Learn Japanese your way with a TakeLessons expert

When you're learning Japanese, it's important to understand how to conjugate verbs in Japanese. Here are some great tips from Ann Arbor, MI teacher Elaina R. to help you understand Japanese verb conjugation.... Now that you're familiar with Japanese kana (if you're not, check out this article) and a few essential phrases, you're ready to learn about Japanese verb conjugation. In this article we will cover the basics—just the infinitive and present (formal and informal) forms. These con

When learning to speak Japanese, you’ll come across suffixes used to address people called “honorifics.” Japanese honorifics are an important way to convey respect, formality, and friendship to those you interact with. Both formal and informal honorifics are common in Japanese, which is why every speaker needs to get the basic suffixes down. To an English speaker, the concept of honorifics may seem new, but the fact is, we already use terms, such as Miss, Mr., and Dr. as prefixes. But

  Japanese language videos can be great for students. They can help with learning the language and with pronunciation. In addition, they can be entertaining and informative. There are many different Japanese language videos available online.  Here are seven of the best ones! What is the Best Channel to Learn Japanese? There are a number of different ways to learn Japanese, and it can be tough to decide which method is right for you. Here are some of the most popular options:

Giving gifts and honoring parents aren't just Korean wedding traditions - they're also important components of Japanese weddings. In this article, you'll learn about the unique traditions and rituals associated with Japanese weddings... When you think of weddings, what comes to mind? A priest, a bride in white, and a groom in a tuxedo? While this may be the case in some cultures, there are many traditions that vary around the world.  Today we're taking a look at five Japanese weddin

When you're taking Japanese lessons, you will be introduced to the three different writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Although kanji is generally considered the most difficult to learn, because of the symbols, it's the most popular writing system among non-Japanese speakers. Kanji consists of thousands of characters which were derived from the Chinese writing system. Because of the way they look, and the fact that they can convey a meaningful message in a limited amount of ch

Every culture has its own set of perks, quirks, and interesting facts, and Japan is no exception. So whether you're planning a trip, taking language lessons, or you just want to learn some facts about Japan, check out this fun, interactive slideshow. From facts about food to the lifestyle and the land, here are 45 things you probably didn't know about Japan.     Now that you've learned some interesting facts about Japan, is there anything you found shocking or s

Learning how to describe your family in Japanese is an essential part of expanding your vocabulary and improving your conversational skills. When it comes to family, the Japanese language is more precise than English because it accounts for relative age. There are also alternate terms to address a member of another person's family, versus your own. Are you ready to continue learning how to speak Japanese with these necessary vocabulary words for family? If so, you've come to the right p

What Are Japanese Onomatopoeia? An onomatopoeia is a word where meaning is derived from a sound, or when a word sounds like how it looks. In English, we have onomatopoeias like "cock-a-doodle-doo" for the sound a rooster makes, or "crunch" for the act of crushing things. Onomatopoeias are quite common in many, if not all languages. We tend to notice them most in comics as sound effects: zippers "zip" and light switches "click." They're fun to say and they certainly aren't hard to learn.

Ready to go back to school? As you and your family prepare for the upcoming school year, continue your Japanese lessons and learn back-to-school vocabulary with language teacher Carol Beth L...  As the school year starts, it's time brush up on your vocabulary to talk about school supplies! Here are some Japanese vocabulary words that may prove useful as you head back to class. 1) Empitsu - Pencil Hiragana: えんぴつ Kanji: 鉛筆 Because you'll definitely need a pencil when yo

Do you want to learn Japanese but don't know where to start? There are many different ways to learn the language, and it can be tough to know which option is best for you. One of the best ways to learn is with an app. There are many different apps available, so how do you know which one of the many Japanese learning apps is right for you?  The best Japanese learning apps are fun, easy to use, and help you practice what you're learning in your Japanese lessons. Whether you're looking to impr