Arguably, Japanese is an ambiguous language – however, it is not the grammar or vocabulary that make it ambiguous, but how we express things in the language. This post explains one of the causes of ambiguity: “omission of words” in Japanese.Read Definition
“Read the Air and Hold Back”: Japanese Words Mirroring Japanese Mindsets
This article introduces two essential Japanese words – 遠慮 (えんりょ) する and 空気を読む (くうきをよむ) – to help you understand the Japanese culture more!Read Definition
40++ Ways to Say “Many” in Japanese to Sound Like a Native Speaker
This article presents a comprehensive list of Japanese words (from basic to highly advanced) meaning “many”, with brief explanations and example sentences provided to each entry! Read Definition
正義マン (seigiman): Japanese Slang Meaning “Justice Man”
正義マン (せいぎまん, seigiman) is a relatively new slang term which literally means “justice man”. It is a pejorative term which sardonically refers to “do-gooders” who are always seeking for someone who does something immoral or unethical, no matter how trivial, and revile them ostentatiously to show off their moral superiority.Read Definition
自粛警察 (jishukukeisatsu): Japan’s “Self-Restraint Police” Explained
Recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Japanese slang term has been coined called “自粛警察 (じしゅくけいさつ, jishuku keisatsu)”, which literally means “self-restraint police”. This post explains what it exactly means and also what 自粛 (jishuku) refers to during the pandemic in Japan.Read Definition
How to Memorise Japanese Kanji Efficiently with Radicals
This article explains with examples how radicals of Japanese kanji characters can help you memorise their meanings and pronunciations efficiently!Read Definition
Our Baseball Star Ichiro Suzuki – What he means to Japanese people
For many Japanese people, including myself, Ichiro is more than just an athlete — he is admired as a paragon of perseverance and charisma, as a man who always strives to unflinchingly pursue what most people deem impossible.Read Definition
Reiwa, Heisei and Shōwa: Meaning, Origin and History of Japan’s Eras
This post explains Japan’s imperial era (gengō) and also briefly describes the origins, meanings and zeitgeists of the latest eras ‘Reiwa’, ‘Heisei’ and ‘Shōwa’. What’s 元号 (Gengō)? Japan’s imperial era is called 元号 (gengō). It is used alongside the Western calendar in official documents such as drivers’ licenses and health insurance cards. Usually, the era…Read Definition
Heisei Saw “Titanic” Economic Bubble Followed by ‘The Lost Two Decades’
Pronunciation Meaning and Origin of 平成 (Heisei) The name of ‘平成‘ (Heisei) reflects the wish for world peace. It was coined in reference to two Chinese phrases ‘内平外成’ meaning ‘peace inside and prosperity outside’ and ‘地平天成’ meaning ‘the peaceful and prosperous world’. The former appears in ‘書経’ (‘Shujing’,‘The Book of Documents’), and the latter in…Read Definition
昭和の匂い (‘Smell of Shōwa’): Origin of ‘Shōwa Era’ and Relevant Idioms Explained
昭和 (Shōwa) is the Japanese imperial era that spanned 62 years from December 25th, 1926 to January 7th, 1989.Read Definition