Benny Lewis's Blog, page 6

How to Say Sorry in French [with Audio]

How do you say “sorry” in French? Making mistakes in another language can be stressful but a simple word can help set things right. In French, désolé(e), excusez-moi, and pardon are the most common words for “sorry.”

As in English, the word you use for “sorry” in French depends on the context, whether you’re late to an appointment, you’ve accidentally bumped into someone, or you’re simply trying to make your way into a jam-packed metro in Paris.

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Here is a quick summary of the most important words and phrases that mean “sorry” in French:

Désolé(e): “Sorry”Je suis désolé(e): “I’m sorry”Je suis vraiment désolé(e): “I’m really sorry”Excusez-moi: “Excuse me” (Formal)Excuse-moi: “Excuse me” (Informal)Pardon: “Sorry/Excuse me”How to Say Sorry in French (with Audio)EnglishFrenchAudio“Sorry”Désolé(e)‎‏‎“I’m sorry”Je suis désolé(e)‎‏‎“I’m really sorry”Je suis vraiment désolé(e)‏‎“Excuse me” (formal)Excusez-moi‏‏‎“Excuse me” (informal)Excuse-moi‎‏‎“Sorry” or “Excuse me”Pardon‏‎ The Basics of Saying “Sorry” in French

Now let’s dive in. The most common phrase for “sorry” in French is Je suis désolé(e). This phrase works for most apologies, whether you’re late for an appointment or you’ve made a mistake. The added e at the end is for women speakers, as French has grammatical gender.

For a less formal situation such as talking to friends, you can simply say désolé or désolée. That said, both je suis désolé and désolé work in informal situations:

Je suis désolé, j’ai oublié notre rendez-vous. “I’m sorry, I forgot our meeting.”Désolée, je suis en retard. “Sorry, I’m running late.”Adding Sincerity When Saying Sorry in French

Sometimes you need to express more than just a basic apology. To say “I’m really sorry” in French, use je suis vraiment désolé(e). Instead of vraiment you can also say franchement or tellement, which also mean “really” or “frankly.”

Je suis vraiment désolé de te faire attendre. “I’m really sorry for making you wait.”Je suis franchement désolé. Je ne me suis pas rendu compte qu’il était si tard. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t realize how late it was.”Je suis tellement désolée pour ce qui s’est passé. “I’m really sorry for what happened.”How to Say Excuse Me in French

Excusez-moi and pardon mean “excuse me” in French. Excusez-moi is perfect when you need to interrupt someone or get attention, while pardon works well when you’re acknowledging a small mistake, such as bumping into someone or trying to get through a narrow street. Don’t forget that excusez-moi is formal, using the French pronoun vous, the formal you. Its informal version would be excuse-moi. Here are some examples:

Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me dire où se trouve le Louvre? “Excuse me, could you tell me where the Louvre is?”Excuse-moi de t’avoir interrompu quand tu parlais. “Sorry for interrupting when you were speaking.”Pardon, je peux passer? “Sorry, may I get through?”How to Say Sorry in a Professional Context in French

You can use je suis désolé(e) or excusez-moi in professional contexts as well. A super formal way of saying “I’m sorry” is veuillez m’excuser, especially in written form, such as when you’re writing an email to someone.

Veuillez m’excuser pour l’erreur dans l’e-mail. “Please excuse me for the error in the email.”Je suis désolé pour tout désagrément. “I am sorry for any inconvenience.”How to Say “It’s My Fault” in French

C’est ma faute means “it’s my fault” in French. You can use it to acknowledge a mistake, no matter how big or small it is. It can also be an addition to an apology.

C’est ma faute, je me suis trompé. “It’s my fault, I was wrong.”Désolé, c’est ma faute. “Sorry, it’s my fault.”How to Say “I’m Sorry for Your Loss” in French

To express condolences, use mes condoléances or toutes mes condoléances. It’s a sign of respect when someone has experienced a loss. When you want to offer emotional support, say je suis là pour toi or je suis là pour vous. Here are examples:

Mes condoléances pour la perte de votre ami. “My condolences for the loss of your friend.”Je suis là pour toi dans cette période difficile. “I’m here for you during this difficult time.”Je suis désolé(e) d’apprendre le décès de ton oncle. Mes pensées sont avec toi et ta famille. “I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your uncle. My thoughts are with you and your family.”False Friends: “Apology” vs Apologie

False friends can be misleading. Apologie in French means a defense, not an apology as in English. The correct term is excuse in French. Présenter ses excuses or s’excuser mean to formally offer an apology.

L’écrivain a fait l’apologie de ses idées. “The writer defended his ideas.”Je présente mes excuses pour avoir manqué votre appel. “I apologize for missing your call.”Il s’est excusé pour avoir perdu le document important. “He apologized for losing the important document.”How to Ask for Forgiveness in French

Asking for forgiveness is a part of apologizing and saying sorry. In French, you can say pouvez-vous me pardonner? in formal contexts or est-ce que tu peux me pardonner? or pardonne-moi when talking to friends. That said, désolé(e) also implies that you’re asking for forgiveness.

Pouvez-vous me pardonner pour mon absence hier? “Can you forgive me for my absence yesterday?”Est-ce que tu peux me pardonner d’avoir oublié ton anniversaire? “Can you forgive me for forgetting your birthday?”Pardonne-moi, je ne voulais pas te blesser. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to hurt you.*Sorry Is An Important Word In French

As in any language, saying sorry in French is an important part of daily life, as well as social interactions. Now, it’s time to top up your vocabulary with other core French words!

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How Many Languages Are There in the World?

How many languages are there? Today, there are over 7,000 active languages around the world. But in all of history, linguists think people have spoken some 31,000 different languages. That means a lot of languages have disappeared. And they still do.

Languages change all the time. New ones appear. Some rare ones disappear. Dialects of the same language develop. People move away, and their children acquire the new language better than their parents’ language. All these show us why languages don’t stand still.

Language acquisition was one of my university modules back when I was studying languages. I found it fascinating how we all acquire languages in different ways. I still do. The answer to “how many languages are there” is often “well, it depends.” In this article, I’ll talk about why it’s a tricky question.

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Table of contentsThe Challenge of Counting How Many Languages There AreLanguage and Dialect: What’s the Difference When Counting Languages?Most Spoken Languages and the Global Linguistic LandscapeWhat Puts a Language in Danger?Languages and Their Online PresenceSo, How Many Languages Are There?The Challenge of Counting How Many Languages There Are

Why is it so hard to agree on how many languages there are? One reason is that what counts as a language can be a matter of opinion. Some linguists consider lexical and grammatical information while others take social, cultural, or political factors into account.

Another reason is that there are more than 3,000 endangered languages in the world. This accounts for nearly 40% of the world’s languages. In addition to this, over 1,400 languages have less than 1,000 first-language speakers, 422 have less than 100 speakers, and 117 have less than 10 speakers.

Language and Dialect: What’s the Difference When Counting Languages?

As linguist Max Weinreich’s famous saying goes, “a language is a dialect with an army and a navy.” Weinreich’s work focused on raising awareness on Yiddish, a language spoken by Ashkenazic Jews. This language was spoken across several countries, and ended up developing its own dialects — known today as Eastern and Western Yiddish.

What makes a language a language, and not just a dialect? According to the dictionary definitions, language is a system of communication with its own set of rules for grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. A dialect, on the other hand, is a version of a language that is specific to a region or group of people. It may have different words, accents, or ways of saying things, but generally, speakers of different dialects of the same language can understand each other.

Let’s look at where I’m from: Cyprus. We have two languages, Turkish and Greek. We understand Turkish from Turkey, and Greek from Greece but speak with our Cypriot dialects. People from Turkey and Greece can mostly understand the Cypriot dialect, although it’s not very straightforward.

Over the years, Cypriot Turkish and Cypriot Greek developed their own vocabulary within the Turkish and Greek languages. For example, in Cypriot Turkish, we call the asparagus plant ayrelli. In Standard Turkish it’s kuşkonmaz, and in Cypriot Greek agrellia.

Most Spoken Languages and the Global Linguistic Landscape

23 languages make up for the language of more than half of the world’s population. So this means that millions or billions of people speak these languages. Among them are English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.

There are several reasons why these languages are so popular. Spanish, for example, is the official language in 20 countries, including Spain and many Latin American countries. China has a population of over one billion, meaning that billions of people speak Mandarin Chinese as their first language.

Some languages are ‘lingua francas,’ serving as a bridge between different languages. English is a common one. Over a billion people around the world speak English but most are non-native speakers. A global language, it’s often the communication language of two people who don’t speak the same language. According to English First’s English Proficiency Index, more than 60 countries have at least moderate English proficiency. The Netherlands, Singapore, and Austria rank the highest in English proficiency as non-native speakers. So if a Dutch-speaker from the Netherlands met a Mandarin-speaker from Singapore, they’d most likely have no communication problems speaking English.

Other languages may serve as the lingua franca within a country — take Nigeria as an example, where there are over 500 living languages. The lingua franca of Nigeria is both English and Nigerian Pidgin, an English-based creole. Ethnologue’s 2023 data shows that there are more than 100 million speakers of Nigerian Pidgin alone, making it one of the most spoken languages worldwide.

So how about the other most common languages? Here are the top 20:

English – 1.5 billion speakersMandarin Chinese – 1.1 billion speakersHindi – 609 million speakersSpanish – 559 million speakersFrench – 309 million speakersStandard Arabic – 274 million speakersBengali – 272 million speakersPortuguese – 263 million speakersRussian – 255 million speakersUrdu – 231 million speakersIndonesian – 199 million speakersGerman – 133 million speakersJapanese – 123 million speakersNigerian Pidgin – 120 million speakersEgyptian Spoken Arabic – 102 million speakersMarathi – 99 million speakersTelugu – 96 million speakersTurkish – 90 million speakersTamil – 86 million speakersYue Chinese – 86 million speakersWhat Puts a Language in Danger?

When the last speaker of a language dies, the language dies too. This is what we call ‘language death’, and it’s happening more than you might think. Why? There are many reasons. Young people might stop learning their ancestors’ language because a more widely spoken language might offer better job chances or they don’t have a connection with the country anymore. Or, a community could lose its language if its speakers move to cities where another language is spoken.

UNESCO has a project called Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, showing the degree of endangerment of a language. These degrees are safe, vulnerable, definitely endangered, critically endangered, and extinct. At least 43% of the world’s languages have some degree of endangerment. Example languages include Bashkarik in Pakistan (severely endangered), Apinajé in Brazil (vulnerable), Emilian-Romagnol in Italy (definitely endangered), and more.

Languages and Their Online Presence

Not all languages are equally online. Some don’t have websites, apps, or keyboards, making it difficult to use them on the internet. Only a few hundred languages are well-represented online, even though there are thousands spoken around the world.

Having your language online means you can use it to read the news, chat with friends, or watch series. It also makes it more interesting for young people to learn it, which guarantees the future of the language — at least for some time.

There’s still work to be done to bring more languages online — Apple only introduced an Urdu language keyboard for iOS devices in 2013, for example.

So, How Many Languages Are There?

There’s no single number that tells the whole story. Although there are over 7,000 languages in the world, about 97% of the world’s population speak only 4% of these languages! Studies on endangered languages are so valuable, since preserving a language often means preserving a culture as

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The Japanese Language: a Masterclass for Beginners

With nearly 125 million speakers, the Japanese language is one of the most popular languages on the planet. Japanese is a great language to learn as Japan has a massive influence on global technology, entertainment, and culinary arts. In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll help you understand the fundamentals of the Japanese language, from reading and writing to speaking and listening.

Why me? I have a university degree in Japanese, JLPT N1 certification, and lived and worked in Japan for several years. (You’ll see some of my experiences along the way.) So let’s go!

Here’s a photo of me when I first went over to Japan to study!

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One of the first challenges encountered by students of the Japanese language is its complex writing system. Unlike many languages that use a single alphabet, Japanese incorporates several sets of characters, each serving a unique purpose in the language. Japanese uses two phonetic alphabets, hiragana and katakana, as well as Chinese characters, kanji. Now, how are they each used? Let me break it down for you.

Hiragana: the First Phonetic Alphabet

Hiragana is almost always the first script learners are introduced to. This is because you can’t write any sentence in Japanese without hiragana! This set of 46 characters represents every sound in the Japanese language, making it the backbone for how words are pronounced.

Each character in hiragana represents a vowel or a combination of a consonant and a vowel, with just a couple of exceptions.

For example, the word for “tomorrow,” あした (ashita), consists of:

あ (a)し (shi) andた (ta)

Hiragana is mostly used for native Japanese words for which there are no kanji, as well as for grammatical elements such as particles and verb endings (more on all of these later!). You can also use it to write words you do not know the kanji for.

Fun fact: Hiragana was used almost exclusively by women early on, and the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji, was written by the Japanese woman Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century!

Katakana: the Second Phonetic Alphabet

Now this might sound strange, but Japanese actually has two phonetic alphabets. (This is because they were both developed independently in history.) This script is primarily used for foreign loanwords, company names, certain onomatopoeic sounds, and sometimes for emphasis or style, much like italics in English.

Here’s my insider tip: Most learners study hiragana first, then katakana. But if you are moving to Japan soon, I’d recommend studying katakana first. This is because you might find some katakana vocabulary (like the example below) that come from English. Being able to recognize these when written can really help you identify words!

Just like hiragana, there are 46 basic katakana characters.

For example, the word for “America”, アメリカ (Amerika), consists of:

ア (a)メ (me)リ (ri)カ (ka)

Katakana characters tend to have straighter lines and more angular shapes, which can make them easier to distinguish from the more cursive hiragana.

Fun fact: Katakana was developed by Buddhist monks in the 9th century!

Kanji: Chinese Characters

Kanji, or Chinese characters, are logographic characters that represent words or ideas. Many words, whether they are of native Japanese origin or were borrowed from Chinese long ago, can be written in kanji.

Many words have their own kanji or are created by combining kanji with kanji. For example, the word for “dog” is 犬 (inu), which has its own character. But to make the word for “puppy,” you add the kanji for “child” next to it to make 子犬 (koinu).

Each kanji has one or more readings, which can be divided into on readings — derived from the original Chinese pronunciation — and kun readings — native Japanese readings.

For example, the character 日, which means “day” or “sun,” can be read as hi or bi (its on reading) or nichi (its kun reading). Actually, the word 日曜日 (nichiyoubi, Sunday), uses the same character twice, but each with a different pronunciation! Which reading you use comes down to memorization and context, so take care when studying.

It takes a while to get a grip on all the kanji needed for everyday life. These common-use kanji are called the 常用漢字 (jouyou kanji), and the Japanese Ministry of Education says that there are 2,136 of them. However, a few hundred kanji are enough to begin navigating everyday life in Japan, since they frequently appear in almost everything, including public signs, menus, and newspapers.

Here’s a menu from a gyoza specialty menu which uses all three writing systems! Can you figure out what the flavors are?

To effectively memorize kanji, I recommend the following:

Start with the most common kanji used in everyday life, which will give you the most immediate functional literacy.Use mnemonic techniques to associate kanji characters with visual stories or images that make them easier to remember.Write kanji by hand to reinforce memory through muscle memory and to understand the structure and components (radicals).Regularly review and use kanji in context to reinforce learning and ensure long-term retention.

If you feel overwhelmed, don’t worry! If you can’t remember the kanji for a word, just write it in hiragana. It’ll be okay. Since there are thousands of characters to learn, definitely approach kanji learning at a steady, sustainable pace. You’ll see your efforts paying off in no time!

To wrap up, here’s another fun fact: Many on readings share commonalities with Chinese Wu languages, like Shanghainese. You’ll probably find them more familiar if you speak one of these languages than Mandarin!

And for more information on kanji, check out our dedicated article all about kanji!

And if you already want to learn more about the three writing systems in Japanese, check out our special article explaining the Japanese writing system and alphabets!

The Role of Romaji, the Latin Alphabet

Romaji refers to the romanization of Japanese sounds using the Latin alphabet. Basically, it’s like writing Japanese words in the same alphabet we use in English, like how I wrote jouyou kanji above.

For beginners, romaji can be a helpful tool for you to learn pronunciation before mastering the Japanese scripts. Additionally, romaji is commonly used in Japan for branding, typing in computers, and providing readings for signs and menus to assist non-Japanese speakers.

It is important to remember, though, that relying solely on romaji will limit your exposure to authentic Japanese text. For example, there are multiple versions of how to write romaji, and not all of them clearly denote long vowels (more on that later).

To fully engage with the language, I encourage you to progress beyond romaji and study the Japanese writing system as early as possible. Learning the phonetic alphabets will help you with your overall pronunciation. Learning kanji will help you understand Japanese etymology and the meaning of words.

What I mean is this: As an example, the kanji characters in 日曜日 (nichiyoubi, “Sunday”) above literally mean “sun,” “day of the week,” “day.” You might not know that if you don’t learn the kanji. It’s easy peasy to remember then!

So, reliance on romaji can become a crutch that hinders advancing in reading and writing native Japanese scripts (hiragana, katakana, and kanji). Here’s how to make the transition:

Gradually phase out the use of romaji by incorporating hiragana and katakana into your studies early on.Practice reading by using children’s books or materials designed for beginners that include furigana (small hiragana characters) above kanji.Memorize the most common kanji characters first, and learn new characters in the context of words and phrases.

In conclusion, the Japanese writing system’s rich variety offers an incredible look into the history and culture of Japan. Its complexity may be challenging, but it is also what makes learning the Japanese language a rewarding and enriching experience. By familiarizing yourself with hiragana, katakana, and kanji, you will be able to read, write, and truly appreciate the nuances of the Japanese language.

Fundamental Japanese Grammar

The Japanese language is known for its distinct grammatical structure, which differs a lot from many Indo-European languages you might already be familiar with. But don’t worry! To my mind, although it’s different, it’s quite logical once you get the hang of it. Here is an introduction to the key elements of Japanese grammar that you should first familiarize yourself with:

Japanese Sentence Structure

Japanese sentences typically follow a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, which is quite different from the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern found in English. The verb always comes at the end of the sentence in Japanese. For example:

私はピザを食べます。(Watashi wa piza o tabemasu.)
“I eat pizza.” (Notice how this sentence uses all three writing systems – hiragana, katakana, and kanji?)

In this sentence, 私 (watashi, “I”) is the subject, ピザ (piza, “pizza”) is the object, and 食べます (tabemasu, “eat”) is the verb. The rest of the words are particles, as I’ll explain next.

Japanese Particles

Particles are small words that follow nouns and other parts of speech, indicating their role within the sentence. They are crucial for the meaning and flow of a sentence. While in English, the word order tells us the grammatical role of a noun, in Japanese, the particles do. Some common particles include:

は (wa – topic marker)を (o – direct object marker)に (ni – indirect object marker / location)の (no – possessive, often like an apostrophe S “ ‘s “ in English)

Of course, there are many more particles that you’ll run into. For more in-depth information, check out our article all about Japanese particles!

But for just a quick overview, let’s go back to the sample sentence about eating pizza. In our sample sentence above (私はピザりんごを食べます。/ Watashi wa piza o tabemasu. / “I eat pizza.”), we saw two particles: は (wa) and を (o)!

Now, particles are super important because the Japanese word order is often quite flexible. This is especially so as you start learning more and building more complex sentences. While the subject tends to go first, it can go later, as long as the verb comes at the end (this is the one hard rule). So, it’s also possible (although less common) to say ピザを私は食べます (piza o watashi wa tabemasu) with the same meaning.

Remember how I said particles show the grammatical role of the noun? Let’s say you
have a crazy dream where the pizza was eating you! You might say the following sentence:
ピザは私を食べます。(Piza wa watashi o tabemasu, “The pizza eats me.”) Notice how wa and o attached to different nouns? It makes all the difference.

This is important since the verb doesn’t change depending on whether the speaker is first, second, or third person, like in English and many other European languages. And this brings us to our next topic…

Verbs and Conjugation

Japanese verbs do not change their form with the subject as they do in many other languages. Instead, you’ll conjugate verbs to express tense and aspect. These conjugations include:

past tense (“I ate”)negative form (“I don’t eat”)passive voice (“I was eaten”)causative form (“I made someone eat”)volitional form (“Let’s eat”)
and a few others, including politeness levels which I’ll cover in its own section, since that takes a bit more explaining.

(Now, you may notice I didn’t mention the future tense – luckily, the present tense also usually doubles as a future tense. So you’ll often see it called either the “present-future” tense or the “nonpast” tense.)

There are two main groups of verbs in Japanese, each with its conjugation patterns, plus a small group of irregular verbs. (And when I say a “small” group, I mean small! There are only three irregular verbs in the whole language!) You’ll be best off learning how to conjugate verbs into their polite past, negative, and past-negative forms to start off with.

For instance, the verb 食べます (tabemasu), which means “to eat” or “will eat,” is the polite present-future form. Its past tense form is 食べました (tabemashita), and its negative form is 食べません (tabemasen). Its past-negative form is 食べませんでした (tabemasen deshita).

Want to learn more? Check out our in-depth guide all about Japanese verb conjugations!

Honorific Language

Japanese has different levels of language formality known as honorifics, which are important for showing respect. This system, called keigo, includes various verb forms and vocabulary. Politeness levels are like the difference between saying, “Excuse me, could you please get me a sandwich?” and “Yo, get me a sandwich” – except they are much more intricate in Japanese.

There are three main levels of keigo:

Teineigo (丁寧語): Polite language that is generally used in everyday formal situations or with people you don’t know well. It includes the use of masu endings of verbs and desu endings of sentences.Sonkeigo (尊敬語): Respectful language used to elevate the status of the person you’re speaking to or about. It involves using special verbs and expressions.Kenjougo (謙譲語): Humble language used to lower your own status in contrast to the listener, thereby showing respect. Like sonkeigo, it often has its own special verbs and expressions.

Working in a Japanese office like me? You’ll likely use various types of honorific language!

As a beginner, you’ll most likely work with the teineigo form and only learn sonkeigo and kenjougo as you progress to upper intermediate and advanced Japanese. (I actually had an entire university course about those two during my undergrad degree!) Becoming familiar with keigo is an ongoing process, and even native speakers sometimes struggle with it.

But Japanese isn’t only polite, formal language! There’s also a level of informality separate from keigo. This is casual speech, which you can use when you’re talking with people younger than you, in a lower position than you, or who you know well, like certain friends and family members. Whereas teineigo will use certain verb and sentence endings, such as masu and desu, casual speech drops this. For example, compare these two sentences:

私はピザを食べます。(Watashi wa piza o tabemasu – polite speech)私はピザを食べる。 (Watashi wa piza o taberu – casual speech)

The only difference here is how the verb ends! As a rule of thumb, it’s often better to err on the side of politeness than risk being impolite, so teineigo politeness is a good form to start with.

As important as politeness is in Japanese culture, often as a foreigner, you’ll get a pass if you make a mistake with formality! So don’t worry about it too much now, although it’s good to be aware of keigo’s existence and how it might affect social interactions. I recommend learning teineigo, then casual speech, and then the other two forms of keigo.

How to Overcome Common Japanese Grammar Pitfalls

English speakers may find certain aspects of Japanese particularly tricky. Common pitfalls include:

Confusing the order of words in a sentence, given Japanese’s SOV structure.Misusing or misunderstanding Japanese particles, which can change the meaning of a sentence.Overcomplicating sentence structures instead of embracing Japanese’s sometimes simpler expressions.

To avoid these pitfalls, pay close attention to sentence patterns during your studies and practice forming sentences correctly from the start. Additionally, resist the urge to translate directly from English and instead think in Japanese as much as possible.

Fundamental Vocabulary and Phrases

Okay, so you know some of the grammar and the script, now let’s learn some basic sentences and phrases! At Fluent in 3 Months, we already have several articles about how to build your vocabulary. So I’ll pull some highlights from them and direct you to where you can learn more!

Greetings and Common Expressions

Understanding and appropriately using greetings are super important in Japanese, as they reflect respect and politeness. (At one of my jobs in Japan, I was actually explicitly instructed to greet people in the morning as I walked into the office! It’s on another level from American culture.)

With that in mind, here are some fundamental expressions:

おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu): “good morning” (polite)こんにちは (konnichiwa): “good afternoon” or “hello”* こんばんは (konbanwa) : “good evening”さようなら (sayounara) : “goodbye”ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) : “thank you” (polite)すみません (sumimasen) : “excuse me” or “I’m sorry”はじめまして (hajimemashite) : “nice to meet you” (used the first time you meet someone)

Practicing these phrases will both help you in daily interactions and also show respect for Japanese etiquette. If you want to keep building your vocabulary and understand the nuances of Japanese greetings, check out our in-depth articles all about how to say “hello” and “goodbye” in Japanese!

Useful Conversational Phrases

Of course, Japanese isn’t only greetings! Here are some basic, useful phrases to get you started talking to people.

お名前は何ですか？ (Onamae wa nan desu ka?): “What is your name?”どこから来ましたか？ (Doko kara kimashita ka?): “Where are you from?”私の趣味は日本語を学ぶことです。(Watashi no shumi wa Nihongo o manabu koto desu.): “My hobby is learning Japanese.”

If you want to learn more phrases to kick off conversations, check out our article about the most important words and phrases to get you speaking now!

Numbers, Time, and Dates

Being able to count and tell time is essential for tasks like shopping, making appointments, and traveling. Here are some basic numbers and words to use them with:

一 (ichi): “one”二 (ni): “two”三 (san): “three”四 (shi/yon): “four”五 (go): “five”六 (roku): “six”七 (shichi/nana): “seven”八 (hachi): “eight”九 (kyuu/ku): “nine”十 (juu): “ten”時間 (jikan): time/hour分 (fun/pun): minute秒 (byou): second今何時ですか？ (Ima nanji desu ka?): “What time is it now?”今日は何日ですか？ (Kyou wa nannichi desu ka?): “What is the date today?”

Now, you’ll probably notice that there are more than one way to say a few numbers, like “four” and “seven.” We break down how to know when to use each one and how to use numbers flexibly in our article all about Japanese numbers!

Restaurant Phrases

Everyone needs to eat, and restaurants are great places to practice your Japanese skills. Here are a few phrases to start with:

メニューを見せてください。 (Menyuu o misete kudasai.): “Please show me the menu.”これをください。 (Kore o kudasai.): “ I’ll have this, please.”水をもらえますか？ (Mizu o moraemasu ka?): “Could I get some water?”お会計をお願いします。 (Okaikei o onegaishimasu.): “Check, please.”トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?): “Where is the bathroom?”

You can definitely use these phrases on any trip to Japan! For more phrases for travellers, check out our article about other must-know phrases for travellers and tourists to Japan!

Japanese Pronunciation

You might think that because Japanese is an Asian language, it must be really hard to pronounce, right? Actually, Japanese pronunciation is quite easy and straightforward – one of the easiest I’ve ever learned!

Japanese Vowels

First off, vowels are simple and always pronounced the same way. They are:

“a” ([a] as in “father”)“i” ([i] as in “machine”)“u” ([u] as in “flute”, but with less lip rounding)“e” ([e] as in “bet”)“o” ([o] as in “or”)

In Japanese, vowels should be pure and not glide into diphthongs as they do in English. For instance, the English tendency to pronounce the vowel “o” as “ou” can create problems. In Japanese, “o” is pronounced more like the “o” in “or” and needs to be kept short and distinct.

Easy, right? Plus, most consonants are pronounced similarly to how they are in English, so there’s not too much to worry about! There are a few differences, though, so next I’ll share my top tips for sounding more like a native Japanese speaker:

Long Vowels and Double Consonants

Long vowels and double consonants can change the meaning of a word in Japanese. To make a long vowel, just pronounce the vowel for a beat longer. For example, おばさん (obasan) means “aunt,” while おばあさん (obaasan) means “grandmother.”

Similarly, 切って (kitte, “cut”) has a double consonant that creates a distinctive pause, unlike 来て (kite, “come”). Practicing and distinguishing these sounds is essential to making sure you’re heard right!

The Japanese “R”: A Cross between “R” and “L”

The Japanese “r” is neither a true “r” nor a true “l” but a sound that somewhat resembles a light “d” or the flap “t” as in the American English pronunciation of “ladder” or “better.” If you’ve ever studied Spanish, it’s much like the single Spanish “r”! Practice by lightly tapping the roof of your mouth with the tip of your tongue, without trilling.

Nasal “G” Sound

Japanese is quite a nasal language – this means most of the sounds come from the nose, rather than the throat, like much of English does. The “g” sound in Japanese can sometimes become nasal, closer to the “ng” in “sing” when it comes in the middle of words. This can be heard in words like “ごはん” (gohan – rice/meal). It’s not essential for you to master this pronunciation, but it’ll help you sound more Japanese!

Pitch Accent

Japanese is not a tonal language, unlike Mandarin and Vietnamese. But it’s also not a flat language, either. Japanese has pitch accent, which can occasionally affect the meaning of words. Pitch accent refers to the rise and fall of the voice when saying particular words. For instance, the word はし can mean either “bridge” (hashí), with high pitch on the first syllable, or “chopsticks” (háshi), with a high pitch on the second syllable.

Awareness of pitch accent seems relatively new in the Japanese language learning world. (I never even heard of it until I was at a fairly advanced level!) It’s not as imperative to get right, like long and short vowels and single or double consonants are, but it will help you sound like a native (and get a few words right) if you can master it. Being aware of its existence and paying attention to it when listening to native speakers will help you develop a more natural intonation over time.

Strategies for Improving Pronunciation

Want to nail Japanese pronunciation quickly and early? Here are my top tips on how to do so:

Listen actively to native speakers through media like TV shows, movies, songs, or podcasts.
Practice speaking with native speakers, using language exchange programs or conversation classes.
Repeat words and phrases after listening to them, focusing on timing, vowel length, and pitch accent.
Use tools like language learning apps, which often include pronunciation guides and voice recognition technology.
Record your voice and compare it with native speakers to identify areas for improvement.

Remember, perfecting your pronunciation takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself. The key is to immerse yourself in the language, listen attentively, and keep practicing regularly.
away.

Why Should You Learn Japanese? Here are Some Practical Applications!

As you dedicate time and effort to learning the Japanese language, it’s important to consider the practical outcomes of your studies. Proficiency in Japanese opens up a wide range of opportunities and experiences. In this section, we’ll explore various ways that mastering Japanese can enrich your personal and professional life.

Japan is a pop culture powerhouse! A visit to a Pokemon Center is always fun.

Travel Opportunities

Being able to communicate in Japanese can transform your travel experiences in Japan. You’ll be able to navigate the country more easily, interact with locals, read signs and menus, and gain a deeper understanding of the places you visit. Speaking the language allows for a more authentic and immersive experience. Plus, English isn’t as common outside of major tourist destinations in places like Tokyo and Kyoto, so you’ll have more freedom to go off the beaten path and see more parts of Japan!

Professional Advantages

Fluency in Japanese can be quite prized in the global job market, especially in industries like technology, automotive, finance, and international trade. As Japan is one of the world’s leading economies, knowledge of the language can give you a competitive edge in these sectors. Additionally, Japan’s growing tourism sector has increased the demand for language specialists in hospitality and travel services.

Educational and Academic Benefits

Did you know that Japanese is one of the most commonly used languages in academic research? Knowledge of Japanese can enhance your academic pursuits, whether through access to scholarships, participation in exchange programs, or the ability to conduct research involving Japanese sources. Understanding the language can also be instrumental in accessing Japan’s significant contributions to science, literature, and the arts.

Cultural Appreciation

Japan is a pop culture powerhouse! A command of the Japanese language will let you engage directly with Japan’s rich culture, wherever you are. You’ll be able to enjoy anime, manga, films, and literature in their original language, appreciating the nuances often lost in translation. Traditional cultural practices, such as tea ceremonies and martial arts, also become more accessible and rewarding when approached with language understanding.

Building Relationships

Speaking Japanese will help you build both personal and professional relationships with Japanese people. It lets you network with Japanese speakers globally and can lead to lifelong friendships and partnerships. Genuine attempts to communicate in someone’s native language can foster trust and goodwill. This is especially important since many Japanese people don’t have a high command of English, so why not try communicating in their language?

Personal Growth and Cognitive Benefits

Learning another language, like Japanese, is an excellent way to challenge your brain and enhance cognitive skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. There are also cognitive medical benefits, such as potentially keeping Alzheimer’s at bay in older brains! Learning another language also encourages personal growth, as it builds confidence, patience, and understanding of different perspectives.

So all in all, learning the Japanese language is a door to numerous opportunities for growth, exploration, and enrichment. Whether you’re drawn to Japan for personal interests, career ambitions, or intellectual curiosity, the rewards of speaking the language extend far beyond just the ability to communicate — they provide a way to connect with the world in a more meaningful way.

How to Continuously Learn and Progress Your Japanese

Learning Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s fascinating and logical in its own way, but probably quite different from other languages you have learned before! Here’s how to keep the momentum going and ensure steady growth in your language skills:

Set Realistic Language Learning Goals

Progress in language learning doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process. Setting achievable and realistic goals can help maintain motivation and provide a sense of accomplishment. Consider setting goals like mastering a certain number of kanji each week, having a five-minute conversation in Japanese, or completing a Japanese study book by a specific date.

Advancing from Beginner to Intermediate Level

Once you have a strong foundation, it’s time to deepen your knowledge and expand your abilities. You can do this by:

Studying more complex sentence structures and grammar points, moving beyond the basics you’re now familiar with.Increasing your vocabulary to include words and phrases relevant to your interests or field, making the language more personally engaging.Starting to integrate more advanced listening and speaking exercises into your practice, such as summarizing articles or giving short presentations in Japanese.

The key to continual learning and progression is to stay curious, remain committed, and be open to adapting your study methods as you evolve as a learner. Remember, every effort you put into learning the Japanese language connects you not just to new words and grammar, but to a culture and lifestyle that has much to offer in return.

Your Next Steps for Learning Japanese

By now, you’ve been introduced to the key components of the language, tips on how to overcome common challenges English speakers face, and how to keep your momentum going.

Here’s a quick recap of the crucial points covered in this guide and what you should do next:

Familiarize yourself with the hiragana, katakana, and kanji writing systems.Embrace the SOV sentence structure and understand the role of particles.Build a core vocabulary and learn key phrases for daily interactions.Focus on pronunciation and recognize the importance of correct vowel and consonant length.Overcome specific challenges through targeted strategies.Continually set learning goals and use varied resources to advance.

With Japanese, patience and perseverance will be your best friends. Celebrate the milestones you achieve and keep pushing forward. The rewards of being able to communicate in a new language are numerous — from deepening friendships to uncovering layers of meaning in Japanese art, literature, and everyday life.

Keep practicing, stay curious, and never hesitate to reach out to the vibrant community of Japanese learners and speakers. Each question you ask, every error you make, and all the corrections you receive are integral to the beautiful process of language learning. お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) — you’ve worked hard!

How to Learn the Japanese Alphabet (With Charts!)Hiragana vs Katakana: What's the Difference?Learn Hiragana Fast! Master the Basics of the Most Common Japanese Writing SystemHow to Write in Japanese — A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese WritingThe Ultimate Guide to Japanese Particles (with Examples)

The post The Japanese Language: a Masterclass for Beginners appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.

Days of the Week in Italian – A Beginner’s Guide (with Audio)

Days of the week in Italian are lunedì, martedì, mercoledì, giovedì, venerdì, sabato, and domenica. Learning them will help you talk about your week, plan activities with friends, and make reservations in Italian.

When I was learning Italian at university, my teacher, an Italian lady, said “All the days are masculine in Italian, except Sunday. It’s feminine because it’s the best day.” Thanks to her fun intro to the subject, I never forgot what day was of which gender. I’m sharing this now so you’ll remember as well!

Days of the Week in ItalianEnglishItalianPronunciationAudioMondayLunedì/lune'di/‎‏‎TuesdayMartedì/marte'di/‏‏‎‎‏WednesdayMercoledì/merkole'di/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎ThursdayGiovedì/dʒove'di/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎FridayVenerdì/vener'di/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎SaturdaySabato/'sabato/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎SundayDomenica/do'menika/‎‏‏‎‎

function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in Italian for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://fluentin3months.com/challenge... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online Italian course, here’s the course I recommend: <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/olly-... Uncovered - Learn Italian Through the Power of Story</b></a>, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly. You can try it for free for 7 days!</i>'}console.log(copy)var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();The Italian Days of the Week: I Giorni della Settimana

Here are the days of the week in Italian, from Monday to Sunday:

Lunedì: “Monday”Martedì: “Tuesday”Mercoledì: “Wednesday”Giovedì: “Thursday”Venerdì: “Friday”Sabato: “Saturday”Domenica: “Sunday”Days of the Week in ItalianEnglishItalianAudioMondayLunedì‎‏‏‎‎TuesdayMartedì‎‏‏‎WednesdayMercoledì‎‏‏‎‎‏‎ThursdayGiovedì‎‏‏‎FridayVenerdì‎‏‏‎‎‏‎SaturdaySabato‎‏‏‎SundayDomenica‎‏‏‎‎‏‎Pronunciation Tips for Italian Days of the Week

In Italian, words are pronounced the same way they’re written, which makes learning Italian pronunciation way easier. Of course, this is true for the days of the week as well.

To fine-tune your pronunciation, pay attention to where the stress is. Days ending in -dì have their stress on the last syllable, meaning that the -dì will sound stronger than the other syllables. For sabato, the stress is in the first syllable, SA-ba-to, and for domenica, it’s on the second, do-ME-ni-ca.

Here’s a list so you can see all in one place:

Lunedì: /lune’di/Martedì: /marte’di/Mercoledì: /merkole’di/Giovedì: /dʒove’di/Venerdì: /vener’di/Sabato: /'sabato/Domenica: /do’menika/Days of the Week in ItalianEnglishPronunciationAudioMonday/lune'di/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎Tuesday/marte'di/‎‏‏‎‏‎Wednesday/merkole'di/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎Thursday/dʒove'di/‎‏‏‎Friday/vener'di/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎Saturday/'sabato/‎‏‏‎‎‏‎Sunday/do'menika/‎‏‏‎‏‎Grammar Tips for Italian Days

Except domenica, which is feminine, all the Italian days are masculine. This means that they would take the article il or un, whereas domenica would take la or una. However, in general, we don’t use articles with the days of the week in Italian. When we add il or la in front of the day, it means that we’re talking about something we do all the time. Un or una conveys the meaning of a/an.

Il martedì vado in palestra: “On Tuesdays, I go to the gym.”Martedì sono andato/andata in palestra: “I went to the gym on Tuesday.”Sara è nata in un freddo lunedì mattina: “Sara was born on a cold Monday morning.”Era una domenica nebbiosa: “It was a foggy Sunday.”

Unlike English, Italian doesn’t capitalize the days of the week or the months of the year. That’s unless the days are at the beginning of the sentence — which you can see in the example sentences above.

Example Phrases with Italian Days of the Week

We talk about days all the time, especially when making plans and appointments. Here are 15 useful Italian sentences that put days into context — adapt these to yourself and practice the days of the week.

Posso prenotare un tavolo per due persone per mercoledì sera? – “Can I book a table for two for Wednesday evening?”Avete disponibilità per un taglio di capelli questo venerdì? – “Do you have availability for a haircut this Friday?”Sarò a Roma da lunedì a giovedì per lavoro. – “I will be in Rome from Monday to Thursday for work.”La palestra è chiusa di domenica. – “The gym is closed on Sunday.”Il martedì e il giovedì ho le lezioni di italiano. – “I have Italian lessons on Tuesday and Thursday.”Facciamo la riunione il sabato mattina? – “Shall we have the meeting on Saturday morning?”Questo lunedì è festivo, quindi il negozio sarà chiuso. – “This Monday is a public holiday, so the store will be closed.”La consegna è prevista per domenica prossima. – “The delivery is scheduled for next Sunday.”La domenica, vado da mia nonna. – “On Sundays, I go to my grandmother’s place.”Non lavoro nei fine settimana. – “I don’t work on weekends.”Hai impegni per sabato sera? – “Do you have plans on Saturday evening?”Sono libero giovedì pomeriggio, vuoi andare al cinema? – “I am free on Thursday afternoon, would you like to go to the cinema?”Matteo è arrivato lunedì mattina. A che giorno è il tuo volo? – “Matteo arrived on Monday morning. What time is your flight?”Ho un appuntamento con il dentista venerdì alle 3: – “I have an appointment with the dentist on Friday at 3.”Il ristorante è aperto tutti i giorni tranne il martedì: – “The restaurant is open every day except Tuesday.”Fun Facts About Italian Days

Did you know that the Italian weekdays all represent one of the planets and satellites of the solar system?

Lunedì is for luna, or moon,Martedì is for Mars,Mercoledì is for Mercury,*Giovedì is for Jupiter, Giove in Italian,Venerdì is for Venus.

For fine settimana, or weekend days, it’s quite different. Sabato originates from the Latin word sabbatum, which comes from the Hebrew word shabbat. Domenica’s roots also lie in Latin, meaning “the day of the Lord.”

Other Ways of Talking About the Days in Italian

While talking about our days, we often use words like today, yesterday, and tomorrow. The following vocabulary will come in handy:

Talking About Your Week in Italian

Now that we know all the days and related vocabulary, let’s practice by talking about our weekly routine or plans. Here are some example questions and sentences you can work with:

Cosa fai di lunedì? – “What do you do on Monday?”Lunedì, vado a lavorare. – “On Monday, I go to work.”Sei impegnato/impegnata questa settimana? – “Are you busy this week?”Sono impegnato/impegnata martedì. Ho riunioni tutto il giorno. – “I’m busy on Tuesday. I have meetings all day.”Il mercoledì ho lezione d’italiano. – “On Wednesdays, I have my Italian lesson.”Oggi è giovedì, tocca a me preparare la cena: “Today is Thursday, it’s my turn to cook dinner.”Venerdì, esco con gli amici. – “On Friday, I go out with friends.”Sabato mattina vado a fare la spesa. – “On Saturday morning, I go grocery shopping.”Mi piace mangiare fuori al ristorante la domenica – “I like to eat out at restaurants on Sundays.”Days of the Week in ItalianItalianEnglishAudioOggi“Today”Ieri“Yesterday”Domani“TomorrowDopodomani“The day after tomorrow”Ora“Now”Dopo“Later”Mai“Never”Ancora“Still/Again”Sempre“Always”Ogni giorno“Every day”Ogni settimana“Every week”Ogni domenica“Every Sunday”Scorso/scorsa“Last”Mercoledì scorso“Last Wednesday”Prossimo/prossima“Next”Domenica prossima“Next Sunday”La Settimana prossima“Next week”Il prossimo fine settimana“Next weekend”Time to Practice With More Resources

By talking about your week or your days, you’ll learn lots of new words. And they will be useful ones since they’ll be vocabulary for activities you do daily or weekly. Take a look at language learning apps, YouTube channels, and podcasts to take your Italian to the next level. A good place to start for committed learners would be Fluent in 3 Months founder Benny Lewis’ guide Why Italian is Easy or Olly Richards’ course Italian Uncovered

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30 Spanish Quotes and Sayings (with English Translations)

Looking for wise or funny Spanish quotes about life? Or what about some inspiring Spanish quotes?

You’ve come to the right place! Whether they are quotes by famous Hispanic personalities or traditional proverbs, Spanish sayings cover all areas of life.

If you’re learning Spanish and looking for a new motto, choose it from this post. I’ve gathered some of the best Spanish quotes to help you.

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I went to Mexico in the second half of 2022 to practice my Spanish, so I’ve refreshed this post a little.

PS: Checkout this video if you’re looking for more resources to learn Spanish:

5 Spanish Quotes About Life

Good Spanish quotes about life are easy to find. Here are some of my favourites that Spanish-speakers use when talking about their everyday life.

1. Al Mal Tiempo, Buena Cara – “When the Going Gets Rough, the Tough Get Going”

This saying’s literal translation in English is “to bad weather, good face”.

Whenever you find yourself in a bad situation, remember this Spanish proverb. Face the difficulty with good spirit.

2. Mas Vale Pájaro en Mano Que Cien Volando – “A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush”

As this Spanish saying says, you better hold on to what you already have. Don’t get too greedy, or you might end up holding… nothing.

3. A los Tontos No les Dura el Dinero – “A Fool and his Money Are Soon Parted”

Literally “Money does not last for fools”, this Spanish saying is a reminder that you should spend your money wisely.

No one wants to be a fool, right? I certainly don’t want to be a poor one!

4. La Verdad Adelgaza, pero No Quiebra – “The Truth May Be Stretched Thin, but It Never Breaks”

This quote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the author of Don Quixote, encourages always saying the truth.

It puts forward the fact that some people may try to distort it to their advantage. But in the end, what is true is true and can’t be changed.

5. Errar Es Humano, pero Más Lo Es Culpar de Ello a Otros – “To Err Is Human, but It Is Even More So to Blame Others for It”

Baltazar Gracian, who said this quote, was a Spanish writer who had human nature all figured out, apparently.

What he meant with this quote is that humans are more likely to try to blame others for their problems, than to own up to their mistakes.

3 Motivational Quotes in Spanish

Need a good push to get through your day? Choose one of these good Spanish quotes to use as your mantra.

1. Haciendo y Deshaciendo Se Va Aprendiendo – “It’s By Doing and Undoing That We Learn”

This Spanish saying is about trial and error as a way to learn, and that it’s useful to make mistakes and try again. I agree.

In my school days, I learnt more from the questions I got wrong in exams than those I got right.

It may have stung to get them wrong, but I wanted to make sure it’d never happen again.

2. El Que No Arriesga, No Gana – “He Who Doesn’t Risk Doesn’t Gain Anything”

This is a great saying to remember when you have to face a fear.

Are you too frightened to do it? But you won’t get any results if you hold back.

Go for it. Risk it. Get it.

I should write my own motivational quotes book…

3. La Acción Es la Clave Fundamental para Todo Éxito – “Action Is the Foundational Key to All Success”

This is a quote by famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Did he take the above saying and put it in his own words? Perhaps.

But hey, it’s a Picasso.

By the way, if these quotes have motivated you to keep advancing your Spanish, you can push yourself to new heights with immersive and interactive lessons at LingQ!

3 Inspiring Quotes in Spanish

Inspirational quotes are similar to motivational quotes. Except instead of giving you a push, they’re about building a positive mindset.

Here are some great inspiring quotes in Spanish.

1. El Hombre Que Se Levanta Es Aún Más Grande Que El Que No Ha Caído – “The Man Who Stands Up Is Greater Than the One Who Hasn’t Fallen”

Concepción Arenal, a Spanish writer and sociologist of the 19th century, left us this important quote.

The words más grande in it could be translated both as “taller” and “greater”. In any case, the point of the quote is to praise those who are strong enough to pick themselves up after a bad moment in their life.

2. El Arte de Vencer se Aprende en las Derrotas – “The Art of Winning is Learnt Through Losses”

Simon Bolivar, the man who played a capital role in South America gaining independence, knew a great deal about winning. This quote was born out of his experience.

3. Tal Vez Sea Verdad: Que un Corazón Es lo Que Mueve el Mundo – “Perhaps It Is True: It Is a Heart Which Moves the World”

This is a beautiful quote by Dámaso Alonso, a Spanish poet.

It’s one of my favourites. Every time I hear it, it inspires me to try and do something for the greater good.

3 Spanish Love Quotes and Proverbs

Spanish is rich in quotes and proverbs about love. After all, it’s a romance language. (See what I did there?)

Check out these romantic Spanish quotes and Spanish love quotes.

1. El Amor Todo lo Puede – “Love Conquers All”

This saying literally translates to “love can anything”. It makes more sense if we define it as “with love, everything is possible”.

2. La Belleza Que Atrae Rara Vez Coincide Con la Belleza Que Enamora – “The Beauty That Attracts Rarely Matches The Beauty That Makes You Fall In Love”

We owe this quote to Jose Ortega y Gasset, a Spanish author. He talked about the truth in love: very often, what attracts you first isn’t what will make you fall in love.

Think of it this way: you may decide to flirt with someone who looks good. But it’s their personality and values that determine if you’ll click or not.

3. El Amor No Respeta la Ley, Ni Obedece a Rey – “Love Laughs at Locksmiths”

Love is stubborn. It “doesn’t respect the law nor does it obey the king”, as Hispanics say.

The heart wants what it wants.

3 Family Quotes in Spanish

Hispanic families tend to be big. Maybe that’s why there are a lot of Spanish quotes and proverbs about family. So check out these famous Spanish quotes to get a better insight into Hispanic culture!

1. Cuando Seas Padre, Comerás Huevos – “You’ll Understand When You’re Older”

This is an interesting saying that comes from the times when people in the working class didn’t have much food. If there were any substantial dishes in the house, most of all proteins like meat or eggs, they would go to the father. The logic behind it was that he was the one maintaining the family and making physical effort outside the house.

Mothers would hence explain to their children why they couldn’t eat the eggs by telling them they would when they grew up. At least, the boys.

The meaning of the sayings has slightly evolved. Nowadays, it is used with children to talk about things that only parents can do.

2. De Tal Palo, Tal Astilla – “Like Father/Mother, Like Son/Daughter”

This saying literally translates to something close to “from the stick comes the splinter”. Another English equivalent for it is “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. Just to keep it in the nature department.

3. Lo Importante En una Familia No Es Estar Juntos Sino Estar Unidos – “What’s Important In a Family Is Not to Be Together, It’s to Be United”

There is a difference between being together and being united. What matters in a family is that no matter what distance separates us from our loved ones, we still support each other.

As I have travelled a lot, I know the importance of maintaining a solid relationship with the people you love who live far from you.

3 Friendship Quotes in Spanish

Friendliness is a core characteristic of Hispanic culture. Here are some cool Spanish quotes and sayings to illustrate this.

1. Dime Con Quién Andas y Te Diré Quién Eres – “You Are the Company You Keep”

This saying’s literal translation is “Tell me who you hang out with and I will tell you who you are.”

The people you surround yourself with have a huge influence on your life. This Spanish saying reminds you of that.

2. La Soledad Es Muy Hermosa… Cuando Se Tiene Alguien a Quien Decírselo – “Solitude Is Very Beautiful… When You Have Someone With Whom to Tell It To”

19th-century Spanish poet Gustavo Adolfo Becquer was onto something when he created this quote.

Humans are a social species. We need to interact with each other to be in a good mental place.

Yes, it’s nice to be alone sometimes. But we still need to interact with someone else, from time to time.

3. Hoy Por Ti, Mañana Por Mí – “You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours”

What’s true of real friends is that they’re always there to support you. No matter the situation, a good friend will have your back. Or scratch it, in this case.

The literal translation of this saying is “today for you, tomorrow for me”. In a way, it means “I know you’ll be there for me, so I’m here for you”.

There’s no counting of favours, though! Real friendships aren’t about numbers.

And speaking of friendship and making friends, you can check out how Peggy did this during her Spanish learning journey! Check out our podcast episode where she shares how she learned to speak Spanish to a conversational level as an adult learner:

We all can learn from Peggy about how to improve our Spanish to speak these quotes with ease!

3 Short Spanish Quotes

If you’re just starting your Spanish journey, you can do two things.

First, check this list of best Spanish resources on the internet. It includes Spanish Uncovered, an awesome course for beginners that our Fi3M team member Elizabeth reviewed right here.

Second, learn these super short Spanish quotes.

1. Más Vale Prevenir Que Curar – “Better Safe Than Sorry”

The literal translation of this saying is “it’s better to prevent than to cure”.

Why wait until something bad has happened to take care of it? It’s better to be prepared in advance and avoid any bad situation altogether.

2. El Tiempo Todo Lo Cura – “Time Heals Everything”

Like in English, Spanish people say that time heals everything. Is it true? It depends if you want to believe it.

3. A Lo Hecho, Pecho – “What Is Done Is Done”

Hispanics advise you to puff your chest at what has already been done. In fact, the chest is associated with shielding.

The saying means that you shouldn’t worry about the past anymore, because it has already happened.

And if you’re motivated to keep boosting your Spanish level, a fantastic resource is with our friends at SpanishPod101.com! You’ll get an exclusive membership deal, no matter if you’re a beginner or advanced learner.

3 Funny Spanish Quotes

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Who said Hispanics aren’t funny? Let me prove them wrong with these famous quotes and sayings.

1. El Amor Es Como Don Quijote: Cuando Recobra el Juicio Es que Está Para Morir – “Love Is Like Don Quixote: When It Regains Its Judgement, It’s About to Die”

This quote is by Jacinto Benavente, a Spanish author of the 19th-20th century. He apparently didn’t think love is very rational. He compared it to the fictional character Don Quixote, known for his craziness.

It makes for a funny metaphor!

2. Si Hay Trato, Pueden Ser Amigos Perro y Gato – “If There Is a Deal, Even a Dog and a Cat Can Be Friends”

This Spanish saying talks about friendship for convenience. It uses the example of cats and dogs because they don’t usually get along unless they have a common interest. (“How about chasing away the neighbour’s cat?”)

3. Dame Pan y Dime Tonto – “Give Me Bread and Call Me a Fool”

Does this saying make much sense to you? I didn’t understand it at first, but now I love it.

Its meaning is something along the lines of: as long as I get what I want out of you, I don’t care what you think about me.

3 Frida Kahlo Quotes in Spanish

The Mexican painter and popular icon Frida Kahlo is known throughout the Hispanic world also thanks to her wise and now famous quotes.

1. Donde No Puedas Amar, No Te Demores – “Where You Can’t Love, Don’t Stay Too Long”

Kahlo didn’t have a smooth romantic life. It’s from her own experiences that she draws this sensible quote.

2. Enamórate de Ti, de la Vida y Luego de Quien Tú Quieras – “Fall in Love With Yourself, With Life and Then With Whoever You Want”

Another one of Kahlo’s sayings related to love that encourages you to be the boss of your own happiness.

3. Si Actúas Como Si Supieras Lo Que Estás Haciendo, Puedes Hacer Lo Que Quieras – “If You Act as if You Knew What You Were Doing, You Can Do Whatever You Want”

I guess what Kahlo was trying to say here is “Fake it until you make it.”

La Historia Nunca Dice “Adiós”. Lo Que Dice Siempre Es un “Hasta Luego” – “History Never Says ‘Farewell’. What It Always Says is ‘Goodbye’”

This famous quote by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano is our goodbye for today.

But hey! Before you go, here’s an idea. Now that you’ve chosen one or several favourite Spanish sayings, learn how to say goodbye in Spanish.

Also, you can practice your new cool quotes and sayings along with some practical Spanish phrases!

Or maybe now you feel like learning some Italian sayings. You can never have too many foreign mottos!

Let me know on Instagram (@irishpolyglot), TikTok (@irishpolyglot), or Twitter (@irishpolyglot) what you decide to do!

And to leave on a good note, I’ll leave this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast here for you as motivation!

The Ultimate Guide to Body Parts in Spanish15 Romantic Words for “Beautiful” in SpanishSpanish Uncovered Review — An Honest, Detailed Review on Learning Spanish with StorySpanish Adjectives List: 50 Descriptive Spanish Words [With Sentence Examples!]Best Podcast to Learn Spanish? SpanishPod101 In-depth Review With Pros and ConsAn Introductory Guide to Spanish-Speaking Countries (Fun Facts and Expressions Included!)Original article by Benny Lewis. Reviewed and updated on April 12th.47 Funny, Inspiring and Motivational German Quotes To Help You Learn GermanEncouraging quotes, Chinese proverbs with original translations, and inspirational thoughts for language learners55 Chinese Proverbs, Sayings and QuotesCase Study: Learn Spanish in 11 Weeks38 Italian Sayings that Italians Really Use

The post 30 Spanish Quotes and Sayings (with English Translations) appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.

Learn Colors in Italian (With Audio)

Learn colors in Italian to start describing nouns, order gelato of all colors in Italy, shop for clothes, and more! In Italian, colors have to agree with both the gender and the number of the noun they are describing. This means that their endings can change depending on the context. We’ll explain why and how, right after we cover the most important colors in Italian.

Table of contentsColors in Italian:  I ColoriHow to Use Italian Colors in a SentenceHow to Say Dark and Light in ItalianLearning Italian Will Now Be More Colorful!

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Let’s start with the basics. Here are the most common colors in Italian:

Colors in ItalianItalianEnglishAudioRossoRed‏‏‎‎‏‎BluBlue‎‏‏‎‎‏‎VerdeGreen‎‏‏‎‏‎GialloYellow‎‏‏‎‎‏‎ArancioneOrange‎‏‏‎‎‏‎ViolaPurple‎‏‏‎‎‏‎RosaPink‎‏‏‎‎‏‎MarroneBrown‎‏‏‎‎‏‎GrigioGray‎‏‏‎‎‏‎NeroBlack‎‏‏‎‎‏‎BiancoWhite‎‏‏‎‎‏‎AzzuroLight blue‎‏‏‎‎‏‎How to Use Italian Colors in a Sentence

In Italian, colors come after the noun. For example, the correct translation of “black jacket” would be giacca nera and not nera giacca. Notice how we said nera instead of nero? That’s because Italian colors need to agree with the gender of the noun.

Here are some other examples:

Vestito rosso: “Red dress” (Vestito is masculine)Sciarpa gialla: “Yellow scarf” (Sciarpa is feminine)

To make Italian nouns plural, we need to change the ending. Nouns ending with -o and -e change into -i, and nouns ending with -a into -e. Colors also need to adapt when representing plural nouns.

Now, let’s take a look at the examples above and turn them into plural.

Vestiti rossi: “Red dresses”Sciarpe gialle: “Yellow scarves”

This applies to almost all colors, with a few exceptions. Colors rosa, blu and viola are always written the same way, no matter the gender or the number of the noun.

Libri rosa: “Pink books” (Although libri is the plural of libro, rosa stays the same.)Porte viola: “Purple doors” (Porte is the plural form of porta, a feminine noun. Viola stays the same.)Sedie blu: “Blue chair” (Sedie is the plural of sedia.)

We should also pay attention to the plural form of bianco, the color “white.” Instead of bianci or biance, we say bianchi for masculine plural and bianche for feminine plural.

To use colors in a sentence, you can combine them with the adjectives as we did above, or with the verb essere, “to be.”

Il gatto grigio ha fame: “The grey cat is hungry.” (Gatto is a masculine word so we used the masculine article il and grigio in its masculine form.)La mia amica vive nella casa rosa: “My friend lives in the pink house.” (Casa is feminine so we used the feminine article la.)

Quick recap of the verb essere, which we’ll use in the following sentences:

ItalianEnglishAudioIo sonoI am‎‏‏‎‎‏‎Tu seiYou are‎‏‏‎‏‎Lui/lei èHe/she is‏‎‎‏‎Voi sieteYou are‎‏‎‏‎Loro sonoThey are‏‏‎‎ Qual è il tuo colore preferito?‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‎ “What is your favorite color?”Il mio colore preferito è il verde‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‎: “My favorite color is green.”Le rose sono rosse‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‎: “The roses are red.” (In Italian, “rose” is rosa, and it’s a feminine word. Rose is the plural of rosa, used in this sentence with the plural feminine article le and the plural feminine form of the color red, rosse.)I piatti sono marroni‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‎: “The plates are brown.” (Piatto is “plate” in Italian, and it’s masculine. Here, it’s in its plural form, piatti so we used the plural masculine article i and the plural version of marrone which is marroni.How to Say Dark and Light in Italian

In Italian, dark is scuro and light is chiaro. When used after the color, they give us a clearer picture of what the object looks like.

Rosso scuro: “Dark red”Il mio vestito è rosso scuro: “My dress is dark red.”Viola chiaro: “Light purple”La tua camicia è viola chiaro: “Your shirt is light purple.”Learning Italian Will Now Be More Colorful!

Once you master the colors, consider moving on to other common Italian words, such as clothes, food, or animals. This way, you’ll practice colors while learning new words.

A Guide to the Italian Alphabet and Italian Pronunciation (With Audio!)Learn a Kaleidoscope of Colors in Japanese [With Examples]How to Learn a Rainbow of Colors in KoreanTalk About Family in French – A Guide to French Family Vocabulary [with Audio]27 Colours in French to Brighten Your Day

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Learn Months of the Year in Italian (With Audio)

Learning months in Italian will unlock many other conversation topics, including the weather, yearly routines, and seasonal traditions.

For speakers of other Romance languages and English, Italian months will be pretty straightforward to memorize. As a French and English speaker, this was my case. “January” and gennaio, “February” and febbraio are pretty similar, but still make sure to pay attention to their pronunciations and spelling differences and you’re good to go!

function runSplitTest(){var randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2) + 1console.log(randomNumber)var copy = "";if (randomNumber == 3){ copy = '<i>A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away in Italian for at least 15 minutes with the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. All it takes is 90 days. <b><a href="https://fluentin3months.com/challenge... this link to find out more.</b></a></i>'} else { copy = '<i>Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online Italian course, here’s the course I recommend: <a href="https://www.fluentin3months.com/olly-... Uncovered - Learn Italian Through the Power of Story</b></a>, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly. You can try it for free for 7 days!</i>'}console.log(copy)var copyToChange = document.querySelector("p.copyText").innerHTML = copy;}runSplitTest();Months of the Year in Italian: I mesi dell’anno

Let’s start by listing the twelve months of the year:

Months in ItalianItalianEnglishAudioGennaio“January”‏‎Febbraio“February”‎‏‎Marzo“March”Aprile“April”Maggio“May”‎‏‎Giugno“June”Luglio“July”‎‏‎AgostoAugust”‎‏‎Settembre“September”‎‏‎Ottobre“October”‎‏‎Novembre“November”‎‏‎Dicembre“December”‎‏‎

Unlike English, Italian doesn’t capitalize the months in the sentence, unless they’re at the very beginning. For example, you would write “It’s cold in January” as Fa freddo a gennaio in Italian. No need to capitalize the g of gennaio.

How to Pronounce the Italian Months of the Year?

Italian is a phonetic language. This means that words are pronounced the same way they are written. For example, the letter c gives the sound “ch” in Italian, like the “ch” in “chocolate.” So you would read dicembre (“December”) as di-chem-bre.

Here’s how the other months are pronounced:

Months in ItalianItalianPronunciationAudioGennaio/ʤen’najo/‎‏‎Febbraio/feb’brajo/‎‏‎Marzo/'martso/‎‏‎Aprile/a’prile/‎‏‎Maggio/'madʤo/‎‏‎Giugno/'ʤuɲɲo/‎‏‎Luglio/'luʎʎo/‎‏‎Agosto/a’gosto/‎‏‎Settembre/set’tɛmbre/‎‏‎Ottobre/ot’tobre/‎‏‎Novembre/no’vɛmbre/‎‏‎Dicembre/di’ʧɛmbre/‎‏‎ Seasons and Months in Italian

All months belong to a season so let’s take the opportunity to learn the Italian seasons, le stagioni, along with some useful sentences covering the months.

Primavera: “Spring”

The spring months are marzo, aprile, and maggio.

Marzo è il primo mese di primavera: “March is the first month of spring.”I fiori sono belli in maggio: “The flowers are beautiful in May.”Estate: “Summer”

Giugno, luglio and agosto are the summer months.

Dove andrai in vacanza questa estate? “Where will you go on vacation this summer?”Andrò a Firenze a luglio: “I will go to Florence in June.”Autunno: “Autumn/Fall”

Settembre, ottobre, and novembre belong to autumn.

Roma è ancora calda in autunno: “Rome is still warm in autumn.”Sono nato/nata a settembre: “I was born in September.”Inverno: “Winter”

Last but not least, dicembre, gennaio, and febbraio are the winter months.

Voglio andare a sciare quest’inverno: “I want to go skiing this winter.”A febbraio, andiamo all’Alpe di Siusi per vedere la neve: “In February, we go to Alpe di Siusi to see the snow.”Get Creative With Months in Italian

Top up your knowledge with other common Italian words and try forming new sentences. Research Italian culture to find out what they do each month — for example, take a look at some Italian Christmas traditions for dicembre and try baking a pandolce! This way, you’ll immerse yourself in Italian culture while learning more words!

The Four Seasons in Spanish (Everything You Need to Know)A Guide to the Italian Alphabet and Italian Pronunciation (With Audio!)Talk About Family in French – A Guide to French Family Vocabulary [with Audio]

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100 Useful Arabic Phrases to Navigate Arab Countries

If you want to learn Arabic or go to an Arab country, it’s good to know some simple Arabic phrases. Not only will it improve your trip, it will also help you connect easier with Arabs. This applies to whichever country you choose to visit in the Arab world.

In this article, we’ll be learning 100 valuable Arabic expressions. These phrases will make your exploration of Arab countries and the Arabic language more exciting.

So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Disclaimer: Please note that the transliterations between brackets are there to help you. They don’t represent the exact pronunciation of the words.

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Table of contents12 Must-know Basic Arabic WordsArabic Phrases: The BasicsArabic Greetings and Basic ExpressionsPolite Expressions in ArabicArabic Phrases to Express InterestSaying Goodbye in ArabicCommon Arabic Phrases for Daily LifeArabic Expressions for Getting AroundCommon Arabic Phrases and QuestionsExclamations, Celebrations and Well Wishes in ArabicArabic Filler Words and PhrasesFunny Arabic PhrasesCommonly Used Moroccan Arabic Phrases and Expressions12 Must-know Basic Arabic Words

You want to learn only a few essential Arabic expressions? No problem, here are 12 Arabic phrases that will serve as a foundation for your journey to learn Arabic.

“Hello” – مرحبًا (Marhaba)“Good morning” – صباح الخير (Sabah al-khayr)“Good evening” – مساء الخير (Masa’ al-khayr)“Thank you very much” – شكرًا جزيلا (Shukran jazeelan)“You’re welcome” – على الرحب والسعة (Ala rohb wa seaa)“How are you?” – كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa halak/halik for males/females)“I’m fine, thank you” – أنا بخير، شكرًا (Ana bikhair, shukran)“My name is…” – …اسمي (Ismi…)“Excuse me” – عذرًا (Athar’an)“I don’t understand” – لا أفهم (La afham)“Where is…?” – أين…؟ (Ayna…?)“Goodbye” – وداعًا (Wada’an)

PS: In Arabic countries, when someone tells you صباح الخير (Sabah al-khayr), you reply with صباح النور (Sabah al-noor). The same is true for مساء الخير (masa’ al-khayr); you reply with مساء النور (masa’ al-noor).

Arabic Phrases: The Basics

If you’re just starting out, you’ll need a load of basic Arabic phrases to help you along.

Let’s start with greetings and basic expressions. Most of these are used regardless of whether or not the situation is formal, so feel free to use them whenever you need to.

Arabic Greetings and Basic Expressions“Hello” – مرحبًا (Marhaba), we also say السلام عليكم (Assalamo alaykom)“Good morning” – صباح الخير (Sabah al-khayr)“Good evening” – مساء الخير (Masa’ al-khayr)“Welcome” – أهلاً وسهلاً (Ahlan wa sahlan)“How are you?” – كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa halak/halik for males/females)“I’m fine, thank you” – أنا بخير، شكرًا (Ana bikhair, shukran)“What is your name?” – ما اسمك؟ (Ma ismak/ismik for males/females)“My name is…” – … اسمي (Ismi…)“Nice to meet you” – تشرفت بلقائك (Tasharraftu biliqa’ik) Polite Expressions in Arabic“Please” – من فضلك (Min fadlik/fadlik for males/females) or أرجوك (Arjouk)“Thank you” – شكرًا (Shukran)“You’re welcome” – عفوًا (Afwan)“Excuse me” – عذرًا (Athar’an)“I’m sorry” – أنا آسف/آسفة (Ana asif/asifa for males/females)“Yes” – نعم (Naam)“No” – لا (La) Arabic Phrases to Express Interest

Imagine you’re having a conversation with a local, and you want to show your interest. The Arabic expressions below will surely help you!

“This is beautiful” – هذا جميل (Hatha jameel)“I like it” – أحبه/أحبها (Uhibbuh/Uhibbaha for males/females)“That’s interesting” – هذا مثير للاهتمام (Hatha muthir lil-ihtimam)“Tell me more” – أخبرني بالمزيد (Akberni bil-mazeed)Saying Goodbye in Arabic

It’s always hard to say goodbye, but let’s not forget there’s always a chance for future encounters. Here are some expressions to say “goodbye” (or “see you later”) in Arabic.

“Goodbye” – وداعًا (Wada’an)“See you later” – أراك لاحقًا (Arak lahiqan)“Until we meet again” – حتى نلتقي مجددًا (Hatta niltaqy majdan)“Take care” – اعتنِ بنفسك (Eiten bi-nafsik)“Farewell” – مع السلامة (Ma’a al-salamah)“Have a good day” – أتمنى لك يومًا سعيدًا (Atamannu lak yawman sa’idan)“Have a safe journey” – سفرًا آمنًا (Safaran aman)“Goodbye, my friend” – وداعًا يا صديقي (Wada’an ya sadiqi)“Stay in touch” – بقِ على تواصل (Buqa ala tawasul)“See you soon” – أراك قريبًا (Arak qareeban) Common Arabic Phrases for Daily Life

Arabic is not only the official language of 25 countries but also a window into the rich culture of the Arab world. It is a beautiful and complex language. In short, whether you’re shopping or making new friends, using everyday Arabic phrases makes it cool. These phrases act like keys, helping you talk better.

Keep reading for a list of Arabic expressions people use every day.

Arabic Expressions for Getting Around“Where is…?” – أين…؟ (Ayna…?)“How much is this?” – بكم هذا؟ (Bikam hatha?)“I want…” – أريد… (Ureed…)“I don’t want…” – لا أريد… (La ureed…)“Can you help me?” – هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Hal yumkinuka musa’adati?)“I need a taxi” – أحتاج سيارة أجرة (Ahtaju siyarat ‘ajrah)“Straight ahead” – مباشرةً (Mubashiran) Common Arabic Phrases and Questions“How much does this cost?” – كم ثمن هذا؟ (Kam thaman hatha?)“Can I try this on?” – هل يمكنني تجربته؟ (Hal yumkinuni tajribatah?)“It’s too expensive” – إنها مكلفة جدًا (Innaha maklifah jiddan)“Do you have something cheaper?” – هل لديك شيء أرخص؟ (Hal ladayk shay’an arkhos?)“Can you give me a discount?” – هل يمكنك أن تعطيني خصم؟ (Hal yumkinuka an ta’teeni khasm?)“I’m just browsing” – أتصفح فقط (Atasaffah faqat)“Do you have this in a different color/size?” – هل لديكم ذلك بلون/حجم مختلف؟ (Hal ladaykum thalika bilawn/hajm mukhtalif?)“What time is it?” – كم الساعة؟ (Kam al-saa’ah?)“Can I take a photo?” – هل يمكنني التقاط صورة؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-taqattur surah?)“What is this place called?” – ما اسم هذا المكان؟ (Ma ismu hatha al-makan?)“Can you recommend a good restaurant?” – هل يمكنك أن توصي بمطعم جيد؟ (Hal yumkinuka an tawsi bi-mat’am jayyid?)“What’s your favorite food?” – ماهو طعامك المفضل؟ (Ma huwa ta’amuka al-mufaddal?) Exclamations, Celebrations and Well Wishes in Arabic“Congratulation” – تهانينا (Tahanina)“That was excellent!” – كان ذلك مميزاً (Kana dhalika momayazan)“Best of luck!” – حظاً موفقاً (Haddan mowaffakan)“All the best to you!” – كل التوفيق (Kollo tawfiq)“Happy birthday!” – عيد ميلاد سعيد (Aid milad said)“Stop!” – قف (Qif)“Get well soon” – أتمنى لك الشفاء العاجل (Atamana laka chifaa’ l’ajil)“Bon appetit” – بالهناء و الشفاء (Bilhanaa wa chifaa)“Take care” – اعتن بنفسك (I’tani binafsek)“Long time no see” – لم ارك منذ فترة طويلة (Lam araka/araki mondo fatra tawila)

The Arabic language is known for its richness. As such, a lot of times many words and phrases have the same meaning. For example, to say “Bon Appétit,” you can say any of the following and the meaning is still the same: بالهناء و الشفاء (bilhanaa wa chifaa), or بالصحة و العافية (bissiha wa l’afiya), or شهية طيبة (chahia tayiba). Another example is saying طال غيابك (tala ghuabok) instead of لم أرك منذ فترة طويلة (lam araka/araki mondo fatra tawila) to say “long time no see.”

Arabic Filler Words and Phrases

Filler words may not sound like much but they truly help you sound more like a native. Here is a list of common Arabic filler words and phrases. Be sure to add them to your linguistic toolbox!

First, let’s see some Modern Standard Arabic filler words. These words are understood by every Arabic-speaking country. But, it’s best practice to know what’s said in the specific country you’re visiting.

“Beautiful” – جميل (Jamil)“Sorry” – عفواً (Afwan). This is mainly used to ask for repetition or to respectfully interrupt someone.

Like I said, Arabic is the official language of many Arabic-speaking countries. But guess what? Each of these countries has its own dialect.

Let’s start with some Levantine Arabic filler words:

“Means” – يعني (Ya’ni)“By God” – و الله (Wallah)“Good” – طيب (Tayyib)“Now” – هلأ (Halla’)

In Morocco, you can say any of these two:

“Like” – زعما (Zaama)“So” – إيوا (Ewa)

Fun Fact: I say زعما (Zaama) around a hundred times per hour. How do I know? My dad took it upon himself to count them one time.

In Egypt, you’ll likely be using these a lot in their conversations:

“Sweet” – حلو (Hilw)“Anyway” – أصلاً (Aslan)Funny Arabic Phrases

Laughter knows no language limits, and Arabic has a bunch of funny sayings that will make you giggle. These phrases show how fun language can be.
Here, we’ll explore these phrases that bring smiles and show the humorous side of Arabs. So with that said, buckle up and get ready to laugh and learn more about the fun side of Arabic culture!

روح بلط البحر/ روح كنس الصحراء (Rouh balt al-bahr/rouh kans al-sahraa).This means “go swim in the sea” or “go sweep the desert.” It’s funny because it’s asking someone to do something really hard, like swimming in the sea or sweeping a big desert.فولة و انقسمت نصفين (Foula wa inqasamat nisfayn). Literally translates to “a fava bean split in two”. This phrase is like “two peas in a pod” in English, which is used to say that two things are like each other.قتل قتيل و مشى لجنازه (Qatal qateel wa mashaa li-janaazah). This means “killed someone and went to his funeral.” This phrase has kind of the same meaning as “adding insult to injury.” For example, someone causes a big problem, then shamelessly fakes sympathy over it.دمه ثقيل/دمه خفيف (Damuhu thaqeel/damuhu khafif). These two are actually the opposite of each other. دمه ثقيل (Damuhu thaqeel) is used to say that someone is boring while دمه خفيف (damuhu khafif) means that the person is sweet and funny.تقبر قلبي/تقبرني (Taqrab qalbi/ taqburni). These phrases literally translate to “you bury my heart” or “you bury me.” They reflect intense love or sympathy for someone.القرد بعين أمه غزال (Al-qird bi-‘ayn ummi ghazaal). Translates to “the monkey is a gazelle in its mother’s eyes.” In English, this is like saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.صام وأفطر على بصلة (Saam wa aftara ‘ala basalah). Translates to “he fasted and broke his fast with an onion” in English. It portrays a situation where someone works hard on something. Yet, the end results are disappointing.إن كان حبيبك عسل متلحسوش كله (In kaan habeebuk ‘asal matlahisoo kullah). In English: “If your beloved is honey, don’t lick it all off.” This advises moderation as it means that if someone is nice to you, don’t take advantage of their kindness.حل/حلي عني (Hul/hulay aannee). Translates to “dissolve yourself off me,” it means “leave me alone” or “get lost.”الجنازة حارة والميت كلب (Al janazah harrah wal-mayyit kalb). This is used in the context where someone overreacts or makes a big deal about something that is quite trivial. In English, this would be like saying “much ado about nothing.”Commonly Used Moroccan Arabic Phrases and Expressions

Morocco is a country known for its diversity. The official languages of Morocco are: Darija and Tamazight. Darija is the one commonly used while Tamazight is mainly used in rural areas.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of resources available for those wanting to learn its language. I’m talking especially about Darija here, but the same can be said about Tamazight. Add to that the fact that it’s mostly an oral language and it’s believed to be the hardest amongst the languages spoken in the Middle East.
I beg to differ, but that’s because I’m very biased since I’m Moroccan.

Read on to learn some common Moroccan Arabic phrases!

“How are you?” – لباس؟ / لباس عليك؟ (Labas? or Labas elik?)“What is this?” – شنو هذا؟ (Shnu hada?)“Do you have…?” – واش عندك…؟ (Wash aandak…?)“Thank you very much” – بارك الله فيك (Barak Allah fik)“I am looking for…” – كنقلب على (Kanqallab aala…)“I don’t want anything” – مابغيت والو (Ma brit walou)“Speak slowly” – هضر بالشوية (Hdar bechwiya)“Do you have…?” – واش عندك؟ (Wash aadak?)“Come here” – أجي لهنا (Aji lehna)

And that’s a wrap for this article! Hope you like it and that it helps set you up for your Arabic learning journey. Remember to practice and have loads of fun learning this beautiful language.

Before you go, did you know that you can speed up your Arabic learning journey by listening to Arabic songs? Mind blowing, I know. If that seems like something you’d like to try, check out this post where I talk about 12 of the best songs you can use to practice your Arabic skills.

بالتوفيق والنجاح إن شاء الله!

12 Iconic Arabic Songs to Boost Your Arabic Skills in 2023136 Core Arabic Words – Basic Arabic Words to Get You Familiar With The LanguageLearn Arabic Online for Free: 33 Resources and Online Arabic ClassesBlack Friday Deals for Arabic Language CoursesHow to Learn Arabic Right the First Time

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The Greek Alphabet – Your Essential Guide (Including Letters, and Pronunciation)

You are likely familiar with the Greek alphabet on some level. If you’ve ever used words like “alpha”, “beta” or “omega”, that’s part of the Greek alphabet.

It’s everywhere from American university sororities, to maths, to religious literature and medical sciences. But what about the letter names, Greek alphabet symbols such as tonos, and pronunciation exceptions?

First things first, let’s start with a piece of good news. Almost all the letters are pronounced the way they are written, and there are no silent letters in Greek. There are some special letter combinations you need to be aware of, which we’ll cover once we learn the Greek alphabet in order.

Learning about the Greek alphabet was one of my favourite parts of studying Greek. I took Greek lessons in Cyprus, and as you might have guessed, our first lesson was about the alphabet. A couple weeks later, we started reading road signs in Greek, and were able to decode this beautiful language.

Today, I’ll give a crash course about the Greek alphabet based on my own experience of what helped me learn the language. Let’s get started!

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Table of contentsGreek Alphabet in Order from Alpha to OmegaΑ / α / AlphaΒ / β / BetaΓ / γ / GammaΔ / δ / DeltaΕ / ε / EpsilonΖ / ζ / ZetaΗ / η / EtaΘ / θ / ThetaΙ / ι / IotaΚ / κ / KappaΛ / λ / LambdaΜ / μ / MuΝ / ν / NuΞ / ξ / XiΟ / ο / OmicronΠ / π / PiΡ / ρ / RhoΣ / σ (ς) / SigmaΤ / τ / TauΥ / υ / UpsilonΦ / φ / PhiΧ / χ / ChiΨ / ψ / PsiΩ / ω / OmegaGreek Alphabet Pronunciation ExceptionsConsonant CombinationsVowel Combinations (Diphthongs)What is  τόνος (tonos)?Is There a Greek Alphabet Song?What is the Ancient Greek Alphabet Like?Practice Makes Perfect: It’s Time to Speak Greek!Greek Alphabet in Order from Alpha to OmegaΑ / α / Alpha

IPA pronunciation: /a/

English equivalent: like the “a” in car.

Example word: Αγάπη (agapi): “love”

Β / β / Beta

IPA pronunciation: /v/

English equivalent: like the “v” in vote.

Example word: Βιβλίο (vivlio): “book”

Note: Be careful — Β / β in Greek makes the “v” sound, not “b.”

Γ / γ / Gamma

IPA pronunciation: /ɣ/ or /ʝ/

English equivalent: Gamma can be a tricky one! In most cases, it sounds like a softer version of the “g” in green. When it’s before /e/ or /i/, it sounds like the “y” in yellow.

Example words: Γάτα (gata): “cat”
Γεια (yia): “hello”

Δ / δ / Delta

IPA pronunciation: /ð/

English equivalent: like the “th” sound in then. (In Greek, “th” has its own letter!)

Example word: Δρόμος (dromos): “road”

Ε / ε / Epsilon

IPA pronunciation: /e/

English equivalent: like the “e” in pen.

Example word: Ελλάδα (Ellada): “Greece”

Ζ / ζ / Zeta

IPA pronunciation: /z/

English equivalent: like the “z” in zoo.

Example word: Ζάχαρη (zahari): “sugar”

Η / η / Eta

IPA pronunciation: /i/

English equivalent: like the “ee” in meet.

Example word: * Ήλιος (ilios):* “sun”

Θ / θ / Theta

IPA pronunciation: /θ/

English equivalent: like the “th” in think. (Yes, the other “th” sound also has a dedicated letter in Greek.)

Example word: Θάλασσα (thalassa): “sea”

Ι / ι / Iota

IPA pronunciation: /i/

English equivalent: Iota is also pronounced as “ee,” just like eta. There are different letters for the same sound because they originate from the Ancient Greek alphabet. In Ancient Greek, eta, iota, and upsilon (the other “ee” sound) produce different sounds which is no longer the case in Modern Greek.

Example word: Ιδέα (idea): “idea”

Κ / κ / Kappa

IPA pronunciation: /k/

English equivalent: like the “k” in make

Example word: Κύπρος (Kipros): “Cyprus”

Λ / λ / Lambda

IPA pronunciation: /l/

English equivalent: like the “l” in lamp

Example word: Λέξη (lexi): “word”

Μ / μ / Mu

IPA pronunciation: /m/

English equivalent: like the “m” in make

Example word: Μήλο (milo): “apple”

Ν / ν / Nu

IPA pronunciation: /n/

English equivalent: like the “n” in new.

Example word: Ναι (ne): “yes”

Note: Pay attention to the lowercase version of this letter as it looks like the English “v.”

Ξ / ξ / Xi

IPA pronunciation: /ks/

English equivalent: like the “x” in box

Example word: Ξενοδοχείο (xenodohio): “hotel”

Ο / ο / Omicron

IPA pronunciation: /o/

English equivalent: like the “o” in orange.

Example word: Όνομα (onoma): “name”

Π / π / Pi

IPA pronunciation: /p/

English equivalent: like the “p” in play.

Example word: Πόλη (poli): “city”

Ρ / ρ / Rho

IPA pronunciation: /r/

English equivalent: like the “r” in right

Example word: Ρούχα (rouha): “clothes”

Σ / σ (ς) / Sigma

IPA pronunciation: /s/

English equivalent: like the “s” in snake.

Example word: Σχολή (sholi): “school”

Note: The letter sigma has two forms in lowercase: σ when it appears in the middle or at the end of a word and ς when it appears at the end. Here is what both look like:

Μουσική (musiki): “music”
Φίλος (filos): “friend”

Τ / τ / Tau

IPA pronunciation: /t/

English equivalent: like the “t” in train

Example word: Τραπέζι (trapezi): “table”

Υ / υ / Upsilon

IPA pronunciation: /i/

English equivalent: Here’s your third Greek letter that gives the “ee” sound! Similar to eta and iota, upsilon also had a different sound in Ancient Greek, but in Modern Greek, it sounds like the “ee” in meet.

Example word: Υγεία (igia): “health”

Φ / φ / Phi

IPA pronunciation: /f/

English equivalent: like the “f” in free.

Example word: Φωτογραφία (fotografia): “photography”

Χ / χ / Chi

IPA pronunciation: /x/

English equivalent: like the “h” in hue. A better example would be like the “ch” in loch, with a Scottish accent.

Example word: Χάρτης (hartis): “map”

Ψ / ψ / Psi

IPA pronunciation: /ps/

English equivalent: like the “ps” sound in lapse.

Example word: Ψυχή (psihi): “soul”

Ω / ω / Omega

IPA pronunciation: /ɔː/

English equivalent: like the “o” in go.

Example word: Ωκεανός (okeanos): “ocean”

Greek Alphabet Pronunciation Exceptions

Some vowel and consonant combinations in Greek form different sounds when they come together. It’s important to learn about them to read and speak Greek fluently.

Consonant Combinations

In some cases, when two consonants come together in Greek, they form new sounds that are not part of the alphabet. These letters are γγ (two gammas together), μπ (mu and pi together), ντ (nu and tau together), and γκ (gamma and kappa together). Let’s find out more about the sounds they form:

Αγγλικά (Anglika): “English” — Here we have two gammas, which are pronounced as “ng,” like the “ng” in the word sing.Μπίρα (bira): “beer” — When the letters mu and pi come together, they make a sound similar to the “b” in English. This is common in loanwords or foreign words.Ντεπόζιτο (depozito): “deposit” — Nu and tau make the “d” sound in Greek, similar to the “d” in the word drum.Γκολ (gol): “goal” — Gamma and kappa make the “g” sound, like the “g” in the word green.

The letter tau has two combinations that form different sounds: τζ and τσ. Τζ forms the sound “j” as in jacket.

Τσ stands for the sound “ch,” like in the “ch” the word change. In Greece’s Greek, it sounds more like “ts.” In Cypriot Greek, however, it sounds like the “ch” in change. Here are two example words:

Τσάι (tsai): “tea”Τζατζίκι (tzatziki): “tzatziki,” the famous yoghurt dish with cucumber, mint, and olive oil.Vowel Combinations (Diphthongs)

A diphthong is when two vowels form a single sound in one syllable. Greek diphthongs are αι, ει, οι, υι, αυ, ευ, and ου. Here are the sounds they make:

αι makes an “e” sound, like the “e” in pen. For example, the Greek word for “child,” παιδί, is pronounced as pedi.ει makes an “ee” sound, like the “ee” in meet. Σειρήνα is read as sirina, and it means “mermaid” in Greek.οι is like the “oi” in oil. Ποίημα (poima) is an example word, and it means “poem” in Greek.υι sounds like the “ui” in quit. It’s not very common in Modern Greek.αυ makes an “av” sound, like the “av” in travel, or an “af” sound like the “af” in after, depending on the context. Αυγό (avgo), meaning “egg” has the “av” sound, and αυτοκίνητο (aftokinito), meaning “car” has the “af” sound.ευ sounds like the “ev” in ever or “ef” in effort. Ευρώ (evro) is the Greek word for “euro,” and it has the “ev” sound. Ευχαριστώ (efharisto) has the “ef” sound. It means “thank you” in Greek.ου sounds like the “oo” in food. An example word would be πουλί (pouli), which means “bird” in Greek.What is τόνος (tonos)?

Now, let’s talk about τόνος, which you will see in all lowercase Greek words that contain more than one syllable.

There is τόνος in the word τόνος itself. Have you noticed how the first o in the word has an accent mark on top, and the second one doesn’t?

That’s τόνος. In the Greek alphabet, when vowels have the accent mark on top of them, it means that they are stressed vowels. In other words, these are the vowels you should stress more than others while pronouncing that word. So for example, τόνος would be pronounced as TO-nos, not to-NOS.

Here is another example from a common word: in καλημέρα (“good morning”), the stress is on the letter έ, epsilon. This means that its pronunciation is kali-ME-ra. Make sure to listen to it here.

Is There a Greek Alphabet Song?

You can find many Greek alphabet songs on YouTube if you search τραγούδι αλφάβητο (tragudi alfavito), “alphabet song.” Although most of them are for kids, they would help you memorise the Greek alphabet names. Here is a song that sounds like the English alphabet song.

What is the Ancient Greek Alphabet Like?

The Ancient Greek alphabet is similar to the Modern Greek alphabet we just learned about but it is more difficult, with more complex types of τόνος. Here is how you say I love you in Greek, both Ancient and Modern, for example:

Ancient Greek: ἐγὼ σ’ ἀγαπῶ (egṑ s’ agapô)Modern Greek: Σ’ αγαπώ (S’ agapó)

Pronunciation of some letters is also different in Ancient Greek than in Modern Greek. For example, upsilon sounds like “ee” in Modern Greek, but in Ancient Greek, it’s similar to the “u” in the word duke.

Practice Makes Perfect: It’s Time to Speak Greek!

Now that you’ve learned all the Greek alphabet letters, it’s time to practise reading some words, while paying attention to the letter combinations. You can also try writing your name or your friends’ names using Greek letters — it’s fun!

Watching videos and listening to podcasts in Greek will also help you get used to how words sound.

Καλή τύχη! (kali tihi!) “Good luck!”

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How to Say “Cheers” in Japanese and Drink Like a Local

While you’re learning Japanese or in Japan, you’ll almost certainly need to say “cheers” in Japanese.

This is because alcohol is everywhere in Japan, and the Japanese people love to have reasons to give a toast!

In Japan, it’s incredibly common to go to a pub (or izakaya) after work or to meet friends at a swanky new cocktail bar in the city. In fact, there are even all-you-can-drink specials at many restaurants, pubs, and karaoke bars! (More on this later, of course!)

Don’t drink? Don’t worry! There are plenty of alternatives for you, too.

I lived in Japan for several years, speak the language fluently, and will be your cultural guide for this article. So let’s dive into how to say “cheers” in Japanese and some drinking culture and etiquette that will make your friends say, “Sugoi!” (That’s “amazing,” by the way!)

Table of contentsJapanese Phrases for “Cheers”Kanpai  (乾杯): The Go-To CheersOtsukare-Sama Desu  (お疲れ様です): Recognition of Hard WorkOmedetou Gozaimasu  (おめでとうございます): Celebrating Victories and MilestonesBanzai  (バンザイ): A Cheer with Historical RootsDos and Don’ts of Drinking in JapanWhat to Drink in JapanPopular Alcoholic Drinks in JapanNihonshu  (日本酒)Beer (ビール)Shochu  (焼酎)Umeshu  (梅酒)Whisky (ウィスキー)Popular Non-Alcoholic Drinks in JapanAmazake  (甘酒)Oolong Tea (ウーロン茶)Calpis (カルピス)Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic BeerSafely Navigating: Japan’s Drinking LawsJapanese Drinking and Driving LawsJapanese Public Drinking LawsNomihoudai (飲み放題): Japan’s All-You-Can-Drink PhenomenonA Toast to Language LearningJapanese Phrases for “Cheers”

While there is one standard phrase for “cheers” in Japanese, you actually have a few options! Here are some phrases you can use to spice up your vocabulary for different occasions.

Here’s me with some university friends out for a drink in Japan, back in the day!

Kanpai (乾杯): The Go-To Cheers

English: Bottoms up!

Usage: When everyone’s drinks are ready, hold up your glass and join in the chorus of “kanpai!” This is your basic, everyday cheers. The phrase literally means “dry the glass,” but don’t worry – nobody expects you to down your drink in one go (unless you want to).

Otsukare-Sama Desu (お疲れ様です): Recognition of Hard Work

English: Good job today! / Thanks for your hard work!

Usage: This is perfect for those Friday night office parties. It acknowledges the effort everyone’s put in. Imagine clinking glasses after a long week and showing appreciation for your team’s hard work – this phrase adds that special touch. (Fun fact: This is often a common greeting among adults meeting after work. They’ll often say this instead of other ways to say “hello” in Japanese!)

Alternatively, you could also use otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした). This is the above conjugated into the past tense. Its usage is similar to the previous one. But with a past tense vibe, it’s as if the hard part is over, and now it’s time to relax. This one’s perfect as the party starts winding down, and you’re on your last few drinks, sharing stories of the week’s battles.

Both of these are the formal form of the phrase. If you want to make it more casual to use among friends and other people you share close bonds with, just say otsukaresama (お疲れ様).

Omedetou Gozaimasu (おめでとうございます): Celebrating Victories and Milestones

English: Congratulations!

Usage: Got something to celebrate? A promotion, a birthday, or perhaps a friend’s engagement? This is your word. It’s versatile and can be used in most happy occasions when you’re raising a toast to good news.

Omedetou gozaimasu is the formal form of this cheers. To use it in casual settings, you can just say, Omedetou (おめでとう).

Banzai (バンザイ): A Cheer with Historical Roots

English: Live 10,000 years!

Usage: This is more than just a cheer; it’s charged with historical spirit. But be cautious with this one: it can have military connotations as it was used as a war cry in support of the Emperor. You probably won’t come across this one all too much, but you might see it used during moments of high excitement or in very significant celebrations.

Dos and Don’ts of Drinking in Japan

Okay, so now we know some things to say during toasts in Japanese! What else should we do to integrate ourselves into Japanese drinking culture?

If you’re just grabbing some drinks with friends, it’s much more casual and flexible. But if you’re going out drinking in a formal setting, such as with coworkers or at a business dinner, you’ll want to be aware of this etiquette!

Do Order the Same First Drink: It’s all about unity. Starting with about same drink, usually beer or sake, is seen as a nod to group harmony. More practically, it makes the server quicker in delivering your drinks so you can all toast and start drinking more quickly. You’ll usually be given a choice, such as beer or oolong tea, so just choose which one strikes your fancy in the moment. You can get whatever you want later.Do Wait for the Toast: Don’t start sipping (or chugging, I’m not judging) before everyone’s drinks are delivered, because there might be a quick toast! Gauging the moment before everyone sips is crucial. If in doubt, see what everyone else is doing.Do Pour for Others: Especially if they’re older or of higher social status. It’s a way of showing respect and building camaraderie. Pour for yourself last.Don’t Fill Your Own Glass: Let someone else do it, and be ready to return the favor. If you’re done drinking, leave your glass full so no one is tempted to pour more for you.Don’t Toast with Water: For goodness’ sake (or sake‘s goodness), never toast with water. It’s associated with rituals for the departed and can be a big faux pas. Stick with non-alcoholic options if you’re not imbibing.What to Drink in Japan

Whether you drink alcohol or not, you can give a cheers in Japanese with a variety of drinks! Here are some of the most popular ones.

Popular Alcoholic Drinks in JapanNihonshu (日本酒)

Commonly referred to as “sake” outside of Japan, this rice wine is both traditional and versatile. It can be enjoyed warm or cold, and pairs beautifully with a wide range of Japanese dishes.

Fun fact: Nihonshu (日本酒) literally means “Japanese alcohol,” and sake (酒) (pronounced “sa-kay,” by the way, not “sa-kee”) is a generic word for any type of alcohol. You’ll notice the kanji character is the same, although the pronunciation is different!

Remember, you’ll be served sake in a small glass reminiscent of a shot glass, but absolutely do not down it in one go! Sake is brewed like a beer, but sipped like a wine.

Sake will come in a bottle, but you drink it in tiny cups!

Beer (ビール)

Beer (biiru, ビール) is immensely popular in Japan, with local brews like Asahi, Sapporo, and Kirin leading the charge. It’s often the drink of choice at the start of an evening out. The standard beer in Japan is the lager, and in my opinion, they’re all pretty good!

Shochu (焼酎)

A distilled spirit typically stronger than sake, shochu is made from ingredients like barley, sweet potatoes, or rice. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed with water or flavored drinks. (I often liken it to Japanese vodka.)

Umeshu (梅酒)

This sweet and tangy plum wine is a favorite among those who prefer something on the sweeter side. It can be served on its own or with soda for a refreshing spritz.

Whisky (ウィスキー)

Japanese whisky (wisukii, ウィスキー) has gained international acclaim in recent years. Enjoy it neat, with a splash of water, or as a highball mixed with soda.

Popular Non-Alcoholic Drinks in JapanAmazake (甘酒)

A traditional sweet drink made from fermented rice, amazake is often alcohol-free and frequently consumed at festivals or as a healthy winter warmer. Sometimes it does have a low level of alcohol in it, though, so watch out if that concerns you.

Oolong Tea (ウーロン茶)

Oolong tea (uulon cha, ウーロン茶) is a classic non-alcoholic option that’s great for those wanting to join in with the rounds but not drink alcohol.

Calpis (カルピス)

Calpis (karupisu, カルピス) is sweet and tangy milk-based beverage you can enjoy straight or mixed with soda for a fizzy treat.

Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Beer

Many Japanese bars are now offering creative mocktails, allowing non-drinkers to enjoy the flavors of popular cocktails minus the booze.

And yes, non-alcoholic beer has existed in Japan long before it became popular in the West! You can still clink cans of zero-alcohol beer with your friends, and nobody’s the wiser.

To find non-alcoholic versions of popular drinks, ask for noo arukooru (ノーアルコール) options.

Safely Navigating: Japan’s Drinking Laws

On that note, let’s talk about drinking laws in Japan. These might be somewhat familiar if you are, say, British, but very different if you are American. Here are some things to note:

Japanese Drinking and Driving Laws

Japan is strict about drinking and driving. Just don’t do it. Essentially, drinking and driving in Japan is classified as having even a swig of alcohol and driving a car or riding a bicycle (yes, you heard me right!). Here’s the lowdown:

Zero-Tolerance Policy: If you’re driving in Japan, even a tiny amount of alcohol in your system is a big no-no. The permissible blood alcohol content (BAC) is almost zero (0.03%, to be exact), so it’s best to either not drink at all or plan alternative transport. This is one reason why non-alcoholic options are so popular.Severe Consequences: Getting caught drinking and driving in Japan can lead to severe penalties, including heavy fines, prison time, and even loss of employment. It’s a serious matter, so always keep it in mind after any merry gathering.Daijoubu Driver: If you do find yourself needing to get home after a few drinks without public transportation options, consider using a daikou (代行) service — a substitute driver who takes you and your car home safely. It’s a widely used and much-appreciated service in Japan that helps everyone stay safe on the road. Of course, you can also call a taxi or an Uber as well if you don’t need to pick up your car later.Japanese Public Drinking Laws

Japan has a pretty chill approach to public drinking compared to some other countries, but it’s still all about the context. So, whether you’re planning a hanami picnic under the cherry blossoms with a chilled can of biiru or hoping to enjoy a swig of sake by the riverside, here’s the lowdown on Japan’s public drinking laws.

​​No Open Container Laws: Japan doesn’t have open container laws like some countries do. This means you can legally enjoy a drink just about anywhere outside your favorite izakaya or sake bar.Public Places Are A-OK: Parks, streets, and even some public transport spaces don’t frown upon the casual drinker. It’s not uncommon to see folks toasting away during outdoor festivals or enjoying a cold one on a leisurely bench.Respect Is Paramount: Just because you can drink in public doesn’t mean you should be swinging from the lampposts. It all circles back to respect—a central tenet of Japanese culture. Be mindful of your surroundings and the people around you.Nighttime Nuances: While day-drinking in public can be pretty lax, sometimes local rules might tighten up after dark. Certain areas, especially in entertainment districts, might have their own guidelines or curfews for drinking in public to maintain peace and order.Event-Specifics: At concerts, sports events, or festivals, follow the vibe and the rules. Some will allow drinking; others won’t. Look around, see what others are doing, and when in doubt, ask —a simple Nomimono wa daijoubu desu ka? (飲み物は大丈夫ですか, “Is drinking allowed here?”) will do the trick.Convenience Reality Check: Ever noticed those chilled alcohol sections in Japanese konbini (convenience stores)? They aren’t just for home use. It’s totally normal to grab a drink there and enjoy it outside, as long as you throw away your trash where it belongs.Nomihoudai (飲み放題): Japan’s All-You-Can-Drink Phenomenon

Okay, so we’ve gotten through the legal bits–now for a fun part!

Nomihoudai (飲み放題)–often written as “nomihodai,” alternatively–translates to “all you can drink,” and it’s exactly that—a set price for unlimited drinks over a set time period, usually two to three hours. You are usually given a special menu of what you’re allowed to choose from (these usually include beer, white and red wines, sake, a few basic cocktails, and a few non-alcoholic options), and you order your drinks from the server. It’s great for groups and partygoers looking for a cost-effective way to enjoy a night out.

Many izakayas (Japanese pubs) offer nomihoudai as part of their service. It’s a fantastic way to try different drinks without worrying about the bill racking up.

Just because it’s all you can drink doesn’t mean it should be all you can stomach. Pace yourself and know your limits to avoid any negative consequences — such as a tough morning after or getting too rowdy in a culture that values decorum. To be honest, I’ve gotten more badly drunk in Japan than anywhere else in my life thanks to these.

You can also usually combine a nomihoudai with a tabehoudai (食べ放題), or an “all you can eat.” This is a great way to try out a variety of Japanese dishes. Some places offer both to make an ultimate dining experience where you can savor endless dishes alongside a seemingly infinite river of drinks.

Kirin is one of the most popular beer companies in Japan. But they don’t usually come this big!

A Toast to Language Learning

So, there’s your crash course on “cheers” in Japanese!

Embracing these terms and actions isn’t just about enjoying a drink; it’s about connecting deeper with a culture that values subtlety and shared experiences. And who knows? Maybe your next step is to pick up a few more Japanese phrases and deepen your understanding of this rich language.

So, ready your glass, practice your best kanpai, and here’s to Japanese language and culture – may they always be as delightful as a well-timed toast among friends!

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