When learning Japanese, it’s common to learn very polite phrases and sentence structure. However, after coming to Japan you might realize that the way people talk to each other is almost always ...

As hard as we try to translate the exact nuances of a word or phrase from one language to another, sometimes we can’t help but wish certain Japanese words existed in the English vocabulary. While each ...

Starting Japanese can feel overwhelming, but building a core vocabulary opens the door to real conversations. From greetings to asking directions, these words connect you instantly with locals. Learn ...

How many of you have ever heard of the Japanese word "wasei eigo?" A direct translation into English would be “Japanese-made English,” but put more simply the word refers to English words that, after ...

As a native Japanese speaker, I get annoyed when I come across English articles that tout Japanese buzzwords like ikigai. They’re not commonly used in our day-to-day conversations. Ikigai is more like ...

Languages and cultures influence each other, and grow and evolve simultaneously. The Japanese culture fascinates and awes the rest of the world for it's discipline and art. It's language reflects this ...

In terms of pronunciation Japanese is surprisingly easy to get to grips with, but some words can be real tongue-tanglers! Here are 10 of the worst. Since it’s a phonetic language, Japanese tends to be ...

Katsu, donburi and onigiri are among 23 Japanese words added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in its latest update. More than half of the borrowed words relate to food or cooking. Santoku, a ...