• Sound Like a Native: Master "Mama" (As it is / Leave it as it is) | NIHONGO CANDY #151
    May 11 2026

    Want to say "I left the AC on" or "Please leave it exactly as it is" in Japanese? Mastering the word "mama" (まま) is essential for describing situations where a state or condition remains unchanged.

    A common hurdle for learners is mastering the connection rules, which change depending on whether you are using a verb, noun, or adjective. In this quick reflex training, we will practice 8 highly practical phrases covering the 5 essential connection patterns: Verb-ta form + mama, Noun + no + mama, Adjective + mama, kono mama, and sono mama. Train your brain to instinctively use these structures in both daily life and business settings without overthinking!

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAY26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠⁠


    Stay Connected📱📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠⁠


    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #JLPTN4 #JLPTN3 #BusinessJapanese #SpeakJapanese #JapaneseGrammarMama #ExpatJapan

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    9 mins
  • Sound Like a Native: Master "Shika" (Only / No choice but to) | NIHONGO CANDY #150
    May 4 2026

    Want to say "I only have..." or "I have no choice but to..." in Japanese? Mastering the particle "shika" (しか) is essential for expressing limitations and decisions in natural business and daily conversations.

    A common hurdle for learners is remembering the golden rule: "shika" must always be followed by a negative verb, even though it translates to "only" or "just" in English. In this quick reflex training, we will practice 8 highly practical phrases covering three key nuances: small quantities, limited scope, and having no other options. Train your brain to instinctively use this structure without overthinking!

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAY26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠


    Stay Connected📱📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠


    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #JLPTN4 #JLPTN3 #BusinessJapanese #SpeakJapanese #JapaneseParticles #ExpatJapan

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    8 mins
  • Sound Like a Native: Master "~tōri" & "~dōri" (As expected / On schedule) | NIHONGO CANDY #149
    Apr 27 2026

    Want to say "as expected" or "on schedule" in Japanese? Mastering the "~tōri" and "~dōri" pattern is essential for natural business and daily conversations.

    A common hurdle for learners is knowing when to use the voiced "dōri" (like yotei-dōri) versus the unvoiced "tōri" (like itta tōri). In this quick reflex training, we will practice 10 highly practical phrases to help you instinctively choose the correct sound without overthinking!


    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.

    🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

    ⁠⁠Stay Connected📱📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #JLPTN3 #BusinessJapanese #SpeakJapanese #JapanesePronunciation #ExpatJapan

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    10 mins
  • Stop Making This Mistake! How to Say "Not Yet" in Japanese ("Mada...te imasen") | NIHONGO CANDY #148
    Apr 20 2026

    Do you say "Mada kaimasen deshita" to mean "I haven't bought it yet"? This is one of the most common mistakes Japanese learners make!

    In English, "not yet" is often associated with the past, leading many to use the Japanese simple past tense ("masen deshita"). However, in Japanese, if an action hasn't happened yet but is expected to happen, it is considered an ongoing state. Therefore, you must use the present continuous form: "Mada... te imasen" (まだ…ていません). Using the past tense sounds like the opportunity has completely passed.

    In this episode, we will fix this common mistake once and for all. I will train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences for business and daily life, helping you rewire your brain to automatically use the correct "~te imasen" form. Let’s train together so you can sound much more natural and accurate in Japanese!

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

    Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

    ⁠⁠

    Stay Connected📱

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

    ⁠⁠

    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #JLPTN4 #BusinessJapanese #SpeakJapanese #TeForm #JapaneseMistakes #ExpatJapan

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    9 mins
  • Sound Natural in Japanese: 10 Essential Phrases using "~Mitai desu" | NIHONGO CANDY #147
    Apr 13 2026

    In Japanese conversations, being too direct can sometimes sound harsh. That’s where "~mitai desu" (みたいです) comes in. Meaning "It seems..." or "It looks like...", this grammar point is an incredibly useful tool to convey situations or observations naturally without sounding overly assertive.

    In this episode, we will focus on using "~mitai desu" with both present and past plain forms. I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences so you can handle these conversations smoothly, soften your statements, and sound much more sophisticated and conversational in Japanese.

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!

    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠

    Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠

    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #JLPTN4 #BusinessJapanese #SpeakJapanese #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #JapanesePhrases

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    8 mins
  • Small Talk in Japan: 10 Essential Phrases for Hometown & Family | NIHONGO CANDY #146
    Apr 6 2026

    Do you know how to naturally talk about your hometown and family in Japanese? Mastering small talk is the perfect way to break the ice!

    When talking about family in Japanese, the key is to understand the tricky difference between talking about your own family (ウチ - uchi) and asking about someone else's (ソト - soto). For example, "my father" is ちち (chichi), but "someone's father" is おとうさん (otosan). Likewise, "my family" is かぞく (kazoku), while "someone's family" is ごかぞく (gokazoku).

    I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences so you can handle these conversations smoothly, show your cultural understanding, and build stronger connections in Japan.

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

    Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠⁠


    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠

    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #BusinessJapanese #JapaneseSmallTalk #JapanesePhrases #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese

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    8 mins
  • Running Late in Japan: 10 Essential Phrases for Delays & Apologies | NIHONGO CANDY #145
    Mar 30 2026

    Do you know exactly what to say when you are running late in Japan?Punctuality is strictly observed in Japanese business culture, but unexpected delays happen to everyone! When you realize you won't make it on time, the key is to immediately communicate your current status, your ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), and apologize appropriately.

    In this episode, we will practice:

    • Reporting status: いま、まだ しんじゅくえきです (I'm still at Shinjuku station.)

    • Giving ETA: 5ふんほど おくれます (I'll be about 5 minutes late.)

    • Apologizing: おまたせして もうしわけありません (I apologize for keeping you waiting.)

    I’ll train your reflexes with 10 highly practical sentences so you can handle these stressful situations smoothly and maintain your professional trust.

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESESystematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=APR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠⁠


    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠⁠⁠


    Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠⁠⁠

    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #BusinessJapanese #JapanesePhrases #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese

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    7 mins
  • Mastering Uncertainty: "かどうかわかりません" vs. "かわかりません" | NIHONGO CANDY #144
    Mar 23 2026

    Do you overuse "〜どうか" (douka) when saying "I don't know" in embedded Japanese sentences?

    The rule for expressing uncertainty is actually simple:

    • Yes/No questions: Use "〜かどうか" (e.g., かれが それを すきかどうか わかりません)

    • Wh-questions (who, what, when, etc.): Just attach "か" (e.g., いつ くにに かえるか わかりません). Using "どうか" here is a common mistake!

    In this episode, I’ll train your reflexes with 10 practical sentences so you can instantly distinguish these two patterns and instantly upgrade your speaking accuracy.

    💡 Note: This reflex training series will be compiled into a "Master Phrase List (PDF)" after 10 episodes. Stay tuned for the release!


    🚀 NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR JAPANESE

    Systematic Learning (Self-Study)Elevate your Japanese with my structured N3 video curriculum.

    🎁 Podcast Listener Reward:Claim your exclusive discount through the link below:⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-japanese-jlpt-n3-course1/?couponCode=MAR26_NIHONGOCANDY⁠

    Executive Private Coaching (Live)Elevate your Japanese beyond the basics. Don't just memorize phrases—learn to connect and lead in a Japanese professional environment.👇 Apply for coaching:⁠⁠https://www.welcjp.com/forindividuals⁠⁠

    Stay Connected📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/welcjapanese/⁠⁠☕ Ko-fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/nihongocandy⁠⁠

    #NihongoCandy #LearnJapanese #JapaneseGrammar #LifeInJapan #ExpatJapan #SpeakJapanese


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    10 mins