TCJ Blog

Isn’t “sumimasen” one of the words Japanese people use most often in everyday conversation? We say “sumimasen” when calling a store clerk, when someone gives us directions, and when we bump into someone. Even though it’s just one word, its meaning varies depending on the situation, so many Japanese language learners wonder, “Why do we say ‘sumimasen’ instead of ‘arigatō’?” In this article, we’ll explain in detail the three main uses of “sumimasen”—“apology,” “thanks,” and “calling out to someone”—using example sentences.

As a Japanese teacher, I often hear students say, “I just started learning Japanese, but the pronunciation seems relatively easy.” In fact, Japanese may appear simpler because it has fewer distinct sounds compared to English or other Asian languages. For example, there is no need to distinguish between “L” and “R,” and learners do not need to focus on intricate tongue movements required in English pronunciation. However, Japanese also has a “difficulty in its simplicity.” As students continue learning Japanese, they often encounter common struggles, such as: “Even though my vocabulary and grammar are correct, native speakers still ask me to repeat myself” or “I think I am speaking correctly, but it doesn’t seem to be understood.” The root cause of these challenges lies in fundamental differences in pronunciation. By understanding these differences, learners’ Japanese can be better understood and more natural. Using English as a reference, let’s take a closer look at these pronunciation differences.

Verbs are key to learning Japanese. This article covers the essential concepts in an easy-to-follow way, including the categories of Japanese verbs, their complex conjugation rules, how tense works, and aspect. By gaining a deeper understanding of how Japanese verbs function, you can develop more natural and accurate Japanese expression skills.

When receiving a gift or when someone congratulates you, expressing your feelings—such as saying, “I’m so glad” in addition to “Thank you”—can make your response even more heartfelt. Many people may find themselves wondering, “How can I express this in Japanese?” when trying to convey their emotions.

This time, we will introduce some simple Japanese phrases that can be used when asking for directions, when shopping, and when eating out.