Episoder

  • How was your 2024? Check it out! This is the last episode of this year. Thank you for listening to my podcast again this year. Wishing you a wonderful festive season and a very happy New Year!

    This episode's vocab list:

    4週間ぶり first time in 4 weeks

    言い訳 excuse

    振り返ると When I look back on the past

    今年は人生で一番忙しい年だったかもしれません。This year might have been the busiest year of my life.

    大袈裟だったかな。Was it exaggerating?

    改めてonce again or anew; afresh

    実行する to carry out; put into action

    ことわざ proverb

    終わり the end

    途中 on the way; in the middle of it; during the time

    総合的な評価 overall assessment

    些細な事 small things

    祝日 public holiday

    来年も引き続き continuing into next year

    よいお年をお迎えください。Wishing you a Happy New Year!

  • What katakana words confuse you? Is “Mansion” one of them? Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    どんな建物 building

    モデルルーム show apartment/ show flat

    普通のアパート standard apartment/flat

    紛らわしい misleading; confusing; ambiguous

    その違いは、はっきりと決められている訳ではないそうです。I found that the distinction isn’t clearly or officially defined.

    それでも一般的には、Even so, generally speaking,

    木造 wooden building

    軽量鉄骨造 light steel-frame building

    3階建て 3-story

    鉄筋コンクリート造 reinforced concrete building

    鉄骨鉄筋コンクリート造 steel-frame reinforced concrete building

    これは正しいとか正しくないとか、そういうものではない This is not about whether something is correct or incorrect

    エレベーターがあるかないかを目安にする to use the presence or absence of an elevator as a standard

    義務 obligation

    自信を持つ to have confidence

  • Manglende episoder?

    Klik her for at forny feed.

  • How is your Japanese learning journey going? Do you struggle with Katakana words? I recently came across a Katakana word that I hadn’t noticed was strange before. Now, it’s part of my ‘strange word’ group. Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    カタカナ語に苦労する to struggle/challenge with Katakana words

    英語のような発音 pronunciation that sounds like English

    通じません。It’s not understood /It isn’t coming through.

    英語以外の言葉 languages other than English

    フランス語 French

    ポルトガル語 Portuguese

    ドイツ語 German

    オランダ語 Dutch

    その中でも特に変なのは The especially strange ones among them are

    ブランド名 Brand name

    3つとも all three

    使い始めました。They began using

    カタカナ語の由来 the origin of that katakana word

    ただの偶然かもしれません。It might be just a coincidence.

    部品 parts of the product

  • What autumn foods make your appetite grow? Do you know any autumn foods from Japan? Guess what I will be introducing in this episode. Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    毎年話している気がします I feel like I talk about this every year

    食欲の秋 Autumn: the season of good appetite

    私たちの食欲が増すOur appetite increases.

    個人的な意見ですが、This is just my personal opinion, but

    栗 chestnut

    柿 persimmon

    さんま pacific saury

    上げればきりがないほどあります。There are too many to list because the possibilities are endless.

    お米 rice

    新米 new rice

    並べる to set side by side

    新米は収穫した年の12月31日までに袋詰めされたお米です。Shinmai refers to rice that has been polished and packed by the 31st of December of the harvest year.

    この時期だけ only during this period

    いつものご飯と全然違いますよ。It’s completely different from rice we usually eat.

    もちもちした食感を体験してほしいです。I want you to experience its pleasantly chewy, slightly sticky texture.

  • “You can do it” is now one of my favourite phrases. I used to misunderstand what it meant, but I’ve come to appreciate its significance. I hope this episode inspires to have more heartfelt exchanges with others.

    This episode's vocab list:

    学ぶ to learn

    がんばって Good luck; Go for it; hang in there; do your best

    表現 expression

    相手 the other person

    応援している to support; to cheer

    伝える to convey

    覚えてほしいです I want you to remember

    高校生 high school student

    答えが返って来ました。The answer/reply returned to me

    信じている to believe

    誤解していました。I misunderstood.

    別の生徒さん other student

    克服したい to want to overcome a challenge

    英語に訳さなくてもいい not necessary to translate into English

    応援している気持ちを受け取ってください。Please accept their feelings of support. Please accept their heartfelt encouragement.

  • What would your answer be to this question, “What day is the 10th of October?” I’ve found various interesting pieces of information about this date. Enjoy learning Japanese though this episode!

    This episode's vocab list:

    体育 physical education

    祝日 public holiday

    どうして10月10日かというと The reason why it’s set for the 10th of October is because

    開会式the opening ceremony

    移動する to move; transfer

    延期 postpone

    2年連続 2 years in a row

    第2月曜日 the second Monday

    「体育の日」を思い出します。It reminds me of the Taiiku no hi holiday

    目の愛護 eye protection; eye care

    横向きに倒す to turn them sideways; lay them down sideways

    眉毛 eyebrow

    転倒slipping over; tripping over

    予防 prevention

    発想conception; way of thinking

    銭湯 public bath

    パターン pattern; way

    世界的に Internationally

  • Which term do you use for a mobile phone in your language: ‘mobile’ or ‘phone’? Languages are changing and we often find that there can be more than one correct answer. Enjoy learning Japanese!

    This episode's vocab list:

    残り3か月になりました。 There are 3 months left.

    ちょっと焦ります。 I’m feeling a bit anxious or stressed.

    目の前のことにひとつずつ取り組みます。 I’ll tackle each task one by one, focusing on what’s right in front of me.

    早速始めます。I’ll start right away.

    言語 language

    時代とともに変わって行きます。It’ll change with the times.

    母国語 mother language; first language; native language

    疑問 question; wonder

    なんて言いますか。What would you say?

    違いはない there is no difference

    自然にnaturally

    我が家 my home

    家電Home phone

    確実に certainly

    時代とともに over time; as time goes by

    「電話」の代表 representative of a phone

    「携帯」になりつつある to be becoming “mobile”; to be transitioning to “mobile”

    日本人はどうだろうかと疑問に思いました。I wondered how Japanese people do

    今でも still now

    正しい答えは、ひとつとは限りません。Correct answers are not limited to just one.

  • Are you planning a long holiday in Japan - weeks, months or even years? How long would you like to stay if you could? I am curious about the types of visas that make extended stays possible for tourists. Take a break and join me for a chat!

    This episode's vocab list:

    どんなビザ what type of visa

    滞在 the temporary nature of the stay

    計画している人が何人かいます。There are a few people who are making plans.

    観光ビザ tourist visa

    いろいろ条件があります。 There are various requirements they need to meet.

    詳しいです。 I’m knowledgeable about it.

    留学ビザ student visa

    以外 other than those

    どんなところに住んでいますか。What kind of place do you live in?

  • Did you look up last night? What did you see? Do you prefer the full moon or the new moon? Dive into this episode to explore these celestial Japanese vocabs!

    This episode's vocab list:

    秋 autumn

    夜空 night sky

    月 the moon

    風習 custom

    お月見moon viewing

    別の名前で in another name

    秋と言いましたが Although I said autumn

    もともと Originally

    満月 the full moon

    風物詩 a symbol of the season; something that gives us the real feeling of a season

    新月 the new moon

    星 star

    どちらかと言うと If I have to choose one

    どちらも捨てがたいです。It’s hard to give up either of the two

    影 shadow

    感動しました。I was moved.

  • Do you remember what type of compliment made you happiest as a Japanese language learner? One of my students received such a compliment while traveling in Japan recently, and it made me very happy as well! Please check out this episode to find out more!

    This episode's vocab list:

    今回のタイトルにあるように as mentioned in this episode’s title

    一番の誉め言葉 the best compliment

    英語に関しては Regarding English

    上手でも下手でもあまり気にならない they don’t care whether it’s good or bad

    基本的に basically

    コメントしたくなる they will want to comment

    旅行中 during their travel; while traveling

    「日本のどこに住んでいるんですか」”Where do you live in Japan?”

    日本に住んでいる人と同じぐらい日本語が上手だ They speak Japanese as good as foreigners who live in Japan.

    嬉しかった誉め言葉 Compliments that made you happy

  • Just check this out and strengthen your relationship with your Japanese friend!

    This episode's vocab list:

    上手く説明できない unable to explain well

    大変hard work; a lot of trouble

    残念 disappointing; regrettable

    別々に紹介する to introduce them separately

    後で later

    違いを理解しているか確認するTo check if they understand the difference

    生徒さんたちにとっては、とても似ているようです。To students, they seem very similar

    何か難しい問題を抱える。To face a difficult issue

    がんばっています。They are working hard.

    言ってあげましょう。I recommend you to say for them

    この返事 this response

    伝える to convey

    一方 on the other hand

    何か運が悪いこと something unlucky

    がっかりしていたら if they are disappointed

    少し違いが分かりましたか。Did you understand the difference a little?

    全然違います。They are completely different.

    間違えないように気を付けましょう。Pay attention not to make mistakes.

  • Do you find it easy to stay committed to something for a long time? If not, how do you motivate yourself to keep doing? Tune in to find out how I am trying to keep my motivation within my grasp!

    This episode's vocab list:

    夏休みが終わろうとしています。Summer holidays are nearly finished.

    夏休みの宿題が終わっていない子どもは焦っていると思います。 I think children who haven’t completed their homework for summer holidays would be panicking.

    モチベーション motivation

    今でも続けられているのは聞いてくれているメイトさんのおかげです。I am able to continue even now thanks to the support of the Mates, the listeners to this podcast.

    何かを長く続けられるタイプの人間 someone who cancontinue something for a long time

    モチベーションが私は必要です。Motivation is essential for me.

    なかなか運動が続きません。I cannot continue exercise easily.

    計画する to make a plan

    行先 destination

    安全で楽しいもの something safe and fun

    すき間時間intervals of free time

    単純ですね。It’s simple; it’s easy to change one’s mind.

    毎週続けられたらいいなぁと思っています。I hope I can continue doing it every week.

    モチベーションを無理やりに作る to force myself to create motivation

  • Do you know how to say “outings” in Japanese? Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    季節の挨拶 seasonal greeting

    暑中見舞い申し上げます sending my best wishes during this hot summer

    一般的 general; standard

    お盆 mid-August

    残暑見舞い申し上げますsending my best wishes as the late summer heat lingers

    残暑the remaining summer heat

    出かける to go out

    自然の中で in nature

    暑すぎる to be too hot

    行楽と言えば、やっぱり秋です。Speaking of outings, autumn is definitely the best season.

    人気のホテルはもういっぱいのところもあります。Some popular accommodations are already booked out.

    温泉でのんびりする to have a relax time in a hot spring

    露天風呂 open-air bath

    紅葉 autumn leaves

    季節によって、日本の印象が違います。Depending on the season, Japangives different impressions.

    季節ごと each season

  • I hope you find some useful Japanese vocabulary about typhoon reports in this episode. Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    台風の季節 typhoon season

    台風7号 the 7th Typhoon of the year

    接近しているTo be approaching; be getting closer

    北上するTo move north

    近づく to get close

    おそれがあります。 there is a possibility; there is a risk

    不安定 unstable

    激しい雨 heavy rain

    雷thunder

    暴風 windstorm

    高波 high waves

    太平洋側 the Pacific ocean side

    少しの雨でも危険です。It’s dangerous even with a little rain.

    土砂災害 mudslide; landslide

    川の増水swollen river; rising river

    川の氾濫 river flooding; overflowing river

    警戒 caution; precaution; guard

    慌てないで without panic; calmly

    一人で行動しないで don’t take alone; don’t take action by yourself

    必ず助けを求めましょう。Make sure to ask for help

    これは、日本人も同じです。This applies to Japanese people as well.

    助け合いましょう。We should help each other.

  • I hope you find some useful Japanese phrases about stress in this episode. Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    申し訳ないです。I’m sorry. It’s my apology.

    休み明け after the break

    相応しくないテーマ unsuitable theme

    ストレス stress

    ストレスが溜まっている stress builds up

    ストレスで参ってしまいそうでした。I was nearly stressed out

    私の一番のストレス解消法 my best way of getting rid of stress

    しなければならないことに追われる to be pressed by what I have to do

    ストレス解消ができません。I can’t get rid of my stress.

    時間がなくてもできる to be able to do without a lot of time

  • What is the difference between Jozu and Tokui? Explaining this distinction can be quite difficult. Especially in English, it’s challenging to find similar words to distinguish between them. Check out this episode!

    This episode's vocab list:

    先週に引き続き continuing from last week

    高い能力high ability; talent

    正解 correct answer

    どうしてかと言うと That’s because …

    主観的評価 personal judgement;subjective evaluation

    客観的評価 objective judgement

    個人的な意見 personal opinion

    それに対して On the other hand

    発言 statement; speech

    根拠 reason; ground

    過去形 past tense

    スッキリしましたか。Did it clear up? Did it make sense?

  • What do you translate as “time” in Japanese? Toki or Jikan? How are they different? Explore these questions in this episode. I hope this supports your learning.

    This episode's vocab list:

    難しいところ difficult point

    一番一般的な答え most general answer

    「時間」と答えた方も多い Many people answered with Jikan

    同じ5つの例 the same 5 examples

    使えるものと使えないものがあります。Some can be used and some can’t.

    使えても、意味が変わる表現もあります。Some expressions changemeanings even though they can be used both ways.

    time for childrenの意味に聞こえます。It sounds like the meaning of “time for children”

    どんな長さの時間でも any length of the period

    暑いと感じた瞬間moments I felt hot

    何時間 how many hours

    何日 how many days

    何か月 how many months

    何年 how many years

  • Even when we pursue our passions or we know our goals, we often need external support to sustain our efforts. Sometimes, we find ourselves vulnerable when alone, but resilient when supported by others, even if their paths differ from ours. When do you experience positive motivation?

    This episode's vocab list:

    先々週 the week before last

    予告なく without announcement; without prior notice

    恐らくprobably

    北半球Northern hemisphere

    南半球Southern hemisphere

    季節の変わり目 when the seasons change

    体調を崩しやすい easy to get sick

    再来月 the month after next

    日本に引っ越します。They are moving to Japan

    寂しくもあります。I also feel sad that I will miss them.

    夢を叶える to make a dream come true

    羽ばたいていく生徒さん Students who will spread their wings and fly to embark on a new journey

    力が湧きます。They fill me with power/strength

    いい刺激を与えてくれる人someone who gives you good stimulation; someone who provides good motivation そんな存在 such a person

  • Did you know Japan has a rainy season? It’s staring now. I talked about this unique period and share recommendations for activities to make the most of it. Check it out and discover what Japan’s rainy season has to offer.

    This episode's vocab list:

    季節 season

    梅雨入りthe onset of the rainy season

    本州の北の方 the Northern part of honshu, the main island of Japan

    6月中旬 mid-June

    下旬 the end of the month

    梅雨明け ending the rainy season

    天気予報 weather forecast

    ローカルならではunique to the local area; something only found locally

    この時期ならでは unique to this season; specific to this time of year

    梅雨の風物詩 a symbol of the rainy season

    アジサイ hydrangea

    全国各地 everywhere in the country

    名所 noted place

    ピッタリ just right

    感動しますよ。I bet you will be impressed by the scenery.

    代表的 representing

    花菖蒲 iris

    アジサイと比べると with a comparison with hydrangea

    一万四千 14 thousand

    ホタル観賞 firefly viewing

    神秘的 mystic

    博物館 museum

    美術館 art museum

    科学館 science museum

    地元の人 local people

    日本人観光客 domestic tourists

    活動的 active

    空いている to not be crowed

    マイナスなことばかりではありません。There are not only negative things.

  • Do you have any tips for making a travel plan? I have a new one to share with you here. Check it out!

    This episode's vocab list:

    旅行の計画を立てる to make a travel plan

    どこまでしっかり決めますか。How details and precise do you decide it? How thoroughly do you plan it?

    その日その日に day by day; each day

    決めないという人もいるかもしれませんね。Some may not decide; may not make any plans.

    ちょっとした秘訣 a little secret; a small tip

    完全に completely

    そうゆうタイプでした。I was that type of person.

    計画を変える to change the plan

    問題ないです that’sno problem

    先に beforehand

    考え方 way of thinking; mindset

    情報 information

    決めていたことができないと If you couldn’t do what you decide

    少なからず not a little bit

    残念に思いますよね。You’re disappointed.

    最初から決めていなければ If I didn’t decide from the beginning

    できたことを喜べます。I can be glad for I’ve accomplished

    発想の転換です。It’s a different angle of looking at it.

    海外旅行 oversea travel

    日帰り旅行 one-day trip

    計画上手になる to become good at planning

    ヒント a tipいつも以上に more than usual