How to Japanese Podcast

Goal setting is an important part of studying Japanese, but students should balance their time doing it: Make a plan, put it into action immediately, and review it periodically. It can be tempting to think too much about how you study Japanese at the expense of actually studying it. This month in the

幸い (saiwai) is very close to 幸せ (shiawase), but it gets incorporated into one of the most frequently used phrases to make a polite request in Japanese. I introduce that phrase in the newsletter this month, and on the

Generative AI is reaching a fever pitch these days, and I think it's not a good sign for those who are just starting to learn Japanese. Unlike an electronic dictionary or an SRS app, generative AI offers to do the language for students, eliminating the friction of language learning. That friction is necessary for you to learn, so I'd recommend seeking out that pain i...

It's good practice to double check Japanese phrases you use every now and then, and this month I looked into 改めて (aratamete), which is a nice, polite way to say "again." I go through some examples and introduce one of my new favorite writers. I've also got grocery store recommendations AND the latest information about the new Murakami novel coming out in July. Check ...

事項 is one of the most useful Japanese words, but it's useless on its own. It must link together with another word to take on meaning. This month I look at all the different combinations I could find. Also, I give my recommendations for Kobe. Don't forget to check out