Monday, April 27, 2026

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Learning English and Japanese

For everyone learning English/Japanese

Toru May 21, 2017Jan 04, 2024 bad aspects, decision, good aspects, idiom, itashi kayushi, itchy, Japanese, painful, scratch, situation

Itashi Kayushi (Mixed Blessing)

Itashi Kayushi 痛し痒し If you do what you want to do, some problems may happen. 何かをしたいと思っても、それをすると困ることがあるかもしれません。 In such a case, Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Proverb Uncorrected

Toru May 20, 2017Jan 04, 2024 blame, extra money, harakiri, idiom, jibara, kiru, metaphor, resolve, samurai, seppuku

Jibara wo Kiru

Today I would like to talk about the Japanese idiom “jibara wo kiru (自腹を切る).” 自腹を切る “Ji (自)” means yourself, “bara Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Onomatopoeia Proverb Uncorrected

Toru May 19, 2017Jan 04, 2024 carpenter, chiguhagu, etymology, hammer, harmony, incongruous, Japanese term, master carpenter, nail puller, tool

Chiguhagu

Today I’d like to talk about the Japanese term “chiguhagu.” ちぐはぐ “Chiguhagu” means that two or more things/people are incongruous, Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Food Idiom Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru May 18, 2017Jan 04, 2024 coffee, consumption, daily, Japanese, nichijou, rice, routine, sahanji, tea, term

Sahanji (Everyday Affairs )

Today I will talk about the Japanese term “sahanji.” 茶飯事 Sahanji means ordinary things that are not uncommon in everyday Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Food Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru May 17, 2017Jan 04, 2024 alcohol, beverages, etymology, fluffy, Japanese, osake, polite prefix, rice wine, sake, theory

Sake

Today I would like to talk about the Japanese word “sake.” 酒 “Sake” is a generic term for beverages that Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru May 16, 2017Jan 04, 2024 bones, chicken ribs, Chinese, horse, idiomatic expression, Japan, meaning, phrase, uma no hone, useless

Uma no Hone (Person from Nowhere)

Uma no Hone 馬の骨 Today I will talk about the term “uma no hone.” 今日は「馬の骨」という言葉を紹介します。 “Uma” means “horse,” “hone” means Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Onomatopoeia Slang Uncorrected

Toru May 15, 2017Jan 04, 2024 chokkai, chotto, dasu, idiom, interfere, Japanese, kakeru, meddle, scratch, term

Chokkai (To Meddle)

Chokkai ちょっかい Today I would like to talk about the Japanese term “chokkai.” 今日は「ちょっかい」という言葉を紹介します。 “Chokkai” means to interfere from sideways Read More

Culture Diary Essay History Japanese tradition Uncorrected

Toru May 14, 2017Jan 04, 2024 appreciation, celebration, event, flowers, international, Japan, Mother's Day, origin, second Sunday in May, US

Haha no Hi (Mother’s Day)

Haha no Hi 母の日 Today is Haha no Hi (Mother’s Day) to express appreciation to the mother. 今日は、母への感謝を表す母の日です。 In many Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Food Japanese tradition Kanji Uncorrected

Toru May 13, 2017Jan 04, 2024 acetic acid, citrus juice, cocktail, Dutch, Hindi, Japanese cuisine, ponzu, pun, seasoning, vinegar

Ponzu

Today I will talk about the term “ponzu.” ポン酢 “Ponzu” refers to a seasoning in Japanese cuisine, that is made Read More