Japanese with Hikari's Blog

Have you ever looked at someone and thought,
“He looks a little sad…” or “She seems kind of proud”?

You’re not hearing their words. You’re not reading their mind.
You’re just seeing it in their face, their posture, their attitude…

In Japanese, there...

Imagine this,
you’re visiting your best friend’s place, and they’re making coffee for you.
They know exactly how you like it. Milk, and two spoons of sugar. Always.

So they smile and ask “Same as usual?”

But today, you hesitate for a second.
You remem...

Have you ever looked at a situation and thought,
“Hmmm… judging from this, I think I know what’s going on.”

For example, you step outside, see dark clouds, feel that slightly suspicious wind,
and think, “Yeah… judging from the sky, I should probably b...

Have you ever noticed that Japanese sometimes lists a few examples… and then smoothly wraps them into one category?

For example, instead of just saying “I like sushi and tempura,”
Japanese often goes one step further and says something like:
“sushi an...

Have you ever wanted to say something like,
“He did it without stopping once,” or “She left without apologizing”. But felt that a simple “without doing” sounded a little too casual for the situation?

In everyday Japanese, you can use expressions like...

As you start reaching N2 level, you may notice something new in Japanese.

Have you ever read a sentence and thought,
“Huh… this sounds a little different from how I usually talk with friends,”
or “This feels kind of official… maybe more formal than ev...

Have you ever had a moment where the reason behind something is actually the key that makes it meaningful?

Like…
You’re nervous because something is important to you.
You worked hard, so the success feels even sweeter.
You trust someone, so because it’...

Have you ever used something as a reference to create or plan something new?

Maybe you watched a movie “based on a true story” and thought,
“Wow, how much of this actually happened?”

Or maybe you tried cooking chocolate chip cookies based on a recip...

Have you ever tried to do something with the best intentions…only to realize it backfired in the most unexpected way?

Maybe you gave someone advice because you genuinely wanted to help, but instead of appreciating it, they looked upset and the mood ...

Have you ever had a moment where you put in so much effort… and things totally didn’t go the way you expected?
Like you cooked a beautiful meal, really took your time. And then someone goes,
“Ah… sorry, I already ate and I’m super full.”

Or you finall...

Have you ever felt an emotion or sensation so strong that you just couldn’t ignore it?
Maybe you’re waiting for a message from someone you like… and the excitement keeps growing inside you until you just can’t help it anymore…

Or maybe you’re sitting...

Have you ever had a moment where something almost happened… like right on the edge… but luckily didn’t?

Maybe you were having dinner with friends, laughing and talking so much that time completely slipped away… and you almost missed the last train h...

Have you ever experienced a moment when something felt exactly right, like, “Ahh yes… this is just as expected”?

For example, when you try a famous patisserie’s macaron and think:
“Yep. As expected from a shop that’s always packed with people.”

Or w...

Have you ever experienced a moment when two things happened at exactly the same time, and you weren’t sure how to describe it in Japanese?

Maybe you opened your front door at the very same moment your phone started ringing.
Or your friend told a hila...

Have you ever found yourself walking toward something, not just physically, but emotionally too?
Maybe you’re heading toward a new city for a fresh start, walking toward someone you’ve missed, or working hard toward a long-held dream.

In Japanese, wh...

Have you ever noticed how some changes happen so gradually that you only realize them after they’ve been happening for a while?
Maybe the days are getting a little longer, the air is getting warmer, or your Japanese is improving without you even noti...

Have you ever met someone who knows everything about a certain topic?
Maybe there’s that one colleague at your office who’s mastered every accounting trick and system, the living dictionary of bookkeeping. Or maybe you have a friend who’s always readi...

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to say “I can’t,” but saying it directly felt too harsh?

In Japanese business or formal situations, you can’t always just say できません, it can sound too strong or blunt.

That’s when かねる (kaneru) comes...

Imagine this: you’re at work, and suddenly the ground starts shaking, it’s an earthquake!

An announcement comes through the speakers:
“Get under your desks!” No time to think, just act immediately.

In Japan, where earthquakes and other natural disas...

Have you ever had one of those moments where you think,
“Ah, it’s finally warm and sunny!” … and then suddenly it starts raining?

Or maybe you were relaxing at home, thinking you could finally take a break… and your boss sends you a message: “Can we ...

Imagine meeting an old friend for the first time in ten years.
You’re both excited, maybe a little nervous, and then, the moment you see them, you realize… they haven’t changed at all!

In English, you might say, “You haven’t changed a bit!”
In Japanes...

Have you ever had a wish that felt just a little desperate?

Like when you’re on a diet and have been resisting your favorite chocolate for weeks… but then someone brings you a slice of cake as a gift. You think, “I know I shouldn’t eat this… all my ...

Have you ever wanted to say “once again” or “for the second time” in Japanese?

Imagine this: you’re on a trip to Japan. The journey has been amazing, so many places visited, so many delicious foods tried.
Yet, there are still more spots you want to ...

Everything in life has two sides, right?
Even chocolate, no matter how much we love it, if you eat too much, your skin might break out and you might gain some extra weight.

Or imagine moving into your dream big apartment. On one hand, you’ll finally...