Building Bridges
This blog and this author seek to build cultural bridges with Japan and the people in it across geographic and linguistic barriers alike. By creating bonds, we can build a brighter future for everyone.Japanese Characters
If your computer is not set up for Japanese browsing, Japanese characters, such as the site tagline and the "FAQ" page, will not be properly visible. Look up "Japanese computing" on Google for help about these problems. Enjoy the blog. - JLearn Japanese Online
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Grammar, Japanese, Lyrics, music, vocabulary
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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
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
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