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” (otonamuki) might look similar, but they have clear distinctions. These...
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: ‘値段は1万円ほどです’ or ‘値段は1万円ぐらいです’?””ほど” and “くらい/ぐらい” are both expressions indicating degree...
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 said ‘そうだと思います!’ (I think so too!), I was told that’s...
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 situation, when I said ‘ありがとうございました!’ (Thank you very much!), I...
Learning Japanese Particles: ‘は’ vs. ‘が’ Explained
[Japanese Learning] I don’t understand how to use “は” (wa) and “が” (ga). “When I say, ‘彼は先生です。’ (He is a teacher) and ‘彼が先生です。’ (He is a teacher), they seem the same to me…” “In a certain situation, when I said, ‘私が学生です。’ (I...
“How to Use ‘すぐ’ [sugu] and ‘もうすぐ’ [mou sugu] Correctly in Japanese”
[Japanese Learning] What’s the difference between “すぐ” (sugu) and “もうすぐ” (mou sugu)? “I thought ‘もうすぐだね～’ (It’s almost time) and ‘すぐだね～’ (It’s soon) mean the same thing…””When I said ‘誕生日すぐだね’ (Your birthday is soon), I was told that’s not the right usage…””Please explain...