What About…? vs. How About…?

September 17, 2026

“What about…?” and “How about…?” look almost identical, and sometimes they are interchangeable. But native speakers often use them for slightly different purposes.

The easiest way to remember the difference is:

What about…? → another topic, person, thing, or concern
How about…? → a suggestion or offer

日本語ではどちらも「〜はどう？」と訳されることが多いですが、英語では使い方に少し違いがあります。

1. “How about…?” — Making a suggestion

We often use How about…? when suggesting an idea.

How about pizza for dinner?
夕食にピザはどう？

How about going to the beach tomorrow?
明日、海に行くのはどう？

How about Friday at 3:00?
金曜日の3時はどう？

Think of How about…? as:

💡 “Here’s an idea. What do you think?”

It is also commonly used when offering something:

How about some coffee?
コーヒーはいかが？

How about another piece of cake?
ケーキをもう一つどう？

2. “What about…?” — Bringing up another person or thing

We often use What about…? when someone has mentioned one thing and we want to ask about another.

A: John is coming to the party.
B: What about Mary?
メアリーは？

A: I finished my English and math homework.
B: What about physics?
物理は？

A: The first test was easy.
B: What about the second one?
2つ目のテストは？

Here, What about…? basically means:

❓ “And what is the situation with this?”

3. “What about…?” — Raising a concern

This is another very common use.

A: Let’s spend all our money on a trip!
B: What about the rent?

In other words:

“Wait! Have you considered the rent?”

Another example:

A: Let’s go out tonight!
B: What about your homework?

「宿題はどうするの？」という意味です。相手が忘れていることや、考える必要があることを指摘しています。

Using How about…? in these examples would sound strange because you are not making a suggestion.

4. But sometimes BOTH are possible!

This is where things get a little tricky.

Imagine:

A: I can’t meet on Thursday.

Both of these responses are natural:

B: How about Friday?
B: What about Friday?

Both mean something like 「じゃあ、金曜日はどう？」.

There is a very slight difference in feeling:

How about Friday? → I’m suggesting Friday.
What about Friday? → Have you considered Friday as another possibility?

In normal conversation, however, the difference is often so small that either one is perfectly fine.

The Simple Rule

If you’re not sure which one to use, remember:

💡 HOW ABOUT = suggestion / offer

How about pizza?
How about tomorrow?
How about taking a break?

❓ WHAT ABOUT = another topic / person / concern

What about Mary?
What about the test tomorrow?
What about the rent?

And remember: when suggesting an alternative, either one can often be used.

English is full of expressions that seem to mean exactly the same thing. Often, however, native speakers make small distinctions without even thinking about them.

What about “What about…?” and “How about…?”

Now you know the difference!

The Most Important English Word You Were Never Taught: “Stuff”

September 16, 2026

You probably learned words like thing, object, item, and belongings in English class.

But there is another word that native English speakers use all the time:

stuff

Stuff is one of the most useful words in everyday English because it can replace almost anything when the exact name is not important.

Stuff = Things

This is probably the most common use.

I have too much stuff in my room.
= I have too many things in my room.

Put your stuff in the car.
= Put your bags, clothes, books, etc. in the car.

I need to buy some stuff at the supermarket.
= I need to buy several things.

Notice that stuff is uncountable.

❌ many stuffs
❌ three stuffs
⭕ a lot of stuff
⭕ some stuff

But “Stuff” Isn't Just Physical Things

That's what makes the word so useful.

It can also mean activities:

What did you do this weekend?
Oh, just family stuff.

It can mean work or responsibilities:

Sorry, I'm busy. I have some stuff to do.

It can mean information:

We learned a lot of interesting stuff in class today.

It can even mean problems or personal matters:

He's dealing with some stuff right now.

In this sentence, the speaker deliberately does not explain exactly what the problems are.

And Then There's “Stuff Like That”

This is another extremely useful expression.

We talked about movies, music, travel, and stuff like that.

It means:

movies, music, travel, and other similar things

Native speakers use this when they don't want to make a long, complete list.

Why Is “Stuff” So Useful?

English learners are often taught to be precise:

What is the correct word?

Native speakers don't always care.

Sometimes the exact word is unnecessary, unknown, obvious from the situation—or simply too much trouble to say.

That's where stuff comes in.

Where's my camera equipment?
→ Where's my stuff?

I have several errands and household tasks to do.
→ I have stuff to do.

We talked about school, exams, university, and our future plans.
→ We talked about school stuff.

The second version often sounds more natural in casual conversation.

One Little Word, Lots of English

So the next time you can't remember the exact English word, don't panic.

Sometimes you don't need it.

Just say stuff.

Native speakers do it all the time.

things → stuff
belongings → stuff
activities → stuff
work → stuff
information → stuff
problems → stuff
things we can't be bothered to name → stuff

Learn this word.

It's useful stuff.

Cursive Writing

September 14, 2026

The fall semester is about to start and this morning I am putting together some of the material I will be using.

In a few of my classes I like to have the students practice writing in cursive. This is something all Japanese used learn in the past, but very, very few know how to today.

Why English Speakers Say “Twenty Twenty-Six”

September 9, 2026

How do you say 2026 in English?

two thousand twenty-six
or
twenty twenty-six?

Both are correct. But today, most native English speakers would naturally say:

twenty twenty-six

Why?

The answer follows a very useful rule about English:

When two expressions mean the same thing, the shorter and easier one often wins.

How We Usually Say Years

For hundreds of years, English speakers have usually divided years into two parts.

1492 → fourteen ninety-two
1776 → seventeen seventy-six
1865 → eighteen sixty-five
1945 → nineteen forty-five
1999 → nineteen ninety-nine

We normally don't say:

❌ one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine

That is grammatically possible, but it sounds unnecessarily long when talking about a year.

Then something strange happened.

The Year 2000 Changed the Pattern

2000 was naturally read as two thousand.

And for the next few years, that pattern continued:

2001 → two thousand one
2004 → two thousand four
2008 → two thousand eight

Expressions such as twenty oh-one were possible, but they were much less common.

So English speakers temporarily moved away from the old two-part system.

But as the numbers became longer, the shorter form became more attractive.

2015

two thousand fifteen
twenty fifteen

Both are easy to understand, but twenty fifteen is shorter.

The traditional pattern began to return.

And Now?

Today you will hear both forms:

2026

✔ two thousand twenty-six
✔ twenty twenty-six

But twenty twenty-six sounds very natural, and the two-part pattern is likely to remain dominant:

2030 → twenty thirty
2045 → twenty forty-five
2075 → twenty seventy-five

Imagine saying two thousand seventy-five every time when twenty seventy-five works perfectly well!

English Likes Shortcuts

This is part of a much bigger tendency in spoken English.

English speakers constantly shorten common expressions because shorter forms require less effort.

I am → I'm
do not → don't
going to → gonna in casual speech
photograph → photo
influenza → flu

The same pressure affects how we pronounce years.

If two forms are equally clear, speakers often prefer the one that is quicker and easier to say.

A Useful Rule for English Learners

Japanese students sometimes worry about which pronunciation is "correct."

For years such as 2026, you don't need to worry. Both forms are correct.

But if you want a simple rule for natural spoken English, remember:

English is lazy—in a good way. When shorter works just as well, shorter usually wins.

So:

2026 = twenty twenty-six

It's shorter, natural, and follows the way English speakers pronounced years for centuries before the unusual two thousandperiod temporarily interrupted the pattern.

Reduplication in Languages

August 29, 2026

About 30 years ago, I flew to Malaysia for the first time. During the flight, I noticed something interesting.

Before making an announcement, the flight attendant would say:

“Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan.”

I did not speak Malay, but it did not take me long to figure out that this meant “Ladies and gentlemen.”

Later, while traveling around Malaysia, I began comparing signs written in Malay and English. I soon noticed an interesting pattern. Words were sometimes repeated:

buku → buku-buku
book → books

rumah → rumah-rumah
house → houses

anak → anak-anak
child → children

orang → orang-orang
person → people

I was delighted. I had never seen a language make plurals this way before.

Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan

There was one small detail I learned later.

Tuan means “sir” or “gentleman,” while puan means “madam” or “lady.”

So:

tuan-tuan = gentlemen
puan-puan = ladies

And:

Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan = “Ladies and gentlemen.”

The process of repeating a word like this is called reduplication. In Malay, it is called kata ganda, which basically means a “doubled word.”

Is a Malay Noun Singular or Plural?

Actually, the system is a little more complicated than simply saying that doubling makes a plural.

Malay nouns are usually number-neutral. In other words, buku can mean either “book” or “books.” The meaning often comes from the context.

If you want to make it clear that there is more than one, however, you can repeat the word:

buku → buku-buku

kucing → kucing-kucing
cat → cats

kereta → kereta-kereta
car → cars

But you do not usually need to repeat the noun when the number is already clear.

For example:

tiga buku = three books

You would not normally say tiga buku-buku because tiga (“three”) already tells us that there is more than one book.

What About Indonesian?

I had thought that Indonesian did not use this system. Interestingly, it does.

Malay and Indonesian are closely related languages, and Indonesian also uses reduplication:

buku-buku = books
rumah-rumah = houses
anak-anak = children
orang-orang = people

So this interesting feature is found in both languages.

Other Languages Do It Too

Once I started looking into this, I discovered that Malay is far from alone.

Reduplication is especially common among Austronesian languages, the huge family of languages spoken from Southeast Asia across the Pacific.

Javanese, for example, also uses reduplication:

omah → omah-omah
house → houses

bocah → bocah-bocah
child → children

Tagalog, spoken in the Philippines, uses reduplication too. Its system is more complicated, however. Sometimes only partof a word is repeated. Reduplication can also show repeated actions, intensity and other meanings.

Hawaiian, Māori, Samoan and other Polynesian languages also use different kinds of reduplication.

Even Chinese and Japanese Do Something Similar

Reduplication is not limited to Austronesian languages.

Mandarin Chinese has expressions such as:

人人 (rénrén) = everyone
天天 (tiāntiān) = every day
个个 (gègè) = every one

Here, repetition does not simply make a normal plural. Instead, it gives the idea of every, each, or something happening repeatedly.

Japanese has some interesting examples too:

人 → 人々
hito → hitobito
person → people

国 → 国々
kuni → kuniguni
country → countries

山 → 山々
yama → yamayama
mountain → mountains

所 → 所々
tokoro → tokorodokoro
place → various places

The symbol 々 means that the previous kanji should be repeated. So 人々 is essentially 人 + 人.

Japanese, however, does not use this as a regular way of making plurals. You cannot simply repeat any Japanese noun to mean “more than one.”

More Than Just Plurals

Perhaps the most interesting thing about reduplication is that it can do much more than make nouns plural.

In languages around the world, repeating a word or part of a word can express:

more than one
variety
repeated action
intensity
“each” or “every”
smallness
approximation

There seems to be something very natural about using repetition to express more.

English does not normally make plurals this way. We say book → books, not book → book-book.

That may be why buku-buku fascinated me so much when I first encountered it in Malaysia 30 years ago.

It was such a simple idea:

One book? Buku.

Books? Buku-buku.

Sometimes the most interesting things about a foreign language are the little patterns you discover before anyone has even explained them to you.

Katakana Does Not Always Mean English!

August 21, 2026

Japanese has thousands of words written in katakana. Many of these words came from English:

コンピューター — computer
ホテル — hotel
テーブル — table
バス — bus
スマートフォン — smartphone

Because of this, Japanese learners of English sometimes make a simple mistake. They see a word written in katakana and think, “This must be English!”

But that is not always true.

Japanese has borrowed words from many languages, including Portuguese, Dutch, German, French, Italian, and Russian. Some of these words have been used in Japanese for hundreds of years.

As a result, a katakana word may sound completely normal to a Japanese person but mean nothing to a native English speaker.

For example:

仕事のノルマが多い。

A Japanese speaker knows that ノルマ means an amount of work that you must complete. However, if you say noruma to an American or British person, they probably will not understand you.

Why?

Because ノルマ is not English. It came from Russian.

In English, we would usually say quota, target, or required amount.

A Short History of Loan Words in Japan

Foreign loan words are not new in Japan.

For many centuries, Japan borrowed words and ideas from China. However, European words began to enter Japanese in the 16th century, when Portuguese traders and missionaries arrived in Japan.

Think about パン. Japanese people use this word every day, but an English speaker who does not know Japanese will not understand pan to mean bread.

Some of these can cause confusion. For example, コップ sounds a little like English cup, but it actually came from Dutch kop.

And ランドセル certainly does not mean “land cell” in English! It comes from the Dutch word ransel, meaning a backpack.

アルバイト is a particularly interesting example.

The German word Arbeit simply means work. In Japanese, however, its meaning changed to part-time work.

If you tell an American, “I have an arubaito tonight,” they will probably have no idea what you mean.

Say:

I have to work at my part-time job tonight.

アンケート is a good example of a word that Japanese learners should be careful with.

You may hear:

❌ We did an enquête at school.

An English speaker probably will not understand this.

Instead, say:

✅ We did a survey at school.

Here we have less of a problem because many Italian words also entered English. An English speaker will understand piano, solo, opera, pizza, and many others.

So a foreign loan word does not have to come from English to exist in English.

ノルマ is perhaps the most useful example.

A Japanese person might say:

❌ I have a noruma at work.

But a native English speaker will not know what noruma means.

Depending on the situation, you might say:

✅ I have a sales target at work.
✅ I have to meet my quota.
✅ I have a certain amount of work I have to finish.

Katakana Is a Warning, Not a Guarantee!

When you see a katakana word, do not automatically think:

Katakana = English

Instead, think:

Katakana = This word probably came from another language.

Maybe it came from English. Maybe it came from Portuguese 450 years ago. Maybe it came from Dutch during the Edo period. Maybe it came from German, French, Italian, or Russian.

There is another problem too. Even words that did originally come from English may have changed their meaning in Japanese.

For example:

マンション does not normally mean mansion in English.
コンセント does not mean consent.
クレーム is not usually claim.
サラリーマン is not a normal English word.

These are a slightly different type of problem, but the lesson is the same.

Do not trust katakana too much!

When speaking English, ask yourself two questions:

Did this word really come from English?
Do English speakers use it with the same meaning?

If the answer to either question is no, you may need a different word.

Katakana can make learning English easier because Japanese already contains thousands of English loan words. But sometimes it can also lead you into a trap.

So remember:

カタカナ ≠ English!

Sentence Building Blocks

May 17, 2026

The May Miracle: Why Fukuoka’s Schools Are All Celebrating Right Now

May 16, 2026

Exploring the history, administrative lag, and the grueling 1,000km charter run of the Meiji Era

If you walk through the streets of Nishijin or Sawara this week, you’ll notice something vibrant in the air. It’s not just the scent of early summer—it’s the sight of flower stands, festive banners, and students in crisp new uniforms. In Fukuoka, May isn't just a month; it’s Anniversary Season.

From the historic gates of Shuyukan to the sprawling campuses of Seinan Gakuin and Nakamura Gakuen, a massive cluster of Fukuoka’s most prestigious institutions hold their founding celebrations in May. While culture and weather play a role, the core explanation comes down to an intriguing bureaucratic phenomenon: The Post-April Administrative Delay.

1. The Mechanics of the "Post-April" Lag

Since 1886, Japan’s fiscal and academic calendars have strictly kicked off on April 1st. Naturally, you would expect a school's anniversary to land on its first day of classes. However, in the Meiji (1868–1912) and early Showa (1926–1989) eras, opening a school was an administrative labyrinth.

A school would open its doors, admit its inaugural class, and begin instruction in April. But the official government charter, the final legal stamps from the Ministry of Education in Tokyo, and the scheduling of a grand opening ceremony routinely dragged out for four to six weeks. Rather than celebrating the chaotic first day of school, institutions permanently anchored their "Founding Days" to the day the official paperwork was finalized and the campus had finally settled into its routine—pushing the celebrations directly into mid-to-late May.

The "Missionary Belt" Synergy

This administrative lag perfectly aligned with the Western cultural traditions of local Christian mission schools. For institutions like Fukuoka Jo Gakuin, May was the prime

time for "May Day" festivals. The arrival of the formal charter matched perfectly with outdoor pageants, Maypole dancing, and the crowning of the "May Queen."

2. The Ultimate Bureaucratic Relay: From Fukuoka to Tokyo

To truly appreciate this delay, we have to look at the physical reality of governance in early modern Japan. Before the telegraph and the rail networks completely bound the nation together, official documents had to travel by foot. If a Fukuoka school needed its charter approved by the central government in Tokyo (formerly Edo), it relied on the elite courier system known as Hikyaku (飛脚).

The overland route via the historic Sanyodo and Tokaido highways spans roughly D ≈ 1,050 ext{ km} (approx. 650 miles). How long did this monumental legal errand take?

The Physics of a Meiji Paperwork Run

Ordinary travelers typically required about 30 days to walk from Fukuoka to Tokyo. However, an elite, multi-stage relay system of professional runners (Tsugi-hikyaku) could sustain a punishing, around-the-clock pace.

Operating at an average speed of v ≈ 7 ext{ to } 8 ext{ km/h} across rugged mountain passes and river crossings, a dedicated express relay could complete a one-way trip in approximately 6 days.

Therefore, the minimum theoretical transit time for a charter's round trip was:

T_{ ext{transit}} = 6 ext{ days (Express Out)} + 6 ext{ days (Express Back)} = 12 ext{ days}

When you factor in standard bureaucratic processing time within the Tokyo ministries—reviewing curricula, verifying funding, and physically carving and applying the official seals—an additional 2 to 3 weeks was easily added to the timeline. When accounting for this intense 12-day physical journey across Honshu and the subsequent bureaucratic gears grinding in Tokyo, a 30-to-45-day delay between a school's actual April opening and its official May charter becomes remarkably impressive for the era.

The Fukuoka Anniversary Calendar

The next time you spot the massive floral arrangements and celebratory banners outside a school gate in Fukuoka this month, you aren't just looking at a modern school holiday. You are witnessing the beautiful intersection of Meiji-era logistics, grueling trans-Japan foot relays, and the enduring legacy of early bureaucracy.

15 Things Serious English Students Actually Do

May 10, 2026

本気で英語を伸ばす学生が実際にやっている15のこと

Many students think:

“I attended class, so I studied English.”
「授業に出たから勉強した。」

Unfortunately, language learning doesn’t work that way.

Just attending class is not enough.
英語は「授業を受けるだけ」で伸びるものではありません。

Students who improve steadily usually do many small things outside the classroom. They preview lessons, review notes, read English regularly, and actively use the language.

The good news?
None of these habits are especially difficult.

Small daily habits can produce huge results over time.

1. Preview the Lesson Before Class

授業前に予習する

Many students skip previewing because they think:

“The teacher will explain it anyway.”
「どうせ授業で説明されるし…」

But students who preview lessons understand class much more easily.

Even 10–15 minutes helps.

Good preview habits:

Read the textbook pages once
教科書を一度読む
Check difficult vocabulary
わからない単語を調べる
Listen to the audio once
音声を一回聞く
Write down questions
わからない点を書く

Previewing turns:

confusion into understanding,
and panic into confidence.

予習をすると、授業が「初見」ではなくなるのです。

2. Review Within 24 Hours

24時間以内に復習する

This is extremely important.

Most forgetting happens soon after learning something.

人間は学んだことをすぐ忘れます。

If you review within 24 hours, your memory becomes much stronger.

Good review habits:

reread your notes
ノートを読み返す
review vocabulary
単語を確認する
rewrite mistakes
間違いを書き直す
read example sentences again
例文をもう一度読む

Even 15 minutes is powerful.

短時間でも「すぐ復習」が大切です。

3. Keep an English Diary

英語の日記を書く

One of the best ways to improve English is writing regularly.

毎日少しでも英語を書くことは非常に効果的です。

Your diary does NOT need to be sophisticated.

Simple English is fine.

Example:

Today I went to school early.
I was tired because I slept late.
I ate ramen with my friends.

That’s enough.

The goal is consistency, not perfection.

完璧より「継続」が大事です。

4. Use AI to Correct Your Writing

AIで英作文を添削する

Modern students have an incredible advantage:
AI.

今の学生にはAIという強力な道具があります。

You can use AI to:

correct grammar
文法を直す
improve vocabulary
より自然な単語に変える
explain mistakes
ミスの理由を説明する
rewrite unnatural English
不自然な英語を自然に直す

Example prompt:

“Please correct my diary naturally and explain my mistakes.”

AI can act like a private tutor available 24 hours a day.

AIを「24時間使える家庭教師」として活用しましょう。

5. Read English Every Day

毎日英語を読む

Many students only read English when homework is assigned.

That’s not enough.

宿題の時だけ英語を読むのでは足りません。

Read things you actually enjoy:

news
ニュース
blogs
ブログ
manga
漫画
sports articles
スポーツ記事
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Reddit posts
Reddit

Interesting English stays in your memory longer.

「面白い英語」は記憶に残りやすいのです。

6. Listen to English Every Day

毎日英語を聞く

Listening ability improves through exposure.

英語耳は「慣れ」で育ちます。

You do not need to understand everything.

Just hearing English regularly helps.

Good listening sources:

YouTube
podcasts
Netflix
music
interviews
game streams

Frequency matters more than intensity.

「毎日少し」が非常に重要です。

7. Speak Out Loud

声に出して練習する

Many students study English silently.

But language is physical.

英語は「口の筋トレ」でもあります。

Reading silently is not enough.

Good speaking practice:

read sentences aloud
音読する
shadow audio
シャドーイングする
repeat useful phrases
表現を繰り返す

Learning English without speaking is like learning basketball without touching a ball.

8. Use Spaced Repetition

繰り返し復習する

Seeing a word once is not enough.

単語は一回見ただけでは覚えられません。

Good students review words:

the same day
当日
the next day
次の日
one week later
一週間後
again later
さらに後で

Apps like:

Anki
Quizlet

can help organize reviews.

Without repetition, vocabulary disappears quickly.

9. Use Language Learning Apps Wisely

語学アプリを上手に使う

Apps are tools—not magic.

アプリだけでペラペラにはなりません。

Still, they can be useful if used consistently.

Good examples include:

Duolingo
ELSA Speak
Cake
HelloTalk

Five focused minutes is better than 30 distracted minutes.

ダラダラ30分より、集中した5分の方が効果的です。

10. Stop Translating Directly from Japanese

日本語をそのまま英訳しない

Many mistakes happen because students translate Japanese directly.

日本語をそのまま英語にすると、不自然な英語になります。

Common examples:

❌ Today morning
⭕ This morning

❌ It is beautiful sea
⭕ It is a beautiful sea
⭕ The sea is beautiful

❌ I very like it
⭕ I really like it

English is NOT Japanese with English words.

英語は「日本語＋英単語」ではありません。

Learn patterns, not just vocabulary.

11. Don’t Fear Mistakes

間違いを恐れない

Students who improve quickly make lots of mistakes.

そして、そのたびに修正されます。

That is normal.

Quiet students often improve more slowly because they avoid risk.

Fast improvement cycle:

Try
Make mistakes
Get corrected
Try again

Embarrassment lasts seconds.
Improvement lasts years.

12. Build English Into Your Daily Life

英語を生活の一部にする

English should not exist only inside the classroom.

英語を「授業だけのもの」にしないこと。

Small habits matter:

change your phone to English
スマホを英語表示にする
follow English YouTubers
英語系YouTuberを見る
search in English sometimes
時々英語で検索する

Tiny habits become powerful over time.

13. Study Consistently

気合いより継続

Some students study:

five hours before a test,
then nothing for two weeks.

This is not effective for language learning.

英語は「一夜漬け」と相性が悪い教科です。

Languages improve slowly.

Better approach:

20–30 minutes every day
instead of
huge cram sessions once a week

毎日の積み重ねが最強です。

14. Sleep Properly

しっかり寝る

Sleep is important for memory.

記憶は睡眠中に整理・定着されます。

Late-night zombie studying is often inefficient.

徹夜勉強は効率が悪いことも多いです。

Your brain needs rest to learn well.

15. Actually Care

「伸びたい」と本気で思う

The students who improve most are usually the students who:

notice English,
think about English,
and interact with English voluntarily.

結局、一番大きいのは「やる気」です。

Talent matters less than many students think.

Motivation beats talent surprisingly often.

Final Thoughts

最後に

Attending class is important.

But class is only the beginning.

授業は「スタート地点」です。

Students who preview, review, read, listen, write, and actively use English outside class improve much faster.

You do not need to be perfect.

You just need to improve little by little.

Small daily effort becomes big improvement.

小さな積み重ねが、大きな成長になります。

How Many English Words Do You Know?

April 19, 2026

英語は「単語力」がすべての土台！

Many students ask me:

“How many English words do I need to know?”

「英語は何語覚えればいいですか？」

This is a very good question. The answer is simple:

Vocabulary size is the foundation of English ability.

語彙力は英語力の土台です。

Let’s look at what research shows.

How Many Words Do Native Speakers Know?

English-speaking children learn thousands of words every year. Here are typical vocabulary sizes for native speakers:

That may sound surprising. But remember:

📌 Native speakers learn about 1,000–3,000 new words every year.

Mostly from:

📖 Reading

Not memorizing word lists.

📚 The Secret to Vocabulary Growth: Reading

Many students think:

“I need to memorize more vocabulary.”

But the real secret is:

Read more.

Research shows that students who read more learn more vocabulary naturally.

Here is an estimate:

So remember:

Reading strongly increases vocabulary.

読書量＝語彙力

This is one of the most important truths in language learning.

🎯 How Many Words Do You Need?

Many English tests are connected to vocabulary size.

Here are approximate levels:

📌 Typical Japanese university students:

Usually A2–B1 level

That means:

👉 2,000–4,000 words

This is a good starting point—but there is room to grow.

🚀 How to Build Vocabulary Faster

If you want to improve your English, here are the most effective methods:

📖 Read Every Day

Books, articles, graded readers, novels

Reading is the #1 way to grow vocabulary.

🎧 Listen to English

Watch movies

Listen to podcasts

Use YouTube

Listening helps you remember words naturally.

✏️ Write Regularly

Keep a journal

Write short paragraphs

Use new words

Writing helps make vocabulary active.

🌏 Study Abroad or Travel

Real communication builds vocabulary quickly.

Even short trips help.

📚 Review Words Many Times

Repetition is important.

You must see words again and again.

⭐ How Many Words Do YOU Know?

Try to estimate your level:

☐ about 1,000 words (A1)

☐ about 2,000 words (A2)

☐ about 4,000 words (B1)

☐ about 7,000+ words (B2)

Think about this:

👉 What is your goal?

📖 My Advice to Students

If you want to improve your English:

Read more.

Not once a week.

Not once a month.

Every day.

Even:

10 minutes
15 minutes
1 short article

makes a difference.

Vocabulary grows slowly—but steadily.

Like this:

📚

📚📚

📚📚📚

📚📚📚📚

Year after year.

Final Message

English ability is not magic.

It is not talent.

It is not luck.

It is:

Vocabulary + Time + Reading

If you remember one thing from this article, remember this:

The more you read, the more words you learn.

読めば読むほど語彙は増える。

And that leads to:

✔ Better reading

✔ Better listening

✔ Better speaking

✔ Better writing

Everything begins with vocabulary.

BMOC — A Classic Bit of Americana

April 9, 2026

Today my son entered high school, and thanks to a few weeks of early practice with the track and field team, he walked in with confidence and already knowing quite a few people, including his coaches, some of the teachers, and of course, his teammates. In American slang, we would say he walked in as the BMOC.

So what does BMOC mean?

BMOC stands for Big Man On Campus.

It’s an old-fashioned but still familiar American expression used to describe someone who is popular, confident, and widely known at school.

The phrase originally came from American universities in the early 1900s. At that time, the Big Man On Campus was someone admired by others—perhaps a star athlete, student leader, or simply a confident personality.

Today, the phrase is often used playfully. Calling someone the BMOC doesn’t mean they are the most important person at school—it simply suggests they are entering a new situation with confidence and recognition.

It also reflects a very American idea:

Confidence is admired—but it should be earned through effort.

Of course, high school is a long journey. Being the BMOC on Day One is fun—but what matters most is what you do on Day Two, Day Three, and beyond.

Still, as parents, we sometimes enjoy celebrating these small moments.

After all, every big journey begins with a single step onto campus.

Shimi: Okinawa’s Unique Ancestor Picnic Festival

March 22, 2026

Every spring in Okinawa, something unusual happens.

Families gather at cemeteries—not to mourn quietly, but to eat, laugh, and spend time together.

This special tradition is called シーミー (Shīmī), and it is one of the most fascinating cultural customs in Japan.

In 2026, シーミー takes place between April 5 and April 19, depending on the family.

What Is シーミー?

シーミー (清明祭) is an annual Okinawan festival that honors ancestors. It is held during the 清明 (Seimei) season, which marks the arrival of warm spring weather.

Unlike grave visits in mainland Japan, which are usually quiet and short, シーミー is lively and social.

Think of it as:

A grave visit
A family reunion
A spring picnic

—all at the same time.

The Most Surprising Part: A Picnic at the Tomb

The most famous feature of シーミー is the family picnic at the cemetery.

Families bring large boxes of food and place them in front of the ancestral tomb. After offering prayers, everyone sits down and eats together.

Typical foods include:

Braised pork belly (三枚肉)
Fish cakes (かまぼこ)
Kelp rolls (昆布巻き)
Okinawan rice (じゅーしー)
Mochi sweets

These foods are first offered to the ancestors and then shared by the family.

For many visitors, seeing dozens of people eating together at a graveyard can be surprising—but in Okinawa, it feels completely natural.

Okinawa’s Unique Tombs

Another striking feature of シーミー is the size and shape of Okinawan tombs.

Many families use large tombs called 亀甲墓 (kamekō-baka), or “turtle-back tombs.”

These tombs:

Are shaped like a turtle shell
Are much larger than mainland Japanese graves
Have open space in front for family gatherings

In fact, they were designed specifically to allow large family ceremonies like シーミー.

A Gathering of Generations

シーミー is not just a religious ceremony—it is also a family reunion.

Sometimes dozens of relatives attend:

Grandparents lead prayers
Parents prepare food
Children run around and play
Cousins meet relatives they rarely see

For many families, this is one of the few times each year when everyone gathers together.

When Does シーミー Happen?

Unlike most holidays, シーミー does not happen on a single day.

Instead:

It takes place during the Seimei season
Each family chooses its own day
Many families meet on weekends
Sundays are often the busiest days

During this time, roads near cemeteries can become crowded, and hillsides fill with families and picnic blankets.

Where Did This Tradition Come From?

シーミー has deep historical roots.

It developed from a mixture of:

Traditional Okinawan ancestor worship
Chinese customs honoring ancestors
Later Japanese religious influences

This blend reflects Okinawa’s long history as part of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, which maintained close ties with China.

A Celebration of Life, Not Just Memory

One of the most beautiful things about シーミー is its atmosphere.

Instead of sadness, there is:

Conversation
Laughter
Shared meals
Stories about family history

The idea is simple: ancestors are still part of the family, and gathering together keeps their memory alive.

A Unique Cultural Experience

If you ever visit Okinawa in April, you may notice large groups of people gathered at tombs with picnic food.

At first, it might seem unusual—but once you understand the meaning, it becomes something truly moving.

シーミー is not just about remembering the past.

It is about celebrating family, tradition, and connection across generations.

And that makes it one of the most unforgettable customs in Japan.

When English Becomes a Time Capsule: Funny Wasei-Eigo Clothing Words

March 16, 2026

If you study English in Japan, you probably know that many everyday words come from English.

But sometimes those words mean something a little different from what native speakers expect.

These words are called 和製英語 (wasei-eigo) — English words that were created or changed in Japan.

Some of them are funny. Some are confusing. And some are like a time capsule, preserving English from more than 100 years ago.

Let’s look at a few examples.

Muffler (マフラー)

In Japan:

マフラー = scarf

But if you say “muffler” in modern English, people will think of a car muffler — the metal part connected to the exhaust.

However, in older British English, “muffler” actually did mean a scarf.

That meaning slowly disappeared in English during the 20th century, but Japan kept it.

So Japanese English preserved an older word that native speakers rarely use today.

A linguistic time capsule!

Y-Shirt (ワイシャツ)

This one has an interesting history.

When Western clothes first came to Japan in the late 1800s, most dress shirts were white.

People heard the words “white shirt.”

Over time, this became:

white shirt → wai shatsu → ワイシャツ

Today, ワイシャツ simply means a dress shirt, even if it isn’t white.

But if you say “Y-shirt” in English, native speakers will probably imagine a shirt shaped like the letter Y.

Trainer (トレーナー)

In Japan:

トレーナー = sweatshirt

But in English, a trainer is usually:

• a fitness coach
• a sports instructor
• (in the UK) running shoes

The Japanese meaning probably comes from the idea of training wear.

Pants (パンツ)

This one often causes funny misunderstandings.

In English:

pants = trousers

In Japanese:

パンツ = underwear

So when a Japanese learner proudly says:

“I bought new pants today.”

A native speaker might imagine new trousers, not underwear!

Parker (パーカー)

In Japan:

パーカー = hoodie

But English speakers usually say hoodie.

The Japanese word probably came from parka, the heavy winter coat with a hood.

Over time the pronunciation changed to パーカー (pākaa).

To English speakers, though, “Parker” sounds like a brand of pen.

Spats (スパッツ)

Today in Japan:

スパッツ = leggings

But in English, spats were something very different.

They were small covers worn over shoes in the late 19th and early 20th century.

You can see them in old photos of bankers, politicians, and early automobile drivers.

Again, Japan kept an old word but gave it a new meaning.

English Frozen in Time

Many English clothing words entered Japan during the Meiji and Taishō periods (late 1800s–early 1900s) when Western fashion first became popular.

At that time, Japan borrowed English words and adapted them to Japanese pronunciation.

But languages continue to change.

Over time, English speakers stopped using some of these words, or their meanings changed.

Japan kept them.

That’s why many wasei-eigo words feel like a little museum of old English.

A linguistic time capsule from another era.

A Small Pronunciation Time Capsule

You can even hear this in pronunciation.

Many Japanese speakers pronounce the “wh-” sound clearly:

• who
• white
• where

Older English once made a stronger distinction between w and wh sounds.

Most modern speakers no longer do this.

So in a strange way, Japanese learners sometimes preserve an older pronunciation of English too!

Why This Is Actually Wonderful

Wasei-eigo isn’t “wrong.” It’s simply how languages change when cultures meet.

English influenced Japanese.

Japanese reshaped those words.

And now those words tell a small story about history, fashion, and language.

So the next time someone in Japan says:

“I need my muffler.”

Don’t imagine a car.

They’re just trying to stay warm.

Why “One Hour and a Half” Drives English Teachers Crazy

March 6, 2026

After teaching English in Japan for many years, there is one sentence that I hear again and again:

“It took me one hour and a half to get here.”

Now, this sentence is perfectly understandable. No native English speaker would have trouble understanding it.

But it is not quite natural.

In English, we usually say:

“It took me an hour and a half.”

Why?

Because “hour and a half” works like a single unit of time.

Think of it like this:

✔ an hour and a half
✔ two hours and a half (less common)
✔ two and a half hours (best)

Examples:

It took an hour and a half to finish the movie.
The meeting lasted an hour and a half.
I studied English for two and a half hours yesterday.

Many Japanese students translate directly from

一時間半

which leads to “one hour and a half.”

Again — not wrong! Just slightly unnatural.

These small differences are exactly the kind of thing we practice in our conversation classes.

Learning grammar is important, but learning natural English is what makes conversation really smooth.

And who knows — maybe next time it will only take you an hour and a half to get here!

July 19, 2025

For ages I assumed that the water going over Niagara Falls was flowing from north to south--from the Canadian side to the American side--and that Horseshoe Falls faced south. Thanks to GoogleMap, I discovered that I had been dead wrong about it (and so many other things).

Now what's really interesting about all this is that the water of the Great Lakes flows west to east, then through the St. Lawrence River where it eventually drains into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean which is over 3500 kilometers away from Lake (Mother) Superior.

A lot of the great rivers of the world flow south to north--The Nile, being the most famous, but also the Rhine, the Elbe, and parts of the Danube. Then there are the Deschutes and Willamette ("Will lam it"), which were closer to home when I was growing up not knowing shit from Shinola.

私は長い間、ナイアガラの滝を流れる水は北から南へ--カナダ側からアメリカ側へ--流れていて、ホースシュー・フォールズは南に面していると思い込んでいた。GoogleMapのおかげで、私はそれについて大間違いをしていたことがわかった（そして他の多くのことについても）。

五大湖の水は西から東に流れ、セントローレンス川を経てセントローレンス湾と大西洋に注ぐ。

ナイル川は最も有名だが、ライン川、エルベ川、ドナウ川の一部もそうだ。デシューツ川やウィラメット川は、私が何もを知らずに育った頃、もっと身近な存在のオレゴン州にあった。

Mocha Coffee

June 7, 2025

So, I'm not imagining it — there is a real difference, and what I'm experiencing is backed by both geography and processing methods.

Why Yemeni and Ethiopian Coffee Beans Taste Milder and More Full-Bodied:

1. Heirloom Varieties

Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee. It has thousands of wild and semi-wild heirloom varietals, many of which are unique in flavor. These beans tend to be floral, fruity, and smooth — not overly acidic or bitter.

Yemen also uses ancient, traditional coffee varietals descended from Ethiopian stock (not modern hybrids), which produce complex, rich flavors with spice and chocolate notes.

2. Natural (Dry) Processing

Both countries often use natural (dry) processing, where the whole coffee cherry is dried with the fruit intact before the beans are removed. This method:

Enhances body

Adds sweetness and fruitiness

Reduces sour acidity compared to washed (wet-processed) beans

3. Altitude and Terroir

High elevations (often 1,800–2,200 meters above sea level) mean slower bean development, which concentrates sugars and flavors.

The volcanic soil and microclimates contribute to richness and balance.

4. Minimalist, Traditional Farming

Unlike some other regions that favor high-yield hybrid plants grown on large commercial estates, Yemen and Ethiopia often rely on smallholder farms with minimal chemical input, preserving more traditional flavor profiles.

Comparison with Other Regions

Central American beans (e.g., Guatemala, Costa Rica) can be bright and acidic, often citrusy.

South American beans (e.g., Colombia, Brazil) tend to be nutty, chocolatey, and a bit more bitter.

Southeast Asian beans (e.g., Vietnam, Sumatra) often carry earthy, spicy, even mushroom-like notes, with heavier bitterness.

So yes — Yemeni and Ethiopian beans really do stand out for their mildness, complexity, and full-bodied sweetness with less bitterness or sourness. You're tuned in to a genuine distinction.

(Forgive me for becoming a coffee snob--in addition to all my other snobbery.)

Super Bowl Commercials

February 10, 2025

The Super Bowl is famous not only for football but also for its entertaining commercials. In 2025, many companies created memorable ads featuring well-known celebrities. For example, Michelob Ultra's commercial showed actors Catherine O'Hara and Willem Dafoe pretending to be inexperienced pickleball players to trick others. Another popular ad was from Dunkin', where Ben Affleck, his brother Casey Affleck, and Jeremy Strong formed a humorous boy band called the "DunKings."

However, not all commercials were well-received. Coffee Mate's advertisement featured dancing human tongues, which some viewers found unpleasant. Similarly, Hellmann's attempted to recreate a famous scene from the movie "When Harry Met Sally..." with actors Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, but some felt it was awkward for a mayonnaise commercial.

Groundhog Day: A Fun American Tradition

February 2, 2025

Groundhog Day is a special tradition in the United States and Canada. It happens every year on February 2nd. On this day, people watch a small animal called a groundhog to predict the weather. This tradition started in the 1800s and comes from old European beliefs about animals and the seasons.

The most famous Groundhog Day celebration is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. There, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow. If Phil sees his shadow, it means there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring will come early. Many people gather to watch this event, and it is shown on TV.

Even though the groundhog’s prediction is not always correct, people enjoy the celebration. It is a fun and lighthearted event that brings people together. Groundhog Day is also famous because of the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, which is about a man who experiences the same day over and over again.

Groundhog Day is an example of how people create fun traditions to celebrate the changing seasons. Whether or not Phil’s prediction is right, many people look forward to this day every year.

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis. Starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, it tells the story of a cynical television weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who becomes trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive February 2 repeatedly.

Thanksgiving

November 19, 2024

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! This cherished holiday, observed on the fourth Thursday of November, falls on the 28th this year—the latest date it can ever be celebrated.

But what exactly is Thanksgiving all about? The video above provides a quick overview of the story most Americans are familiar with, while the video below delves into the historical events behind the tradition.