This is something a lot of us have to deal with–putting on weight too easily. Listen to this week’s contributor’s frustration with belly fat and learn the vocabulary associated with this kind of problem.Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 388:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

In Japanese, Onomatopoeia can be divided into a few categories; they are called giseigo (擬声語), giongo (擬音語), gitaigo (擬態語), giyougo (擬容語) and gijougo (擬情語). As we learned in the previous episode, they are used to describe sounds made by animals, humans…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Onomatopoeia (オノマトペ) are words that represent sounds, and they are used in many languages to add more depth and texture to speech. However, Japanese onomatopoeia are unique in that they’re used more frequently and in a wider variety of contexts than in other languages. For example, after mopping READ MORE Test your knowledge with the quizzes too!…

Japanese school clubs have a very rigid hierarchy. Seniors in the club can be very demanding to their juniors. Here is a report of one junior’s experience. This episode also practices the causative form in Japanese.Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

How strict were your parents? This person had very strict parents. She was made to do all kinds of things as a child. This time we are practicing combining the causative and passive forms (to be made or forced to do something) which we seem to use more than in English or other languages I am familiar with.…

ima de wa, atte atarimae no insutanto rāmen. Jitsu wa Nihon hasshō da to iu koto wo…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This episode will help you get some really useful practice with the passive forms of Japanese, which we tend to use more than in English.Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Do you know how the animals of the Chinese zodiac were chosen and put in that order? Listen to find out why it came to be so and why there is no cat.Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 385:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 384:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 384:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Do you work too much? This contributor feels so. He thinks we Japanese work way too hard and need more time off. How is it in your country? Do you want more days off?Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

How many colors do you think a rainbow has? You would be surprised to know that the way you answer this question might depend on where you come from. This week’s contributor talks about how we see the world in colors.Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Click the title below to access text and more!Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 383:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

If you have ever used crutches before you know what a drag they can be. This contributor talks about just that. 松葉杖 （まつばづえ）Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 382:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This week’s contributor discusses a few of the things that irritate her. What’s your pet peeve? Let me know in the comments section. あなたの苦手なものは何ですか？Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 381:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

関東と関西の違い(言葉編) Kantō to Kansai no Chigai (Kotoba-hen) Differences between Kanto and Kansai (Language Version) 日本には様々な方言があります。 Nihon ni wa samazama na hōgen ga arimasu. There are various dialects in Japan. Read moreAf Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Saikin, kōkō ya chūgakkō no bu katsudō ga ippanteki ni kanari amaku natte iru…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Kotowaza koko de wa, eigo to nihongo de hotondo onaji yō na kotowaza o ikutsu ka shōkai shimasu. Access transcripts at: newsinslowjapanese.comAf Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 380:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

関東で生活をしてみて、関西との生活習慣の違いに驚くことがあります。まず、エスカレーターに乗る時、関東では…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

皆さんは上司とうまくいっていますか？最近は、今の上司と大きな問題は…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Kantō to Kansai de wa, kotoba dakedenaku, tabemono no mitame ya ajitsuke ga chigau koto ga…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 379:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Watashi wa nan-nen mo mae kara undō o shite imasu. Ima wa saikuringu ni hamatte imasuga, izen wa yoku jogingu o shite…Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

As you know, I am a very big proponent of the shadowing method as an effective way to practice a foreign language. That’s why I am putting together my new project, which I am calling the Shadowing Bank. I want to bring you a variety of talks from many different native Japanese speakers. Each talk will be accompanied with the text, a transliteration…

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 378:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 377:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 376:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 375:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 374:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan

This is the native speed version of Episode 373:Af Sakura: Study Japanese Listening with our Announcer from Japan