YAHHO! First Japanese with Kimi

How do you say “VERY” in Japanese?

If you learned totemo for “very,” that’s correct — but in real Japanese, you’ll hear many other expressions too!

In this episode, we look at:

totemo = very
tottemo = very / really
sugoku = very / really
hontou ni / honto ni = really
meccha = really / super / very casual

We also talk about the difference between sugoku and sugoi, and one common mistake learners sometimes make with meccha + polite endings like desu.

The goal isn’t to memorize a lot of rules. Just recognize these expressions as words that make something stronger. Once you know that, you’ll start noticing them everywhere in Japanese!

If you enjoy YAHHO! First Japanese with Kimi, please follow the podcast and leave me an encouraging comment. It really helps motivate me to keep making episodes! 💛

I’m also preparing a new podcast for intermediate Japanese learners. It will be Japanese only, so please look forward to it!

I also teach private Japanese lessons on italki:
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

#LearnJapanese #JapanesePodcast #JapaneseForBeginners #JapaneseListening #StudyJapanese #JLPT #JapaneseLanguage #YAHHOJapanese

How do you say “Good luck!” or “Do your best!” in Japanese? 🇯🇵

In today’s episode, we’re learning how Japanese people encourage and support others using the word ganbaru.

You’ll learn how to use:

✨ Ganbatte ne. — Good luck! / Do your best!
✨ Ganbatte kudasai. — Good luck! / Do your best!
✨ Ouen shiteimasu. — I’m cheering for you.
✨ Ganbare! — Go! / Come on!
✨ Ganbatta ne. — You did well! / You worked hard!
✨ Ganbarimasu. — I’ll do my best!

We’ll look at how these expressions change depending on the situation — talking to a friend, cheering at a sports event, encouraging someone after they worked hard, or talking about your own plans.

The key is to learn the situation and phrase together, rather than memorizing every expression separately.

Listen and imagine each situation, and you’ll start to recognize these expressions naturally when you hear Japanese!

🌸 Want to practice Japanese with me one-on-one?

I also offer private Japanese lessons on italki.

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

⁠My italki Japanese lessons

Thanks so much for listening, and let’s keep learning Japanese together!

#LearnJapanese #JapaneseLearning #JapanesePhrases #JapanesePodcast #BeginnerJapanese #JapaneseConversation #StudyJapanese #JapaneseLanguage #Ganbare #Ganbatte

What do you say in Japanese when someone is sick, injured, or not feeling well? 🇯🇵

In today’s episode, we’re learning useful and natural Japanese phrases to say when someone isn’t feeling well.

Sometimes, a friend might have a cold, feel sick, get injured, or have to cancel plans because they’re not feeling well.

What should you say?

In this episode, we’ll practice useful phrases for different situations, including:

✨ Daijoubu desu ka? — Are you okay?
✨ Odaiji ni shite kudasai. — Take care.
✨ Muri shinai de ne. — Don’t overdo it.
✨ Hayaku yoku naru to ii desu ne. — I hope you get better soon.
✨ Genki ni nattara, mata asobimashou. — Let’s hang out again when you feel better.
✨ Nanika tetsudaeru koto ga areba, itte kudasai. — Please let me know if there’s anything I can help with.

The key is to connect the situation and the phrase together.

That way, when someone tells you they’re sick or injured, you won’t have to stop and think, “What should I say in Japanese?”

You’ll have a useful phrase ready!

🌸 Want to practice Japanese with me one-on-one?

I also offer private Japanese lessons on italki!

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

⁠My italki Japanese lessons

#LearnJapanese #JapaneseLearning #JapanesePhrases #JapanesePodcast #JapaneseConversation #BeginnerJapanese #StudyJapanese #JapaneseLanguage #GetWellSoon

When do you say “omedetou” in Japanese? 🇯🇵

In today’s episode, we’re learning useful Japanese phrases for celebrations and congratulations!

We’ll practice natural phrases for different situations, including birthdays, entering a new school, graduation, passing an exam, getting married, having a baby, and New Year.

In Japanese, we often use:

[situation] + omedetou

But we don’t use omedetou for every special occasion!

For example, on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, we usually say:

Itsumo arigatou.

Instead of trying to translate everything directly from English, try connecting the situation and the phrase together.

For example:

Birthday → Otanjoubi omedetou!
Graduation → Sotsugyou omedetou!
Passing an exam → Goukaku omedetou!

Learning phrases together with the situation can help you remember what to say when you actually need it!

🌸 Want to practice Japanese in more detail?

I also offer private Japanese lessons on italki!

⁠Book a private Japanese lesson with me on italki

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

#LearnJapanese #JapaneseLearning #JapanesePhrases #JapaneseCulture #JapanesePodcast #BeginnerJapanese #Omedetou #StudyJapanese

Can you understand Japanese without translating every single word? 🇯🇵

In today’s Japanese Challenge, I speak in simple Japanese at a natural speed.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything!

Try to listen for the words you already know and use them to guess the meaning and context.

Then, we’ll go through the story again, one sentence at a time, in Japanese and English.

If you can understand some key words and roughly understand what is happening, that’s already a great success!

Try listening a few times and see how much more you can understand each time.

And remember — as I always say, try to learn Japanese in chunks, not just one word at a time!

🌸 Want to practice Japanese with me one-on-one?

I also offer private Japanese lessons on italki!

⁠Book a lesson with me on italki

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

#JapaneseLearning #LearnJapanese #JapaneseChallenge #ComprehensibleInput #JapaneseListening #BeginnerJapanese #JapanesePodcast #StudyJapanese

Today, we’re talking about self-service gas stations in Japan! 🚗⛽

In the previous episodes, we talked about full-service gas stations and practiced some useful Japanese phrases.

But what about self-service gas stations?

At a self-service gas station in Japan, you usually choose the type of fuel, select how much you want, and fill up your car yourself.

In this episode, I explain the basic system and what you can expect when using a self-service gas station in Japan.

We also practice a simple conversation for a gas station where you fill up your car first and then go inside to pay.

As you listen, try to imagine that you are actually there!

You can also search for “Japanese self-service gas station” and look at some pictures while or after listening. Seeing the gas pumps and screens can help you visualize the situation and understand the episode even better.

セルフ — Self-service

レギュラー — Regular gasoline

ハイオク — High-octane / Premium gasoline

軽油（けいゆ） — Diesel

Make sure you know which type of fuel your car needs before you use a self-service gas station!

You don’t need to understand every Japanese word on the screen. Just knowing セルフ and the name of the fuel your car uses can make the experience much easier.

I also teach private Japanese lessons on italki!

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

⁠Book a private Japanese lesson with me on italki

I’d love to help you practice Japanese one-on-one!

#Japanese #LearnJapanese #JapaneseForTravel #JapanTravel #JapaneseConversation #JapaneseListening #GasStationJapanese #SelfService #DrivingInJapan #TravelJapanese

⛽ Useful Japanese words🌸 Want to practice Japanese with me?

Practice useful Japanese phrases for visiting a full-service gas station in Japan!

In Episode 101, we learned practical Japanese for ordering gas, choosing how much you want, paying, and answering questions about point cards.

This is the practice episode for Episode 101!

In Round 1, repeat the phrases after me and practice them several times.

In Round 2, you’ll practice using the phrases in different situations.

Try to imagine that you’re actually sitting in your car at a gas station in Japan. 🚗⛽

Regular, full tank, please.
Regular, mantan de onegaishimasu.

Regular, 5,000 yen worth, please.
Regular, gosen en bun onegaishimasu.

By card.
Kaado de.

By cash.
Genkin de.

Do you have a point card?
Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?

I don’t have one.
Motte nai desu.

🎧 Episode 101 explains these phrases and the difference between full-service and self-service gas stations, so I recommend listening to that episode first!

💬 Which Japanese situations would you like to practice next? Let me know in the comments!

I also teach private Japanese lessons on italki!

⁠Book a private lesson with me on italki

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

#Japanese #LearnJapanese #JapanesePractice #JapaneseListening #JapaneseForTravel #JapaneseConversation #GasStationJapanese #JapanTravel #JapaneseLanguage #YahhoKimiDesu

Useful phrases in this episode:🌸 Want to practice Japanese with me?

Welcome to Episode 101! 🚗⛽️In this episode, we practice real, natural Japanese conversation at a Full-service gas station!

No textbooks, just super practical phrases you can actually use in Japan. Imagine the scene and practice along with me!

Practice Japanese 1-on-1 with Kimi 】

Want to practice real Japanese conversation with me?I offer private 1-on-1 lessons on italki!Book a lesson with me here:👉 https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

#JapaneseLanguage #LearnJapanese #JapanesePodcast #JapanesePhrases #UsefulJapanese #PracticalJapanese #JapaneseForBeginners #YAFO #StudyJapanese #italki

Episode 100! 🎉

Thank you so much for listening!

Today, I’m talking about language learning and why I believe there is no single perfect way to learn a language.

I’m also sharing a new language-learning challenge that I’m starting myself… 👀🇪🇸

Let’s find what works for us and enjoy the journey together!

じゃあね！

“Shumi wa nan desu ka?” — “What are your hobbies?”

This is perfectly correct Japanese. But did you know that it can sometimes sound a little formal — and even a little like something you might ask at a marriage meeting? 😄

In everyday conversation, Japanese people often ask something more specific, such as:

Oyasumi no hi wa fudan nani o shimasu ka?
“What do you usually do on your days off?”

Then you can answer:

Yasumi no hi wa, yoku cycling o shimasu.
“I often go cycling on my days off.”

Tomodachi to eiga o mimasu.
“I watch movies with my friends.”

Kazoku ni ai ni ikimasu.
“I go to see my family.”

In this short episode, we’ll look at a more natural and conversational way to talk about hobbies and what you do in your free time.

And if you’re interested in private Japanese lessons, I also teach on italki:

⁠My italki teacher page

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545?lv=1

#learnjapanese #japanese #studyjapanese #japaneselanguage #nihongo #japaneseconversation #japanesevocabulary #japaneselessons #japaneselistening #freetime