NIHONGO CANDY – Japanese Learning Podcast (JLPT N5–N3)

In Japanese conversations, being too direct can sometimes sound harsh. That’s where "~mitai desu" (みたいです) comes in. Meaning "It seems..." or "It looks like...", this grammar point is an incredibly useful tool to convey situations or observations naturally without sounding overly assertive.

In this episode, we will focus on using "~mitai desu" with both present and past plain forms. I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences so you can handle these conversations smoothly, soften your statements, and sound much more sophisticated and conversational in Japanese.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠⁠

Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠

Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠

#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #JLPTN4 #BusinessJapanese #SpeakJapanese #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #JapanesePhrases

Do you know how to naturally talk about your hometown and family in Japanese? Mastering small talk is the perfect way to break the ice!

When talking about family in Japanese, the key is to understand the tricky difference between talking about your own family (ウチ - uchi) and asking about someone else's (ソト - soto). For example, "my father" is ちち (chichi), but "someone's father" is おとうさん (otosan). Likewise, "my family" is かぞく (kazoku), while "someone's family" is ごかぞく (gokazoku).

I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences so you can handle these conversations smoothly, show your cultural understanding, and build stronger connections in Japan.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠

Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

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Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

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#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #BusinessJapanese #JapaneseSmallTalk #JapanesePhrases #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese

Do you know exactly what to say when you are running late in Japan?Punctuality is strictly observed in Japanese business culture, but unexpected delays happen to everyone! When you realize you won't make it on time, the key is to immediately communicate your current status, your ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), and apologize appropriately.

In this episode, we will practice:

• Reporting status: いま、まだ　しんじゅくえきです (I'm still at Shinjuku station.)

• Giving ETA: ５ふんほど　おくれます (I'll be about 5 minutes late.)

• Apologizing: おまたせして　もうしわけありません (I apologize for keeping you waiting.)

I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences so you can handle these stressful situations smoothly and maintain your professional trust.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠

Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠⁠⁠

Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠⁠⁠

#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #BusinessJapanese #JapanesePhrases #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese

Do you overuse "〜どうか" (douka) when saying "I don't know" in embedded Japanese sentences?

The rule for expressing uncertainty is actually simple:

• Yes/No questions: Use "〜かどうか" (e.g., かれが　それを　すきかどうか　わかりません)

• Wh-questions (who, what, when, etc.): Just attach "か" (e.g., いつ　くにに　かえるか　わかりません). Using "どうか" here is a common mistake!

In this episode, I’ll train your reflexes with 10 practical sentences so you can instantly distinguish these two patterns and instantly upgrade your speaking accuracy.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.

🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠

Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠⁠

Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠⁠

#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese

Want to sound more natural and less like a textbook? Native speakers constantly shorten words in fast, casual speech. In this episode, we unlock the secret to two of the most common contractions you’ll hear in Japan: "〜とく (toku)" and "〜といて (toite)".

These handy phrases come from "〜ておく (te oku)", which means to do something in advance for future convenience or to leave something as it is. In daily workplace chats or conversations with friends, a formal phrase like "予約しておきます (I will make a reservation)" casually transforms into "予約しとくね".

Mastering these contractions will not only instantly upgrade your speaking fluency but also massively improve your listening comprehension. I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences for daily and business situations—from saying "I think I'll pass for today" to asking someone to "leave the window open."

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

1. Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAR26_NIHONGOCANDY

   
   

2. Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

   ⁠

3. Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

   ⁠

#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese

Don't struggle alone! Navigating life in Japan gets so much easier when you know exactly how to ask for support. In this episode, we master two essential communication tools: the polite and soft request "〜てもらえますか (temoraemasuka)" , and the magic of "〜んですが (ndesu ga)".

In Japanese culture, simply explaining your situation (e.g., "I've lost something" or "This isn't working") often implies a request for help, allowing you to get support smoothly without making direct demands. I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences for daily and business situations—from asking for the Wi-Fi password to checking if something is considered rude.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

1. Systematic Learning (Self-Study)

Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.

🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:

Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:

https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAR26_NIHONGOCANDY

2. Executive Private Coaching (Live)

Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.

👇 Apply for coaching:

https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

3. Stay Connected

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/

☕ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #AskForHelpJapanese #JapanesePhrases #JapaneseGrammar #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese #BusinessJapanese

Stop just "thinking" and start speaking! In this episode, we master the most versatile Japanese phrase: "〜と思います (to omoimasu)." Whether you’re expressing a firm belief (I believe), a professional evaluation (I find), or a simple prediction (I guess), this one phrase does it all. We’ll train your "reflexes" with 10 essential sentences designed for business and daily life, helping you sound more natural and nuanced in any conversation.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE1. Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:

https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAR26_NIHONGOCANDY

2. Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching: https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

3. Stay Connected📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/☕ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

#NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #ToOmoimasu #JapaneseSpeaking #JapaneseFluency #SpeakingPractice #JapaneseGrammar #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #ThinkInJapanese

Master the essential Japanese "reflexes" you need to navigate a first date from a dating app with total confidence. This high-intensity training helps you output key phrases from greetings to toasts.

💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

—🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

1. Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Build a strong N3 foundation with my structured video course.🎁 1-Month Special Coupon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=FEB26_NIHONGOCANDY

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2. Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect.👇 Apply for coaching: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

3. Stay Connected

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/

☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

⁠

#DatingJapan #LearnJapanese #NihongoCandy #JapanesePhrases #LanguageLearning #lifeinjapan #JapaneseSpeaking #JapaneseFluency #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan

Navigate the "Holy Garden of Contemporary Art" with confidence. Learn the essential Japanese needed to transition smoothly from Tokyo to the serene shores of Naoshima, ensuring your artistic retreat is as seamless as it is inspiring.

🎯 What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ Seamless Transit: Essential phrases for buying ferry tickets at Uno Port and navigating departure boards.

✅ Museum Etiquette: How to handle online reservations and confirm photography rules at Chichu Art Museum.

✅ Island Mobility: Renting electric bicycles and navigating the local town bus system to reach the Art House Project.

✅ Cultural Fluency: Mastering the nuances of time-related questions for a stress-free itinerary.

📖 Insights & Context:Deepen your understanding with cultural etiquette, essential phrases, and grammar explanations on my blog:https://welcjp.com

🗣️ Miki’s Personal Posts:Support the podcast and enjoy personal updates and exclusive reflections from Miki sensei on Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

---🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE Systematic LearningBuild a strong N3 foundation with my structured video course.🎁 1-Month Special Coupon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/

Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. I provide tailored coaching for professionals who want to speak with intelligence and warmth.👇 Apply for coaching: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#Naoshima #Setouchi #JapanTravel #LearnJapanese #ContemporaryArt #ChichuArt Museum #YayoiKusama #ExecutiveTravel #NihongoCandy #WELC

Master the etiquette of a Koyasan Shukubo (temple lodging). Learn essential Japanese for rituals, Shojin Ryori, and morning services to navigate your spiritual retreat with grace.

🎯 What you'll learn in this episode:✅ Seamless Check-in: Essential phrases for arriving at a temple and confirming your schedule.✅ Shojin Ryori Etiquette: How to appreciate Buddhist vegetarian cuisine like a local.✅ Morning Rituals: Navigating the "Morning Service" (Otsutome) and the art of O-shoko (incense offering).✅ Flexible Comfort: Knowing when it’s okay to switch from Seiza to Agura during meditation.

📖 Insights & Context: Deepen your understanding with cultural etiquette, essential phrases, and grammar explanations on my blog:⁠https://welcjp.com

🗣️ Miki’s Personal Posts: Support the podcast and enjoy personal updates and exclusive reflections from Miki sensei on Ko-fi:⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

—🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

1. Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Build a strong N3 foundation with my structured video course.🎁 1-Month Special Coupon: ⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=JAN26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠

2. Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect. I provide tailored coaching for professionals who want to speak with intelligence and warmth.👇 Apply for coaching: ⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠⁠⁠⁠

#Koyasan #Shukubo #JapanTravel #LearnJapanese #Zen #Mindfulness #TempleStay #ShojinRyori #ExecutiveTravel #NihongoCandy #WELC