes […]

February 10, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Which comes first – first name or family name?

Translators are often embarrassed when dealing with names. First of all, a big problem involves whether the first name or the family name comes first. Take for example the Japanese name of “Yamada Hanako” — the family name comes first followed by the first name. On the contrary, in western countries, for names such as […]

February 9, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Kanji Structure is Similar to Roots of English Words’

Kanji is one of the most complicated areas of study for Japanese language students, but if you know its structure, you will find it unexpectedly interesting. Basic kanji developed originally from pictures. Take for example, “Mountain.” You can imagine a mountain from this kanji’s shape. There are many other similar examples. “River” comes from the […]

February 7, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

More English words are being used as Japanese!

Foreign words are expressed in Japanese using katakana except those words that are from regions where kanji is used. These foreign words are called “gairaigo” (adopted words from foreign countries), and recently their number has been greatly increasing. In particular, the more widely English spreads as an international language, the more often English words are […]

February 5, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Just use“Ko”when you don’t know how to count correctly

Counting in Japanese often confuses those who are learning the Japanese language. When you count dogs in English, you just add the noun after the numbers, eg: “one dog,” “two dogs,” “three dogs,” etc. However, in Japanese, the counting method differs depending on the objects being counted. Taking a dog (inu) as an example, we […]

February 2, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Numerous Japanese Unit Names are Changed every Four Digits

When you convert US dollars to Japanese yen, you might have puzzled about the units used for Japanese numbers. In the English language, you just add the word “dollars” after a number less than 100. When a number reaches $100, it is called “one hundred dollars.” The unit name “hundred” is used. And in the […]

January 30, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

The first Japanese Words Foreigners Should Learn

The first Japanese words foreigners need to learn should be greetings and social terms. The most commonly used greeting words will be “Ohayou” (Good morning), Konnichiwa” (good afternoon), “Konbanwa” (Good evening), “Sayounara” (Goodbye), etc. The next most commonly used words would be words “Arigatou” (Thank you), “Douitashimashite” (Not at all), “Sumimasen” (I am sorry), “Hajimemashite” […]

January 29, 2020Hints For Learning Japanesegs-webmaster

Japanese Verbs Follow Systematic Rules

All Japanese verbs end with “u” when expressed using Roman letters. For example, all of the verbs “yomu (read),” “kaku (write),” “kiku (listen)” and “hanasu (speak)” end with “u.” This is very easy to learn, but we hardly use these “dictionary form” verbs in daily conversation. Many foreigners speak Japanese using the “desu/masu” form, which […]