Japanese with Manu
@japanesewithmanu.bsky.social
Japanese teacher, book author, anime/manga nerd, loves singing and Japanese food.
Living in Fukui, Japan.
Living in Fukui, Japan.
So, every day, I look forward to my hot, relaxing bath before I crawl into my (cold) bed. I really have to tell you about the winter hardships in Japan 😅
I wish I could be my cat 🐈⬛️
#japan #japaneseculture #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #neko
I wish I could be my cat 🐈⬛️
#japan #japaneseculture #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #neko
December 5, 2025 at 1:16 AM
So, every day, I look forward to my hot, relaxing bath before I crawl into my (cold) bed. I really have to tell you about the winter hardships in Japan 😅
I wish I could be my cat 🐈⬛️
#japan #japaneseculture #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #neko
I wish I could be my cat 🐈⬛️
#japan #japaneseculture #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #neko
One of the best places to start learning Japanese is with its two syllabic scripts, hiragana and katakana. Most people start with hiragana, then katakana. And then they move on to kanji.
Doesn't sound too bad, right?
But why do we need three (actually, four) different writing systems?
Doesn't sound too bad, right?
But why do we need three (actually, four) different writing systems?
December 4, 2025 at 6:43 AM
One of the best places to start learning Japanese is with its two syllabic scripts, hiragana and katakana. Most people start with hiragana, then katakana. And then they move on to kanji.
Doesn't sound too bad, right?
But why do we need three (actually, four) different writing systems?
Doesn't sound too bad, right?
But why do we need three (actually, four) different writing systems?
ただいま！ tada-ima I am back home!
Tada-ima is actually an abbreviation of ただいま帰(かえ)りました tada-ima kaerimashita
tada = only/just
ima = now
kaerimashita = returned back home, past tense of kaerimasu.
Tada-ima is actually an abbreviation of ただいま帰(かえ)りました tada-ima kaerimashita
tada = only/just
ima = now
kaerimashita = returned back home, past tense of kaerimasu.
November 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM
ただいま！ tada-ima I am back home!
Tada-ima is actually an abbreviation of ただいま帰(かえ)りました tada-ima kaerimashita
tada = only/just
ima = now
kaerimashita = returned back home, past tense of kaerimasu.
Tada-ima is actually an abbreviation of ただいま帰(かえ)りました tada-ima kaerimashita
tada = only/just
ima = now
kaerimashita = returned back home, past tense of kaerimasu.
Nerd/Japanese stuff at Montreal airport.
Thank you so much, everyone here! I had a good time! Now it's time to go back home and keep working on my next book, as well as prepare my next lessons for you 💪
誠(まこと)にありがとうございました
Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.
#montreal #yul #japaneselanguage
Thank you so much, everyone here! I had a good time! Now it's time to go back home and keep working on my next book, as well as prepare my next lessons for you 💪
誠(まこと)にありがとうございました
Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.
#montreal #yul #japaneselanguage
November 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Nerd/Japanese stuff at Montreal airport.
Thank you so much, everyone here! I had a good time! Now it's time to go back home and keep working on my next book, as well as prepare my next lessons for you 💪
誠(まこと)にありがとうございました
Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.
#montreal #yul #japaneselanguage
Thank you so much, everyone here! I had a good time! Now it's time to go back home and keep working on my next book, as well as prepare my next lessons for you 💪
誠(まこと)にありがとうございました
Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.
#montreal #yul #japaneselanguage
Itadakimasu actually means "I thankfully receive" and is a humble way of expressing your appreciation before you start eating your meal.
Here's the kanji version 頂きます the left part is 丁 which has a plethora of meanings, for example town or ward (but to me it looks like a plate),
Here's the kanji version 頂きます the left part is 丁 which has a plethora of meanings, for example town or ward (but to me it looks like a plate),
November 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Itadakimasu actually means "I thankfully receive" and is a humble way of expressing your appreciation before you start eating your meal.
Here's the kanji version 頂きます the left part is 丁 which has a plethora of meanings, for example town or ward (but to me it looks like a plate),
Here's the kanji version 頂きます the left part is 丁 which has a plethora of meanings, for example town or ward (but to me it looks like a plate),
Feels like -12°C (10.4°F)
それ本当(ほんとう)？ sore hontou? For real?
ウソ―！ usoo! That's a lie, right?
信(しん)じられない！shinjirarenai! can't believe that!
And I still need to go out and get something important! Gotta get going now!
#montreal #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
それ本当(ほんとう)？ sore hontou? For real?
ウソ―！ usoo! That's a lie, right?
信(しん)じられない！shinjirarenai! can't believe that!
And I still need to go out and get something important! Gotta get going now!
#montreal #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
November 17, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Feels like -12°C (10.4°F)
それ本当(ほんとう)？ sore hontou? For real?
ウソ―！ usoo! That's a lie, right?
信(しん)じられない！shinjirarenai! can't believe that!
And I still need to go out and get something important! Gotta get going now!
#montreal #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
それ本当(ほんとう)？ sore hontou? For real?
ウソ―！ usoo! That's a lie, right?
信(しん)じられない！shinjirarenai! can't believe that!
And I still need to go out and get something important! Gotta get going now!
#montreal #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
because some of them have been published 4 years ago XD
Good thing that the English book "Reading Japanese for Beginners" that has been published this March already has all these updates.
Am I the only one or do you have similar experiences?
#bookpublishing #japaneslanguage #japaneselesson
Good thing that the English book "Reading Japanese for Beginners" that has been published this March already has all these updates.
Am I the only one or do you have similar experiences?
#bookpublishing #japaneslanguage #japaneselesson
November 15, 2025 at 4:56 PM
because some of them have been published 4 years ago XD
Good thing that the English book "Reading Japanese for Beginners" that has been published this March already has all these updates.
Am I the only one or do you have similar experiences?
#bookpublishing #japaneslanguage #japaneselesson
Good thing that the English book "Reading Japanese for Beginners" that has been published this March already has all these updates.
Am I the only one or do you have similar experiences?
#bookpublishing #japaneslanguage #japaneselesson
The thing that always happens when I do a task: I think of another 5-6 tasks and jobs that need to be done XD have just updated my sales page for my German books (we will have a Christmas sale) and updated the book file itself - realizing I should be doing that for all the other books too,
November 15, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The thing that always happens when I do a task: I think of another 5-6 tasks and jobs that need to be done XD have just updated my sales page for my German books (we will have a Christmas sale) and updated the book file itself - realizing I should be doing that for all the other books too,
A fusion of Japanese and Canadian food for my brunch. Living in Japan as a European means that you can enjoy delicious Japanese meals, but things like cheese, ham, spreads, and pickles are quite difficult to get. So while being here on workation in Montreal, I enjoy the local food 🥰 -
November 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A fusion of Japanese and Canadian food for my brunch. Living in Japan as a European means that you can enjoy delicious Japanese meals, but things like cheese, ham, spreads, and pickles are quite difficult to get. So while being here on workation in Montreal, I enjoy the local food 🥰 -
Let me help you - ask away, and I'll make a short and helpful video for you 😊
Yours, Manu-sensei
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #learnjapanese #japanesewithmanu #japaneseteacher #japaneselesson
Yours, Manu-sensei
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #learnjapanese #japanesewithmanu #japaneseteacher #japaneselesson
November 11, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Let me help you - ask away, and I'll make a short and helpful video for you 😊
Yours, Manu-sensei
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #learnjapanese #japanesewithmanu #japaneseteacher #japaneselesson
Yours, Manu-sensei
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #learnjapanese #japanesewithmanu #japaneseteacher #japaneselesson
The difference between 楽しいtanoshii and 面白い omoshiroi
Do you want more of my explanations and learning tips?
Sign up for my newsletter: www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
Do you want more of my explanations and learning tips?
Sign up for my newsletter: www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
November 9, 2025 at 5:20 AM
The difference between 楽しいtanoshii and 面白い omoshiroi
Do you want more of my explanations and learning tips?
Sign up for my newsletter: www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
Do you want more of my explanations and learning tips?
Sign up for my newsletter: www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
#japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson
I have arrived safely in Canada! The last days have been a little rough, but I am glad that I can be here. I had nice food, and the company is nice, too!
Does anyone have recommendations for Japanese restaurants/cafés in Montreal? Or any kind of recommendations in general?
Does anyone have recommendations for Japanese restaurants/cafés in Montreal? Or any kind of recommendations in general?
November 7, 2025 at 5:37 AM
I have arrived safely in Canada! The last days have been a little rough, but I am glad that I can be here. I had nice food, and the company is nice, too!
Does anyone have recommendations for Japanese restaurants/cafés in Montreal? Or any kind of recommendations in general?
Does anyone have recommendations for Japanese restaurants/cafés in Montreal? Or any kind of recommendations in general?
行(い)ってきます！itte kimasu!
And off I go!
Word by word translation: I go and come back (later)
行って itte is the te-form of 行く iku (to go)
See you in a few hours!
And off I go!
Word by word translation: I go and come back (later)
行って itte is the te-form of 行く iku (to go)
See you in a few hours!
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
行(い)ってきます！itte kimasu!
And off I go!
Word by word translation: I go and come back (later)
行って itte is the te-form of 行く iku (to go)
See you in a few hours!
And off I go!
Word by word translation: I go and come back (later)
行って itte is the te-form of 行く iku (to go)
See you in a few hours!
When/how to use particle へ (h)e
Particles are placed AFTER the word they refer to.
Particle へ is placed after a PLACE(NAME). It shows that you are moving in the direction of that place.
Pronunciation: Even though this is hiragana he, when へ is used as a particle, the H is dropped, so you say "eh"⬇️
Particles are placed AFTER the word they refer to.
Particle へ is placed after a PLACE(NAME). It shows that you are moving in the direction of that place.
Pronunciation: Even though this is hiragana he, when へ is used as a particle, the H is dropped, so you say "eh"⬇️
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 AM
When/how to use particle へ (h)e
Particles are placed AFTER the word they refer to.
Particle へ is placed after a PLACE(NAME). It shows that you are moving in the direction of that place.
Pronunciation: Even though this is hiragana he, when へ is used as a particle, the H is dropped, so you say "eh"⬇️
Particles are placed AFTER the word they refer to.
Particle へ is placed after a PLACE(NAME). It shows that you are moving in the direction of that place.
Pronunciation: Even though this is hiragana he, when へ is used as a particle, the H is dropped, so you say "eh"⬇️
And so it begins! First part of my trip to Canada.
これから東京への新幹線(しんかんせん)に乗(の)ります。
Korekara Toukyou (h)e no Shinkansen ni norimasu.
I am about to enter the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
(h)e へ for directions = to (place)
o の belonging/relation/which = of
ni に goal of an action = on/to in/to
これから東京への新幹線(しんかんせん)に乗(の)ります。
Korekara Toukyou (h)e no Shinkansen ni norimasu.
I am about to enter the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
(h)e へ for directions = to (place)
o の belonging/relation/which = of
ni に goal of an action = on/to in/to
November 3, 2025 at 4:39 AM
And so it begins! First part of my trip to Canada.
これから東京への新幹線(しんかんせん)に乗(の)ります。
Korekara Toukyou (h)e no Shinkansen ni norimasu.
I am about to enter the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
(h)e へ for directions = to (place)
o の belonging/relation/which = of
ni に goal of an action = on/to in/to
これから東京への新幹線(しんかんせん)に乗(の)ります。
Korekara Toukyou (h)e no Shinkansen ni norimasu.
I am about to enter the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
(h)e へ for directions = to (place)
o の belonging/relation/which = of
ni に goal of an action = on/to in/to
Today, I went for a lazy breakfast.
What can you already read?
What can you already read?
October 30, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Today, I went for a lazy breakfast.
What can you already read?
What can you already read?
Today, one of my students visited me in Fukui. We went to a Japanese garden.
What do you think is the purpose of those strings attached to the trees?
#japan #japanesegarden
What do you think is the purpose of those strings attached to the trees?
#japan #japanesegarden
October 30, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Today, one of my students visited me in Fukui. We went to a Japanese garden.
What do you think is the purpose of those strings attached to the trees?
#japan #japanesegarden
What do you think is the purpose of those strings attached to the trees?
#japan #japanesegarden
Sending you some colorful cranes 🥲
October 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Sending you some colorful cranes 🥲
This just happened in my neighborhood. I believe this is a lion dance, a ritual to get rid of misfortune, and to offer prayers for good health.
I like this kind of traditional Japanese music 😊
I like this kind of traditional Japanese music 😊
October 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM
This just happened in my neighborhood. I believe this is a lion dance, a ritual to get rid of misfortune, and to offer prayers for good health.
I like this kind of traditional Japanese music 😊
I like this kind of traditional Japanese music 😊
Today's episode is about koromogae 衣替え the seasonal change of clothing in Japan
japanese-with-manu.podigee.io/5-koromogae
For the notes of this episode, sign up for my newsletter. This way, you will also get a free 5 video introduction into the Japanese language:
www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
japanese-with-manu.podigee.io/5-koromogae
For the notes of this episode, sign up for my newsletter. This way, you will also get a free 5 video introduction into the Japanese language:
www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
October 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Today's episode is about koromogae 衣替え the seasonal change of clothing in Japan
japanese-with-manu.podigee.io/5-koromogae
For the notes of this episode, sign up for my newsletter. This way, you will also get a free 5 video introduction into the Japanese language:
www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
japanese-with-manu.podigee.io/5-koromogae
For the notes of this episode, sign up for my newsletter. This way, you will also get a free 5 video introduction into the Japanese language:
www.japanesewithmanu.com/newsletter
It is finally done! This block of red bean paste is filled with sweet boiled chestnuts. It's called 栗蒸し羊羹 kuri-mushi-youkan.
栗 kuri chestnuts
蒸し mushi steamed
羊羮 youkan jelly style sweets
I recorded the whole process, but it will take some time for editing.
#japan #wagashi #japanesesweets
栗 kuri chestnuts
蒸し mushi steamed
羊羮 youkan jelly style sweets
I recorded the whole process, but it will take some time for editing.
#japan #wagashi #japanesesweets
October 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
It is finally done! This block of red bean paste is filled with sweet boiled chestnuts. It's called 栗蒸し羊羹 kuri-mushi-youkan.
栗 kuri chestnuts
蒸し mushi steamed
羊羮 youkan jelly style sweets
I recorded the whole process, but it will take some time for editing.
#japan #wagashi #japanesesweets
栗 kuri chestnuts
蒸し mushi steamed
羊羮 youkan jelly style sweets
I recorded the whole process, but it will take some time for editing.
#japan #wagashi #japanesesweets
Next time you eat koshi-an, the smooth anko red bean paste version, know the efforts that went into making it 😅
Pushing the boiled beans through a super fine strainer right now 💪😁😭
#japanesefood #wagashi
Pushing the boiled beans through a super fine strainer right now 💪😁😭
#japanesefood #wagashi
October 17, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Next time you eat koshi-an, the smooth anko red bean paste version, know the efforts that went into making it 😅
Pushing the boiled beans through a super fine strainer right now 💪😁😭
#japanesefood #wagashi
Pushing the boiled beans through a super fine strainer right now 💪😁😭
#japanesefood #wagashi
Continuation of last time (with the chestnuts). I am going to prepare red bean paste!
#azukibeans #anko #japan #wagashi #japanesecooking #japanesefood #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #learnjapanese #japaneseforbeginners #japaneseteacher
#azukibeans #anko #japan #wagashi #japanesecooking #japanesefood #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #learnjapanese #japaneseforbeginners #japaneseteacher
October 17, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Continuation of last time (with the chestnuts). I am going to prepare red bean paste!
#azukibeans #anko #japan #wagashi #japanesecooking #japanesefood #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #learnjapanese #japaneseforbeginners #japaneseteacher
#azukibeans #anko #japan #wagashi #japanesecooking #japanesefood #japaneselanguage #studyjapanese #japaneselesson #japanesewithmanu #learnjapanese #japaneseforbeginners #japaneseteacher
Guess what these are 😊
October 15, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Guess what these are 😊
Good morning, everyone! I guess for most of you, the day is about to end, while mine has just begun.
As a conversation starter, talking about the weather is a nice ice breaker. Then, you can start with what you really want to say. The same can still be said about letters and even emails.
⬇️
As a conversation starter, talking about the weather is a nice ice breaker. Then, you can start with what you really want to say. The same can still be said about letters and even emails.
⬇️
October 15, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Good morning, everyone! I guess for most of you, the day is about to end, while mine has just begun.
As a conversation starter, talking about the weather is a nice ice breaker. Then, you can start with what you really want to say. The same can still be said about letters and even emails.
⬇️
As a conversation starter, talking about the weather is a nice ice breaker. Then, you can start with what you really want to say. The same can still be said about letters and even emails.
⬇️