Category: common mistakes
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Common Mistake:「今、行っています」…Huh? Where are you heading to?
The て-form of a verb + いる is commonly used to express ongoing actions. For example: So, when you’re on your way to meet a friend and want to let them know, you might think it’s natural to say: 「行っています。」(いっています) However, this is a very common…
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「着く時にメッセージしてね」When should you message?
Do you know when you’re supposed to message if someone says: 「着く時に連絡してね (つくときに れんらくしてね)」? Should you message before arriving or after arriving? The answer lies in the form of the verb used with 時 (とき). Understanding whether to use the dictionary form or the た-form is key to expressing timing…
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Avoid saying 仕事に行った前 : Understanding 前,後, 時 and 頃
Have you ever said something like 仕事に行った前(しごとに いったまえ) to mean “before I went to work”? If so, you’re not alone! This is a common mistake Japanese learners make when trying to use 前 (まえ), 後 (あと), 時 (とき), and 頃 (ころ) to talk about time. In this article, we’ll learn the proper grammar so you can…
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“地震(じしん)が起(お)これる”: No. Avoid the Literal Translation of “Can Happen”
Do you know how to say “Earthquake can happen” in Japanese? For many English speakers learning Japanese, it can feel natural to directly translate “can happen” as “起これる” (おこれる). However, this translation doesn’t sound correct or natural in Japanese and can even cause misunderstandings. In this…
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Stop Saying ‘おぼえません’ Learn the Right Expression for ‘I Can’t Recall’
There are several words in Japanese that convey the meaning of “remember,” each with subtle differences in nuance. Choosing the right word depends on the context, such as whether you are talking about memorizing something, recalling something from memory, or having a memory already in…
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From Dismissive to Playful: Understanding the Range of まぁ, まぁね and まぁ、まぁ
Nuance and Usage of「まぁ」 「まぁ」 is an interjection with various nuances depending on context and tone. It can express slight hesitation, soften a comment, or downplay a situation. Often, it implies that something is “good enough” without being perfect. It’s commonly used to make statements…
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Using 〜んだから Correctly? : 〜だから vs 〜んだから
In Japanese, the phrases 〜(だ)から and 〜んだから are often used to express reasons or causes, but they carry different nuances and levels of emphasis. Knowing when and how to use these forms can help you convey your thoughts more effectively in various situations, whether in…
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Clear Up the Confusion About Plan: 計画, 予定, 予約, and 約束
1. 計画 (けいかく) — Plan e.g 2. 予定 (よてい) — Schedule/Plan (Simpler) e.g. 3. 予約 (よやく) — Reservation/Appointment e.g. 4. 約束 (やくそく) — Promise/Engagement e.g. Common Mistakes Common Verb Pairs and Phrases with 計画, 予定, 予約, and 約束 You may have already noticed from the…
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Aren’t you using too much 実(じつ)は ?
There’s a significant gap between the English word “actually” and the Japanese word “実(じつ)は.” This gap is quite substantial, and it’s common to hear “実は” used incorrectly by learners of Japanese. Understanding “実(じつ)は” “実は” is used when the speaker expects the listener to be surprised…
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私は病気(びょうき)です Makes Natives Very Concerned
It’s a very common mistake among Japanese learners to say 「私は病気(びょうき)です」 when they want to express that they are feeling unwell. However, this phrase can make native speakers very worried because it sounds like you’re making a serious confession about your health. When you say…
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How to say “Also” at the beginning of the sentence?
In Japanese, “Also” at the beginning of a sentence can be expressed using several conjunctions, each with its own nuance and appropriate context. The four common conjunctions are それに, あと, そして, and また. Here’s an overview of how to use each one, along with example…
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〜にとって vs 〜として vs 〜には: Differences
Introduction Japanese learners often struggle with the distinctions between 「〜にとって」 and 「〜として」 because both can be translated as “for” or “to” in English. However, their meanings are quite different. In this article, we’ll explore these expressions and their proper usage. We’ll also look at 「〜には」,…
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Where Do You Place the も-Particle?
The も-particle in Japanese is used to indicate that something is in addition to something else, similar to the English word “also” or “too.” The placement of も in a sentence depends on what it is modifying. Common mistake: The も-particle never comes at the…