Відео

Where does the Japanese word tasogare - twilight - come from? Let's delve into its etymology and find out what it really means!

Have you ever thought that the words "kyou" or "kinou" are kind of strange? I know I did! Let's find out where the Japanese words for today, yesterday, the day before yesterday, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow originally came from - and whether 一昨日 could be in the future! For a more in-depth (and humorous!) look at Japanese timekeeping and everything else ancient Japan, check out @Linfamy!

Why is "mikata" written 味方 (spoiler: it's an ateji), and how should it actually be written? The dictionary is takoboto.jp. I should note that jisho.org actually listed the correct kanji as being ateji, so bookmark that site!

Join me on another etymological journey as I try to find out where the Japanese words for the four cardinal directions come from and what they might have originally meant! As always, subtitles are available. The beautiful ink drawings were made by my friend Haji, who does 360° city walks at@smalllifeyand can be found under the username haji.ninja on Instagram.

How did Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, get its name? Why is Nara's famous Shinto temple, Kasuga, written "spring day", and what does it actually mean? Let's find out! As always, there are subtitles!

In this video, I discuss at the different types of on'yomi and the history of Chinese loanwords in Japanese. Specifically, I focus on the representation of the "-ng" sound. There are subtitles! The photos this time are from important Buddhist temples in Nara and Kyoto, where much of the important work on Chinese religious texts would have been conducted.

"Tokyo" may not be the most inspired city name ever, but how did it come to be pronounced the way it is now? Follow me on a phonological journey through the Japanese language from antiquity to the modern day, and find out! For a way funnier take on Japanese pronunciation and the quirks of Japanese society, check out @Dogen, master of the pitch accent!