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Practical guides on speaking, grammar, pronunciation, listening, and study planning, written for learners who want to use Japanese in real life.
All articles · Page 29
How to Say I Am Confused in Japanese: Konran and How to Untangle It
To say I am confused in Japanese, use konran shite imasu (混乱しています) for real confusion, or the more everyday yoku wakaranaku natte shimaimashita, I've lost track. Casually, atama ga gochagocha, my head's all jumbled, and when confusion has left you stuck, komatte imasu.
9 min readHow to Say What Are You Doing in Japanese: Nani Shiteru? and More
The everyday way to say what are you doing in Japanese is nani shiteru? (何してる？), or ima nani shiteru? for what are you up to right now. The polite form is nani o shite imasu ka, and tone matters: a sharp nani shiteru no!? means what on earth are you doing?
10 min readHow to Say I Promise in Japanese: Yakusoku, Zettai, Chikau, Yubikiri
The direct way to say I promise in Japanese is yakusoku suru (約束する), or politely yakusoku shimasu. In everyday speech people often promise with zettai, definitely, as in zettai iku ne, I'll definitely come, and for a solemn vow they use chikaimasu, I swear.
9 min readHow to Say Enjoy in Japanese: Tanoshinde, Meshiagare, Yukkuri Shite
The verb for enjoy in Japanese is tanoshimu (楽しむ), and to wish someone a good time you say tanoshinde ne, have fun, or politely tanoshinde kudasai. For enjoy your meal, say dōzo meshiagare or simply dōzo; for enjoy your stay, yukkuri shite kudasai; and for a trip, tanoshinde kite ne or yoi tabi o.
9 min readOnii-chan and Onee-chan Meaning: Big Brother, Big Sister and More
Onii-chan (お兄ちゃん) means big brother and onee-chan (お姉ちゃん) means big sister, said with warmth, the way a younger sibling calls an older one. But Japanese has a whole set of sibling words, and which one you use depends on whose brother it is and who is listening.
11 min readOjamashimasu Meaning: What to Say When You Enter Someone's Home
Ojamashimasu (お邪魔します) is what you say as you step into someone else's home. Literally it means I am going to be in your way, a polite apology for intruding, and it works like excuse me for coming in. When you leave, you switch to the past tense: ojamashimashita.
9 min readOsaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu Meaning: Leaving Work Before Others
Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します) means excuse me for leaving before you. It is what you say to colleagues who are still working when you go home, and the usual reply is otsukaresama deshita, thank you for your hard work.
9 min readOmoiyari Meaning: Japanese Consideration for Others, Explained
Omoiyari (思いやり) means consideration for others: imagining how another person feels and acting kindly because of it. It is one of the qualities Japanese parents and teachers praise most, and you will hear it in phrases like omoiyari ga aru hito, a considerate person.
9 min readKizuna Meaning: The Japanese Word for Bonds Between People
Kizuna (絆) means a bond: the deep connection between family members, friends, teammates or a community. It is an emotional, slightly solemn word, used more in speeches, songs and headlines than in casual chat.
9 min readSontaku Meaning: Acting on What the Boss Never Said
Sontaku (忖度) means guessing what someone else wants without being told, and acting on that guess. It began as a neutral, even admirable word, but since 2017 it is most often used for subordinates quietly bending the rules to please someone powerful.
9 min readIchigo Ichie Meaning: Treasure Each Meeting as Once in a Lifetime
Ichigo ichie (一期一会) means one time, one meeting: treat every encounter as if it will never happen again, because in a sense it will not. It comes from the world of the tea ceremony and is now used for hospitality, travel encounters and farewells.
9 min readKodawari Meaning: Commitment to Detail, or Just Being Fussy?
Kodawari (こだわり) means a personal commitment to getting something just right: the particular way a chef makes broth, the coffee you insist on, the detail a craftsperson will not compromise on. It can be high praise, or, in some contexts, a polite way of calling someone fussy.
9 min readPractical guides
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