Episoder

  • Valentine’s Day is coming! What do you usually do in your country? Do you know what people do in Japan on this day? Listen to this episode to learn more about Japanese Valentine’s Day traditions. Happy Valentine’s Day!

    This episode's vocab list:

    バレンタインデー Valentine’s Day

    日本人らしいイベント an event that matches Japanese characteristics

    一番最初にバレンタインデーが日本に紹介されたのは、The first time the Valentine’s Day was introduced to Japan was

    神戸 Kobe city

    チョコレートメーカー a chocolate manufacturer

    宣伝 advertisement; promotion; campaign

    最初に興味を示したのは、 The first group to show interest was

    それが1970年代。That was in the 1970s.

    女の子が男の子に愛を告白する girls confess their love to boys

    常識が生まれました。This common knowledge was born.

    大人たちに浸透していくTo spread among adults

    日本風にin the Japanese style

  • Shopping and enjoying Japanese food are probably some of your top reasons for visiting Japan, right? Make sure you are well prepared to fully enjoy them. I hope this episode helps with both your travels and your Japanese learning.

    This episode's vocab list:

    払う to pay

    PINと呼ばれる暗証番号 a passcode called PIN

    サインをする to sign; to put your signature

    3月末まで until the end of March

    暗証番号がないと without the passcode

    支払い payment

    原則 in principle

    普段から regularly

    国によって depending on the country

    登録されていない to not be registered

    これまで通り as before; as usual; the way it has been so far

    本人確認 identity verification

    1万円未満 less than 10,000 yen

    4月以降 from April onwards

  • Manglende episoder?

    Klik her for at forny feed.

  • My new hobby: Zero waste! Am I stingy? I don’t mind. I’m enjoying zero waste now.

    This episode's vocab list:

    テレビ局 TV station

    リサイクル recycle

    いわゆる what is called

    リメイク remake

    材料 material

    布 fabric

    帯 belt worn with kimono

    ボロボロになる to become worn out or ragged

    そのまま as it is

    ボタン button

    紐 string; cord

    取って置く to set it aside; keep it for later

    これこそ This is

    けち stingy; not generous with money

    みみっちい stingy; mean

    逆に on the contrary

    もったいない wasteful; what a waste

    ミニマリスト minimalist

    流行っている to be trending

    物を減らすために in order to lessen things or reduce clutter

    使い切る to completely use it

    まさに一石二鳥です!It is truly a case of killing two birds with one stone.

  • Sad news, but I believe Japan can find a way to solve this problem!

    This episode's vocab list:

    猛暑日extreme heatwave days

    雨が降ってほしいと願っています。I’m wishing for rain soon.

    スキー場がにぎわっています。 Ski resorts are crowded and lively.

    その反面 on the other hand

    スキー場を含め including ski resorts

    観光地 tourist areas

    問題 issue; problem

    ゴミ rubbish; garbage; trash

    ゴミ箱が少ないです。 There are few rubbish bins

    その結果かどうかは分かりません。 I’m not sure if it happens as a result

    道にゴミを捨てる人は、ゴミ箱がないから道に捨てるんでしょうか。Do you think people throw rubbish on the street because there are no bins?

    私の持論 my fixed opinion; my firm belief

    ゴミ箱がなければ持って帰る to take it home if there’s no bin

    ゴミ箱があってもなくても it doesn’t matter whether there is a bin or not

    捨てる人は捨てます。 People who throw rubbish would throw it anyway

    ゴミが出る所 the places where rubbish ends up

    必ずゴミ箱はあります。 There should always be a rubbish bin

    食べ歩き eating as you stroll

    立って食べる to eat while standing

    紙に包む to wrap it up in paper

    入れておくTo put it in and leave it there.

    次にゴミ箱を見つけた時に、捨てればいいんです。You can throw it away when you find a bin next time: it’s not a big deal. Just do it!

    少し協力するだけ only a small amount of cooperation

    どうしたらいいと思いますか。What do you recommend they do to solve the problem?

    日本のよさをそのままに by preserving the best aspects of Japanこのゴミ問題を解決する方法 the way to solve this rubbish problem

  • This episode is far from scary! It’s all about quite positive thinking and mindset. Check it out and let the good vibe flow!

    This episode's vocab list:

    病院の救急外来 emergency outpatient department at the hospital

    辛い数日 a few painful days

    湿疹 skin rash

    両腕 both arms

    両脚 both legs

    痒い itchy

    耐えられませんでした。I couldn’t stand it

    氷で痒い所を冷やす to cool the itchy parts with ice

    すぐ痒みが止まります。The itching stops quickly.

    また痒みが出ます。The itch will come back again

    年始早々 Right at the beginning of the New Year

    縁起が悪い inauspicious; unlucky; bad omen

    これで厄払いできました。I was able to drive out Evil Spirits with this; This helped me drive away bad luck.

    苦しい事struggles, difficulties, challenges

    辛い事 tough time, painful experiences, hardships

    大変な事 difficult situations, tough matters, challenging things

    追い出す to force out; drive out; expel; kick out

    実際に見えるものではない invisible

    宗教的に聞こえます。it sounds like religious

    同じ状況でも even in the same situation or circumstances

    どんな気持ちでいるかによって depending on how you feel; depending on the emotions you’re experiencing

  • New Year’s Greetings: I hope we can share more time together this year through this podcast.

    This episode's vocab list:

    お正月 New Year’s Day and the days that follow

    どのように過ごしましたか。How did you spend your time?

    体中 all over my body

    虫に刺されました。 I got bitten by bugs

    いろいろな面で in various aspects

    準備をしっかりする to make thorough preparation

    そうは言っても、Even so; That being said

    挑戦したいです。I want to take on a challenge

    言葉にすると、目標に近づけます。By putting it into words, you will get closer to your goal.

    見返す to look back at it; to review it

    メイトさんと繋がっている to stay connected with you

  • 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

  • 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.