Illustration of men hiding The terms “himitsu” (秘密) and “naisho” (内緒) in Japanese often appear in various contexts, whether in everyday conversation, movies, manga, or anime. Both have meanings related to secrecy, but there are different nuances and usages between the two. Let’s take a deeper look at these two terms, including their meanings, usages, and cultural contexts behind them. The Basic Meaning of Himitsu and Naisho Himitsu (秘密): Himitsu literally means “secret.” This term is often used to refer to information or facts that you don’t want others to know. Himitsu is the most common and widely used word. Himitsu can refer to any type of secret, whether it’s personal, group, or public. In many contexts, himitsu can describe something more serious or important. Naisho (内緒): Naisho, on the other hand, also means “secret,” but it’s more often used in a lighter and more informal context. Naisho is used for spoken language and is a rather casual expression so it is not used in public. Naisho is more often used to refer to a little secret or something that is hidden from others in a more informal context. This term can be used when someone asks to keep something a secret, such as a surprise or a plan that […]
Vacation to Japan (Pixabay.com/NguyenGianga2) Planning a vacation to Japan? Learning Japanese, even a little, will greatly enrich your experience. Imagine being able to order your own food, ask for directions, or even make small talk with the locals! This guide will help you learn basic Japanese phrases that are essential for first-time travelers, along with tips and tricks to make your learning process more effective and enjoyable. Hiragana and Katakana: The Foundation of Japanese Before learning phrases, it’s important to understand the two basic types of Japanese alphabets: Hiragana and Katakana. Hiragana is used to write native Japanese words, while Katakana is used to write loanwords from foreign languages, including English. Both alphabets consist of 46 characters each. Don’t be discouraged! Although it may seem like a lot, with consistent practice, you can master them in no time. Learning resources: There are many apps and websites that can help you learn Hiragana and Katakana, such as Duolingo. Try searching for tutorial videos on YouTube as well, as seeing the letters written will help you remember them faster. Make your own flashcards to reinforce your memorization. Take your time, focus on understanding and writing correctly. Greetings and Introductions Illustration of a man in Japan The right greeting will make a good first impression. Here are some basic greetings and introductions: Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Good afternoon (used from morning to evening). This is […]
Illustration of the moon (Pixabay.com/susan-lu4esm) Did you know that the phrase 月が綺麗ですね (tsuki ga kirei desu ne) “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japan has a different meaning than just “I want to tell you that the moon is beautiful”. Actually, “The moon is beautiful, huh” means expressing feelings to the opposite sex. In this article, let’s discuss the meaning of the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japan. Meaning of “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japan “The moon is beautiful, huh” is an expression used when expressing love to the opposite sex. You can express your love to someone in a more indirect way than saying あなたが好き (anata ga Suki) “I like you” or 愛してる (aishiteru) “I love you.” Although it is not a word that is often used, if you are a romantic person, you can use it when expressing your feelings. Origin of the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japan It is said that the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” means to express love. Its origin comes from an anecdote in which an English literary scholar in the Meiji era translated “I love you” as “The moon is beautiful, huh” instead of 愛している (aishiteru) “I love you”. This great writer thought that, given the nature of the Japanese, “when expressing love, they should not express it directly,” and the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” emerged. Although the authenticity of the anecdote […]
Illustration of feelings (Pixabay.com/kaboompics) Kimochi (気持ち) is a Japanese word that is often used in various contexts, both in everyday conversation and in Japanese pop culture. In Japanese culture, kimochi has a deeper and broader meaning. This term does not only refer to positive feelings, but also includes various other emotions that can be felt. Definition of the word kimochi Literally, kimochi means “feeling.” This word consists of two terms: “ki” (気) which means “energy” or “soul,” and “mochi” (持ち) which means “to have” or “to hold.” So, kimochi can be interpreted as “the energy that is owned” or “the feeling that is inside.” When someone says “kimochi ga ii” (気持ちがいい), it means “the feeling is good,” it can refer to feelings of comfort, happiness, or satisfaction. On the other hand, “kimochi ga warui” (気持ちが悪い) means “feelings are bad,” which can describe discomfort or dissatisfaction. There is also “atsui kimochi” (熱い気持ち) which can be interpreted as desire made up of the words 熱い (atsui) meaning “hot” and 気持ち (kimochi) meaning “feelings.” Kimochi is also often used in a more romantic context. For example, when someone says “kimochi wo tsutaeru” (気持ちを伝える), it means “conveying feelings.” This is an important step in communication between couples, where they share their feelings with each other. The difference between kimochi and kibun […]
Two samurai (Image by freepik) Japanese has many words that are often used to refer to friends. Some of them that are often confusing for foreigners are tomodachi and nakama. Although both can be translated as “friend” in Indonesian, they actually have different meanings. Japanese, like other languages, has a rich nuance in expressing relationships between people. The word “friend” alone, in Japanese, has various levels of closeness and different contexts. Two words that are often confusing for Japanese learners are tomodachi (友達) and nakama (仲間). Although both are translated as “friend” in Indonesian, a deeper understanding will reveal significant differences in their meaning and context of use. Tomodachi (友達): Friends Based on Personal Relationships Tomodachi is someone who is open and interacts with each other as an equal. It means someone who can be shared with aspirations, interacted with as an equal, and can be played and chatted with. If you enjoy chatting and don't mind sharing your personal life, you can call them tomodachi. Also, since a tomodachi is someone who is your equal, you can’t technically call your superior at work a tomodachi. Tomodachi refers to a friend in the most general and broad sense. It is a relationship that is built […]
Manga (Pixabay.com/Jirreaux) Have you ever heard the terms Shounen, shoujo, seinen, and josei in Japanese manga and anime? These terms refer to the demographics or target audience of anime or manga. Each genre has its own theme and storyline method. In addition, the genre of anime or manga can be known from the magazine that publishes it. Demographics of Japanese Anime and Manga The word Shounen means boys or young people. Shounen series means the series is aimed at boys or young people. Usually manga with the Shounen genre will be published in magazines such as Shounen Jump. Many Shounen anime and manga take the theme of friendship and fighting with male protagonists. Examples of Shounen series are One Piece, Naruto, and so on. The word shoujo means girls or teenage girls. Shoujo series means the series is aimed at girls or teenage girls. Usually has a female protagonist with genres such as mahou shoujo and so on. Shoujo series are much less than Shounen series. Examples of Shoujo series are Cardcaptor Sakura, Sailor Moon, and so on. The word seinen means young adult. Seinen series means series aimed at young adults. Seinen series usually feature adult characters and carry adult themes. Examples of seinen series are Tokyo Ghoul, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai, and so on. The word josei means woman. Josei series […]
A man wearing a hat (Image by freepik) In the current era of globalization, foreign languages are very important, especially as an effort to connect with many people in the world. Not a few people study English or Japanese. What about the Japanese? Which foreign language is widely studied? Language Learning Survey in Japan Japan, a developed country with a rich and unique culture, has a high literacy rate and great interest in learning foreign languages. However, which foreign language do they study the most? The answer is not as simple as just one language. The popularity of foreign languages in Japan is influenced by various factors, including the economy, popular culture, tourism, and job opportunities. In the annual Language Learning Survey in Japan by Duolingo, the top-ranked languages studied in Japan (allowing for multiple answers) are English (84.1%), Korean (25.0%), Chinese (12.5%), and French (6.0%). Let's explore more deeply the four foreign languages most often studied by the Japanese people: English, Korean, Chinese, and French. English: King Without a Throne? Illustration of a man against the Statue of Liberty English seems to be a foreign language that many Japanese people learn. Moreover, English is a language that is widely used throughout the world. Although […]
Young adults on the streets of Tokyo (Image by freepik) When you watch anime or dramas, you may have heard someone being called followed by Chan, Sama, San, and Kun. These are Japanese honorifics. The use of Japanese honorifics can be influenced by several factors such as relationships, status, and so on. Here is an explanation of Japanese honorifics. Japanese Honorifics The most common Japanese honorific used in everyday life is San. You can use it to people you don't know very well, regardless of their gender, age, or social status. The honorific Sama is more polite than San. This term is usually used to people who have a higher status or rank such as the Emperor's family, violators, spectators or listeners, and so on. The honorific Chan is usually used to children or girls. This term can also be used to friends and people you like. This term is informal and familiar and has a cute and childish impression. The honorific Kun is usually used to young people or boys. This term can also be used to friends and juniors. This term is informal and familiar. There are other honorifics such as Sensei for teacher or expert, Senpai for senior, Kouhai for junior, Shachou for head of company, and so on. Use of Honorifics Illustration of a man and […]
English exit signs (Image by evening_tao on Freepik) We often hear the assumption that Japanese people have difficulty speaking English. This assumption, although it seems common, is actually an oversimplification of a much more complex reality. It is not that Japanese people cannot speak English at all, but their English ability is—on average—lower than that of Western countries or even certain Southeast Asian countries. To understand why this is the case, we need to dig deeper, beyond stereotypes and look at the interrelated factors that shape the situation. An Education System That Focuses on Memory, Not Communication The reason why Japanese people cannot speak English is the lack of input/output opportunities. Input plays an important role in learning a language. Without adequate input, a person's English ability will not improve at all. On the other hand, input alone is not enough, output also plays an important role. By doing output, a person can see gaps in knowledge and improve their abilities. Learning English can be done more efficiently by focusing on output rather than focusing on input. The Japanese education system has, for decades, emphasized memorizing grammar and vocabulary rather than practicing direct communication. Students spend hours memorizing complex grammar and long word lists, but are given little opportunity to use English in […]
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