The Oxford English Dictionary has welcomed 11 new Japanese words. Not all of them are obvious picks. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/09/language/japanese-dictionary-oxford/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #dictionary #nihongo #vocabulary
Trying to keep a fitness resolution this year? In Japan, it turns out how we talk about our goals — and who we share them with — can help. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/02/language/japanese-new-years-resolutions/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #newyears #oshogatsu
From turning 60 to reaching 88, Japan marks certain birthdays with their own stories and superstitions. This week we break down the kanji origins behind milestone ages — and how にとって helps express what they mean. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/28/language/zodiac-ages-japan-birthdays/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #grammar #jlptn3 #yearofthehorse
Japan named 熊 (bear) as its kanji of 2025 — but the country’s real language came from memes, political slogans and a baby owl on TikTok. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/14/language/2025-buzzwords-kanji-language/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #bear #sanaetakaichi #socialmedia
Runners-up included the characters for “rice” and “tall” or “expensive,” with voters citing a rising cost of living. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/12/japan/society/kanji-of-the-year-bears/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #kanji #nihongo #language #kiyomizutemple #kyoto #surveys
Is this the end of the 年賀状 era? More senders are announcing 年賀状じまい — formally opting out of New Year postcards. From etiquette tips to useful phrases, here’s what to know before the holidays. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/05/language/nengajo-new-year-cards/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #newyear #grammar
Aside from the potty talk, a survey on bathroom habits can help us learn how to describe emerging trends in Japanese. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/26/language/bathroom-habits-japan-men/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #grammar #jlptn3 #jlptn2 #jlptn1
What do an early-19th century travelogue and a simple message of acknowledgement have in common? They make up one "neo-dajare" — a category of dad jokes and wordplay increasingly popular with Gen Z in Japan. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/19/language/neo-dajare-puns-wordplay-gen-z/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #language #nihongo #genz #comedy
After 36 years, one of Japan’s essential grammar guides is getting an update — including modern usage, example sentences and a rethink of "da/desu." https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/19/language/japanese-dictionary-updates-grammar/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #grammar #jlptn3 #jlptn4
From earthquakes to cyberattacks, caution runs deep in Japan — even in its grammar. Learn how language reflects the nation’s “better-safe-than-sorry” mindset. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/14/language/cyberattacks-cybercrime-japan-vocabulary/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #cybersecurity #fraud #asahi
Ao, meaning deep blue or azure, and Sui, suggesting the teal of kingfisher feathers, are Japan’s top baby names of 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/08/lifestyle/baby-names-japan-kanji-2025-popular/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #lifestyle #parenthood #nihongo #names
Step into the world of noh — where every mask, movement and word carries centuries of meaning. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/06/language/japanese-theater-language-noh/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #noh #theater
As Japan’s new prime minister promises economic revival, investors are brushing up on the language of the stock market — and “Sanaenomics.” https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/30/language/takaichi-stocks-sanaenomics-investing/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #sanaenomics #sanaetakaichi #halloween #investing
No street parties, no chaos — just a good Halloween. Here’s how to ask (politely!) where to celebrate this year, plus the grammar to sound natural doing it. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/23/language/japanese-halloween-questions-tokyo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #tokyo #shibuya #halloween
We’re halfway through October, which means the hunt will soon be on for fall foliage. Learn how to ask about the when, where and why in Japanese while exploring the country’s most picturesque photo spots. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/16/language/autumn-leaves-japanese-trees/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #grammar #jlptn5 #jlptn4
Thinking about a haircut in Japan? From straight to curly, here’s your guide to salon lingo, styles and expectations. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/09/language/japanese-hair-salon-haircut/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #beauty #hairstyles #jlptn5 #jlptn4 #livinginjapan
If you don’t dispose of your garbage properly, you may wind up with a bear at your doorstep. Or, even worse, an angry neighbor. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/03/language/garbage-sorting-bear-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #bears #garbage #livinginjapan
Ed Sheeran’s on the map — literally. Tokyo’s “Oh! Ed!” campaign isn’t just PR, it’s a lesson in Japan’s playful spelling magic. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/26/language/missing-vowels-japanese-language/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #grammar #vocabulary #edsheeran
Autumn in Japan isn’t announced — it creeps in. And the language is built to catch every little change. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/18/language/japanese-grammar-tekuru-teiku/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #grammar #jlptn3
In a first, the Japan Foundation has dispatched five language "partners" to India under a six-month program to assist in Japanese language education in the South Asian country. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/16/japan/japanese-language-education-india/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #indiajapanrelations #language #languageteachers #nihongo