TCJ Blog

In Japan, it is common to see “what day it is today” featured in the news or on social media every day. Many of these days are unofficial holidays, such as Cat Day or Meat Day. These are not just random dates. They are based on a uniquely Japanese form of wordplay known as 語呂合わせ: goroawase, where numbers are read in ways that sound like words. Goroawase is a type of Japanese wordplay in which numbers are read in creative ways and turned into meaningful words. In Japanese, each number has multiple possible readings, such as on’yomi (Chinese-derived reading), kun’yomi (native Japanese reading), English pronunciation, or even onomatopoeic sounds. For example, the number “two” can be read as ni (on’yomi), futa (kun’yomi), two (English), or even nyan, the sound of a cat’s meow. By taking advantage of these flexible readings, people in Japan often assign meanings and word associations to numbers, turning them into playful expressions and even “holidays.”

For students living in Japan, part-time jobs serve not only as a source of income but also as an opportunity to improve Japanese language skills. The Japanese learned in textbooks and the Japanese used in real-life situations often differ significantly. Through part-time work, learners can acquire practical Japanese, including communication with customers and coworkers, as well as the use of honorific language. This article introduces some of the most effective part-time jobs for improving Japanese language ability. It is intended as a reference for those considering starting part-time work in Japan.

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.

When learning Japanese, learners often encounter words that have the same pronunciation but different kanji and meanings. For example, the word kami may sound the same, yet its meaning can vary greatly. This often leads learners to wonder how native speakers distinguish between them in conversation. Japanese contains a large number of homonyms—words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings. As a result, this can be one of the most challenging aspects of the language for learners. A common question is how Japanese speakers determine which meaning is intended. In practice, they rely on context, surrounding words, and the situation in which the expression is used. In this article, several representative homonyms are introduced, along with explanations of their meanings and how native Japanese speakers distinguish them, supported by specific example sentences.

In what situations do people encounter the Japanese language? Many people learn Japanese through social media or video content, especially if they do not live in Japan or have few opportunities to speak the language. In fact, some of my students mention that they use YouTube as a resource for studying Japanese. Along these lines, the word “kusa” (grass) can often be seen popping up throughout the comment sections. However, it does not actually refer to grass. It typically appears when someone makes a joke or when something unexpected happens, which can be confusing for those encountering it for the first time. Expressions like this rarely appear in textbooks, even though they are widely used on social media every day. In this article, a Japanese teacher introduces three of the most commonly encountered pieces of Japanese internet slang, explaining their meanings and origins. Let’s take a closer look together, starting with expressions that may already feel familiar from online spaces.