Episode 75 - 改めて

Episode 75 - 改めて

Author: Daniel Morales April 27, 2026 Duration: 32:12

It's good practice to double check Japanese phrases you use every now and then, and this month I looked into 改めて (aratamete), which is a nice, polite way to say "again." I go through some examples and introduce one of my new favorite writers. I've also got grocery store recommendations AND the latest information about the new Murakami novel coming out in July. Check out the newsletter and blog for more.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or 悩み事 to howtojapanese@gmail.com.

You can also follow How to Japanese on the newsletterBlueskyInstagram, TikTok, and Facebook.


Ever feel like you're navigating the complexities of the Japanese language alone? How to Japanese Podcast offers a sense of guidance, that experienced voice you wish you had. Host Daniel Morales, the mind behind HowToJapanese.com, acts as that digital mentor, drawing from his own journey and conversations with others who've walked the path. This isn't about dry grammar drills; it's a collection of lived experiences. You'll hear from guests who share the practical strategies that actually worked for them, whether they were studying textbooks, navigating daily life in Tokyo, or using Japanese in a professional setting abroad. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a knowledgeable friend who gets the specific frustrations and triumphs of learning this language. The focus is on the real-world application-how people have moved from theory to conversation, from confusion to clarity. Tune into this podcast for honest reflections on what makes the process stick, finding motivation, and understanding the cultural nuances that textbooks often miss. It’s a resource for anyone looking to move beyond the basics and build a more authentic, sustainable relationship with Japanese.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 79

How to Japanese Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 76 - 生成AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:53
Generative AI is reaching a fever pitch these days, and I think it's not a good sign for those who are just starting to learn Japanese. Unlike an electronic dictionary or an SRS app, generative AI offers to do the langua…
Episode 74 - 事項 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:47
事項 is one of the most useful Japanese words, but it's useless on its own. It must link together with another word to take on meaning. This month I look at all the different combinations I could find. Also, I give my reco…
Episode 73 - 初めて言われました [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:04
Japanese passive forms can be difficult to get used to at first. Finding a few phrases you understand, such as 初めて言われました, can make it easier to access others. Check out the newsletter and the blog for more info. Feel fre…
Episode 72 - 御社・弊社 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:42
This month, I wrote about 御社 (onsha) and 弊社 (heisha), two business words used to mean "your (honorable) company" and "my (humble) company." These were difficult for me to differentiate at first, but I have a helpful mnem…
Episode 71 - 育休 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:42
I'm taking December off to prep for parental leave, so I went back through some of my favorite writing from the past 18 years. Give it a listen, and don't forget the newsletter and the blog. Feel free to reach out with a…
Episode 70 - 当日 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:27
当日 is an extremely efficient little word that can refer to any specific day in the past or the future. Tune in to learn how to incorporate it into your active Japanese instead of trying to use grammar from your native la…
Episode 69 - 謎 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:49
謎です。 This is all you need to get a laugh in Japanese, given the right situation. Listen to learn more about how to use this funny phrase, and to dig into the career of comedian Katagiri Jin who acted in a comedy short th…
Episode 68 - いただき [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:22
Re-orient yourself in receiver-oriented expressions of thanks! If that sounds complicated, it's not, I promise. Essentially, I show you how to replace your くださって with an いただき and take a look at some interesting language…
Episode 67 - ということです [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
This month I wrote about one of the very first topics I ever covered on the blog: How do you convey reported information in Japanese? And how does it differ from conveying information in English? ということです is a super conve…
Episode 66 - 奇数・偶数 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:00
This month I'm taking a look at another set of "impossible pairs." Except this time, they aren't homophones. I've also got soup recommendations, details on the Osaka Expo, and some rambling about 商店街 (shōtengai) shopping…