Japanese learning blog
Practical guides on speaking, grammar, pronunciation, listening, and study planning, written for learners who want to use Japanese in real life.
All articles · Page 113
Tsutsu and Tsutsu Aru in Japanese: While, Although and In Progress
Tsutsu is the written, formal cousin of nagara, and with two small additions it also means although and is in the process of.
10 min readJapanese on a Local Bus: Seiriken, Fare Charts and the Stop Button
Local buses in Japan look confusing the first time, but almost every ride follows one of two patterns, and once you know which one you are on, the rest is a handful of words.
11 min readJapanese on a Highway Bus: Night Buses, Seats and Rest Stops
Highway buses are one of the cheapest ways to cross Japan, and the whole journey, from the terminal to the rest stop to the morning arrival, runs on a small set of words and announcements.
10 min readJapanese at a Fast Food Restaurant: Eat-in, Takeout, Sets and Kiosks
Ordering at a Japanese fast food counter takes less than a minute, and the staff ask the same four or five questions in the same order every time.
9 min readJapanese at a Festival Food Stall: Yatai Foods, Ordering and Games
A Japanese summer festival is a long row of glowing food stalls, and ordering at every one of them comes down to the food's name, a number and kudasai.
9 min readJapanese at a Tourist Information Center: Maps, Buses and Passes
Tourist information centres in Japan are small, friendly and full of maps, and a few well-chosen questions will get you far more help than pointing at a leaflet.
10 min readJapanese at a Sentō: Phrases for Your Neighbourhood Public Bath
A sentō is the neighbourhood public bath, and once you know the routine it is one of the most relaxing and most local things you can do in Japan.
11 min readJapanese at a Movie Theater: Tickets, Subtitles and Seat Choice
Going to the cinema in Japan is simple once you can read the showtime board and tell a subtitled screening from a dubbed one.
10 min readJapanese at a Zoo and Aquarium: Tickets, Feeding Times and Signs
Zoos and aquariums in Japan are well signposted and family-friendly, and a small set of words unlocks the feeding times, shows and rules that make a visit memorable.
9 min readJapanese at a Gas Station: Regular, Mantan and Self-Service Pumps
Filling up in Japan is quick once you know two things: whether the station is full-service or self-service, and which fuel your car actually takes.
9 min readJapanese at a Dry Cleaner: Tickets, Stains and Pickup Dates
The small kurīningu shop on the corner is one of the most useful places in any Japanese neighbourhood, and a visit follows the same short script every time.
9 min readJapanese Location Words: Ue, Shita, Naka, Yoko, Tonari and More
Japanese describes where things are with a small set of position nouns and one reliable pattern, and once you have both you can locate almost anything.
11 min readPractical guides
Turn Japanese knowledge into speaking confidence
Practice with Unihongo's AI Sensei in an immersive 3D classroom, with roleplay missions, pronunciation coaching, useful feedback, and learning games that build your vocabulary while you play.