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 128
Tabun and Kitto Meaning: Probably, Surely and How Sure You Sound
Japanese speakers signal how sure they are before the sentence even gets going. Tabun, kitto and zettai are the words doing that work.
9 min readHow to Say I Don't Know in Japanese: Wakarimasen, Shirimasen and Politer Ways
"I don't know" is one of the first things you need in Japanese, and one of the easiest to say in a way that sounds colder than you meant.
9 min readHow to Say I'm Tired in Japanese: Tsukareta, Kutakuta and Nemui
Tired after work, sleepy after lunch, drained after a party, sluggish with a cold: English uses one word, and Japanese uses several.
9 min readHow to Say Sorry I'm Late in Japanese: Okurete Sumimasen and More
In Japan, being a few minutes late is noticed, but a quick message before the start time and a clear apology on arrival usually smooth it over.
10 min readHow to Ask What Is Your Name in Japanese: O-namae Wa? and More
Asking someone's name in Japanese is less about a fixed question and more about choosing the right level of politeness and leaving out the word you.
9 min readHow to Ask Where the Toilet Is in Japanese: Toire and O-tearai
Asking for the toilet in Japanese takes one short sentence, but knowing the polite word, the signs on the door and the buttons on the seat saves a lot of guesswork.
9 min readHow to Say I'm Busy in Japanese: Isogashii, Bata Bata and More
Saying I'm busy in Japanese is easy; saying it without sounding like a brush-off takes a few softer phrases and the right order.
9 min readHow to Say I Forgot in Japanese: Wasureta, Wasurechatta and Omoidasenai
Japanese has one core verb for forgetting, but the form you choose shows whether you are just stating a fact, sounding sorry about it, or still searching your memory.
10 min readHow to Say It's My First Time in Japanese: Hajimete Desu and More
Saying it is your first time is one of the most useful lines a visitor or newcomer can learn, because in Japan it tends to make people slow down and explain things.
10 min readHow to Say I'm Scared in Japanese: Kowai, Bikkuri, Fuan and Kinchō
English stretches scared to cover fear, shock, worry and nerves, but Japanese usually picks a different word for each, and choosing the right one makes you sound far more natural.
9 min readHow to Say Please Speak Slowly in Japanese: Yukkuri and Mō Ichido
When Japanese comes at you too fast, the right request, said early and calmly, usually turns a stressful exchange into a conversation you can actually follow.
9 min readN desu in Japanese: Explaining, Asking Why and Softening
Two small sounds, n desu, turn a flat statement into an explanation, and they are one of the clearest markers of natural spoken Japanese.
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.