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Ultimate Guide to Learning Japanese Through Anime

Kah Mun Fu — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:51:10 +0000

Ultimate Guide to Learning Japanese through Anime

By Kah Mun Fu | January 9th, 2026

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Learning Japanese by watching anime can be a fun, unconventional way to learn the language, but you might be wondering, how can you effectively study Japanese through anime without getting distracted? How should you learn Japanese while trying to listen to the dialogue? Is it even effective to learn the language through anime?

Whether you are a beginner who’s just getting into learning Japanese, or a near-native speaker wanting to immerse themselves in Japanese media, this guide has got you covered. In this guide, we will show you why you should learn Japanese through anime, recommendations according to language level, and the best tips to learn the language while watching anime. Let’s get started!

This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning about Japan through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

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Why should you learn Japanese through Anime?

It can help you improve your listening skills

Just listening to the conversations happening while watching anime can help improve your listening comprehension. Many, if not most, characters in anime speak in a slow and clear manner, which makes it easy for learners to listen to the dialogue and comprehend what is going on. It’s also a great way to hear how certain words or grammar are used and in which contexts.

Pro tip

Write down what words you listened to while you are watching just so you can level up your vocab and remember.

You can pick up useful vocabulary that you can use in Japanese conversation

While you listen to your favorite characters speak, they might say something that could be useful to you in daily conversation, such as a specific vocabulary you want to remember for future conversations, or grammar that may be useful when you try to articulate your thoughts and opinions.

Talking about anime in Japanese can be a great conversation topic for making Japanese friends

Once you have improved your speaking skills, you can try to make Japanese friends by speaking to them in their native language. When you’re starting to learn how to speak in Japanese, it can be difficult to continue a conversation with others. However, anime and manga are both very popular mediums in Japan, and this is a great conversation topic to help with conversation. You can talk about your favorite anime series to your Japanese friends as a conversation starter! Plus, watching anime can also help you to learn how Japanese speakers talk to each other as well.

You can learn about Japanese culture through anime

The most important thing about learning a language is learning about the culture the language originated from. You often can’t cleanly translate Japanese culture into your native language, and often you will encounter that some cultural points simply do not exist in other cultures, so you need to learn about Japanese culture; how people greet each other, customs, and manners. Watching anime, especially some genres of anime like slice of life, can help to learn about Japanese culture and mannerisms that you can pick up and apply to your Japanese learning.

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Where can I find anime according to Japanese level?

It can be difficult to find anime based on Japanese difficulty online, however websites such as LearnNatively and JPDB have been compiling a list of anime based on Japanese difficulty. With JPDB, the website sorts and categorizes anime based on unique words and kanji, as well as average and peak difficulty, so it makes it easy to find anime based on how difficult the vocabulary is going to be.

Similarly, LearnNatively categorizes anime according to difficulty, however this is done by the community. You have the option to compare two anime series next to each other to see which one is easier to understand, or whether you want to challenge yourself by watching the more difficult option. Do note that not all anime is available for analysis for both options, however.

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Best anime to learn Japanese according to level

Best anime to learn Japanese for beginners

At this level of Japanese, it is recommended that you watch children’s anime, as their clear, easy to understand language will be beneficial for Japanese learners aiming to get a foundation of the language. There are some anime out there that aren't children’s anime that can be useful for beginner Japanese learners, however.

Doraemon

Nobita Nobi, a ten-year old schoolboy, is struggling with academics and sports. Doraemon, a robot cat sent from the future, comes to take care of Nobita by providing him with gadgets and inventions to overcome a variety of problems. The series follows Doraemon and Nobita on their various adventures along with Nobita’s friends, Shizuka, Takeshi, and Suneo.

As one of the most iconic children’s anime of all time, Doraemon is perfect for beginners who want to get a grasp of Japanese. Its simple, easy to follow language makes it easy to understand, (plus, there will be opportunities to expand your vocabulary while watching the anime. Plus, the opening theme has the lyrics written on the screen, making it easy for learners to learn new vocabulary.

Chibi Maruko-chan

The premise of this anime is simple; elementary school student Momoko Sakura, otherwise known as “ Chibi Maruko-chan,” lives with her family in a small town and goes to school with her many friends. This anime is about enjoying the mundane and living a simple life.

The frequent use of plain form; futsuu-kei (普通形), makes it easy for beginners to understand daily conversations between Japanese speakers. Characters speak to each other in a way that feels natural, and the usage of general vocabulary also makes it easy for beginner learners to understand.

Sazae-san

As the longest running series in the world, Sazae-san follows the titular character, a typical Japanese housewife, and her daily life living with her family. This series captures the simplicity of Japanese family life in the suburbs.

The characters mainly speak in plain form, making it easy to understand for beginners wanting to get a grasp of how Japanese people speak to each other daily. Topics mainly covered in Sazae-san pertain to daily life in Japan, such as going out to do groceries or anything about home life, which can be helpful for beginners to learn about typical Japanese culture. Characters also speak in a slow and clear manner as well.

Shirokuma Cafe

This series follows a polar bear named Shirokuma, as he runs the Shirokuma Cafe, a popular hotspot for humans and animals alike just located near the local zoo. He finds joy in serving his customers, always eager to start a conversation with them. Shirokuma is accompanied by his friends, Penguin and Panda as they go on a series of wacky adventures.

While it might seem like a slice-of-life anime that’s hard to understand, some characters speak slowly and clearly, making it easy to follow for beginner Japanese learners. The way characters speak reflects how Japanese people speak daily as well, but there are puns that simply cannot be translated into English, and there are jokes that beginners might have a hard time understanding.

Koupen-chan

The premise of this adorable anime is simple; Koupen-chan, a baby emperor penguin, wants to make sure that everyone, including the audience, feels good about themselves. Koupen-chan tends to praise the audience for performing even the most basic of tasks. such as getting up in the morning.

This series is perfect for beginner Japanese learners as the language used is extremely simple and easy to understand. Koupen-chan also speaks in a slow and clear manner, so it should be no problem picking up new bits of vocabulary while watching this series.

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Best anime to learn Japanese for intermediate learners

At this level of Japanese, you should be able to understand daily conversations as well as express your thoughts and opinions. It is recommended that you watch slice-of-life anime, as the language used reflects everyday conversations that you will hear on a daily basis.

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku

Narumi Momose, a fujoshi (girl who loves Boy’s Love) who wants to keep her nerdy obsession a secret, encounters an old friend from middle school, Hirotaka Nifuji on her first day of work at a new company. Wanting to act normal, she invites him out for drinks, only to find out that he is just as nerdy as she is. What follows is a cute romance that follows the two otaku.

This anime is perfect for intermediate learners due to the corporate setting of the anime; you can watch characters speak formally and informally with each other. It’s perfect for those who want to learn keigo (敬語) (honorifics mainly used in the workplace), as well as those wanting to know how Japanese people speak to each other daily. In addition, there will be references to Japanese otaku culture which can be useful if you want to learn ‘real Japanese’, as these references will never show up in textbooks.

Chiikawa

Short for Nanka chiisakute kawaii yatsu (なんか小さくてかわいいやつ), Chiikawa is an adorable anime centered around the titular character, Chiikawa, and its friends. Chiikawa and its friends go around eating and playing together, occasionally working odd jobs such as weeding and monster hunting to earn money.

While it may look like a children’s show, the target demographic of this show is seinen (青年); young adult men, so some of the vocabulary used is more difficult for beginner learners of Japanese. However, a few of the characters, such as Hachiware; a blue and white cat-looking critter, speak in a way that is easy to understand for beginner to intermediate Japanese learners. Also, this is a great opportunity to learn meirei-kei (命令形) as there is a flying squirrel character named Momonga that talks almost exclusively in this form.

K-On!

The story follows the lives of the Sakuragaoka High School Light Music Club members; drummer Ritsu Tainaka, bassist Mio Akiyama, keyboardist Tsumugi Kotobuki, and inexperienced guitarist Yui Hirasawa. They live out their lives, spend time with each other, and practice every day with the sole purpose of saving their club from disbandment.

Most of the language used is filled with general and school-related vocabulary, which make it easy to follow for intermediate learners. Moreover, characters also speak in a slow, clear, but natural manner, reflecting how native speakers talk to each other.

Nichijou

Set in the town of Tokisadame, Gunma Prefecture, Nichijou follows the lives of three high school girls, as well as a genius professor, her robot caretaker, and their talking cat. They all experience both the ordinary and the absurd, whether it’s talking about their test scores, or watching the school principal suplex a deer.

Although this might look like your atypical slice-of-life anime, this is one of the more absurd options on this list due to its humor and use of puns, which can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand. However, the language used is mostly in plain form, and the high school setting of the show can help learners learn more about daily life in Japan.

Teasing Master Takagi-san

Nishikata, a middle school boy, is friends with his classmate, Takagi. The thing is, Takagi loves to tease Nishikata daily, so he tries to get back at her by teasing her back. Things don’t work out as planned, however, as Takagi is able to masterfully predict how Nishikata will enact his teasing, often turning the tables against him.

This anime has been recommended by many Japanese learners as the language used is mainly everyday vocabulary, mixed with school-related vocabulary. The dialogue is easy to follow, as characters speak to each other in a slow, clear manner, and the repetition of certain phrases can help with memorization.

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Best anime to learn Japanese for advanced learners

At this level of Japanese, you should be able to understand most anime available to you. However, learning Japanese does not have to end with gaining near-native fluency in the language; there are a few anime series out there jam-packed with puns, slang, and pop culture references that may be difficult to understand at a lower level, in addition to complex vocabulary and grammar. If you are looking to challenge yourself, then these series might be a good place to brush up on your language skills.

Gintama

This anime is set in an alternate-history late-Edo period, where aliens called the Amanto have taken over and banned all swords in public. Gintoki Sakata, a freelancer who runs an odd-jobs business, is assisted by Shinpachi Shimura, Kagura and Sadaharu, who try to help others in any way they can, even if it doesn’t go according to plan.

Gintama mainly parodies almost everything Japanese culture related, from memes to popular anime and movies. Characters also talk at a fast pace, which makes listening a challenge for advanced learners. For near-native speakers who want to learn about Japanese pop culture references, Gintama might be the series for you!

The Apothecary Diaries

When Maomao, the daughter of an apothecary, is kidnapped and sold into service of the emperor and his court, she finds herself working as a lowly maid. However, all that changed when the emperor’s children fell ill, and she uses her skills to find the cause. She is then tasked to solve the various mysteries that occur within the imperial court.

The use of historicl vocabulary that isn’t heard as much in contemporary Japan makes this anime challenging for beginners and intermediate Japanese speakers. Not to mention, Maomao occasionally speaks fast when talking about the medicinal properties of ingredients. Regardless, if you are interested in history (keep in mind, this takes place in a land inspired by Tang Dynasty China), as well as medical vocabulary, then this might be the series for you.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Known for its over-the-top dialogue, character design, and engaging plot, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure follows several generations of the Joestar family, who are locked in a never-ending battle against the main antagonist, DIO, and his allies. Throughout the series, the story focuses on the concept of Stands, the manifestation of one’s soul with incredible powers.

As mentioned before, the over-the-top dialogue, as well as some expressions used in the anime, can be challenging for lower-level Japanese learners, as most characters do not speak that way in real life. For near-native Japanese speakers however, if you want to learn about certain expressions and metaphors that simply cannot be translated into English, then this anime is for you. Plus, you get to hear the inner monologues of the characters as they fight their enemies while posing dramatically.

The Way of the Househusband

Ex-Yakuza member Tatsu, who was once known as the “Immortal Dragon,” now lives his life as a househusband. He cooks, cleans, and takes care of the house, all whilst supporting his wife’s career. He is often misunderstood by authorities due to his mannerisms, but he also encounters Yakuza members who try to recruit him back.

This may look like a comedic slice-of-life anime, but the use of Yakuza jargon will make it difficult for beginner and intermediate learners to understand. In addition, Tatsu, the main character, will also be speaking in the Kansai dialect, which is totally different to how standard Japanese is spoken. That is not to say that his way of speaking will be incomprehensible, however. Advanced learners can challenge themselves by learning the Kansai-dialect, as well as various Yakuza-themed vocabulary as well!

Delicious in Dungeon

After a dungeon crawl goes terribly wrong, Laios Touden, an adventurer, resolves to go back into the dungeon to save his little sister, Falin, from being digested by a red dragon. Accompanied by his allies, Marcille and Chilchuck, they realized that they won’t be able to make it far into the dungeons, until the dwarven warrior Senshi offers them a solution; eat the monsters that they slay.

This anime contains a lot of fantasy-related jargon that is simply not used on a daily basis, making this anime a challenge for advanced speakers. On the bright side, for those who also want to learn about cooking-related vocabulary, then this anime is perfect as Senshi clearly speaks out the instructions on how to cook said monsters into delicious meals.

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Supplementary tools to help with Japanese learning

Yomitan

Yomitan is a browser extension that allows you to see the definition of Japanese vocabulary. All you have to do is hover over the text while the extension is active, and the extension will automatically detect the vocabulary. Pair this extension with programs such as Subadub, which will make the subtitles highlightable.

Availability: Available for free for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Anki

Anki is a program that you can use to create and utilize flashcards to aid in your Japanese study. The program uses spaced repetition, which means that once you learned and memorized certain vocabulary and grammar, the flashcard won’t appear as often. You can customize these flashcards to have images and audio on them, as well as how much you want to review these flashcards, and how many flashcards you want to review daily.

Availability: Available for free on the PC, however there is a mobile version available. Do note that you will have to pay 4000 yen to use the mobile version.

Jisho.org

Jisho.org is a website that is essentially a Japanese dictionary. You can search for specific vocabulary just by typing in English, Japanese characters or Romaji. In addition, the website will tell you about a word’s JLPT level, as well as whether it is a common word or not.

Availability: You can access the website on a phone, tablet or computer browser.

Language Reactor

Language Reactor is a browser extension that helps you learn languages from watching your favorite movies and series. You can use this extension with Netflix, as the extension will include dual subtitles to enhance your language learning, a popup dictionary, and video controls for you to go back on when you want to learn a specific word. The extension also works for YouTube, book apps, and almost all websites.

Availability: Currently, it’s only available on Chrome.

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Best techniques to learn Japanese from anime

Watch with Japanese subtitles

It may be difficult to pick up new words and grammar just by watching the anime of your choice, and that’s where watching with Japanese subtitles can come in handy. While you watch and listen for new vocabulary and grammar, you can use the subtitles to figure out what is being said. Pair this technique with browser extensions such as Subadub, which makes the subtitles highlightable (you can even pair this with Yomitan as well).

Flashcards

It’s important to create and review flashcards for new words and grammar points that you come across. Regularly reviewing flashcards helps with memory retention, and helps with figuring out what vocabulary and grammar you need to improve upon. While watching your favorite anime series, create a flashcard for every piece of vocabulary or grammar you come across, and review your flashcards daily. Also, try to incorporate an example sentence in your flashcards, so that you can remember the definition of a word or how to use this specific grammar point in your day to day conversation.

Shadowing

This is a technique that involves imitating a native speaker of the language you are learning; in this case, Japanese. This technique can help with improving your pronunciation, intonation, and the speed at which you talk. To effectively utilize this technique, pick a scene and character from your favorite anime, and mimic the way your character speaks as you watch the scene play out. Even if you think you might sound terrible, it might be helpful to record yourself mimicking said character just so you can hear how you sound.

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Is learning Japanese through Anime effective?

The advantages of learning Japanese by watching anime is that it can be engaging compared to more conventional methods such as books and group classes. In addition, anime characters tend to be more natural sounding compared to textbook Japanese, as they reflect how ordinary Japanese people speak. Moreover, watching anime can be good for language immersion; which is to say, if you expose yourself to the language,

However, it doesn’t come without disadvantages. Watching anime can be distracting especially if you want to pick out new vocabulary and grammar. Furthermore, some phrases that might be said in anime are not necessarily used in everyday conversation; for example, if you are watching a history anime, there might be jargon that might not be used in day to day life, unless you were studying about Japanese history and would like to learn about specialized vocabulary.

In the end, whether you want to learn Japanese just by watching anime, or you want to supplement your learning with conventional tools such as classes and textbooks, it’s all about the commitment to learning Japanese. Put in the effort to learn Japanese, and you’ll yield results in the future.

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How to Ask and Give Directions in Japanese

Vivian — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:08:51 +0000

How to Ask and Give Directions in Japanese

By Vivian Izumizawa | Sep 20th, 2025

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Directions in Japanese can be tricky to understand, especially if you’re new to Japan. Train stations often feel like complex mazes, streets rarely follow neat grids, and addresses rely on block numbers instead of street names. On top of that, the language barrier means that even maps or apps can leave you confused if you don’t know how to read or ask for directions in Japanese.

That’s why learning how to ask for and give directions in Japanese isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. This guide walks you through key direction words, common landmarks, and practical phrases for asking and giving directions in Japanese. Whether you’re trying to find a hidden café, navigate a busy station, or locate the nearest convenience store, these tips will make exploring Japan smoother, safer, and much more enjoyable.

This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning about Japan through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

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How to say Positions and Directions in Japanese

Getting lost in Japan is easy… unless you know how to say where you’re going! Luckily, learning a few key words for positions and directions in Japanese, like “left,” “right,” and “straight ahead”, can save you from wandering around confused. Think of it as your secret superpower for navigating streets, trains, and even tiny alleyways with easy keywords!

Directions in Japanese: Up, Down, Left and Right

上 (ue) - Up/ above
Japanese	Romaji	English
上の階に行ってください	Une no kai ni itte kudasai	Please go upstairs.

下 - (shita) Down/ Below/ Under
Japanese	Romaji	English
トイレは下の階にあります	Toire wa shita no kai ni arimasu	There is a bathroom downstairs.

右 (migi)- Right
Japanese	Romaji	English
右にありますよ	Migi ni arimasuyo	It’s on the right.

左 (hidari)- Left
Japanese	Romaji	English
左に曲がってください	Hidari ni magatte kudasai	Turn on the left.

Directions in Japanese: Cardinal Directions in Japanese

北 (kita)- North
Japanese	Romaji	English
駅は北にあります。	Eki wa kita ni arimasu	The station is to the north.

南 (minami) – south
Japanese	Romaji	English
海は町の南にあります。	wa machi no minami desu.	The sea is in the south of the town.

東 (higashi) – east
Japanese	Romaji	English
図書館は東にあります。	Toshokan wa higashi ni arimasu.	The library is to the east.

西 (nishi) – west
Japanese	Romaji	English
公園は西側にあります。	Kouen wa nishi-gawa ni arimasu.	The park is on the west side.

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How to Describe Locations and Directions in Japanese

Learning how to describe locations and directions in Japanese helps you understand everyday conversations and navigate more smoothly. Here are the key words you need to know.

Positions: Inside, Outside and In the Middle

中 (naka)- Inside
Japanese	Romaji	English
中にお入りください	naka ni ohairi kudasai	Get inside

外 (soto) - Outside
Japanese	Romaji	English
トイレは外にあります	toire wa soto ni arimasu	The bathroom is outside.

真ん中 (mannaka) - In the Middle
Japanese	Romaji	English
真ん中の席に座ってください	Mannaka no seki ni suwatte kudasai	Please sit on the seat in the middle

Relative Location: Front, Back, Next to

前 (mae) - In Front
Japanese	Romaji	English
学校の前で待ってください	Gakkou no mae de matte kudasai	Wait in front of the school.

後ろ (ushiro) - Behind
Japanese	Romaji	English
建物の後ろに駐車場があります。	Tatemono no ushiro ni chūshajyou ga arimasu	There is a parking lot behind the building.

隣 (tonari) - Next to
Japanese	Romaji	English
スーパーはコンビニの隣にあります。	sūpā wa konbini no tonari ni arimasu	The supermarket is next to the convenience store

Opposite and Across

向かい (mukai) - across from
Japanese	Romaji	English
カフェは駅の向かいにあります。	kafe wa eki no mukai ni arimasu	The cafe is across from the station

反対 (hantai) - Opposite side
Japanese	Romaji	English
反対側にバス停があります。	hantai gawa ni basu-tei ga arimasu	There is a bus stop in the opposite side.

Distance: Near, Far and Beyond

近い (tikai) - Near
Japanese	Romaji	English
駅はここから近いです。	eki wa koko kara tikai desu	The station is near here.

遠い (tōi) - far
Japanese	Romaji	English
信号の先にコンビニがあります。	shingou no saki ni konbini ga arimasu	There is a convenience store beyond the traffic light.

先 (saki) - beyond
Japanese	Romaji	English
信号の先にコンビニがあります。	shingou no saki ni konbini ga arimasu	There is a convenience store beyond the traffic light.

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How to Talk About Buildings and Landmarks in Japanese

Knowing the Japanese words for everyday buildings and landmarks is like having a cheat code for asking directions, suddenly, you can actually find that café, shrine, or train station without wandering around like a lost emoji.

Japanese	Romaji	English
銀行	Ginkou	Bank
郵便局	Yūbin-kyoku	Post Office
学校	Gakkou	School
コンビニ	Konbini	Convenience Store
区役所	Kuyakusho	City Office
スーパー	Sūpā	Super Market
薬局	Yakkyoku	Grug Store
交番	Kouban	Police Box
図書館	Toshokan	Library
美術館	Bijyutsukan	Museum
駅	Eki	Train Station
ホテル	Hoteru	Hotel
駐車場	Chūsha-jyou	Parking Lot
バス停	Basutei	Bus Stop
病院	Byōin	Hospital

Useful words when navigating inside buidings:

Japanese	Romaji	English
入口	Iriguti	Entrance
出口	Deguti	Exit
トイレ	Toire	Restroom/ Bathroom
レジ	Reji	Cashier
部屋	Heya	Room
エレベータ	Erebētā	Elevator
エスカレーター	Esukarētā	Escalator
階段	Kaidan	Stairs
〇階	_ kai	_ Floor (like 一階 ikkai , 二階 nikai , 三階 sankai )

Common Landmarks Used in Directions in Japan

Japanese	Romaji	English
公園	Kōen	Park
橋	Hashi	Bridge
神社	Jinjya	Shinto Shrine
お寺	Otera	Buddhist Temple
お城	Oshiro	Castle
記念碑/ 像	Kinenga/ Zō	Monument/ Statue
タワー	Tawā	Tower
信号	Shingou	Trafiic Light
交差点	Kōsaten	Intersection

Why Directions in Japanese Use Landmarks, Not Cardinal Directions?

Street Layout and Naming

Outside of major avenues, most streets in Japan do not have official names. Instead, addresses are based on areas, city blocks (丁目 chōme), and building numbers. Without street names, saying “go along the main street” or “turn onto the 3rd Avenue” is not the best option.

In many older Japanese cities, such as Kyoto or the historic areas of Tokyo, the streets do not follow a neat grid but instead curve, branch off unpredictably, or end in dead-ends. Because the roads aren’t straight or aligned in a consistent direction, compass points like north, south, east, and west become far less intuitive for everyday navigation, making it much more natural for people to describe routes using visible landmarks instead.

Cultural and Practical Reason

Another important reason for Japan’s landmark-based directions is in the cultural and practical habits. Because almost everyone recognizes the same large buildings, train stations, or chain shops, using these landmarks makes it much easier for both the speaker and the listener to understand where to go. In addition, most people in Japan don’t naturally think in terms of “north” or “south” unless they are hiking or looking at a specialized map, and even printed maps are often rotated to match the viewer’s perspective rather than fixed with north at the top. Finally, Japanese cities are dense and walking distances between points are usually short, so it feels far more natural to give directions like “walk two minutes past the bakery” than to describe a location with cardinal directions.

Example of How People Might Give Directions in Japanese

コンビニを左に曲がってください
(Konbini wo hidari ni magatte kudasai)
Turn left on the convenience store.

トイレの隣です
(toire no tonari desu)
It’s next to the bathroom.

信号の先に郵便局があります
( shingou no saki ni yūbinkyoku ga arimasu)
There is a post office just beyond the traffic light.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Hiragana & Katakana for everything you need to start reading and writing Japanese!

How to Ask and Give Directions in Japanese: Real Life Conversation Patterns

No stress, just a few simple phrases and you’ll be asking for (and giving) directions like a pro. This part shows you how real Japanese conversations actually go, so you can find places, understand answers, and maybe even play hero for someone else who’s hopelessly lost!

How to Ask for Directions in Japanese (Basic Questions)

〇〇はどこですか？
(__ wa doko desuka?)
Where is __?
Example: 銀行はどこですか？
(ginkō wa doko desuka?)
Where is the bank?

〇〇へはどう行けばいいですか？
(__ e wa dō ikeba ii desuka?)
How can I get to __?
Example: この駅から浅草へはどう行けばいいですか？
(kono eki kara asakusa e wa dō ikeba ii desuka?)
How can I get to Asakusa from this station?

すみません、この住所に行きたいのですが。
( sumimasen, kono Jyūsho ni ikitai no desuga)
Excuse me, I’d like to go to this address. (show address)

近いですか？遠いですか？
(tikai desu ka? Tooi desu ka?)
Is it near? Or far?

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Likely Answers People May Say When Giving you Directions in Japanese

Japanese speakers tend to give short, landmark-based answers.

〇〇の隣です。
( __ no tonari desu)
It’s next to the bank.
Example: 銀行の隣です。
(ginkou no tonari desu)
It’s next to the bank.

まっすぐ行ってください。
( massugu itte kudasai)
Go straight ahead.

〇〇つ目の信号を〇〇に曲がってください。
( __tsume no shingou wo __ ni magatte kudasai)
Turn __ at the __ traffic light.
Example: 二つ目の信号を右に曲がってください。
( futatsume no shingou wo migi ni magatte kudasai)
Turn right at the second traffic light.

駅を出てすぐ〇〇です。
( eki wo dete sugu __ desu)
Turn __ right after leaving the station.
Example: 駅を出てすぐ左です。
( eki wo dete sugu hidari desu)
Turn left right after leaving the station.

Follow-Up or Clarification Questions when Asking for Directions in Japanese

When you’re not sure, or they are not sure if understood correctly:

すみません、もう一度言ってください。
( Sumimasen, mō ichido itte kudasai)
Excuse me,could you repeat that?

もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか？
( Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka?)
Could you speak a little more slowly?

〇〇の近くにありますか？
( __ no chikaku ni arimasuka?)
Is it near __?

どのくらいかかりますか？
( dono kurai kakarimasu ka?)
About how long does it take?

How to Give Directions in Japanese (Helping Others)

When someone asks you for directions in Japanese:

まっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください
(Massugu itte, migi ni magatte kudasai.)
Go straight and turn right.

この道を三分くらい歩いてください。
( kono michi wo sanpun kurai aruite kudasai.)
Walk along this street for about three minutes.

橋を渡って左にあります。
( hashi wo watatte hidari ni arimasu.)
Cross the bridge and it’s on the left.

コンビニを過ぎたところです。
( konbini wo sugita tokoro desu)
It’s just past the convenience store.

ご案内しましょうか？
( goannai shimashō ka?)
Shall I show you the way?

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Extra Handy Phrases for Real-Life Situations When Asking for Directions in Japanese

この地図を見てもらえますか？
(kono tizu wo mite moraemasu ka?)
Could you look at this map?

近くにトイレはありますか？
(tikaku ni toire wa arimasu ka?)
Is there a bathroom nearby?

駅までどのくらいですか？
(eki made dono kurai desu ka?)
How far is it to the station?

タクシーに乗った方がいいですか？
( takushī ni notta hōga iidesu ka?)
Should I take the taxi?

Check out our  How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese? guide for tips and strategies to speed up your language learning journey.

Sample Dialogue About Directions in Japanese

Recently Moved Edition

Scene: A foreigner who has just moved into a Japanese neighborhood wants to find the city office ( 区役所 kuyakusho) to register their address. They’re speaking to a local shop employee outside a convenient store.

Foreigner: すみません、近くの区役所はどこにありますか？
(sumimasen, tikaku no kuyakusho ha doko ni arimasu ka?)
Excuse me, where is the city office around here?

Shop employee: この道をまっすぐ行って、橋を渡ったあとに右に曲がってください。大きい図書館の隣にあります。
( kono michi wo massugu itte, hashi wo wattatta ato ni migi ni magatte kudasai. Ōkii toshokan no tonari ni arimasu)
Go straight along this street, cross the bridge, and turn right. It’s next to the big library.

Foreigner: ありがとうございます。歩いてどのくらいかかりますか？
(arigatougozaimasu. Aruite donokurai kakarimasu ka?)
Thank you. How long will it take on foot?

Shop employee: 十分くらいです。橋の少し前にバス停がありますよ。
( jyuppun kurai desu. Hashi no sukoshi mae ni basu-tei ga arimasuyo.)
About ten minutes. There is a bus stop a little before the bridge.

Foreigner: 助かります！まだこの街に引っ越ししたばかりで、道がよくわからなくて...
( tasukarimasu! Mada kono machi ni hikkoshita bakaride, michi ga yoku wakaranakute…)
That’s a big help! I just moved to this town and I’m not familiar with the roads yet…

Shop employee: ようこそ！困ったらまた聞いてくださいね。
( youkoso! Komattara mata kiite judasai ne.)
Welcome! If you have trouble again, feel free to ask.

Foreigner: ありがとうございます!
( arigatougozaimasu!)
Thank you!

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Useful Apps When Navigating and Asking for Directions in Japanese

Even though people-based directions are valuable, apps can still save time. Here is a quick overview:

Useful Apps for Public Transportation in Japan

Japan Travel by NAVITIME (English): All in one transit app with train, subway, and bus schedule plus sightseeing info

乗り換えNAVITIME (Japanese): Highly detailed transfer guide for locals, excellent for complex routes.

Yahoo! 乗り換え案内 (Japanese): Another top choice for trian and bus transfers, known for real-time updates.

Japan Transit Planner Jorudan: English- friendly route search and cost calculator

Useful Apps for Taxi-Hailling in Japan

GO: The largest taxi- hailing app in Japan, covering most major cities. Offers in- app English support.

DiDi: A popular global ride-hailing service with a Japan version, featuring cashless payments and promotions.

S.Ride: Tokyo- focused taxi-hailing app backed by major taxi companies, quick response times and easy interface.

Navigation App in Japan

Google Maps: Reliable for walking directions and landmarks, though sometimes off for small alleys, still the one!

Useful Translation Apps in Japan

NAVER Papago: Easy to use all-in-one translator. Handless text, images, voice, and even live conversation translation. Great for quick everyday use.

Google Translate: The most widely used translator with text, camera, photo, voice and handwriting input. Also has an offline mode and built-in phrasebook.

Microsoft Translator: Translates text, speech, and photos into 70+ languages. Includes a pronunciation guide and lets you save favorite translations.

セカイフォン (sekai- phone): Real-time transkation for spoken conversations or calls. Useful if you need live interpreting during phone calls or face-to-face chats.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Japan Learning Apps for the best tools and tips to boost your Japanese skills!

Must-Know Japanese Phrases

Planning a trip or just want to level up your Japanese? Dive into this Ultimate Guide to Useful Japanese Phrases for key expressions you’ll actually use in daily conversation.

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Things to Be Careful of When Asking for Directions in Japanese

Choose Who to Ask for Directions in Japanese

Look for people who can actually help

When you need directions in Japan, think carefully about who you approach. Random commuters on crowded sidewalks or rushing through train stations may be too busy to stop and could ignore your question without meaning to be rude.

You’ll get the best results by asking station staff, store employees, or anyone whose job involves assisting the public, as they are accustomed to giving information and are more likely to respond.

Be Mindful of Where You Stop when Asking for Directions in Japanese

Don't Block the Flow of People

It’s important to be aware of your surroundings when you stop to check a map or ask for help. Avoid blocking the middle of busy sidewalks, train platforms, or escalators. Step off to the side or near a wall so you won’t disturb the flow of people moving past you.

Use Proper Etiquette When Asking for Directions in Japanese

Polite words and body languages matters

Good manners go a long way when approaching someone for help. Begin with a polite greeting such as “すみません” (sumimasen) before asking your question, and stand slightly to the side rather than directly in front of the person. Speak clearly but politely, and finish with a simple thank you “ありがとうございます” (arigatō gozaimasu) , which is both expected and appreciated.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Easy Japanese for simple tips and tricks to start speaking Japanese with confidence!

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Online Japanese Lessons That Actually Work.

Our affordable online Japanese lessons are built for busy learners with small groups, real conversations, and flexible schedules that work for you.

Start Speaking Japanese Today

Directions in Japanese: Map-Following Game!

Learning directions in Japanese is much more fun when you can play a game!
Below is a town map. The buildings don’t have names, your job is to read the directions in Japanese, follow them carefully, and guess which building is the correct answer.

Click or tap on the building you think is correct to reveal the answer!

How to Play!

Look at the “START” point on the map. It's the house in the bottom left-corner!
Read the Japanese directions.
Follow the streets step by step.
Guess the building!
Click to check if you were right

Example Round

Direction:
「建物を出てまっすぐ行って、学校で左に曲がってください。
まっすぐ行ったら、右に何がありますか？」
(tatemono wo dete massugu itte, gakkou de hidari ni magatte kudasai.massugu ittara, migi ni nani ga arimasuka?)
“Go straight after leaving the building, and turn left at the school.When you go straight, what is on the right?”

Answer: 交番!

Practice Round 1
Direction:
「建物を出て、まっすぐ行ってください。学校を右に曲がって、しばらく行くと左に何がありますか？」
(Tatemono wo dete, massugu ittekudasai. Gakkou wo migi ni magatte, shibaraku ikuto hidari ni naniga arimasuka?)
"Leave the building and go straight. Turn right at the school, and after walking for a while, what is on the left?"
Practice Round 2
Direction:
「建物を出て、まっすぐ行ってください。学校で左に曲がって、次の角を右に曲がったら、前に何がありますか？」
(Tatemono wo dete, massugu ittekudasai. Gakkou de hidari ni magatte, tsugi no kado wo migi ni magattara, mae ni nani ga arimasuka?)
"Leave the building and go straight. Turn left at the school, then turn right at the next corner, what's in front of you?"
Practice Round 3
Direction:
「建物を出て、まっすぐ行ってください。学校を右に曲がって、さらにまっすぐ行ったら、右に何がありますか？」
(Tatemono wo dete, massugu ittekudasai. Gakkou wo migi ni magatte, sarani massugu ittara, migi ni nani ga arimasuka?)
"Leave the building and go straight. Turn right at the school, and if you continue straight ahead, what is on the right?"
Practice Round 4
Direction:
「建物を出て、まっすぐ行ってください。学校を左に曲がって、駅を通りすぎたら、前に何がありますか？」
(Tatemono wo dete, massugu ittekudasai. Gakkou wo hidari ni magatte, eki wo tōrisugitara, mae ni nani ga arimasuka?)
"Leave the building and go straight. Turn left at the school, and after you pass the station, what is in front of you?"

Top 1,000 Japanese Words You Need to Know

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Final Takeaways!

Learning how to ask and give directions in Japanese not only helps you navigate easily but also deepens your connection with locals. Remember to master key direction words, use polite greetings, and rely on landmarks rather than compass points. Always approach the right person politely and keep a quick reference or phrase list handy. With a bit of practice and confidence, you’ll find your way,and great conversations,anywhere in Japan!

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The post How to Ask and Give Directions in Japanese appeared first on Japan Switch.

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Proverbs

The Japan Switch Team — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 22:40:04 +0000

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Proverbs

By The Japan Switch Team | August 16th, 2024

Table of Contents

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Welcome to the ultimate guide of Japanese proverbs! In this article, I will show you a set of practical Japanese proverbs (kotowaza) with an interpretation and sample sentence for your deeper understanding. Some of you might have already heard of some proverbs in Japan, but not sure about when to use them? Not to worry! By the time you finish reading this article, you will have an idea of what, how, and when to use the precise Japanese proverb. Plus, you will learn the benefits and definitions of proverbs, useful proverbs according to situations, a helpful platform where you can browse through them in more detail, and common wrong usages.

This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning about Japan through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

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Is it necessary to learn Japanese proverbs?

Before you dive into the world of Japanese proverbs, you might wonder if it’s necessary at all to learn them. Let’s find the truth to that question! If someone asks if learning Japanese proverbs is “necessary,” then the answer is both yes and no at the same time.

Naturally, it’s not as important as, let’s say, learning how to apologize in a polite manner, and it doesn’t rank as the top priority of learning Japanese. However, I don’t want you to be discouraged by what I just wrote, because there are obvious benefits and advantages in learning them.

On one hand, mastering Japanese proverbs means that you already have a very good command of Japanese. If you know some proverbs and are capable of using them at the right time, then you could impress your colleagues, bosses, or friends. In a certain situation, if you can produce the proverb “郷に入っては郷に従え Go ni itte ha go ni shitagae (When in Rome, do as the Romans do),” it demonstrates a deeper understanding of both Japanese language and culture. On the other hand, it will be a powerful tool that enables you to have an even wider set of expressions in Japanese. As such, learning kotowaza brings you joy and further motivates you to learn more.

There are a few things to keep in mind before doing so. First, be very careful of using them in the wrong situations. I can’t stress this enough, but even if you do, because there are typical proverbs which even native Japanese speakers use at the wrong time.

Using them at the wrong time leads to an awkward situation, or even worse, you might make the person you’re addressing angry. Second, although proverbs can come in handy, overusing it might sound strange in the conversation. Proverbs are indeed useful in specific situations, but it might sound repetitive when you use it again and again in the same conversation, so it’s always better to use it conservatively.

What’s the difference between a Japanese proverb, idiom, and a quote?

Both Japanese natives and Japanese learners often mix these up, so let’s clarify the difference before we move forward!

Proverb

Since most card games do hail originally from It has to be stressed that the difference between proverbs and idioms is sometimes subtle and many people confuse proverbs with idioms. Let’s clarify each definition before you go on to read the actual proverbs. Proverbs are life advice that enriches your perspectives and point of views. It also has literal meanings and which allows you to easily see the meaning just by looking at the phrase.

Example of a Proverb
猫の手も借りたい - ねこのてもかりたい
Neko no te mo karitai
I also want to borrow a cat’s hand.

Interpretation:
I’ll take all the help I can get.

The cat can’t give you a helpful hand, of course. But this proverb is used for a situation where you feel overwhelmed by a lot of things, whether it is homework or a pile of tasks for your job, that you feel like borrowing a cat’s hand.

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Idiom

Idioms, on the other hand, refer to phrases that generally have non-literal meanings and therefore are not really used in everyday situations. Therefore, one cannot infer the meaning from those of individual words.

Example of an idiom 1
“See the light”

It is not about literally seeing the light, but it means that someone realizes something after a long contemplation.

According to the definition above, 四字熟語 (yojijukugo) could fall into this category. Yojijukugo is a phrase that always consists of four Chinese characters such as an example below. The origin of yojijukugo comes from old events that occurred in China or words old Chinese thinkers left for future generations. Or it comes from the teaching of Buddhism.

Be aware, however, that neither the definition of proverbs nor the definition of idioms mention anything about the style of the phrase. This means that yojijukugo can qualify as proverbs if it is actually used in a daily situation and has a literal meaning. (And kotowaza can qualify as an idiom if it is not really used in daily situations and has a non-literal meaning.) It is just that, as a general tendency, kotowaza usually falls under the category of proverbs because they have literal meanings for most of the time.

Example of an idiom 2 ( in a form of yojijukugo)
“一期一会” - いちごいちえ
Ichi go ichi e

Interpretation:
Once in a lifetime

This idiom, or yojijukugo, is one of the most introduced idioms in books and on websites. It suggests that an encounter with a certain person or certain thing can be once in a lifetime, so you should appreciate those encounters.

If you would like to learn more about idioms, check out the Ultimate Guide to Japanese Idioms here.

Quote

According to the definition from Oxford language, a quote is “a quotation from a text or speech.” That being said, a quote can be a sentence from a book or play, a line spoken by a character in animation, or simply a citation of what your friend said. Below are some examples of quotes.

Quote from a play
“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Quote from an animation
あきらめたらそこで試合終了ですよ (Akirametara sokode shiai shūryōdesu yo)
The moment you give up the game is over. スラムダンク (Slam Dunk) by Takehiko Inoue

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Popular Japanese proverbs by situation

Japanese proverbs about Love

可愛さ余って憎さ百倍

かわいさあまってにくさひゃくばい
Kawaisa amatte nikusa hyakubai
The greatest hate stems from the greatest love.

This literally means that the more you care about someone, the greater the hatred will be once you start disliking them. It is frequently used when a romantic relationship doesn’t work out after a while.

If you want to explore more about the proverbs related to love and romance, look at this article.

恋は盲目

こいはもうもく
Koi ha Moumoku
Love is blind.

A classic, isn’t it? I shouldn't even have to explain, but it means that when you fall in love, it blinds you and makes you overlook any shortcomings.

高嶺の花

たかねのはな
Takane no hana
She/He is out of my league.

You use this phrase when you want to mention someone who is way more capable of e.g. sports, subjects etc. that you feel hesitant to interact with him/her. Be aware that it has a connotation that someone you’re mentioning is more or less arrogant and therefore is picky with who she/he wants to interact with.

The English interpretation of this means someone is much more attractive and/or accomplished than the speaker, which makes it impossible for them to match, and it applies to the proverb I introduced.

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Motivational Japanese proverbs

聞くは一時の恥、聞かぬは一生の恥

きくはいっときのはじ、きかぬはいっしょうのはじ
Kiku ha ittoki no haji, kikanu ha issyou no haji
Asking is a moment of shame, not asking is a lifetime of shame.

This is about not hesitating to ask questions, even when you’re ashamed of showing your ignorance, because otherwise you’ll be ashamed for even longer. It’s similar to, ‘There are no stupid questions.’

失敗は成功の元

しっぱいはせいこうのもと
Shippai ha Seikou no moto
Failure is the mother of success.

This one is more straightforward as there is an exact English counterpart of this proverb. It is a motivational phrase as it encourages you to keep going even after you fail.

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人間万事塞翁が馬

にんげんばんじさいおうがうま
Ninngen bannji saiou ga uma
Inscrutable are the ways of heaven.

The proverb indicates that life is always unpredictable, so you should neither be happy nor sorrowful based on just one event. You can use it e.g. when you did not pass the entrance exam of a university you wanted to get accepted by the most. Although you are disappointed by the result and reluctant to go to another university, you might be meeting many excellent friends or finding a good mentor there.

In short, you cannot judge an event just because it did not work out as intended, because you never know what this event will bring you in the long run. The closest saying in English is, “Whatever will be, will be.”

Though a little less frequent, another situation to use is when you want to be cautious after you had a series of successful events. For example, when you won a lottery and inherited a considerable amount of money (yes, a quite unlikely and exaggerated situation), then you would say it to yourself so that you will not get carried away. In this case, a similar English counterpart is “You have to take the good with the bad.”

Japanese proverbs that describe a person’s character

仏の顔も３度まで

ほとけのかおもさんどまで
Hotoke no kao mo sanndo made
Even the patience of a saint has limits.

Buddha is known to be good-natured and rarely gets angry. The proverb indicates, however, even a person who resembles Buddha’s character can get outraged if you keep offending him/her. Interestingly, the English counterpart which has the opposite meaning is more famous and it is “He/She has the patience of a saint.”

清水の舞台から飛び降りる

きよみずのぶたいからとびおりる
Kiyomizu no butai kara tobioriru
Jumping off the stage of Kiyomizu-dera.

If you have visited Kyoto already, you might know the famous temple called Kiyomizu-dera. As this temple is located at the height of a 4 story-building, jumping off its stage means you risk your life. That said, it is used for a situation where you take a great risk in something such as opening a new business, or going overseas to find a new job without any safety nets.

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虎の威を借る狐

とらのいをかるきつね
Tora no i wo karu kitsune
A fox that borrows the authority of a tiger.

This proverb is used to describe someone who behaves arrogantly by borrowing someone’s authority.

Japanese proverbs about Life Advice

急がば回れ

いそがばまわれ
Isogaba maware
Haste makes waste.

Even when you’re in a rush, you should be doing things one step at a time, otherwise you will mess up. It is a useful phrase to use for yourself or your friends when there is a need to stay calm in an overwhelming situation.

習うより慣れろ

ならうよりなれろ
Narau yori narero
Practice makes perfect.

This proverb translates easily, which means that practice and actually doing something again and again is better than only learning the theory.

石の上にも三年

いしのうえにもさんねん
Ishi no ue nimo san-nen
Sit on a stone for three years.

I picked this one because it communicates the stereotypical nature of Japanese people that can be described as patient and tolerant. As a general tendency, Japanese people believe that continuing something, be it work, sports, or study, perseverance rather than quitting early will be rewarded in the long run.

Building Vocabulary Matters.

Our Top 15 Japanese Vocabulary Tips helps you know how you should build your vocabulary while having fun!

5 Japanese proverbs that all Japanese people know (and use!)

晴天の霹靂

せいてんのへきれき
Seiten no hekireki
A bolt from the blue.

Don’t get frightened by the intimidating Chinese characters used here. “霹靂 Hekireki” indicates a sudden lighting. As you never expect a sudden lightning when it’s sunny, it is used when you hear news that you would never expect. This is similar to the English version, ‘out of the blue.’

棚からぼたもち

たなからぼたもち
Tanakara botamochi
Having a windfall.

Using ぼたもち (a type of mochi covered with red beans) in proverbs is idiosyncratic to Japanese culture. It means that you get luck when you least expect it.

雲泥の差

うんでいのさ
Undei no sa
Having a huge gap / difference in terms of one’s ability

This phrase is used when you want to say that two things have a huge gap in a certain ability. It metaphorically expresses that feeling by using the word “雲”, cloud, and “泥”, mud.

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出る杭は打たれる

でるくいはうたれる
Deru kui ha utareru
The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

This describes someone who stands out among other individuals because of his/her talents in a particular area, yet gets criticized or disliked because of that very talent. I think this expression is unique to Japanese culture, where individuals are preferred to be homogeneous so no one stands out.

Wearing masks during Covid pandemic even when there is no lawful enforcement or punishment, or elementary school children carrying the homogeneous rucksack called randoseru although it is not required by school or government are a good few examples. This contrasts the general tendency in the Western culture where individuals are responsible for their own behavior and thus harmony is not as appreciated as in Japan.

For those who would like to know more about this proverb, here is the link to a website that explores its meaning, synonyms, etc.

ちりも積もれば山となる

ちりもつもればやまとなる
Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru
If the dust piles up, it becomes a mountain.

As the literal meaning suggests, it indicates that if you continue to make efforts, even if they are tiny efforts a day, it will be rewarded in the end. It is interesting to use the word ‘dust’ for such a positive proverb because, generally speaking, the word ‘dust’ is associated with a negative connotation.

I personally like this proverb as the meaning is versatile and it can indeed be used for everyday situations. As the phrase is a bit lengthy, native Japanese speakers, young ones specifically, prefer to use the abbreviated version of this proverb, which is, “ちりつも (Chiri tsumo)”, which you might find convenient to use.

If you would like to learn about useful Japanese phrases in general, check out this article.

3 Resources where you can learn and search for Japanese proverbs

Now that I listed some practical proverbs, some of you might want to explore its world more in-depth. For those of you who do, I have listed 3 resources where you can learn Japanese proverbs, ranging from beginner level to advanced.

Skritter Japanese Proverbs: ことわざ

This website is suitable for novices, as they list only essential proverbs and have only 17 of them. Besides the proverbs themselves, they explain everything in Japanese and it also comes with the translation, which makes it easier to browse through. The resource is free for everyone.

日本語NET ことわざ記事一覧 (nihonngo net kotowaza article list)

This is also a website that lists essential proverbs used in Japan. From the link above, you can jump to the page that showcases the articles, every one of which focuses on only one proverb. As such, you could click a page that might interest you and then see the detailed explanation of the selected proverb.

This website is suitable for the intermediate level, because of the more comprehensive selection of proverbs. Also, be prepared that only the meaning of the proverb is explained in English, otherwise the articles are written in Japanese. This website is free for everyone.

英語対訳で読む日本のことわざ (Japanese Proverbs in Simple English)

For the last resource which is suitable for the advanced level, I would like to introduce a book which exists in Japan that is dedicated to the world of proverbs This book dives deeper into the topic we have discussed so far, often comparing cultural and habitual differences between Japan and the Western countries through the perspective of Japanese proverbs.

As such, the book is for someone who is curious, not only about the meaning of proverbs, but also the cultural difference that surrounds it. In order to have access, you will have to purchase a physical book online or at bookstores.

Apps are another good option to learn Japanese. Read this article to learn what kind of apps are out there.

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Typical wrong usage for Japanese proverbs that even native Japanese speakers mess up

Last but not least, there are indeed many proverbs native Japanese speakers use at the wrong time. Below are three Japanese proverbs that are frequently misused, even by Japanese speakers. It is best to avoid using them at the wrong times, because the person you’re addressing might find it rude to hear the Japanese proverb used in the wrong situation. So let’s learn the typical mistakes and how to properly use them.

気が置けない

きがおけない
Ki ga okenai
Feeling at ease with someone

This describes someone who is close to you so that you can be frank and don’t have to be polite. Probably because of its negative form, some people consider this to have a negative connotation, although in fact it doesn’t.

× The WRONG situation to use
When you use it to describe a situation where you can’t be at ease with someone, so you have to be considerate and behave modestly.

○ The RIGHT situation to use
When you use it to describe a situation where you can be at ease with someone and don’t have to be considerate and behave modestly.

情けは人のためならず

なさけはひとのためならず
Nasake ha hito no tamenarazu
It is better to be kind to everyone, because it will be rewarded in the end.

It is a mindset where you believe that being kind to someone will be rewarded eventually. It might give you an impression that it has a negative connotation because it has a negative form also, but it indeed teaches you a good life lesson.

× The WRONG situation to use
When you use this proverb to confirm that you shouldn’t be kind to someone because it isn’t beneficial to him/her.

○ The RIGHT situation to use
When you use this proverb to confirm that you should be kind to someone because it will be rewarded at the end of the day.

If you want to explore more about this proverb, have a look at this article that’s dedicated to this specific proverb.

The Right Expression in a Right Situation

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蛙の子は蛙

かえるのこはかえる
Kaeru no ko ha kaeru
Like father, like son.

You can NEVER use this proverb to your boss or someone older than you! This phrase means that a child who was born into mediocre parents will eventually grow up to be mediocre as well.

That said, it has a connotation of criticizing/showing a little disappointment for someone, and it is NOT used as a compliment. Unlike the similar English counterpart “Like father, like son.” that has both positive and negative connotations, this proverb has only a negative connotation.

× The WRONG situation to use
When you use it with your boss with the intention of complimenting his/her child.

○ The RIGHT situation to use
When you want to acknowledge someone’s mediocre ability in a particular area.

You Don't Want to Offend Anyone

Be it your boss or your friend, being polite is key to master Japanese. Check Top Tips to Improve Bad Japanese to learn how to be polite.

Conclusion: Why learning Japanese proverbs matter

Congratulations and now you’re equipped with some useful Japanese proverbs for daily life! Now that you have explored some proverbs that are actively used by native Japanese speakers, let me reiterate the importance of learning Japanese proverbs.

In a nutshell, learning them matters because it is key to enhancing your Japanese proficiency. This is especially the case for someone who already has an intermediate to advanced level of Japanese, and yet intends to further hone their skills.

As I mentioned in the very beginning, learning and mastering popular proverbs will give native Japanese speakers an impression that you have an excellent command of Japanese, which is necessary if you intend to live in Japan for a long time. Well, at the end of the day, it is really exciting to explore how Japanese people express a certain situation in their own way!

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How to Say I Love You in Japanese

The Japan Switch Team — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 02:28:13 +0000

How to Say I Love You in Japanese

By Shiho Motomiya | November 20th, 2023

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Understanding how to express 'I love you' in Japanese is crucial, especially for those living or dating in Japan. While openly expressing love and affection might not be as common in Japanese culture, knowing this phrase is up there on the list of things we'd like to be able to say, right? We'll explore a few ways to convey 'I love you' in Japanese, suitable for different contexts and relationships. Whether it's a romantic gesture or a heartfelt expression, these phrases will help you communicate your feelings effectively in Japan. Let's dive in!

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The Subtlety of “I Love You” in Japanese

In Japanese, expressing one's affection can be as nuanced as the culture itself. 好き (suki) is commonly used to say both "I like you" and "I love you," and is the safer choice for all stages of a relationship. It’s light-hearted and can be used to express enjoyment or preference for anything, not just people. On the other hand, 愛してる (aishiteru) is a much more profound declaration of love, often reserved for serious, committed relationships. It's not thrown around lightly and carries a significant emotional weight. For instance, a teenager might tell their crush "好きだよ (suki dayo)," while "愛してる" might be part of a marriage proposal or a deep confession of enduring love.

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Common Ways to Say "I Love You" in Japanese

As you will see below, the way people say ‘I love you’ in Japanese is almost the same, but focus on the end of the word and you will see the difference. In the casual expression, you can see the word よ (yo) which makes it just a little more casual than the neutral way. The ます (masu) makes it more formal when you say the word. 愛してる is not a common way to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese, as many consider it to have a very deep meaning. This is why they don’t normally throw the word out everyday to their significant other compared to in English-speaking Western cultures. They usually say it in a subtle and indirect way. The next section will cover a few ways to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese.

Casual

愛してるよ
aishiteru yo

Neutral

愛している
aishiteiru

Formal

愛してます
aishitemasu

Using I Love You in Japanese Casual Conversations

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Girl	愛してるよ！	Aishiteruyo!	I love you!
Boy	ありがとう。私も同じこと思ってたんだ。	Arigatou. Watashi mo onaji koto omottetanda.	Thank you. I think the same.
Girl	本当に？愛してるって言ってくれたら、嬉しいな。	Honto ni? Aisheterutte ittekuretara, ureshiina.	Really? I would be happy if you said ‘I love you’ as well.
Boy	うん, 愛してるよ。	Un, aishiteru.	Yeah, I love you.

Quick notes:

When discussing the use of "I love you" in Japanese, it's important to consider some less obvious cultural nuances:

Context Sensitivity:
Japanese culture highly values context in communication. The setting, relationship status, and emotional depth all influence how and when "愛してる" is used.

Non-Verbal Communication:
Japanese people often express their feelings through actions rather than words. Even when "愛してる" is not said out loud, affection may be shown in different, more subtle ways.

Emphasis on Harmony:
In Japanese society, maintaining harmony and avoiding direct confrontation is a factor. This influences how love is expressed, often resulting in favoring indirect expressions over direct declarations like "愛してる."

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Using "I Love You" in Japanese Neutral Conversations

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Girl	最近全然会えてないから、早く会いたいよ。	Saikin zenzen ae tenaikara, hayaku aitai yo.	I miss you a lot, I can’t wait to see you again.
Boy	私も会いたい。電話だけで声しか聴けないのは寂しいな。	Watashi mo aitai. Denwa dake de koe shika kikenai no wa sabishī na.	I miss you too, I hate only talking on the phone.
Girl	会った時にちゃんと、愛してるって伝えるね。	Atta toki ni chanto, aishiteru tte tsutaeru ne.	When I see you again, I’ll say ‘I love you’.
Boy	いや、電話でも良いから今も言いたい。愛してるよ！	Iya, denwa demo ii kara ima mo iitai. Aishiteru yo!	I’ll say it now even if it’s over the phone. I love you!

Quick notes:

In this section, it's important to note that expressing "I love you" in Japanese isn't just about the words but also about the timing and the emotional readiness of both parties. Japanese culture values subtlety and indirect expression, so saying 愛してる (aishiteru) can be a significant step in a relationship. It's often not said casually or early in a relationship. Understanding the emotional context and ensuring that both people feel the same level of commitment and affection is crucial before using such a profound expression. This reflects the deep respect for emotional sincerity and the importance of mutual understanding in Japanese relationships.

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Using "I Love You" in Japanese Formal Conversations

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Girl	今日、ここに集まってくれたお客さんたちに発表しなければならないことがある。ようこさん、愛しています！	Kyō, koko ni atsumatte kureta ogyakusan-tachi ni happyō shinakereba naranai koto ga aru. Yōko-san, aishiteimasu!	I have something to announce to everyone gathered here today. I love you, Yoko!
Boy	私、明日結婚するんですけれど！	Watashi, ashita kekkon suru ndesukeredo!	I’m getting married tomorrow!
Girl	一度言ってみたかったんだ。とにかく愛してるよ！	Ichido itte mitakatta nda. Tonikaku aishiteruyo!	I wanted to say it once. I love you anyways!
Boy	じゃあ、私も言わなくちゃ。けんとうさん、私も愛しています！	IJā, watashi mo iwanakucha. Kentō-san, watashi mo aishiteimasu!	Then, I have to say it, too. Kento, I love you, too!

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Suki + Daisuki:
The Main Ways to Say "I Love You" in Japanese

When can you use them?
Rather than “I love you,” suki is actually “like” when you use any online translator (such as DeepL). However, Japanese people also often use this word to express love. It is one of the common ways to express their love or admiration for someone or something in everyday contexts. The beauty of 好き lies in its broad applicability; it can be used to describe a wide range of affections - from romantic interest in a person to a deep fondness for a hobby or activity. This flexibility makes 好き a key phrase in understanding the subtle ways love and liking are expressed in Japanese culture.

大好き (daisuki) is deeper than 好き (suki) and could be implied to mean something closer to the English phrase "I love you" depending on both the context and person. This phrase can also mean your absolute favorite of something or someone.

Who can you say it to?
You can use the phrase 好き (suki) to a person, your hobby, or something you enjoy to do. It's used to convey enjoyment or a strong liking for a variety of things, such as hobbies, foods, places, or activities. For instance, you can say 好き (suki) to express your passion for painting, your love for a particular cuisine, or your fondness for a certain city. This word encapsulates a spectrum of positive feelings, making it a staple in everyday Japanese language to express a range of positive emotions and preferences.

Just like suki, You can use the phrase daisuki about a person, your hobby, or something you absolutely love to do.

Using Suki/Daisuki in Japanese Casual Conversations

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Girl	音楽を聴くの好きだよね？	ongaku wo kiku no suki dayo ne?	You like listening to music, right?
Boy	好きよ、特に洋楽の曲を聴く。	Suki yo, toku ni yougaku no kyoku wo kiku.	I do! I especially enjoy listening to international music.

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Friend 1	今夜、食べたいものある？	Konya, tabetai mono aru?	Tonight, is there anything you want to eat?
Friend 2	うーん、お寿司大好きだから、お寿司のお店を探そう！	Uun, osushi daisuki dakara, osushi no omise wo sagasou!	Umm, I love sushi so let’s find a sushi place!

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Using Suki/Daisuki in Japanese Neutral Conversations

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Friend	彼のどこが好き？	Kare no doko ga suki?	What do you like about him?
You	彼の優しいところが好き。	Kare no yasashii tokoro ga suki.	I like that he is a kind person.

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Friend 1	ねね、1番大好きな俳優って誰？	Nene, ichiban daisuki na haiyuu ha dare?	Hey, who is your all-time favorite actor?
Friend 2	1番大好きはライアンゴスリングよ！	Ichiban daisuki wa Raiyan Gosuringu yo!	I love Ryan Gosling the most!

Using Suki/Daisuki in Japanese Formal Conversations

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
New friend	どの映画が好きですか？	dono eiga ga suki desu ka?	What genre of movies do you like?
You	映画を見るのが好きです。	Hora- eiga wo miru no ga suki.	I like watching horror movies.

Speaker	Kanji	Romaji	English
Colleague 1	連休は何してる？	Renkyuu ha nanishiteru?	What do you usually do when it's a consecutive holiday?
Colleague 2	家族と旅行に行くのが大好きなので、出かけたりしてます。	Kazoku to ryokou ni iku no ga daisuki desu no de, dekaketari shitemasu	My family and I like traveling, so we usually go out.

How NOT to Use "I Love You"

Given the courteous nature of these expressions, it's unlikely you'll cause offense if you mistakenly use them out of context. However, you should be aware of certain nuances. For instance, appending "please" to a request for a burdensome task can inadvertently come across as disrespectful or patronizing. Furthermore, kudasai should typically be used when requesting something that is rightfully yours, not when making a request on behalf of someone else. Understanding these subtle distinctions can make all the difference in your Japanese language interactions.

Neighbor	もしもし。	Moshi moshi.	Hello. (used when picking up the phone)
You	すみません、私のために荷物を運んでください。	Sumimasen, watashi no tame ni nimotsu o hakonde kudasai.	Excuse me, could you carry my luggage for me, please?
Neighbor	申し訳ありませんが、それは少し重すぎ。	Moushiwake arimasen ga, sore wa sukoshi omosugi.	I'm sorry, but that's a bit too heavy.

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Advice from a Native Speaker

Pay attention.

Observe. Adapt. Pay attention to how native speakers use these phrases in various contexts, as this can provide valuable insights into appropriate usage. Keep in mind that how the phrase is used in media may not be entirely consistent with its use in real world situations.

Recognize the weight of the words.

Understand the depth of phrases like "愛してる (aishiteru)" and use them judiciously, as they carry significant emotional weight in Japanese culture. Remember that suki is a more common way to express affection!

Understand non-verbal cues.

Japanese communication often relies on non-verbal cues. Being attentive to these can provide a better understanding of when and how to express feelings.

If in doubt, ask your Japanese teacher or a friend!

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Related Phrases & Guides

Saying I love you in Japanese can be confusing, as the word “愛してる” is not commonly used by people because of the culture. However, the examples in this article have a very special and deep meaning. Make sure to learn more about how Japanese culture expresses love, check our Ultimate Guide to Valentine's Day in Japan.

If you're looking for more helpful guides to aid you in your journey through Japan and its culture, we recommend starting with:

Ultimate Guide to White Day in Japan
Top 15 Tips to Make Japanese Friends
Ultimate Guide to Japanese Language Exchange
Ultimate Guide to Moving to Japan
How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese?
Ultimate Guide to Getting Married in Japan

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How to Say Japan in Japanese

The Japan Switch Team — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:34:33 +0000

How to Say Japan in Japanese

By Kai Yoshizaki | July 24th, 2023

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Japan, renowned for its rich culture, history, and technological advancements, has a unique language with various ways to refer to the country itself. In this article, we will explore the different ways to say Japan in Japanese, focusing on the distinctions between Nippon and Nihon. We will also delve into expressions related to visiting Japan, such as 来日する, or rainichi suru, and explore the intriguing world of Japanese music genres, including 洋楽, or yōgaku, and 邦楽, or hōgaku. Through sample conversations, we will provide practical usage examples to help you get a better understanding.

This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning Japanese through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

Nippon vs. Nihon: The Names for Japan

In Japanese, there are two primary ways to say Japan: Nippon, 日本, and Nihon, 日本. While both terms refer to the same country and use the same kanji, they differ in terms of formality and usage.

What Makes Nippon and Nihon Different?

Nippon is the more formal and traditional way to say Japan. It carries a sense of national identity and is often used in official contexts, national events, and formal speeches. For example, during ceremonial occasions or in diplomatic settings, Nippon is the preferred term. The following are some very common uses of the term Nippon.

National Sporting Events: The term Nippon is often used during international sports competitions such as the Olympics. When the Japanese national team is playing, they are often referred to as Nippon to create a sense of pride.

Government Contexts: The Japanese government uses Nippon in a number of official contexts. For example, Nippon is used in the national anthem, as well as on Japanese currency and stamps.

Company Names: Many Japanese businesses use Nippon in their official names to stress their Japanese origins and authenticity. For instance, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Nippon Oil, and Nippon Airways.

Ceremonial Occasions: During ceremonies or public holidays like Emperor's Birthday, National Foundation Day, or Constitution Memorial Day, Nippon is often used in speeches and announcements.

Diplomatic Settings: When the Japanese government is represented abroad or during international conferences, Nippon is commonly used to refer to the country.

Educational Settings: In some more traditional or formal educational contexts, Nippon might be used, particularly when discussing the country's history or culture in a more formal or academic way.

Media and Broadcasting: Some broadcasters, like NHK, use Nippon in their name or when reporting on significant national events.

On the other hand, Nihon is the more commonly used and informal way to say Japan. It is widely used in everyday conversations and is the preferred term among Japanese people. When interacting with friends or in casual situations, Nihon is the go-to term.

Sample Conversation:

Student A	日本の歴史はとても興味深いですね。	Nihon no rekishi wa totemo kyōmi-bukai desu ne.	The history of Japan is very fascinating.
Student B	そうですね。特に日本の古代史について学ぶと、Nipponという国の起源を知ることができます。	Sō desu ne. Tokuni Nihon no kodai-shi ni tsuite manabu to, Nippon to iu kuni no kigen o shiru koto ga dekimasu.	Yes, it is. Especially when you study ancient Japanese history, you can learn about the origins of the country called Nippon.

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来日する: Visiting Japan

To express the act of visiting or coming to Japan, the phrase 来日する, or rainichi suru, is commonly used. It captures the excitement and anticipation of experiencing the unique culture, landmarks, and hospitality of Japan.

Using 来日する, you can convey your intention or plan to visit Japan. Whether it's for travel, work, or study purposes, this expression is widely understood and used in various contexts.

Friend A	来月、友人が来日する予定です。	Raigetsu, yūjin ga rainichi suru yotei desu.	My friend is planning to visit Japan next month.
Friend B	本当ですか？それは楽しみですね！一緒に日本の名所を巡ることができるでしょう。	Hontō desu ka? Sore wa tanoshimi desu ne! Issho ni Nihon no meisho o meguru koto ga dekiru deshō.	Really? That's exciting! We can explore famous places in Japan together.

Whether you're discussing your own travel plans or someone else's visit to Japan, using 来日する adds a level of clarity and specificity to the conversation.

洋楽・邦楽: Western Music and Japanese Music

Japan has a vibrant music scene that embraces both Western music (洋楽, yōgaku) and Japanese music (邦楽, hōgaku). Understanding these terms can help you navigate conversations about music preferences and genres.

洋楽: Western Music

The term 洋楽, yōgaku, refers to Western music or foreign music from various genres and artists worldwide. It encompasses popular Western music styles such as pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, and more. Japanese fans of Western music often use this term to discuss their favorite artists and songs.

Music Lover A	最近、洋楽のアーティストにハマっているんです。	Saikin, yōgaku no ātisuto ni hamatte irun desu.	Lately, I've been getting into Western artists.
Music Lover B	へえ、それは面白そうですね。どの洋楽アーティストがお気に入りですか？	Hē, sore wa omoshirosō desu ne. Dono yōgaku ātisuto ga o-ki ni irimasu ka?	Oh, that sounds interesting. Which Western artists are your favorites?

邦楽: Japanese Music

The term 邦楽, hōgaku, on the other hand, refers to Japanese music or music produced by Japanese artists. It encompasses various genres like J-pop, enka, traditional Japanese music, and more. Japanese music has a distinct style and has gained popularity both domestically and internationally.

Music Lover A	最新の邦楽アルバムを聴きましたか？	Saishin no hōgaku arubamu o kikimashita ka?	Have you listened to the latest Japanese music album?
Music Lover B	はい、聴きました。邦楽は日本の文化を感じることができる素晴らしい音楽ですよね。	Hai, kikimashita. Hōgaku wa Nihon no bunka o kanjiru koto ga dekiru subarashii ongaku desu yo ne.	Yes, I have. Japanese music is a wonderful genre that allows you to feel the essence of Japanese culture.

By understanding the terms 洋楽 and 邦楽, you can engage in conversations about different music styles and share your preferences with others.

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Unique Japanese Customs and Traditions

Apart from the linguistic aspects of Japan, it's also fascinating to explore the unique customs and traditions that make the country distinct. Let's jump into a few customs that people interested in Japanese culture may find interesting.

Bowing

Bowing is an integral part of Japanese etiquette and is used to greet, show respect, and express gratitude. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the context and the relationship between individuals. It's customary to return a bow when someone bows to you as a sign of acknowledgment and respect.

Tourist A	日本へ旅行する予定です。お辞儀の仕方を教えていただけますか？	Nihon e ryokō suru yotei desu. Ojigi no shikata o oshiete itadakemasu ka?	I'm planning to travel to Japan. Could you teach me how to bow?
Tourist B	もちろんです。基本的には、相手のお辞儀に合わせて同じ深さでお辞儀を返します。また、長さも相手に合わせるのが一般的です。	Mochiron desu. Kihonteki ni wa, aite no ojigi ni awasete onaji fukasa de ojigi o kaeshimasu. Mata, nagasa mo aite ni awaseru no ga ippan-teki desu.	Of course. Basically, you should return the bow with the same depth as the other person. It's also common to match the duration of the bow to the other person's.

Are you curious about Japanese customs? Check out our Guide on Japanese Customs article!

Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony, known as 茶道, chadō, or 茶の湯, chanoyu, is a traditional Japanese art form that emphasizes the aesthetics and mindfulness of serving and enjoying matcha otherwise known as powdered green tea. It embodies harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Participating in a tea ceremony is a wonderful way to experience the essence of Japanese hospitality and cultural traditions.

Note: While previously mentioned, Nippon is often used in traditional ceremonies, but this doesn't mean it's used within the context of every ceremony, such as the tea ceremony. In this case, the ceremony is focused on the ritual of preparing, serving, and drinking tea, rather than discussing or referencing the country itself. However, the principles of the tea ceremony deeply embody the spirit of Japanese, Nippon/Nihon, culture. So while the term Nippon might not be explicitly used during the ceremony, the ceremony itself is a celebration and expression of Japanese tradition.

Visitor A	日本の茶道に興味があります。どのように参加できますか？	Nihon no chadō ni kyōmi ga arimasu. Dono yō ni sanka dekimasu ka?	I'm interested in the Japanese tea ceremony. How can I participate?
Visitor B	茶道体験ができるお茶室や専門の場所があります。また、観光地や伝統的な日本庭園でも茶道の体験を楽しむことができます。	Chadō taiken ga dekiru ochashitsu ya senmon no basho ga arimasu. Mata, kankōchi ya dentōteki na Nihon teien demo chadō no taiken o tanoshimu koto ga dekimasu.	There are tea rooms and dedicated venues where you can experience a tea ceremony. Additionally, you can enjoy tea ceremony experiences in tourist spots or traditional Japanese gardens.

What's so special about Japanese tea? Take a look at our article on Japanese Tea to find out!

Seasonal Festivals

Japan is known for its vibrant and colorful seasonal festivals or 祭り, matsuri. These festivals celebrate various aspects of Japanese culture, history, and spirituality. From the lively cherry blossom festivals in spring to the dazzling fireworks festivals in summer and the enchanting lantern festivals in autumn, there's always a festival happening throughout the year. Participating in these festivals allows you to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere and experience the local traditions.

Summer festivals are famous in Japan and have a great deal of excitement around them. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer Festivals in Japan article!

Enthusiast A	日本の祭りに行ってみたいです。オススメの祭りはありますか？	Nihon no matsuri ni itte mitai desu. Osusume no matsuri wa arimasu ka?	I would like to go to Japanese festivals. Do you have any recommendations?
Enthusiast B	たくさんの素敵な祭りがありますが、例えば夏には「祇園祭り」や「高山祭り」、秋には「曳山祭り」が人気です。地域ごとに独自の特色がありますので、ぜひいくつかの祭りを体験してみてください。	Takusan no suteki na matsuri ga arimasu ga, tatoeba natsu ni wa "Gion Matsuri" ya "Takayama Matsuri", aki ni wa "Hikiyama Matsuri" ga ninki desu. Chiiki goto ni dokusai no tokushoku ga arimasu no de, zehi ikutsuka no matsuri o taiken shite mite kudasai.	There are many wonderful festivals, but for example, the "Gion Matsuri" and "Takayama Matsuri" are popular in summer, while the "Hikiyama Matsuri" is popular in autumn. Each region has its own unique characteristics, so I recommend experiencing several festivals.

By exploring these unique customs and traditions, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness of Japan and engage in meaningful conversations with locals and fellow enthusiasts.

Looking to go to a Japanese festival?

Check out our article on our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Festivals!

洋画・邦画: Western Films and Japanese Films

Just like music, the Japanese language also categorizes films into Western (foreign) films and Japanese films. The term 洋画, yōga, refers to Western or foreign films, while 邦画, hōga, is used to denote Japanese films.

Fun Fact: Western and Japanese films have influenced each other in numerous ways. A famous example is the influence of Akira Kurosawa's films on George Lucas' Star Wars saga. Lucas has openly acknowledged the impact of Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress" on the original Star Wars movie, particularly in the structure of the plot and the characterization of some figures. The dynamic of the two bickering peasants in "The Hidden Fortress," for instance, inspired the beloved droid duo, C-3PO and R2-D2. It's a wonderful example of how global cinema can cross-pollinate, leading to universally beloved stories.

Movie Enthusiast A	今週の金曜日、新しい洋画が公開されます。一緒に見に行きませんか？	Konshū no kin'yōbi, atarashii yōga ga kōkai saremasu. Issho ni mi ni ikimasen ka?	A new Western film is being released this Friday. Would you like to go watch it with me?
Movie Enthusiast B	それはいいですね。しかし、最近は邦画に興味があります。どこかで邦画を見に行きましょうか？	Sore wa ii desu ne. Shikashi, saikin wa hōga ni kyōmi ga arimasu. Dokoka de hōga o mi ni ikimashou ka?	That sounds great. However, I've recently been interested in Japanese films. Shall we go see a Japanese film somewhere?

なんです is a form of んです that is often used in a neutral tone to provide explanations or ask questions. It's a common variant of のです (no desu) that is used in everyday conversation.

日本語: Japanese Language

When talking about the Japanese language itself, the term 日本語, Nihongo, is used. This is widely used in academic, casual, and formal contexts when discussing language.

Student A	日本語は難しいですが、とても楽しいですね。	Nihongo wa muzukashii desu ga, totemo tanoshii desu ne.	Japanese is difficult, but it's a lot of fun.
Student B	そうですね、日本語の学習は新たな文化を理解する素晴らしい方法です。	Sō desu ne, Nihongo no gakushū wa arata na bunka o rikai suru subarashii hōhō desu.	Yes, learning Japanese is a wonderful way to understand a new culture.

Nihon: Two Cylindrical Objects

Interestingly, in another context, Nihon (二本) is also used to refer to two cylindrical objects in Japanese. The character 二 means 'two', and 本 refers to long, cylindrical objects. This could include anything from bottles (of soda, sake, etc.) to trees, pencils, and legs.

For example, you would say ビールを二本ください (Biiru o nihon kudasai), which means "Please give me two (bottles of) beer."

Japanese has a very particular counting system. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Counting in Japanese to find out how to count properly in Japanese!

Nihon: Two Cylindrical Objects

For example, you would say ビールを二本ください (Biiru o nihon kudasai), which means "Please give me two (bottles of) beer."

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日本画: Japanese Painting

日本画, nihonga, is a term that refers to traditional Japanese painting techniques. It was coined during the Meiji era to differentiate Japanese-style paintings from Western-style paintings, which are referred to as yōga.

The term embodies the unique aesthetics, materials, and techniques of Japanese art, including the use of washi or Japanese paper, iwaenogu or mineral pigments, and nikawa or animal glue.

Fun Fact: Nihonga are often created using traditional Japanese artistic conventions and techniques, using natural materials and pigments. An interesting feature of this style is that it often incorporates gold and silver leaf into the artwork, resulting in unique, shimmering effects. Also, a typical feature is that many works are painted on silk or washi (traditional Japanese paper) rather than canvas.

Art Enthusiast A	日本画に興味があります。何か良い展覧会はありますか？	Nihonga ni kyōmi ga arimasu. Nanika yoi tenrankai wa arimasu ka?	I'm interested in Japanese paintings. Are there any good exhibitions?
Art Enthusiast B	そうですね、近くの美術館では来週、新しい日本画の展覧会が開かれますよ。	Sō desu ne, chikaku no bijutsukan de wa raishū, atarashii Nihonga no tenrankai ga hirakaremasu yo.	Yes, there's a new Japanese painting exhibition opening at the nearby art museum next week.

Want to learn about Japanese Culture?

Japanese culture is extensive and rich. Check out our Guide Japanese Culture!

Advice from a Native Speaker

While this article provides information on how to say Japan in Japanese and related topics, it's also crucial to get insight from native speakers for a more nuanced understanding. Here are some tips and advice that can help you when interacting with locals.

Context is Key

Understanding the context is key in Japanese conversations. As mentioned, while both "Nippon" and "Nihon" refer to Japan, their usage is highly dependent on the situation and context. If you're unsure, following the speaker's lead can be a safe approach.

Embrace the Formality

The Japanese language and culture are often formal, with a significant emphasis on respect. Be open to using formal language, even in what might seem like casual conversations. The use of Nippon in formal contexts is just one example of this.

Cultural Immersion

The best way to understand the usage of the words Nihon and Nippon, as well as other language intricacies, is to immerse yourself in the culture. Whether that's through visiting the country, engaging with locals, or consuming Japanese media, understanding the culture will deepen your understanding of the language.

Know Your Genres

In terms of music, knowing the distinction between yōgaku and hōgaku can lead to engaging conversations with Japanese music lovers. Being able to talk about your favorite music in these terms can make discussions more interactive and meaningful.

Diving Deeper

The examples given in this article, such as 来日する, rainichi suru, for visiting Japan, or 洋楽, yōgaku, and 邦楽, hōgaku, for music genres, are just the beginning. Japanese language has a rich vocabulary to express various concepts. The more you explore, the richer your Japanese vocabulary will become.

Practice Makes Perfect

Last but not least, practice as much as you can. The more you use the terms in real-life contexts, the more comfortable you'll become with them. Remember, learning a language is not just about memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules; it's about understanding the culture that shapes the language. As you delve deeper into your Japanese studies, don't forget to explore and appreciate the cultural nuances that make the language so unique.

Conclusion

Mastering the different ways to say Japan in Japanese, understanding the nuances of Nippon and Nihon, and exploring expressions like 来日する, the tea ceremony, and seasonal festivals can significantly enrich your cultural understanding and enhance your interactions with Japanese people. Embracing the language and customs and traditions of Japan allows for a more immersive and rewarding experience. Keep exploring the fascinating aspects of Japanese culture and language on your language-learning journey.

Related Phrases & Guides

If you're looking to expand your knowledge of Japanese particles or linguistic nuances, check out our other articles on topics such as How to Say Please in Japanese or check out more about our guides to navigating Japanese:

How to Say Please in Japanese

Top 40 Japanese Slang to Know

Guide to Japanese Adjectives

Guide to Japanese Verbs

Guide to Hiragana and Katakana

Guide to Japanese Idioms

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How to use んです in Japanese

The Japan Switch Team — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 07:49:45 +0000

How to Use んです in Japanese

By Kai Yoshizaki | June 30th, 2023

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Japanese is a language filled with subtleties and nuances that can often be challenging for language learners to understand at first. One example is the language particle んです, or n desu, which serves multiple functions and is a crucial component of conversational Japanese. In this article, we will expand on the concept of んです, explain its proper usage, demonstrate it in real-life conversation scenarios, and clear up some common misconceptions. It is also important to note that there are multiple forms of んです, with んです being the casual form. Other forms include なんです (nan desu) and のです(no desu), which are the neutral and polite forms respectively.

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What does んです in Japanese mean?

んです (n desu), なんです (nan desu), or のです (no desu) are not exactly words in themself, rather they are Japanese explanatory phrases that can be used to give or ask for explanations or reasoning. It adds a level of emphasis and is frequently used in daily conversations. While there isn't a direct translation in English, it's often interpreted as "it is that...", "the thing is...", or "the reason is...".

How to use んです in Japanese

When used in a statement, んです provides an explanation or reason, often with the expectation that the listener is seeking that information.

Friend A:

ごめん、遅れたんです。電車が何かの理由で止まっちゃったんです。

Gomen, okuretan desu. Densha ga nanka no riyuu de tomacchattan desu.

Sorry, I’m late. The train stopped for some reason.

Friend B:

気にしないで。

Ki ni shinaide.

Don’t worry about it.

Here, Friend A uses んです to explain why they're late, providing a context to their action.

Friend A:

それ、新しいバッグなんですか？

Sore, atarashii baggu nan desu ka?

Is that a new bag?

Friend B:

うん、そうなんです。昨日、買ったんだ。

Un, sou nan desu. Kinou, kattan da.

Yes, it is. I bought it yesterday.

In this scenario, Friend A uses んですか in their question, indicating that they have noticed something new (the bag) and are seeking an explanation about it. んです can add depth to your conversations in Japanese, making them feel more natural and engaging.

When used in a question, it's a softer way to ask for an explanation, often implying that the speaker has noticed something and is curious about it.

Common Ways to Say "N Desu" in Japanese

There are many iterations of using the phrase んです in Japanese. We will look at some of the more common ways it is said and its common uses.

Casual

-んです
n desu

Neutral

-なんです
nan desu

Formal

-のです
no desu

Using んです in Japanese Casual conversations

In a conversation between friends:

Friend	今日、何か元気ないね。何かあった？	Kyou, nanka genki nai ne. Nani ka atta?	You seem down today. Is something wrong?
You	あ、うん。試験がちょっと難しかったんだ。	Ah, un. Shiken ga chotto muzukashikatta n da.	Ah, yeah. The test was a bit hard.

Here, んだ (n da) is used to explain why the speaker seemed down.

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Using んです to inquire

In a conversation between colleagues:

Colleague	山田さん、最近遅くまで働いていますね。何か大変な仕事があるんですか？	Yamada-san, saikin osoku made hataraite imasu ne. Nani ka taihen na shigoto ga aru n desu ka?	Yamada-san, you've been working late recently. Is there a challenging task you're dealing with?
Yamada-san	そうなんです。プロジェクトが少し厳しいんです。	Sou nan desu. Project ga sukoshi kibishii n desu.	That's right. The project is a bit demanding.

Here, んですか (n desu ka) is used to inquire about the reason for the observed behavior (working late), and んです (n desu) is used to provide the explanation.

Using んです in Japanese Casual Conversations

In a conversation between friends:

Friend	今日、何か元気ないね。何かあった？	Kyou, nanka genki nai ne. Nani ka atta?	You seem down today. Is something wrong?
You	あ、うん。試験がちょっと難しかったんだ。	Ah, un. Shiken ga chotto muzukashikatta n da.	Ah, yeah. The test was a bit hard.

Here, んだ (n da) is used to explain why the speaker seemed down.

Using んです to inquire

In a conversation between colleagues:

Colleague	山田さん、最近遅くまで働いていますね。何か大変な仕事があるんですか？	Yamada-san, saikin osoku made hataraite imasu ne. Nani ka taihen na shigoto ga aru n desu ka?	Yamada-san, you've been working late recently. Is there a challenging task you're dealing with?
Yamada-san	そうなんです。プロジェクトが少し厳しいんです。	Sou nan desu. Project ga sukoshi kibishii n desu.	That's right. The project is a bit demanding.

Here, んですか (n desu ka) is used to inquire about the reason for the observed behavior (working late), and んです (n desu) is used to provide the explanation.

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Using なんです in Japanese Neutral Conversation

Explaining a situation using なんです

Coworker A	このレポートは何のためなんですか？	Kono report wa nan no tame nan desu ka?	What is this report for?
Coworker B	それは新しいプロジェクトの提案なんです。	Sore wa atarashii project no teian nan desu.	It's for the proposal of a new project.

Here, Coworker B uses なんです to provide an explanation for the purpose of the report.

Side note: It is important not to mix up なに and なんです, as they have different uses grammatically. In addition, なに is used to ask questions, while なんです follows the form of the explanatory んです form, and is used in situations where you would typically request or give explanations in conversations.

Asking a question using なんです

Friend A	あなたの車はどこにあるんですか？	Anata no kuruma wa doko ni arun desu ka?	Where is your car?
Friend B	ああ、それは修理に出したんです。	Aa, sore wa shuuri ni dashitan desu.	Ah, it's out for repair.

In this instance, Friend A uses なんですか to ask a question, showing curiosity about the location of Friend B's car. Friend B then uses んです to provide the explanation that the car is out for repair.

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Using のです in Japanese Polite Conversations

When it comes to formal conversations or where you want to be respectful, のです (no desu) is more appropriate. This phrase has the same function as んです and なんです but in a more courteous manner.

Providing explanations using のです

Student	すみません、先生。授業に遅れました。電車が遅延したのです。	Sumimasen, sensei. Jugyou ni okuremashita. Densha ga chien shita no desu.	Sorry, teacher. I was late for class. The train was delayed.
Teacher	わかりました、気をつけてください。	Wakarimashita, ki o tsukete kudasai.	Understood, please be careful next time.

In this dialogue, the student uses のです to provide a formal explanation for their lateness.

Asking for clarification using のです

Customer	この商品の使用方法は何なのですか？	Kono shouhin no shiyou houhou wa nani no desu ka?	What is the method of using this product?
Store Clerk	このボタンを押すのです。そうすると、製品が起動します。	Kono button o osu no desu. Sou suru to, seihin ga kidou shimasu.	You press this button. Then, the product will start.

Here, the customer uses のですか to ask for a polite clarification about how to use a product, to which the store clerk responds with a clear, polite explanation.

Using のです in a Formal Setting

Employee	田中さん、この報告書は来週までに提出が必要なのですか？	Tanaka-san, kono houkokusho wa raishuu made ni teishutsu ga hitsuyou na no desu ka?	Tanaka-san, does this report need to be submitted by next week?
Manager	はい、そうなのです。できるだけ早く終わらせてください。	Hai, sou na no desu. Dekiru dake hayaku owarasete kudasai.	Yes, that's right. Please finish it as soon as possible.

In the conversation above, のですか (no desu ka) is used to ask for an explanation, and のです (no desu) is used to confirm that explanation.

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How NOT to use んです

While んです can be a useful linguistic tool, it's important not to overuse it, as it can sound overly inquisitive or explanatory when not necessary.

Overuse

You	最近、毎日ジムに行ってるんだ。	Saikin, mainichi gym ni itteru n da.	I've been going to the gym every day recently.
Friend	え、そうなんだ。健康的だね。	E, sou nan da. Kenkouteki da ne.	Oh, is that so? That's healthy.

In this scenario, there was no need for the explanation provided by んだ (n da). The friend was not seeking an explanation or showing any curiosity about the speaker's actions.

Advice from a Native Speaker

The usage of んです or のです can be a great way to level up your conversational Japanese, as it allows for the exchange of more detailed information and the expression of empathy or understanding. However, remember not to overuse it, as it may unintentionally come across as prying or overly explanatory. As with any aspect of language learning, practice is key. With regular usage and experience, you'll get the hang of when to appropriately use んです or のです.

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TL;DR using んです in Japanese

To wrap up in a quick and digestible way, here are some of the main points you should remember when using んです in your daily conversations!

んです (n desu), なんです (nan desu), or のです (no desu) are explanatory phrases in Japanese that provide explanations or reasons. They're often interpreted as "it is that...", "the thing is...", or "the reason is...".

んです is used to give an explanation or reason in statements, with the expectation that the listener is seeking that information.

んです can also be used to ask for explanations in a softer, more indirect way, implying the speaker has noticed something and is curious.

んです comes in different forms, such as のです (no desu), which is more polite and formal, and なんです (nan desu), which is neutral.

When using んです, be mindful of overuse. It can sound overly inquisitive or explanatory when not necessary.

It's crucial to use the appropriate form of んです based on the context and level of formality of the conversation.

Related Phrases & Guides

How to Say Please in Japanese

Group or Private Lessons

Top 40 Japanese Slang to Know

Guide to Japanese Adjectives

Guide to Japanese Verbs

Guide to Hiragana and Katakana

Guide to Japanese Idioms

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How to Say Please in Japanese

The Japan Switch Team — Tue, 30 May 2023 05:39:21 +0000

How to Say Please in Japanese

By Kai Yoshizaki & Kyle Jumara | June 26th, 2023

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Understanding how to communicate appropriately is crucial to any language, as it gives off the impression that you put in hard work to learn the language as a foreigner, as well as gaining an appreciation and better understanding of the culture; taking Japanese for example, being able to properly say please in Japanese is a crucial aspect of this respect-driven language.

Taking up Japanese? It goes beyond mastering vocabulary and grammar rules; you're going to naturally embrace a new culture. Understanding how to say "please" is a significant part of this journey. The term "please" in Japanese changes according to the situation, and knowing how to use it correctly in casual chats, work-related talks, or formal exchanges is key. By starting with the humble "please," you're not just learning a language but also gaining a deeper insight into Japanese society.

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The Subtlety of “Please” in Japanese

Japan is well-known for its respect-based culture, and this is even more evident in its language, Japanese. As with many languages, certain phrases and ways of expressing yourself in Japanese have a major impact on how you are perceived. Unlike English, Japanese has a higher focus on the level of formalities used and integrates varying degrees of formality and respect into its speech and written words which change based on who the other person is when addressing them. This linguistic characteristic shines through the practice of keigo, a system of honorific speech in Japanese.

Keigo consists of three distinct levels of politeness, each progressively more formal than the last. We may effectively express ourselves in Japanese through this linguistic understanding of knowing when and with whom to use certain phrases, as well as recognizing how even little changes in the words we use can affect how others see us. As we unravel the concept of please in Japanese, we'll navigate these different forms of keigo, providing a more holistic understanding of its nuance and usage.

Romaji is a very important concept to learn before diving into any bit of Japanese. Check out our article on how to understand romaji!

Common Ways to Say "Please" in Japanese

There are many iterations of using the word please in Japanese. We will look at some of the more common ways it is said and its common uses.

Casual

ください
kudasai

ちょうだい
choudai

Neutral

お願いします
onegai shimasu

どうぞ
douzo

Formal

いただけませんか
itadakemasen ka

お願い致します
onegai itashimasu

Using Please in Japanese Daily Conversations

Kudasai

While kudasai is often seen as a casual form of "please" in Japanese, it's worth noting that its use extends beyond informal scenarios. It's often used in requests for help, favors, and when asking for something. Let's explore how the different contexts shape the usage of this word.

Requesting something:

You	あとでクラスからのノートを見せてください。	Ato de kurasu kara no nooto wo misete kudasai.	Later, may I see your notes from class?
Friend	昨日のノート？	Kino no nooto?	Yesterday’s notes?
You	うん、昨日学校にいなかったからノートを写してください。	Un, kinou gakkou ni inakatta kara noto wo utsushite kudasai.	Yeah, I wasn’t here at school yesterday so please let me copy your notes.

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Requesting someone to do something:

Customer	すみません。	Sumimasen.	Excuse me.
Staff	はい。	Hai.	Can I help you?
Customer	このシャツの紫色はありますか?	Kono shaatsu no murasaki iro wa arimasu ka?	Do you have this shirt in purple?
Staff	ちょっと待ってください。	Chotto matte kudasai.	Please wait a moment (very common phrase).

If you need to go and review some easy Japanese phrases in daily life, check out our article on Easy Japanese!

When asking for something:

You	すみません。	Sumimasen.	Excuse me.
Waiter	はい。	Hai.	Yes?
You	お水ください。	O mizu kudasai.	Can I have some water please?
Waiter	かしこまりました。	Kashikomarimashita.	Of course.

Very polite requests:

You	田中さん、すみませんが、この資料のコピーを作っていただけますか？	Tanaka-san, sumimasen ga, kono shiryou no kopii o tsukutte itadakemasu ka?	Mr. Tanaka, could you please make a copy of this document for me?
Mr. Tanaka	申し訳ありませんが、今は少し手が離せません。	Moushiwake arimasen ga, ima wa sukoshi te ga hanasemasen.	I'm sorry, but I can't spare the time right now.
You	それは大丈夫です、お忙しいところ失礼しました。	Sore wa daijoubu desu, oisogashii tokoro shitsurei shimashita.	That's fine, I apologize for interrupting when you're busy.

When asking to repeat something:

You	もう一度言ってください。	Mo ichido itte kudasai.	Can you repeat that please?
Friend	ここでお待ちしてください。	Koko de o machi shite kudasai.	Please wait here.
You	分かりました。ありがとうございます。	Wakarimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.	I understand, thanks.
Friend	どういたしまして。	Dou itashimashite.	You’re welcome.

Choudai / ちょうだい rules:

While choudai is considered a casual way to say "please" in Japanese, it's essential to note that its usage leans toward the informal and somewhat demanding side. For instance, translating "give me the document, please" to shorui o choudai might come off as rather forceful, despite the inclusion of "please". Let's examine a conversational context where choudai is utilized.

When demanding something:

Co-worker	何か必要？	Nanika hitsuyou?	Do you need something?
You	うん、サインちょうだい。	Un, sain choudai.	Yeah, give me your signature.
Co-worker	失礼な言い方。	Shitsurei na iikata.	What a rude way of asking.
You	ごめんなさい。	Gomennasai.	Sorry.

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Using "Please" in Japanese Neutral Conversations

Onegai shimasu / お願いします rules:

Onegai shimasu, the standard way of saying "please" in Japanese, sits comfortably in daily conversations, striking a neutral tone neither too formal nor too informal. For a slightly more formal feel, you might come across onegai itashimasu. While kudasai is less formal than onegai shimasu, all three are polite. Let's look into onegai shimasu, often used in response to questions and during requests.

When requesting something politely:

Cashier	レジ袋はごりようですか？	Reji bukuro ha goriyou desuka?	Do you want a bag?
Customer	はい、お願いします。	Hai, onegai shimasu.	Yes please.
Cashier	一枚ですか？	Ichi mai desu ka?	One bag?
Customer	はい、お願いします。	Hai, onegai shimasu.	Yes please.

In Japanese conversation, you'll often hear hai, onegai shimasu used repeatedly. This repetition might seem a bit peculiar initially, but it reflects the cultural norm of maintaining a high level of politeness in interactions.

When responding positively to a question:

You	コーヒーとベーグルください。	Koohii to beeguru kudasai.	One coffee and a bagel please.
Coffee shop worker	店内ですか？	Ten nai desu ka?	Are you eating here?
You	はい、お願いいたします。	Hai, onegai itashi masu.	Yes please.

When asking for someone to do something that is collaborative:

New coworker	初めまして。けんたです。	Hajimemashite. Kenta desu.	Nice to meet you. I'm Kenta.
You	初めまして。ようこそ。	Hajimemashite. Youkoso.	Nice to meet you and welcome.
New coworker	よろしくお願いします。	Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.	I am counting on you.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu is a handy phrase you'll hear a lot in Japan. There's no perfect English equivalent, but it's kind of like saying, "Let's get along well." It's a polite phrase used when you meet someone new, especially in a work or team setting. It basically means you're looking forward to good teamwork. The person is saying, "Please take care of me," or "Let's work well together." It's a cool cultural nuance, an understanding that cooperation is the best way to work!

Don't know what Japanese words are the most useful to cover when learning Japanese? Check out our article on the Top 1000 Japanese Words You Need to Know!

Douzo / どうぞ Rules

Douzo also roughly translates to please, but is used when offering something to someone. Similar to the word please in “please sit down.”

When offering assistance:

Colleague	うーん、これが終わらない。	Uun, kore ga owaranai.	Hmm, I can't seem to get this done.
You	お手伝いしましょうか？	O tetsudai shimashou ka?	Shall I help you?
Colleague	え、本当に？それなら助かるな。	E, hontouni? Sore nara tasukaru na.	Eh, really? That would help a lot.
You	どうぞ、何でも聞いてください。	Douzo, nandemo kiite kudasai.	Please, feel free to ask.

Here, douzo functions as a polite invitation to engage, similar to the English "please feel free to...". It demonstrates the speaker's readiness to help and encourages the co-worker to ask for assistance as needed.

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Using "Please" in Japanese Formal Conversations

Taking the phrase “please” from onegai shimasu to onegai itashimasu, we shift towards a more formal version of the previous form. This is commonly used when you are addressing someone of higher status. Typically, higher-status individuals can include people who are older than you, a boss, teacher, or elder whom you respect. If you want to step up your formalities even further, you can use itadakemasen ka. This phrase is a polite way to ask for something in Japanese and is particularly suited when addressing individuals of higher status.

Itadakemasen ka / いただけませんか rules:

When making requests to people you should show respect for, you can use itadakemasen ka instead of kudasai or onegai shimasu for added politeness when requesting something.

Respectfully requesting for help from a senior

Student	先生、質問してもよろしいですか？	Sensei shitsumon shitemo yoroshii desu ka?	Teacher, can I ask a question?
Teacher	はい、いいよ。	Hai ii yo.	Sure, go ahead.
Student	カタカナで書いていただけませんか。	Katakana de kaite iteitadakemasen ka	Can you please write in katakana?

Asking for help to someone you respect:

You	先輩、見ていただけますか？	Senpai, mite itadakemasu ka?	Senior, can you please take a look?
Teacher	はいどうぞ。	Hai, douzo.	Sure.
You	このレポートをチェックしていただけませんか。	Kono report o check shite itadakemasen ka.	Can you please check this report?
Teacher	了解しました、少し時間をください。	Ryoukai shimashita, sukoshi jikan o kudasai.	Understood, please give me a little time.

Asking a stranger to take a photo of something:

You	すみません、写真をとっていただけませんか？	Sumimasen, shashin wo totte itadakemasenka.	Excuse me, would you mind taking a photo for me?
Stranger	いいですよ。	Ii desu yo.	No problem.
You	ありがとうございます。	Arigatou gozaimasu.	Thank you.
Stranger	どういたしまして。	Dou itashi mashite.	You’re welcome.

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Onegai itashimasu / お願いいたします rules:

Onegai itashimasu and onegai shimasu are interchangeable forms of saying “please”. To go one step further in terms of formality, you would say onegai itashimasu which would more typically be used for formal interactions such as legal issues, if you are trying to make a good impression at your new workplace, or with potential/current clients.

When calling a number to request a certain person

Bank

Teller

もしもし。

Moshi moshi.

Hello. (used when picking up the phone)

You

すみません、鈴木さんお願いいたします。

Sumimasen Suzuki-san onegai itashimasu.

Excuse me, can I talk to Suzuki-san?

Bank

Teller

ちょっとお待ちください。

Chotto omachi kudasai.

Please wait a moment.

When requesting to change your shift

Boss	もしもし。	Moshi moshi.	Hello. (used when picking up the phone)
You	すみません、明日のシフトを変えてください。	Sumimasen, ashita no shift o kaete kudasai.	Excuse me, please change my shift for tomorrow.
Boss	了解しました。少しお待ちください。	Ryoukai shimashita. Sukoshi omachi kudasai.	Understood. Please wait a moment.

How NOT to Use "Please"

Neighbor	もしもし。	Moshi moshi.	Hello. (used when picking up the phone)
You	すみません、私のために荷物を運んでください。	Sumimasen, watashi no tame ni nimotsu o hakonde kudasai.	Excuse me, could you carry my luggage for me, please?
Neighbor	申し訳ありませんが、それは少し重すぎ。	Moushiwake arimasen ga, sore wa sukoshi omosugi.	I'm sorry, but that's a bit too heavy.

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Purizu / プリーズ:

Phonetically similar to “pulleys” is purizu which is the English word “please” written out phonetically. Avoid using this form as it sounds childish and could come across as improper in nearly all situations.

Classmate A	すごい、新しい漫画が出たね。	Sugoi, atarashii manga ga deta ne.	Wow, a new manga has been released.
Classmate B	読みたいの？	Yomitai no?	Do you want to read it?
Classmate A	イエス、プリーズ。	Yesu, purizu.	Yes, please. (said phonetically)
Classmate B	何？それは何の意味？	Nani? Sore wa nani no imi?	What? What does that mean?

Advice from a Native Speaker

Doing a quick translation of the word “please” will most likely be either onegai shimasu and kudasai, these words are mostly interchangeable, but there are some cases where you can't use kudasai and some cases where you can’t use onegai shimasu.

Friend	新しい映画を見に行きましょうか？	Atarashii eiga o mini ikimashou ka?	Shall we go to see the new movie?
You	今日はちょっと忙しいんだ。	Kyou wa chotto isogashii n da.	I'm a bit busy today.
Friend	そうか。また別の日に計画しましょう。	Sou ka. Mata betsu no hi ni keikaku shimashou.	I see. Let's plan for another day then.
You	そうしましょう。それと、今度うちで晩ご飯を作るから、ぜひ来てください。	Sou shimashou. Soreto, kondo uchi de bangohan o tsukuru kara, zehi kite kudasai.	Let's do that. Also, I'm cooking dinner at my place next time, so please do come.

In this conversation, kudasai is used to extend a polite invitation to the friend to come over for dinner. The use of this phrase showcases its role in maintaining politeness in day-to-day Japanese conversations.

Related Phrases & Guides

If you're looking for more helpful guides to aid you in your journey through Japan and its culture, check out our following guides:

Top 40 Japanese Slang to Know
Top 15 Tips to Make Japanese Friends
Guide to Japanese Language Exchange
Ultimate Guide to Moving to Japan
Ultimate Guide to Finding a Good Japanese Book
Ultimate Guide to Karaoke in Tokyo

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The post How to Say Please in Japanese appeared first on Japan Switch.

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Tongue Twisters

The Japan Switch Team — Wed, 18 May 2022 05:29:17 +0000

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Tongue Twisters

By RAI Abhinav | May 18, 2022

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暖かくなかった (あたたかくなかった). If you thought this was hard to say, we have a whole lot of surprises for you!

Do you think tongue twisters are a great way to improve language skills? Are you looking for Japanese tongue twisters to learn Japanese? Do you just want to learn fun and challenging tongue twisters in Japanese? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is just the article for you!

Tongue twisters in Japanese are called 早口言葉 (hayakuchi kotoba). 早口言葉 literally translates to “fast-mouthed words”. These are Japanese phrases designed in a way that makes them difficult to say. And, much like their English counterpart, they hardly make sense. I mean nobody cares how much wood a woodchuck would chuck. But just like in any language, Japanese tongue twisters can be helpful to take your Japanese skills to the next level.

I spent 30 hours looking for the top 20 Japanese tongue twisters just for YOU, so you don’t have to!

This article is a part of our series of articles on learning Japanese through online Japanese lessons at Japan Switch.

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3 ways Japanese tongue twisters can improve your Japanese

Tongue twisters are not just fun Japanese phrases that make up for a good time. They are also important tools to learn Japanese! We’ve listed 3 ways you can improve your Japanese with tongue twisters!

Tongue twisters improve Japanese pronunciation

It’s said that public speakers, actors, actresses, and news anchors use tongue twisters to warm up before they jump into action. We are not sure whether that’s true or not, but we are certain that Japanese tongue twisters can help you polish up your pronunciation.

It’s widely known that tongue twisters improve pronunciation by training speech muscles. It helps you straighten your muscles and speak out more naturally. They are designed to be hard to help you practice difficult sounds in order to improve your speech. In fact, you will find even the smoothest native Japanese speakers struggling with these nonsensical phrases.

Japanese tongue twisters can be used to identify what sounds are difficult for you to produce. Depending on the languages you already speak, some sounds might be easy for you to pronounce while some might be equally difficult. By going over a couple of tongue twisters, you can identify sounds that are challenging for YOU.

Japanese tongue twisters are difficult to say because similar-sounding words are crammed into a sentence. After identifying a sound that is challenging for you, you can repeatedly practice a tongue twister that contains that sound.

Say them out loud enough times, and you will eventually be able to pronounce them right!

Tongue twisters improve Japanese kanji and vocabulary

If you’re like me and wonder why kanji is a thing when hiragana and katakana exist, then tongue twisters will clear that doubt right away.

Just look at this one,

にわにはにわとりがいる

Here, the “には” is the article “に” and “は” and pronounced as "にわ". But it might be difficult to figure that out if the first "にわ" and the second "にわ" are not written in kanji. Keep in mind that the first and second "にわ" are completely different words too! You cannot tell them apart if kanji is not used! Here’s how it looks with kanji,

庭には二羽鶏がいる

Let’s look at another example,

すもももももももものうち

There are 3 separate nouns in this phrase! Going by the kana alone, it can be quite challenging to differentiate each word. You will need kanji to tell them apart. Here’s how the kanji version looks,

李も桃も桃のうち

Notice how it’s way easier to distinguish the words?

Don’t worry about saying these tongue twisters out loud right now. We’ll cover them later in the article.

In this way, you’ll need to keep the kanji in mind when practicing tongue twisters. And, if you practice tongue twisters enough, you are bound to remember the kanji. If you need more help with kanji, be sure to check our Top 15 Japanese Kanji Tips.

Also, Japanese tongue twisters are often absurd, funny, and even weird at times. And, absurd things, more often than not, leave an impression. That’s exactly how Japanese tongue twisters will help you memorize vocabulary.

Show off your new talent! (Tongue twisters can be conversation starters)

You could show off your new skills to your Japanese friends and watch them get excited as many Japanese people find tongue twisters to be quite difficult as well. You can also use tongue twisters as conversation starters. Just ask your Japanese friends to introduce some tongue twisters to you and they’ll happily do so. Or, you could just let them know what tongue twisters you have learned. I personally had a blast trying to figure out the meaning of some Japanese tongue twisters with my friends.

In any way, they are great topics for conversations. And this way, you can practice daily conversation and everyday Japanese as well! Hey, maybe you’ll even make a new friend!

If you want to learn more about Japanese conversation, check out our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Conversation.

Now that we have established their importance, let’s dive right into our list of Japanese tongue twisters. We’ve separated them into 4 separate lists and categorized them according to their level of difficulty.

Start Now

Top 5 Beginner tongue twisters in Japan

1.バスガス爆発

Kana: バスガスばくはつ
Romaji: Basu gasu bakuhatsu

Let’s start with a fairly simple and popular one. Literally, it translates to "Bus gas explosion". This is quite short and pretty straightforward and is a great one to get your foot in the door.

2.生麦生米生卵

Kana: なまむぎ, なまごめ, なまたまご
Romaji: Namamugi namagome namatamago

This is arguably the most popular tongue twister in Japan and you’ll most definitely come across it while in Japan. It translates to "Raw wheat, raw rice, raw eggs". By making use of food words, it reflects the popularity of raw food in Japan. From sushi to raw eggs, you will find that raw ingredients are a delicacy in Japan. Since it contains kanji for wheat, rice, and egg, it will also help you brush up on your everyday Japanese.

3.赤巻紙黄巻紙青巻紙

Kana: あかまきがみ, きまきがみ, あおまきがみ
Romaji: Akamakigami, kimakigami, aomakigami

This translates to "Red scroll, yellow scroll, blue scroll" in English. There are different versions with different orders of words. But all versions ultimately use the same words, just in a different order, so this is a great one to practice all those "か" and "き" sounds.

4.赤パジャマ黄パジャマ茶パジャマ

Kana: あかぱじゃま, きぱじゃま, ちゃぱじゃま
Romaji: Aka pajama, ki pajama, cha pajama

This classic tongue twister literally translates to "Red pajama, yellow pajama, brown pajama" in English. Well, just like the previous tongue twister, there are different versions of this one. While some like to add “青パジャマ (あおぱじゃま)” in the mix, some prefer to omit it. Nonetheless, reading this aloud makes for a great exercise to practice that small "ゃ" sound.

5.肩たたたき機

Kana: かたたたきき
Romaji: katatatakiki

If you have sore muscles, then this is the one for you. This is a popular Japanese massage product made into a tongue twister. Literally, it translates to “Shoulder rub machine”. You can see this word all over e-commerce websites in Japan. While the actual product will help you relax your shoulder muscles, the tongue twister will train your speech muscles. As a tongue twister, this works much the same way as “暖かくなかった”. It uses repetitive “た” and “き” sounds to help you improve pronunciation.

How were these tongue twisters? Did you have fun? Try saying them as quickly as you can before moving on to the next list.

Top 5 Intermediate tongue twisters in Japan

1.坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を描いた

Kana: ぼうずがびょうぶにじょうずにぼうずのえをかいた
Romaji: Bouzu ga byoubu ni jouzu ni bouzu no e wo kaita

Okay, finally a tongue twister that’s a full sentence. It seems monks “坊主 (ぼうず)” in Japan are quite skilled. When translated, this roughly means, "a monk beautifully drew a picture of a monk on a folding screen". This one is particularly good for practicing “B” sounds.

Also, "坊主" can have bad connotations in the wrong context, so we recommend that you don’t use it during daily conversations. Instead, use the word “お坊さん (おぼうさん/ Obousan)”, which also means monk.

2.隣の客はよく柿食う客だ

Kana: となりのきゃくはよくかきくうきゃくだ
Romaji: Tonarino kyaku wa yoku kakikuu kyaku da

Do you like persimmons (柿/かき/kaki)? Well, the person sitting beside me sure seems to. This tongue twister means, “the guest next to me is a guest who eats a lot of persimmons”. At the very least, this guest has a very healthy diet. Japanese persimmons are orange-colored fruits that are rich in fiber and vitamins. They are popular in autumn and you can find many kinds. You should definitely try them out when you visit Japan. These can also be great Japanese Omiyage (おみやげ)! If you want to learn more about the Japanese customs and culture of Omiyage, check out our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Omiyage.

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3.ニャンコ子ニャンコ孫ニャンコ

Kana: にゃんこ, こにゃんこ, まごにゃんこ
Romaji: Nyanko, konyanko, magonyanko

You might have guessed it by now, but Japan loves cats! And, this kawaii tongue twister shows exactly that. In English, it becomes “Kitten, baby-kitten, grand baby-kitten”. The “にゃん” sound can be quite challenging for some, so try to start off slow with this one.

4.スモモも桃も桃のうち

Kana: すもももももももものうち
Romaji: Sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi

Did you know that plums and peaches both belong to the peach family? Well, this tongue twister says just that. If you stumble upon its kana form, you’ll for once start missing kanji because it has 8 “も” sounds. When practicing this, identify the 3 particles first. The first “も”, the second“も”, and the “の”. This will help recognize the nouns and the sentence will become more comprehensible.

5.蛙ぴょこぴょこ三ぴょこぴょこ合わせてぴょこぴょこ六ぴょこぴょこ

Kana: かえるぴょこぴょこみぴょこぴょこあわせてぴょこぴょこむぴょこぴょこ
Romaji: Kaeru pyokopyoko mipyokopyoko awasete pyokopyoko mupyokopyoko

“ぴょこぴょこ” is the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound that frogs make when jumping, so it’s quite difficult to translate into English. If you really tried to translate it to English, a rough translation would be “A frog jumps 3 times, another frog jumps 3 times, 6 jumps altogether”.

This is popular among elementary kids in Japan for its frequent use of “ぴょこぴょこ”. It’s very fun to practice and you’ll look cute trying to pronounce “ぴょこぴょこ”.

Now, let’s take it up a notch! Let’s try some pre-advanced tongue twisters before moving to the really challenging ones!

Top 5 Pre-advanced tongue twisters in Japan

1.新設診療室視察

Kana: しんせつしんりょうしつしさつ
Romaji: Shinsetsu shinsatsushitu shisatsu

Apparently, the new examination room is shady. We don’t know what goes on there and why it’s up for inspection. This Japanese tongue twister translates to, “inspection of the new examination room” and will make you practice “S” sounds. If all the sounds seem too similar, you can divide them up into 3 parts.

新設 (しんせつ)

診療室 (しんりょうしつ)

視察 (しさつ)

Try it now!

2.新人シャンソン歌手新春シャンソンショー

Kana: しんじんしゃんそんかしゅしんしゅんしゃんそんしょー
Romaji: Shinjinkashu shanson shinshun shanson sho

Looks like there’s a new Chanson singer in town. And, it seems like they will be performing in the New Year Chanson show. We don’t know how good they are, but we’re sure this is a good tongue twister to polish your Katakana skills. It’s also a good example to show that some sounds change when they are written down in Katakana. Notice how the “cha” changes to “sha”?

3.バナナの謎はまだ謎なのだぞ

Kana: ばななのなぞは, まだなぞなのだぞ
Romaji: Bananano nazowa mada nazonanodazo

In English, this means, “the banana’s mystery is still a mystery”. We won’t blame you if you don’t know the banana’s mystery. Even Detective Konan hasn’t been able to solve it yet. You’ll probably figure out how to say this quickly before you figure out the banana’s mystery. That doesn’t mean it’s any easier to pronounce though. This one is particularly difficult because the “なぞ” and “だぞ” are confusing and the “な” is frequent.

4.この釘はひきぬきにくい釘だ

Kana: このくぎはひきぬきにくいくぎだ
Romaji: Konokugiwa hikinuki nikui kugida

This translates to something along the lines of, “this nail is a nail that is difficult to pull out”. Seems like even the strongest of people find it difficult to pull out this one particular nail because this tongue twister has been around for some time now.

Much like the nail itself, this tongue twister is hard to nail too! See what I did there?

Anyway, this is great for practicing “K” sounds.

5.右目右耳右耳右目

Kana: みぎめみぎみみみぎみみみぎめ
Romaji: Migime migimimi migimimi migime

This tongue twister means, “right eye, right ear, right ear, right eye”. This one looks pretty easy at first, but it will sneak up on you! All those “み” can get annoying at first, so try separating this into 4 parts.

右目 (みぎめ)

右耳 (みぎみみ)

右目 (みぎめ)

Done with these? Let’s try on some of the challenging ones now. Put your game face on!

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Top 5 Advanced tongue twisters in Japan

1.摘出手術中

Kana: てきしゅつしゅじゅつちゅう
Romaji: Tekishutsu shu jutsu chu

Tongue twisters don’t have to be long to be difficult. Our first tongue twister in the advance list is proof of that. When translating, it turns to, “in the middle of removal surgery”. This tongue twister can be utterly challenging because it contains “しゅ”, “じゅ”, and “ちゅ”. On top of being difficult on their own, they also sound somewhat similar.

2.東京特許許可局

Kana: とうきょうとっきょきょかきょく
Romaji: Tokyo tokkyo kyokakyoku

Oh, the famous Tokyo Patent Office. Be careful though! It doesn’t exist. This is a nightmare for Japanese government offices because people always ask if a Tokyo Patent Office really exists. The answer is no. It doesn’t and never existed.

The different variations of “きょ ” are what make this troublesome.

If you’ve perfected this, try its even more challenging version:

東京特許許可局局長

Kana:とうきょうとっきょきょかきょくきょくちょう
Romaji: toukyou tokkyo kyokakyoku kyokuchou

They just added a fictional manager “局長 (きょくちょう)” to a fictional office.

3.この竹垣に竹立て掛けたのは竹立て掛けたかったから竹立て掛けた

Kana: このたけがきにたけたてかけたのはたけたてかけたかったからたけたてかけた
Romaji: Kono takegaki ni take tatekaketa no wa take tatekaketakattakara take tatekaketa

Do you ever just want to listen to those intrusive thoughts inside your head? Seems like this person did just that. This one roughly translates to, “I put a bamboo against this bamboo fence because I wanted to put a bamboo against it”. Maybe it’s okay to let those intrusive thoughts win sometimes because in this case, it resulted in a great tongue twister.

It’s easy to say it slowly but as soon as you try to pick up the pace, you’ll find yourself stumbling by the middle of the sentence. So, like all tongue twisters, separate them into bits and start off slow.

4.あのアイヌの女のぬう布の名は何？あの布は名のない布なの

Kana: あのあいぬのおんなのぬうぬののなはなに？あのぬのはなのないぬのなの
Romaji: Ano ainuno onnano nununono nawa nani？ ano nuno wa nanonai nunonano

Do you name your clothes? That Ainu woman certainly does not. Literally, this tongue twister translates to, “what is the name of the cloth that Ainu woman is sewing? That cloth has no name.”

This one is quite long and difficult with all those repeated “な”, “ぬ”, and “の” sounds. It can be intimidating at first, but don’t give up. Take your time! Take it slow!

5.裏庭には二羽, 庭には二羽鶏がいる

Kana: うらにはにわ, にわにはにわとりがいる
Romaji: Ura niwa ni wa niwa, niwa ni wa niwa niwatori ga iru

Why did the chicken cross the road? Apparently, to go to this person’s backyard and front yard. This one means, “two chickens in the backyard and two chickens in the front yard”. It’s a harder version of the “庭には二羽鶏がいる” that we introduced earlier in the article.

If you’ve perfected this, there’s an even harder version too!

丹羽の庭には二羽鶏俄にワニを食べた

Kana: にわのにわにはにわにわとりにわかにわにをたべた
Romaji: Niwa no niwa ni wa ni wa niwatori niwaka ni wani wo tabeta

This is even more bizarre because it translates to, “two chickens suddenly ate a crocodile in Niwa’s garden”. Niwa is a person here.

How can I add tongue twisters into my study?

Now that we have listed out the Japanese tongue twisters that you should be practicing, let’s answer how you can add them to your study routine.

Do I need to study tongue twisters for the JLPT?

No. If you’re studying strictly for the JLPT and your only goal is to pass the JLPT, then you don’t need to brush up your tongue twister skills. Tongue twister questions are not asked in the JLPT and you won’t be marked on your speaking skills. Instead, we recommend that you go through our Guide to Japanese Study Tips for tips on studying Japanese.

How do I get better at Japanese tongue twisters quickly?

First, find the sound or tongue twister that you want to practice. Limit this to 1 tongue twister a week, so you can focus on improving one sound at a time. Start your practice with easy tongue twisters at first, and then gradually increase the difficulty.

Okay, now that you’ve chosen your tongue twister, say it OUT LOUD! Yes, out loud! Start off slowly. Then,

Repeat! Repeat! Repeat!

Repetition is the key. After you’ve got the hang of it, increase the speed. And then, repeat again! Keep on going until you can say the tongue twister as fast as you can 3 times in a row.

If you’re looking for materials to learn Japanese tongue twisters, there are many online resources that provide audio and visual help with pronunciation. For example, 早口言葉ナビ【動画チャンネル】 is a YouTube channel that provides helpful audio materials.

Also, you can jump on to Reddit and Quora to discuss your favorite tongue twister or to find new ones. Apps like はやくちことば - 聞いて、話して、日本語スラスラ for iOS users and 早口言葉 for Android users are also great tools to practice tongue twisters. Quizlet also has lots of Japanese tongue twister flashcards that you can add to your study, or you can also create your own series of flashcards. If you’re interested in finding more Japanese learning apps, check out our Guide to Japanese Learning Apps.

Final Thoughts

That’s it! You’ve got all the weapons you need in your arsenal to master Japanese tongue twisters. Like any new thing, these can be challenging at first. But, don’t give up! Take it slow, start with the easy ones! With enough practice, you’ll definitely be able to say them fast.

Talking about a non-existent Tokyo patent office can seem pointless at first, but you’ll see that it will improve your pronunciation and kanji in no time.

Also, if want to take your Japanese to the next level and start speaking like a native speaker, you can look at our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Idioms.

And if want to improve your Japanese skills further, you can enroll in our private lessons. Book a free consultation with us today!

The post Ultimate Guide to Japanese Tongue Twisters appeared first on Japan Switch.

Top Tips to Improve Bad Japanese

The Japan Switch Team — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 02:42:05 +0000

Top Tips to Improve Bad Japanese

By Ari | April 29, 2022

The Japanese language is a great language to learn, especially for those who love Japanese art and culture. But it can be particularly difficult for native English speakers. Do you ever question how polite or casual you should be when conversing in Japanese with your friends? Or are you worried that you might unknowingly use rude/bad words that can be perceived as offensive to Japanese speakers? Let's find out how you can improve your Japanese skills to the next level by learning various Japanese speech styles.

This article is part of our extensive series on Learning About Japan through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

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What is ‘bad’ Japanese?

“ばか (Baka)”, “ちくしょう (Chikusyo)”, “くそ (Kuso)”, “死ねえ (Shine)”. You've probably heard one of these phrases if you've watched anime, Japanese films, or dramas. In every language, there are some terms that you should use with extreme caution. Japanese is no exception. The vast differences in Japanese lettering, accents, and culture may cause greater confusion than usual for many English learners.

Japan is known for its formality and politeness, and the Japanese people have established a reputation for having outstanding manners. They take great care to ensure that social peace is preserved, therefore they avoid doing anything that may potentially upset it or lead someone to lose face. Even the small things, such as how to stand on the train or how to dispose of trash, seems to have its own set of rules. Did you know that there are different ways in Japanese to speak to your friends and to your bosses? These aspects might not appear (or be entirely clear) in the Japanese media that you have consumed. However, if you're serious about learning this language, you would want to avoid using bad Japanese when interacting with native speakers.

Am I using bad Japanese? Will Japanese people tell me if I am?

As a newcomer to the Japanese language, you might wonder whether you have been using bad Japanese phrases you learn from anime carelessly, or if you have impolitely addressed other people. Well, it is never too late to learn the good and polite way to talk in Japanese!

Luckily, if you are not Japanese, you are not required to fully comprehend how polite and formal Japanese works. When you're unsure of what to say or do, this ‘foreigner pass’ could come in rescue. However, understanding the basics of Japanese politeness will definitely earn you points with your Japanese friends and colleagues.

Avoiding bad Japanese: Politeness and formality

The grammar of the Japanese language is structured so that there are multiple levels of formality built in. Japanese speakers alter their language to show the appropriate degree of respect for their conversational partner depending on their connection with them. Knowing when and to whom to speak Keigo (敬語, respectful language) in Japan is essential for both social and professional reasons, given the country's well-deserved reputation for respect and formality.

The formality of English sentences can be enhanced by the use of certain words and the lengthening of the phrases. But unlike languages without particular registers of formality, Japanese language uses different verb forms depending on the amount of politeness the occasion requires. Using formal language in a first introduction can reveal a lot of information about yourself, which will either show a positive impression or an unforgivable mistake!

The 3 levels of formality in Japanese

There are three primary types of formal Japanese: Teineigo (丁寧語, polite language), Sonkeigo (尊敬語, honorific language) and Kenjougo (謙譲語, humble language). Depending on the situation and the statuses of those involved, the type of formal form you use will also be different.

You can use Teineigo for everyday interactions with strangers.
When speaking to a teacher or a boss, Sonkeigo can be used for showing respect.
If you’re talking about yourself, Kenjougo will show respect to the recipient of your actions, making you sound modest.

Factors influencing formality

Every culture has its own set of expectations on how to behave properly, and Japan is no exception. So, what is the role of politeness in Japanese society?

Social hierarchy or rank

First and foremost, it is important to keep in mind the concept of social hierarchy, or social rank, at all times. How you speak to someone depends on where you are in your relationship with them. In this context, parents are ranked higher than children, teachers are higher than pupils, bosses are higher than employees, and elderly are higher than younger people.

When Japanese people communicate with one another, they consider the other person's rank and alter their words accordingly. Consider the following example, you wouldn't speak to your teacher the same way you would to your younger sister. Additionally, for business clients, strangers, and those of a higher social status, there are different types of formal language to choose from. Once you've built a rapport with your client, you can use more casual language, but only after you've demonstrated respect.

These are some of the examples of the differences in social rank between people that you should keep in mind when speaking in Japanese.

Higher rank	Parent	Teacher	Customer	Boss
Lower rank	Children	Student	Salesman	Employee

If both speakers have equal rank, such as between two friends or two strangers, degree of familiarity determines speech style.

Familiarity

How close and familiar you are with the other person also plays a part in politeness. While strangers use more formal language, family members tend to communicate more casually with each other. When you're around good friends, you may drop the formalities and let loose with the slang. Want to know more about Japanese slang? Check out our Top 40 Japanese Slang to Know.

What is the difference between casual Japanese and bad Japanese?

Casual Japanese, often known as くだけた (Kudeketa) Japanese, is the language you speak in casual or informal situation, such as with friends, relatives, or people younger than you. In their shorter conjugation forms, Kudeketa uses the base form of verbs.

When you tell your close friend about what you did on the weekend, you can say:
“I went shopping at the mall."

Regular Polite	Casual Japanese
モールで買い物しに行きました。 Mooru de kaimonoshi ni ikimashita.	モールで買い物しに行った Mooru de kaimonoshi ni itta.

Japanese casual forms are not often taught until later on in classroom lessons. However, you'll come across them just as frequently as formal forms. Casual Japanese does not equal bad Japanese when you use it appropriately. Casual forms are used in comics, social media, and even certain advertisements. Being able to converse with people on a more intimate level is essential to being fluent in Japanese, thus learning casual form is essential.

Best time to use casual/informal Japanese

Knowing when it is and is not appropriate to use casual form in Japanese is critical to communicating effectively while also avoiding using bad Japanese. Casual Japanese is suitable for communicating with friends, family, and children. Always remember that elders and those of greater position are still treated with more respect.

Ultra-formal Japanese or Keigo: What is it? How and when should I use it?

Keigo (敬語) is written with the kanji “to respect / admire” and the kanji for “language”. Keigo is a super polite form of Japanese used to either express respect or humility. Using Keigo is a way of expressing your consideration and respect for a person older than you and who holds a different job or has more experience in a company than you. Your speech will change according to who you are speaking to and what you're referring to.

Learners can get a sense of Japan's culture of respect and honor through this unique and beautiful element of the language. It's a unique and lovely component of the language that teaches students about Japan's honor and respect culture. At first glance, you might conclude that keigo is of little benefit to you. There's a good chance you are thinking, "I'll never use this." You'd be completely wrong. As a tourist or resident in Japan, you're likely to encounter keigo in practically every public interaction. Whether it's said by the cashier at the restaurant when you pay for your meal or by the computerized voice of the cash machine when you take money from the ATM, keigo is a phrase you'll quickly become accustomed to.

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Teineigo (丁寧語: showing politeness)

How to use it

Teineigo is a Japanese word that refers to the concept of politeness. Not only are the verbs changed, but nouns and other parts of speech are sometimes adjusted to be more polite when speaking in keigo. Teineigo is considered the easiest of the three types of keigo and is also regarded to be less daunting because it is technically part of learning the fundamentals. Using "desu" and "masu" at the end of your sentences is an example of teineigo.

Example

English	Casual Japanese	Teinego
Good	いい Ii	よろしい Yoroshii
A little	ちょっと Chotto	少々 (しょうしょう) Syosyo
To go	行く(いく) Iku	行きます (いきます) Ikimasu
To come	来る (くる) Kuru	来ます (きます) Kimasu

When to use it

You might hear a store clerk asking you to wait for some time:
“Please wait a little.”
少々お待ちください。(しょうしょうおまちください)
Syosyo omachi kudasai.

Before asking your employer or boss something, you can ask:
“Is now a good time?”
今、よろしいですか？(いま、よろしいですか？)
Ima, yoroshii desu ka?

Sonkeigo (尊敬語: showing respect)

How to use it

Sonkeigo is the language form used to express respect for others. Only when speaking about someone with a greater social position than yourself do you conjugate verbs into sonkeigo. This includes people older than yourself, your superiors at work, etc. That is why you would never use sonkeigo when referring to yourself, someone close to you, or a member of your family.

Example

English	Casual Japanese	Teinego
To be	います Imasu	いらっしゃいます Irasshaimasu
To go	行きます (いきます) Ikimasu	いらっしゃいます Irasshaimasu
To come	行く(いく) Iku	いらっしゃいます Irasshaimasu
To eat	食べます (たべます) Tabemasu	召し上がります (めしあがります) Meshi agatte kudasai
To eat	飲みます (のみます) Nomimasu	召し上がります (めしあがります) Meshi agatte kudasai

When to use it

If you need to ask whether your teacher is present or not, you can say:
“Excuse me, is Mr. Yamada here?”
山田先生はいらっしゃいますか。(やまだせんせいはいらっしゃいますか)
Yamada sensei wa irasshaimasu ka?

At your work, when you bring some treats to share to your colleagues, you can say say:
“Please go ahead and eat them.”
どうぞ、召し上がってください。(どうぞ、めしあがってください)
Douzo, meshi agatte kudasai.

Kenjougo (謙譲語: showing respect by humbling yourself)

How to use it

Kenjougo is the language used to express humility when speaking about yourself. Only use kenjougo when speaking about yourself or others in your "inner circle," such as close family or friends. Obviously, you wouldn't use kenjougo if you were talking about someone else, especially if they were in a higher social position than you.

Example

English	Casual Japanese	Teinego
To be	います Imasu	おります Orimasu
To go	行きます (いきます) Ikimasu	参ります (まいります) Mairimasu
To come	行く(いく) Iku	参ります (まいります) Mairimasu
To eat	食べます (たべます) Tabemasu	頂きます (いただきます) Itadakimasu
To eat	飲みます (のみます) Nomimasu	頂きます (いただきます) Itadakimasu

When to use it

During an interview, when a potential employer asks you when you came to Japan, you can answer:
“I came in June of this year.”
今年の６月に参りました。(ことしのろくがつにまいりました)
Kotoshi no roku gatsu ni mairimasu.

If you are doing a presentation and need to introduce yourself, here is what you can say:
“I am Maria”
私はマリアと申します。(わたしはマリアともうします)
Watashi Maria to moushimasu.

Importance of learning keigo

In the Japanese language, honorifics have a significant role. They describe underlying power dynamics and assist the speaker in expressing deference to the listener without being explicit. Every day in Japan, from store clerks addressing customers to employees conversing with their supervisor, the polite form is used. You don’t want to offend other people unknowingly by using rude or bad words.

Therefore, mastering keigo is critical for anyone, not limited to people hoping to work in Japan. In the eyes of employers, foreigners who can correctly use keigo can be considered more desirable. However, it would also be a great learning experience for those who are looking for ways to establish better relationships with native speakers or simply trying to improve their language skills.

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7 Tips to master different Japanese speech patterns

1. Find opportunities to talk in casual form with your Japanese friends

The most common type of communication used by Japanese people is the casual form, as it is used most frequently among family and friends. If you have made acquaintances with native speakers, it will not be long until you can practice using casual form with them. If you are unsure whether you can drop the formalities, simply match their speech patterns instead of directly using casual form. If you're looking for Japanese individuals to practice your casual speech style, you can also use an app to do it. HelloTalk and Hinative are two of the most popular apps used for language exchange with Japanese people. Here's some Top 15 Tips to Make Japanese Friends and Top 15 Japanese Conversation Tips to help your journey along the way.

2. Take Japanese lessons that focus on communication

So, you want to learn Japanese, but you’re one of those people who need a little push first before diving into self-study? Don’t worry! nowadays there are many Japanese language schools that are available online. If you’re looking for more affordable options, definitely check out Japan Switch! We offer both private and group lessons that enable students to accomplish their language goals. Moreover, the teachers at Japan Switch are native Japanese speakers, allowing you to learn and speak in a natural way.

3. Do a part-time job and learn to use polite form of Japanese

If you treat your part-time job as an immersive learning tool, you’ll definitely improve your written Japanese as well as your keigo. Depending on the job, some roles might require you to talk in polite or honorific form. Roles in services such as waiter/waitress, receptionist, and cashier have to constantly interact with the customers in a respectful manner. Therefore, if you want to learn keigo while earning money at the same time, you can try these part-time jobs!

4. Use proper keigo when sending email to your superiors or clients

There are a number of distinct rules when it comes to composing business emails in Japan. If you do not stick to them, you risk making a negative impression on the recipient from the very first sentence. So, when you are crafting written correspondence such as email with superiors or clients, using keigo or honorific form is a must.

It's important, however, not to confuse sonkeigo and kenjougo. Kenjougo elevates the recipient, whilst the sonkeigo incorporates humble terms used when speaking about oneself or one's group. You must be very careful not to mix them up, as doing so may give the impression that you are looking down on the recipient of the email.

5. Read from various resources

While it is more challenging to learn Japanese solely from a textbook, it is not impossible! There are many textbooks and online resources that can help you learn various speech patterns. Japanese textbooks like Genki, Minna no Nihongo, Nihongo Fun & Easy, and Tobira provide brief explanations regarding various Japanese speech styles. Furthermore, you are always one search away from finding informative sources on the internet. However, if you want to focus more on learning keigo, you can try reading 新・にほんご敬語トレーニング and 敬語の正しい使い方. These are high-rated books for Japanese on how to use keigo that take you through lessons in a chapter-based format and provide clear guide-like explanations.

6. Have fun learning by doing quizzes and using flashcards

Flashcards can be used to learn almost anything. They are, of course, fantastic for learning and retaining new words. You may not have known, but you could use flashcards to help you learn conjugation as well or even assist you in studying a new grammar point you're attempting to master! Furthermore, with the availability of digital flashcards, you can basically learn anywhere and anytime from the tip of your finger. Anki is an incredibly popular flashcard app among language learners. On top of the countless decks available to download, you can also create your own deck and maximize your studies.

7. Immerse yourself in Japanese by watching anime and drama

Language learning relies on periodic repetition, and TV shows are ideal for this. The same words and lines keep popping up again and over again. Hearing the same sounds repeatedly will allow you to become acclimated to the pronunciation and speed of a few different people over the course of a few weeks.

One of the best ways to immerse yourself is to revisit your old favorites paired with pen and paper. Of course, just watching anime isn’t going to work wonders for your Nihongo. It’s all about active watching. In other words, watch a show with the intention of learning. Try to distinguish the casual and formal speech style in the dialogue in each episode. Notice the context and try to mimic how the characters speak naturally. You can also note the bad Japanese phrases to avoid using. If you make an effort to learn different Japanese speech styles, you’ll be able to apply it properly the next time you are in conversation.

Keep going, keep learning!

It is clear to see that Japanese formality has numerous layers to it. There are several factors that influence how you speak in Japanese, including the situation, the status of the people you're speaking with, and many more.

While politeness and formality in the Japanese language can be intimidating, it becomes a lot easier to study once you break down the different aspects of it. Additionally, as a foreigner, you will receive a break on minor details. You won't be expected to know exactly how to bow to the manager of a branch business in Japan. Trial and error in using various speech styles will be beneficial to you! When the occasion arises, don't be afraid to apply the knowledge you learn and avoid using bad Japanese!

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Ultimate Guide to Japanese Kanji

The Japan Switch Team — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:01:04 +0000

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Kanji

By Yuria Hoshmand | April 8th, 2022

Are you a complete beginner to learning Japanese kanji or do you already know some kanji but you are looking to improve your kanji? Learning kanji may sound difficult and time consuming but once you learn the basics you’ll find that it’s not too hard. Test your understanding about kanji or improve your kanji by learning the basics of kanji structures, readings, and writing.

This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning Japanese through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

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Do I really need to learn 2000 kanji? Learning kanji from scratch

If you can read and write 2000 kanji that’s great but you don’t really need to know how to both read and write 2000 kanji in 2022. However, daily use kanji which can be used to read most books and newspapers, is estimated to be around 2000. That means if you know these kanji you will be able to read and write most daily use kanji. Plus, there is an estimated 863 kanji that can be used for Japanese names. If you know these kanji, you will be able to read people's names in the newspapers, on the news, or in books/textbooks, which will be important because Japanese people's names mostly consist of kanji.

Do you want to master Japanese or just the bare minimum?

Whether you need to learn 2000 kanji or not depends on your goals and what you’re trying to accomplish in Japanese. there is a decreasing need to hand write Kanji in everyday life compared to before the emergence of smartphones. If you just want to get around Japan with no problems (shopping malls, restaurants, train stations, etc.) and you don't read the book or the newspapers, you would just want to know how to read the basic kanji.

Writing kanji is not as necessary unless you actually have to write it, which is not that often. Japanese people today can write fewer kanji thanks to technology. The keyboard automatically finds the matching kanji for you. However, you will still be expected to know the vocabulary words and have the ability to know the appropriate kanji for your sentences.

To conclude, if you learn about 2000 kanji (of which 1000 are taught in elementary school and the other half in middle school), you can live in Japan with no problems, and if you learn the extra 863 kanji for names you would be able to read and write most kanji.

Check out this article to learn 2000 kanji in 3 months: Writing Japanese: How to Learn 2000 Kanji in 3 Months

Learning kanji from scratch

If you have no prior knowledge of Japanese kanji and are looking for steps to start learning, the first thing you should do is to start with kanji from the first grade level. There are about 80 simple kanji for the first grade, which sounds like a lot but it’s not, since they are all simple and basic kanji. The best way to start learning Japanese kanji is to first study how to write the kanji with the correct stroke order, memorize all the pronunciations, and the associated words/vocabularies for each pronunciation. The stroke order is important if you want to write the kanji beautifully. It’s also equally important to know all the pronunciations for the kanji because most kanji have two or more ways to read it and they are all used in the Japanese language.

How to memorize kanji?

The best way to remember how to write kanji is to practice writing the kanji over and over until you can write the kanji without looking at anything. Learning kanji is all about practicing and memorizing. I have studied kanji throughout my elementary school years and I used to be able to write more kanji, but because I stopped using kanji as much, I can’t remember how to write complex kanji off the top of my head. But since I actually studied the kanji and the memory is still somewhere there, I would be able to write them if I look them up. Even as a Japanese native speaker it’s still hard to keep remembering all the kanji I studied in the past, so being able to continuously write kanji takes consistent practice. On the other hand, reading kanji is easier than writing kanji. For me, learning kanji for the first time is enough to remember how to read kanji. To conclude, if you want to excel at learning kanji, you need to surround and familiarize yourself with reading and writing kanji on a daily basis.

If you want to find out more about learning basic Japanese, also check out on BFF Tokyo: Ultimate Guide to Beginner Japanese

If you want to start taking Japanese lessons, check out: How to Prepare for Private Japanese Lessons

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History and the forming of kanji

Kanji is the only ancient writing that’s still being used to this day. It is estimated that it was created about 3500 years ago in China. The oldest form of Kanji based on archaeological records was found in a Chinese ruin from B.C.16 to B.C. 14 but it is said that the older ancestor of Kanji existed even before that. The Oracle bone script is the oldest type of kKanji found and considered to be an ancestor of Chinese characters engraved on bones.

Do you want to learn more about the history of Japanese kanji? Check out this article: Kanji History - The Origins of Japan's Writing System

What is Rikusho? (六書)

There are 6 principles of the forming of Kanji called 六書 (rikusho).

Shokei moji are kanji characters formed from the shape of an object in real life. For example, kanji 山 (mountains) was created from the shape of the mountains, 人 (people) from two people leaning on each other, and 門 (gate) from the shape of the gate.
Shiji moji are characters that represent abstract concepts using diagrams and symbols. For example the kanji 本 (root) represents the root of the tree (木) by adding a line at the base of the character tree. Other examples include 一 (one), 二 (two), 三 (three), 上 (top), and 下 (bottom).
Kaii moji is a combination of shokei and shiji moji to give it a new meaning. For example, 林 (forest) is a combination of two trees (木), indicating a place with many trees. 休 (rest) is a combination of a person (人) and a tree (木), indicating a person leaning on the tree and resting. Other examples include 北 (north), 炎 (flame), 明 (bright), 見 (see), 祭 (festival), and 進 (enter).
Keisei moji is a combination of shokei and shiji moji using the meaning of the radicals as well as the reading, and it is said that more than 80% of kanji are this type. For example, 湖 (lake) shows the radical on the left which represents water and 胡 represents the sound. Other examples include 清 (clean), 菓 (candy), 酒 (alcohol), 抱 (hug), and 校 (school).
Tenchu is said to be a combination of two or more kanji to give it a new meaning but the exact meaning is still not known. For example, 薬 (medicine) is a combination of 楽 (comfort) and 草 (grass).
Kasha is a borrowing of a character to make a new word of the same sound without paying attention to its meaning. For example, 北 (north) meant back and away but since it has the same sound it came to mean north.

If you want to read more about the 6 principles, check out this article: Rikusho: 六書 (The 6th Principle of Kanji)

Stroke orders and how to identify the structure of kanji and radicals?

Like I explained above, kanji consists of different parts. Kanji usually consists of two or more kanji with radicals. Radicals are called 部首 (bushu) in Japanese and it is a part of kanji divided in 7 different groups. Radicals contain from one stroke to seventeen strokes. There are thousands of kanjis but if you remember the 7 groups of radicals it would be a lot easier to understand.

The seven groups of radicals

The radicals	Where?	Example kanji
Hen	Left side of kanji	駅 → 馬
Tsukuri	Right side of kanji	状 → 犬
Kanmuri	At the top	全 → 人
Ashi	At the bottom	思 → 心
Tare	Encircles the top and left	屋 or 広
Nyo	Encircles the bottom and left	建 or 処
Kamae	Encircles anything else	間 → 門

If you want to see more radicals, check out: The 214 traditional kanji radicals and their meanings

Some examples of the radicals

The radical ninben (people radical) can be seen in kanji such as 体 (body), 作 (make), 使 (use) which was derived from 人 (people), therefore these kanji relates to people. The radical tehen (hand radical) is used in kanji such as 投 (throw), 指 (finger), and 技 (skill) and shows the movement of the hand. The radical ritto originates from the kanji 刀 which means a sword, and is used in kanji that express cutting such as 割 (split), 刻 (carve), and 別 (separate). Lastly, the radical ukanmuri means the roof, therefore used in kanji such as 家 (house), 安, and 室 (room). The radicals can look similar to one another but the meaning would be completely different just from an added dot or a line. For example, the radical gyoninben used in kanji such as 行 (go) and 往 (switch to), was created from the meaning of the roads splitting, and even though it looks similar to the ninben radical explained above, they both have a complete different meaning.

If you want to improve your understanding of the radicals, check out this article: What Are Kanji Radicals?

Stroke orders and counts

Knowing the correct stroke orders is important when it comes to writing kanji. Learning the correct stroke orders helps you to be able to write the kanji rapidly without pausing to think about the next stroke. It might seem like a time consuming step but it actually helps you to learn kanji faster. Skipping the stroke orders is not recommended since you won’t be able to read cursive kanji and it will be more difficult to learn kanji. It’s only complicated at first, but with practice you will be able to automatically write kanji. The stroke orders do follow a consistent pattern so once you learn a stroke order you can apply the same rule for kanji that have the same shape. Kanji is also usually divided by stroke order counts. When you first learn kanji, you will most likely start with kanji that have the least stroke order counts. Basic kanji taught in first grade level has the least stroke order counts and gradually increases as the grade increases.

Do you want to find out more tips about learning Japanese? Also check out on BFF Tokyo: Top 15 Japanese Kanji Tips

Chinese and Japanese readings and how to know the difference

In Japanese kanji, there are two types of ways to read the kanji; Japanese pronunciation (kun-yomi) and the original Chinese pronunciation (on-yomi). When it comes to reading Japanese kanji, there is no way to determine 100% which pronunciation is On reading or Kun reading. There are always exceptions and it’s something you just have to memorize and know. However, there are some basic rules of thumb to differentiate the two.

Kun reading vs On reading

The first basic rule is if the pronunciation describes a word or if you can understand the meaning it’s Kun reading and if the pronunciation doesn’t mean anything it’s On reading. For example, the original Chinese pronunciation of 山 is shan. In this case, the On reading is san which doesn’t really have a meaning, and the Kun reading is yama, which means mountain in Japanese. In the dictionary, the On reading is written in Katakana since the pronunciation is derived from Chinese which is a foreign language, and the Kun reading is written in Hiragana since it’s a Japanese pronunciation. Other examples are the kanji 海 (ocean), we know umi is Kun reading since it means ocean in Japanese, and kai is On reading since it doesn’t mean anything.

How is the Kanji read?

The second rule is that if the kanji has okurigana, which uses hiragana after kanji in Japanese words. Some kanji need hiragana after the kanji so the word makes sense in Japanese. However, this rule doesn’t always apply.

If the word ends in __ suru or __ jiru it would be On reading, such as 接する (sessuru) which means to interact or 生じる (shojiru) which means to arise.
If the pronunciation has more than 4 letters it’s Kun reading, which means if it’s On reading the pronunciation always has 3 or less letters. For example, the kanji 志 (kokorozashi), 公 (ooyake), 詔 (mikotonori), and 私 (watakushi) are all Kun reading since they all have 4 or more letters.
If the pronunciation starts with voiced sounds or ra ri ru re ro, that would be On reading with the exception of 辞 (ji) and 場 (ba). For example, 合 (go), 残 (zan), 字 (ji) are all On reading.

Do you want to improve your Japanese reading skills? Also check out on Japan Switch: Top 15 Tips to Improve Japanese Reading

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How many kanji are there and when do they start teaching kanji?

It’s a simple question but nobody really knows the exact number of kanji. Officially, the Chinese dictionary of kanji records 85,568 kanji. There are about 11,233 kanji registered in the JIS kanji code, and in the Great Chinese-Japanese Dictionary there are over 50,000 kanji. According to Dr. Shirakawa almost ⅔ of the kanji in the dictionary is useless and concludes that only about 8000 kanji are actually being used. This is why I always have a hard time explaining kanji to my non-Japanese friends. How do you explain to someone that you have a few thousand characters in kanji on top of hiragana and katakana? I speak Japanese but I still feel like Japanese is one of the hardest languages to master.

Japanese people start learning kanji from the first grade. We learn simple and complex kanji during first grade until middle school. When you learn a new kanji you learn On and Kun readings, the stroke orders to write the kanji, and example words that use the kanji. Over 1000 kanji are taught in elementary school. We learn 80 kanji in first grade, 160 kanji in second grade, 200 kanji in third grade, and so on. We learn the most kanji in fourth grade (202) and the kanji taught becomes more and more complex with more strokes. Japanese kanji taught in elementary school are called educational kanji.

Are you curious about how long it takes to learn Japanese? Also check out on Japan Switch: How long does it take to learn Japanese?

Resources for learning Japanese kanji and how to improve

Books

Remembering the Kanji 1: A Complete Course on How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters

Remembering the Kanji 1: A Complete Course on How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters is one of the most popular books to learn the 2000 kanji you need. It proposes how easy it actually is to learn kanji if you memorize the different elements. It breaks down different elements of kanji and talks about how learning different ways of combining them can improve your kanji. It teaches the correct stroke order and the meanings of kanji.

Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book Volume 1: (JLPT Level N5 & AP Exam) The Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Kanji

Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book Volume 1: (JLPT Level N5 & AP Exam) The Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Kanji has one of the highest ratings on Amazon and is suitable for both beginners and advanced level. It teaches the most basic kanji and all the kanji and vocabularies shown in this book cover what you need to pass the N5 level of the JLPT. It also teaches the correct stroke order with practice boxes with extra free boxes so it has lots of spaces to practice your kanji.

The Complete Guide to Japanese Kanji: (JLPT All Levels) Remembering and Understanding the 2,136 Standard Characters

The Complete Guide to Japanese Kanji: (JLPT All Levels) Remembering and Understanding the 2,136 Standard Characters also teaches you the 2000 kanji you need. It covers all the General Use kanji determined by the Japanese Ministry of Education and not only does it teach you how to read and write kanji, it also gives you the historical development of each kanji. This book is ideal for those who wish to take the JLPT, as well as beginners.

Apps - Google Play

Japanese Kanji Study by Chase Colburn

Japanese Kanji Study by Chase Colburn lets you study kanji and also lets you track your progress. You can memorize kanji with flashcards, test your knowledge with multiple choice questions, learn the correct stroke order with animated strokes, master kanji with writing, as well as flexible kanji search. It’s not completely free but it offers ad-free unlimited study of beginner kanji, radicals, hiragana, and katakana.

Japanese Kanji Study by Poro Nihongo

Japanese Kanji Study by Poro Nihongo breaks down kanji study with different levels and themes like numbers, radicals, verbs, adjectives, time, etc. The kanji shown in this app cover all levels of JLPT and have detailed information of the kanji’s meanings, pronunciations (on reading and kun reading), and example words. It also includes flashcards, customized practice tests, kanji challenges, and practice JLPT tests.

Apps - App Store

Learn Japanese! - Kanji

Learn Japanese! - Kanji provides a fast and easy way to learn kanji and you don’t need the internet to access the app. It teaches 2000 kanji characters and some features include On and Kun readings, JLPT kanji lists, show and quiz style teaching method, both Japanese-English and English-Japanese translation, and audio pronunciation.

Japanese-kanji (18-kanjis)

Japanese-kanji (18-kanjis) is more suitable for beginners as it only teaches the most simple 18 kanji out of the 80 first grade level kanji. The kanji are categorized into different sections and the app shows the stroke orders, easy quizzes, and mini games with audio pronunciations.

If you want to seek more options for kanji learning apps, also check out on BFF Tokyo: Guide to Japanese Learning Apps

How to improve your kanji

Kanji is one of those things where you easily forget how to write if you’re not using it. Many Japanese adults don’t know how to write difficult kanji but most people know how to read them. Basically there’s no way to know how much someone knows Kanji since there are way too many. But usually it’s easier to read it than to actually write it, which is more complex. Learning kanji is not hard, it just takes consistent practice. It’s like memorizing. If you actually write down kanji on a piece of paper it helps stick more. The only way to improve your kanji is by writing it over and over again until you master it. Surrounding yourself with kanji such as reading books and textbooks, watching tv in Japanese, and using Japanese subtitles also help improve your kanji.

Kanji in JLPT and calligraphy

What is JLPT?

JLPT is taken by students of Japanese around the world. Having a certificate of proficiency is ideal to have when applying for jobs, since it shows how much you can speak and understand Japanese. Having at least N3 is recommended for jobs. Although there is no complete list of kanji for each level of JLPT, there is a list of kanji that are likely to be on the test for each level. It’s still possible to estimate what kanji are going to be on the test if you’re thinking about taking the JLPT. There are five levels from N5 to N1, N5 being the easiest.

What to expect for each JLPT level?

For each level, you need to know about 80 kanji and 800 vocabulary words for N5, 167 kanji and 1500 vocabulary words for N4, 370 kanji and 3700 vocabulary words for N3, 368 kanji and 6000 vocabulary words for N2, and 1235 kanji and 10000 vocabulary words for N1. This may sound like a lot, but you don’t need to know how to handwrite the kanji, as there is no form of writing in the JLPT. The test comes in multiple choice questions, so you only need to be able to identify the kanji. The sections of the test include vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. N5 takes the least time to complete while N1 takes the most time.

The levels N5 and N4 are considered to be beginner JLPT levels and the kanji are equivalent to early elementary school level. N3 is considered to be intermediate level and your Japanese language level is equivalent to middle school students. The kanji in this level includes kanji taught during late elementary. N2 and N1 are considered to be the most difficult to pass and are equivalent to high school level. With these levels, you need to have an advanced understanding and comprehension of the Japanese language including sophisticated topics. Some tips to pass the JLPT include practicing reading kanji and the vocabulary words, as well as putting yourself in an environment where you only hear and speak Japanese.

Download Hacking the JLPT ebook to get some free genkou youshi (sheets of paper to practice writing kanji) to practice your writing.

Are you looking to improve your Japanese listening skills for JLPT? Also check out: Top 15 Japanese Listening Tips

Calligraphy

Calligraphy (書道, shodo) is one of the oldest forms of art in Japan and written in Kanji translates to the way of writing. Using brush, ink, and a special piece of paper, calligraphy is an artistic expression of writing beautifully in Japanese and is taught in schools as well as in individual lessons. Taking calligraphy lessons is a common activity in Japan among both students and professionals. You can also get a certificate depending on the level.

Two styles of calligraphy

Two different styles of calligraphy are taught which are the traditional calligraphy using brush and ink and calligraphy using pens and pencils. The latter requires less skill because using hard point pens and pencils the strokes are a lot more stable in terms of thickness and darkness. It’s often practiced to learn the shape and the structure of Kanji parts rather than the actual writing skills. On the other hand using a brush requires more skills because you can control how much pressure you apply to the brush like how thick you draw the strokes or how dark the color gets. Pens capture the characteristics of Kanji and traditional calligraphy captures the movement of the brush when writing Kanji. It is both an art and a skill you can develop by practicing.

Where can I learn calligraphy and what are the materials used?

You can learn calligraphy on YouTube or by going to in-person classes. Going to in-person classes is recommended if you have time, since the instructor can teach you one on one how to hold the brush, show you the right angles, and give you direct feedback on your work. In the lesson, you will most likely start with 硬筆 (kouhitsu) which translates to hard brush. It doesn’t require the use of an actual brush, it just refers to a hard point. Kohitsu is writing using pen/pencils. This is to learn the correct stroke order and the structure of the kanji. It’s like a preparation before you can move on to writing with an actual brush with ink, which is called 毛筆 (mouhitsu). Mouhitsu is the typical calligraphy you are probably thinking of, and it requires writing on a special piece of paper called 半紙 (hanshi). Hanshi is different from a normal piece of paper in that it’s thinner and it contains more fiber. With mouhitsu, you usually buy your own set of brush, ink, and the papers which you bring to the lesson every time.

You start by preparing the ink by pouring the liquid ink, adjusting its thickness with the ink. The instructor will give you a sample piece of paper so you can see how to write it. It sounds easy to just copy the sample paper, but you’ll see that it’s actually hard to make it look the same. The most important aspect to writing beautifully in mouhitsu is tome (stop), hane (upward stroke), and harai (sweeping) of the strokes. How much pressure you apply and the way you stroke make a huge difference when writing in mouhitsu. The materials used in Japanese are 紙 (kami) paper, 墨 (sumi) ink, 墨液 (bokueki) liquid ink, and 筆 (fude) brush.

If you also want to experience different part of Japanese culture, check out: Ultimate Guide to Japanese Yukata vs. Kimono

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Japanese kanji you encounter in daily life and important kanji you need to know

If you live in Japan, chances are you see kanji everywhere you go, from shopping malls, parking lots, convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, train stations, airports, on tv, shrines, hot springs, etc. Since kanji are everywhere and there is no reading aid, even if you know how to read and write hiragana and katakana, it will be hard to get around if you have no prior knowledge of kanji. Here are some important kanji to know based on different public places.

Restaurants/shopping malls

Kanji	Pronunciation	Translation
営業中	Eigyo-chu	Open for business
準備中	Junbi-chu	In preparation - closed
休止中	Kyushi-chu	Temporarily closed
本日休業	Honjitsu-kyugyo	Closed today
定休日	Teikyu-bi	Closed days
営業時間	Eigyou-jikan	Business hours
お手洗い/化粧室	Otearai/Keshou-shitsu	Bathroom/powder room
駐車場	Chuusha-jo	Parking lot
階段	Kaidan	Stairs
試着室	Shichaku-shitsu	Fitting room
割引	Waribiki	Discount
半額	Hangaku	Half price
全品	Zenpin	All items
無料	Muryou	Free
完売/売り切れ	Kanbai/Urikire	Sold out
定食	Teishoku	Set meals
ご返却口	Gohenkyaku-guchi	Return window
日本料理	Nihon-ryouri	Japanese food
中華料理	Chuuka-ryouri	Chinese food
韓国料理	Kankoku-ryouri	Korean food
食堂	Shokudo	Dining hall/cafeteria
居酒屋	Izakaya	Izakaya: casual Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks
焼酎	Shochu	Distilled spirits
酎ハイ	Chuhi	Shochu highball
日本酒	Nihon-shu	Japanese sake
玉露茶	Gyokuro-cha	Green tea
梅酒	Ume-shu	Plum sake
喫茶店	Kissa-ten	Cafe/coffee shop
お水/お冷	Omizu/Ohiya	Water, usually self-served

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Convenience stores/supermarket

野菜	Yasai	Vegetables
果物	Kudamono	Fruits
青果	Seika	Vegetables and fruits
鮮魚	Sengyo	Fresh seasfood
魚	Sakana	Fish
精肉/肉	Seiniku/niku	Meat
豚肉	Butaniku	Pork
鶏肉/胸肉	Toriniku/muneniku	Chicken/breast
牛肉	Gyuniku	Beef
竹の子	Takenoko	Bamboo shoots
南瓜	Kabocha	Pumpkin
玉葱	Tamanegi	Onion
胡瓜	Kyuri	Cucumber
豆腐	Tofu	Tofu
納豆	Natto	Natto, fermented beans
乳製品	Nyu-seihin	Dairy products
牛乳	Gyunyu	Milk
日用品	Nichiyo-hin	Household items
雑貨	Zakka	Miscellaneous items
お菓子	Okashi	Snacks
惣菜	Souzai	Ready-made side dish
弁当	Bento	Bento, ready-made meals
飲料類	Inryo-rui	Beverages
お酒	Osake	Alcohol
卵	Tamago	Eggs
小麦	Komugi	Wheat/gluten
落花生	Rakkasei	Peanuts
蟹	Kani	Crab
海老	Ebi	Shrimp
蕎麦	Soba	Wheat
大豆	Daizu	Soy
味噌	Miso	Miso
醤油	Shoyu	Soy sauce
油	Abura	Oil
塩	Shio	Salt
砂糖	Sato	Sugar
胡椒	Kosho	Pepper
酢	Su	Vinegar
現金	Genkin	Cash
お買い得商品	Okaidoku-shohin	Clearance items
消費期限/賞味期限	Shouhi-kigen/shoumi-kigen	Expiration date
加工日	Kakoubi	Processed date
内容量	Naiyo-ryo	Net quantity
保存温度	Hozon-ondo	Storage temperature

Train stations/airports

空港	Kuuko	Airport
到着	Tochaku	Arrival
出発	Shuppatsu	Departure
時刻	Jikoku	Time
国内線	Kokunai-sen	Domestic flight
国際線	Kokusai-sen	International flight
乗り継ぎ	Noritsugi	Connecting flight
便名	Binmei	Flight number
手荷物	Tenimotsu	Luggage
受取所	Uketori-jo	Receive
検疫	Keneki	Quarantine
税関	Zeikan	Customs
申告	Shinkoku	Declaration
入り口	Iriguchi	Entrance
出口	Deguchi	Exit
出国審査	Shukkoku-shinsa	Immigration for departure
入国審査	Nyukoku-shinsa	Immigration for arrival
航空機	Kouku-ki	Airplane
航空会社	Kouku-gaisha	Airlines
情報	Jouho	Information
切符	Kippu	Ticket
地下鉄	Chikatetsu	Subway
電車	Densha	Train
線	Sen	Line
急行	Kyuko	Express
準特急	Jun-kyuko	Semi-express
特急	Tokkyu	Limited express
快速	Kaisoku	Rapid
普通列車/各駅停車	Futsu-ressha/kakueki-teisha	Local train
新幹線	Shinkansen	Shinkansen
自由席	Jiyu-seki	Non-reserved seat
指定席	Shitei-seki	Reserved seat
女性専用車両	Josei-senyou-sharyou	Women-only car
優先席	Yusen-guchi	Priority seat
西口	Nishiguchi	West exit
東口	Higashiguchi	East exit
北口	Kitaguchi	North exit
南口	Minamiguchi	South exit
駅	Eki	Station

Do you want to further improve your vocabulary words? Check out on BFF tokyo: Guide to Japanese Verbs

Important kanji you need to know

For the kanji with two or more pronunciations, the first pronunciation is the correct translation.

円	En	Yen
千	Sen	Thousand
万	Man	Ten thousand
女	Onna/jo	Women
男	Otoko/dan	Men
一	Ichi	One
二	Ni	Two
三	San	Three
四	Shi/yon	Four
五	Go	Five
六	Roku	Six
七	Nana	Seven
八	Hachi	Eight
九	Kyuu/ku	Nine
十	Juu	Ten
上	Ue/jo	Up/top
下	Shita/ge	Down/bottom
小	Sho	Small
中	Naka/chu	Middle
右	Migi/u	Right
左	Hidari/sa	Left
人	Hito/jin	People/human/man
目	Me	Eyes
鼻	Hana	Nose
口	Kuchi/ko	Mouth
耳	Mimi	Ears
顔	Kao	Face
手	Te/shu	Hands
足	Ashi	Legs
体	Karada/tai	Body
雨	Ame/u	Rain
晴	Hare/sei	Sunny
子	Ko/shi	Child

Do you have trouble counting in Japanese? Also check out: Ultimate Guide to Counting in Japanese

Learning to read different groupings/compounds of Japanese kanji

Many Japanese words consist of two or more kanji. 熟語 (jukugo) usually means compound kanji words that make one meaning, although it is a broad term. When we say jukugo there are 2 main meanings. The first one is the forming of two or more kanji that make a phrase with one meaning. For example, idioms such as 気がきく (kigakiku) (to be considerate), proverbs such as 急がば回れ (isogaba-maware) (haste makes waste), or compound words with two or more vocabularies such as 年越し (toshikoshi) (new year). Another meaning is the forming of two or more kanji that make a vocabulary with one meaning. For example, 美女 (beautiful woman) and 幸福 (happiness). In this case, they’re both vocabularies and words. On top of that, there are 5 types of compound kanji in Japanese.

The first type is that the kanji forming a word have the same or similar meanings, for example 永久 (eternal) have the similar meanings, 永 meaning forever and 久 meaning long.
The second type is the kanji forming a word have different meanings, for example 異同 (differences) have the opposite meanings, 異 means difference whereas 同 means the same.
The third type is the first kanji modifies the second kanji, for example 青空 (aozora) means blue sky, with the first kanji 青 (blue) modifying the second kanji 空 (sky) to indicate blue sky.
The fourth type is the first kanji being the subject and the second kanji being the predicate, for example 地震 (jishin) means earthquake, with the first kanji 地 meaning the earth or the ground and the second kanji meaning 震 which means to shake.
The last type is the first kanji being the verb and the second kanji being the object, for example 洗顔 (sengan) means washing face, the first kanji is 洗 means to wash and the second kanji translates to face.

Do you want to learn more about Japanese grammar? Also check out on BFF Tokyo: Guide to Japanese Conjugation

Final thoughts: Why you don’t need to worry about Kanji

Unless you want to master Japanese and learn 2000 kanji that’s considered to be literate in Japanese, you don’t need to worry too much about reading and writing Japanese kanji. Like I explained at the beginning, there is a decreasing need to hand write kanji in everyday situations. You can use the keyboard to type, or use the internet to look up kanji in case you need to hand write kanji. Being able to read kanji is always more useful than being able to write them, as there are more opportunities to read kanji, such as when in public places or reading books/textbooks/newspapers.

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