The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language Tofugu
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- Education
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For people who want to visit Japan, live in Japan, and learn Japanese. Please excuse the tangents.
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けど: Why Are Japanese Speakers Always Ending Their Sentences with "But"?
In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Kanae and Nick, discuss how "but" in Japanese, けど (kedo), is often used at the end of sentences in real-life conversations.
For more details, check out Kanae's article: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/kedo/ -
How To Language Exchange Successfully
Language exchange is a fun and free way to improve your Japanese. But to do it successfully, you should consider a few things.
In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Kanae and Ian discuss tips and practical expressions you can use for language exchange sessions.
For more details, check out: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/language-exchange/ -
How and Where to Buy Japanese E-Books
In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Kanae and David discuss why e-books can be great materials for Japanese learners, all their tips for buying Japanese e-books, and their favorite Japanese e-book stores.
After listening to the episode, check out: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/how-to-buy-japanese-ebooks/ -
Why Is Everyone Raving about "Yotsuba&!"?
よつばと! (Yotsuba&!) is a Japanese slice-of-life comedy manga series that's become very popular in the Japanese learning community.
In this episode, the Tofugu crew, Kanae and Ian talk about how much they love Yotsuba&! and why it's such a great manga series to pick up for Japanese learners, especially beginners.
After listening to this episode, check out Ian's review article about "Yotsuba&!": https://www.tofugu.com/reviews/yotsubato/ -
"Yuri" — Japanese Queer Women Love Stories
In this episode, Emily and Kanae discuss “yuri,” the Japanese genre of women-loving women (wlw) romantic relationships.
Check out this episode to learn a brief history of yuri, famous examples of yuri, and Emily’s yuri/LGBTQ+ recommendations, such as:
少女革命ウテナ (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
やがて君になる (Bloom Into You)
しまなみ誰そ彼 (Our Dreams at Dusk)
… and more! -
Things I Wish I Knew When I Was A Beginner Japanese Learner, Feat. Ian Battaglia
In this episode, Ian Battaglia, a Japanese resource review writer at Tofugu and an enthusiastic Japanese learner who’s still actively working his way to the advanced level, discusses all kinds of things he wishes he knew when he was a beginner Japanese learner.
Ian covers topics like:
- Learning Japanese is not a race! Go at your own “sustainable” pace
- A recommended learning order for self-learners to have the foundation for immersion
- Reading practice is surprisingly beneficial in general
- Focus more on practice, not process
- Be okay with not understanding everything in Japanese
and more.
Make sure to give it a listen for Ian’s Japanese learning wisdom!
Customer Reviews
A Japan podcast with a lot of heart
This is a great podcast about Japanese language and culture. The hosts are very nice and funny and contribute a relaxing listening environment that makes me feel like I am included in the conversation, like we are all friends. Topics have mostly been about language lately, but it would be nice to get more cultural topics too. Kanae is a great host, bridging the gap between Japanese and English knowledge. Also I miss Koichi and Michael, hopefully they can come back for some episodes. Keep up the good work, release more podcasts soon!
Thank you
This podcast broadens my perspective in Japanese language and culture in so many ways. The vibrant cast has made my final year at high school better (my graduation events were cancelled due to the pandemic). They are also one of the reasons I decided to take Japanese classes in university.
Although, I usually listen on SoundCloud, I made this account to deliver the justice that Tofugu deserves.
P.S. please do a shout-out for my Japanese teacher K Sensei!
Please.
I reviewed the podcast just like you asked, please don’t fill my nose with glue