Nihongo to English

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Want to learn Japanese while laughing? Welcome to Nihongo to English — the bilingual Japanese-English podcast where Japanese culture, language, and pure chaos collide.

In Episode 27, hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki take a break from the Genki book and go full Japan travel mode. Michael is calling in live from Arizona, and Michelle is fresh off a golf tournament, Canada-bound for a comedy festival, and already big in Nagoya.

Together they spiral into the Japan trip planning session you didn't know you needed: mixed onsen (混浴), snow rotemburo in Niigata, the Sapporo Snow Festival, Ainu culture, a federal penitentiary in the frozen wilds of Hokkaido, a terrifying amount of bears, izakaya culture, stand-up comedy in Shinjuku, and a monkey in Kyoto that broke into a house and started opening doors like a landlord.

And because this is Nihongo to English, they also settle the most important question in Japanese food culture: ube vs. murasakiimo (むらさきいも). One is morning glory family. One is a yam. They are NOT the same. You're welcome.

Whether you're learning Japanese, planning a trip to Japan, or just love Japanese culture — this episode is for you.

NO homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

📩 Questions? [email protected]
🎵 Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード27 – 日本旅行計画、温泉モンキー＆ウベvsむらさきいも

日本語を楽しく学びたい方へ。Nihongo to English は、日本語と英語を行き来しながら、日本文化・日本語学習・バイリンガルトークをお届けするポッドキャストです。

エピソード27では、ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきがゲンキでのお勉強をお休みして、日本旅行トークに全力投球！マイケルはアリゾナからリモート参加、みしえる・まりザきはゴルフトーナメントを終え、カナダのコメディフェスティバルへ向かい、名古屋でも活躍予定。

二人が繰り広げる日本旅行計画トークは盛りだくさん：混浴温泉、新潟の雪見露天風呂、札幌雪まつり、アイヌ文化、北海道の刑務所（本物）、クマ大量出没、居酒屋文化、新宿でのスタンダップコメディ、そして京都で家に侵入して勝手にドアを開けまくったサルの話まで。

そして日本食文化最大の謎に迫る：ウベvsむらさきいも。片方はヒルガオ科、もう片方はヤム芋。全然違います。どういたしまして。

日本語を勉強している方、日本旅行を計画している方、日本文化が好きな方 — このエピソードはあなたのためにあります。

宿題なし。ただのバイリンガルカオス — でも、なぜか学べる。

📩 質問はこちら：[email protected]
🎵 テーマジングル by みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 26 of Nihongo to English, hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki are back with more bilingual chaos — and somehow, you're going to learn Japanese.

This week, they crack open Genki page 95 and dive into ませんか (masen ka) — the surprisingly polite (and surprisingly negative) way to invite someone to do something. Won't you listen? (See what we did there?) They also tackle frequency adverbs like 毎日 (mainichi), よく (yoku), 時々 (tokidoki), and the power duo 全然・あまり (zenzen/amari) — and why you cannot say 全然大丈夫 (and yet... people do). Plus, a deep dive into Japanese word order and why it's actually not as scary as it looks — hello, Yoda.

Oh, and Michael may or may not have stolen a prop from a Netflix festival and declared this podcast officially part of the Netflix is a Joke Festival. We have the cube. We have the napkins. It's canon.

Also on this episode: the Japanese word for cleavage (tanima — you're welcome), Michael's voice work for The Conscious Outlaws, morning show energy, siesta culture, and the eternal question — is it a study date or just a date?

NO homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

📩 Questions? [email protected] 

🎵 Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード26 – 一緒に勉強しませんか？（ませんか・ダルマ騒動＆Netflixスキャンダル）

**Nihongo to English（日本語 to English）**のエピソード26へようこそ！ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきが、今週も最高にカオスなバイリンガル学習をお届けします。

今回はげんき95ページを開いて、「ませんか」を徹底解説！なぜ否定形なのに招待・誘いになるの？英語の "Won't you...?" との意外な共通点も掘り下げます。さらに、頻度を表す副詞——毎日・よく・時々・全然・あまり——の使い方と、なぜ「全然大丈夫」は文法的に間違いなのに皆が使うのか？についても話し合います。そして日本語の語順が実はヨーダの話し方に似ている理由も解説！

さらにこのエピソードでは…マイケルがNetflixはジョークフェスティバルのキューブを「お借り」して、このポッドキャストを公式フェスティバル参加作品として宣言。証拠のキューブあり。ナプキンもあり。もう公式です。

他にも：「谷間（タニマ）」という日本語、マイケルのThe Conscious Outlawsへのボーカル参加、朝のラジオのちょっぴりナイトな話、シエスタ文化、そして「スタディデートって本当に勉強するの？」問題も登場。

宿題なし。バイリンガルなカオスだけ。でも、なぜかちゃんと学べる。

📩 ご質問・コメントはこちら：[email protected] 

🎵 テーマジングル：みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 25 of Nihongo to English, hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki dive into one of the most essential — and most confusing — parts of Japanese grammar: particles. They break down を、で、に、and へ in the most un-boring way possible, with real examples, laughs, and zero judgment. Along the way, they recap Michelle's wildly successful Stationery Park festival (85 tables! Vendors from New York and Japan! Someone left their Cartier rings behind!), debate the life choices of hikikomori, set a brand new Daruma goal, and somehow end up discussing what it means to gaman when there's pee running down your leg. Just another episode of bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki.

Nihongo to English 第25話では、ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきが、日本語学習者が最もつまずきやすい文法のひとつ、助詞を取り上げます。を、で、に、への使い方を、リアルな例文と笑いたっぷりにわかりやすく解説。さらに、みしえるが主催した大盛況のステーショナリーパーク（出店85テーブル！ニューヨークや日本からもベンダーが参加！カルティエの指輪を忘れた人まで！）を振り返りつつ、引きこもりの人生哲学を議論し、新しいだるまの目標を設定し、なぜかガマンの話で盛り上がります。いつものバイリンガルカオスをお楽しみください。気づいたら、ちゃんと学べてます。

ご質問やご感想は [email protected] までどうぞ！

テーマジングル：みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 23 of Nihongo To English, Michelle and Michael somehow turn a Japanese lesson into a deep discussion about multiplication tables, tatami mats, biscuit songs, and the dangers of sticking your whole body out of a moving car in Genki textbook illustrations.

This episode covers:
✨ Japanese math vocabulary and “kuku” multiplication tables
✨ Differences between Japanese and English learning styles
✨ Japanese location words like ue, shita, tonari, and aida
✨ Weird children’s songs from Japan and America
✨ Deep Fat Fried references
✨ Pocket biscuits multiplying endlessly
✨ More Genki textbook adventures and bilingual chaos

No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

🎧 New episodes every 12th and 22nd!

Follow us on Instagram @nihongotoenglish

IG: MichaelAllenCpa  MichelleMaliZaki

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

『Nihongo To English』第23話では、日本語レッスンのはずが、九九、ビスケットの歌、畳、そしてGenki教科書の危険なイラストについて語り出すカオス回に！

今回のエピソード：
✨ 日本の「九九」と英語の掛け算表現
✨ 日本語と英語の学び方の違い
✨ 「上・下・隣・間」などの場所の言葉
✨ 日本とアメリカの不思議な子どもの歌
✨ Deep Fat Friedトーク
✨ 無限に増えるポケットのビスケット
✨ Genki教科書ツッコミコーナー

宿題なし。バイリンガルカオス。でもなぜか勉強になる。

🎧 新エピソードは毎月12日＆22日配信！

Instagramでフォローしてね！ @nihongotoenglish

IG: MichaelAllenCpa  MichelleMaliZaki

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 22 of Nihongo To English, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen CPA dive into one of the most confusing Japanese pronunciation sounds and why it’s somewhere in between. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually say ふ (fu), this is your episode.

We also flip the script on our usual format with a fun reverse vocabulary quiz—English to Japanese—covering everyday words like food, dates, and daily routines. Plus: curry-smelling houses, slow cookers vs Instant Pots, and a surprisingly deep conversation about Daruma goals and “healing” language.

No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

In this episode:

• The truth about Japanese “fu” pronunciation
• English vs Japanese sound differences
• Beginner vocabulary (food, daily life, verbs)
• Daruma goal-setting explained
• Real conversations (and real confusion)

🎧 New episodes drop on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd
Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

『Nihongo To English』第22回では、Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen CPAが
日本語の発音の中でも特にややこしい「ふ」の音について、英語との違いを交えながら楽しく話しています。

さらに今回はいつもと逆！英語→日本語のボキャブラリークイズに挑戦。食べ物や日常会話の単語を中心に、実践的に学べます。
カレーの匂いが充満する家の話や、スロークッカー vs インスタントポット、だるまの目入れと「癒し」の話まで…今回もカオスだけどちゃんと学べる内容です。

宿題なし。バイリンガルなカオス。でもなぜか学べる。

このエピソードの内容：

• 「ふ」の正しい発音とは？
• 英語と日本語の音の違い
• 初級ボキャブラリー（食べ物・日常・動詞）
• だるまで目標設定
• リアルな会話とちょっとした混乱

🎧 配信日：毎月2日・12日・22日
Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 21 of Nihongo To English, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen talk about Japanese trains, Shinkansen names, “Thing Japan,” The Little Engine That Could, and why Genki’s “making a date” chapter may be more dramatic than expected.

This episode includes:

• Japanese words like nozomi, hikari, kodama, and tetsudou
• a conversation about Shinkansen, hope traveling faster than light, and why Japan makes trains look cool
• beginner Japanese practice from Genki Lesson 3
• useful classroom expressions like wakarimasu ka, yukkuri itte kudasai, and mou ichido itte kudasai
• a very serious investigation into whether Mary and Takeshi are actually going on a date
• a surprise Bechdel Test discussion involving Genki, slippers, and host moms

If you want to learn Japanese while listening to two comedians talk about trains, textbooks, dating, and absolutely unnecessary cultural analysis — this is the episode for you.

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen / GoatVsFish.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglish for new episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd of the month.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

Genkiで日本語：デートの約束、新幹線、「Thing Japan」| Nihongo To English Ep. 21

Japanese Description

『Nihongo To English』第21回では、Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen が、新幹線、Nozomi・Hikari・Kodama、「Thing Japan」、そして Genki の「デートの約束」について話します。

今回のエピソードでは：

• のぞみ・ひかり・こだま・鉄道などの日本語
• 新幹線の名前と「希望は光より速い？」という謎の名言
• Genki Lesson 3 の初心者向け日本語練習
• わかりますか、ゆっくり言ってください、もう一度言ってくださいなどの便利な表現
• Mary と Takeshi は本当にデートなのか？という真剣すぎる考察
• ホストマザー、スリッパ、そしてなぜかベクデル・テストまで登場する会話

日本語を勉強したい人、英語と日本語の間を行ったり来たりしたい人、そして「何の話？」と思いながらなぜか最後まで聞いてしまう人にぴったりのエピソードです。

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen / GoatVsFish によるバイリンガル・コメディポッドキャスト。
💌 言語や文化についての質問はこちらまで：[email protected]

📱 Instagram は @NihongoToEnglish
新エピソードは毎月 2日・12日・22日 に配信中！

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish) talk about viral Japanese meme culture, Momotaro, Japanese folktales, and funny restaurant roleplay in Episode 20 of Nihongo To English No Show.

This bilingual comedy podcast episode wanders through Michelle’s songwriting homework, her song “Nap Time by nap8sta” becoming the official song of National Napping Day, the Momotaro meme taking over Japanese social media, and a delightfully chaotic Japanese restaurant dialogue practice session. Along the way, they also talk about Japanese vocabulary, ordering food in Japan, and modern slang like kasuhara.

If you like Japanese language, Japanese culture, comedy podcasts, and learning through weird conversations, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglish for new episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd of the month.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Nihongo To English No Show 第20話では、Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen（GoatVsFish）が、桃太郎ミーム、日本の昔話、日本語でのレストラン注文、そして Michelle の曲 「Nap Time by nap8sta」 について語ります。

この日英バイリンガル・コメディポッドキャストでは、日本語学習、日本文化、日本のSNSミーム、レストランで使える日本語表現、食べ物の注文フレーズ、そしておかしな文化ギャップを楽しく紹介。桃太郎、金太郎、サバ定食、メニューの聞き方、そして kasuhara などの話題も登場します。

日本文化が好きな方、日本語を楽しく学びたい方、バイリンガル会話やコメディポッドキャストが好きな方におすすめのエピソードです。

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 言葉や文化について聞いてみたいことがあれば、[email protected]
まで
📱 Instagram @NihongoToEnglish もフォローしてください。新エピソードは毎月2日・12日・22日に配信中。

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

🎟️ Stationery Park tickets + info (May 16–17 • Santa Monica): More info

🛍️ More than 60 vendors! 🎖️ Each ticket comes with a Stamp Rally Bingo and everybody wins a surprise prize!

If you love pens, paper, stickers, stamps, notebooks, fountain pens, and ink, this bonus episode is for you.

Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish) talk about Stationery Park, a whimsical stationery festival happening May 16–17 in Santa Monica, California. Whether you’re into Japanese stationery, cute finds, fountain pens, or discovering new favorites—Stationery Park is packed with things stationery lovers will want to see.

Michael and Michelle will both be there—come hang out with us at Stationery Park!

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Email: [email protected]

📱 Instagram: @NihongoToEnglish (new episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd)

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 19 of Nihongo to English, Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki talk about tobacco festivals, sister cities, heavy metal, mosh pits, ducks, and college majors before working through more Genki Japanese practice. 

This episode includes:

• beginner Japanese practice with simple yes/no questions
• Genki vocabulary about school, majors, years in college, and belongings
• a lively detour into heavy metal festivals, mosh pits, and concert culture
• a surprisingly long discussion about whether duck in Japanese is ahiru or kamo
• side quests involving Pokémon, Animal Crossing, handkerchief games, and geese
• more chaotic bilingual conversation that somehow still helps you learn Japanese 

If you like learning Japanese while listening to two comedians wander through ducks, metal festivals, and textbook exercises, this episode is for you.

Intagram 

Email: [email protected]

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード19では、Michael Allen CPA と Michelle MaliZaki が、たばこ祭り、姉妹都市、ヘビーメタル、モッシュピット、アヒル、そして大学の専攻の話で脱線しながら、今回も Genki を使って楽しく日本語練習をしていきます。 

このエピソードの内容：

• 初級レベルの はい / いいえ で答える日本語練習
• Genki の 学校・専攻・学年・持ち物 に関する語彙
• メタルフェス やモッシュピットについてのにぎやかな脱線トーク
• 日本語で「duck」は あひる なのか かも なのかをめぐる長めの議論
• ポケモン、どうぶつの森、ハンカチ落とし、ガチョウ まで飛び出す寄り道
• 脱線しながらもなぜか日本語の勉強になる、いつものバイリンガル会話 

日本語を勉強しながら、二人のコメディアンのちょっと変で楽しい会話も楽しみたい方にぴったりのエピソードです。

メールは[email protected]までお願いします！！

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at [email protected]
🔴 Watch us live on Twitch: twitch.tv/nihongotoenglish
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

📱 Follow the show on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.
👥 Follow the hosts: Michael Allen CPA @michaelallencpa and Michelle MaliZaki @MichelleMaliZaki