MONTH

2026年7月

Ohayou Gozaimasu Meaning: Ohayou vs Ohayou Gozaimasu Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you have started learning Japanese, you have probably seen both おはよう (ohayou) and おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) translated as “good morning.” Learner If they both mean “good morning,” why are there two versions? Which one should I use? Kodak Here is the beginner-friendly answer: おはよう is casual. おはようございます is polite. Use おはよう with people you are close to, and use おはようございます when politeness is appropriate. Quick answer おはよう (ohayou) Good morning. ⇒ Casual: family, close friends, children, and people with whom you have an informal relationship おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) Good morning. ⇒ Polite: teachers, supervisors, […]

Japanese

Moshi Moshi Meaning in Japanese: Why Do Japanese Say もしもし?

Hello, I’m Kodak. もしもし (moshi moshi) is one of the first Japanese expressions many learners hear in anime, movies, or telephone conversations. Learner I know moshi moshi means “hello,” so can I say it whenever I meet someone? Kodak That is the most important point to understand: もしもし is mainly “hello” on the phone—not a general face-to-face greeting. Quick answer もしもし (moshi moshi) is an interjection used to: ① begin a personal telephone conversation ② check whether the other person can still hear you ③ call for someone’s attention, similar to “hello?” or “excuse me” It comes from […]

Japanese

Japanese Phrases for Eating: What to Say Before, During & After a Meal

Hello, I’m Kodak. Imagine that you are having dinner with a Japanese family for the first time. The food arrives, everyone pauses, and you suddenly wonder: Learner What am I supposed to say before eating? How do I tell the cook the food is delicious? And what should I say when I finish? Kodak You only need three phrases to complete your first Japanese meal successfully: いただきます — before eating おいしいです — while eating ごちそうさまでした — after eating Quick answer: What do Japanese people say before and after eating? Before eating: いただきます Itadakimasu. “I gratefully receive this meal.” […]

Japanese

Onaka Suita Meaning: How to Say “I’m Hungry” in Japanese + Harapeko Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. You are walking past a ramen shop, you smell the soup, and your stomach suddenly feels empty. In casual Japanese, you can simply say: お腹すいた！ Onaka suita! I’m hungry! Learner My textbook taught me お腹がすきました. Why do Japanese people say お腹すいた instead? Kodak Because everyday Japanese often becomes shorter. お腹がすいた is the complete casual form, and speakers commonly omit the particle が: お腹がすいた → お腹すいた Quick answer お腹すいた (onaka suita) means “I’m hungry.” The fuller form is お腹がすいた (onaka ga suita), literally expressing that the stomach has become empty. 腹ぺこ (harapeko) means “very hungry,” […]

Japanese

Oishii Meaning in Japanese: Oishii vs Umai, Pronunciation & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. You take your first bite of ramen, sushi, curry, or homemade food, and you want to say: おいしい！ Oishii! Delicious! / This is good! Learner I also hear anime characters say うまい！ (umai!). Do おいしい and うまい mean exactly the same thing? Kodak Both can mean that food tastes good, but their tone is different. おいしい is the safe, standard, and polite-friendly choice. うまい sounds more casual, direct, and energetic—closer to “This is really good!” or “Tasty!” Quick answer おいしい (oishii) means “delicious,” “tasty,” or simply “good” when talking about food or drink. おいしい […]

Japanese

Gochisousama Deshita Meaning & Pronunciation: What to Say After Eating in Japan

Hello, I’m Kodak. Many Japanese learners quickly learn that people say いただきます (itadakimasu) before eating. But what should you say when the meal is finished? ごちそうさまでした！ Gochisōsama deshita! Learner I know it means something like “Thank you for the meal,” but it is such a long phrase. What does each part actually mean? Kodak The key is the old word 馳走 (chisō). It originally referred to running around and making arrangements for a guest. That image developed into hospitality, a treat, or a feast. So ごちそうさまでした thanks people for all the effort behind the completed meal. Quick […]

Japanese

Itadakimasu Meaning in English: Translation, Origin, Usage & Meme Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you watch anime, visit a Japanese restaurant, or eat with a Japanese family, you may hear people put their hands together and say: いただきます！ Itadakimasu! Learner I see subtitles translate it as “Let’s eat!”, “Thanks for the food,” or even “Bon appétit.” Which translation is correct? Kodak All of those translations can fit the situation, but none is an exact word-for-word match. The literal core is “I humbly receive.” Before a meal, it expresses gratitude for the food, the lives and natural resources behind it, and the people who helped bring the meal to […]

Japanese

19 Untranslatable Japanese Words with Beautiful, Deep Meanings

Hello, I’m Kodak. Japanese is often said to contain words that “cannot be translated” into English. You may have seen examples such as: 懐かしい (natsukashii) 木漏れ日 (komorebi) もったいない (mottainai) 侘び寂び (wabi-sabi) 生きがい (ikigai) Learner Are these words really impossible to translate? Kodak Not exactly. Their meanings can be explained in English, but English may need a phrase, a different expression in each context, or additional cultural background. “Untranslatable” usually does not mean: “No English speaker can understand this idea.” It usually means: “There is no single everyday English word that matches every part of the Japanese word’s […]

Japanese

What Does Mottainai Mean? The Japanese Culture of もったいない Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. You leave food on your plate, throw away a notebook with many blank pages, or stop using a skill you worked hard to develop. A Japanese speaker may say: もったいない！ Mottainai! Learner Does mottainai simply mean “wasteful”? Kodak “Wasteful” is the most common translation, but もったいない often expresses something more personal: “This still has value, so it is a shame not to use, appreciate, or make the most of it.” Quick answer Mottainai (もったいない／勿体ない) expresses regret that something valuable, useful, talented, or generous is being wasted or not fully appreciated. Natural English translations include: […]

Japanese

What Does Mendokusai Mean in Japanese? 面倒くさい Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. You have homework to finish, several forms to complete, and messages waiting for a reply. You look at everything and think: めんどくさい……。 Mendokusai… Learner Does mendokusai mean “annoying,” “difficult,” “lazy,” or “I don’t want to do it”? Kodak It can be translated in several ways. The core feeling is: “This requires more time, effort, attention, or emotional energy than I want to give it.” Quick answer Mendokusai (面倒くさい／めんどくさい) means that something feels troublesome, bothersome, tedious, complicated, or like too much effort. Natural English translations include: ・What a hassle. ・That’s too much trouble. ・I can’t […]