Episoder
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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
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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.
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Manglende episoder?
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“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.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Now, renting a bike in Japan is very easy to find and organise, and also makes it convenient even for travellers. Why not give it a try? I hope it adds more fulfilled moments for your next visit to Japan.
This episode's vocab list:
やっと涼しくなって来ました。It’s finally become cool.
主人 my husband
遠いところ somewhere far away
片道 one way
電動自転車 electric bike
長距離 a long distance
以前 before
観光地 tourist cities or spots
よく見かけました。I often saw them.
住宅地 residential areas
街中 middle of the city
駐輪場に置いてあります。They are parked in the bike parking lot.
アプリ app
予約 booking
支払い payment
人とのコンタクトなしで借りられる to be able to rent it without any contact with people.
値段 price
手頃 reasonable
あちこち回ったら if you go around here, there, everywhere
爽やかな風 refreshing breeze
自転車で走れる to be able to ride a bike 次の旅行のプランに加えてみてください！ Please add it to your next travel plan.
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Are you confused by any homophones or pitch accents in Japanese? You may discover a new tricky aspect of the language. Just laugh! Every language has its own tricky elements for learners.
This episode's vocab list:
日本語にある音の数 the number of sounds in the Japanese language
英語と比べると compared to English
同音異義語 homophones
とは言え、 however; although that was said,
話の内容 context of the conversation or story
もうひとつ例を挙げる to give another example
もう、笑うしかありません。No way, we have no choice but to laugh.これで解決します！ This will solve the issue.
- Vis mere
