120.5K
Downloads
171
Episodes
A weekly podcast for upper beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Listen to Yumi talk about... whatever she wants to talk about. Practice your listening comprehension with natural (howbeit slightly slowed down) Japanese on various topics such as Japanese culture, fun idioms, and, of course, cats. The episodes can be enjoyed in any order. -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript and a list of key vocabulary. www.MakotoPlus.com
Episodes
Sunday Apr 10, 2022
Sunday Apr 10, 2022
Spring has sprung, and Japan is filled with pink-hued flowers floating in the air. Yumi shares a few of her sakura-related thoughts and memories.
KEY VOCABULARY:
桜(さくら) cherry blossoms
花見(はなみ) flower viewing; meeting others under cherry trees to enjoy talking and drinking while watching the blossoms.
満開(まんかい) full bloom
地元(じもと) hometown; local area
名所(めいしょ) famous places
川(かわ)のほとり river edge
川(かわ)の堤防(ていぼう) river bank; river embankment
並木道(なみきみち) tree-lined street
毛虫(けむし) catepillar
ソメイヨシノ Yoshino cherry; the most common type of cherry tree in Japan
早(はや)い者勝(ものが)ち first come, first served; the early bird catches the worm
本格的(ほんかくてき) seriously; for real; authentic; full-scale
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-81
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-81-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Sunday Apr 03, 2022
Sunday Apr 03, 2022
So-and-so looks just like that celebrity! Oh, I don't think so.
Recently two people told Yumi her son resembles someone famous. Yumi looked at the celebrities online and… didn't see the resemblance.
How is it some people see a resemblance when others don't? Today, Yumi talks about this phenomenon.
KEY VOCABULARY:
似(に)ている resembling; looks like
まず初(はじ)めは first of all
有名選手(ゆうめいせんしゅ) famous athlete
羽生結弦選手(はにゅうゆづるせんしゅ) the athlete Hanyuu Yuzuru [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzuru_Hanyu]
同感(どうかん) agree; same feeling; same opinion
芸能人(げいのうじん) celebrity; entertainer; performer
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-80
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-80-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Do you do well speaking in front of others? Today, Yumi talks about giving speeches.
KEY VOCABULARY:
成人式(せいじんしき) coming of age ceremony
ユダヤ式(しき) Jewish style
儀式(ぎしき) ceremony; rite; ritual
招待(しょうたい) invitation
緊張(きんちょう)のあまり was so nervous that; too nervous
一時中断(いちじちゅうだん) temporary suspension
ハプニング happening; unexpected incident; unforeseen event; surprising occurrence
吐(は)き気(け)を乗(の)り越(こ)える to overcome nausea
体験(たいけん) experience
吐(は)き気(け)を催(もよお)す to feel nausea [催(もよお)す can mean "to hold (an event or party)" or "to feel (sensation; emotion; sickness; etc.)"]
演説(えんぜつ) speech
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-79
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-79-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Sunday Mar 20, 2022
Sunday Mar 20, 2022
決まり文句 kimari monku are cliched phrases used in certain situations. Today, Yumi talks about a few useful kimari monku and the situations you should use them in. Using kimari monku in the right way will make your conversational Japanese much smoother.
KEY VOCABULARY:
決(き)まり文句(もんく) set cliché phrases
挨拶(あいさつ) greetings
ある場面(ばめん) a certain scene/situation
本来(ほんらい) origin
関係(かんけい)なく unrelated
日本語独特(にほんごどくとく) unique to Japanese
どうかしてる somethings wrong (with someone or something); not right (in the head); not oneself; nuts
洗濯機(せんたっき) washing machine
文法的(ぶんぽうてき) grammatically
何(なん)とかする I'll figure out something.
なんとかなる Something will come up.
どうでもいい Anything is fine.
なんでもない It's nothing.
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-78
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-78-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Did you know Makoto+ also has online courses? We just added one on Japanese names and it is free for Shogun or lifetime members.
Today, Yumi talks a little about Japanese names. To her, it is natural that 渡部 is "Watanabe" but Japanese names aren't quite as easy for the learner of Japanese. Understanding Japanese names is critical for improving understanding of movies, novels, and conversational Japanese
KEY VOCABULARY:
名前(なまえ)の読(よ)み方(かた) how to pronounce a name
苗字(みょうじ) family name; last name
変(か)わった名字(みょうじ) a strange name; an unusual name
珍(めずら)しい unusual
ラジオ局(きょく) radio station
全国的(ぜんこくてき)に nationally; the nation as a whole
地元(じもと)で local; locally
旧姓(きゅうせい) maiden name
世代(せだい)を遡(さかのぼ)ります going back generations [遡(さかのぼ)る (to go back (in time); to date back to; to trace back to)]
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-77
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-77-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Sunday Mar 06, 2022
Sunday Mar 06, 2022
Yumi posts daily vocabulary images on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thejapanshop/). For the past month or so, the lessons have been on Japanese slang. Slang can be fun but also a little dangerous if used in improper contexts. Listen as Yumi talks about slang and her time as a radio DJ.
KEY VOCABULARY:
一時的(いちじてき) temporary
仲間同士(なかまどうし) among friends; peers [the 同士 means "fellow" or "mutual" and shows the members of that group are similar in some way.]
犯罪者(はんざいしゃ) criminal
業界用語(ぎょうかいようご) industry terminology; professional jargon
ラジオ局(きょく) radio station
完(かん)パケ complete package; recording of a program from start to finish
ギャラ fee paid to performing artists
番宣(ばんせん) program (theater; TV; radio; etc) [short for 番組宣伝(ばんぐみせんでん)]
ドタキャン last-minute cancellation
流行(はや)りの言葉(ことば) buzzword
俗語(ぞくご) slang; colloquialism
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-76
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-76-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Yumi's cat and her childish embarrassment (this story is from when she was a first grade elementary student) gets her into some trouble at school. Do you know what 濡(ぬ)れ衣(ぎぬ)を着(き)せる means? Listen to today's podcast and find out.
KEY VOCABULARY:
思(おも)い出(で) memories; recollections; reminiscences
真(ま)っ赤(か) bright red
教室(きょうしつ) classroom
〇〇君(くん) boy called X [the 〇〇 is read "maru maru" and indicates a certain but unnamed name]
恥(は)ずかしかった was embarrassed; was shy
察(さっ)してくれた (the teacher) sensed and sympathized with (Yumi's embarrassement) [察(さっ)する (to sympathize with; to guess; to sense; to presume; to judge]
濡(ぬ)れ衣(ぎぬ)を着(き)せる falsely accuse someone of a crime; pin a crime on someone; frame [literally, to put wet clothes (on someone)]
叱(しか)られる to be scolded
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-75
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-75-m
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
Continuing with the animal-theme from recent episodes, Yumi tells us about her first cat. The cat was plump and so received the name "Koro" (roly-poly). But… there was a reason for the cat's plumpness. Little Yumi was surprised when strange-looking mice-like creatures began coming out of her cat.
KEY VOCABULARY:
子(こ)どもの頃(ころ) childhood
思(おも)い出(で) memory
三毛猫(みけねこ) calico cat
名付(なづ)けた named (the cat)
すりすり snuggling; cuddling
かわいがりました to be affectionate; to pet (a pet); to cherish
押(お)し入(い)れ closet
ねずみ色(いろ) gray [mouse colored]
お察(さっ)しの通(とお)り as you can guess; as you may have figured out
感心(かんしん)して took to heart; admire; be impressed; astonishment
本能(ほんのう) instincts
お医者(いしゃ)さん doctor
看護師(かんごし) nurse
産婆(さんば)さん midwife (obsolete)
助産師(じょさんし)さん midwife (current term)
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-74
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-74-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Sunday Feb 13, 2022
Sunday Feb 13, 2022
Today, Yumi tells us more about her experiences with dogs and cats and why she originally didn't like dogs (before getting two of them)!
KEY VOCABULARY:
思(おも)い出(で) memories; recollections; reminiscences
犬派(いぬは) dog person [派 (clique; group; faction; party; camp)]
猫派(ねこは) cat person
反応(はんのう)が良(よ)い responsive; good reaction
しつけ discipline; training
おすわり sit (dog command in Japanese)
お手(て) shake paw (dog command)
おかわり shake the other paw (dog command) [this is a command to have a dog place its second paw in one's hand; literally, "another helping" or "refill"]
警察犬(けいさつけん) police dog
番犬(ばんけん) watch dog
牧羊犬(ぼくようけん) sheepdog
苦手(にがて) not good at; not one's cup of tea; dislike of; cannot stand…
恐怖心(きょうふしん) fear; terror [literally a heart of fear]
幼児期(ようじき) infancy; childhood; early years
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-73
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-73-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Are you Team Cat or Team Dog?
KEY VOCABULARY:
飼(か)っていますto have (a pet); to own (a pet)
里親(さとおや) foster parent; caretaker (pets)
動物病院(どうぶつびょういん) animal hospital
避妊手術(ひにんしゅじゅつ) sterilization (operation)
猫派(ねこは) cat person; cat lover [派 (faction; party; camp; group; sect)]
犬派(いぬは) dog person; dog lover
表(おもて) front (side); public face
裏(うら) back (side); hidden side
ツンデレ hot-cold personality type
甘(あま)やかす to pamper; to indulge (someone)
For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/
Take a quiz on this episode here:
https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-72
If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing:
https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-72-m
--
Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF.
www.MakotoPlus.com