MONTH

2026年7月

Japanese Counters Explained: Counter Words List with Hon, Mai, and Ko

Hello, I’m Kodak. You already know that san means “three.” But “three pencils,” “three sheets of paper,” and “three apples” are: 鉛筆三本 (enpitsu sanbon) three pencils 紙三枚 (kami sanmai) three sheets of paper りんご三個 (ringo sanko) three apples Learner Why does Japanese need a different word after the number for every kind of object? Kodak Those words are called counters or 助数詞 (josūshi). A counter tells the listener what kind, shape, or category of thing you are counting. Quick answer Japanese quantities are commonly formed as: number + counter 個 (ko) counts many small or individual objects. […]

Japanese

Hitotsu, Futatsu Counting: How to Use the Japanese -Tsu Counter

Hello, I’m Kodak. You may already know the basic Japanese numbers: ichi — one ni — two san — three But when someone orders food, you hear: ハンバーガーを一つ、コーヒーを二つください。 Hanbāgā o hitotsu, kōhī o futatsu kudasai. One hamburger and two coffees, please. Learner Why did ichi become hitotsu, and why did ni become futatsu? Kodak Because Japanese has more than one number system. Ichi, ni, san belong to the Sino-Japanese system, while hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu belong to the native Japanese system. Quick answer Hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu… are native Japanese number words used to count general things from one […]

Japanese

Nana vs Shichi: How Do You Say 7 in Japanese?

Hello, I’m Kodak. You learn that the Japanese word for seven is nana. Then you see shichi in words such as shichigatsu and shichiji. Learner Does Japanese have two different words for the number 7? Kodak Yes! The kanji 七 can be read as both nana and shichi. They both mean seven, but the natural reading changes depending on the word or counter that follows. Quick answer 七 (nana / shichi) means “seven.” Use nana as the safest default for ordinary counting, large numbers, ages, and many counters. Use shichi in fixed expressions such as 七月 (shichigatsu: July), […]

Japanese

Yon vs Shi: Why Is 4 Unlucky in Japan? Does Shi Mean Death?

Hello, I’m Kodak. You learn that the Japanese word for four is yon. Then a textbook, anime character, or dictionary suddenly calls it shi. Learner Wait—does Japanese have two different words for the number 4? Kodak Yes! The kanji 四 can be read as both yon and shi. They both mean four, but they are not freely interchangeable in every expression. Quick answer 四 (yon / shi) means “four.” Yon is the safest reading for ordinary counting and most counters. Shi survives in fixed words such as 四月 (shigatsu: April) and 四季 (shiki: the four seasons). The reading […]

Japanese

Japanese Yokai Guide: Types of Yōkai and Japanese Mythical Creatures

Hello, I’m Kodak. Japanese folklore is filled with horned giants, transforming foxes, birdlike mountain beings, river creatures, snow women, living umbrellas, haunted lanterns, mysterious lights, and invisible walls. English websites often group all of them together as: Japanese monsters Japanese demons Japanese spirits Japanese mythical creatures yokai Learner Are all Japanese mythical creatures called yokai? Kodak Not exactly. Yokai is a broad Japanese category for uncanny supernatural beings and phenomena, but Japanese folklore also includes ghosts, kami, legendary animals, dragons, devils, and other beings that may be described separately. Quick answer A yokai may look like a […]

Japanese

Tengu Meaning: Japanese Folklore, Long-Nosed Masks & “Tengu ni Naru”

Hello, I’m Kodak. A red face, an extremely long nose, a feather fan, wings, and the clothing of a mountain ascetic—this is the image many people associate with a Japanese tengu. English descriptions may call a tengu a: goblin demon bird spirit mountain spirit yokai Learner Which translation is correct? Is a tengu a demon, a bird, or a man with a long nose? Kodak All of those descriptions reflect part of the tradition, but none tells the whole story. A tengu is a supernatural mountain being in Japanese folklore, closely associated with flight, magical power, birds, yamabushi, […]

Japanese

Kitsune Meaning in Japanese: Fox Spirits, Food, Tattoos & Folklore

Hello, I’m Kodak. The Japanese word kitsune appears in folklore, anime, shrine imagery, restaurant menus, masks, and tattoos. Depending on the context, it may refer to: an ordinary fox a supernatural fox or shapeshifter a messenger associated with Inari fried tofu on noodles a fox mask or tattoo symbol Learner How can one word mean a fox spirit, a bowl of noodles, and a tattoo design? Kodak The basic meaning is simple: 狐 (kitsune) means “fox.” The other meanings developed from the fox’s important place in Japanese folklore, food culture, religion, and popular art. Quick answer Kitsune […]

Japanese

Samurai Vocabulary: 60 Japanese Warrior Terms Explained for Beginners

Hello, I’m Kodak. Japanese history, anime, games, and samurai movies use many words that English translations leave unexplained. You may recognize samurai, shogun, daimyo, bushido, ronin, katana, and seppuku—but how do these terms fit together? Learner I thought a samurai was simply a swordsman who followed bushido and served a shogun. Is that basically correct? Kodak It is a useful starting image, but it mixes together different periods, ranks, institutions, weapons, and later ideals. A samurai was part of a changing warrior society. Some fought on horseback with bows, some commanded domains, some worked as administrators, and some became […]

Japanese

Oni Meaning: Japanese Demons, Oni Masks, Folklore & Anime Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you have watched Japanese anime, visited a Setsubun event, or seen a red horned mask, you have probably encountered an oni. English translations may call an oni a: demon ogre devil monster Learner Which translation is correct? Is an oni the Japanese version of a demon? Kodak “Demon” and “ogre” are both useful translations, but an oni belongs to Japanese folklore and does not perfectly match either English category. The safest explanation is: An oni is a powerful, frightening supernatural being in Japanese folklore, often shown with horns, fangs, great strength, and a club. […]

Japanese

Yokai Meaning: Types of Yōkai and Their Role in Japanese Anime

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you watch Japanese anime or play Japanese games, you may see the word yokai translated in several different ways: monster spirit demon ghost supernatural creature Learner So…which translation is correct? Does yokai mean a demon, a ghost, or a monster? Kodak All of those translations can be useful in a particular story, but none of them covers the entire meaning. Yokai is a broad Japanese word for strange or supernatural beings and phenomena found in folklore. Quick answer 妖怪 (yōkai) is an umbrella term for mysterious, supernatural, or uncanny beings and phenomena in […]