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生きた日本語 • Learn Real, Use Right Away!

From daily conversations to workplace culture - Learn what textbooks don't teach you

🎯Practical Content
💡Real Experience
🎌Cultural Insight

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JLPT Star Question: Connect the Pairs, Not the Sentence!

JLPT Star Question: Connect the Pairs, Not the Sentence!

Don't try to build the entire sentence in your head for the star (★) questions. The secret is to find grammatical 'pairs' that must stick together and connect them like dominoes!

#JLPT
JLPT Reading: Find the 'Backbone', Ignore the Fluff!

JLPT Reading: Find the 'Backbone', Ignore the Fluff!

Don't get lost in the forest of details in N1/N2 reading passages. The key is to find the 'backbone'—the author's main argument—by focusing on connecting words and concluding sentences, not by translating every single word.

#JLPT
JLPT Grammar: Don't Just LEARN, Feel It!

JLPT Grammar: Don't Just LEARN, Feel It!

At the N1 level, many grammar points have similar meanings. The key isn't memorizing definitions, but feeling the 'flow' of the sentence to choose the most natural-sounding answer.

#JLPT
JLPT Info Retrieval: Questions First, Points Later!

JLPT Info Retrieval: Questions First, Points Later!

The 'Information Retrieval' (情報検索) question in the JLPT is a goldmine for points. Don't read the whole text; read the questions first to turn it into a quick and easy treasure hunt!

#JLPT
JLPT Listening: Don't Let One Mistake Ruin Your Score!

JLPT Listening: Don't Let One Mistake Ruin Your Score!

The most crucial skill for the JLPT listening section isn't just comprehension, but knowing how to 'let go' of a missed question to save the rest. This is a psychological strategy to maximize your score.

#JLPT
JLPT: The 'Elimination Strategy' Score Booster

JLPT: The 'Elimination Strategy' Score Booster

Instead of searching for the right answer, learn to eliminate the wrong ones. This is a survival skill for the JLPT exam room that helps you maximize your score, even when you're not 100% sure.

#JLPT
Gokurosama: Don't Praise Your Boss's Hard Work!

Gokurosama: Don't Praise Your Boss's Hard Work!

Think "Gokurou-sama" and "Otsukare-sama" both mean "Thanks for your hard work"? Using the wrong one with your boss can make you sound incredibly rude!

#office culture
The 'Look at Your Feet' Trick: 足元を見る

The 'Look at Your Feet' Trick: 足元を見る

Ever felt overcharged because you were in a desperate situation? Discover 足元を見る (ashimoto wo miru), the Japanese idiom for taking advantage of someone's vulnerability.

#idioms
The 'By The Way' Trick: ちなみに

The 'By The Way' Trick: ちなみに

Want to add an interesting side note without interrupting the flow of conversation? Discover「ちなみに」(chinami ni), the 'by the way' trick to sound more natural and thoughtful.

#conversation
The Art of 'Adding Luster': 箔が付く

The Art of 'Adding Luster': 箔が付く

Ever heard Japanese people talk about studying abroad or working for a big company to "get some haku"? Discover this expressive phrase for describing how you boost your own value and prestige.

#workplace
"Itadakimasu": More Than Just "Let's Eat!"

"Itadakimasu": More Than Just "Let's Eat!"

Think "itadakimasu" is only for mealtimes? Discover how the Japanese use this phrase to gratefully accept an opportunity or a piece of advice with deep appreciation.

#culture
The Secret of「普通に」: When 'Normal' Is 'Actually...'

The Secret of「普通に」: When 'Normal' Is 'Actually...'

You think「普通に」just means 'normally'? Discover how young Japanese people use this word to emphasize something is 'unexpectedly good' or 'simply amazing', often the opposite of its textbook meaning.

#modern slang
Decoding 'Heeeh~': The Golden Reflex in Dialogue

Decoding 'Heeeh~': The Golden Reflex in Dialogue

Ever heard a Japanese person draw out a long 'Heeeh~' and wonder if they're genuinely impressed or just being polite? Uncover this versatile 'reaction button' to read any situation like a pro.

#dialogue
The Ultimate Empathy Move: お察しします

The Ultimate Empathy Move: お察しします

When standard words of comfort aren't enough, use this master phrase to show you understand even the unspoken difficulties, making the other person feel deeply understood.

#communication
The 'Isn't It Obvious?!' Trick: 〜じゃん

The 'Isn't It Obvious?!' Trick: 〜じゃん

Ever hear Japanese people end sentences with 'jan' and feel its friendly yet firm vibe? This is the ultimate trick for stating the obvious or seeking agreement like a native.

#conversation
The Two-Faced Phrase: Mastering いい加減

The Two-Faced Phrase: Mastering いい加減

Ever heard a Japanese person say 'いい加減' (iikagen) and wondered if they were praising you for being 'just right' or scolding you for being 'sloppy'? Unpack this two-faced word used for everything from cooking to losing one's temper.

#vocabulary
The 'I almost...' trick: 〜ところだった

The 'I almost...' trick: 〜ところだった

Ever almost missed your train, almost forgot something important, or almost blurted out a silly idea? Discover 〜ところだった, the ultimate phrase for expressing those 'close call' and 'narrow escape' moments in Japanese.

#grammar
The Annoying 'I Helped You' Attitude: 恩着せがましい

The Annoying 'I Helped You' Attitude: 恩着せがましい

Ever get annoyed when someone helps you with a small task and then keeps reminding you, making you feel indebted? That's the incredibly frustrating behavior of「恩着せがましい」(onkisegamashii).

#communication
Feeling 'Out of Place'? Japan has a word for that: 場違い

Feeling 'Out of Place'? Japan has a word for that: 場違い

Ever worn a fancy outfit to a casual diner, or been the only one not laughing at an inside joke? That's the feeling of「場違い」(bachigai), the awkward sense of being 'out of place' that everyone has experienced.

#emotions
The 'Looks Can Be Deceiving' Trick: ああ見えて

The 'Looks Can Be Deceiving' Trick: ああ見えて

Ever been surprised by someone's hidden talent or a personality trait that contradicts their appearance? Discover「ああ見えて」, the subtle art of flipping first impressions.

#conversation
The "Let It Slide" Trick: なあなあ (Naanaa)

The "Let It Slide" Trick: なあなあ (Naanaa)

Ever seen a problem vaguely settled just because everyone knows each other? Discover "naanaa," the Japanese art of keeping the peace, which sometimes comes at the cost of professionalism.

#workplace
When the Mic is Suddenly Passed to You: 話を振られる

When the Mic is Suddenly Passed to You: 話を振られる

Ever been sitting quietly in a meeting when the boss suddenly singles you out to speak? That's the moment you've been「話を振られる」, the Japanese art of unexpectedly 'passing the mic'.

#conversation
The Art of "Good Enough": Mastering それなりに

The Art of "Good Enough": Mastering それなりに

It's not just "so-so" like「まあまあ」. Discover「それなりに」, the subtle art of acknowledging value "in its own way" or "for what it is."

#conversation
The "Safe Talk" Tactic: 当たり障りのない

The "Safe Talk" Tactic: 当たり障りのない

Ever wanted to say something polite, inoffensive, and completely uncontroversial? Discover「当たり障りのない」, the art of "safe" talk to maintain harmony in any situation.

#communication
Don't "Break the Story's Hip"!

Don't "Break the Story's Hip"!

Do you hate it when you're excitedly telling a story, only for someone to interrupt? Discover「話の腰を折る」, the vivid Japanese expression for this frustrating conversational foul.

#conversation
The Art of 'Hard to Say': Mastering なんとも言えない

The Art of 'Hard to Say': Mastering なんとも言えない

Ever tasted a dish, watched a movie, or met someone and couldn't decide if it was good or bad? Discover「なんとも言えない」, the ultimate phrase for expressing complex feelings or giving a vague, non-committal answer with nuance.

#feelings
Don't be "Half-baked"! The Art of 中途半端

Don't be "Half-baked"! The Art of 中途半端

Ever hate the feeling of doing something halfway or leaving things unfinished? Discover「中途半端」, the Japanese word for that frustrating state of incompleteness that Japanese people can't stand.

#emotions
The Art of 'Cool Shamelessness': しれっと

The Art of 'Cool Shamelessness': しれっと

Ever seen someone do something they should be embarrassed about, but act completely unfazed? Discover「しれっと」, the art of acting nonchalantly in the most astonishing way.

#vocabulary
The Time-Travel Trick: その節は

The Time-Travel Trick: その節は

Want to thank someone for a past favor but don't know how to bring it up? Discover "Sono Setsu wa," the ultimate phrase to elegantly reference a past event with next-level politeness.

#business
When Good Intentions Backfire: 裏目に出る

When Good Intentions Backfire: 裏目に出る

Ever tried to do something helpful, only for the outcome to be even worse? Discover 裏目に出る (urame ni deru), the Japanese expression for when your actions have the opposite of the desired effect.

#idioms
Oyakusoku: When the Script Repeats Itself Hilariously

Oyakusoku: When the Script Repeats Itself Hilariously

Ever watch a comedy show and predict the punchline before it happens? That's「お約束」, the 'unspoken script' that every Japanese person understands and anticipates.

#terminology
Nori ga Ii: The Key to 'Vibing' with Your Japanese Friends

Nori ga Ii: The Key to 'Vibing' with Your Japanese Friends

Have you ever been praised for being 'easy-going and fun' or criticized for being 'dull and unapproachable'? Discover「ノリ」, the invisible 'measure' that determines your 'compatibility' in every social gathering in Japan.

#conversation