NIHONGO CANDY: Learn Japanese for Beginners & JLPT N5-N3

Want to ask a friend or coworker how their trip was — and share your own travel stories in Japanese? Learn the essential Japanese vocabulary for asking about and talking about a recent trip — including どうだった (do datta / how was it?), 一番 (ichiban / the most, number one), 最高 (saiko / the best, amazing), 景色 (keshiki / scenery, view), 感動する (kando suru / to be moved, touched), and おすす...

Need to explain sales figures, trends, or data in a Japanese meeting or presentation? Learn the essential Japanese vocabulary for describing how numbers change — including 上がる (agaru / to go up), 下がる (sagaru / to go down), 増える (fueru / to increase), 減る (heru / to decrease), 横ばい (yokobai / flat, unchanged), 大きく (ookiku / greatly), わずかに (wazuka ni / slightly), and ほぼ (hobo / a...

Want to sell your used clothes, books, or electronics in Japan? Learn the essential Japanese vocabulary for selling secondhand items on flea market apps like Mercari (メルカリ) — including 出品する (shuppin suru / to list an item), 状態 (joutai / condition), and 送料込み (souryou komi / shipping included) — so you can confidently list and sell your things online. 🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE 💻...

Confused about Japanese verb pairs like 開く / 開ける (aku / akeru)? Learn how to use 自動詞 (jidoushi / intransitive verbs) and 他動詞 (tadoushi / transitive verbs) correctly — including the particles が and を — so your Japanese sounds natural in everyday conversation and at work. 🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE💻Systematic Learning (Self-Study)🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive dis...

Learn how to use 「念のため」(nen no tame / just in case) to confirm plans and stay on the safe side — naturally, in both casual and professional Japanese. 🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE💻Systematic Learning (Self-Study)🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below: https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=JUNE26_NIHONGOCANDY...

Want to say "this book is worth reading" or "it's worth trying" in Japanese? The phrase 「価値がある」(kachi ga aru / kachigaaru / to be worth it) is essential for giving recommendations, evaluating experiences, and talking about life choices. In this episode, master its two key patterns (Noun + に価値がある / Verb + 価値がある), learn high-frequency collocations like 価値...

Want to say "companies compete in price wars" or "compete with yesterday's self" in Japanese? The verb 「競争する」(kyōsō suru / kyousou suru / to compete) is essential for business, sports, and personal growth conversations. In this episode, master its meaning, key collocations like 競争相手 (kyōsō aite / rival) and 競争力 (kyōsō ryoku / competitiveness), and hear it used...

Want to say "his excuses are childish" or "I've been forgetful lately" in Japanese? Mastering the suffix "-ppoi" (っぽい) is essential for expressing that something has a certain quality, appearance, or a strong tendency to happen. A common hurdle for learners is knowing exactly how to attach it to different types of words. In this quick reflex training, we will p...

Want to say "I left the AC on" or "Please leave it exactly as it is" in Japanese? Mastering the word "mama" (まま) is essential for describing situations where a state or condition remains unchanged. A common hurdle for learners is mastering the connection rules, which change depending on whether you are using a verb, noun, or adjective. In this quick reflex training,...

Want to say "I only have..." or "I have no choice but to..." in Japanese? Mastering the particle "shika" (しか) is essential for expressing limitations and decisions in natural business and daily conversations. A common hurdle for learners is remembering the golden rule: "shika" must always be followed by a negative verb , even though it translates to "...

Want to say "as expected" or "on schedule" in Japanese? Mastering the "~tōri" and "~dōri" pattern is essential for natural business and daily conversations. A common hurdle for learners is knowing when to use the voiced " dōri " (like yotei-dōri ) versus the unvoiced " tōri " (like itta tōri ). In this quick reflex training, we will practice 10 highly practical phrases to help you instinctively ch...

Do you say "Mada kaimasen deshita" to mean "I haven't bought it yet"? This is one of the most common mistakes Japanese learners make! In English, "not yet" is often associated with the past, leading many to use the Japanese simple past tense ("masen deshita"). However, in Japanese, if an action hasn't happened yet but is expected to happen, it is con...

In Japanese conversations, being too direct can sometimes sound harsh. That’s where "~mitai desu" (みたいです) comes in. Meaning "It seems..." or "It looks like...", this grammar point is an incredibly useful tool to convey situations or observations naturally without sounding overly assertive. In this episode, we will focus on using "~mitai desu" with both...

Do you know how to naturally talk about your hometown and family in Japanese? Mastering small talk is the perfect way to break the ice! When talking about family in Japanese, the key is to understand the tricky difference between talking about your own family (ウチ - uchi) and asking about someone else's (ソト - soto). For example, "my father" is ちち ( chichi ), but "someone's father" is おとうさ...

Do you know exactly what to say when you are running late in Japan? Punctuality is strictly observed in Japanese business culture, but unexpected delays happen to everyone! When you realize you won't make it on time, the key is to immediately communicate your current status, your ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), and apologize appropriately. In this episode, we will practice: Reporting status:...

Do you overuse "〜どうか" (douka) when saying "I don't know" in embedded Japanese sentences? The rule for expressing uncertainty is actually simple: Yes/No questions: Use "〜かどうか" (e.g., かれが　それを　すきかどうか　わかりません) Wh-questions (who, what, when, etc.): Just attach "か" (e.g., いつ　くにに　かえるか　わかりません). Using "どうか&q...

Want to sound more natural and less like a textbook? Native speakers constantly shorten words in fast, casual speech. In this episode, we unlock the secret to two of the most common contractions you’ll hear in Japan: "〜とく (toku)" and "〜といて (toite)". These handy phrases come from "〜ておく (te oku)", which means to do something in advance for future convenience...

Don't struggle alone! Navigating life in Japan gets so much easier when you know exactly how to ask for support. In this episode, we master two essential communication tools: the polite and soft request "〜てもらえますか (temoraemasuka)" , and the magic of "〜んですが (ndesu ga)" . In Japanese culture, simply explaining your situation (e.g., "I've lost something&qu...

Stop just "thinking" and start speaking! In this episode, we master the most versatile Japanese phrase: "〜と思います (to omoimasu)." Whether you’re expressing a firm belief ( I believe ), a professional evaluation ( I find ), or a simple prediction ( I guess ), this one phrase does it all. We’ll train your "reflexes" with 10 essential sentences designed for business...

Master the essential Japanese "reflexes" you need to navigate a first date from a dating app with total confidence. This high-intensity training helps you output key phrases from greetings to toasts. 💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release! —🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE 1. Systemati...

Navigate the "Holy Garden of Contemporary Art" with confidence. Learn the essential Japanese needed to transition smoothly from Tokyo to the serene shores of Naoshima, ensuring your artistic retreat is as seamless as it is inspiring. 🎯 What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ Seamless Transit: Essential phrases for buying ferry tickets at Uno Port and navigating departure boards. ✅ Mu...

Master the etiquette of a Koyasan Shukubo (temple lodging). Learn essential Japanese for rituals, Shojin Ryori, and morning services to navigate your spiritual retreat with grace. 🎯 What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ Seamless Check-in: Essential phrases for arriving at a temple and confirming your schedule.✅ Shojin Ryori Etiquette: How to appreciate Buddhist vegetarian cuisine like a loca...

Master everything from e-bike rentals to emergency repairs for a seamless, professional travel experience. 🎯 What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ Seamless Rentals: How to request electric-assist bicycles and confirm drop-offs. ✅ Navigation: Understanding the "Blue Line" and asking for directions. ✅ Support: Phrases for handling unexpected flat tires or mechanical issues. ✅ Etiqu...

Master the unspoken rules of the Japanese Ryokan (Hot Spring Inn) to travel with confidence and sophistication. 🎯 What you'll learn: ✅ Smooth Check-in: Phrases for arrival & meal confirmation.✅ Onsen Etiquette: Critical rules for baths & towels.✅ Dining Smart: Handling allergies & ordering local sake ( Jizake ).✅ Comfort: Getting the right Yukata size. 📝 Cheat Sheet & Phr...

🎯 What you'll learn in this episode (N5-N3 Level): ✅ Ticket Purchasing: How to book online using "SmartEX" or purchase tickets at the "Midori no Madoguchi" (Ticket Office), including how to use e-tickets with your IC card. ✅ Seat Selection: Vocabulary to choose between "Shiteiseki" (Reserved seat) and "Green-sha" (Green Car), and specifying preference...