The Kikusho blog

Notes on learning a language you actually live in.

Practical writing on Japanese, memory and spaced repetition — how vocabulary sticks, why decks die, and what to do about the words you meet every day.

Japanese · 7 min read

Why ん sounds like m in しんぶん and ng in りんご

ん sounds like m in しんぶん and ng in りんご because it has no sound of its own: one beat of nasal that copies whatever comes next. Here is the rule, and why the beat matters.

12 October 2026

JLPT · 7 min read

Skipping JLPT N5 for N4: what N4 still tests from N5

You can register for JLPT N4 without sitting N5, but the N4 paper assumes N5 and never re-teaches it. Here is the N5 material to lock down first.

11 October 2026

A typographic cover card: the article title about ている in the site's display face on cream, with 結婚している picked out in coral above a coral rule.

Japanese · 7 min read

ている, action or state? Why 結婚している means married

ている isn't always '-ing'. 結婚している means 'is married', not 'getting married': the verb, not the form, decides whether you read action or result.

10 October 2026

Japanese · 6 min read

友達に会う or 友達と会う: who went to meet whom

友達に会う and 友達と会う are both correct. に means you went to them or ran into them; と means you met up, and the same split decides 話す and 相談する.

9 October 2026

A typographic title card in the Kikusho house style reading "How to say play in Japanese," with 弾く, 吹く, 叩く and する set in a row beneath it.

Japanese · 7 min read

How to say play in Japanese: 弾く, 吹く, 叩く, or する

Japanese has no single verb for 'play': you 弾く a piano, 吹く a flute, 叩く a drum, and する a sport. The one body-action rule that picks the right verb.

8 October 2026

The article title set in large display type on the cream Kikusho card, with "the unfinished sentence" picked out in coral.

Japanese · 7 min read

Saying no in Japanese: why the unfinished sentence refuses

A polite refusal in Japanese is a sentence you leave unfinished: a reason, a けど, then silence. Finish it with できません and you sound colder than you meant to.

7 October 2026

Japanese · 7 min read

Reading Japanese handwriting: the shapes print never shows

Handwritten Japanese uses the same characters as print, drawn the way a pen moves. Learn the small, closed set where the two disagree, and it reads.

6 October 2026

Japanese · 7 min read

Already using Anki? What WaniKani adds, and what it can't

You already run Anki. Whether WaniKani is worth adding comes down to one question: is your bottleneck reading kanji, or keeping the words you actually meet?

5 October 2026

JLPT · 7 min read

Why JLPT word lists have words you'll never hear

The JLPT stopped publishing its word list in 2010, so every level list is a reconstruction. Here is why some words feel useless, and which ones to skip.

4 October 2026

A typographic title card in the Kikusho house style reading "知る or 分かる," with the verbs 知る and 分かる set side by side.

Japanese · 7 min read

知る or 分かる: why 知りません can sound like a brush-off

知る and 分かる both come out as 'know,' but one takes in a fact and the other is understanding dawning. The test that decides, and why 知りません can sound cold.

4 October 2026

JLPT · 7 min read

Is Genki enough for JLPT N4? What the textbooks leave out

Genki I and II get you through N4 grammar but were built for a course, not the exam. Here are the three gaps they leave, and what closes them.

1 October 2026

Learning methods · 7 min read

Why Google Translate can't replace a Japanese dictionary

Google Translate gets you through a sentence but not the word inside it: the reading, register and senses a dictionary keeps and a translation drops.

30 September 2026

Japanese · 8 min read

ように, ために, のに: which purpose word the sentence needs

ように, ために and のに all translate as 'so that' or 'in order to.' One question about the goal decides which the sentence needs: can you just do it?

29 September 2026

A cream title card with the article title, "on the wrong person" set in coral beneath the first line.

Japanese · 7 min read

Plain form isn't rude — using it on the wrong person is

Plain form marks closeness, not disrespect. The real error is matching it to the wrong relationship, and staying polite too long has a cost too.

28 September 2026

A cream typographic cover for thirteen N1 words about reading, writing and verbal expression, sorted into three channels.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: reading, writing and verbal expression

Thirteen N1 words for writing and speaking: 記載, 記述, 口述, 提示, 宣言, 発言, 朗読 and more, sorted by the record they make, with readings, senses and practice.

28 September 2026

A typographic cover card reading "respect, courtesy and social conduct" with the N1 words いたわる, 祝賀, 尊い, 貴い, 尊ぶ, 配慮, 無礼 and 詫び listed in coral beneath the title.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: respect, courtesy and social conduct

Eight N1 courtesy words — いたわる, 祝賀, 尊い, 貴い, 尊ぶ, 配慮, 無礼, 詫び — with readings, the 尊い vs 貴い kanji split, collocations and practice with hidden answers.

28 September 2026

A typographic cover card reading "truth, appearance and uncertainty" with the N1 words 真実, 真相 and 本質 set in the display face.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: truth, appearance and uncertainty

Fifteen N1 words for truth, appearance and doubt: 真実 vs 真相, 実態 vs 本質, 明白 read two ways, plus 露骨, 体裁 and 漠然 — and the test that picks each.

28 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: sounds, textures and manner of action

Six N2 mimetic adverbs for manner and texture: ぎっしり, こっそり, さっさと, せっせと, ぴかぴか and ふわふわ, each with the verb it lives on and the sense trap to avoid.

28 September 2026

A typographic cover card reading "respect, courtesy and social conduct" with the five N2 words 敬う, 謙遜, 慰める, 慶び and 詫びる listed in coral beneath the title.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: respect, courtesy and social conduct

Five formal N2 Japanese words for social life: 敬う, 謙遜, 慰める, 慶び and 詫びる, with readings, the plainer word each one shadows, and practice with hidden answers.

28 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 7 min read

N3 vocabulary: sounds, textures and manner of action

Five N3 mimetic adverbs (そっと, たっぷり, のんびり, ばったり, ぴったり) grouped by the manner or state each one pins down, with the collocations and sense traps that matter.

28 September 2026

A typographic cover card reading "respect, courtesy and social conduct" with the nine N3 words 感謝, 礼, 喜び, 敬意, 尊敬, 礼儀, 作法, 祝い and 祝う listed in coral beneath the title.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: respect, courtesy and social conduct

Nine N3 courtesy words — 感謝, 礼, 喜び, 敬意, 尊敬, 礼儀, 作法, 祝い, 祝う — with readings, which ones take する, natural collocations and practice with hidden answers.

28 September 2026

A typographic cover card reading "truth, appearance and uncertainty" with the N3 words 本当, 真理 and 本物 set in the display face.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: truth, appearance and uncertainty

Nine N3 words for truth, appearance and being wrong: 本当 vs 真理 vs 本物, 誤り vs 間違い, plus 明確, 微妙 and 確かめる — and the distinction that picks the right one.

28 September 2026

A typographic cover card reading "respect, courtesy and social conduct" with the seven N4 words 挨拶, お礼, 謝る, 遠慮, 失礼, 親切 and 丁寧 listed in coral beneath the title.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: respect, courtesy and social conduct

Seven everyday N4 courtesy words — 挨拶, お礼, 謝る, 遠慮, 失礼, 親切 and 丁寧 — with readings, word classes, natural collocations and practice with hidden answers.

28 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese words for character, behaviour and interpersonal attitudes.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: character, behaviour and interpersonal attitudes

Learn ten N1 Japanese words for temperament, individuality, integrity, loyalty, diligence, rashness, stubbornness and innocent behaviour.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing seven N1 Japanese family and relationship words, including two marked kanji readings.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: childhood, family life and relationships

Learn seven N1 Japanese words and marked readings for nephews, siblings, romance, newlyweds, pregnancy and childbirth.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing twenty N1 Japanese words about conflict, threats, defence and public security.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: conflict, danger and security

Learn 20 N1 Japanese words for conflict, threats, defence, public order, crisis response and evacuation through precise contrasts.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese vocabulary for effort, progress, achievement and decline.

N1 vocabulary · 11 min read

N1 vocabulary: effort, progress and achievement

Learn 13 N1 Japanese words for revision, improvement, effort, results, development, decline and collapse through precise contrasts.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing nine N1 Japanese words for emotions, reactions and mental states.

N1 vocabulary · 11 min read

N1 vocabulary: emotions, reactions and mental states

Learn nine N1 Japanese words for aspiration, impatience, jealousy, despair, hatred, pessimism and optimism in connected contexts.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing nine N1 Japanese words for staffing, promotion, workplace structure and leaving employment.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: employment, careers and workplace organisation

Learn nine N1 Japanese words for duties, staff, talent, promotion, placement, departments, resignation, retirement and work history.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese vocabulary for government, elections and international relations.

N1 vocabulary · 11 min read

N1 vocabulary: government, elections and international relations

Master 17 N1 Japanese words for government, treaties, sanctions, conflict and territory, with precise contrasts, readings and exam practice.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing six N1 Japanese words for convention, cycles, duration and frequency.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: habits, routines and frequency

Learn six N1 Japanese words for convention, cycles, duration and frequency: 慣例, 周期, 持続, 度々, 時折 and 頻繁.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese vocabulary for accepting, donating, granting, allocating, distributing and returning.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: helping, exchanging and sharing

Learn N1 Japanese for institutional acceptance, donation, granting, allocation, distribution and return, including 受け入れる, 寄贈, 授ける and 返還.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese vocabulary for law, crime and public order.

N1 vocabulary · 11 min read

N1 vocabulary: law, crime and public order

Learn 14 N1 Japanese law and crime records through precise contrasts for evidence, searches, enforcement, prosecution, defense and punishment.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese vocabulary for materials, physical properties and three-dimensional form.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: materials, shapes and physical properties

Learn 10 N1 Japanese words for materials, strength, surface properties and three-dimensional form, with reading and usage distinctions.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for eleven N1 Japanese words about hygiene, emergency response, care, welfare, insurance and anaesthesia.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: medical care, emergencies and welfare

Learn eleven N1 Japanese words for hygiene, emergency response, professional care, welfare, insurance and anaesthesia, with readings and precise usage.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing twelve N1 Japanese words for project planning, meetings, duties, estimates, negotiations and agreements.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: meetings, projects and business agreements

Learn twelve N1 Japanese words for planning, agendas, duties, estimates, negotiations, agreements, transactions, task division and project progress.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for four N1 Japanese words about judgment, perception, intellect and premonition.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: memory, attention and understanding

Learn four N1 words for foolish judgment, illusion, intellect and premonition, with precise contrasts, collocations and original practice.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho lesson card introducing advanced Japanese movement vocabulary for logistics, falling, submerging, expansion, traced routes and relocation.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: movement, direction and position

Learn nine advanced Japanese movement words for logistics, falling, submerging, expansion, traced routes and formal relocation through one connected context.

27 September 2026

A Kikusho lesson card for advanced Japanese opinion and decision vocabulary, featuring 意向, 異議 and 決断.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: opinions, evaluation and decision making

Learn eleven N1 Japanese words for intentions, viewpoints, objections, decisive choices, adoption, compromise and blame in formal contexts.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card mapping fourteen N1 Japanese words used to prioritise, separate, combine and compare parts of a system.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: order, comparison and relationships between things

Learn 14 JLPT N1 words for setting priorities, dividing or combining parts, comparing things, and describing relationships with natural Japanese examples.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing ten advanced Japanese words for taking measures, removing obstacles, restoring order and replenishing shortages.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: preparation, organisation and handling problems

Learn ten advanced Japanese words for measures, disposal, readiness, removal, recovery and replenishment through precise N1-level contrasts.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N1 Japanese vocabulary for formal requests, instructions, consent and refusal.

N1 vocabulary · 11 min read

N1 vocabulary: promises, requests and permission

Learn twelve N1 words for offers, requests, instructions, consent and refusal, including 承諾, 同意, 了解, 了承, 拒否 and 拒絶.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for reading quantities and remaining scope in a Japanese laboratory quality report.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: quantity, extent and limits

Learn six JLPT N1 words for subsets, minorities, approximate amounts, trace quantities, low degree and room for revision.

27 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing six N1 Japanese words used to evaluate reasoning, evidence and explanations.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: reasoning, evidence and explanation

Learn six N1 Japanese words for provisional claims, principles, persuasion, recognition, grasping information and prejudice in context.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing twelve N1 Japanese words about migration, inequality, households, wealth and social responsibility.

N1 vocabulary · 12 min read

N1 vocabulary: rights, duties and social issues

Learn 12 N1 Japanese words for migration, inequality, households, wealth, poverty, compensation, public service and fundraising.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing four advanced Japanese words used to compare measurements, describe proportional change and calculate density.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: science, experiments and measurement

Learn 誤差, 比率, 比例 and 密度 through measurement reports, with precise distinctions between error, ratio, proportional change and density.

27 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 6 min read

N1 vocabulary: starting, stopping and completing actions

Learn ten N1 words for abrupt discontinuation, interruption, abolition, appearance and the limits that remain in formal Japanese reporting.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing nine N1 Japanese words for technology, machinery, standards, patents and manufacturing.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: technology, machines and manufacturing

Learn nine N1 Japanese words for development, circuits, processing, standards, efficiency, precision, power supplies, patents and departments.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing 13 N1 Japanese words for markets, finance, company activity and the business cycle.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: trade, investment and the economy

Learn 13 N1 Japanese economy words for inflation, business cycles, public finance, company funding, returns, losses and distribution.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N2 Japanese words for character, behaviour and interpersonal attitudes.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: character, behaviour and interpersonal attitudes

Learn nine N2 Japanese words for humility, openness, neglect, strengths, weaknesses, greed and three kinds of social overstepping.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing eight N2 Japanese words for childcare, relatives, spouses, friendship and reconciliation.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: childhood, family life and relationships

Learn eight N2 Japanese words for young children, childcare, relatives, spouses, close friends and reconciliation.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing six N2 Japanese words for revision, expansion, reduction and achievement.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: effort, progress and achievement

Learn six N2 Japanese words for formal revision, expanding or reducing scope, and evaluating achievements or a track record.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing six N2 Japanese words for emotions, reactions and mental states.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: emotions, reactions and mental states

Learn six N2 Japanese words for admiration, envy, visible dislike, resentment, near misses and hesitation in context.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for seven N2 Japanese words about routines, continuation, frequency, pauses and starting again.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: habits, routines and frequency

Learn seven N2 words for routines, continuation, constant action, repeated occasions, rarity, temporary pauses and starting again.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing seven N2 Japanese words for addressed documents, postal services, copies and telephone receivers.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: mail, documents and digital communication

Learn seven N2 Japanese words for addressees, full names, receipts, registered and express mail, document copies and telephone receivers.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N2 Japanese vocabulary for materials, shapes, orientation and physical properties.

N2 vocabulary · 11 min read

N2 vocabulary: materials, shapes and physical properties

Learn 17 N2 Japanese vocabulary records for materials, geometric shapes, orientation and physical properties, with the distinctions that choose the right word.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for five N2 Japanese words about caring for an ill person, disinfection, lifespan, survival and funerals.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: medical care, emergencies and welfare

Learn five N2 Japanese words for caring for someone ill, disinfection, lifespan, survival and funerals, with readings, collocations and precise usage.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing six N2 Japanese words for meetings, schedules, policy, countermeasures and agreements.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: meetings, projects and business agreements

Learn six N2 Japanese words for arranging meetings, setting schedules, choosing a policy, taking countermeasures and reaching agreements.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho lesson card introducing N2 Japanese movement vocabulary for relocation, floating, rolling, entry and circular routes.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: movement, direction and position

Learn eleven N2 Japanese movement words for relocation, floating, rotation, rolling, entry, carrying and routes through one connected context.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for seven N2 Japanese words used to divide an area, classify information, order a procedure and check discrepancies.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: order, comparison and relationships between things

Learn seven JLPT N2 words for zones, divisions, classification, sequence and discrepancies through a practical Japanese procedure.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing six N2 Japanese words for preparation, organisation and solving operational problems.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: preparation, organisation and handling problems

Learn six N2 words for filling gaps, adding resources, arranging systems and choosing between the homophones 解放 and 開放.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing vast data, countless files and infinite capacity during a Japanese data migration.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: quantity, extent and limits

Learn seven JLPT N2 words for leftovers, modest change, allowed limits, broad scope, vast data, countless items and infinity.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing thirteen N2 Japanese words for scientific standards, measurement, statistics and physical quantities.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: science, experiments and measurement

Learn thirteen N2 Japanese words for standards, formulas, statistics, estimation, gravity, acceleration, weight, area, volume and measurement.

27 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 7 min read

N2 vocabulary: starting, stopping and completing actions

Learn six N2 terms for suspending services, closing acceptance, formal endings, emerging consequences and things that remain or catch the eye.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing ten N2 Japanese words for assembly, machine performance, electricity and manufacturing.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: technology, machines and manufacturing

Learn ten N2 Japanese words for assembly, disassembly, parts, performance, operation, efficiency, batteries, current, connections and stoppages.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for seven N2 Japanese words used to read monthly schedules, event notices and institutional calendars.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: time, duration and changes over time

Learn seven N2 Japanese planning words: 上旬, 中旬, 下旬, 月末, 当日, 年度 and 臨時, with calendar contrasts and contextual practice.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for N2 Japanese vocabulary about trade, investment and the economy.

N2 vocabulary · 7 min read

N2 vocabulary: trade, investment and the economy

Learn five N2 Japanese records for sales, foreign exchange, commerce and trading companies, with spelling contrasts and contextual practice.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese words for character, behaviour and interpersonal attitudes.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: character, behaviour and interpersonal attitudes

Learn eleven N3 Japanese words for personality, inherent traits, careful conduct, honesty, selfishness, meanness and calm behaviour in context.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing sixteen N3 Japanese words for life stages, family ties and relationships.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: childhood, family life and relationships

Learn 16 N3 Japanese words for stages of life, family relationships, affection, partnership, marriage and divorce.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing thirteen N3 Japanese words about conflict, fear, weapons and peace.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: conflict, danger and security

Learn 13 N3 Japanese words for conflict, fear, military forces, weapons, attacks, explosions and peace through precise contrasts.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese words for effort, progress and achievement.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: effort, progress and achievement

Learn eleven N3 Japanese words for challenges, correction, improvement, progress, development and making goals real.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese words for emotions, reactions and mental states.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: emotions, reactions and mental states

Learn eleven N3 Japanese words for envy, expectation, tension, excitement, boredom, satisfaction, disappointment, regret and reflection in context.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing twelve N3 Japanese words for careers, employment and workplace organisation.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: employment, careers and workplace organisation

Learn 12 N3 Japanese words for job hunting, hiring, transfers, branches, responsibility, management and labour.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese vocabulary for government, elections and international relations.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: government, elections and international relations

Learn 13 N3 Japanese words for countries, elections, political institutions and diplomacy, with readings, precise contrasts and practice.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for seven N3 Japanese words about habits, routines, frequency and repetition.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: habits, routines and frequency

Learn seven N3 Japanese words for habits, routines and repetition: 癖, 繰り返す, しばしば, 常に, 日常, 再び and 普段.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese vocabulary for helping, entrusting, giving and sharing.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: helping, exchanging and sharing

Learn nine N3 Japanese words for entrusting, helping, giving, yielding and sharing, including 預ける, 預かる, 助ける, 助かる and 分ける.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese vocabulary for law, crime and public order.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: law, crime and public order

Learn 11 N3 Japanese words for crime reports, investigations, arrests, harm and supervision, with precise contrasts and original practice.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing nine N3 Japanese words for forms, printed mail and digital communication.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: mail, documents and digital communication

Learn nine N3 Japanese words for forms, printing, postal mail, correspondence, electronic data, communication and receiving documents.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese words for materials, shapes and physical properties.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: materials, shapes and physical properties

Learn 16 N3 Japanese vocabulary records for materials, shapes and physical properties, including paired readings for 管, 球 and 円.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for nine N3 Japanese words about medical care, emergency rescue, disability and older people.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: medical care, emergencies and welfare

Learn nine N3 Japanese words for medical care, rescue, death, disability and older people, with readings, collocations and careful register guidance.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing twelve N3 Japanese words for project goals, cooperation, implementation, completion and schedule changes.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: meetings, projects and business agreements

Learn twelve N3 Japanese words for proposals, goals, contracts, project work, cooperation, progress, implementation, completion, postponement and cancellation.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese words for memory, attention and understanding.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: memory, attention and understanding

Learn sixteen N3 Japanese words for attention, ideas, knowledge, intelligence, imagination and prediction through practical contrasts.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho lesson card introducing N3 Japanese movement vocabulary for moving objects, sinking, passing through places and making connections.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: movement, direction and position

Learn eight N3 Japanese movement words for moving objects, sinking, passing through, road use and connections, with clear transitivity and particles.

27 September 2026

A Kikusho lesson card for Japanese words about opinions, evaluation and decision making, with 意志, 見解 and 決定 in Japanese type.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: opinions, evaluation and decision making

Learn twelve N3 Japanese words for will, intention, viewpoints, agreement, criticism, reputation, choosing and making decisions in context.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card arranging fourteen N3 Japanese words for order, categories, scope, comparison and shared features.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: order, comparison and relationships between things

Learn 14 JLPT N3 words for order, types, scope and comparison, including 順 vs 順番, 対象 vs 対照, and three ways to say things are the same.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese vocabulary for organising, preparing, settling and solving problems.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: preparation, organisation and handling problems

Learn eight N3 Japanese words for storing, paying, organising, preparing for trouble, solving problems and bringing plans together.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese vocabulary for requests, refusal, commands and permission.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: promises, requests and permission

Learn nine N3 Japanese words for giving up, refusing, requesting, ordering, prohibiting, permitting and forgiving through clear contrasts.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for N3 Japanese words used to count registrations, calculate totals and check capacity.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: quantity, extent and limits

Learn 19 JLPT N3 words for asking, counting, totals, proportions, small and large amounts, capacity limits and spare room.

27 September 2026

Five Japanese words for expressing and signing, 表す, 示す, 表現, 署名 and サイン, set as a typographic card.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: reading, writing and verbal expression

Five N3 words for giving meaning a form: 表す, 示す, 表現, 署名 and サイン. Which reading each takes, when 表す beats 示す, and why 署名 is not サイン.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing eight N3 Japanese words for reasoning, evidence and explanation.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: reasoning, evidence and explanation

Learn eight N3 Japanese words for understanding, interpretation, consideration, theories, acceptance, misunderstandings and exceptions.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing N3 Japanese vocabulary for rights, duties and social issues.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: rights, duties and social issues

Learn 15 N3 Japanese words for rights, duties, fairness, discrimination, social support and compensation through precise contrasts and practice.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing ten N3 Japanese words for science, experiments and measurement.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: science, experiments and measurement

Learn ten N3 Japanese words for chemistry, physics, assumptions, observation, experiments, calculations, accuracy, speed, units and width.

27 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: starting, stopping and completing actions

Learn nine N3 words for launching work, events arising, extending deadlines, cutting a connection and bringing a project to completion.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing ten N3 Japanese words for machines, design, automation, manufacturing and invention.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: technology, machines and manufacturing

Learn ten N3 Japanese words for machines, instruments, functions, design, operation, automation, manufacturing, devices, molds and inventions.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for thirteen N3 Japanese words that locate events, measure moments and describe long periods.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: time, duration and changes over time

Learn 13 N3 Japanese time words for past and present, before and since, brief moments, recent periods, centuries, year-round states and permanence.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing six N3 Japanese words for markets, business, stocks, supply, demand and currency.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: trade, investment and the economy

Learn six N3 Japanese words for marketplaces, business, stocks, supply, demand and currency with the crucial 市場 reading contrast.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for seven N4 Japanese words about babies, spouses, children and family disagreements.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: childhood, family life and relationships

Learn 7 N4 Japanese words for babies, spouses, children and arguments, with family-reference choices and natural sentence patterns.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing six N4 Japanese words for danger, safety, fear, conflict and escape.

N4 vocabulary · 7 min read

N4 vocabulary: conflict, danger and security

Learn six N4 Japanese words for safety, danger, fear, war and escape, with the difference between 安全 and 安心 and practical context.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing six N4 Japanese words for glass, hardness, softness and slippery surfaces.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: materials, shapes and physical properties

Learn six N4 Japanese words for hard and soft materials, glass and slipping, including the difference among 固い, 堅い and 硬い.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for six N4 Japanese movement verbs, with movement, direction and position highlighted in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: movement, direction and position

Learn six N4 Japanese movement verbs for moving, transferring, commuting, falling, carrying and changing residence through clear particle patterns.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing five N4 Japanese words for preparing, getting ready, tidying and replacing things.

N4 vocabulary · 7 min read

N4 vocabulary: preparation, organisation and handling problems

Learn five N4 Japanese words for getting ready, preparing materials, tidying tasks and replacing things through clear everyday contrasts.

27 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: starting, stopping and completing actions

Learn six N4 words for opening, causing, stopping, quitting and reaching the end, including the two readings of 止める.

27 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 6 min read

N4 vocabulary: truth, appearance and uncertainty

Learn five N4 words for lies, shape, certainty, correct answers and mistakes through a school poster competition and its evidence.

27 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for five N5 Japanese words about quantities, prices, small amounts, limits and totals.

N5 vocabulary · 9 min read

N5 vocabulary: quantity, extent and limits

Learn five N5 Japanese words for asking about quantities and prices, describing small amounts, limited degree, remainders and totals.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card showing a museum door opening, a bus stopping and a guided visit beginning.

N5 vocabulary · 8 min read

N5 vocabulary: starting, stopping and completing actions

Learn four N5 verbs for things opening, people opening them, movement stopping and events beginning, with particles and a complete timeline.

27 September 2026

Japanese · 6 min read

The Japanese time words that never take a particle

Relative time words like 今日 and 明日 refuse に. Here is the closed set that skips the particle, and the single test that predicts whether the next time word will too.

27 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introduces adjective plus 思いをする as an emotional experience, with lived through highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

Adjective + 思いをする: describing an emotional experience (N1)

Learn how adjective + 思いをする presents a feeling as an experience, how い- and な-adjectives attach, and how it differs from a plain adjective, と思う, 気がする, and 思いをさせる.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing one path chosen despite resistance and one position held firmly inside a boundary.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

敢えて and あくまでも: deliberate and persistent stance

Compare N1 敢えて and あくまでも: a deliberate choice despite resistance versus a position maintained to the end or a claim kept within strict limits.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing preparation before an event and a predicted result confirmed afterward.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

案の定 and あらかじめ: expectations and preparation

Compare N1 案の定 and あらかじめ on one timeline: prepare beforehand with あらかじめ, then use 案の定 when the result confirms an earlier prediction.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing ばこそ as a spotlight on the precise reason that explains a result.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ばこそ: formation, meaning and usage (N1)

Learn how ばこそ emphasizes the precise reason for a result, how it attaches, why it sounds formal, and how it differs from からこそ and てこそ.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card balancing two equally true descriptions around the Japanese pattern でもあり～でもある.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

でもあり～でもある: expressing two true sides (N1)

Learn how でもあり～でもある presents two roles or qualities as equally true, with noun, adjective, tense and register rules plus N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing a label and a quality being rejected completely by でも何でもない and くも何ともない.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

でも何でもない / くも何ともない: emphatic denial (N1)

Learn how でも何でもない and くも何ともない reject a label or quality completely, with attachment rules, register contrasts and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card pairing two repeated Japanese nouns in the critical pattern が/も～なら、～も～だ.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

が/も～なら、～も～だ: paired criticism (N1)

Learn how が/も～なら、～も～だ repeats nouns to criticise two related parties or aspects, with nuance, contrasts and original N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing a former state on the left and a changed present beyond a boundary on the right.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

かつて and もはや: a changed situation across time

Compare N1 かつて and もはや: retrieve a former state or a never-before experience, then mark a present change that has already become hard to reverse.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting every member of a set, a completely filled degree scale and a dotted estimate around a number.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

ことごとく, まるっきり and およそ: extent and generality

Compare ことごとく, まるっきり and およそ: exhaust a set, mark total degree, or express an estimate, general rule or emphatic negative.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing an expected action left entirely undone with the Japanese pattern もしないで.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

もしないで: without even doing (N1)

Learn how verb-stem + もしないで marks a completely omitted expected action, with attachment rules, tone contrasts and original N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing one circumstance leading to a result, with the Japanese pattern もので highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

もので: giving an explanatory reason (N1)

Learn how もので gives a personal or circumstantial reason, with attachment, register, close alternatives and seven original N1 exercises.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for seven N1 Japanese words about the body, touch, internal organs and figurative movement.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: the body, senses and physical movement

Master 7 N1 Japanese body and sensation words, including rare readings, register contrasts, figurative senses and natural collocations.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card reading N1 vocabulary for the environment, energy and resources.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: the environment, energy and resources

Learn six advanced Japanese words for defilement, fuel, combustion, depletion and disposal, with reading contrasts and original practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card tracing eight N1 travel words from a long weekend and passport check to local guidance, lodging and regional products.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: hotels, sightseeing and reservations

Learn eight N1 Japanese travel words for visits, guides, hotel desks, family-run lodging, regional products, passengers, passports and consecutive holidays.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for eight N1 Japanese health words, highlighting the compound reading of 傷 and the fixed-expression reading of 吐く.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: illness, symptoms and recovery

Master eight N1 Japanese health words, including rare readings of 傷 and 吐く, with usage contrasts, connected examples and original JLPT practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for the N1 geography words 河川, 崖, 山脈, 地形 and 浜, with the Japanese characters highlighted in coral.

N1 vocabulary · 7 min read

N1 vocabulary: landscapes, geography and the sea

Learn five N1 Japanese geography words: 河川, 崖, 山脈, 地形 and 浜, with correct readings, useful collocations and a source-reading correction.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for an N1 Japanese vocabulary lesson about maps, routes and reading traps.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: maps, routes and finding the way

Learn six assigned Japanese map and route vocabulary records, including 上下, 側, 角, 遠回り and 曲がる, with reading traps, collocations and N1-level practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for 15 N1 Japanese words about household finance, remuneration, banking and payment.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: money, payment and personal finances

Learn 15 N1 Japanese finance words for household balances, wages, savings, loans, interest and price reductions, with readings and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for five N1 Japanese rail words used to compare fares, read first departures and timetables, and identify passengers.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: rail travel, timetables and tickets

Learn five N1 Japanese rail words for fares, first departures, timetables, semi-express services and passengers, including the rare reading じょうかく.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card grouping four N1 Japanese words for literary thunder, precipitation, floods and tsunamis.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: seasons, climate and natural hazards

Learn four N1 Japanese hazard words: 雷, 降水, 洪水 and 津波, with precise readings, register, collocations and original practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for five N1 Japanese words about product value, wrapping, inventory, market rates and quality.

N1 vocabulary · 10 min read

N1 vocabulary: shopping, products and customer service

Learn five N1 Japanese shopping and product words for value, wrapping, inventory, market rates and quality, with readings and contextual practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for 10 N2 Japanese words about body parts, posture and physical movement.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: the body, senses and physical movement

Master 10 N2 Japanese body and movement words, including posture, skin, nodding, squatting and precise bend-versus-tilt contrasts.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card connecting ten N2 Japanese words for writing, filming, editing and reviewing a story.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: books, films and storytelling

Learn 10 N2 Japanese words for discussing books and films, with readings, natural collocations and clear distinctions between 名作 and 傑作.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho lesson card for five N2 Japanese words used in municipal notices about halls, shops, fire stations, squares and public offices.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: city buildings and public facilities

Learn five N2 Japanese words for halls, local shops, fire stations, public squares and government offices, with precise contrasts and practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card reading N2 vocabulary for the environment, energy and resources.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: the environment, energy and resources

Learn six N2 Japanese words for materials, forests, pollution and electric power, with precise contrasts, connected examples and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card arranging six N2 travel words into a day trip, from choosing a sightseeing route to visiting a famous place and trying a local specialty.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: hotels, sightseeing and reservations

Learn six N2 Japanese travel words for routes, cancellations, day trips, holiday homes, famous sights and local specialties: コース, 取り消す, 日帰り, 別荘, 名所 and 名物.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for seven N2 Japanese words about symptoms, diagnosis, contagion, curing and recuperation.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: illness, symptoms and recovery

Learn seven N2 Japanese health words for symptoms, diagnosis, contagion, curing and recuperation, with precise contrasts and original JLPT practice.

26 September 2026

A cream and coral Kikusho vocabulary card showing the N2 geography words 海洋, 水平線, 峠, 麓, 平野 and 岬.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: landscapes, geography and the sea

Learn ten N2 Japanese geography words, from 海洋 and 水平線 to 峠, 麓, 平野 and 岬, with readings, contrasts, collocations and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for nine N2 Japanese words used to describe map regions, compass axes and route order.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: maps, routes and finding the way

Learn nine N2 Japanese words for describing map regions, compass axes and route order, including 周辺, 付近, 方角, 道順 and 前後.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for four N2 Japanese money words, with 給与, 紙幣, 特売 and 割引 arranged as the key vocabulary.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: money, payment and personal finances

Learn 給与, 紙幣, 特売 and 割引 through workplace pay, banknotes and sale signs, with N2 readings, collocations and original practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for fifteen N2 Japanese words used to buy rail tickets, pass the gates, change trains and read operating notices.

N2 vocabulary · 11 min read

N2 vocabulary: rail travel, timetables and tickets

Learn fifteen N2 Japanese rail words for tickets, gates, transfers and train operations, including 往復, 改札, 乗車, 停車, 乗換 and 満員.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card grouping five N2 Japanese words for a volcano, an eruption, bitter cold, a rainbow and incoming sunlight.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: seasons, climate and natural hazards

Learn five N2 Japanese words for volcanoes, eruptions, bitter cold, rainbows and sunlight, with precise contrasts, readings and practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for nine N2 Japanese words about sold-out goods, prices, postage, customer complaints and guest spaces.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: shopping, products and customer service

Learn nine N2 Japanese shopping, products and customer service vocabulary words for sold-out stock, prices, postage, complaints and guest spaces.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for 22 N3 Japanese words about animals, plants and the cycle from seed to fruit.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: animals, plants and living things

Learn 22 N3 Japanese words for animals, plants and living things, with readings, natural collocations and a seed-to-fruit growth cycle.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for 22 N3 Japanese words about body parts, internal organs, sensation and movement.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: the body, senses and physical movement

Learn 22 N3 Japanese body, organ, sensation and movement words, with reading traps, natural collocations and original JLPT practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho lesson card for ten N3 Japanese words about cities, streets, markets, towers and public infrastructure.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: city buildings and public facilities

Learn ten N3 Japanese words for urban areas, roads, signals, facilities, markets and towers, with reading contrasts and original practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card reading N3 vocabulary for the environment, energy and resources.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: the environment, energy and resources

Learn 17 N3 Japanese words for the environment, energy and resources, with readings, collocations, key contrasts and original practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for ten N3 Japanese words that carry a trip from taking leave and checking a passport to lodging and souvenirs.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: hotels, sightseeing and reservations

Learn ten N3 Japanese travel words for sightseeing, leave, lodging, stays, passports, changes and souvenirs, including 宿泊, 滞在, 泊める and 土産.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for fourteen N3 Japanese words about illness, symptoms, examinations, treatment, prevention and recovery.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: illness, symptoms and recovery

Learn 14 N3 Japanese words for symptoms, examinations, treatment, prevention and recovery, with readings, contrasts and realistic clinic examples.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card showing the N3 geography words 泉, 岩, 丘, 沖, 岸, 砂漠, 大陸, 谷, 地平線, 土, 波 and 湾, with the Japanese characters highlighted in coral.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: landscapes, geography and the sea

Learn twelve N3 Japanese geography words, from 泉, 岩 and 谷 to 沖, 岸, 波 and 湾, with readings, contrasts, collocations and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for fourteen N3 Japanese words used to read maps, compare routes and find the way.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: maps, routes and finding the way

Learn 14 N3 Japanese words for maps and routes, including 経由, 横断, 方向, 中央, 中心 and 迷う, with readings, contrasts and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for 13 N3 Japanese money and personal-finance words, with money and finances highlighted in coral.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: money, payment and personal finances

Learn 13 N3 Japanese money words for cash, coins, salary, income, expenses, savings, debt and exchange, with readings and contextual practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for eleven N3 Japanese words used to read train times, platforms, passengers, service disruptions and ticket charges.

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: rail travel, timetables and tickets

Learn eleven N3 Japanese rail words for schedules, platforms, passengers, delays and fares, including ダイヤ, 定期, 遅れ, 混雑 and 発車.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card grouping 19 N3 Japanese climate words around measurements, warming, moisture, water states and storms.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: seasons, climate and natural hazards

Learn 19 N3 Japanese words for climate, temperature, humidity, water states and storms, with precise contrasts, readings and practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for 16 N3 Japanese words about shopping, products, delivery and customer service.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 vocabulary: shopping, products and customer service

Learn 16 N3 Japanese shopping words for prices, orders, packaging, delivery, warranties, exchanges and repairs, with readings and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for six N4 Japanese body words, with body and movement highlighted in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: the body, senses and physical movement

Learn six N4 Japanese body words with readings, natural collocations and clear boundaries for arms, hair, neck, back, throat, fingers and toes.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card mapping twelve N4 Japanese words for regions, transport facilities, venues, police and places of worship.

N4 vocabulary · 11 min read

N4 vocabulary: city buildings and public facilities

Learn twelve N4 Japanese place words for regions, transport, venues, police and worship, with readings, contrasts and original practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for four N4 Japanese words used to plan a visit, reserve a traditional inn and stay overnight.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: hotels, sightseeing and reservations

Learn four N4 Japanese travel words for sightseeing, overnight stays, reservations and traditional inns: 見物, 泊まる, 予約 and 旅館.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card showing the N4 landscape words 石, 砂, 坂, 林, 森, 湖, 島 and 海岸, with the Japanese characters highlighted in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 7 min read

N4 vocabulary: landscapes, geography and the sea

Learn eight N4 Japanese landscape words, from stone and sand to forests, lakes, islands and coasts, with readings, contrasts and natural phrases.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for eight N4 Japanese words used to give and follow directions.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 vocabulary: maps, routes and finding the way

Learn eight N4 Japanese words for giving and following directions: 案内, 表, 裏, 進む, 通り, 途中, 真ん中 and 戻る, with route phrases and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for six N4 Japanese words used to read train service labels, make a transfer and understand a delay.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: rail travel, timetables and tickets

Learn six N4 Japanese rail words for train types, transfers and delays: 普通, 急行, 特急, 乗り換える, 遅れる and 汽車.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card grouping the N4 words 季節 and 雲, the change verbs 乾く and 冷える, and the natural hazards 地震 and 台風.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: seasons, climate and natural hazards

Learn six N4 Japanese words for seasons, changing weather and natural hazards, with readings, verb contrasts, collocations and contextual practice.

26 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing four N5 Japanese words for family life, childhood and birthdays.

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

N5 vocabulary: childhood, family life and relationships

Learn four N5 Japanese family-life words: 奥さん, 兄弟, 子供 and 誕生日, with readings, relationship context and natural birthday phrases.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card presenting なんという, なんと and なんて as ways to express an extraordinary degree.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

なんという, なんと and なんて: degree exclamations (N1)

Learn how なんという, なんと and なんて express a remarkable degree, with forms, register contrasts, scope boundaries and original N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting one dominant reason with one highlighted member selected from a group.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

何しろ and とりわけ: reasons and emphasis

Compare 何しろ and とりわけ: foreground the decisive background that explains a judgment, or select one especially remarkable member from a wider set.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card shows A に B as an additive noun pairing, with additive lists and combinations highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

Noun に noun: additive lists and combinations (N1)

Learn how coordinating に joins noun pairings and accumulating lists, how it differs from と, や, も, and に加えて, and where ordinary case-particle に begins.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing NというN and the phrase every single one, with without exception highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

NというN: every single one without exception (N1)

Learn how repeated-noun NというN means every single member without exception, where particles attach, and how it differs from ordinary という, すべて, and というもの.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card presents たら, ば and なら leading toward an unrealized result marked by ところだ.

N1 grammar · 10 min read

たら／ば／なら～ところだ: counterfactual outcomes (N1)

Learn how たら／ば／なら～ところだ places you inside an unrealized result, when to use ところだ or ところだった, and how it differs from たところ and たところで.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing てからというもの as a turning point followed by a lasting change.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

てからというもの: a lasting change since an event

Learn how てからというもの marks a lasting change after a turning point, how it differs from てから and て以来, and where the emphasis sounds natural.

26 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting Japanese resolve with a formal judgement about what ought to happen.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

てみせる and てしかるべきだ: resolve and justified expectation

Contrast ～てみせる resolve or demonstration with ～てしかるべきだ justified expectation, including formation, register and original N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introduces ～て（は）かなわない as a strong complaint that a situation is too much to bear.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～て（は）かなわない: when a situation is unbearable (N1)

Learn how ～てかなわない complains that a situation is unbearable, what は adds, and how the pattern differs from てたまらない, てならない, and lexical 敵わない.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting てもどうにもならない with どうにも～ない and highlighting limits of action.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

てもどうにもならない and どうにも～ない: limits of action

Compare ～てもどうにもならない with どうにも～ない: explicit futile remedies versus broader impossibility, with formation, nuance and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting ても差し支えない with ずとも and highlighting permission and no necessity.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ても差し支えない and ずとも: permission and no necessity

Compare ～ても差し支えない with Vずとも: formal permission or acceptability versus saying an action is unnecessary, with formation and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting ても知らない with さもないと and highlighting two kinds of warning.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ても知らない and さもないと: warnings

Compare ～ても知らない with さもないと: a speaker withdrawing responsibility versus an otherwise connector that states the consequence of not acting.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting と相まって, where two factors combine, with ゆえに, where one formal reason leads to a result.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

と相まって and ゆえに: combined and formal causes

Compare と相まって with ゆえに: interacting factors that combine into one result versus a formal reason or conclusion.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting とあれば as a hypothetical special condition with とあって as the factual grounds for an observed result.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

とあれば and とあって: hypothetical and actual grounds

Compare とあれば with とあって: a hypothetical special condition that licenses a response versus an actual circumstance that explains an observed result.

26 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting といい～といい for evaluating representative aspects with といわず～といわず for extending a statement across a whole range.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

といい～といい and といわず～といわず: inclusive lists

Compare といい～といい with といわず～といわず: two representative aspects that support an evaluation versus examples that erase a boundary across a whole group.

26 September 2026

Japanese study card contrasting といったらない with のなんのって for strong reactions.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

といったらない and のなんのって: strong reactions

Compare といったらない and のなんのって through attachment, register, vivid consequences and original N1 practice.

26 September 2026

Japanese grammar card comparing というか～というか with というところだ and といったところだ.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

というか～というか and というところだ: approximation

Learn how というか～というか searches for the right label, while というところだ and といったところだ give a restrained estimate.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting a continuous time span with a conclusion drawn from evidence.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

というもの and というわけだ: a time span or a conclusion

Learn how time-period plus というもの emphasizes an uninterrupted span, while というわけだ states the conclusion that follows from known facts.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing one interpretation crossed out while the original facts remain.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

というわけではない: denying an interpretation

Learn how というわけではない rejects an interpretation without denying every fact, how it attaches, and what the speaker usually says next.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting stacked evidence with a spotlighted topic for ときている and ときたら.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ときている and ときたら: evaluative topic framing

Learn how ときている adds a decisive fact while ときたら frames a topic for an evaluative comment, with attachment rules and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing an observed clue followed at once by a reaction for とみると and と見るや.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

とみると and と見るや: reacting immediately

Compare とみると and と見るや for actions taken immediately after judging a situation, including attachment, narrative register and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing one proposed condition branching into practical consequences for となると and となれば.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

となると and となれば: implications of a condition

Learn how となると and となれば turn a proposed situation into practical consequences, with attachment, register and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A child looking absently through a window on a cream Kikusho grammar card for ともなく and ともすれば.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ともなく and ともすれば: indefinite action and tendencies

Compare ともなく／ともなしに for action without a clear aim with sentence-level ともすれば for an unchecked tendency, with N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A tree-lined road and sidewalk approaching an intersection on a cream Kikusho grammar card about alternative conditions.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

とも～とも and ようが～ようが: alternative conditions

Compare とも～とも for an unresolved label with ようが～ようが and ようと～ようと for an outcome unchanged by either alternative.

26 September 2026

A woman firefighter holding paperwork on a cream Kikusho grammar card about an uncharacteristic mistake.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

としたことが: surprise at an uncharacteristic mistake

Use Nとしたことが for surprise at an uncharacteristic mistake, with the expectation logic, register limits, contrasts and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing とっさに and the phrase reacting before you have time to think, with the English explanation highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

とっさに: reacting before you have time to think (N1)

Learn how とっさに marks an immediate reaction before deliberation, how とっさの modifies nouns, and how it differs from すぐに, いきなり, and 思わず.

26 September 2026

A laptop, coffee mug and blue sunglasses on a wooden desk behind a cream Kikusho grammar card for とて and とは.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

とて and とは: concessions and reactions

Compare literary とて for “even N” or “even if” with exclamatory とは for surprise at an unexpected fact, with forms and N1 practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing the paired form つ～つ and arrows moving between two opposing actions.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

つ～つ: repeated opposing actions

Learn how N1 つ～つ links alternating, opposing or reciprocal actions, which verb pairs sound natural, and how it differs from つつ and たり～たり.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting one action filled to its limit with repeated layers of the same effort.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

尽くす and に～を重ねて: thorough or repeated action

Compare N1 ～尽くす for doing or using something completely with NにNを重ねて for repeated accumulated effort, with forms and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing two speech bubbles for conversational ってば and ったら, with one message being repeated.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ってば and ったら: insistence in conversation

Use conversational ってば and ったら to insist on a repeated message or react to a person, and distinguish expressive ったら from conditional たら.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing a small case outside a circle labeled as a category for the expression うちに入らない.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

うちに入らない: falling short of a category

Learn how N1 うちに入らない says something falls below the threshold for a category, with attachment, tone, contrasts and original practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting an unchanged conclusion with a question moved onto a later tray for はどうであれ and はさておき.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

はどうであれ and はさておき: setting a question aside

Compare N1 はどうであれ and はさておき through logic, attachment, register and original practice: an irrelevant variable versus a deferred topic.

26 September 2026

A cream and coral Kikusho grammar card showing two troublesome events piling up before the result marked by わ〜わで.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

わ〜わで: when problems pile up one after another

Learn how わ〜わで piles up troublesome facts before a result, why past stories use nonpast forms, and how it differs from たり and だの.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting a forceful stop sign for やしない with a closed timeline and unfinished action for ずじまい.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

やしない and ずじまい: an action absent or never achieved

Compare N1 やしない and ずじまい: strong emotional negation versus an expected action that ended unrealized, with forms, contrasts and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing one extreme condition and a two-branch do-or-not-do choice both leading to an unchanged conclusion.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ようが and ようと～まいと: indifference to conditions

Compare N1 ようが, ようと and ようと～まいと: one irrelevant condition versus an explicit do-or-not-do pair, with formation, nuance and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting a force pushing toward a result with an unsettled responsibility that must be resolved.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ずにはおかない and ずには済まない: unavoidable outcomes

Compare N1 ずにはおかない and ずには済まない: a force that produces a result versus an obligation that cannot be left unsettled, with forms and practice.

26 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting one standout inside a group with one choice remaining after every alternative is excluded.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

きっての and をおいて～ない: exceptional standing

Learn how きっての names a standout member of a group while をおいて～ない excludes every alternative, with N1 examples and practice.

25 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card comparing 極まる, 極まりない and the この上ない family.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

極まる and この上ない: extremes of a quality

Learn how 極まる and 極まりない differ from この上ない, この上なく and ことこの上ない through attachment, register and examples.

25 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card comparing こそあれ, こそすれ and こそ～が.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

こそあれ, こそすれ and こそ～が: emphatic concessions

Choose こそあれ, こそすれ, or こそ～が by attachment and by whether the second clause concedes, excludes, or qualifies the first.

25 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card comparing こともあって with こととて.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

こともあって and こととて: two kinds of reason

Learn when こともあって marks one contributing cause and when formal こととて presents a circumstance as understandable or unavoidable.

25 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card comparing ことなしに, なしに and なしで.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ことなしに, なしに and なしで: without A

Choose ことなしに after a verb and なしに or なしで after a noun, then use は when the missing action or element is an indispensable condition.

25 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card contrasting ことのないように with ないものか.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ことのないように and ないものか: wishes and precautions

Use ことのないように for a formal precaution and ないものか for a difficult wish. Learn their attachments, register and opposite communicative goals.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing までだ and くらいのものだ as two N1 ways to limit a claim.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

までだ and くらいのものだ: limiting a claim

Learn how までだ limits an action to a fallback or simple explanation, while くらいのものだ limits who, what or how much qualifies.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing verb-forming めく with adjective-forming がましい in N1 Japanese.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

めく and がましい: the impression something gives

Compare N1 suffixes めく and がましい: one forms a verb for taking on an air, while the other forms an adjective with an often critical judgment.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting near-equivalence with も同然だ and shifted emphasis with もさることながら.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

も同然だ and もさることながら: comparisons and emphasis

Use も同然だ for practical near-equivalence and もさることながら to acknowledge one factor before placing stronger emphasis on another.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card presenting ものを and だろうに as two ways to express regret and a result contrary to expectation.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ものを and だろうに: regret and contrary expectations

Distinguish ものを from だろうに when Japanese looks back at a missed choice or contrasts reality with an expected result.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting ものと思われる, a writer's measured inference, with とされる, an externally established view.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ものと思われる and とされる: formal reporting

Choose ものと思われる for a measured inference and とされる for an established view, rule or classification in formal Japanese.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting ものとする, which establishes a provision, with ものとして, which uses an assumption to guide a following action.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ものとする and ものとして: assumptions and provisions

Distinguish ものとする, which establishes a formal rule or premise, from ものとして, which carries an assumption into the action that follows.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting んばかりに for a nearly realized action with とばかりに for a message conveyed through behavior.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

んばかりに and とばかりに: expressive manner

Choose んばかりに or とばかりに by deciding whether a scene suggests an unrealized action or communicates an unspoken message.

25 September 2026

A cream typographic Kikusho lesson card for eight N1 words used in plant, animal and biological reports.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: animals, plants and living things

Learn eight N1 Japanese words for plant growth, animal care and biological reports, including the deceptive readings 種, 象 and 実.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card connecting eight N2 Japanese words for theatre, rehearsal, art and cultural events.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: music, performance and cultural events

Learn eight N2 Japanese culture words with readings and natural phrases, from 演劇 and 稽古 to 鑑賞, 彫刻, 盆 and 催し.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card connecting 15 N3 Japanese words for writers, stories, scenes, roles and translation.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: books, films and storytelling

Learn 15 N3 Japanese storytelling words, from 作家, 著者 and 出版 to 物語, 場面, 役 and the translation pair 訳・訳す.

25 September 2026

A cream typographic Kikusho lesson card for four N4 Japanese words about branches, leaves, grass and insects.

N4 vocabulary · 7 min read

N4 vocabulary: animals, plants and living things

Learn four N4 Japanese words for branches, leaves, grass and insects through one garden scene, natural collocations and original practice.

25 September 2026

A cream typographic Kikusho lesson card for four N5 Japanese words used to read a map and follow a route.

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

N5 vocabulary: maps, routes and finding the way

Learn four N5 Japanese words for using a map and following directions: 地図, 角, 側 and 渡る, with readings, route phrases and practice.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting adverbial ながらに with noun-modifying ながらの for a state that remains in place.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ながらに and ながらの: a state maintained

Learn how ながらに keeps a state in place and ながらの carries that unchanged state into the noun that follows.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting ないとも限らない with 可能性がある for two ways of acknowledging a possibility in Japanese.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ないとも限らない and 可能性がある: acknowledging possibility

Compare ないとも限らない with 可能性がある: a possibility reopened through double negation versus a neutral assessment, with formation, register and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting なくしては and あっての as two N1 ways to present an indispensable condition.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

なくしては and あっての: indispensable conditions

Compare なくしては and あっての: a condition whose absence blocks a result versus the foundation that makes a person, achievement or institution possible.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic study card contrasting ならでは, which marks a distinctive quality, with ならいざしらず, which sets aside an exceptional case.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ならでは and ならいざしらず: distinction and exceptions

Distinguish ならでは from ならいざしらず and はいざしらず through attachment, discourse direction and original N1 practice.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic study card contrasting なり～なり as open example options with もしくは as a formal connector between explicit alternatives.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

なり～なり and もしくは: choosing alternatives

Choose between なり～なり for workable example options and もしくは for explicit alternatives in formal Japanese.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic study card for なりに and なりの, showing an action and a noun judged within a person's own circumstances.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

なりに and なりの: within a particular standard

Use なりに and なりの to judge an action, result or concern within a person's circumstances, ability or degree.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic study card comparing に値する, に足る and に足らない as judgments of merit and sufficiency.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

に値する, に足る and に足らない: worth and sufficiency

Choose に値する for merit, に足る for a sufficient standard, and に足りない for what falls short, with safe negative patterns and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic study card comparing にあって as a situational frame with にして as a marked milestone or literary pairing.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

にあって and にして: circumstances and their implications

Compare にあって and にして: how formal Japanese frames exceptional circumstances, striking milestones and literary pairings, with original N1 practice.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic study card comparing に引き換え for opposite realities with にも増して for a degree that exceeds its benchmark.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

に引き換え and にも増して: sharp comparisons

Compare に引き換え and にも増して: choose a sharp opposition or a stronger degree beyond a benchmark, with attachment, register and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasts a speech bubble for に言わせれば with a skilled hand transforming a difficult task for にかかっては.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

に言わせれば and にかかっては: viewpoint or ability

Compare に言わせれば for a person’s opinion with にかかっては and its variants for a remarkable result in someone’s hands, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing a circle that expands beyond one case with parallel paths that reach the same result regardless of a condition.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

に限ったことではない and によらず: scope and independence

Compare に限ったことではない for a phenomenon beyond one case with によらず for a result independent of a criterion, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card shows an outcome balanced on one decisive factor, illustrating the dependency expressed by にかかっている.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

にかかっている: what an outcome depends on

Learn にかかっている for outcomes that hinge on a decisive factor, including noun and question-clause patterns, nuance, contrasts and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasts a pretext with a favorable situation that someone exploits.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

にかこつけて and をいいことに: pretexts and exploitation

Learn when にかこつけて marks a pretext and when をいいことに marks an exploited situation, with formation, nuance and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasts the activity taking someone's attention with the duty left aside.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

にかまけて and はそっちのけで: misplaced attention

Learn how にかまけて marks what absorbs attention while は・をそっちのけで marks what gets neglected, with formation and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A Kikusho grammar card showing stories and records linked to にまつわる beside opposing viewpoints gathered around をめぐる.

N1 grammar · 6 min read

にまつわる and をめぐる: matters surrounding a topic

Learn にまつわる for stories and facts associated with a topic, then contrast it with をめぐる for debate and conflict, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A Kikusho grammar card contrasting a rule to follow, real conditions to accommodate and a benchmark used for evaluation.

N1 grammar · 6 min read

に則って, に即して and に照らして: formal standards

Choose に則って for compliance, に即して for real conditions, and に照らして for evaluation against a standard, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares に先駆けて and を控えて, with ahead of others or facing an event highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

に先駆けて and を控えて: events before another event

Choose に先駆けて for action ahead of others and を控えて for a coming event shaping the present, with forms, contrasts and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares にしたところで and たところで, with representative cases and futile actions highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

にしたところで and たところで: limited concessions

Compare にしたところで, としたところで and Vたところで: limited cases, assumed premises and actions that cannot change the result.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares にとどまらず and はおろか, with scope expansion and scalar surprise highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

にとどまらず and はおろか: extending a claim

Choose にとどまらず for expansion beyond a boundary and はおろか for a more surprising point on a scale, with N1 forms and practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card contrasts には無理がある for a strained plan with には当たらない for an unwarranted reaction.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

には無理がある and には当たらない: rejecting a judgement

Use には無理がある for an unrealistic plan or strained claim, and には当たらない when a reaction or evaluation is unwarranted, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card contrasts には及ばない with とは比べものにならない for measured and overwhelming comparison gaps.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

には及ばない and とは比べものにならない: comparisons

Choose には及ばない for a measured shortfall and とは比べものにならない for an overwhelming gap, while separating the formal no-need use.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card contrasts を踏まえて for considered evidence with を前提として for an assumed condition.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

を踏まえて and を前提として: grounds and assumptions

Use を踏まえて for facts or experience considered in a decision, and を前提として for a condition assumed to hold, with forms and N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card contrasts a path passing through several stages with one event opening a new direction.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

を経て and を機に: processes and turning points

Use を経て for a route, period or process passed through, and を機に for an event treated as the occasion for a new action, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card contrasts an unheeded warning with an obstacle that fails to stop a determined person.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

を顧みず and をものともせずに: disregarded obstacles

Compare を顧みず for disregarding something owed attention with をものともせずに for remaining undeterred by adversity, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card marks one event as a final stop and another as a line dividing before from after.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

を限りに and を境に: endpoints and changes

Compare を限りに for the final occurrence of an activity with を境に for a boundary that divides a clear before-and-after change, with N1 practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for を兼ねて, with “combining the purposes of an action” highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

を兼ねて: combining the purposes of an action

Learn how を兼ねて lets one main action serve an additional purpose, how it attaches, and where ついでに or がてら changes the relationship.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing を禁じ得ない and てやまない, with “persistent feelings” highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

を禁じ得ない and てやまない: persistent feelings

Choose を禁じ得ない for an uncontrollable reaction and てやまない for a lasting heartfelt sentiment, with formation, register and practice.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing を押して and をよそに, with “action despite circumstances” highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

を押して and をよそに: action despite circumstances

Choose を押して when someone pushes through resistance and をよそに when they disregard outside concern, opposition or circumstances.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing 折に and 手前, with “occasion or social constraint” highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

折に and 手前: circumstances around an action

Use 折に for a formal occasion and 手前 when prior words, a role or another person's gaze constrains what someone can do.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting さも for presented appearance with さぞ for strong supposition.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

さも and さぞ: appearances and strong supposition

Use さも to intensify how something appears or is presented and さぞ for a strong, often empathetic supposition about another person's situation.

25 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting そばから with たら最後 and たが最後.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

そばから and たら最後: repeated or irreversible outcomes

Use そばから for a result that repeatedly undoes an action, and たら最後 or たが最後 for a trigger whose unwelcome consequence feels inevitable.

25 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting そびれる with 損なう, 損ねる and 損じる.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

そびれる and 損なう: an action missed or unsuccessful

Use そびれる when the chance to act slips away, and 損なう, 損ねる or 損じる when an intended action is missed or carried out unsuccessfully.

25 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting 術がない with ようにも～ない.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

術がない and ようにも～ない: no available means

Use 術がない when no method or means exists, and ようにも～ない when a person wants or tries to act but a circumstance prevents it.

25 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card showing た弾みに and た拍子に as two views of an accidental trigger.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

た弾みに and た拍子に: an event triggered by a moment

Use た弾みに for an accidental result carried by momentum or a preceding action, and た拍子に for something that happens at the exact moment another action provides the trigger.

25 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing たことにする, たことになる and たつもりはない as three ways of framing a past event.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

たことにする and たつもりはない: versions of past events

Compare たことにする, たことになる and たつもりはない: rewrite the record, derive a past conclusion, or deny an attributed intention.

25 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing ただ～のみだ with ばそれまでだ as two conclusions about what remains and what ends.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

ただ～のみだ and ばそれまでだ: the limits of a conclusion

Compare ただ～のみだ with ば／たらそれまでだ: one narrows what remains to do, while the other marks the condition that ends the value of what came before.

25 September 2026

A cream Japanese grammar card contrasting たら～たで with ようによっては as two ways to relate a condition to its result.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

たら～たで and ようによっては: dependence on conditions

Learn when Japanese uses たら～たで for a condition's own consequences and ようによっては for results that change with the method or viewpoint.

25 September 2026

A cream Japanese grammar card showing たるもの as a formal statement of the conduct expected from a role.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

たるもの: expectations attached to a role

Learn how Nたるもの states the conduct expected from a role, how N1たるN2 identifies someone in that capacity, and why the form sounds formal.

25 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing やるだけはやった and the contrast between completing an effort and obtaining a result.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

だけは: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how だけは repeats a verb to say you did what you could, how it separates effort from outcome, and how it differs from plain だけ.

24 September 2026

A soft pencil study of several people talking behind the Kikusho title for a lesson on sentence-initial and noun-following だって.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

だって: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn when sentence-initial だって gives a casual objection or reason, when noun + だって means even or too, and how to avoid hearsay and concessive readings.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing であれ～であれ with いずれにしても, the two alternative structures highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

であれ～であれ and いずれにしても: alternatives

Use であれ～であれ to name alternatives and いずれにしても, いずれにしろ or いずれにせよ when the alternatives are already understood.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing でなくてなんだろう with ではあるまいか as two rhetorical ways to make an assertion.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

でなくてなんだろう and ではあるまいか: assertions

Compare でなくてなんだろう's emphatic label with ではあるまいか's cautious proposition through attachment, register and rhetorical force.

24 September 2026

Japanese · 7 min read

Why です sounds like "dess": the vowels Japanese whispers

です sounds like "dess" because Japanese whispers its i and u vowels in two predictable spots: the same rule that turns した into "shta" and 好き into "ski".

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing ではあるまいし and ともあろうものが through the expectations attached to a role.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

ではあるまいし and ともあろうものが: expectations

Compare ではあるまいし, which rejects an irrelevant identity, with ともあろうものが, which invokes a real role to criticize conduct beneath it.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing では済まない and て済むことではない through consequences that exceed an inadequate response.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

では済まない and て済むことではない: consequences

Compare では済まない with て済むことではない: what attaches before each form, how strongly each rejects an inadequate response, and what it does not mean.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for どうせ, showing a fixed destination and a second path that makes the best of it.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

どうせ: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how どうせ marks an outcome the speaker already sees as fixed, from resigned predictions to the constructive どうせ～なら pattern.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing the Japanese inference adverbs どうやら, 恐らく and 果たして.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

どうやら, 恐らく and 果たして: inference and doubt

Compare どうやら, 恐らく and 果たして by evidence, probability and question framing, with original N2 practice.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing the Japanese time adverbs 再び, とっくに and やがて.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

再び, とっくに and やがて: events across time

Compare 再び, とっくに and やがて by time direction, reference point and register, with original N2 practice.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for ふうに, with four demonstrative paths pointing to ways of speaking, acting and making something.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

ふうに: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how ふうに describes a visible manner or an appearance, how it attaches, and when ように or どうやって fits better.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing がてら, かたがた and かたわら, with “accompanying activities” highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

がてら, かたがた and かたわら: accompanying activities

Choose がてら for a dual-purpose outing, かたがた for a formal courtesy purpose, and かたわら for long-running parallel roles.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for ～げ, the suffix for a visible air of emotion or attitude.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

げ: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how ～げ turns a limited set of feeling words into observed appearances, how げな and げに work, and why ～そう is more productive.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing ごとき, ごとく and ごとし as three formal comparison forms chosen by their sentence role.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ごとき, ごとく and ごとし: formal comparison

Learn how ごとき, ごとく, and ごとし express formal comparison in Japanese, how their sentence roles differ, and when direct noun + ごとき sounds humble or contemptuous.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing the N1 suffixes ぐるみ, まみれ and ずくめ as three different kinds of totality.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ぐるみ, まみれ and ずくめ: different kinds of totality

Choose ぐるみ for whole-group participation, まみれ for material or figurative contamination, and ずくめ for an all-of-one-kind state in N1 Japanese.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting the argument moves marked by 逆に and もっとも.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

逆に and もっとも: qualifying an argument

Use 逆に to reverse an argument's direction and もっとも to accept a point before adding a qualification, with original N2 practice.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing the N1 grammar patterns 羽目になる and 始末だ for two kinds of unwelcome outcome.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

羽目になる and 始末だ: two unwelcome outcomes

Choose 羽目になる for an imposed unpleasant situation and 始末だ for the critical endpoint of a bad sequence, with N1 formation and practice.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing ほどのことではない and までもない as two N1 ways to judge an action unnecessary.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

ほどのことではない and までもない: unnecessary effort

Choose ほどのことではない when a matter is too minor to warrant an action and までもない when the action itself is unnecessary or excessive.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing くらいなら and ほうがましだ when a speaker chooses the lesser of two bad options.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

ほうがましだ and くらいなら: choosing the lesser problem

Use くらいなら to reject an intolerable option and ほうがましだ to rank the alternative as merely less bad, with N1 forms and practice.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting 放題 as available freedom with まくる as repeated or intense action.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

放題 and まくる: action without ordinary limits

Learn how 放題 presents unlimited freedom or an unchecked state, while まくる describes an action repeated or pursued with unusual intensity.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting provisional 一応 with small-degree わずかに.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

一応 and わずかに: provisional status and small degree

Use 一応 for a provisional or minimally adequate status and わずかに for a very small degree or amount, with original N2 practice.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for 以上に, the N2 pattern for going beyond a benchmark in degree.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

以上に: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how 以上に marks a degree beyond a benchmark, how 以上の modifies a noun, and how this N2 pattern differs from より, numeric 以上 and causal 以上は.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing いかなる, いかに and いかにも in formal Japanese.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

いかなる, いかに and いかにも: formal questions and stance

Choose いかなる before a noun, いかに for formal questions and degree, and いかにも for emphatic agreement or a strongly typical appearance.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing the Japanese adverbs いきなり, 一気に and 直ちに.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

いきなり, 一気に and 直ちに: suddenness and speed

Learn when Japanese needs いきなり, 一気に or 直ちに by separating abrupt surprise, sustained momentum and formal action without delay.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for いわゆる, the N2 word that introduces a commonly recognised name or label.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

いわゆる: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how いわゆる introduces a commonly recognised label, when its tone is neutral or skeptical, and how it differs from いわば and という.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting the Japanese adverbs いよいよ and かえって.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

いよいよ and かえって: anticipated and contrary outcomes

Use いよいよ when an anticipated moment arrives and かえって when an action produces the opposite result, with original N2 practice.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing 上 read じょう as a suffix for standpoint, domain and practical constraints in N2 Japanese.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

上: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how the Japanese suffix 上 (じょう) marks a standpoint, domain, or practical constraint in N2 grammar, with established collocations and contrasts with 上 (うえ).

24 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card contrasting formal か否か with reflective のやら.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

か否か and のやら: uncertainty in different registers

Use か否か for a formal yes-or-no determination, and のやら, ものやら or ことやら when the speaker wonders, hesitates or reacts to uncertainty.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing かのように for vivid as-if comparisons in N2 Japanese.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

かのように: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how かのように, かのような and かのようだ express vivid as-if comparisons in N2 Japanese, with attachment rules and contrasts with ordinary よう.

24 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card contrasting かと思いきや with とは打って変わって.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

かと思いきや and とは打って変わって: reversals

Use かと思いきや when reality overturns an expectation, and とは打って変わって when a present state differs sharply from an earlier baseline.

24 September 2026

Cream Japanese study card comparing 限りだ, の至り and の極み.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

限りだ, の至り and の極み: strong evaluations

Choose 限りだ for a strongly felt adjective, の至り for a conventional formal expression, and の極み for the absolute extreme of a quality.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting one effort that failed to pay off with a repeated history containing no successful instance.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

甲斐もなく and ためしがない: unsuccessful effort

Learn how 甲斐もなく links an effort to one disappointing result, while ためしがない summarizes a repeated record in which something never happens.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card introducing three formal Japanese patterns for surprisingly large measurements, prices and quantities.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

からある, からする and からの: large quantities

Use からある for large measurements, からする for high prices and からの before nouns for striking quantities, with clear contrasts and N1 practice.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing からして as an N2 pattern for judging a whole from one representative feature or clue.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

からして: formation, meaning and usage (N2)

Learn how N + からして uses one representative feature or clue to support a wider N2 judgment, with contrasts against からすると and ordinary から.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting two opposite adjective poles with a separate comparison against a named standard.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

かれ～かれ and 並み: alternatives and standards

Learn how かれ～かれ brackets opposite adjective poles while 並み compares ability, quality or scale with a benchmark, with N1 examples and practice.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting an endless loop with a gauge that has crossed its acceptable limit.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

切りがない and にもほどがある: no end or too far

Learn when 切りがない means there is no end and when にもほどがある rebukes behavior that goes too far, with N1 examples and practice.

24 September 2026

A Kikusho title card for っこない, a strong conversational way to reject an action as having no chance of happening.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

っこない: strong colloquial impossibility in Japanese

Learn how っこない attaches to verb stems, why it sounds emphatic and conversational, which short verbs resist it, and how it differs from わけがない and ようがない.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card introducing six N1 words for analysing stories, screen adaptations and historical campaigns.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: books, films and storytelling

Analyse Japanese stories and adaptations with 映像, 原作, 語彙, 主人公 and 描写, then distinguish the historical reading 役（えき）.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for seven N2 sports, exercise and competition words.

N2 vocabulary · 6 min read

N2 vocabulary: sports, exercise and competition

Learn seven N2 Japanese sports words with readings, natural collocations and practice, including 勝負, 体操, 跳ぶ, 跳ねる and 引き分け.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card connecting 17 N3 Japanese words for music, theatre, audiences and museums.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: music, performance and cultural events

Learn 17 N3 Japanese arts words with readings and natural phrases, from 楽器 and 演奏 to 舞台, 観客, 絵画 and 博物館.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card separating the Japanese words for novels, manga, translation and reason.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: books, films and storytelling

Learn four N4 Japanese storytelling words with readings and natural phrases: 小説, 漫画, 翻訳 and the reason noun 訳（わけ）.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card mapping nine N5 Japanese words for a town, including bank, park, police box, embassy, bridge and post office.

N5 vocabulary · 7 min read

N5 vocabulary: city buildings and public facilities

Learn nine N5 Japanese words for towns, buildings and public facilities through readings, useful collocations and a connected route.

24 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting 中を as a path through a space with 中では as a highlighted scope inside a group or setting.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

中を and 中では: path, setting and scope in Japanese

Learn when 中を marks a route or difficult setting, when 中で locates an action, and how 中では sets a contrastive scope for rules and comparisons.

24 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing お～願う and ご～願う as formal Japanese request patterns used in notices, announcements and careful speech.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

お～願う: polite requests in notices and formal Japanese

Learn how お～願う and ご～願う form polite Japanese requests, where they appear, how 願います differs from 願えますか, and which attachments are natural.

24 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card presenting 幸いなことに as a phrase that marks a fortunate outcome before stating it.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

幸いなことに: marking a fortunate outcome in Japanese

Learn how 幸いなことに marks a fortunate outcome, how it differs from 幸い, 幸いにも and おかげで, and where this N2 expression fits.

24 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card presenting せいか as a way to suggest a possible cause without claiming certainty.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

せいか: suspecting a cause without committing

Learn how せいか marks a suspected cause, how it attaches, and how its uncertainty and negative-result tendency differ from せいで and からか.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing それなのに with それにしても, with the two Japanese connectors highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

それなのに and それにしても: unexpected results

Choose それなのに for an expectation-breaking result and それにしても for a remarkable evaluation after accepting the situation.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting consequence そうすると with summary 要するに.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

そうすると and 要するに: drawing a conclusion

Use そうすると to derive a consequence from a premise and 要するに to compress an explanation into its essential point, with original N2 practice.

24 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing たまえ as a restrained command spoken from a higher position to a lower one.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

たまえ: the old-fashioned command from above

Learn how たまえ forms a direct command, what status relationship it implies, and why modern Japanese often uses なさい or てください instead.

24 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card presenting てはならない as the formal wording of a rule that must not be broken.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

てはならない: formal rules and moral prohibitions

Learn how てはならない states a formal prohibition, where it appears, and how the single は separates it from feelings and positive obligations.

24 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing と同時に between two events aligned at the same moment.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

と同時に: exact timing and double roles

Learn how と同時に links simultaneous events, immediate transitions and two coexisting roles, with clear formation and comparison tests.

24 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing examples flowing through といった into a broader category.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

といった: examples that define a category

Use といった to place representative examples before their category, and distinguish this pattern from という, など and これといった.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for というふうに, with a quoted statement flowing into a coral manner marker and an action.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

というふうに: quoted content as a manner

Use というふうに to package a statement as a manner, impression or illustrative pattern, and distinguish it from bare ふうに and direct quotation.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for ということは, with a known fact leading through a coral inference arrow to a new conclusion.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

ということは: infer a conclusion from known facts

Use ということは to draw or confirm a conclusion from known information, and distinguish inference from definition, summary and simple proposition topics.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for と考えられる, with evidence flowing through a coral reasoning marker toward a measured conclusion.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

と考えられる: evidence-based conclusions in formal prose

Use と考えられる for evidence-based conclusions in reports and careful prose, with correct predicate attachment and contrasts with と考える and と考えられている.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for とか（で）, with a speech bubble fading into an uncertain report and a coral arrow leading to its consequence.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

とか（で）: uncertain hearsay and background reasons

Use とか to relay uncertain hearsay without fully endorsing it, and とかで to turn that report into a background reason for what follows.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reading “とも: formal even if” with the phrase unchanged result highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

とも: formal ‘even if’ with an unchanged result

Use とも for a formal ‘even if’ condition whose result will not change, with volitional, negative and adjective forms plus key lookalikes.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reading “として～ない: not even one” with without exceptions highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

として～ない: ‘not even one’ without exceptions

Use として～ない to rule out every exception: choose a minimum unit, keep the predicate negative, and distinguish role として and N1 たりとも.

24 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card reading よほど and よっぽど, with unusually high degree highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

よほど and よっぽど: an unusually high degree

Use よほど and conversational よっぽど for an unusually high degree, strong comparison, evidence-based inference or nearly taken action.

24 September 2026

N2 grammar · 6 min read

あるいは, 及び and それなら: three connections

Separate あるいは for alternatives, 及び for formal addition and それなら for a response to a premise, with examples and N2 practice.

23 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ちなみに, なお and そう言えば: additional information

Choose ちなみに for a related aside, なお for a formal supplementary note and そう言えば when the conversation makes you remember something.

23 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing ちっとも, 全く and 少しも～ない.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

ちっとも, 全く and 少しも～ない: negative degree

Compare ちっとも～ない, 全く～ない and 少しも～ない by scope, register and speaker attitude, then choose the natural form in N2 contexts.

23 September 2026

A cream and coral Kikusho grammar card contrasting だの after listed claims with やれ before a succession of troublesome items.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

だの～だの and やれ～やれ: listing with attitude

Learn how だの～だの quotes complaints while やれ～やれ frames a troublesome list, with attachment rules, contrast and N1 practice.

23 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting ことだから with ことにはならない.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

ことだから and ことにはならない: inference and its limits

Learn how ことだから supports a likely inference from known character, while ことにはならない blocks a conclusion that the premise cannot establish.

23 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting もかまわず and ままに.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

もかまわず and ままに: action without restraint

Choose も構わず for a concern someone ignores and ままに for an impulse, wish or instruction that guides how an action unfolds.

23 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing もの, ものか and ものがある as three different speaker stances, with the deciding endings highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

もの, ものか and ものがある: stance with もの

Choose もの／もん, ものか／もんか or ものがある by speaker stance, with checked attachment, register and seven original N2 questions.

23 September 2026

A Kikusho lesson card arranging five N1 Japanese arts words from a musical work and stage direction to costume, design and performance.

N1 vocabulary · 7 min read

N1 vocabulary: music, performance and cultural events

Learn five N1 Japanese arts words—曲, 演出, 衣装, 美術 and 上演—by following a stage work from creative plan to performance.

23 September 2026

A Kikusho study card arranging nine N2 Japanese words around a university course and examination path.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

N2 vocabulary: classes, examinations and qualifications

Learn nine N2 Japanese words for academic structure and examinations, including 学部, 学科, 実習, 受験, 採点 and 点数.

23 September 2026

A Kikusho lesson card arranging ten N3 Japanese sports words around a competition from training to victory.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: sports, exercise and competition

Learn ten N3 Japanese sports words, from 競技 and 訓練 to 選手, 審判, 記録, 応援 and 優勝, with readings and practice.

23 September 2026

A Kikusho lesson card arranging seven N4 Japanese words around music, dancing, festivals and an art exhibition.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: music, performance and cultural events

Learn seven N4 Japanese arts words—音, 踊り, 踊る, お祭り, 展覧会, 美術館 and ピアノ—with readings, collocations and practice.

23 September 2026

A Kikusho lesson card showing the four Japanese season words 春, 夏, 秋 and 冬 in their yearly order.

N5 vocabulary · 8 min read

N5 vocabulary: spring, summer, autumn and winter

Learn the four Japanese seasons—春, 夏, 秋 and 冬—with N5 readings, natural time phrases and practice that keeps every kanji distinct.

23 September 2026

A cream typographic card contrasting 行かぬ, meaning does not go, with 行かねばならない, meaning must go, in coral and dark ink.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ねばならない and ぬ: formal negative constructions

Contrast literary ～ぬ with formal ～ねばならない, build both from the negative stem, and master せぬ, せねば, 来ぬ and 来ねば.

23 September 2026

A cream and coral Kikusho grammar card presenting 恐れがある as a formal warning about an adverse risk.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

恐れがある: stating an adverse risk in Japanese

Use 恐れがある for a formal, evidence-based warning about an unwanted outcome, with attachment rules, contrast with かねない and N2 practice.

23 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing ろくに～ない and 何も～ない.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ろくに～ない and 何も～ない: insufficient or absent action

Choose ろくに～ない for an inadequate action and 何も～ない for total absence. Learn the attachment, nuance and N2 no-need extension.

23 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

せめて and 少なくとも: setting a minimum

Learn when せめて expresses a hoped-for minimum and when 少なくとも states a lower bound, with contrasts, natural examples and N2 practice.

23 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

しかも, その上 and おまけに: adding information

Compare しかも, その上 and おまけに by emphasis, register and speaker attitude, with natural examples, limits and original N2 practice.

23 September 2026

JLPT · 7 min read

たら, ば, と, なら: which conditional the sentence wants

Japanese has four conditionals for one English 'if'. Which one is correct is decided by your main clause. Here is the test that sorts たら, ば, と and なら.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting 休んではいられない, being unable to keep resting, with 悩んでばかりはいられない, being unable to do nothing but worry.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

てはいられない vs てばかりはいられない

Learn when てはいられない means you cannot continue and how ばかり adds “cannot just keep doing that,” with N2 examples, contractions and practice.

23 September 2026

A cream typographic card contrasting 借金してでも留学したい with 借金してまで留学したくない, highlighting willingness and a rejected extreme in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

てでも and てまで: how far someone will go

Compare ～てでも determination with ～てまで excess. Learn how the main clause reveals willingness, criticism or a limit on extreme means.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting 先延ばしにしていては with 約束を守れないようでは as two conditions leading to bad results.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

ていては vs ようでは: two bad-result conditions

Use ていては for a continuing action that causes trouble and ようでは for a behavior or state judged inadequate, with N2 examples and practice.

23 September 2026

A cream typographic card contrasting 努力してこそ with 合格して当然だ, highlighting the indispensable condition and expected result in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

てこそ and て当然だ: grounds for a result or judgement

Learn why Aてこそ makes A essential to B, while Aて当然だ judges A an expected result. Compare attachment, stance and natural contexts.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing 眠くてたまらない, 不安でたまらない and 会いたくてたまらない as unbearable sensation, emotion and desire.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

てたまらない: when a feeling is unbearable

Learn てたまらない for an unbearable sensation, feeling or desire, including adjective forms, たい desires, viewpoint limits and N2 practice.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing 書いては直し and 直しては読み返す as a recurring cycle of writing, revising and rereading.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ては～ては: repeated actions and their sequence

Learn how ては～ては presents recurring pairs and alternating actions, how it differs from たり～たり and conditional ては, with N2 practice.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting というものだ as a firm judgment with というものではない as the rejection of an absolute rule.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

というものだ vs というものではない: judgment or rejected rule?

Learn how というものだ gives a strong evaluation while というものではない rejects an absolute rule, with attachment, variants and N2 practice.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing もう少しで before a line that stops just short of ところだった, representing a narrowly avoided outcome.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ところだった and もう少しで: how Japanese marks a near miss

Learn how もう少しで and ところだった combine for near misses, how good outcomes differ, and why たところだった means something else.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting ところに for an event arriving at a scene with ところを見ると for a conclusion drawn from evidence.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ところに vs ところを見ると: timing or evidence?

Learn how ところに places a second event at a precise moment while ところを見ると turns an observed situation into evidence for an inference.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing a premise accepted with としても while the conclusion remains unchanged.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

としても and にしても: accepting a hypothetical premise

Learn how としても grants a hypothetical premise, how it attaches to each predicate, and how it differs from ても, としたら and にしても.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting inclusion with はもとより and qualification with はともかく.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

はもとより and はともかく: inclusion and qualification

Choose はもとより to extend an obvious case to another, and はともかく to set one issue aside before emphasizing what matters now.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing やら～やら as an open list of mixed tasks, objects and feelings.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

やら～やら: listing an unsettled assortment

Learn how やら～やら lists representative nouns, actions or feelings while suggesting a larger, mixed situation, and how it differs from や and たり.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing several closed routes and one remaining course marked with よりほかない.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

よりほかない: the sole available course

Learn how よりほかない marks the only workable course, its particle variants, and how it differs from しかない, ざるを得ない and にほかならない.

23 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card presenting ようではないか as a call for people to take action together.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

ようではないか: inviting a shared action

Learn how volitional verbs plus ようではないか create a forceful shared invitation, where the form sounds natural, and how it differs from ましょう.

23 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

だけましだ and まだしも: choosing the less bad option

Separate だけましだ, which finds one saving feature in a bad situation, from ならまだしも, which accepts A only to reject the worse B.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho study card contrasting だに for a reaction triggered by the mere thought with すら for an extreme member of a scale

N1 grammar · 9 min read

だに and すら: two kinds of unexpected extreme

Learn how だに narrows to mental triggers and fixed negatives, while すら marks a productive extreme; compare attachment, register and inference.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing でしかない with のみ and highlighting restrictive statements in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

でしかない and のみ: restrictive statements

Compare Nでしかない with formal のみ: one judges something as nothing more than a noun, while the other restricts people, things or actions.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting どころか for an overturned expectation with どころではない for circumstances that leave no room for an action.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

どころか and どころではない: overturning expectations

Compare どころか and どころではない through expectation, circumstance, attachment and original N2 practice with hidden answers.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing 得る and 得ない as formal markers of possible and impossible outcomes.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

得る and 得ない: possibility in formal language

Learn V-stem + 得る and 得ない for formal possibility, including える and うる readings, conjugation, limits and original N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card divided into two contrasting sides.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

反面 and 一方で: two sides of a situation

Choose 反面 for opposing facets of one subject and 一方で for wider contrast or coexistence, with attachment rules and six practice questions.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing one decision leading to an unavoidable next step.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

以上は, からには and 上は: commitments and consequences

Compare からには, 以上は and 上は by personal resolve, logical duty and no-turning-back force, with attachment rules and six practice questions.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting a sudden reversal with two events separated by an almost invisible timing boundary.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

かと思ったら and か～ないかのうちに: surprise or immediate timing

Separate surprising reversal with かと思ったら from near-simultaneous timing with か～ないかのうちに, including forms and six practice questions.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing a boundary around what remains true and one exceptional case set apart from the rest.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

限り and に限って: boundaries and exceptions

Learn how 限り marks a continuing condition, evidence boundary or maximum extent, and why に限って singles out a particular case instead.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting a completed effort whose result was worthwhile with a valuable opportunity that should not be wasted.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

甲斐がある and せっかく: effort and its value

Learn when 甲斐がある says an effort paid off and when せっかく presents an effort or opportunity that deserves to be used rather than wasted.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card showing three starting points for a Japanese judgment: a criterion, an observer's angle and evidence for an inference.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

から言うと, から見ると and からすると

Choose から言うと for a stated criterion, から見ると for an observer or evaluative angle, and からすると for an inference from clues or circumstances.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting からこそ for a decisive reason with からと言って for a conclusion that does not follow.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

からこそ and からと言って: reasons and limits

Compare からこそ and からと言って: the decisive reason versus a conclusion that does not follow, with attachment rules and original N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing a small spark beginning a larger chain of events.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

がきっかけで and を契機に: what sets an event in motion

Choose がきっかけで, をきっかけに or を契機に by particle, viewpoint and register, with clear limits, examples and six practice questions.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting ことだ for practical advice with ものではない for admonition based on a social norm.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

ことだ and ものではない: advice and admonitions

Choose ことだ for a practical course of action and ものではない for a social admonition, with attachment, tone and original N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting ことか as an exclamatory ending with ことに as a reaction placed before an event.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ことか and ことに: expressing a reaction

Compare ことか and ことに for strong reactions: an exclamatory ending versus an evaluation placed before the event, with N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting Vることなく for an action not taken with N抜きで for an element left out.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ことなく and 抜きにして: omitted actions or elements

Choose ことなく for an action that never occurs and 抜きで or 抜きにして for a noun deliberately left out, with N2 contrasts and practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting 行くまい as a decision not to go with 行こうか行くまいか as uncertainty about whether to go.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

まい and ようか～まいか: intention and uncertainty

Use まい for a firm decision not to act or a formal negative guess, and ようか～まいか when deciding whether to act, with N2 forms and practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for five N1 words about seminars, attempts and completing graduate study.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: seminars, attempts and graduate study

Learn five academic Japanese words: 演習, 教科, 試みる, 修士 and 修了, with readings, precise contrasts, collocations and original N1 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for five N2 words used in independent study, reference work and graduate education.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: school supplies and study habits

Learn five N2 Japanese study words: 仮名, 自習, 定規, 大学院 and 百科事典, with readings, natural collocations and original practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for fourteen N3 words about university study, academic records and qualifications, with qualifications in coral.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: university study, records and qualifications

Learn fourteen N3 Japanese words for university study, records and qualifications, including 科目, 専攻, 学歴, 資格, 免許 and both readings of 博士.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for nine N4 Japanese words about sports, competition, actions, winning and losing.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: sports, exercise and competition

Learn nine N4 Japanese sports words with readings, particles and natural phrases for matches, actions, winning and losing.

22 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

N5 nature words: 山, 川, 海 and 池

Learn four N5 Japanese nature words: 山, 川, 海 and 池. Check their readings, useful place phrases and the difference between sea and beach.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card contrasting 笑わないではいられない, an action that cannot be resisted, with 気になってならない, a feeling that will not subside.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ないではいられない and てならない: strong feelings

Use ないではいられない for an action you cannot resist and てならない for a feeling or thought that arises involuntarily, with N2 forms and practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Japanese study card showing ないことには as a locked prerequisite and ～ない as the result that cannot happen without it.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ないことには～ない: an indispensable condition

Use ないことには～ない when one missing condition blocks a result. Learn the N2 attachments, negative conclusion, similar forms, and practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reads なくはない and なくもない, with qualified possibility highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

なくはない and なくもない: qualified possibility

Learn how なくはない and なくもない turn a Japanese negative into a guarded yes, with exact formation rules, contrasts and six practice questions.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reads なくて済む and ずに済む, with avoided necessity highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

なくて済む and ずに済む: an avoided necessity

Compare なくて済む and ずに済む: how to form each variant, when the register changes, and why both mean an expected burden was avoided.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares に決まっている and に相違ない for confident conclusions in conversational and formal Japanese.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

に決まっている and に相違ない: confident conclusions

Compare に決まっている and に相違ない: the same strong certainty in conversational and formal registers, with exact attachment rules and N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reads に越したことはない and the preferable course, with the English phrase highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

に越したことはない: the preferable course

Learn に越したことはない for the ideal or safest choice: exact attachments, negative forms, ば〜ほど phrasing and the difference from に限る.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares に応えて and に向かって for responding and directing, with the English distinction highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

に応えて and に向かって: responding and directing

Compare に応えて and に向かって: respond to a request or expectation, or direct movement, speech and attention toward a target, with N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares the Japanese expressions に加えて and のみならず, with adding a further point highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

に加えて and のみならず: adding a further point

Compare に加えて and のみならず: add a parallel item or formally expand the scope, with attachment rules, examples and original N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares に基づいて and をもとに, with the basis of a statement highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

に基づいて and をもとに: the basis of a statement

Compare に基づいて and をもとに: ground a decision in evidence or use a source as material, with N2 forms, examples and original practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares に先立ち and て以来, with before an event or since it highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

に先立ち and て以来: before an event or since it

Compare に先立ち and て以来: an advance action before an important event or a continuing state since a past point, with N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card places にせよ and にしろ above the words concessions and alternatives in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

にせよ and にしろ: concessions and alternatives

Use にせよ and にしろ for firm concessions or paired alternatives, compare にしても, and learn the attachments and register with N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card shows にしたら and にすれば above adopting another viewpoint highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

にしたら and にすれば: adopting another viewpoint

Use にしたら, にすれば and にしてみれば to reason from another person's position, without confusing them with ordinary conditionals.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares に沿って and のもとで, with following a framework highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

に沿って and の下で: following a framework

Choose に沿って for a route or guideline an action follows, and のもとで for the person, authority or conditions under which it happens.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card compares につけ and につき, with different constructions highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

につけ and につき: different constructions with similar sounds

Distinguish literary につけ from formal につき: recurring reactions, official reasons, units and topic marking with N2 examples.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card presents にわたって, with the span of an activity highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

にわたって: the span of an activity

Use にわたって to show the full scale of a long duration, wide area, repeated count or broad field, with N2 forms and practice.

22 September 2026

A cream and coral Japanese grammar card showing にもかかわらず with despite the circumstances highlighted.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

にもかかわらず: a result despite the circumstances

Use にもかかわらず to acknowledge a fact or obstacle before an unexpected result, with N2 attachment, register and contrast practice.

22 September 2026

A cream and coral Japanese grammar card comparing にて and より in formal notices, with place, means and starting points highlighted.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

にて and より: formal place, means and starting points

Distinguish formal にて and より in notices: action place or means versus a starting point in time, space or source.

22 September 2026

A cream and coral Japanese grammar card comparing のももっともだ and も当然だ, with understandable outcomes highlighted.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

のももっともだ and も当然だ: understandable outcomes

Compare のももっともだ and も当然だ for understandable reactions and expected results, with attachment and stance practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card over a photograph of runners crossing the Hong Kong Marathon finish line, titled 抜く: completing an action with persistence.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

抜く: completing an action with persistence

Use ～抜く after a verb stem to carry a demanding action through to the end, with attachment, collocation and contrast practice.

22 September 2026

A cream and coral Kikusho grammar card contrasting をめぐって for a disputed topic with に関わる for direct involvement or impact.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

をめぐって and に関わる: involvement and disputed topics

Choose をめぐって for debate around a topic and に関わる for direct relation, involvement or impact, with forms, limits and N2 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream and coral Kikusho grammar card comparing を除いて with 以外 for Japanese exceptions.

N2 grammar · 7 min read

を除いて and 以外: two ways to mark exceptions

Choose を除いて for an explicit excluded member and 以外 for the broader category outside a reference point, with N2 forms, limits and practice.

22 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

つもりで: adopting an intention or imagined role

Use つもりで to carry an intention, assumed situation or imagined role into the action that follows. Learn Vる, Vた and Nの attachments.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting はもちろん for an obvious first item plus an addition with ～で有名 for the basis of a reputation.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

はもちろん and ～で有名: addition versus reputation

Learn why はもちろん adds a second case while ～で有名 names what something is known for, with attachment rules, examples and N3 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for the N3 pattern 割に, with the phrase out of proportion highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

割に: when the result is out of proportion

Learn how 割に compares reality with a price, age, effort or other standard, including attachments, 割には, limits and N3 practice.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card contrasting わざと for deliberate action with わざわざ for extra effort.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

わざと and わざわざ: deliberate action and extra effort

Learn when わざと means on purpose and when わざわざ means going out of the way, with nuance, limits, contrasts and original N3 practice.

22 September 2026

JLPT · 7 min read

Why N4 feels twice as hard as N5, and what changed

N4 feels twice as hard because it stops testing what words mean and starts testing what a sentence does: conditionals, transitivity, and who a favour is for.

22 September 2026

A cream typographic card introducing ような気がする as a tentative impression, with a coral accent.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ような気がする: express a tentative impression in Japanese

Learn ような気がする for a tentative impression: its N3 forms, nuance, tense, contrasts with と思う and そう, common mistakes and six exercises.

22 September 2026

A cream typographic card introducing ようとする and ようとしない for attempts and refusal, with a coral accent.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ようとする and ようとしない: attempts and refusal

Learn N3 ようとする and ようとしない: form the volitional, distinguish an attempt from imminent action, express refusal, and avoid nearby patterns.

22 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing 朝ご飯を食べずに出かけた and highlighting the omitted first action in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ずに: describing an action not taken

Use ～ずに to say that one action stays undone while another happens. Learn the ない-stem, せずに and 来ずに, plus ないで and なくて contrasts.

22 September 2026

N1 grammar · 7 min read

ぶり and っぷり: a manner you can observe

Learn when ぶり and emphatic っぷり turn an action into an observable manner, why they differ from 方, and which combinations sound natural.

21 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

だけあって, だけに and だけのことはある

Choose だけあって, だけに or だけのことはある by result, emphasis and sentence position, with attachment rules and original N2 practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for five advanced Japanese words about housing units, chests of drawers, ceilings, sleeping places and bathrooms.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

N1 vocabulary: rooms, furniture and household equipment

Learn five advanced Japanese home words: 戸, 箪笥, 天井, 床（とこ） and 浴室, with reading contrasts, collocations and original practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for seven N2 Japanese words about dwellings, shutters, carpets, fans, cupboards and pillows.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 vocabulary: rooms, furniture and household equipment

Learn seven N2 Japanese home words, from 家屋 and 住居 to 雨戸, 絨毯, 扇風機, 戸棚 and 枕, with readings, collocations and practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for N3 vocabulary about learning, memory, reading and classroom tools.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: school supplies and study habits

Learn N3 Japanese vocabulary for learning, memory and classroom tools, including 暗記, 学習, 記憶 and the two readings of 文字.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for seven N4 Japanese words about schools, dictionaries, preparation and review.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: school supplies and study habits

Learn seven N4 Japanese words for schools, dictionaries, preparation and review, with readings, collocations and original practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for seven N5 Japanese words about animals, trees and flowers.

N5 vocabulary · 8 min read

N5 vocabulary: animals, plants and living things

Learn seven N5 Japanese words for animals, trees and flowers, with readings, natural collocations, いる versus ある, and original practice.

21 September 2026

A cream typographic card comparing に違いない with とは限らない for certainty and exceptions.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

に違いない and とは限らない: certainty and exceptions

Compare に違いない and とは限らない: strong inference versus exceptions, with attachment rules, paired examples and original N3 practice.

21 September 2026

A cream typographic card comparing に反して and にしては for results that differ from expectations.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

に反して and にしては: results against expectations

Compare に反して and にしては: attachment, register, the expectation each form overturns, and original N3 practice in connected context.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting に関する with について, with the topic marker highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

に関する and について: identifying a topic

Choose に関して, に関する, について, or についての by checking sentence position, register, and how broadly the topic is framed.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting に比べて with に対して, with comparison and orientation highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 6 min read

に比べて and に対して: comparison and orientation

Choose に比べて or に対して by deciding whether the sentence measures against a standard, contrasts two facts, or directs an action toward a target.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

に慣れる: becoming familiar with something

Learn に慣れる with nouns and actions, then distinguish getting used to something from the settled state expressed by 慣れている.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

において and における: contexts in formal writing

Use において before a statement and における before a noun. Learn their formal place, period and field meanings, plus when plain で is better.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

にしたがって and と共に: linked developments

Learn when にしたがって and と共に both link two changes, then separate following a rule from accompaniment, simultaneity and paired qualities.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing にしても with は別として.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

にしても and は別として: concessions and qualifications

Use にしても to grant a case without changing the conclusion, and は別として to set one factor aside before judging another.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting にとって as viewpoint with として as role.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

にとって and として: viewpoint and role

Choose にとって for an evaluation from someone's viewpoint and として for the role, capacity, or function in which someone or something acts.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing によると and によれば as markers of an information source.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

によると and によれば: naming an information source

Use によると and によれば to name the source of reported information, choose a compatible ending, and keep them separate from によって.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing には as a frame for a goal and its requirements.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

には: stating a necessary frame or condition

Use verb or noun plus には to frame what is required, helpful, or costly for reaching a goal, and keep it separate from purpose ために.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing のでしょうか as a careful question prompted by clues in the situation.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

のでしょうか: asking for an explanation politely

Use のでしょうか to ask for an explanation or gently check an inference, with the right verb, adjective and noun attachments.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting を中心に as a central focus with をはじめ as the first representative member of a group.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

を中心に and をはじめ: centres and representative examples

Choose を中心に for the organising centre and をはじめ for a representative example, with attachment rules, contrasts and practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing を込めて between an inner feeling and the action that carries it.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

を込めて: the feeling carried by an action

Use を込めて to show the feeling, wish or effort carried through an action, with natural nouns, attachment rules and practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing を通じて and を通して as a route through a channel or across an entire time span.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

を通じて and を通して: means and duration

Use を通じて and を通して for an intermediary or a whole time span, with attachment rules, register differences and practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing っぱなし with っぽい for states, appearances and tendencies

N3 grammar · 7 min read

っぱなし and っぽい: state, appearance and tendency

Choose っぱなし for a state left unchanged and っぽい for an impression or tendency, with attachment rules, contrasts and N3 practice.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for さえ～ば and the idea of one sufficient condition

N3 grammar · 6 min read

さえ～ば: the minimum condition that is enough

Use さえ～ば to present one minimum condition as enough, with noun, verb and adjective forms, particle rules, limits and N3 practice.

21 September 2026

A typographic title card for 際に, the formal Japanese expression for a relevant occasion in instructions and reports.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

際に: circumstances in formal instructions

Use 際に for a relevant occasion in formal instructions and reports, with attachment rules, time sequence, register limits and N3 practice.

21 September 2026

A typographic title card contrasting さらに, which extends an idea, with さて, which opens a new topic or stage.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

さらに and さて: moving an explanation forward

さらに extends the current point or degree; さて closes one stage and opens another. Learn their positions, register, limits and N3 practice.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting the upper boundary marked by せいぜい with the lower boundary often conveyed by a quantity followed by は.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

せいぜい and 数量＋は: upper and lower bounds

せいぜい sets a contextual maximum; 数量＋は often marks a minimum. Compare their scope, tone and position through precise N3 examples and practice.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting an open stretch of time for しばらく with a completed change before a reference point for すでに.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

しばらく and すでに: duration and completion

しばらく measures an open interval; すでに places a state before a reference time. Compare their positions, limits and N3 use in context.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting the one remaining route of しかない with the blocked route expressed by ようがない.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

しかない and ようがない: limits on possible action

しかない leaves one action as the only option; ようがない says no means exist to perform it. Compare their forms, limits and N3 use.

21 September 2026

Japanese · 7 min read

What to skip when you can't read every word of a page

Skipping an unknown word keeps you reading, but the word is gone for good. The fix is splitting two decisions: which to skip, and which to keep.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card showing それとも between two alternative answers to one Japanese question.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

それとも: offering an alternative in a question

Use それとも to connect alternatives in a Japanese question. Learn its sentence shapes, contrast it with または and それでも, and practise the choice.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting an event that shows no sign of happening with a situation that has a visible appearance.

N3 grammar · 6 min read

そうもない and ように見える: judging appearances

Use そうもない or そうにない for an event unlikely to happen, and ように見える for a visible appearance. Compare their forms and evidence.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting the formal connector すなわち with the flexible summary connector つまり.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

すなわち and つまり: reformulating the point

Choose すなわち for a formal equivalent description and つまり for a summary or interpretation. Compare their register, scope and common traps.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting a remembered childhood habit with a plan held at an earlier time.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

たものだ and つもりだった: past habits and intentions

Use Vた＋ものだ to recall a past routine and Vる／Vない＋つもりだった for an earlier intention. See where the past marker belongs and what each form implies.

21 September 2026

A Kikusho title card contrasting an accepted claim with one example chosen from several possible cases.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

確かに and 例えば: qualifying and illustrating a claim

Use 確かに to accept a point as true and 例えば to introduce one case that illustrates a wider claim. Learn the sentence positions and false friends.

21 September 2026

Cream typographic card for Japanese ～たて, showing the idea of a result that is still fresh.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

たて: a result that is still fresh

Learn how Japanese ～たて marks a newly completed result, how it attaches to verb stems, and how it differs from ～たばかり and ～たところ.

21 September 2026

Cream typographic card contrasting Japanese ～たって for a concession with ～ても構わない for acceptance or permission.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

たって and ても構わない: concessions and permission

Compare casual ～たって with ～ても構わない: form concessions, express acceptance, ask permission, and understand where the two patterns overlap.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

てごらん: inviting someone to try

Form ～てごらん from a verb's て-form, use it to encourage someone to try, and choose a safer request when the relationship does not support it.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing て初めて with てからでないと, with “prerequisites” highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

てはじめて and てからでないと: prerequisites

Choose ～て初めて when A leads to a new result or realization, and ～てからでないと when A must happen before B becomes possible.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing てしょうがない with ずにはいられない, with “strong impulses” highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

てしょうがない and ずにはいられない: strong impulses

Use ～てしょうがない for a feeling or state you cannot suppress, and ～ずにはいられない for an action you cannot stop yourself from doing.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

て済む: resolving a problem with limited action

Learn how ～て済む marks an action, cost, duration or consequence as enough to settle a situation, with its negative and transitive neighbours.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

的: forming descriptions from nouns

Learn how Japanese 的 turns established noun bases into descriptors, then choose 的な, 的に, 的だ or 的で for the sentence around them.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing ても始まらない with てもしょうがない, with “futile actions” highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ても始まらない and てもしょうがない: futile actions

Choose ～ても始まらない when an action cannot move things forward, and ～ても仕方がない when it is pointless or an outcome is unavoidable.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reading てはいけないから and ている場合じゃない, with the two warnings highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

てはいけないから and ている場合じゃない: warnings

Compare two N3 warnings: prevent an unwanted event with てはいけないから, or reject a current activity with ている場合じゃない.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing と言えば and と言うと as ways to pick up a topic, with “picking up a topic” highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

と言えば and と言うと: picking up a topic

Use と言えば and と言うと to pick up a topic and state an association, then learn when と言うと alone asks which person or thing is meant.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

といい and たらいい: wishes and possible solutions

Use といい and たらいい for hoped-for outcomes and possible solutions, with the attachments, particles and limits that keep the two uses clear.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting といっても, which keeps a label and narrows its scope, with というより, which replaces the label with a more accurate one.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

といっても and というより: correcting an interpretation

Learn when といっても keeps a label but narrows its scope, while というより replaces it with a more accurate description.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing とみえる as a conclusion drawn from an observed clue, with the words drawing a conclusion highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

とみえる: drawing a conclusion from evidence

Use とみえる and とみえて to draw a conclusion from evidence, attach each predicate correctly, and distinguish logical inference from に見える.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting 途中で, an event during a route, with とおりに, an action following a map.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

途中で and とおりに: stage and manner

Separate 途中で and 途中に from とおりに: locate an event inside an unfinished route or process, or follow a model, instruction or expected result.

21 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting ところで for a new topic with ところが for an unexpected result.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ところで and ところが: topic shifts and unexpected turns

Use ところで to open a separate topic and ところが to overturn an expectation. Learn their discourse roles, limits and lookalike patterns.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

とても～ない: impossibility under the circumstances

Learn why とても～ない means “cannot possibly,” how it differs from “not very,” and which negative forms make the judgment natural.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ついに: reaching the awaited outcome

Use ついに when a long lead-up reaches its decisive result, including bad outcomes and things that never happened. Compare やっと, とうとう and いよいよ.

21 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ばいい, ばよかった and ば～のに: advice and regret

Choose ばいい, ばよかった or ば～のに by time and viewpoint: present advice, past regret, or disappointment about an unrealized alternative.

20 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

ばかり, ばかりだ and ばかりか: three limits

Distinguish ばかり, ばかりだ and ばかりか by attachment: approximate amounts, one-way trends, and emphatic not-only-but-also addition.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card comparing 別に～ない and 決して～ない as two different kinds of negative emphasis.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

別に～ない and 決して～ない: negative emphasis

Choose 別に～ない for “not particularly” and 決して～ない for a categorical “never” or “by no means,” with forms, register, and N3 practice.

20 September 2026

N1 grammar · 8 min read

びる, ぶる and じみた: appearance or pretence

Separate びる, ぶる and じみた by attachment and intent: a quality that emerges, a pose someone adopts, or a marked resemblance that shows through.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting ぶりに with the two readings of 中 for gaps and time windows.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ぶりに and 中: time since, or time within

Use ぶりに for a return after a gap and 中 for time inside, throughout, or before the end of a period, with ちゅう／じゅう readings and N3 practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card comparing the limits of だけ with the rough scale of くらい and ぐらい.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

だけ and くらい: limits and approximations

Choose だけ for an exact or context-defined limit and くらい／ぐらい for an approximation, degree, or minimum expectation, with N3 practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing the conversational endings だけど and じゃない, with their Japanese forms highlighted in coral

N3 grammar · 8 min read

だけど and じゃない: conversational assertions

Learn how だけど leaves a conversational opening while じゃない asks someone to recognize a claim, with attachment rules, tone, and N3 practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing だらけ, がち, and 気味 as three N3 ways to describe an unwanted accumulation, repeated tendency, or mild current state

N3 grammar · 8 min read

だらけ, がち and 気味: patterns with a negative tendency

Compare N3 だらけ, がち, and 気味 by accumulation, repeated tendency, and mild current state, with attachment rules, examples, and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing どんなに, いくら, and たとえ with ても as three N3 ways to express concession

N3 grammar · 8 min read

どんなに, いくら and たとえ～ても: three kinds of concession

Compare N3 どんなに, いくら, and たとえ with ても: degree, repeated quantity, and a hypothetical case, with attachment rules and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing どうしても and なるべく as fixed resolve and practical best effort

N3 grammar · 6 min read

どうしても and なるべく: fixed resolve or best effort

Compare どうしても and なるべく: strong determination, unavoidable failure, and practical best effort, with natural N3 examples and practice.

20 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ふりをする and まるで: pretending or comparing

Separate deliberate ふりをする from resemblance with まるで～ようだ. Learn each attachment, the accusation hidden in pretence, and seven practice questions.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting ふと and つい in Japanese.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ふと and つい: a thought appears or an impulse wins

Separate ふと for an unbidden thought, glance or realization from つい for an impulse or lapse, with natural examples and seven practice questions.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing がたい for extreme difficulty.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

がたい: difficulty beyond a simple obstacle

Learn verb-stem plus がたい for actions that are nearly impossible to accept, believe or carry out, and separate it from everyday にくい.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing ごとに, たびに and ずつ.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ごとに, たびに and ずつ: repeated distribution

Choose ごとに for units, たびに for every triggering event, and ずつ for equal allotments or gradual change, with verified examples and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing 一度に and ついでに.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

一度に and ついでに: same time or extra errand

Use 一度に for things handled in one batch or at the same time, and ついでに when a main action creates the chance for a secondary one.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for the N3 grammar pattern 一方だ.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

一方だ: when a trend keeps moving one way

Form 一方だ with a change verb, follow rising or falling trends, and keep this N3 pattern separate from contrastive 一方で and simple continuation.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing the N3 expressions 一体, まさか and もしかしたら.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

一体, まさか and もしかしたら: surprise and suspicion

Choose 一体 for an urgent question, まさか for disbelief, and もしかしたら for a tentative possibility, with clear N3 examples and practice.

20 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for か何か, showing one named anchor and an open alternative highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

か何か: leaving the alternative unspecified

Learn how Aか何か means “A or something like it,” where particles attach, and how it differs from 何か, AかB, でも and かどうか.

20 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing かける, 切る and 切れない across the stages of an action.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

かける, 切る and 切れない: stages and completion

Compare verb-stem かける, 切る and 切れない: an action left partway, one carried through completely, or one that cannot be completed.

20 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting a time range with a field of expertise for から〜にかけて and にかけては.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

から～にかけて and にかけて: ranges and domains

Separate the approximate range から〜にかけて from the domain expression にかけては, then choose each form from endpoints, context and evaluation.

20 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting 代わりに with に代わって for replacement and exchange.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

代わりに and にかわって: replacement and exchange

Choose 代わりに for substitutes and reciprocal exchange, or に代わって and に代わり for formal role replacement, with clear attachment rules.

20 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card contrasting 結果, 結局 and そのために for outcomes and consequences.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

結果, 結局 and そのために: outcomes and consequences

Distinguish 結果, 結局 and そのために by structure: report a result, state the final outcome, or connect a reason or goal to what follows.

20 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for きり and a limit that remains in place.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

きり: a limit that remains in place

Use きり for an exact limit or a past event after which nothing expected happened. Learn its attachments, っきり variant and key contrasts.

20 September 2026

A cream study card contrasting っけ for remembering with んだって for reporting, joined by a coral information path.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

っけ and んだって: recollection and reported information

Use Japanese っけ to retrieve something you once knew and んだって to relay what you heard, with attachment rules and contextual practice.

20 September 2026

A cream study card contrasting 込む for movement or depth with 通す for an action maintained from start to finish.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

込む and 通す: sustained or inward-directed actions

Compare Japanese verb-stem + 込む and 通す: inward or absorbed action versus maintaining an action through its full course.

20 September 2026

A cream study card contrasting こそ for a selected focal point with さえ for an unexpected extreme.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

こそ and さえ: focus and unexpected extremes

Use Japanese こそ to single out the very person, time or reason, and さえ to present an unexpected extreme, with particle rules and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting ことから and なぜなら.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ことから and なぜなら: explaining the reason

Compare ことから and なぜなら for Japanese reasons: one starts from evidence, while the other states a claim first and then explains why.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card reading ことになっている for established rules and arrangements.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ことになっている: rules and established arrangements

Use ことになっている for rules, schedules and arrangements already in force. Learn its forms and how it differs from ことになる and ことにしている.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing ことは～が with ないことはない.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

ことは～が and ないことはない: qualified agreement

Choose ことは～が or ないことはない for qualified agreement. Learn the repeated form, double negative and the strength of each answer.

20 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

こと: a written instruction

Use sentence-final こと for written Japanese rules and instructions. Learn the positive and negative forms and how they differ from nominalization and ことだ.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing くせに as contrast spoken with criticism.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

くせに: contrast with criticism

Learn how くせに marks a contradiction with blame, how it attaches, why subjects usually match, and when neutral のに is the safer choice.

20 September 2026

Learning methods · 8 min read

Can Anki teach you grammar, or only vocabulary?

Anki drills a grammar point's form until it is automatic. What it can't teach is the choice to use it in a new sentence, and for grammar that is most of the job.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing めったに～ない, rarity across occasions, with なかなか～ない, a result that remains out of reach.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

めったに～ない and なかなか: rarity and difficulty

Choose めったに～ない for rare events and なかなか～ない for an expected result that does not happen readily, with forms, contrasts and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for the N3 grammar pattern も～ば～も, which combines parallel characteristics.

N3 grammar · 7 min read

も～ば～も: combining parallel characteristics

Use も～ば～も to balance two facts as both A and B. Learn its verb, adjective and noun forms, negative pattern, limits and natural alternatives.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting もしも～たら with としたら as two ways to frame a hypothetical situation in Japanese

N3 grammar · 8 min read

もしも～たら and としたら: two ways to suppose

Learn when もしも～たら presents a what-if and when としたら, とすれば, or とすると turns a whole statement into a premise for N3 reasoning.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting 向け, an intended audience, with 向き, suitability based on a person's or thing's qualities

N3 grammar · 7 min read

向け and 向き: intended audience or suitability

Learn why 初心者向け means designed for beginners while 初心者向き means suitable for them, with forms, contrasts and seven N3 exercises.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting よりも, the comparison baseline, with むしろ, the option a speaker judges more accurate

N3 grammar · 8 min read

むしろ and よりも: choosing the more accurate comparison

Use よりも to mark a comparison baseline and むしろ to replace it with a more accurate or preferable choice, with forms and seven N3 exercises.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for six N1 Japanese words about garment parts, woven textiles, fibres, dyeing and fashion.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: clothes, fabrics and getting dressed

Learn six N1 Japanese clothing and textile words: 襟, 裾, 織物, 繊維, 染める and 流行（はやり）, with collocations and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for four N2 Japanese words about knitting, sewing, scarves and traditional Japanese clothing.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: clothes, fabrics and getting dressed

Learn four N2 Japanese clothing words: 編む, 縫う, マフラー and 和服, with readings, natural collocations, usage contrasts and original practice.

20 September 2026

A cream typographic title card for N3 vocabulary about rooms, furniture and household equipment, with "housing and architecture" highlighted in coral.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

N3 vocabulary: rooms, furniture and household equipment

Learn seven N3 Japanese words for housing, architecture, living rooms, furniture, roofs, floors and blankets through connected examples and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream typographic title card for N4 vocabulary about rooms, furniture and household equipment, with "rooms and furniture" highlighted in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: rooms, furniture and household equipment

Learn nine N4 Japanese words for mirrors, walls, storage, bedding, lighting, heating and cooling through natural room descriptions and practice.

20 September 2026

A cream typographic title card for five N5 Japanese words about music and creative hobbies, with "creative hobbies" highlighted in coral.

N5 vocabulary · 7 min read

N5 vocabulary: music and creative hobbies

Learn five N5 Japanese words for songs, singing, music, pictures and guitar, with readings, natural verb partners and original practice.

20 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

ないと: a condition left partly unstated

Learn when ないと means “if not,” when it implies “have to,” how to form it, and why context supplies the ending that Japanese leaves unsaid.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing 高い changing to 高さ and 便利 changing to 便利さ.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

さ: turning an adjective into a measurable quality

Turn Japanese adjectives into nouns with さ, form 高さ and 便利さ correctly, and distinguish measured degree from み and adjective + の.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

～させてください: asking permission to act

Use ～させてください to ask “please let me do it” in Japanese. Learn the causative attachment, who acts, register choices and common mistakes.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

し, それに and それでも: add or push against a point

Choose し, それに or それでも by the relationship you need: list a reason, add support in a new sentence, or continue despite an obstacle.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

そんなに or より: degree or comparison standard

Use そんなに for a degree already in the conversation and より for an explicit benchmark. Learn their attachments, limits and seven practice questions.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

～たらどう and ～たらいいですか: who wants advice?

Use ～たらどう to suggest an action and ～たらいいですか to ask what action is best. Follow the speaker and listener to choose naturally.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

～てほしい: who acts, and who wants it?

Use ～てほしい to say you want someone to act. Learn who takes に, how the negatives differ, and when a softer request is better.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 9 min read

ていく and てくる: change, movement and viewpoint

Choose ていく or てくる by direction: away or toward the viewpoint, from now onward or up to now. Learn motion, change and onset uses.

20 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

～て, ～くて and ～で: when the first clause is the cause

Connect a cause to its natural result with verb ～て, adjective ～くて or ～で, and noun ～で. Learn when から or ので is the better choice.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting てすみません for apology with てよかった for relief after an event.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

てすみません and てよかった: reactions to an event

Use てすみません to apologize for an event and てよかった to express relief. Learn negative forms, register and the contrast with ばよかった.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card contrasting と言ってもいい with と言われている as two ways to frame a view.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

と言ってもいい and と言われている: reporting views

Choose と言ってもいい for the speaker's assessment and と言われている for a circulating view. Learn attachment, register and common lookalikes.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card comparing と聞いた for heard information with と思う for the speaker's own judgment.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

と聞いた and と思う: reporting speech and thoughts

Use と聞いた for information from another source and と思う for your own judgment. Learn one quotation pattern, attachment rules and seven exercises.

20 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

直す: doing an action again to correct it

Form Japanese verbs with ～直す, distinguish corrective redoing from simple repetition, and learn when compounds such as 見直す have extended meanings.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing Aは〜が、Bは… as a balanced Japanese contrast between two items.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

は～が…は: making a contrast explicit

Use Aは〜が、Bは… to compare two people, things or situations. Learn contrastive は, particle replacement, omission and seven N4 exercises.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card for 予定だ, the N4 form that places an action or event on a schedule.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

予定だ: describing an arrangement

Use 予定だ for scheduled actions and arrangements. Learn verb and noun attachment, past and negative forms, and how it differs from つもり.

20 September 2026

A cream Kikusho grammar card showing ようにする as the N4 pattern for deliberate effort and habits.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

ようにする: habits and deliberate effort

Use ようにする for deliberate effort, routines, and making sure a result happens. Learn its forms and how it differs from ようになる, ことにする, and てみる.

20 September 2026

A cream typographic title card comparing the Japanese grammar forms あげく and 末に, with "outcomes after a process" highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 9 min read

あげく and 末に: outcomes after a process

Choose あげく or 末に by the result and speaker stance, with attachment rules, contrasting examples and original N2 practice.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card comparing あまりにも, which directly judges a degree as excessive, with ほど, which gives a scale or consequence.

N3 grammar · 10 min read

あまりにも and ほど: strength and degree

Learn あまりにも for an excessive degree, contrast it with ほど, and test the difference in seven original N3 grammar questions.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing 場合は for stating what to do in a possible situation.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

場合は: stating what to do in a situation

Learn how 場合は frames a possible case and its response. Check noun-like attachment, verb timing, register, limits and seven original exercises.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card comparing the formal N1 constructions べからず, べくもない and べくして.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

べからず, べくもない and べくして: formal べく constructions

Learn how べからず prohibits, べくもない rules out possibility, and べくして marks an inevitable outcome in formal N1 Japanese.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

だけで and の中で: limits and scope

Learn how だけで marks what alone is enough and how の中で sets a place, circumstance, or comparison group, with N4 examples and practice.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card introducing でしょう and だろう for inference and confirmation.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

でしょう and だろう: making an inference

Choose でしょう or だろう by purpose and register. Learn inference, confirmation, plain-form attachment, intonation and seven original exercises.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing でも, または, とか and など as Japanese markers for alternatives and examples, with the four forms highlighted in coral.

N4 grammar · 9 min read

でも, または, とか and など: examples and alternatives

Use または for named alternatives, Nでも for one loose suggestion, とか for conversational examples, and など for a neutral representative list.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic card contrasting でも with noun plus をください in coral.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

でも and をください: contrast and requests

Learn sentence-opening でも for contrast and noun + をください for requesting things, then separate them from two lookalike beginner patterns.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing formal ではないか with conversational じゃないか for checking, challenging, and seeking agreement.

N4 grammar · 9 min read

ではないか and じゃないか: checking and challenging

Use ではないか for formal confirmation and じゃないか in casual speech. Learn how context turns the same shape into a check, reminder, surprise, or invitation.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing a needed passport with the necessary action of making a reservation using が必要 and 必要がある.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

が必要 and 必要がある: expressing necessity

Use Nが必要 for a needed thing and Vる必要がある for a necessary action. Learn the particles, negative forms, tense, and difference from obligation.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for がする, the N4 pattern for reporting sounds, smells, tastes, and bodily sensations.

N4 grammar · 9 min read

がする: describing sounds, smells and tastes

Use Nがする to report a sound, smell, taste or bodily sensation. Learn the noun slot, source with から, tense, and differences from active sensing.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for がる, がり and たがる, three forms for visible feelings, tendencies and another person's wishes.

N4 grammar · 9 min read

がる, がり and たがる: feelings observed in others

Learn when がる shows an observed feeling, がり names a tendency, and たがる reports another person's wish, with forms, limits and practice.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

始める, 出す, 続ける and 終わる: phases of an action

Choose 始める for a neutral start, 出す for sudden onset, 続ける for continuation, and 終わる for completion. Learn the shared N4 attachment rule.

19 September 2026

Cream title card introducing the Japanese polite prefixes お and ご and the rule that helps learners choose between them.

N5 grammar · 7 min read

お and ご: the polite-prefix rule and its exceptions

Choose お or ご before Japanese words with a reliable origin rule, then learn the fixed exceptions, three functions and mistakes beginners should avoid.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 7 min read

ほしい and たい: wanting things or actions

Choose がほしい for a wanted thing and ～たい for an action you want to do, then change the wish for tense, negation and context.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 7 min read

一緒に and いつも: company and frequency

Learn how 一緒に marks a shared action and いつも marks frequency, where each adverb sits, and how both can describe the same N5 sentence.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for かどうか, the N4 pattern for placing a yes-or-no question inside a larger sentence.

N4 grammar · 7 min read

かどうか: putting a yes-or-no question inside a sentence

Use かどうか to place a yes-or-no question inside a Japanese sentence. Learn its plain-form attachment, noun and adjective rules, and common limits.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing the Japanese question endings かな, かしら and かい.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

かな, かしら and かい: three question endings

Choose かな, かしら or かい by asking who the question is for. Learn their attachment, register and limits through seven N4 exercises.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

から作る: describing materials

Learn when Japanese uses から or で for what something is made from, with active and passive patterns, nuance, and seven N4 exercises.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic card comparing けど, けれど and けれども, with けど highlighted in coral

N5 grammar · 8 min read

けど and けれども: contrast and softened openings

Choose けど, けれど or けれども by register, attach each form correctly, and recognize when it softens a request instead of meaning ‘but’.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing the Japanese stance words きっと, ぜひ and さすが.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

きっと, ぜひ and さすが: stance in everyday speech

Separate きっと, ぜひ and さすが by belief, desire and expectation. Learn the main patterns, limits and nuances through seven N4 exercises.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

頃, おきに and さっき: time and intervals

Choose 頃 or ごろ for an approximate time, おきに for a repeating interval, and さっき for the recent past, with readings and natural examples.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 6 min read

ことがある: things that sometimes happen

Use nonpast ことがある for occasional events, distinguish it from past experience, and learn negative clauses, こともある and natural frequency limits.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

こと and のは～だ: turning an action into a topic

Learn how こと and の turn Japanese verb clauses into noun-like topics, and how のは～です identifies who, when, where or why with clear contrasts.

19 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

急に, やっと and なかなか: how an event unfolds

Choose 急に, やっと or なかなか～ない by locating the event on a timeline: sudden onset, delayed progress or a result finally reached.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for までに, showing a deadline rather than a duration.

N4 grammar · 7 min read

までに: deadlines rather than durations

Use までに for a deadline: attach it to a time or a nonpast event, separate it from duration まで, and choose a precise cutoff.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for まま and an unchanged state.

N4 grammar · 7 min read

まま: leaving a state unchanged

Use まま when a state stays unchanged: learn its verb, adjective and noun forms, its neutral tone, and the contrasts that prevent common mistakes.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card comparing the Japanese grammar forms ～ものなら and ～ものだから, with "condition or explanation" highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

～ものなら and ～ものだから: conditions and explanations

Learn when ～ものなら frames an unlikely condition and when ～ものだから gives an explanatory reason, with forms, limits and N2 practice.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card placing もう and まだ on opposite sides of a change

N5 grammar · 9 min read

もう, まだ and まだ～ていません: has it happened yet?

Choose もう or まだ by whether a change has happened, form まだ～ていません correctly, and answer completion questions without changing the timeline.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card for four N1 food words, with meals, ingredients and cooking highlighted in coral.

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 vocabulary: meals, ingredients and cooking

Learn four advanced food words: rare 甘い（うまい）, 生（き） for undiluted, 酸っぱい for sour, and 調理 for food preparation.

19 September 2026

A cream title card introduces four N1 verbs whose meaning is selected by context, with the phrase change with context highlighted in coral.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

Four N1 verbs that change with context

Learn 差し支える, 取り組む, 控える and 踏まえる through particles, collocations and contrasting senses, then answer seven original questions.

19 September 2026

Kikusho N2 vocabulary title card over an okonomiyaki cooking on a restaurant griddle, with sauce and seasoning on top.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

N2 vocabulary: meals, ingredients and cooking

Learn five N2 meal words through planning, seasoning and digestion. Check readings, correct a bad source entry, then answer seven original questions.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for twelve N3 Japanese words about fabric, patterns and fashion, with the two readings of 柄 highlighted in coral.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 vocabulary: clothes, fabrics and getting dressed

Learn twelve N3 Japanese words for fabric, patterns, fit and fashion, including 柄 and 綿 reading pairs, with original practice and explanations.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho lesson card for six N4 Japanese words about clothes, fabrics and getting dressed, with fabrics highlighted in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: clothes, fabrics and getting dressed

Learn 絹, 着物, 毛, 下着, スーツ and 手袋 through readings, material phrases, clothing contrasts and seven original N4 vocabulary questions.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card for N5 Japanese school supplies and study habits, with "school and study" highlighted in coral.

N5 vocabulary · 9 min read

N5 vocabulary: school supplies and study habits

Learn eleven N5 Japanese words for school, homework, notebooks and study actions, with readings, collocations and original practice.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting the Japanese command forms な and なさい.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

な and なさい: prohibitions and instructions

Use dictionary-form + な for a blunt prohibition and verb-stem + なさい for an authoritative instruction; learn the polarity, attachment and register.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing the Japanese sentence endings なあ, ね and よ

N5 grammar · 9 min read

なあ, ね and よ: sentence endings in conversation

Choose なあ, ね or よ by who holds the information, attach each ending naturally, and hear when intonation turns agreement into pressure or reflection.

19 September 2026

A cream title card with a coral rule and the Japanese forms ないで and ないでください highlighted above their two uses.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

ないで and ないでください: without doing, or please do not

Use ないで for doing one thing without another, and ないでください to ask someone not to act. Build both from the ない-form and avoid なくて.

19 September 2026

A cream Japanese grammar card showing なくてもいい above the meaning do not have to, with a coral check beside an optional action.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

なくてもいい: saying something is optional

Build なくてもいい from the ない-form to say an action is optional. Compare permission, obligation and prohibition, then practise natural replies.

19 September 2026

A cream Japanese grammar card contrasting なる for becoming with にする for choosing or making a change.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

なる and にする: changes and choices

Use なる for a new state and にする for a choice or caused change. Compare noun and adjective forms, particles and natural N5 examples.

19 September 2026

A cream Japanese grammar card showing んです and のです connected to a speech bubble that supplies the missing situation.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

んです and のです: explaining the situation

Use んです and のです to connect a statement to its situation. Learn the plain-form attachment, な insertion, questions and spoken or written register.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card for the N1 grammar family に至る and に至って, meaning to reach a stage or endpoint.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～に至る and ～に至って: reaching a stage

Learn how に至る reaches an endpoint, に至って marks a late reaction, and まで, も, は reshape the N1 family with examples and practice.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting に気がつく with に見える.

N4 grammar · 7 min read

に気がつく and に見える: noticing and appearances

Use に気がつく for a noticed thing or realized fact, and に見える for a visual appearance; learn each attachment, evidence type and common boundary.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card comparing the N1 forms に堪えない and に忍びない, both translated as unable to bear.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

～に堪えない and ～に忍びない: limits of tolerance

Learn when に堪えない rejects unbearable quality or intensifies emotion, and when に忍びない means compassion makes an action too painful.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing a knife used to cut vegetables with the pattern Vるのに.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

のに for purpose: what something is useful for

Use verb dictionary form + のに to describe what a tool serves, what an action requires, or how much time and money it takes.

19 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for も and quantities beyond expectation.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

も: quantities that exceed expectations

Use number + counter + も to mark a quantity as strikingly high, then contrast it with neutral counts, lower bounds, しか and negative not-even forms.

19 September 2026

Cream title card contrasting verb-stem 次第, noun 次第で and adverb 次第に.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

～次第 and ～次第で: sequence or dependence

Tell verb-stem 次第, noun 次第で and adverb 次第に apart by attachment, timing and outcome, then practise the three patterns in seven questions.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 7 min read

しかし, それから and そして: joining sentences

Choose しかし, それから or そして by the relationship between two sentences: contrast, chronological sequence or a continuing addition.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 8 min read

すぎる and とても: excess or degree

Use とても for a high degree and ～すぎる when something exceeds a useful or acceptable limit, with forms for verbs and both adjective classes.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 7 min read

～たほうがいい: giving advice in Japanese

Use ～たほうがいい for what someone should do and ～ないほうがいい for what they should avoid, with clear form, strength and N5 practice.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 8 min read

てから: one action before the next

Use ～てから to complete one action before the next or mark a starting point in time, with forms, contrasts and original practice.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 6 min read

てもいい and てはいけない: permission, and what natives say instead

てもいい asks permission at any register, but てはいけない sounds like a posted sign. Here is when natives swap it for だめ, ないで, or a softer request.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic title card comparing the formal Japanese concessive forms といえども and であろうと.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～といえども and ～であろうと: advanced concessions

Choose といえども or であろうと by whether you grant a fact or ignore a condition, with attachment, register, and N1 practice.

19 September 2026

N5 grammar · 8 min read

つもり and はどうですか: plans and suggestions

Learn when Japanese つもり states a chosen plan and when はどうですか offers an option, with forms, examples, contrasts, and JLPT N5 practice.

19 September 2026

A cream typographic card showing 読む becoming 読み方, with 方 highlighted in coral

N5 grammar · 7 min read

～方: describing a way of doing something

Build ～方（かた） from a Japanese verb’s ます-stem to say how to do something, then use it as a noun with the right particles.

19 September 2026

Kikusho N1 grammar title card over a group gathered at a Yelp headquarters ribbon-cutting ceremony.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～をもって and ～を皮切りに: boundaries and beginnings

Compare formal ～をもって boundaries with ～を皮切りに sequences. Learn the variants, read realistic notices and solve seven original N1 questions.

19 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card contrasting やすい, にくい and づらい.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

やすい, にくい and づらい: ease and difficulty

Attach やすい, にくい and づらい to a verb stem, then choose between ease, practical difficulty and a burden the speaker personally feels.

19 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

Honorific vocabulary beyond the standard verbs

Read five formal Japanese expressions: 拝啓, 敬具, ご無沙汰, 賜る and 拝借. Learn letter conventions, who gives or receives, and practise without spoilers.

18 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing 上げる and 合う for completion and shared actions.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

上げる and 合う: completion and shared actions

Compare verb-stem 上げる for a finished result with 合う for mutual action. Learn the forms, limits and six exercises, with all answers kept together.

18 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

あまり～ない and 全然～ない: degrees of negation

Compare あまり～ない with 全然～ない: not very versus not at all, negative verb and adjective forms, polite endings, and six original practice questions.

18 September 2026

Cream title card comparing the Japanese additive expressions だけでなく and ばかりでなく.

N3 grammar · 9 min read

～だけでなく and ～ばかりでなく: adding information

Learn how だけでなく and ばかりでなく add information, attach to nouns and predicates, and differ in register. Try six original grammar exercises.

18 September 2026

N5 grammar · 8 min read

だけ: saying only and setting a limit

Learn N5 だけ for only, with nouns, verbs and adjectives. Check what it limits, distinguish しか, and try six exercises with answers below.

18 September 2026

Cream typographic Kikusho cover displaying the title about が好き and が上手, with a coral rule.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

～が好き and ～が上手: describing preferences and ability

Use が好き, が上手 and が下手 for preferences and skills. Learn noun and verb + のが patterns, then try six exercises with answers below.

18 September 2026

A cream and coral title card for the N1 grammar family built around いかん, written 如何, with いかんによらず highlighted.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

～いかんによらず and the 如何 family

Learn N1 いかんによらず and the 如何 family: noun attachment, depending-on versus regardless meanings, formal use and eight original exercises.

18 September 2026

N5 grammar · 8 min read

Comparisons: より, ほうが and いちばん

Compare two things with より and のほうが, then name the cheapest in a group with いちばん. Learn four N5 sentence frames and try eight original questions.

18 September 2026

A cream Kikusho card introducing the conversational endings さ, わ, ぞ and ぜ.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

Japanese sentence-final さ, わ, ぞ and ぜ

Read sentence-final さ, わ, ぞ and ぜ with their attachments, stance and register. Distinguish spoken voice from formal prose and try eight original tasks.

18 September 2026

A cream title card introduces Japanese verb collocations for goals, duties and actions, with those three noun roles highlighted in coral.

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

Japanese verb collocations: goals, duties and actions

Compare 達成, 遂げる, 果たす, 施す, 催す and 損なう through their nouns and senses. Learn the readings and limits, then try eight original questions.

18 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card naming かもしれない and でしょう as expressions of uncertainty.

N4 grammar · 8 min read

～かもしれない and ～でしょう: expressing uncertainty

Compare かもしれない and でしょう through possibility, prediction and confirmation. Check plain forms, past and negatives, then try six original exercises.

18 September 2026

A cream and coral title card comparing kango and wago through purchase, hiring and discussion words.

N1 vocabulary · 7 min read

Kango and wago: purchase, hiring and discussion words

Compare kango and wago through 購入, 購買, 雇用, 採用 and 討議: readings, meaning, register, native alternatives and six exercises with separate answers.

18 September 2026

A cream title card naming から and まで as starting and ending points.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

から and まで: starting and ending points

Use から for a starting point and まで for an endpoint. Read time ranges and routes, separate causal から, and practise with six original questions.

18 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

Katakana beyond loanwords

Katakana can mark a native word, a technical label or emphasis. Learn seven borrowed comparison words and practise reading their meanings in context.

18 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card naming ことにする and ことになる for decisions and arrangements.

N4 grammar · 9 min read

～ことにする and ～ことになる: decisions and arrangements

Choose ことにする or ことになる for decisions and arrangements. Learn verb forms, negative choices and timing, then practise with six original questions.

18 September 2026

Cream title card comparing ことはない and 必要はない as expressions of no necessity.

N3 grammar · 9 min read

～ことはない and ～必要はない: absence of necessity

Compare ことはない and 必要はない: reassurance, unnecessary actions, polite endings and the limits of no need. Try six original grammar exercises.

18 September 2026

A cream title card comparing ～前に and ～後で for ordering actions.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

～前に and ～後で: putting actions in order

Use dictionary forms before 前に and ta-forms before 後で. Compare past and future plans, noun phrases, and six original questions with explained answers.

18 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

N1 argument words: precision, backing and discretion

Read 厳密, 支持 and 適宜 through their sentence roles: precision, backing a proposal and acting as needed. Compare usage, then try six original questions.

18 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing N2 noun and verb collocations, with nouns and verbs highlighted in coral.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

N2 collocations: nouns and verbs that belong together

Learn eight Japanese noun–verb collocations with eleven headwords, readings and examples. Practise six N2 vocabulary formats, with answers below.

18 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 10 min read

N3 vocabulary: meals, ingredients and cooking

Learn Japanese ingredients and cooking verbs for N3 study. Compare frying, boiling and steaming, check tricky readings, then try eight original questions.

18 September 2026

A cream title card introduces seven N3 verbs with several meanings, highlighting collocations as the clues to their senses.

N3 vocabulary · 11 min read

N3 verbs with several meanings: learning the collocations

Learn seven N3 Japanese verbs through their collocations: 当たる, 当てる, 切れる, 通す, 張る, 向く and 向ける. Compare senses, forms and eight exercises.

18 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

N4 vocabulary: meals, ingredients and cooking

Learn five N4 Japanese kitchen words: 味, 米, 苦い, 味噌 and 焼く. Check readings, food meanings and useful phrases, then try eight original questions.

18 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for N5 rooms, furniture and household equipment, with furniture and household highlighted in coral.

N5 vocabulary · 9 min read

N5 vocabulary: rooms, furniture and household equipment

Learn ten Japanese home words with readings, useful phrases and eight N5 exercises. Distinguish keys, doors, lights and furniture; answers below.

18 September 2026

N1 grammar · 9 min read

Formal Japanese double negatives: a qualified yes

Read ないものでもない and と言えなくもない as qualified affirmations. Learn how the two negatives work, where each form attaches, and practise with six questions.

18 September 2026

N5 grammar · 9 min read

～に行く: going somewhere to do something

Build に行く from a Japanese verb’s ます-stem to say why you are going somewhere. Separate destination, object and purpose, then try six original exercises.

18 September 2026

A cream and coral title card comparing the N2 grammar patterns にかかわらず and を問わず, with irrespective highlighted.

N2 grammar · 9 min read

～にかかわらず and ～を問わず: irrespective of something

Compare N2 にかかわらず and を問わず: conditions, categories, attachment and formal use. Learn their overlap through eight original exercises and explanations.

18 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

～によって: means, causes and differences

Read によって as a method, cause, changing factor or passive agent. Learn noun attachment, による, and six exercises with answers kept together below.

18 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

～おかげで and ～せいで: credit and blame

Compare おかげで and せいで: helpful causes, blame, verb and adjective attachment, polite endings and supported irony, with six original exercises.

18 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing 最中に and たとたん, with sudden change highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 9 min read

～最中に and ～たとたん: interruption or sudden change

Compare 最中に and たとたん in N3 Japanese: an event during an activity or at its boundary. Check forms, nuance and eight original practice questions.

18 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

Counters and measures in specialist use

Read 畳, 艘, 通, 滴 and 泊 in rooms, boats, correspondence, liquids and travel. Learn their number readings and practise choosing what each unit counts.

18 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing Japanese ～ても and ～のに and the expectations connected by each expression.

N4 grammar · 10 min read

～ても and ～のに: two ways an expectation can fail

Choose Japanese ても or のに by the speaker’s stance. Learn their forms, factual overlap and limits, then try eight exercises before the answer block.

18 September 2026

N4 grammar · 9 min read

～とき and ～間: when something happens

Choose とき for the time of a situation and 間 for continuity through a period. Check attachment, relative tense, overlap and original exercises.

18 September 2026

A cream Kikusho card introducing ～ところを and courteous prefaces that acknowledge someone's circumstances.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

～ところを and the set greetings built on it

Learn N1 ～ところを for considerate requests, apologies and thanks, with attachment, spoken examples, contrasting uses and eight original practice tasks.

18 September 2026

Cream title card comparing 上で for a prerequisite or standpoint with 上に for addition.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

～上で and ～上に: sequence, standpoint and addition

Compare た上で, dictionary-form 上で and additive 上に by attachment, meaning and minimal contrasts, then practise all three in seven questions.

18 September 2026

Typographic comparison of や否や, が早いか and なり for immediate succession.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

～や否や, ～が早いか and ～なり: immediate succession

Compare や否や, が早いか and なり: verb forms, immediate reactions, overlapping uses and other meanings of なり, with original practice and separate answers.

18 September 2026

N4 grammar · 9 min read

～ようになる: describing a change in ability or habit

Use ようになる to report an acquired ability or a new routine. Check verb forms, tense, negative changes, and the boundary with decisions.

18 September 2026

A cream title card comparing ～ばかりに and ～あまり, Japanese expressions that single out a cause or highlight an extreme degree before a result.

N2 grammar · 9 min read

～ばかりに, ～あまり: cause with a bad outcome

Compare ～ばかりに and ～あまり through causes, degree and attachment. Try six original N2 grammar questions, with every answer below the full exercise.

17 September 2026

A cream title card introducing がんばる, 努力 and 我慢, three Japanese expressions for trying hard, making an effort and enduring or restraining something.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

Words for effort and endurance: がんばる, 努力, 我慢

Compare がんばる, 努力 and 我慢 by focus and grammar. Learn 苦労, 真剣 and 勇気, then try six original questions with all answers kept below the exercises.

17 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 7 min read

Four N3 adverbs and the endings they suggest

Compare 必ずしも, たとえ, どうか and まさか: partial negation, even-if clauses, requests, wishes and surprise, with readings and original practice.

17 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

Japanese body part compounds: seven N2 words

Learn seven Japanese compounds with 足, 手 and 目. Check readings, meanings and phrases for footprints, upkeep, procedures, landmarks and rough standards.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card about Japanese certainty words, with evidence, guesses and forecasts highlighted in coral.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

Japanese certainty words: evidence, guesses and forecasts

Compare ten Japanese words for certainty, guesses and forecasts. Learn their readings, collocations and limits, then try six original vocabulary questions.

17 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card naming the compound verbs 飛び出す, 申し込む and 横切る.

N3 vocabulary · 6 min read

飛び出す・申し込む・横切る: three compound verbs

Learn 飛び出す, 申し込む and 横切る with readings, particles and past forms. See why 出す, 込む and 切る do not each supply one fixed meaning, then practise.

17 September 2026

A cream typographic cover introduces Japanese emotion vocabulary, with a coral line under the title.

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

Emotion vocabulary: meanings, particles and collocations

Learn six Japanese emotion words, their readings and particle patterns, with natural examples and eight exercises whose answers appear together at the end.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing formal synonyms for familiar Japanese words.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

Formal synonyms for words you already know

Learn seven N3 Japanese words used in forms and work messages, with readings, everyday paraphrases, useful constructions and practice without spoilers.

17 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 9 min read

Adverbs of frequency, from いつも to めったに

From いつも to めったに, Japanese frequency adverbs sit on one scale. ときどき and たまに are not the same "sometimes," and four of them require a negative verb.

17 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 7 min read

Legal and administrative language

Read six N1 study words for rules, public administration and courts: 規定, 規約, 行政, 訴訟, 判決 and 法案, with phrases and six original exercises.

17 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

Japanese mimetics: clear, pounding, smiling

Learn すっきり, どきどき and にこにこ through refreshed states, a pounding heart and cheerful smiles. Use their sentence patterns and try six questions.

17 September 2026

N3 grammar · 6 min read

～ながらも and the concessive forms that look additive

Learn what Japanese ながらも means, how it attaches to verbs, adjectives and nouns, and why も is optional in some concessions. Try original practice.

17 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

Six N3 words for business and news

Read Japanese business and news sentences with six N3 words: 企業, 消費, 商品, 政府, 地域 and 販売. Learn readings, noun patterns and explained practice.

17 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

N3 notices: applications, deadlines and public services

Read five N3 notice words for application periods, deadlines, proof, documents and submission, with readings, useful forms and original practice.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card for Japanese politics and economics vocabulary, with politics and economics highlighted in coral.

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

Japanese politics and economics vocabulary for news

Learn 18 Japanese politics and economics words with readings, collocations and examples. Compare budgets, costs and assets, then try six vocabulary questions.

17 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 9 min read

Words for amount and degree that are not numbers

Learn seven N3 words for whole and part, degree, averages, suitability, shortage and extra amounts, with readings, useful forms and original practice.

17 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

Words for relationships and social distance

Learn eleven Japanese relationship nouns, from 親友 and 親戚 to 同僚 and 相手. Compare friendship, workplace roles and allegiance with readings and practice.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho cover introducing Japanese time words, from then and just before or after, with the opening phrase highlighted in coral.

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

Japanese time words: from then, just before and after

Learn 以降, 以後, 直前 and 直後 with readings and original examples. Compare time periods with moments just before or after, then try six questions.

17 September 2026

N3 grammar · 9 min read

Japanese という: names, clauses and related endings

Learn Japanese という for names and clause content, plus ということ, って, ということだ, というのは and というと. Try original questions with answers below.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card about Japanese verb register, with meaning and respect highlighted in coral.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

Japanese verb register: meaning and respect

Compare 聞く, 尋ねる, 問う, 伺う, 承る, 言う, 申す and 参る. Learn meanings, readings and humble speech with six original questions and separate answers.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing eight Japanese words built around shared parts, with Japanese word formation highlighted in coral.

N2 vocabulary · 9 min read

Japanese word formation: eight words from shared parts

Use 無, 最, 超, 再 and 未 to recognise eight Japanese words. Check whole-word readings, meanings and sentence patterns, then practise forming compounds.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing ものだ and four uses, followed by the ものではない warning, with four uses highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 10 min read

～ものだ: four uses and the ものではない warning

Learn four uses of ものだ, the ものではない warning, checked verb and adjective endings, and six original questions with explanations below them.

17 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for N4 shopping and service vocabulary, with shopping and services highlighted in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 shopping and services: words in everyday notices

Learn eight N4 shopping and service words, their readings and collocations, then practise notices, prices, payment and change with explained answers.

17 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card for N5 clothes vocabulary, with clothes vocabulary highlighted in coral.

N5 vocabulary · 10 min read

N5 clothes vocabulary: what to wear and how to say it

Learn twenty N5 clothing words, readings and collocations, including 着る, はく and かぶる, then try original questions with answers below.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card pairs ないまでも and なりとも, with minimum concession highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 9 min read

～ないまでも, ～なりとも: the minimum concession

Compare ないまでも and なりとも: conceding a higher degree or accepting a modest minimum. Learn their forms and limits, then try six original questions.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing に限る, に限り, に限らず and に限って, with meanings and limits highlighted in coral.

N2 grammar · 10 min read

に限る, に限り, に限らず and に限って: meanings and limits

Compare に限る, に限り, に限らず and に限って: recommendations, restrictions, wider scope and unexpected exceptions, with six original practice questions.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho card introducing にかたくない, with easy to imagine highlighted in coral.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

～にかたくない: when something is easy to imagine

Learn にかたくない with 想像 and 察する: formal ways to call an inference easy. Check its forms, limits and meaning, then try six original exercises.

17 September 2026

A cream and coral typographic card with the title of this N2 grammar comparison.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

～に過ぎない, ～にほかならない: assertion by elimination

Compare N2 に過ぎない and にほかならない: limiting a quantity or claim, asserting identity or cause, checked attachment forms, and original practice.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing に伴って, に応じて and につれて above “three kinds of covariation,” with “covariation” in coral.

N2 grammar · 10 min read

～に伴って, ～に応じて, ～につれて: three kinds of covariation

Compare に伴って, に応じて and につれて: gradual change, related events and condition-matched response, with checked forms and six original exercises.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introduces Japanese example-action lists with ～たり～たりする.

N4 grammar · 9 min read

～たり～たりする: listing example actions

Use Japanese ～たり～たりする to list example actions. Build たり and だり forms, place tense at the ending, and practise before checking the answers.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho card introducing the adjective suffix ～的 and the word 消極的.

N2 vocabulary · 7 min read

～的 suffix: 消極的 and its adjective forms

Learn 消極的 with the Japanese adjective suffix ～的: its reading, meanings, な and に forms, limits, and six N2 vocabulary exercises with delayed answers.

17 September 2026

Permission and prohibition with ～てもいい and ～てはいけない on a cream grammar card

N5 grammar · 8 min read

～てもいい and ～てはいけない: permission and prohibition

Ask permission with ～てもいい and state a prohibition with ～てはいけない. Learn verb forms, spoken ちゃ／じゃ, register and six original exercises.

17 September 2026

N3 grammar · 9 min read

Conditional ～ては and ～たら in warnings

Learn conditional tewa and dewa in Japanese warnings, compare tara, and separate prohibitions from repeated actions with seven explained exercises.

17 September 2026

A cream typographic card naming the three meanings in this N2 grammar comparison.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

～つつ vs ～つつある: overlap, contrast, and change

Compare N2 つつ and つつある: overlapping actions, concessive contrast, ongoing change, checked verb stems, and six original practice questions.

17 September 2026

N3 grammar · 9 min read

～うちに and ～間に: acting within a window of time

Compare Japanese うちに and 間に: a chance before change, an event within an interval, and overlap. Learn forms, then try questions with answers below.

17 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card about the constraint expressed by わけにはいかない.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

～わけにはいかない: the social impossibility

Learn わけにはいかない and ないわけにはいかない: duty rather than lack of ability, verb forms, register, disputed N3/N2 placement, and original practice.

17 September 2026

N1 grammar · 7 min read

～を余儀なくされる: forced by circumstances

Use N1 ～を余儀なくされる with event nouns, tense and explicit causes. Compare the forcing perspective and try six original questions before the answer block.

17 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card reading あげる, くれる, もらう, with "who the favour points at" set in coral.

JLPT · 7 min read

あげる, くれる, もらう: who the favour points at

あげる, くれる and もらう describe one favour from three seats, and the subject moves with the verb. Choose the seat first: examples, figures and practice.

16 September 2026

Cream typographic card comparing Japanese ばかり constructions, with three different claims highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 9 min read

～ばかり, ～たばかり, ～てばかり: three different claims

Compare Japanese bakari forms: restricted choices, recent completion and repeated activity, with bakari de connections and seven explained exercises.

16 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

Words for cause, result and condition

Read nine Japanese nouns for cause, evidence, impact and conclusion. Learn their readings, meanings and fixed combinations for N2-level texts.

16 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing the difference between the Japanese endings です and だ.

N5 grammar · 7 min read

です and だ: what the copula is actually doing

Learn when Japanese uses です, だ or neither: noun and adjective rules, polite versus plain register, common mistakes and practice.

16 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing how to build the Japanese verb て-form from each conjugation group.

N5 grammar · 6 min read

The て-form: how to build it, and why everything needs it

Learn how to make the Japanese て-form from every verb group, including 行く, then use it for sequences, requests and the patterns that follow.

16 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card comparing ある and いる as Japanese existence verbs.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

ある or いる: the two verbs for something being there

Choose ある or いる for Japanese existence sentences, build location and possession patterns, and practise plants, people, objects and context-dependent robots.

16 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card with the article title and N4 vocabulary label in coral.

N4 vocabulary · 6 min read

Twelve Japanese counters: nouns, readings, and traps

A practical N4 reference for twelve Japanese counters: what each noun takes, how compounds are read, and where similar-looking forms mislead.

16 September 2026

A cream typographic card names the two Japanese adjective classes, with a coral rule beneath the title.

N5 grammar · 9 min read

い-adjectives and な-adjectives are different word classes

Compare Japanese i-adjectives and na-adjectives before nouns, in negative and past forms, and as adverbs. Practise with all answers below the questions.

16 September 2026

N4 grammar · 9 min read

Japanese keigo basics: respect, service speech, requests

Read eight N4-listed keigo forms in service speech and requests: ございます, いらっしゃる, お～になる, いたします and ～ていただけませんか.

16 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card names ない, ません and the past negative beside a coral rule.

N5 grammar · 9 min read

How Japanese says no: ない, ません, and the past negative

Build Japanese negative verbs with ない and ません, then make them past. Compare noun negation with じゃない and practise before reading the answers.

16 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introduces the connection between the た-form and て-form.

N5 grammar · 9 min read

The た-form is the て-form with one sound changed

Make the Japanese た-form using the て-form pattern. Check ichidan, godan and irregular verbs, compare ました, then practise before viewing the answers.

16 September 2026

A cream typographic card showing the lesson title, with ～たい highlighted in coral.

N5 grammar · 8 min read

～たい: wanting to do something, and why it takes が

Build Japanese ～たい from the ます-stem, use を or が with its object, and learn negative and past forms with seven exercises and separate answers.

16 September 2026

Cream title card introducing Japanese を as a direct-object marker and showing that it can be unspoken in conversation.

N5 grammar · 7 min read

を and the direct object, and when Japanese drops it

Learn where Japanese を belongs, how direct objects differ from subjects and places, and when conversation leaves the particle unspoken, with practice.

16 September 2026

A cream title card comparing ～かねる and ～かねない, with “opposite meanings” picked out in coral.

N2 grammar · 6 min read

～かねる and ～かねない: opposite meanings, one stem

Learn why ～かねます politely declines an action while ～かねません warns that it may happen. Compare both ます-stem forms in a realistic N2 notice and practise choosing them.

16 September 2026

N5 grammar · 9 min read

から or ので: two ways to say because

Learn the difference between から and ので, including だから and なので, polite endings and context. Try seven original questions with explained answers.

16 September 2026

A cream typographic card introducing ～きらいがある as a way to describe an unwelcome tendency.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～きらいがある: describing an unwelcome tendency

Use ～きらいがある to criticise an unwelcome tendency. Learn its forms, register, limits, and differences from ～がち and 傾向がある.

16 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card comparing polite Japanese suggestions with ましょう and invitations with ませんか.

N5 grammar · 9 min read

～ましょう and ～ませんか: suggesting without deciding

Compare polite Japanese invitations with ませんか, suggestions with ましょう, and offers with ましょうか. Learn the stems and practise with explained answers.

16 September 2026

N5 grammar · 10 min read

も, と, や: the particles that add things up

Learn how と names a complete relevant list, や gives examples and も adds also or either. Includes と for with and seven questions with answers below.

16 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

Prefixes and suffixes that build words: 不, 未, 化, 的

Read seven N3 words with 不, 未, 化 and 的: learn their meanings and readings, then test where a word-building pattern stops.

16 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

N4 health words: symptoms, appointments and treatment

Learn eight Japanese health words with readings, useful phrases and nurse terminology. Compare hospital admission and discharge, then try eight exercises.

16 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing nine N5 Japanese words for ingredients and taste.

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

N5 vocabulary: meals, ingredients and cooking

Learn nine N5 Japanese food words for beef, pork, chicken, egg, butter, fruit and taste, with readings, useful phrases and practice.

16 September 2026

N5 grammar · 9 min read

に, で and へ: choosing a particle for a place

Choose に, で or へ for existence, an action or a destination. Learn why に and へ overlap, then try seven questions with all answers below.

16 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing five N1 words for hints, intentions, stated purposes, public positions and private views.

N1 vocabulary · 7 min read

Words for nuance and implication

Learn five N1 words for what a message hints, intends and presents: 暗示, 意図, 趣旨, 建前 and 本音, with readings and context.

16 September 2026

N4 grammar · 10 min read

～たことがある: talking about experience

Use the Japanese ta-form plus koto ga aru for experience. Compare a specific past event, polite endings and never, with seven questions before the answers.

16 September 2026

N5 grammar · 8 min read

～てください: polite requests and clear instructions

Use ～てください for polite Japanese requests, instructions and invitations. Learn its attachment and register, then practise with explained answers.

16 September 2026

Cream Kikusho title card showing とか, なんて and なんか, with the vague list and the dismissal highlighted in coral.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

～とか, ～なんて, ～なんか: the vague list and the dismissal

Compare toka, nante, nanka and nado in Japanese: example lists, modesty, dismissal and surprise, with seven exercises and explanations below.

16 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card showing the three stages of 〜ところ beneath a coral N3 grammar label.

N3 grammar · 6 min read

〜ところ: about to, in progress, or just finished

Use 〜ところ to say an action is about to begin, underway, or just complete. A four-form chart explains ていた and the limits of each reading.

16 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing eight N1 words used in Japanese academic arguments.

N1 vocabulary · 5 min read

Eight Japanese words for academic arguments

Read eight N1 words for defining a concept, comparing claims and following an academic argument, with readings, natural phrases and original practice.

15 September 2026

A cream typographic card contrasting the formal Japanese expressions であれ and たりとも.

N1 grammar · 7 min read

～であれ, ～たりとも: concession at its most formal

Learn when であれ means regardless of the case and when たりとも means not even one unit. Compare their N1 forms, limits and original exercises.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

Japanese body and health words in useful phrases

Learn sixteen N5 body and health words with readings and natural phrases. Say what hurts with が痛い, then choose verbs for washing, medicine, and care.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

The causative: making and letting are the same form

Build the Japanese causative form and read who acts, who causes it, and why に or を cannot alone tell you whether someone was made or allowed to act.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

Japanese causative-passive: made to act or think

Form the Japanese causative-passive, compare full and shorter godan endings, and distinguish being made to act from reflective 考えさせられる.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 8 min read

Japanese colour words: when to use い and when to use の

Learn 13 N5 Japanese colour words as nouns or い-adjectives. Use 青い服, 緑のかばん and 赤です correctly, with readings and context tests.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

Japanese days of the month: 1–10, 14, 20, 24

Read Japanese dates from the 1st through the 31st: learn the first ten special forms, the 14th, 20th and 24th, and 一日 as a date or a day.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 7 min read

これ, それ, あれ, どれ: one system, not four words

Learn sixteen N5 こそあど forms as four rows: things, noun modifiers, places, and courteous directions, with the speaker and listener as your guide.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 5 min read

Japanese family words: own, other, and direct address

Learn 14 N5 family words with their readings and the contexts that choose 父 or お父さん, including direct address and practice.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

Japanese food and drink words for a first meal

Learn 17 Japanese food and drink words for a first meal: readings, menu uses, ordering examples, and practice with answers after every question.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 9 min read

N5 home and classroom words in context

Learn 19 N5 Japanese words for rooms, furniture and study materials. Read 玄関, 机 and 鉛筆 in context, then test the words without spoilers.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

Japanese location words: why 駅の前 needs の

Learn Japanese location nouns with 駅の前 and 机の下, plus direction readings and the two meanings of 外 that beginner lists often blur.

15 September 2026

Cream typographic card introducing five N5 Japanese question patterns.

N5 grammar · 6 min read

Japanese questions: か, question words and short answers

Ask and answer N5 Japanese questions with か, か〜か, どんな, どうして and どうやって. Learn where each form goes and practise short replies.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 6 min read

Japanese ～ながら: two overlapping actions, one focus

Form Japanese ～ながら from the ます-stem, keep one actor in both actions, and choose which action the sentence treats as its main point.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

なければならない, なきゃ, なくちゃ: Japanese obligation

Build Japanese must-do forms from the negative verb stem, compare なければならない with なきゃ and なくちゃ, and choose the right register.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 7 min read

Adjectives that come in pairs, and the ones that do not

Learn 16 N5 Japanese i-adjectives in eight opposite pairs, with readings and natural noun phrases. See where high/low and expensive/cheap diverge.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

Japanese passive: who receives the action, who feels it

Build Japanese passive endings and distinguish direct action, affected possessions and indirect trouble, including when an intransitive verb becomes passive.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

Japanese する verbs: thirteen N5 action nouns

Learn thirteen beginner action nouns from 勉強 to 旅行, how they pair with する, when を stays before する, and which meanings change with context.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 6 min read

～てみる: trying something to find out

Form ～てみる from the verb て- or で-form, use it to try something and see, and distinguish a trial carried out from an action only attempted.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

Japanese ～ておく: prepare, handle, or leave it as is

Build ～ておく from the て-form, hear ～とく and ～どく in casual speech, and tell advance preparation from temporary action or an unchanged state.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 7 min read

Japanese time words: に, no に, or either

Learn 19 common N5 time words with readings and useful phrases, then choose when a Japanese time expression needs に, leaves it out, or allows both.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 6 min read

Japanese transitive and intransitive pairs: two views

Choose が消える or を消す, 始まる or 始める, and 落ちる or 落とす by following the changing subject or affected object, without guessing blame.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 6 min read

Transport words and the particles they insist on

Learn 14 N5 Japanese transport words with readings and natural phrases. Compare 電車に乗る, 電車を降りる and 駅に着く, then test yourself.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

The volitional ～よう: deciding, not predicting

Learn the N4 volitional form and ～ようと思う: build each verb ending, distinguish a new decision from a continuing plan, and avoid prediction errors.

15 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 7 min read

Weather words, and why 天気 is not always weather

Learn thirteen N5 weather words with readings and useful phrases. See when 天気 means fair weather, and tell a sky condition from a change or a sensation.

15 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

Five N3 speech verbs beyond 言う

Choose 語る, 叫ぶ, 主張する, 述べる, or 報告する by deciding whether someone narrates, shouts, asserts, states, or reports.

15 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

Five N4 connectors for contrast, sequence, cause, addition

Use けれど, すると, それで, それに, and だから by matching each connector to contrast, sequence, result, addition, or conclusion.

15 September 2026

JLPT · 8 min read

Why 住む takes に when 働く takes で

住む takes に and 働く takes で because the particle follows the verb, not the place. Here is the test that decides, and the verbs that fall on each side.

15 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 7 min read

Japanese words for noticing, doubting, and judging

Compare Japanese words for seeing, noticing, overlooking, doubting and judging, with useful particles, collocations and a tricky second reading of 認める.

15 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

The potential form: ability, possibility, and を or が

Form Japanese potential verbs and ことができる, then see why が and を can both follow an ability claim but do different jobs in the longer pattern.

15 September 2026

A cream typographic card naming そう, よう, らしい and みたい, with “evidence and likeness” highlighted in coral.

N4 grammar · 7 min read

Japanese そう, よう, らしい, みたい: evidence and likeness

Distinguish Japanese そう, よう, らしい and みたい by how they attach, what evidence they use, and when they describe likeness.

15 September 2026

N3 grammar · 8 min read

～ように vs ～ために: purpose, result, and control

Choose ように or ために by checking whether the first clause names a deliberate objective, a desired result, an ability, or something to avoid.

15 September 2026

N2 grammar · 10 min read

～ざるを得ない: why two negatives mean ‘must’

Learn how ～ざるを得ない is formed, why it means ‘have no choice but,’ when it sounds natural, and how it differs from other obligations.

15 September 2026

A cream title card for the Japanese ば～ほど comparison lesson, with coral accents.

N3 grammar · 8 min read

～ば～ほど and the comparatives that double up

Build Japanese comparisons with ば～ほど, distinguish degree from ほど～ない, and try five original N3 grammar questions before checking the answer block.

14 September 2026

N4 grammar · 8 min read

ば and なら: conditions and advice

なら takes up a condition someone already raised; ば supplies its own. The test that tells them apart, and why ば can't carry a request.

14 September 2026

A cream typographic cover introducing Japanese onomatopoeia in ordinary speech.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

Onomatopoeia that appear in ordinary speech

Use しっかり, すっかり, すっと, どんどん, はっきり and びっくり in everyday Japanese. Learn meanings, sentence patterns and the differences that matter.

14 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 8 min read

Japanese connectors for notices and formal writing

Read formal Japanese with six useful connectors: したがって, なお, ただし, すなわち, 及び and 並びに. Compare their roles and try six exercises.

14 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

Six Japanese verbs for giving and receiving

Learn あげる, くれる, もらう and their respectful counterparts. Follow the giver, receiver and gift through six verbs, clear examples and practice questions.

14 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 7 min read

Japanese change verbs: what changes and who changes it

Choose 変わる, 変える, 上がる, 下げる, and 増える by asking what changes, in which direction, and whether someone causes it.

14 September 2026

A cream typographic cover introducing eight Japanese words for talking about time.

N4 vocabulary · 10 min read

Eight Japanese time words: lately, for a while, and soon

Learn eight Japanese time words, from 最近 and しばらく to そろそろ and もうすぐ. Compare meanings, readings and everyday examples, then practise.

14 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 7 min read

Five Japanese verb families and the particles they take

Learn five common Japanese verb families through the particles and nouns they take, including 会う, 合う, 入る, 入れる, 出る, 出す, 付ける and 付く.

14 September 2026

A cream typographic card introducing まじき and ずして as classical negative forms.

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～まじき, ～ずして: the classical negatives

Learn how まじき condemns an action and ずして means without doing. Compare their verb forms, formal register and limits, then try five exercises.

14 September 2026

A cream title card for the Japanese concession patterns ものの and とはいえ, with coral accents.

N2 grammar · 8 min read

～ものの, ～とはいえ: concession in written Japanese

Compare ものの and とはいえ in written Japanese, check noun and adjective endings, and practise concession with all answers after the questions.

14 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 9 min read

Five N1 words for reading Japanese prose

Read 趣, 赴く, 懐く, 空しい and 憂鬱 in context. Learn their readings, sentence patterns and register, then test five words in six original exercises.

14 September 2026

JLPT · 9 min read

What N2 asks that N3 doesn't, beyond more words

At JLPT N2, Japanese stops being written for the learner. Here is what the level actually adds over N3, and why more vocabulary alone will not close it.

14 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 6 min read

How on-readings build ten N4 kanji compounds

Learn ten N4 kanji compounds through their on-reading sound blocks, long vowels, and one small-tsu sound change, with natural sentence patterns and practice.

14 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 9 min read

Japanese numbers at N5: two systems and their readings

Japanese counts with two sets of numbers, and you need both from week one. Every reading for 1 to 10,000, why 4, 7 and 9 have two, and how a price is read.

14 September 2026

N5 grammar · 6 min read

の for possession: joining two nouns

の links one noun to another, and possession is only its most famous job. How it attaches, the relationships it carries, and the one place it never goes.

14 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

Words for thinking: 思う, 考える, 気がする

Choose 思う, 考える or 気がする for an opinion, a decision or a hunch. Learn six N4 words, natural sentence patterns and five exercises with explained answers.

14 September 2026

A cream Kikusho title card introducing Japanese workplace and school vocabulary.

N4 vocabulary · 9 min read

Workplace and school words you meet before you need them

Learn eleven Japanese words for school and work, with readings, useful phrases, job-title distinctions, and N4 practice with answers grouped below.

14 September 2026

A cream title card comparing the Japanese probability words たぶん, おそらく and きっと.

N3 vocabulary · 8 min read

Words for probably: たぶん, おそらく, きっと

Choose between たぶん, おそらく and きっと by register and conviction. Learn 確実 and もしかすると, then try five questions before reading the answers.

14 September 2026

N1 grammar · 8 min read

～んがため, ～べく: classical purpose forms

べく and んがため both mean 'in order to' in formal Japanese. Each hangs off a different verb stem, and that stem is how you tell them, and せん, apart.

13 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

Adverbs of degree, from ぜんぜん to かなり

N4 degree adverbs hide a grammar rule: 全然 and ちっとも force the verb negative, ほとんど flips its meaning with it, and 最も means most, not extremely.

13 September 2026

Learning methods · 7 min read

Duolingo teaches you words. It won't help you keep them

Duolingo runs spaced repetition, but only over its own course. Here is the gap it leaves, and whether you need Anki for the words you meet elsewhere.

13 September 2026

N3 grammar · 6 min read

～はず and ～べき: expectation against obligation

Both ～はず and ～べき turn into "should" in English, but one is a prediction and the other a judgement. The one test that tells them apart, with N3 examples.

13 September 2026

N1 vocabulary · 8 min read

Rare kanji readings in common words

At N1 the kanji look easy and the reading is the trap. 玄人, 仲人 and 土産 read nothing like they look. How to recognise them, and why the reading is the test.

13 September 2026

N3 vocabulary · 7 min read

Abstract nouns start here, and the kanji do the work

N3 vocabulary turns abstract, and nearly every new noun is two kanji welded together: learn to read the pieces instead of memorizing eight new sounds.

13 September 2026

N2 vocabulary · 10 min read

Newspaper vocabulary: words and collocations in context

取材, 発表, 発行 and 報道 look interchangeable in a dictionary. In an actual newsroom they name four different steps, and 世論 carries a spelling reform inside its two readings.

13 September 2026

N2 grammar · 7 min read

～にあたって, ～に際して: the formal on-the-occasion-of forms

にあたって marks the run-up to a milestone; に際して marks the moment itself. Same dictionary translation, and a different sentence each time you pick wrong.

13 September 2026

N4 vocabulary · 8 min read

Compound verbs: the second verb is the one that conjugates

Five N4 words share one mechanism: fuse a verb stem to a second verb, and the second one carries every bit of the conjugating.

12 September 2026

N5 vocabulary · 8 min read

N5 everyday verbs: actions, readings and common objects

Nineteen N5 verbs that carry one ordinary day: get up, wait, work, eat, sleep, each paired with the object or particle it actually takes, not a-i-u-e-o order.

12 September 2026

A cream title card in the Kikusho house style, labelled Learning methods, reading "Overdue Anki reviews after a break" with "catch up without quitting" picked out in coral.

Learning methods · 9 min read

Overdue Anki reviews after a break: catch up without quitting

Come back to hundreds of overdue Anki cards? A week away doesn't erase your progress. Cap how many you clear a day and the backlog drains fast.

12 September 2026

JLPT · 7 min read

ている or てある: which one says somebody meant to

Both mean the window is open. てある says someone opened it on purpose; ている just reports the state — and you commit to which one word early, at the verb.

12 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

と and たら: predictable results or a particular situation

と names a result nobody had to choose; たら names what happened once something became true, including a plan. The test that tells them apart.

12 September 2026

N5 grammar · 6 min read

Japanese verb groups: dictionary forms and polite endings

A verb's dictionary form decides how it conjugates. The test that separates the two groups, the exceptions that break it, and how each becomes ます.

12 September 2026

N3 grammar · 7 min read

わけだ, わけではない, わけがない: one conclusion, denied two ways

わけ marks a conclusion implied by context: だ affirms it, ではない denies it partly, がない denies it could ever hold. Mixing up the last two changes what you claim.

12 September 2026

N4 grammar · 7 min read

Regret or finished? What 〜てしまう is really doing

〜てしまう marks an action as finished and past undoing. The regret everyone teaches is a consequence of that, not a second meaning to learn.

11 September 2026

Learning methods · 8 min read

How long a review session should be, and why ten minutes wins

A review session is as long as the cards you owe today — usually about ten minutes. Why you don't set that length, and why a weekly marathon backfires.

10 September 2026

Shelves of manga and anime books packed spine-out in a bookshop in Kyoto, Japan.

Japanese · 8 min read

How to start reading manga in Japanese before you're ready

Nearly all manga prints furigana over every kanji, so the character count is not what stops you. The real wall is dialogue written the way people talk.

10 September 2026

A fountain pen resting nib-down on a lined notebook page, with faint cursive handwriting running across the paper in soft focus.

Learning methods · 8 min read

Does handwriting a word help you remember it?

Handwriting a word feels like it lodges it, but the pen was never the reason it stuck. What actually fixes a word in memory, and why typing does it too.

8 September 2026

A close-up row of textbook spines standing upright on a shelf, corporate finance and management titles in soft focus.

Learning methods · 7 min read

Why highlighting a word doesn't help you learn it

Highlighting a word marks it; it doesn't teach it. What builds the memory is recalling the word later from nothing — and a highlight quietly prevents that.

7 September 2026

Japanese · 8 min read

Kanji or hiragana? Why the same word is written both ways

The same word turns up in kanji one place and kana another. For most words that is a register-and-readability choice, not a right answer — here is how to read it.

6 September 2026

Learning methods · 11 min read

Single words or sentences? What the sentence actually adds

Everyone says learn words in sentences. Here is what the sentence actually carries — the particle, the words it travels with, the register — that a lone word can't.

6 September 2026

A Japanese sentence with an empty bracket where the subject would be, and arrows from the verb pointing back to the person it belongs to.

Japanese · 8 min read

How to tell who's doing what when Japanese drops the subject

Japanese drops the subject because the sentence already encodes who: giving verbs, feeling words and honorifics all point to a person. Here is how to read them.

4 September 2026

Japanese · 8 min read

Why you understand Japanese but freeze trying to speak it

You know the word, then it vanishes the moment you need to say it. Understanding and producing are two different skills, and most study trains only one.

3 September 2026

Learning methods · 7 min read

Why a downloaded Anki deck never sticks the way your own does

A downloaded deck teaches someone else's words in someone else's order, anchored to nothing you lived. Why that fails — and what to build instead.

2 September 2026

Learning methods · 8 min read

Again, Hard, Good, Easy: what your rating actually changes

The four review buttons aren't a difficulty score — they tell the scheduler how fast a memory is fading, and that is what really sets when you see the card next.

31 August 2026

Old Japanese paper yen banknotes fanned out, their denominations printed in large numerals and kanji.

Japanese · 7 min read

Why big numbers in Japanese trip you up: counting in 万

Japanese groups digits by four, not three, so a million is 百万 — a hundred ten-thousands. Why big numbers stall you, and the comma trick that fixes it.

30 August 2026

Japanese · 8 min read

Does kanji stroke order matter, and when to bother learning it

Stroke order matters for handwriting and dictionary lookup, not for reading or typing. How much to learn if you capture and review instead of writing by hand.

30 August 2026

Japanese · 12 min read

Why textbook Japanese sounds stiff, and what natives drop

Textbook Japanese sounds stiff because it teaches the one register that's safe to teach: explicit and fully polite. What sounds natural is mostly what natives leave out.

29 August 2026

Japanese · 9 min read

How Japanese marks where words end without spaces

Japanese has no spaces because it doesn't need them: the switch between kanji, hiragana and katakana marks every word boundary. Why, and how to read it.

28 August 2026

Learning methods · 8 min read

Study a little daily or a lot at once? Why daily wins

The same study hours split across days beat one long session, because the forgetting between sittings is the mechanism that installs the memory.

25 August 2026

Japanese · 7 min read

Why you can't understand spoken Japanese even knowing the words

You know every word, yet the sentence blurs past. Spoken Japanese drops the gaps, wears down the vowels and fuses whole phrases — and that is what to train.

24 August 2026

Learning methods · 7 min read

How many times must you see a word to remember it?

There is no magic number. Seeing a word again barely installs it; the recall you do later, not the sighting, is what makes it stick.

21 August 2026

Japanese · 10 min read

Katakana isn't English: why loanwords resist guessing

You can read the katakana perfectly and still not get the word. Japanese rebuilds a loanword's sound, cuts its length, and often moves its meaning.

19 August 2026

Japanese · 9 min read

How to tell similar kanji apart: meet them in words, not pairs

Look-alike kanji stop competing the moment you meet them inside a word. Why the pairs confuse, and why studying them side by side makes it worse.

18 August 2026

A long row of manga volumes shelved spine out on pale wood, their coloured spines receding into soft light.

Japanese · 8 min read

How many kanji you need for manga, and what really stops you

Most shōnen manga prints the reading above every kanji, so the character count is not the wall. What stops you is the spoken register underneath.

17 August 2026

Japanese · 8 min read

Why Japanese has so many words for I, and which to use

Japanese first-person words are nouns, not pronouns, so each says something about you. The commonest choice of all is to leave the word out.

17 August 2026

Learning methods · 8 min read

Why a flashcard deck becomes a chore: nothing ever retires

A deck becomes a chore when cards only ever arrive. Here is what should be leaving it, when a card is safe to retire, and how to run the pass.

16 August 2026

Japanese · 11 min read

Japanese counters: why you only need about six of them

Japanese has hundreds of counters and you will use about six. Which ones matter, why the numbers reshape them, and what to say when one escapes you.

16 August 2026

Japanese · 10 min read

Does pitch accent matter, and when should you learn it?

Pitch distinguishes fewer words than the famous pairs suggest, and context settles most of them. What it costs, what it buys, and when to start.

14 August 2026

Japanese · 9 min read

Wa or ga: the difference is what the listener already knows

は marks what you and your listener already share; が introduces what they do not yet know. The rule that settles the cases a textbook leaves ambiguous.

13 August 2026

Japanese · 11 min read

Why one kanji has several readings, and how to pick one

A kanji carries a borrowed Chinese sound and a native Japanese word, sometimes several of each. Where they came from, and how to tell which one applies.

12 August 2026

Learning methods · 8 min read

How many new words a day is realistic, and what sets the limit

Five to fifteen a day suits most people, but the ceiling is not attention span: it is the review load today's new cards create three weeks from now.

11 August 2026

A handwritten izakaya menu board on whiteboards, dense with kanji and katakana dish names, prices in red marker, and a circled "tonight's recommendation" section

Japanese · 6 min read

How to read a Japanese menu when you can't read most of it

You don't need to read the whole menu: the price, a short list of repeating words, and a way to hold onto the one word that stops you.

11 August 2026

Japanese · 10 min read

How Japanese politeness works, without memorising keigo

Keigo is not a second vocabulary. It is three levels, two productive patterns and about eight irregular verbs — here is how they fit together.

10 August 2026

A small Japanese shopfront at dusk, its wooden sign lettered in kana

Japanese · 6 min read

How to remember the Japanese words you see every day

The Japanese on signs, menus and in conversation is the vocabulary most worth keeping. Here is how to hold on to it without a study session.

10 August 2026

A notebook page of handwritten vocabulary, half of it faded

Learning methods · 4 min read

Why you forget vocabulary, and what actually stops it

You forget new words because memory decays on a schedule, and because nothing brought you back at the right moment. Here is what changes that.

10 August 2026

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