The Tofugu Podcast: Japan And Japanese Language

This is the third episode of our What Should I Call "You"? series. In Japanese, pronouns for "others" (which includes everything besides "I" — "you" "they" / "she" / "he" ) are not generally used in conversation. In this series, the Tofugu crew discusses different ways to refer to others without using pronouns. In this episode, Kanae, Cameron and Mami talk about using family roles (such as "dad," "auntie") and social roles (such as "sensei," "president") in place of pronouns. After listening to this episode, check out our article for a more in-depth explanation of the topic: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/what-should-i-call-you/

This is the second episode of our "What Should I Call 'You'?" series. In Japanese, pronouns for "others" (which includes everything besides "I" — "you" "they" / "she" / "he" ) are not generally used in conversation. In this series, the Tofugu crew discusses different ways to refer to others without using pronouns. In this episode, Kanae, Jenny and Rachel talk about using names in place of pronouns as well as the Japanese name system, nick names and name enders. After listening to this episode, check out our article for a more in-depth explanation of the topic: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/what-should-i-call-you/

This is the first episode of our "What Should I Call 'You'?" series. In Japanese, pronouns for "others" (which includes everything besides "I" — "you" "they" / "she" / "he" ) are not generally used in conversation. In this series, the Tofugu crew discusses different ways to refer to others without using pronouns. In this episode, Kanae, Jenny and Rachel talk about the "zero pronoun," aka simply leaving out pronouns. After listening to this episode, check out our article for a more in-depth explanation of the topic: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/what-should-i-call-you/

In this episode, Mami, Cameron, and Kanae talk about two sentence-ending particles, よ (yo) and ね (ne). They dive deep into their different nuances and uses, with a lot of examples. Also make sure not to miss a special cameo appearance of a very special holiday guest! After listening to this episode, check out our article on Tofugu.com for more info: "よ and ね: WHAT DO THESE PARTICLES REALLY MEAN TO JAPANESE SPEAKERS?" (https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/yo-vs-ne/)

This is the second episode in our two-part さすが (sasuga) miniseries. The Tofugu crew — Kanae, Jenny and Mami — discuss the "other," overshadowed use of さすが, which is not for compliments. This discussion led to the discovery of Kanae's weird and controversial bathroom habits. After listening to the episode, check our article "さすが Is Not Always A Compliment": https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/sasuga/

This is the first episode in our two-part miniseries about the unique Japanese word さすが. In this episode, the Tofugu crew — Kanae, Jenny and Mami — discuss the nuances of さすが when it's used as a compliment. Listen carefully and you'll even learn about a quirky eating habit of Mami's from her high school days.

Put on your thinking caps, folks! In this episode, the Tofugu crew — Kanae, Cameron, Mami, and Rachel — discuss the differences between 考える and 思う, two Japanese words for "think." After listening to the episode, check our article to do some more thinking about "thinking": https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/omou-kangaeru/

In this episode, two native Japanese speakers (Kanae/Mami) and two English-speaking Japanese learners (Cameron/Rachel) discuss two types of noun-based adjectives, な-adjectives and の-adjectives. Later in the episode, the Tofugu Crew goes through quizzes such as "What's the difference between 本当な〜 and 本当の〜?" to help deepen their understanding. After listening to the episode, check out more details in our article: MAKING SENSE OF な-ADJECTIVES and の-ADJECTIVES https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/na-adjectives-no-adjectives/

In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Kanae, Cameron, and Rachel discuss the word "senpai," its use in Japanese schools and society, and Kanae's lasting trauma surrounding white socks from her senpai experience. After listening to the episode, check more details in our article: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/senpai/

Did you know there are people who are 先生 (sensei) besides teachers or your judo instructor Sensei Jeff? In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Kanae, Jenny, and Rachel discuss the word "sensei" from their personal experience and introduce many different kinds of sensei beyond teachers. After listening to the episode, check more details in our article: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/sensei/

In this episode, Tofugu's research team answers questions about だ and です from our listeners, such as: "What would be the best translation of です?" "When and how does it make sense to switch between です to だ when meeting somebody new?" After listening to this episode, go check out our article on Tofugu.com for more info: "だ and です : Venturing beyond Textbook Rules into Real-Life Use" (www.tofugu.com/japanese/da-vs-desu-in-real-life/)

In this episode, the Tofugu research team answers questions about だ and です from our listeners, such as: "Is it true that だ isn't just a less polite form of です?" "What are the real differences between だ and です?" After listening to this episode, check out our article on Tofugu.com for more info: "だ and です : Venturing beyond Textbook Rules into Real-Life Use" (www.tofugu.com/japanese/da-vs-desu-in-real-life/)

This is the finale of our "First-Person Pronouns" series. In this episode, Kanae welcomes new co-hosts Cameron and Javi to discuss the use of traditionally male first-person pronouns such as 僕 or 俺 by female speakers. The discussion spans use in Japanese pop culture, media, celebrities, and the LGBTQ community. After you’ve listened to this episode, check out our article on Japanese first-person pronouns: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-first-person-pronouns/

This is the fifth episode in our "First-Person Pronouns" series. In this episode, we talks about using your own name as a first-person pronoun (and the anatomy of Anpanman). After you’ve listened to this episode, check out our article on Japanese first-person pronouns: www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese…-person-pronouns/

This is the fourth episode in our "First-Person Pronouns" series. In this episode, we talk about 俺 (おれ) and why it is so tricky for Japanese learners to master. After you’ve listened to this episode, check out our article on Japanese first-person pronouns: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-first-person-pronouns/

This is the third episode in our "First-Person Pronouns" series. In this episode, Koichi, Michael, and Kanae discuss their own personal experiences with 僕 (ぼく), as well as how to sound more hip when using it. After you’ve listened to this episode, check out our article on Japanese first-person pronouns: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-first-person-pronouns/

This is the second episode in our "First-Person Pronouns" series. In this episode, we talk about うち. Though rarely taught in textbooks, うち is used fairly commonly in real life, especially in Kansai and between young females. After you’ve listened to this episode, check out our article on Japanese first-person pronouns: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-first-person-pronouns/

In this, the first episode in our "First-Person Pronouns" series, we talk about わたし, わたくし and あたし. Despite all coming from the kanji 私, each of these three pronouns carries a different level of formality and gives a different impression. We’ve included some exercises to practice things like which specific situations call for わたし and which call for わたくし. After you’ve listened to this episode, check out our article on Japanese first-person pronouns: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-first-person-pronouns/

We talk about the counters that count living things (頭, 匹, 人, and 羽) and how they overlap with each other. We also answer the hard Japanese counter questions like: can you count a robot with 人? What about a cyborg? How big can a 匹 animal be? What counter is worthy of the King of the Monsters? After you're done listening to this, learn way, way more about counters in our list of 350+ Japanese counters worth knowing: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-counters-list/

We talk about the counters 〜個 and 〜つ, the two counters that can count just about... anything! But, there are always going to be better counters out there for more specific things so we talk about those too. Consider this an overview on how to counter.