Japanese Articles

In-depth articles on Japanese grammar, vocabulary and culture.

4 "God-Tier" Compound Verbs in N3: Speak Like a Native

Why say "Think a lot" when you can say "Kangaekomu" (Ponder deeply)? The power of suffixes Komu, Dasu, Naosu, and Kiru.

Not for the faint of heart. This is a militarized study plan (Spartan) to get you to N3 in record time.

Understanding the logic of why "The door opens" (Aku) is totally different from "I open the door" (Akeru).

Both translate to "should/is", but nuances are worlds apart. Mono is Universal Truth; Koto is Specific Advice.

Japanese people are strict about table manners. One small mistake with chopsticks (Hashi) can label you as uneducated.

Rote memorization is dead. Use Image Association (Mnemonics) to stick characters to your brain instantly.

How to sound cool during Oshougatsu? From strict bosses to close friends, here is the invincible guide to Japanese New Year greetings.

Analyzing the deep nuances of 〜To omoikiya, 〜To iedomo, and how to use them to create emotional and persuasive sentences.

Don't memorize rules. Imagine a theater stage: Wa is the Background Set, Ga is the Spotlight on the Actor.

Why do you keep choosing the wrong answer for "What does the author think"? Because you confuse supporting facts with the main argument.

The most confusing lesson in Minna no Nihongo (Lesson 24). Why Kureru exists and why it is the soul of Japanese politeness.

All translate to "seems like" or "I heard", but where did the info come from? Don't be a fake news spreader!

Don't write like a child. Use these 4-character idioms and sophisticated terms to maximize your vocabulary score.