Catching a cold isn't fun, but it gave Yumi a chance to think about what's important. Too often we only appreciate the good things in life when they are gone.

KEY VOCABULARY:

無(な)くすとわかる understand (something) if (you) lose it

大切(たいせつ)なもの something important

前回(ぜんかい) last time

夢(ゆめ)が叶(かな)った dream came true

風邪(かぜ)をひきました caught a cold

健康(けんこう)の大切(たいせつ)さ importance of good health

当たり前(まえ) obvious; to be expected

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-71

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-71-m

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What is happiness? It may sound like Yumi is waxing philosophical in today's episode, but she actually gives a rather concrete definition. What do you think? When are you the happiest?

KEY VOCABULARY:

幸(しあわ)せ happiness

定義(ていぎ) definition

状態(じょうたい) condition; state; situation; circumstance

実現(じつげん) actualization; realization

コツコツと steadily; laboriously

節約(せつやく) economizing; cutting back

貯金(ちょきん) saving money; putting money aside

夢(ゆめ)が叶(かな)った dream came true

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-70

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-70-m

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Yumi went to the movies for the first time in a long time. This event made her think about how different cultures react to stimuli. This leads to a discussion on 我慢 (gaman, perseverance, endurance, bearing something) which is a very Japanese thing to do.

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-69

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-69-m

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Yumi thinks back on her New Year's resolution (新年の抱負 shinnen no houfu) from last year. She kept at it admirably… for exactly one day. This year, she shares advice she heard that might make keeping resolutions better. Just keep moving forward. One step at a time. One kanji or vocabulary word at a time.

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-68

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-68-m

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あけましておめでとうございます! Yumi wanted to give a short New Year's message instead of her normal, longer talks.

We deeply appreciate every one of our listeners. 日本語(にほんご)の種(たね)を今年(ことし)もどうぞよろしくお願(ねが)い申(もう)し上(あ)げます。Please continue listening this year also.

Listen to the podcast and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-67  

あけましておめでとうございます Happy New Year!

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-67

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-67-m

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www.MakotoPlus.com

Party! Party! Recently, Yumi has gone to many parties. One party after another. In the US, many people hold parties and get-togethers at their house. In Japan, restaurants and karaoke boxes are more common.

Listen to the podcast and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-66    

パーティーパーティー Party! Party!

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-66

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-66-m

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www.MakotoPlus.com

America is called the melting pot. You can met people from all sorts of places and experience many different cultures. Yumi thinks on her experiences and how they are similar or dissimilar to Japanese culture.

Listen to the podcast and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-65   

文化の違い Cultural Differences

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-65

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-65-m

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Recently, Yumi took her family to see Atlanta's large aquarium. While normally very ケチ (cheap), on vacation, she enjoys spending money. Listen as she talks about her trip and future plans for traveling.

Listen to the podcast and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-64  

水族館 Aquarium

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-64

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-64-m

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Yumi went to that mystery dinner she mentioned a few episodes ago. Her part was a geisha and she went wearing a kimono.

Listen to the podcast and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-63

着物その② Kimono Part 2

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-63

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-63-m

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What to do with wrinkled apples that no one wants to eat? Make dessert with it! Yumi didn't want to throw out the old apples so she searched for an easy but delicious recipe for apple pie. Which country has the easiest recipes do you think?

Listen to the podcast and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-62

アップルパイ Apple Pie

For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/

Take a quiz on this episode here:

https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-62

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:

https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-62-m

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Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.

www.MakotoPlus.com