Category Archives: Grammar

Learning Through Lyrics: Part 7

We’re already up to part #7! Yes, it’s a long work in progress, but explaining things the right way takes time. Line Seven 変わることのない       愛はきっとここにある Translation That’s not something that’ll change          surely there … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Grammar, Japan, Japanese, Languages, Lyrics, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Learning Through Lyrics: Part 6

Line Six 何度も伝えたい        君はひとりじゃない Translation I want to tell you over and over              you’re not alone Vocabulary & Grammar Notes Nando mo Japanese: なんども、何度も。 The first kanji is the “nan” as … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japan, Japanese, Languages, Lyrics, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning Through Lyrics: Part 5

Line Five 小さな不安さえ          僕が摘み取ってあげる Translation If you feel a little unease      I’ll snatch it away Vocabulary & Grammar Notes Chiisa na “Chiisa” is the root of this irregular adjective. Usually, we read this as “chiisai” for small. However, it is … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese, Lyrics, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning Through Lyrics, Part 4

Line 4 ちゃんと聞こえている           君の心の聲 Translation I’m hearing loud and clear      the voice of your heart Vocabulary & Grammar Notes Chanto “Chanto” is a word that means “properly, perfectly, exactly.” It is, thus, equivalent to the English idiom, “loud and clear.” … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese, Lyrics, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning Through Lyrics, Part 3

Third Line Trust me 繋がっているから      ただ感じていて このぬくもり Translation Trust me/ for we are connected          just go on, feel this warmth Vocabulary/ Grammar Notes Tsunagatteiru The original uses a non-standard kanji variation that I have not used … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese, Lyrics, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Overdoing It: Yari Sugi

やり過ぎ In Japanese, “yaru” (やる) is a catch-all verb for doing. It is inherently plain and informal. It is used in expressions like the Japanese equivalent of, “Do unto others before they do unto you.” “Sugiru” (すぎる、過ぎる) is the verb … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Learning Through Lyrics, Part 2

So, let’s move on to part 2. Second Line Trust me もう何もおそれないで my dear 見えない糸で Translation Trust me / don’t be afraid of anything anymore                  my dear / for with an invisible thread Vocabulary/ Grammar Notes Mou In this case, … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese, Lyrics, Music | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Kanji: On-Yomi and Kun-Yomi

Recently, I was discussing Japanese with someone studying for the old JLPT level 4 test (now the new level 5). He was using smart.fm for vocabulary, which is no crime, but what happened was something that stayed in my mind. … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eat, or Be Eaten

Can you eat the hamburger, or will you be eaten by the hamburger? The presence of a simple particle may decide… Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Itadakimasu

Many of you have probably taken note of the Japanese custom of saying “itadakimasu” before meals. So, what does this mean? “Itadakimasu” is the polite (-masu) non-past form of “itadaku,” a humble verb for “to receive.” The nuance is as … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Japanese | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment