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.

Some Japanese learners may think that all Japanese people speak the same way. However, there are various dialects in Japan. Particularly in the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, 関西弁(Kansai-ben), the Kansai dialect, is commonly heard. For example, in standard Japanese, people often say “sō desu ne” when agreeing with someone, while in Kansai-ben, expressions such as “se yana” or “sō yana” are commonly used instead. Because of differences like these, some learners may wonder whether learning Kansai-ben is necessary when living in Osaka. This article introduces an overview of Kansai-ben, how it differs from standard Japanese, and whether learning the Kansai dialect is necessary.

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.”

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.

In this article, the best time to study in Japan is explained in detail, along with differences in admission periods across institutions such as universities, vocational schools, and Japanese language schools. Understanding the most suitable timing enables effective planning of a study abroad experience and helps to avoid common pitfalls. This guide aims to help readers identify the most appropriate study period for their needs.