The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language

A Japanese second-person pronoun, 君 (kimi) carries different nuances. It could be friendly, poetic, endearing, or even condescending (!). This is the second episode of our Japanese second-person pronoun series. In this episode, the Tofugu crew, which features Kanae, Mami, and Rachel, discuss the various nuances of 君, including how 君 is the perfect pronoun to use when talking to a hundred tamagotchis.

Have you ever wondered if the Japanese second-person pronoun, あなた (anata), is rude or polite? This is the first episode of our Japanese second-person pronoun series. In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Cameron and Kanae, try to clear the myth of あなた being rude or being polite. They also discuss how and where people actually use あなた.

This is the fourth 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 back up options you can use when the other methods we've covered don't work, such as using すみません (sumimasen), そちら (sochira), お宅 (otaku), and more! 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 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 (sasuga). 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/)