first – Learning English and Japanese

Toru Dec 29, 2023Jan 08, 2024 construction, expression, first, ichiban, iroha song, Iroha Uta, Japanese, kana characters, origin, pillars

I no Ichiban (いの一番 – The Very First)

I no Ichiban いの一番 The Japanese phrase i no ichiban (いの一番) is sometimes used to describe that something is first Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Uncorrected

Toru Sep 04, 2019 0 Comments boss, colleague, do, early, first, forgive, go home, leave, phrase, rude, rudeness, work

Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu (お先に失礼します – Excuse Me for Leaving before You)

Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu お先に失礼します Today I would like to introduce a useful phrase that you can use when going Read More

Essay Slang Uncorrected

Toru Aug 13, 2019Aug 17, 2019 0 Comments conversation, daily conversation, document, edge, final, first, formal, last, most, point, redundant

Ichiban Saisho/Ichiban Saigo (一番最初/一番最後 – First/Last)

Ichiban Saisho/Ichiban Saigo 一番最初/一番最後 I often hear and say the phrases, ichiban saisho (一番最初) and ichiban saigo (一番最後) in daily Read More

Essay Etymology Idiom Kanji Uncorrected

Toru Jun 17, 2019 0 Comments character, consistent, first, flexible, four-character idiom, intention, motive, motto, name, original, popular, positive manner, thorough, will

Shoshi Kantetsu (初志貫徹 – Carrying out Your Original Intention)

Shoshi Kantetsu 初志貫徹 Today I would like to introduce my favorite four-character idiom shoshi kantetsu (初志貫徹). 今日は私の好きな四字熟語「初志貫徹」を紹介します。 Sho (初) means Read More

Culture Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Uncorrected

Toru Jan 25, 2018Jan 03, 2024 creation, etymology, first, foundation, grass, mow, person, pioneer, \創始者, 草分け

Kusawake (草分け – Pioneer)

Kusawake 草分け A person who did something for the first time is called 創始者 (soushisha). 何かを初めてする人のことを「創始者」と言います。創 (sou) means “creation,” Read More

Culture Essay Idiom Japanese tradition Kanji Proverb Uncorrected

Toru Sep 21, 2017Jan 03, 2024 child, daughter, family, first, gender, ichihime nitaro, Japan, second, son, tradition

Ichihime Nitaro (一姫二太郎 – Having a Daughter First and then a Son)

When a child is born in Japan, it is commonly said that “ichihime nitaro” (一姫二太郎) is ideal. 一姫二太郎 Here “ichi” Read More

Culture Diary Essay Etymology Idiom Japanese tradition Slang Uncorrected

Toru Aug 21, 2016Jan 06, 2024 dice, etymology, first, Japanese phrase, last, limit, pin kara kiri made, pin kiri, point, Portuguese

Pin kara Kiri made (From Pin to Kiri)

Pin kara Kiri made ピンからキリまで Today, I’d like to talk about the Japanese phrase “pin kara kiri made,” which means Read More