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 52
Japanese Phone Speaking Practice: Train Without Visual Clues
A learner who finds Japanese phone calls difficult needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readJapanese Networking Speaking Practice: Short and Natural
A professional attending Japanese events needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readJapanese Small-Talk Speaking Practice: Keep It Moving
A learner who can answer but struggles to extend conversation needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readJapanese Conversation Practice for Couples Learning Together
A couple studying Japanese together needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readJapanese Speaking Practice for Anime Viewers: Use Scenes Wisely
An anime viewer with strong recognition needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readJapanese Speaking Practice for Online Gamers: Fast Team Talk
An online gamer who wants to communicate in Japanese needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readFree vs Paid Japanese Speaking Apps: When to Upgrade
A learner deciding whether a subscription is worthwhile needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readAI Japanese Tutor Subscription Checklist Before You Pay
A learner reviewing an AI tutor subscription needs more than another list of features. This guide turns the decision into a real speaking test with a result you can hear.
5 min readBimyou Meaning: Japanese 微妙 for So-So, Iffy and Awkward
Bimyō (微妙) literally means subtle or delicate, but in everyday spoken Japanese it usually means so-so, iffy or not quite right. Saying chotto bimyō ka na about a meal, a film or a plan is a soft way to show you are not impressed without sounding harsh.
10 min readZurui Meaning: Saying 'No Fair!' and 'Sneaky' in Japanese
Zurui (ずるい) means unfair, sly or sneaky. Among friends it is most often a playful, envious 'No fair!' when someone gets something you wanted, but said seriously it accuses a person of cheating or taking advantage.
10 min readDou Shiyou Meaning: どうしよう, 'What Do I Do?' in Japanese
Dō shiyō (どうしよう) means 'What do I do?' or 'What should I do?'. People say it to themselves in a moment of panic, but also calmly when deciding what to order, and the polite dō shimashō ka asks someone else how to handle a situation.
10 min readMoyamoya Meaning: That Unsettled Feeling in Japanese
Moyamoya (モヤモヤ) describes a foggy, unresolved feeling: something is bothering you, but you cannot quite name it or settle it. People say nanka moyamoya suru, something's bugging me, and the relief after talking it through is sukkiri, feeling cleared up.
9 min readPractical guides
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