Grammar & politeness
What Sensei Means: 先生, and Who Gets Called It
September 28, 20264 min read
Sensei (先生) means teacher, and literally "born before". Who gets called sensei, how to use it, and how it differs from senpai.
Read MoreGrammar & politeness
Verb forms, honorifics and the words that show respect, explained for beginners.
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4 articles in Grammar & politeness
- Grammar & politeness
Senpai and Kōhai: 先輩 and 後輩, What They Mean in Japanese
September 27, 20267 min read
Senpai (先輩) is someone who joined your school, club or job before you; kōhai (後輩) joined after. How the titles work, and what they don't mean.
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Japanese Honorifics: San, Kun, Chan, Sama and When to Use Each
September 9, 202616 min read
Japanese honorifics are endings like さん, くん, ちゃん and 様. Who uses each with whom, titles like sensei and senpai, family words and when to drop them.
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The Japanese Te-Form: Conjugation Chart, Rules and the 行く Exception
July 28, 20268 min read
The Japanese te-form ends in て or で: 食べる becomes 食べて, 飲む becomes 飲んで. A te-form conjugation chart, the 行く exception, and how to use 〜てください and 〜ています.
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