Eyes Closed: Me wo Tsuburu vs Me wo Tojiru Differences
The Difference Between “目をつぶる” (me wo tsuburu) and “目を閉じる” (me wo tojiru) Have you ever heard phrases like “目をつぶって!” (me wo tsubutte – Close your eyes!) or “目を閉じて!” (me wo tojite –...
Clarifying ‘思いつく’ (Omoitsuku) and ‘思い浮かべる’ (Omoikaberu): What’s the Difference?
Understanding the Difference Between “思いつく” (Omoitsuku) and “思い浮かべる” (Omoikaberu) When you first encounter the Japanese expressions “思いつく” (omoitsuku) and “思い浮かべる” (omoikaberu), they might sound quite similar. Both seem to relate to the...
教師 (Kyoshi) vs. 先生 (Sensei): A Deep Dive Into What Sets Them Apart
By JPLT DIALOG Plus | Published on August 30, 2024 | Last updated on October 21, 2025 When learning Japanese, the distinction between 教師 (Kyoshi) vs. 先生 (Sensei) often trips up students....
Unpacking “通りすがり” (Toorisugari): What Does “Sugari” Mean?
Exploring the Meaning of “通りすがり” (Toorisugari): What Does “Sugari” Mean? When you first encounter the term “通りすがり” (toorisugari), you might wonder about the meaning of “すがり” (sugari). This term seems unique and...
Ooku no Oya vs Oya no Ooku: Understanding Their Nuances
The Difference Between “多くの親” (Ooku no Oya) and “親の多く” (Oya no Ooku) in Japanese When learning Japanese, you might come across phrases like “多くの親” (ooku no oya) and “親の多く” (oya no ooku)....
Tomodachi vs. Yuujin: Choosing the Right Word for ‘Friend’
Understanding the Difference Between “友達” (Tomodachi) and “友人” (Yuujin) Both “友達” (tomodachi) and “友人” (yuujin) translate to “friend” in English, but did you know they are used in different situations? You might...
“Nihon de” vs. “Nihon e”: Travel Contexts in Japanese Explained
The Difference Between “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” and “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu” “Both phrases indicate a place, but what’s the difference between ‘Nihon de’ (日本で) and ‘Nihon e’ (日本へ)?”“Does ‘Nihon de Ryokō...
Shinikui vs Shigatai: Understanding Their Subtle Differences
The Difference Between “Rikai Shinikui” and “Rikai Shigatai” “Don’t both ‘rikai shinikui’ (理解しにくい) and ‘rikai shigatai’ (理解しがたい) mean ‘difficult to understand’? Why should they be used differently?” “In which contexts is it...
Ichido vs. Ikkai: Nuances of “Once” in Japanese Explained
The Difference Between “Ichido” and “Ikkai” “If both ‘ichido’ (いちど) and ‘ikkai’ (いっかい) mean ‘once,’ why is it necessary to differentiate between them?” “In what contexts should ‘ichido’ and ‘ikkai’ be used...
“Wasuregachi” vs. “Wasuregimi”: Understanding Japanese Forgetfulness Nuances
The Difference Between “Wasuregachi” and “Wasuregimi” “Don’t both mean ‘forget’? Why do we need to distinguish between them?”“Isn’t ‘wasuregachi’ almost the same as ‘wasureppoi’?”“Can you tell me when I should use...
“Chiisai” vs. “Chiisana”: Learning Japanese Word Nuances
The Difference Between “Chiisai” 小さい and “Chiisana” 小さな “Don’t both mean ‘small’? Why do we need to differentiate between them?” “I understand ‘talking in a small voice,’ but can ‘chiisana’ be used...
Tanoshimi vs Tanoshisa: Understanding their Differences
The Difference Between “楽しみ” (tanoshimi) and “楽しさ” (tanoshisa) “Which should I use, ‘楽しみ’ (tanoshimi) or ‘楽しさ’ (tanoshisa)?” “What’s the difference between ‘I’m looking forward to the weekend trip’ and ‘Traveling is fun’?”...
Understanding the Difference Between “ii desu” and “daijōbu desu
Understanding the Difference Between “いいです” (ii desu) and “大丈夫です” (daijōbu desu) in Japanese Are you confused about when to use “いいです” (ii desu) and “大丈夫です” (daijōbu desu)? While both phrases can be...
Understanding the Subtle Differences Between ‘Iku nara’ and ‘Iku no nara’
The Difference Between “行くなら” (Iku nara) and “行くのなら” (Iku no nara) “Should I use ‘行くなら’ (Iku nara) or ‘行くのなら’ (Iku no nara)? Aren’t they the same in meaning?” “What’s the difference...
Learning Japanese Requests: When to Use ‘Onegaishimasu’ vs. ‘Kudasai’
Which is Correct: ’Ocha, Onegaishimasu’ vs ‘Ocha, Kudasai’ “I can’t really tell the difference between ‘お茶お願いします’ (Ocha, onegaishimasu) and ‘お茶ください’ (Ocha, kudasai)…””I was once told that using ‘お茶お願いします’ (Ocha, onegaishimasu) in a...
The Difference Between “１年おき” and “１年ごと”
The Difference Between “１年おき” and “１年ごと” “Should I use ‘１年おき’ or ‘１年ごと’? Aren’t they the same in meaning?””What’s the difference between ‘毎年健康診断を受ける’ and ‘毎年健康診断を１年おきに受ける’? Aren’t both saying that you get a checkup...
he Difference Between “大人向け” and “大人向き”
The Difference Between “大人向け” (otonamuke) and “大人向き” (otonamuki) “Should I use ‘大人向け’ or ‘大人向き’? Aren’t they the same in meaning?”“Is ‘子供向けのゲームも大人向きなものがある’ natural Japanese?”“Is ‘この映画は大人向けですが、内容は面白いので子どもでも楽しめます’ correct Japanese?” The expressions “大人向け” (otonamuke) and “大人向き”...
The Difference Between “ほど” and “くらい/ぐらい”
The Difference Between “ほど” and “くらい/ぐらい” “Should I use ‘ほど’ or ‘くらい/ぐらい’? Aren’t they all the same in meaning?” “What’s the difference between ‘この本は300ページほどある’ and ‘この本は300ページくらいある’?” “In business situations, which is correct:...
Understanding “そう思います” [Sou Omoimasu] vs. “そうだと思います”[Sou Da to Omoimasu]
What is the difference between “そう思います” (sou omoimasu) and “そうだと思います” (sou da to omoimasu)? “Isn’t ‘そう思います’ (I think so) and ‘そうだと思います’ (I think so) the same?” “In a certain situation, when I...
Present vs. Past “Thank You”: When to Use Each Form
What is the difference between “ありがとうございます” (arigatou gozaimasu) and “ありがとうございました” (arigatou gozaimashita)? “When I say ‘ありがとうございます’ (Thank you) and ‘ありがとうございました’ (Thank you very much), they seem the same to me…””In a certain...