LLearn Japanese

Daily Thread: simple questions, comments that don’t need their own posts, and first time posters go here (May 17, 2025)

  • May 17, 2025

This thread is for all simple questions, beginner questions, and comments that don't need their own post.

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If you have any simple questions, please comment them here instead of making a post.

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Seven Day Archive of previous threads. Consider browsing the previous day or two for unanswered questions.

by AutoModerator

15 comments

  1. Any good rules of thumb/tips for knowing when to use the suffixes ひ vs だい vs りょう for the cost of something? Or just learn each individual words as they come and shut up about it?

  2. Which sounds more natural?

    今日、たくさん宿題があるよ。
    今日、宿題が多いよ。

  3. Question. What’s the nuance of when someone says よーだ at the end of a sentence? よ as in するよ、しないよ、 not ~のようだ. Like if someone says

    > 教えないよ

    > 教えないよー

    > 教えないよーだ

    If you say よーだ like this to a friend, is it playful, or is it picking a fight? Does the だ realistically change the nuance?

  4. Even though I’ve read quite a few sentences and gone over the definitions a few times, I can’t really seem to quite wrap my head around the ～てあげる/くれる/もらう rules yet. What should I do to try to lock the information in my head better? Read other articles or Genki, or perhaps try workbook practice?

  5. Hi everyone,

    I am aiming to be JLPT N3 level or above, I want you your opinion, should I take (continue to do) online group classes or self-study (+) Italki/Preply?

    If Online Class

    * Cheaper [ by the hour {about half the price an hour than Italki/Preply} ] (but I can’t practice speaking and writing) [ Still expensive given that what we you get seems to not correlate to what you pay, at least for me. (no speaking and writing practice) ]
    * Has a summary of all N3 Grammar and vocabulary (WHICH IS CONVENIENT) (but the teacher just reads the slides)
    * I can’t really ask questions unless it is related to the topic being discussed.
    * Has Exams / Practices for Listening, Reading, Grammar (which is quite convenient)
    * It feels slow and I have no free will, I can understand grammar but I would not be able to apply it practically.
    * “It gives me peace of mind that I have not missed any grammar point and I would have a good foundation of Japanese”. (But my speaking and writing STILL SUCKS).
    * I would have a formal education.

    If Self-study (textbook, e.g. Shin Kanzen & Tobira) (+) Italki/Preply (as a guide):

    * More expensive [ by the hour ] (since it is a tutor for you only)
    * Speaker is a native (which is good but, If you want someone to express your true thoughts in Japanese as an English speaker, it would be hard since the tutor might not be as good in English to translate.)
    * I am not sure if Shin Kanzen Master, Tobira or Sou Matome is enough for me to study Japanese. (I might get lost) [ I don’t know which books’ exercises or practices (e.g. listening) I should focus on and if they are too easy unlike the test or not similar ]
    * I would not be sure if I covered all the grammar for JLPT.
    * I would have to randomly find Listening, Reading, and Grammar Exercises across the internet. (whose quality varies) (+) (maybe hard to find and time consuming) (+) (which may be too easy and might not be enough for the JLPT Test) [ I can get lost ]
    * DOUBLE THE EFFORT. [ I think I can handle ] ( Textbooks are free on the internet, I could use Hi native to ask questions, Lang correct for writing sentences, JLPT sensei, Language stack and other websites for double checking grammar, and then Italki/preply for speaking, then manga, anime, and youtube)
    * BUT, I will be able to practice my speaking and writing skills. Maybe 40% of the session is Grammar and the other 60% speaking and writing. [ As of the moment I still don’t know how I will structure my study plan ]
    * I can expedite my learning process. And I can focus on what I like. (conversation, anime, slang, real life, not textbooks, and it is bang for my buck [ at least relatively ])
    * “I will have an INFORMAL education” I don’t know where that leaves me. [ I’d feel unconfident ]

    Background:

    * I know the fundamentals of Japanese Grammar (All tenses, particles, anything related to N4), know lots of Kanji. I just finished the JLPT N4 class of the online class that I have stated. But my speaking skills and writing is bad. My listening also. But I can say with confidence that if it is written I will understand Japanese.
    * I would like to only choose one. (I want to save money)

    Thank you so much for your opinions.

  6. 新聞でこの文に対して、質問があります：

    >このスーパーでは2週間に1回程度コメの特売を行っていますが、1人で3袋から4袋をまとめ買いするする客が増えているということで、今後の品薄への警戒感が消費者の間で高まっているとみています。

    「まとめ買いするする」は、「するする」どういう意味？誤字ですか？

    https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250512/k10014803151000.html

  8. A quick grammatical question.

    The sentence:

    このまちはきれいです

    Why is この used and not ここ？

  9. At work so can’t really look it up, so apologies if this is easily Googleable, but does バリアフリートイレ refer to just the separate restroom, or can it also refer to a handicapped stall within a regular restroom as well? Is there a more common term?

    Also just realized I don’t even know how to refer to a ‘stall’ specifically in Japanese anyway

  11. I’ve passed N1 two years ago, but since then my active vocab became quite rusty. And now i have a trip in Japan in 2,5… Any immersion materials (voice+subs) with focus on everyday and modern-ish vocab? (finding speaking partner is not an option)

    P.S: Posted this in a previous daily thread, but looking for more materials

  12. some questions on と＋なって please

    https://preview.redd.it/xzev1545oa1f1.png?width=2294&format=png&auto=webp&s=5f301631ecf7c62abda81075540780eea859a8c4

    i cannot remember encountering となって as a grammar phrase before. after looking it up, i still don’t quite understand.

    is となって a formal version of になる？ is となって saying A turns to/is imbued with B, and in this case if a young person is imbued with experience?

    what’s 1 or 2 common usage examples of となって？ so sorry, i have for some reason totally not seen this usage before.

  13. Hi, I am going to Japan this yearrrr.
    I’ve been studying Japanese under curriculum for three years. 
    Two questions; 
    1. What is the best way to memories て for rules. Ie. Group 1-3 and what to put at the end.

    2. What is the best way to learn vocab. Ie. Do I just dump 100 words in an hour and try to repeat them the next day? 

    Thanks so much guyss

  14. いつのまにか生徒会長──斑鳩会長は俺が最初に生徒会室に入ってきたときのような、口元を隠して腕を組んだポーズをしており、**キリッと**した表情を浮かべていた。

    if you read this what kind of expression are u picturing? a serious , stern one?

    I’m having trouble memorizing and understanding きりっと, it seems it can mean so many things, and the english meanings also don’t really help me, it’s probably the esl wall as well.

    when I looked into google images, the first results are illustrations of the typical expression of someone trying to look cool; but didn’t really help, cause I don’t think it’s what it means in this context.

    It seems it means also a “crisp appearance” as someone being well dressed?

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