TCJ Blog

In the process of learning Japanese, learners often encounter kanji that appear familiar but are read differently, or seem to carry an entirely different meaning. In Japanese, a single kanji—or a combination of kanji—can have multiple readings and meanings. A change in reading alone may shift the reference from a concrete object to an abstract evaluation, or from a general concept to a specific description of a state or condition. In this article, we focus on four commonly confusing words—銀杏, 上手, 人気, and 流石—which learners often struggle with despite encountering them frequently in daily life. We will examine their different readings and meanings, the contexts in which each is used, and how native Japanese speakers determine the appropriate reading.

There are some words that Japanese people often use but the nuance is subtle and it is hard to use. However, if you can use them well, your friends and Japanese people will be surprised. This time, we will show you seven phrases and explain them with example sentences.

Many learners find Japanese pronunciation relatively easy, as the language does not rely on a stress accent like English or tonal distinctions like Chinese or Thai. However, Japanese has a unique feature known as pitch accent, in which words with the same pronunciation can carry different meanings depending on their accent pattern. This is a crucial element for conveying meaning accurately and being clearly understood by listeners. In this article, we explore the basics of Japanese pitch accent and key points to be aware of, along with examples of homophones, in an accessible and easy-to-understand way.

Kanji is hard but it is interesting if you come to know it little by little. More Kanji you memorize, the more vocabulary you can use. And more Japanese phrases you can read. Moreover, even if you find words you do not know, you will be able to understand its meaning from the kanji used in that word.

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 is the middle level of the five-level JLPT scale. According to the official JLPT website, this level indicates the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain extent. In this article, we take a closer look at the expected reading level and common test tendencies for JLPT N3. We also introduce effective study methods, recommended materials, and key strategies to help learners strengthen their reading comprehension and work toward their goals in a clear and approachable way.