Jasmine in Japan

Hi! Today, I’m sharing how you address yourself when having a conversation in Japanese. One of the fun facts in Japanese language is that we have many ways to call ourselves in conversations. 1. In business -私(watashi) It means “i” -私(watakushi) It also means “I” but extremely formal. It might sound too weird if you use it wrong. Be careful! 2. With family and friends For girls and women - your...

Rice sticking on your chopsticks? Oh this episode is for you! After listening to this episode, you can’t be embarrassed by having Japanese cuisine in front of anybody. So here are some Japanese words I used in this episode… Hands together and say - いただきます “itadakimasu” - ごちそうさま（でした） “gochisousama(deshita)” - 割り箸（わりばし） “waribashi” : wooden chopsticks - 丼（どんぶり） “domb...

I was on a one week vacation in Okinawa. I would love to share with you about this island loved by many Japanese. I’ll keep the Japanese words I used in the episode here:) - Ryukyu Kingdom: 琉球王国(Ryukyu oh-Koku) -Okinawa Sanshin: 沖縄三線 is a musical instrument used in Okinawa songs. - Shisa: シーサー is protecting houses and family and bringing happiness. - Taco rice: タコライス - Umi Budou:...

So, are you unconsciously using casual Japanese to those who you shouldn’t?? This podcast episode will solve a bit of that:) タメ語（tame-go）or タメ口（tame-guchi） →a casual way of speaking in Japanese ・タメ→same age. Ex. 「私ら、タメだね。」→”we are the same age.” ・語→language. Ex. 「日本語」→”Japanese” ・口→mouth. Usually it’s read like “kuchi.” But since the word タメ口 is combination of tw...

Japanese people tend to have a bigger personal space than others. So, if you often wonder why your Japanese friend seems bothered when you speak to them, here’s why. Learn how to keep a comfortable distance with Japanese people:)

Which person are you? 関西（Kansai） which is western/southern part of Japan or 関東（Kanto）which is eastern/northern part of Japan. Here are some Japanese we spoke in the episode -McDonald: マクドナルド. In Kanto, they say マック. In Kansai, we say マクド. -Starbucks: スターバックス. The intonation is different depending on where they are from. -USJ: ユニバ. The intonation is different depending...

Did you know Japanese students go to school by themselves from 6 years old?? In this episode, I’m sharing all about school systems in Japan! If you’re thinking about sending your children to Japanese schools, I’m covering some stuffs in here:) Kindergarten - 保育園（ho-iku-en）: long time in a day - 幼稚園（yo-chi-en）: short time in a day Elementary school 小学校（sho-gackou） - ランドセル (rando...

In Japan, we have many different seasons and events through the year. Let’s cover everything up here! Specific words I’m going to talk about - be allergic to pollen →花粉症（ka-hun-sho） - doll festival on 3/3 →ひな祭り（Hina-matsuri） - children day on 5/5→こどもの日（kodomo no hi） - rainy season→梅雨（tsuyu） - obon 8/13-15→お盆 - Momoji gari →紅葉狩り Let me know if you have any questions! I h...

In this episode, I’m talking about 気遣い -kizukai- which is one of the most important Japanese cultures!! 「気」 -Ki- means “mind” or “energy.” 「遣い」 -Tsukai- means “to use.” If you’re doing some of them already, you’re already nurturing Japanese identity in you:) Let’s see how many Kizukai you know, and implement them in your life to respect others and yourself♡

Welcome to the very first episode of my Jasmine in Japan Podcast☺️ I am your host Jasmine. I will take you to the first lesson of Japan. If you have no idea what Japan is, let me share what I know about it😉 In this very first episode, I’ll talk about 1. A bit of myself 2. What Japan is 3. What to expect when visiting Japan And more episodes about Japanese culture and things from my Japanese persp...