MONTH

2026年8月

Assorted appetizer platter with hors d'oeuvres

Nigiri vs Sashimi vs Sushi vs Maki: What’s the Difference?

Hello, I’m Kodak. You open a Japanese restaurant menu and see four words: sushi nigiri sashimi maki They may appear next to similar photos of fish, rice, and seaweed, so it is completely normal to wonder: Learner Are these four different foods, or are they different names for the same thing? Kodak The easiest way to understand them is this: Sushi is the large category. Nigiri and maki are two types of sushi. Sashimi is not sushi, because it is served without sushi rice. Quick answer Sushi A broad category of dishes made with seasoned vinegared rice. […]

Japanese

Person standing with arms outstretched on a mountain

What Does “Ki” Mean in Japanese? 気, Energy & Common Ki Words Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. When you study Japanese, the kanji 気 appears everywhere: 元気 (genki) healthy; energetic; well 勇気 (yūki) courage 気持ち (kimochi) feeling; emotion; sensation 気分 (kibun) mood; physical or emotional state 気をつけて (ki wo tsukete) Be careful. / Take care. 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide) Don’t worry about it. Learner I was told that ki means “energy.” But how can “energy” also mean feelings, mood, weather, courage, and “Be careful”? Kodak That is the most important question in this article. 気 does not have one fixed English translation. Its meanings are connected by the image of an invisible […]

Japanese

Kimono vs Yukata vs Haori: What Is the Difference?

Hello, I’m Kodak. When you first see Japanese traditional clothing, kimono, yukata, and haori can look confusingly similar. They all have straight lines, wide sleeves, and overlapping or open fronts. Online shops may even use the words loosely, making the difference harder to understand. Learner Is a yukata just a cheap kimono? And is a haori another kind of kimono? Kodak A yukata is a casual, lightweight type of kimono. A haori is different: it is a short outer jacket worn over a kimono or other clothing. So kimono and yukata are garments worn as the main robe, while […]

Japanese

What Does Rikishi Mean? Sumo Wrestler Ranks Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. When you first watch sumo, you may hear commentators call a wrestler a rikishi. Learner Does rikishi mean “sumo wrestler,” or is it the name of a particular rank? Kodak Rikishi (力士) is the standard Japanese word for a professional sumo wrestler. It is not one specific rank. A beginner in the lowest division and a yokozuna at the top can both be called rikishi. Quick answer Rikishi (力士) means a sumo wrestler, especially a wrestler in professional sumo. The word literally suggests a “person of strength.” Professional rikishi are arranged into six divisions: makuuchi, […]

Japanese

Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms

Sumo Vocabulary: 60+ Sumo Terms and Wrestling Words Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. You start watching sumo and immediately hear unfamiliar words: rikishi banzuke dohyō mawashi tachi-ai hakkiyoi nokotta yorikiri Learner Do I need to memorize hundreds of Japanese words before I can enjoy a sumo match? Kodak No! Start with about 20 core words. Once those are familiar, you can understand the ranking chart, follow a bout, and recognize what the officials are doing. The rest can be added naturally as you watch more sumo. Quick answer The most important beginner sumo terms are: sumō — the sport rikishi — professional sumo wrestler shikona — wrestler’s […]

Japanese

Person looking thoughtful with question marks

What Does “Ki ni Shinaide” Mean in Japanese? 気にしない, Don’t Worry & Usage

Hello, I’m Kodak. You apologize for a small mistake, and your Japanese friend replies: 気にしないで。 Ki ni shinaide. Learner Does that mean “Don’t worry”, “Don’t mind it”, or “I don’t care”? And what is the difference between 気にしないで and 気にしない? Kodak The most natural translation is often: “Don’t worry about it.” It tells the listener not to keep a small problem, mistake, comment, or other person’s opinion in their mind. Quick answer 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide) ⇒ Don’t worry about it. ⇒ Don’t let it bother you. ⇒ Don’t mind it. ⇒ Think nothing of it. 気にしない […]

Japanese

What Does Hakkeyoi Nokotta Mean? What Does a Sumo Referee Say?

Hello, I’m Kodak. Even if you do not know much about sumo, you may recognize its most famous call: はっきよい、のこった、のこった！ Hakkiyoi, nokotta, nokotta! Learner Does that mean “Ready, set, go”? Kodak That is a common guess—but not quite. Hakkiyoi encourages the wrestlers to act with energy, while nokotta tells them that the match is still alive and undecided. The two calls are used at different moments. Quick answer はっきよい (hakkiyoi) An encouraging call meaning roughly “Put your spirit into it!” or “Come on, keep fighting!” It may be used before the tachi-ai or when the wrestlers’ movement […]