Take It Easy Japanese｜Taka's bizarre adventure

Taka – Japanese Teacher
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A relaxed Japanese podcast for intermediate learners who want to hear real, natural Japanese without pressure. Perfect for JLPT N3–N1 learners who want to improve their Japanese listening naturally. Join Taka, a Japanese teacher living in Japan, as he talks casually about daily life, culture, language, and whatever comes to mind. No textbooks. No stress. Just easy Japanese listening practice you can enjoy while commuting, relaxing, or doing nothing at all. 🎥 YouTube version (with subtitles): https://youtu.be/gORdksbMop4 To be continued…

  1. Jul 4

    Ep21.は！？マジ！？ラーメン二郎食べたことないの？|タメ口vol.10 Wait, You've Never Tried Ramen Jiro?

    みんな！お疲れ〜！　いつもありがとう！ 生徒さんの日本旅行の話を聞くのが好きなんだけどさ、みんなラーメンとか食べるでしょ？それでさ、みんな「ラーメン二郎」知らないんだよね😳　是非（ぜひ）食べてよね！俺は死ぬ前に食べるラーメンの一つだよ。 いくつか、気をつけるポイントもあるから、よく聞いてね🙏 I love hearing about my students' trips to Japan — and yeah, they all try ramen! But here's the thing... none of them have ever heard of Ramen Jiro. 😳 Seriously, you have to try it. It's one of those ramen I'd want to eat before I die. There are a few things you should know before you go though, so listen up! 🙏 🤙ネイティブフレーズ / Today's expressions (00:00) オープニング / Intro 🤙(09:20) ボロカスに言われる　 "get chewed out", "get ripped apart", "get trashed/slammed" 同僚にボロカスに言われた。 I got totally trashed by a coworker🤣 🤙(11:00) ただでさえ〜 "even under normal/ordinary circumstances" or "already, without any additional factor." ただでさえボロカスに言われたのに、さらに怒られた。 I already got trashed enough, and then got scolded even more on top of that. 🤙(11:07)敷居（しきい）が高い "敷居literally means the threshold at a house's entrance. Saying that the "threshold feels high" is a metaphor for feeling hesitant or intimidated about visiting a place." ラーメン二郎はただでさえ敷居が高いと感じるのに、 毎回、一時間並ぶのは当たり前なんですよね。 Even under normal circumstances, Ramen Jiro already feels intimidating enough to go to, but on top of that, it's just standard to line up for an hour every time. 🤙(14:12)〜は外（はず）せない "non-negotiable/essential / indispensable /a must" ラーメン二郎にニンニクは絶対に外せないですね。 Garlic is absolutely non-negotiable at Ramen Jiro. / You can't skip the garlic at Ramen Jiro. 🤙(14:54)link貼(は）っておく "I'll drop the link here. / I'll go ahead and paste the link." 後(あと）で見れるようにリンク貼っておきますね。 I'll paste the link here so you can check it later. Tokyo has more than 10 Ramen Jiro locations, but the following three are among the most popular in the entire Ramen Jiro chain. If you go on a weekend, be prepared to wait in line for over an hour. ⬇️ https://maps.app.goo.gl/LgadQPSdPjsyddt97 https://maps.app.goo.gl/w3fMcSAwz5jBn2Ri6 https://maps.app.goo.gl/aYvgyNYvnXHhBweN6 ⬇️There are rules at Ramen Jiro. Please read them carefully. https://note.com/toyotamasan/n/nef39fb8e36e0?hl=en#c0e52d11-af65-4462-9aca-42a998be4311

    Ep21.は！？マジ！？ラーメン二郎食べたことないの？|タメ口vol.10 Wait, You've Never Tried Ramen Jiro?

  2. Jun 29

    Ep20.Just One Word More: How do you show respect when you first meet someone? 初対面で使いたい敬語 「いただく」と「おっしゃる」〜

    いつもありがとうございます。 今日は２０回目のエピソードなので動画形式で録ってみたんですけど、スペシャルゲストもいるんですよね。僕の尊敬する日本語講師の⁠Aiko先生⁠です。日本人は初対面の相手には特に「敬意」を伝える話し方をします。もちろん「です」「ます」を使った丁寧な話し方も良いんですが、いつもの言葉をちょっと変えるだけで更に相手に敬意を伝えることが出来ますし、相手も少し気分がいいと思うんですよね。収録中にずっと難しい話し方をしている訳ではなく、カジュアルな話し方も混ざってますので是非聞いてみて下さいね😀 もっと丁寧な話し方を学びたい日本語学習者さんはAiko先生の話し方を真似するといいと思いますよ。とても丁寧な話し方をされてます。みなさんに、少しでも日本人と良い関係を築いてもらいたいな！って思って今回録ってみたんですよね🎙️　 🤙ネイティブフレーズ / Today's expressions (00:00) オープニング / Intro (03:39) 紆余曲折 (うよきょくせつ)　 (17:20) 筋（すじ）が通（とお）ってる (03:39)▶ 紆余曲折(うよきょくせつ)　:twists and turns /It's been a journey. / A lot happened along the way.例:「この土地にも紆余曲折の歴史があってね」"This region has had its share of twists and turns throughout history." (17:20)▶ 筋(すじ)が通(とお)ってる "He's a stand-up guy." / "He's a man of principle." 例:「あいつは筋を通すやつだ🕶️」 Thanks for always listening! Today is our 20th episode, so I tried recording it in video format — and we've got a special guest, too! It's Aiko-sensei, a Japanese teacher I really look up to. In Japan, we use especially respectful speech when we meet someone for the first time. Of course, polite speech using desu and masu is great — but just by changing your everyday words a little, you can show even more respect to the other person, and honestly, it makes them feel good too. We're not speaking in difficult, formal Japanese the whole time — there's plenty of casual talk mixed in, so please give it a listen! 😀 For Japanese learners who want to speak more politely, I'd recommend copying Aiko-sensei's way of speaking. Her speech is so beautifully polite. I recorded this one hoping it'll help all of you build even a little bit of a better relationship with the Japanese people you meet! 🎙️

  3. May 16

    Ep19.日本人はみんなが話す日本語の間違いなんて気にしてないよ😊　タメ口vol.9 |Japanese people don't sweat grammar mistakes. vol.9

    今まで出会った生徒さんたちが優秀すぎるので気付いたら7500レッスン終わってました。本当にありがとございます。 この仕事やめません。みんなのこと大好きだからさ！ 今までたくさんの優秀な生徒さん達に出会ってきたけど、N1満点の生徒さんでさえ、話す事に苦労してるし会話以外でもたくさんの苦労があるって言ってるよ！ そして、日本人はみんなの会話の間違いを気にしてないよ。それよりも、みんなが一生懸命に話す姿を応援してる人の方が多いよ。 日本語勉強してくれてありがとうね🙏 My students have been so incredible that before I knew it, I'd hit 7,500 lessons. Thank you so much — I'm not quitting this job. I love you all too much to stop! Over the years I've met so many talented students, and even those who scored perfect on the JLPT N1 say that speaking fluently is still a struggle — and that the challenges go way beyond just conversation. And hey — Japanese people don't sweat your grammar mistakes. More often than not, they're rooting for you, impressed that you're out there trying. Thank you for learning Japanese! 🤙🏻ネイティブフレーズ ✅〜でしょ？ Used to seek agreement or confirmation from the listener, like "right?" or "you know?" at the end of a sentence. It assumes the other person shares the same understanding. - 寒いでしょ？ → *It's cold, right?* - わかるでしょ？ → *You get it, don't you?* - 難しいでしょ？ → *It's hard, isn't it?* ✅優秀 (ゆうしゅう) Used to describe someone who is talented, capable, or high-performing — often academically or professionally. Stronger than just "good" (上手); it implies standing out from others. - 彼女は優秀な学生だ → *She's an exceptional student.* - 優秀な生徒に囲まれてる → *I'm surrounded by outstanding students.* ⚠️ Not really used for skills like cooking or sports — more for intellect, work performance, or academic ability.

    Ep19.日本人はみんなが話す日本語の間違いなんて気にしてないよ😊　タメ口vol.9 |Japanese people don't sweat grammar mistakes. vol.9

  4. May 7

    Ep18.日本の三大ラーメン知ってますか？ |Have you heard of Japan's top three ramen?

    博多ラーメン、札幌ラーメンって聞いたことあると思うんですけど、喜多方ラーメンはあんまり聞いたことないんじゃないですかね？喜多方ラーメンは福島県の喜多方市にあります。ラーメンの町なんですよね。 You've probably heard of Hakata Ramen and Sapporo Ramen, but Kitakata Ramen might not ring a bell for most people. Kitakata Ramen comes from Kitakata City in Fukushima Prefecture — it's actually a real ramen town.🍜 🍜朝ラー（メン） = "Morning ramen" The practice of eating ramen in the morning — it's actually a unique local custom in Kitakata City! "In Kitakata, it's common for locals to eat ramen first thing in the morning — a beloved local tradition known as 'asa-ra' (morning ramen)." 🔗日本三大ラーメンの一つとされる「喜多方（きたかた）ラーメン」 | NOVEMBER 2024 | HIGHLIGHTING Japan https://share.google/Hbrayt7K7gxHflZ7a 🔗坂内食堂 https://share.google/SKw9tys1aUsgKM9bU 🤙🏻ネイティブフレーズ ✅ご存知（ぞんじ）ですか？ ご存知ですか' (Gozonji desu ka) has the same meaning as '知っていますか' (Shitte imasu ka) — 'Do you know?' — but in honorific form 尊敬語. It's a great phrase to use when asking someone something the first time you meet them. アメリカのサクラメントって、ご存知ですか？ Are you familiar with Sacramento, California? ✅あっさり あっさり has a few different uses: 1. 食べ物・味 (Food/Taste) "Light" or "mild" — not heavy or greasy. あっさりしたスープ → "a light soup" あっさりした味 → "a mild, clean flavor" 2. 性格・態度 (Personality/Attitude) "Easygoing" or "not clingy / not fussy" あっさりした性格 → "a laid-back personality" タカさんはあっさりした女性が好きらしいです🤭 Apparently Taka likes women with a laid-back personality. ✅ちぢれる ちぢれる = to curl, to crimp, to wave, to crinkle ちぢれ麺 (Wavy/Curly noodles) "Chijire-men are noodles with a wavy, curly shape — as opposed to straight noodles (ストレート麺). The curls and ridges help the soup cling to the noodles, so you get more flavor in every bite." 喜多方ラーメンの特徴は、やっぱりあっさり醤油スープとちぢれ麺ですよね。 What makes Kitakata Ramen stand out is its clean, light soy sauce soup paired with curly, wavy noodles. ✅後継者（こうけいしゃ） 後継者 = Successor / Heir 事業の後継者 → "successor to the business" 後継者不足 → "shortage of successors" / "lack of heirs" 田舎の飲食店だけではなく、日本の伝統工芸の職人達の間でも後継者不足が、問題になってますね。 The lack of successors is a growing problem not only for restaurants in rural areas, but also among the craftsmen and artisans who carry on Japan's traditional crafts.

    Ep18.日本の三大ラーメン知ってますか？ |Have you heard of Japan's top three ramen?

  5. Apr 17

    Ep17.少子高齢化の先　タメ口vol8.|The Future Beyond Japan's Demographic Crisis Casual Speech vol.8

    みんなの国でもお年寄りの人口が増えているところもあるよね？　 日本で今も、お年寄りがやってる和菓子屋🍡さん、 ラーメン🍜屋さん、そして農業。 これらの将来はどうなるのかな？　 テスラのヒューマノイドロボットのオプティマスが増えたとして、お年寄りの長い経験、技術をロボットは代わりに出来るのかな？どう思う？ In many countries around the world, the elderly population is also on the rise, isn't it? Even now in Japan, there are wagashi sweet shops 🍡, ramen restaurants 🍜, and farms run by elderly craftspeople and farmers. What will become of these in the future? If Tesla's humanoid robot Optimus becomes more widespread, could it ever replace the long years of experience and skill that these elderly masters have built up? What do you think? 🤙🏻ネイティブフレーズ ✅ガンガン:crank the AC way down 彼の経験からアメリカ人は日本でエアコンの温度をガンガン下げる傾向がある😆 Based on his experience, Americans in Japan tend to crank the AC way down. ✅受け継ぐ:inherit おじいさんのラーメンのレシピを受け継いだ He inherited his grandfather's ramen recipe. ✅引っ掻く:slashed 熊の鋭い爪で顔を引っ掻かれたら？ What would happen if a bear slashed your face with its sharp claws?

    Ep17.少子高齢化の先　タメ口vol8.|The Future Beyond Japan's Demographic Crisis Casual Speech vol.8

  6. Apr 16

    Ep16.恩返し🇧🇦|Repaying kindness🇧🇦

    いつも、聴いてくれてありがとうございます。 私も皆さんと同じように英語の勉強をしていた時にボスニアアンドヘルツェゴビナ🇧🇦の素晴らしい先生達と会話練習してたんですよね。 先生達は忍耐強く、とても親切だったからこそ、毎日会話レッスンを続けれることができました。 今、皆さんに日本語を教えることが出来るのもボスニアアンドヘルツェゴビナ🇧🇦の先生達のおかげなんですよね！　hvala:ありがとう😊 Thank you all for always listening. Just like all of you, when I was studying English, I used to practice conversation with some wonderful teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦. Because those teachers were so patient and kind, I was able to keep going with my daily conversation lessons. The fact that I can now teach Japanese to all of you — that's all thanks to those teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦! ✍🏻Out of my entire one-month trip through the Balkans, the city that captivated me most was Sarajevo. 🤙🏻ネイティブフレーズ ✅恩を返す:Repay the kindness 助けて貰った人に、いつか恩を返したいと思ってるんですよね。 I've always wanted to repay the kindness of those who helped me someday. ✅ザラザラした口当（くちあた）り:sandy texture サラエボで飲んだコーヒーの口当たりは、 なんかザラザラしてましたね。 The coffee I had in Sarajevo had a sandy texture on the palate.

    Ep16.恩返し🇧🇦|Repaying kindness🇧🇦

  7. Apr 14

    Ep15.母の矛盾　タメ口vol7.|Mom's Double Standard Casual Speech vol7.

    統合失調症の母と暮らしてるんだけど、今はとても回復してきてるよ。みんな気にかけてくれてありがとう！ 病気の話は、笑ったりするのは失礼だと思うけど、僕の話は笑って聞いてほしいね😉 I live with my mother who has schizophrenia, and she's been recovering really well. Thank you all for your concern! Mental illness can be a sensitive topic, and I know it might feel wrong to laugh about it — but when it comes to my stories, I actually want you to sit back and enjoy them with a smile. 🤙🏻ネイティブフレーズ ✅ぼけーっとしてる:spacing out / zoning out また彼女、ぼけーっとしてる。 She's just spacing out again. ✅抜けてる人:airhead / scatterbrain 彼女はたまに、ほんと抜けてるんだよな😅 She's such an airhead sometimes. ✅遅かれ早かれ:sooner or later 遅かれ早かれ、僕らは出会う運命だったと思わない😉？ I think we were always meant to meet, don't you? ✅一応:just in case 一応、傘☔持ってきた。 I brought an umbrella just in case. ✅大袈裟 :over the top / dramatic/ exaggerated それはちょっと大袈裟だよ😅 That's a bit over the top.

    Ep15.母の矛盾　タメ口vol7.|Mom's Double Standard Casual Speech vol7.

  8. Apr 9

    Ep14.日本三景の一つ、松島を知ってますか？ |Do you know Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan?

    私は仙台に２年ほど住んだことがあるんですけど、その仙台の魅力について話してますね。 それに、日本三景と呼ばれる松島も仙台から簡単に行くことが出来るんですよ😊 仙台の周りで、どのように遊べばいいのか話してますので聞いてみてくださいね😉 I lived in Sendai for about two years, and in this episode I talk about what makes Sendai such a special city. Also, Matsushima — one of Japan's three most scenic spots — is easily accessible from Sendai. I'll be sharing how you can enjoy everything around Sendai, so give it a listen! 🤙🏻ネイティブフレーズ ✅霊廟（れいびょう）:mausoleum ✅祀（まつ）られている:enshrined 瑞鳳殿は、伊達政宗（だてまさむね）の魂を祀る神聖な霊廟です。 Zuihoden is the sacred mausoleum where the spirit of Date Masamune is enshrined. 日本三景 【公式】 日本三景観光連絡協議会 https://share.google/rc8YSH4MXVUs0Yi5P 仙台市観光シティループバス「るーぷる仙台」 https://share.google/obM78vS7y7M0tn3zw アクセス – 宝珠山 立石寺 https://share.google/iQISqt4HVqIGIlpc1 冬でも食べる冷たい鶏そば https://maps.app.goo.gl/aad4piz1rVvvgVh18?g_st=ac

    Ep14.日本三景の一つ、松島を知ってますか？ |Do you know Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan?
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A relaxed Japanese podcast for intermediate learners who want to hear real, natural Japanese without pressure. Perfect for JLPT N3–N1 learners who want to improve their Japanese listening naturally. Join Taka, a Japanese teacher living in Japan, as he talks casually about daily life, culture, language, and whatever comes to mind. No textbooks. No stress. Just easy Japanese listening practice you can enjoy while commuting, relaxing, or doing nothing at all. 🎥 YouTube version (with subtitles): https://youtu.be/gORdksbMop4 To be continued…

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