にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi

Minimalism is taking the world by a storm, it seems. Listen as Yumi talks about decluttering in Japanese , and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

Keyword: ミニマリスト minimarisuto - Minimalist

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-13

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

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Yumi likes to jog. In fact, she is out jogging right now as I type these words. Listen as she talks about jogging and Japan, and then take the quiz on the episode's webpage:

Keyword: ジョギング jogingu - Jogging

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-12

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

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Nihongo to Tane 11: 小鳥 kotori - Small Bird

Keyword: 小鳥 kotori - Small Bird

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-11

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

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Learning kanji tops the challenging list for  learners of Japanese. But what are the advantages of learning kanji? Listen as Yumi talks about the fun Chinese characters in Japanese.

Keyword: 漢字 kanji - Chinese Characters

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-10

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

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Japan has many, many onsen (hot spring spas) throughout the country. Listen as Yumi explains the appeal and why it an onsen may not be as enjoyable for children.

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-9

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript in your members area.

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Have you ever been to Nara in Japan? It's a beautiful place with a rich history, but what is it most famous for? The deer. 

Listen to Yumi talk about the deer of Nara.

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-8

If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript in your members area.

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What could better illustrate Japanese ingenuity than the Japanese toilet. With all its buttons and kanji, the Japanese toilet certainly is impressive. Listen to Yumi talk about the history and function of the toilet.

While not mentioned in the podcast, the Japanese actually have a long history in toilet innovation. The warlord Takeda Shingen is credited with having invented the water flush toilet. 

Keyword: 日本のトイレ nihon no toire - Japanese Toilets

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-7

She is such a きれい好き that she spoke a little fast. Try to glean as much as you can, and if you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript in your members area.

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Yumi shares an embarrassing memory of her childhood--the moment she realized her home was... not clean. From that moment on, she became きれい好き!

Keyword: きれい好き kirei zuki - love of cleanliness

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-6

She is such a きれい好き that she spoke a little fast. Try to glean as much as you can, and if you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript in your members area.