Search results for "dictionary of japanese grammar":

Eight everyday conversations, each built around one Japanese idiom: four-character compounds such as 一石二鳥 and 支離滅裂, and proverbs such as 馬の耳に念仏 and 遠くの親戚より近くの他人. Every line is read by native speakers.

Why foxes and tanuki are said to deceive, from a nine-tailed fox in a Chinese classic to the court beauty Tamamo-no-Mae, and the Killing Stone of Nasu, which you can still visit. The 3 pieces in this book Nine-Tailed Fox The Legend of the Killing Stone The Fox’s Wedding How each piece is laid out Line by line. Each sentence gets its own page, with furigana over every kanji and the vocabulary and grammar explained underneath. The whole piece again in Japanese, without the notes, so you can read it straight through. Native audio. Yumi reads every piece at normal speed and slowly. Scan the QR code on the page to listen. Exercises after every piece: comprehension questions, particle fill-ins and more, with an answer key. An English translation of every piece, close enough to the Japanese to check yourself against. Kanji in Focus. The key kanji with readings, meaning, parts and stroke order. What you get The paperback, 2026 Revised Edition: 133 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The eBook and audio, right away. PDF, ePub, MP3 audio and an Anki flashcard deck, ready to download as soon as you order. No waiting for the mail. The book in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, iPad and Android). It unlocks automatically for the email you order with, and the unlock code is printed in the back of the book too. This is Volume 4 of Learn Japanese with Yokai. Prefer to go all digital? The Learn Japanese with Yokai bundle has all six volumes as eBooks with audio. Buy 3 Clay & Yumi paperbacks, get a 4th free. Mix any titles. The discount is applied automatically at checkout. Ships from the US to anywhere in the world. Learn Japanese with Yokai Volume 4: The Fox and the Tanuki is a 133-page paperback reader (2026 Revised Edition) in the Learn Japanese with Yokai series: Japanese with full furigana, line-by-line vocabulary and grammar notes, the text again without notes, an English translation, and native audio. The code printed in the back unlocks the book in the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.

For Beginning to Intermediate Students of JapaneseVocabulary through memesMemes. They are everywhere these days. A meme is most often an humorous image with text that is spread rapidly by internet users. We think funny memes can be a good way to learn vocabulary and Japanese sentence structure.The memes found in this collection were posted on our Instagram over the past few years and have been edited and expanded for this book.The sentences found in this collection may or may not be beginner level, but every word and grammar point is explained so even beginners can understand. Nearly all examples are very casual, and while mostly suitable for using around friends, it isn’t recommended for use with people you’ve just met.If you find a sentence you like, try memorizing it so you can plug and play other words to use the form in different contexts.The sentences are short and represent natural Japanese you may not find in regular Japanese textbooks.Who is this for?Any student of Japanese wanting to improve Japanese vocabulary and an understanding of casual Japanese sentence structure. What's included? 50 memes with funny sayings in Japanese Example sentences Literal and more natural translations so you can gain a better understanding of Japanese sentence structure. Every word defined and grammar explained Download sound files of every sentence read both slowly and at normal speed - No extra charge - Link found in the back of the book As with any of our books, you'll find the authors' email in the book. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to help, if we can.がんばってください！

NEWLY UPDATED — The Karate Vocabulary book just received a complete overhaul: nearly double the size (99 → 173 pages), 300+ terms, a QR code on every entry, a new History of Karate chapter, an Anki flashcard deck, and a printable dojo cheatsheet.This bundle is complete with 10 volumes, and we keep improving it. Future updates are always free with our digital bundles. Learn Japanese Culture through Haiku, Karate, Names, Humor & More This beginner-friendly (and up) culture bundle mixes classics and smiles—haiku masters (Bashō, Buson, Shiki, Issa), 300+ dojo terms with native audio, Japanese names, geography with Ninja Penguin, and even groan-worthy oyaji-gags (AKA Dad jokes). It’s a rich, bite-size way to build vocabulary, kanji, and cultural intuition. One-time payment Instant download Free updates forever Audio MP3 included Anki decks included 🥋 What’s new in the Karate Vocabulary overhaul Nearly doubled in size — from 99 pages to 173, with dozens of new terms (every one with native audio) A QR code on every entry — point your phone at the page and hear the word spoken by a native speaker New chapter on the history of karate — from Okinawa to the world Anki flashcard deck — plus a CSV file you can import into Quizlet or Memrise Printable cheatsheet — suitable for posting in the dojo Already own this bundle? This update is free — just re-download below. 🔍 Makoto+ Japanese Explorer (select titles)Some books in this bundle include links/QRs to our Makoto+ Japanese Explorer, letting you break down sentences with readings, definitions, and grammar notes. It’s perfect for seeing haiku and example lines in living context. More integrations will be added soon. (Always free for past purchasers) 10 eBooks today • Save vs. buying individually If purchased separately (Amazon/elsewhere): $69.90+ What’s inside (10 books) 1. Karate Vocabulary — 300+ dojo terms with audio MAJOR UPDATE + ANKI 2. Jokes in Japanese — puns, riddles, culture through humor 3. Ninja Penguin — fun geography journey 4. Haiku Sentences — terminology & context 5. Haiku – Bashō UPDATED + ANKI 6. Haiku – Further Journeys with Bashō NEW 7. Haiku – Yosa Buson NEW 8. Haiku – Kobayashi Issa UPDATED + ANKI 9. Haiku – Masaoka Shiki UPDATED + ANKI 10. Japanese Names — family & given names study 📈 Coming soon (free updates): Worksheets Anki Flashcard Deck for Further Journeys with Bashō More Makoto+ Japanese Explorer integration Try out one haiku from the first Bashō book Listen to the haiku and a short commentary, then flip through the preview PDF below. 🎧 Haiku Audio Your browser does not support the audio element. 🎙️ Commentary Your browser does not support the audio element. 📄 Haiku Bashō — Preview PDF Open PDF in a new tab ↗ Formats & files you’ll receive ✅ PDF (best on desktop, laptop, tablet) • ✅ ePub (great on phones/eReaders) • ✅ MP3 audio for each title • ✅ Anki decks for the haiku and karate books • ✅ CSV files for Quizlet/Memrise (Karate Vocabulary) • ✅ Printable dojo cheatsheet • ✅ Unlock Codes for Makoto+ Japanese Explorer (select titles—more coming soon) Preview the newly updated Karate Vocabulary book Flip through sample pages from the expanded 173-page edition—including the new QR codes that let you hear every term spoken by a native speaker. 📄 Karate Vocabulary — Preview PDF Open PDF in a new tab ↗ ✨ SHIAWASE Guarantee: If a title feels too easy or too hard, we’ll happily swap it for a better fit—or refund you. No stress, just learning. Instant access: You’ll receive a Dropbox link right after purchase. No Dropbox account is required. Download individual files from any device, or the full folder on a computer. Always access: You can always download the latest versions—including the new Karate Vocabulary update—by logging in here and entering your email and any of your order numbers. Need help reading the eBooks? See our eBook guide.

Thoroughly learn the top 100 family and over a hundred given names (male and female) through kanji studies, worksheets, and Anki flashcard decks. This is the paperback version, but it also includes the eBook ePub, Anki flashcard, PDF worksheets, and MP3 sound files as a download for no extra charge. You'll receive the download link immediately after purchase and the physical paperback will mailed to you. If you would like just the eBook version, please purchase our Japanese Culture Bundle by clicking here.   Japanese names are difficult. Challenging kanji, atypical pronunciations, and lengthy syllable sequences can make Japanese names a hurdle for English-speaking students of the language. If you are serious about learning Japanese, Japanese names is a subject you simply can't ignore.  Want to make Japanese friends? Having a thorough understanding of names will help. Want to enjoy Japanese movies, TV, or novels? If this fits your description, this book is for you. And with a little concentrated study, you can learn the most common family and given names. In this book, we'll thoroughly study the top 100 family and over a hundred given names (male and female) through kanji studies, worksheets, and Anki flashcard decks.   152 Pages Learn the most common 100 family names today Over a hundred given names (male and female) Master the most common kanji and the most common readings found in Japanese names Download Anki decks, sound files, and worksheets for no extra charge.   Imagine being introduced to Mr. Saitou. After going through this book, you ask him, "Is that a Saitou with a 斉 or a 斎?" Mr. Saitou (whether 斉藤 or 斎藤) will truly be impressed.   This book is based on a much more in-depth online course at Makoto+. If you want extra practice plus hundreds of famous names (historical, actors, actresses, musicians, singers, and more), please check out the course here: https://makotoplus.com/makoto-courses/japanese-names-course/  It’s free for Shogun and Lifetime members.  Samurai members can find a deeply discounted coupon in the members' section. Or you can purchase the course without being a member.

Two full folktales of the mountain crone: the ox-driver who feeds her his whole cargo, and the beloved Three Magic Charms, about a chestnut-hungry temple boy. The 2 pieces in this book Ushikata and Yamanba Yamanba and the Three Magic Charms How each piece is laid out Line by line. Each sentence gets its own page, with furigana over every kanji and the vocabulary and grammar explained underneath. The whole piece again in Japanese, without the notes, so you can read it straight through. Native audio. Yumi reads every piece at normal speed and slowly. Scan the QR code on the page to listen. Exercises after every piece: comprehension questions, particle fill-ins and more, with an answer key. An English translation of every piece, close enough to the Japanese to check yourself against. Kanji in Focus. The key kanji with readings, meaning, parts and stroke order. What you get The paperback, 2026 Revised Edition: 194 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The eBook and audio, right away. PDF, ePub, MP3 audio and an Anki flashcard deck, ready to download as soon as you order. No waiting for the mail. The book in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, iPad and Android). It unlocks automatically for the email you order with, and the unlock code is printed in the back of the book too. This is Volume 6 of Learn Japanese with Yokai. Prefer to go all digital? The Learn Japanese with Yokai bundle has all six volumes as eBooks with audio. Buy 3 Clay & Yumi paperbacks, get a 4th free. Mix any titles. The discount is applied automatically at checkout. Ships from the US to anywhere in the world. Learn Japanese with Yokai Volume 6: Yamanba, the Mountain Witch is a 194-page paperback reader (2026 Revised Edition) in the Learn Japanese with Yokai series: Japanese with full furigana, line-by-line vocabulary and grammar notes, the text again without notes, an English translation, and native audio. The code printed in the back unlocks the book in the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.

This is the second textbook in the series for intermediate students. The first book is found here. Excellent for Intermediates who have completed Genki II, and for those who have completed N4. Balances the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening to help you enter the advanced levels. Students may also want the Workbook--especially if you have a teacher or a tutor who can check your work. 257 Pages + 69 page Kanji Booklet ISBN 978-4-7890-1745-9

Makoto E-Zine Series #104 Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 104 (October 2026) Makoto is a monthly digital magazine for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Each issue blends short stories, language lessons, cultural notes, humor, and native-audio recordings, all designed to make Japanese feel natural, usable, and enjoyable. In this issue (October 2026, Issue 104): October is persimmons darkening on the branch, the first real chill in the evening air, and food that suddenly sounds as good as it tastes. Two galactic emperors spend a day experiencing ordinary Japan, where imperial status won't get you a free meal or a seat on the train. The girl found on the shrine steps grows up in Part 3 of 小川未明's 「赤い蝋燭と人魚」, a deer turns out to know more about pears than the person who planted the tree, and one falling persimmon startles a dog at dusk. The grammar section covers ～ながら (doing two things at once) and ～かねない (things that just might go wrong), and we visit Tottori, which had sand dunes long before it had a Starbucks. All in the redesigned Makoto format: PDF, ePub, web, and the iPhone & Android apps. Readers: Beginner Reader: 鹿と梨の木 (The Deer and the Pear Tree) The pear tree in the narrator's backyard bears plenty of fruit this year, but the first pear is small and sour. Then a big deer starts showing up in the evenings to eat the pears that fall to the ground. Read it through first, then go line by line. Grammar notes cover ～たいと思って, ～てみる, もしかして, ～ていた, and ～のですね. Japanese Reader: 赤い蝋燭と人魚 Part 3, The Painted Candles (The Red Candles and the Mermaid) Years have passed. The girl the old couple found on the shrine steps has grown into a shy young woman who keeps her face turned away from the world, yet everyone who glimpses her is struck by her beauty. She begins painting fish, shells, and seaweed in red on the white candles, and the little shop's fortunes begin to change. This is the original 1921 text with full vocabulary, grammar notes, and audio. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 12 The Emperors Experience Japan (皇帝たちの日本体験) It's Frank's day off, and the two emperors want to see Japan. Rulers of millions of worlds, they have never paid for a meal, ridden a crowded train, or given up a seat to anyone. Read it through in Japanese, then line by line with vocabulary and grammar support. The full episode audio is included. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time (Beginner): ～ながら (JLPT N4) Doing two things at the same time, as in 音楽を聞きながら勉強します (I study while listening to music), with example sentences and audio. Grammar Time (Intermediate): ～かねない (JLPT N2) A real risk that something undesirable could happen, as in 彼女を傷つけかねない (it could end up hurting her). Onomatopoeia Focus: Food Textures もちもち, さくさく, and とろとろ: soft and springy like fresh bread or mochi, light and crisp like fried food or cookies, and so soft it almost melts, like melted cheese or a half-cooked egg. Vocabulary (5 entries, N5 to N1): 行ってきます, お邪魔します, 手を抜く, 目を通す, and 後手に回る. One entry per JLPT level, each with usage notes, an example sentence, and audio. Etymology: どんちゃん騒ぎ The どん is a drum and the ちゃん is the clang of a 鉦, a small metal gong played at festivals and in kabuki. What began as the sound of a lively band became the word for a rowdy, anything-goes party. Kanji Spotlight (JLPT N5 to N1): 山, 駅, 橋, 険, and 礎. Readings, meanings, a memory hint, compound words, a stroke-order diagram, and an example sentence for each, with audio. Prefecture Spotlight: 鳥取 (Tottori) Japan's largest sand dunes, the volcano Daisen known as the Hōki Fuji, a temple hall clinging to a sheer cliff at Mitokusan, the world's only indoor sand-sculpture museum, and a street lined with more than 170 bronze yōkai from 水木しげる's manga. Anime Phrase of the Month 「いくさとはもったいないものさ。浪費と破壊と消耗 そこからはなにも生み出すものはない。」 from 忍たま乱太郎 Doi-sensei, the teacher at the ninja academy, on why war is such a waste: nothing is ever created from it. Haiku Spotlight: 作者不詳 (Author Unknown) 「柿落ちて 犬が驚く 日暮かな」: a persimmon falls, a dog startles, and the day draws to a close. With four English translations, the seasonal word, vocabulary, and an explanation with audio. Jokes & Riddles (including a friend with a "perfect" memory), Katakana Match (Computers), and more Includes: 108 pages (PDF) in the redesigned Makoto format 50 MP3 audio files, including the full Frank and the Obaasan episode 4 Anki flashcard decks 2 eBook formats (PDF + ePub), plus an edition for Kobo readers Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access An unlock code that adds this issue to the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, Android, and web), with inline audio, tappable vocabulary, furigana on demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Issue 104: pour something warm and read it ながら. Just leave the first pears to the deer. NOTE: Digital and Print Versions Available (print on Amazon, digital here). Digital version downloads are instant. No waiting. No Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC/Mac or access files on mobile. If you don't see your email right away, check your spam folder or contact us. This series is also available on Amazon.

Fifty words you will actually need in a Japanese restaurant: asking for a table, reading the menu, mentioning an allergy, ordering, and splitting the bill. Each word comes with three example sentences, so you see how it is used and not just what it means. Written for beginners. What's inside 50 restaurant words, each with its meaning, a note on how it is used, and a kanji breakdown that shows why the word means what it means. 150 example sentences, three per word, each broken down word by word with grammar notes. Pitch accent diagrams for many of the words, so you know how they sound, not just how they are read. Five chapters of ten words. Each ends with a quiz, a matching exercise and a short dialogue that puts the words into a real conversation. Answer key in the back. Audio of every word, every example sentence and every dialogue. Scan the QR code on a dialogue page to listen. What you get The paperback, 2026 Edition: 153 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The eBook and audio, right away. PDF, ePub, MP3 audio and an Anki flashcard deck, ready to download as soon as you order. No waiting for the mail. Every word and sentence in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, iPad and Android), where you can read, listen, quiz yourself and play games with them. It unlocks automatically for the email you order with, and the unlock code is printed in the back of the book too. At the Restaurant is the first pack in Japanese in the Wild, our vocabulary series built around real situations. Buy 3 Clay & Yumi paperbacks, get a 4th free. Mix any titles. The discount is applied automatically at checkout. Ships from the US to anywhere in the world. Japanese in the Wild: At the Restaurant is a 153-page beginner vocabulary paperback (2026 Edition) with 50 restaurant words, 150 example sentences broken down word by word, pitch accent diagrams, a quiz, matching exercise and dialogue every ten words, and audio. The code printed in the back unlocks every word and sentence in the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

The kappa, the river creature every Japanese child knows, in a folklore reader for upper beginners who want to improve their reading, listening and cultural understanding, one strange creature at a time. The 3 pieces in this book What is the Kappa? A Kappa Mummy A Kappa Repays a Debt How each piece is laid out Line by line. Each sentence gets its own page, with furigana over every kanji and the vocabulary and grammar explained underneath. The whole piece again in Japanese, without the notes, so you can read it straight through. Native audio. Yumi reads every piece at normal speed and slowly. Scan the QR code on the page to listen. Exercises after every piece: comprehension questions, particle fill-ins and more, with an answer key. An English translation of every piece, close enough to the Japanese to check yourself against. Kanji in Focus. The key kanji with readings, meaning, parts and stroke order. What you get The paperback, 2026 Revised Edition: 155 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The eBook and audio, right away. PDF, ePub, MP3 audio and an Anki flashcard deck, ready to download as soon as you order. No waiting for the mail. The book in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, iPad and Android). It unlocks automatically for the email you order with, and the unlock code is printed in the back of the book too. This is Volume 1 of Learn Japanese with Yokai. Prefer to go all digital? The Learn Japanese with Yokai bundle has all six volumes as eBooks with audio. Buy 3 Clay & Yumi paperbacks, get a 4th free. Mix any titles. The discount is applied automatically at checkout. Ships from the US to anywhere in the world. Learn Japanese with Yokai Volume 1: The Kappa is a 155-page paperback reader (2026 Revised Edition) in the Learn Japanese with Yokai series: Japanese with full furigana, line-by-line vocabulary and grammar notes, the text again without notes, an English translation, and native audio. The code printed in the back unlocks the book in the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.

Makoto E-Zine Series #91 Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. You can purchase the printed version on Amazon by clicking here. Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 91 (September 2025)Your monthly passport to Japan’s language, culture, and timeless stories. Each month, Makoto delivers fun, culturally rich content for learners of Japanese. Short articles, cultural notes, grammar lessons, etymology deep-dives, jokes, and professionally recorded native audio make studying Japanese engaging, memorable, and something to look forward to. This month’s theme: The gentle turning of the seasons — the fading chorus of summer cicadas, the hush of autumn breezes, and a folktale that has touched generations: Tsuru no Ongaeshi (“The Crane’s Return of Gratitude”). ✨ Highlights of Issue 91: Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns – playful Japanese that proves learning doesn’t have to be serious Vocabulary Spotlight: 首を長くする – “to crane one’s neck” and eagerly await something Prefecture Spotlight: Shiga – explore Lake Biwa, ninja history, Omi beef, and legendary pottery Etymology: ちやほや – from Heian court poetry to modern-day pampering Anime Phrase of the Day: A fearless line from Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳) Onomatopoeia: The sounds of late summer—fireworks, cicadas, and cool winds Haiku Spotlight: Akutagawa Ryūnosuke – seasonal sensitivity from the “father of the Japanese short story” Kanji Focus: 電 (electricity; power) Grammar Time!: ～なら (“if; in the case of”) explained clearly with natural examples Japanese Readers: Beginner: A cheerful September-themed story Intermediate: Tsuru no Ongaeshi – annotated with vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context 📦 What’s Included: 65-page PDF & ePub formats 29 MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed) Anki flashcard deck for beginner story vocabulary Scan-and-listen QR codes for instant mobile audio playback Makoto+ Japanese Explorer integration for interactive reading Why you’ll love Makoto:Every issue blends authentic Japanese with helpful explanations, giving you the tools to grow your reading, listening, and cultural understanding. Whether you’re revisiting folktales you’ve heard before or discovering new words like ちやほや, each page is designed to spark joy and deepen your knowledge. 🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! NOTE: Digital and Print Versions Available (print on Amazon, digital here). Digital version downloads are instant—no waiting. No Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC/Mac or access files on mobile. If you don’t see your email right away, check your spam folder or contact us. This series is also available on Amazon.

Kachi Kachi Yama (Crackling Mountain) is one of Japan's most famous folktales, and one of its darkest: a wicked tanuki, a grieving old man, and a clever rabbit with a long memory and a patient plan. How each story is laid out Line by line. Each sentence gets its own page, with furigana over every kanji and the vocabulary and grammar explained underneath. The whole story again in Japanese, without the notes, so you can read it straight through. Native audio. Yumi reads every story at normal speed and slowly. Scan the QR code on the page to listen. Exercises after every story: comprehension questions, particle fill-ins and more, with an answer key. An English translation of every story, close enough to the Japanese to check yourself against. Kanji in Focus. The key kanji with readings, meaning, parts and stroke order. What you get The paperback, 2026 Revised Edition: 99 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The eBook and audio, right away. PDF, ePub, MP3 audio and an Anki flashcard deck, ready to download as soon as you order. No waiting for the mail. The book in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, iPad and Android). It unlocks automatically for the email you order with, and the unlock code is printed in the back of the book too. This is Volume 11 of Learn Japanese with Stories. Prefer to go all digital? The Learn Japanese with Stories Bundle #2 has all ten volumes (11 to 20) as eBooks with audio. Buy 3 Clay & Yumi paperbacks, get a 4th free. Mix any titles. The discount is applied automatically at checkout. Ships from the US to anywhere in the world. Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 11: Kachi Kachi Yama is a 99-page paperback reader (2026 Revised Edition) in the Learn Japanese with Stories series: Japanese with full furigana, line-by-line vocabulary and grammar notes, the text again without notes, an English translation, and native audio. The code printed in the back unlocks the book in the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.

Every language has phrases that come up every single day. This book collects 101 of the Japanese ones (元気です, よろしくおねがいします, しょうがない, やっぱり, もったいない and many more), each with an example sentence and a plain explanation of when to use it.

Makoto E-Zine Series #94 Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. You can purchase the printed version on Amazon by clicking here. Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 94 (December 2025)Your monthly passport to Japan’s language, culture, and timeless stories. Each month, Makoto delivers fun, culturally rich content for learners of Japanese. Short articles, cultural notes, grammar lessons, etymology deep-dives, jokes, and professionally recorded native audio make studying Japanese engaging, memorable, and something to look forward to. This month shines a light on one of Japan's most beloved trickster monks—Ikkyū-san. Long before anime heroes outsmarted rivals with quick wit, there was Ikkyū, the mischievous young monk who solved every problem not with strength, but with clever wordplay and calm thinking. In our featured story, Ikkyū takes on a lord's impossible challenge using nothing more than logic and language—and a clever play on the word "hashi." Meanwhile, Frank continues bumbling through life in Japan, this time at City Hall dealing with hanko stamps, My Number cards, and cultural confusion. ✨ Highlights include: Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns – A trip to the doctor reveals an unexpected diagnosis Vocabulary Spotlight: 人目を引く – "eye-catching"—literally, to pull people's eyes Prefecture Spotlight: Ishikawa – Home to Kenrokuen garden, the Noto Peninsula's thousand rice fields, geisha districts, and exquisite gold leaf crafts Etymology Deep Dive: ついたち – Why the first day of the month is called "tsuitachi" (hint: it involves the moon) Anime Phrase of the Day: From Kaiju No. 8—"I can see right through monsters, even down to their guts!!" Onomatopoeia: Cold Words – ひんやり, ぶるぶる, がたがた, ぞくぞく, びゅうびゅう and more—from mild chills to bone-freezing cold Haiku Spotlight: Yosa Buson – Daffodils blooming here and there in the cold capital Kanji Focus: 円 (circle; yen) Grammar Time!: ～やすい (easy to do; prone to) Japanese Readers: Frank and the Obaasan Episode 2: Frank Goes to City Hall (Beginner) – Hanko? ハ、ハンコ？！ 一休さん：このはしわたるべからず (Intermediate) – The classic tale of Ikkyū's wordplay triumph over a lord's impossible challenge Includes: 56-page PDF and ePub formats MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed) Anki flashcard deck (beginner story vocabulary) Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading Perfect for learners who love Japanese culture and want engaging, real-world content. Use it to grow your vocabulary, improve listening skills, and enjoy Japanese through humor, folklore, and a little monkish wisdom. 🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! NOTE: Digital and Print Versions Available (print on Amazon, digital here). Digital version downloads are instant—no waiting. No Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC/Mac or access files on mobile. If you don’t see your email right away, check your spam folder or contact us. This series is also available on Amazon.

100 sentences built from N4 vocabulary and grammar, taken apart word by word. Good for reading, vocabulary, grammar and shadowing practice, with audio for every sentence.