結構 (けっこう) is a word that is considered 丁寧語 (polite language), but in a confusing twist it can mean "fine"; "good" but it can also mean "unneeded"; "no thank you". This means that the meaning will be dependent on the situation. Here are some examples of each meaning to practice with.
(from a book about 敬語 - 外国人のための日本語敬語の使い方)
結構です
① いいです；OKです
シンプルなデザインで結構です。
A simple design is fine.
飲み物は少なくて結構です。
I am fine with just a little bit of drink.
急がないので、明日で結構です。
I am not in a hurry, so tomorrow is fine.
店員：サイズはMだけになりますが…。
Clerk: We only have this in size M...
客：はい、結構です。
Customer: Yes, that is fine.
② 要らない
デザートは結構です。
I do not need dessert.
店員：ポテトはいかがですか。
Clerk: Would you like fries with that?
客：結構です。
Customer: No, thank you.
Aさん：お昼を食べに行きませんか。
A: Would you like to go eat lunch?
Bさん：私は結構です。お弁当を持ってきたので。
B: I'm fine. I brought a lunch.
Want to move to Japan? Me too! Lately I’ve seen a lot of Instagram pages dedicated to showing off cheap homes in Japan. These pages usually just link back to a Japanese real estate website, so I’d like to list some handy vocabulary to help you navigate the sites and find some houses on your own!
Note: This post was made with intermediate level Japanese learners in mind. It's meant to be a vocabulary list with visual examples, not an all-inclusive house buying guide.
For general website navigation, I’d recommend the RikaiChan / RikaiKun extensions which will display a translation of each word you mouse over.
What Websites?
I really like SUUMO, so that will be the site I use for the example pictures. But any website will have more or less the same words!
Navigating the Website
[ 1 ] Creating an Account
会員（かいいん）登録（とうろく）：Member Registration
[ 2 ] Search
探す（さがす）：Search / Find
This word will come up a lot!
The search function may also appear as...
検索（けんさく）：Search
物件（ぶっけん）検索：Property Search
Suumo has a nifty map on the front page. If you know the region you'd like to search in, you can choose it here.
[ 5 ] House Terminology
If you've taken a Japanese class, you may have learned that the Japanese word for house is 家 or いえ. Unfortunately, this short and simple word isn't used much on real estate websites. The following terms are typically used instead.
一戸建て（いっこだて）：Detached Building
A standalone house, as opposed to an apartment or condo.
新築（しんちく）一戸建て：New Buildings
中古（ちゅうこ）一戸建て：Old Buildings
中古 can mean "old", "used", or “secondhand”, none of which sound ideal, but all it means is that the house that has been lived in previously. This is where you find the cheap ones!
Finding Houses
Once you have the region and building type selected, you’ll see a new map you can use to select the prefecture. I'll highlight a few key search methods on this screen.
[ 1 ] Search by Area（エリア）
Click on a prefecture to bring up a checklist of cities and districts.
At the bottom of the list, you'll see two options: refining the search further or proceeding with the checked options.
「チェックした市区郡の町名を絞り込む」
"Narrow by town names of checked cities/wards/districts"
市区郡（しくぐん）："City Ward District"
町名（ちょうめい）：Town Name
絞り込む（しぼりこむ）：Narrow / Refine
「この条件で検索する」
"Search with these conditions"
条件（じょうけん）：Condition / Term
The orange number shows how many total properties were found with the checked selections. Click the blue search button if you want to jump straight to the houses without refining the search.
[ 2 ] Search by Railway（沿線）or Station（駅）
Click on a prefecture to bring up a checklist of railways.
At the bottom of the list, you'll see two options: refining the search further or proceeding with the checked options.
「チェックした沿線の駅を絞り込む」
"Narrow by stations of checked railways"
Once again, the orange number shows how many total properties were found with the checked selections. Click the blue search button if you want to jump straight to the houses without refining the search.
[ 3 ] Search by Map（地図、ちず）
Clicking here will open up a much more detailed map that you can scroll through! Definitely the easiest option, which is why I put it last. :)
The End.
Hopefully you found some of these words useful.
I might do one more post related to houses, where I highlight vocabulary describing the houses themselves (instead of just how to search for them).
For now, here's the complete vocab list for ease of viewing:
More neat words and phrases I've come across while "studying".
I did my best to translate, but corrections/suggestions are always welcome.
お手上げ：to give up, hopeless (literally, "to raise one's hands")
お：honorific prefix
手：て、hand(s)
上げ：あげ、raise
This phrase describes giving up, or being in a situation so hopeless that the only thing you can do is throw your hands up in the air and walk away from the problem.
I guess something could be considered common if it happens at least once a month. Apparently, this phrase was originally used as an insult towards old-fashioned poets who would meet monthly to write poetry.
In this case, the NPC used this phrase about playing a game, because these guys always do that when they're hanging in a tent.
「月並みだけど、ゲームしてみるのなんて 楽しそうじゃない？」
"[It's] cliché, but doesn't it seem fun to try something like playing a game?"
In the screenshot, I opted to translate it as "nothing special" to try and sound more natural. I think past me was onto something.
To make studying fun, I often play video games in Japanese. The other day, I found a neat idiom when an NPC gave me a gift.
宝の持ち腐れ：literally, “a treasure rotting in hand”
宝：たから、"treasure"
の：here, the possessive marker turns the next verb into a noun
持ち：もち、"have" or "hold"
腐れ：ぐされ、"rot"
It has the same meaning as the English phrase “pearls before swine”. Essentially, it means that something nice / valuable is being wasted on someone who does not appreciate it or use it to full potential.
Putting it all together to translate the text, we get:
今のボクには 宝の持ち腐れさ
As for me right now, [it's like] pearls before swine.
キミなら 使いこなせると思って、まさしく。
If it's you, I thought [you'd be] able to make use of [it], indeed.
After saying this, he gave me a rug. Not the treasure I was hoping for!
does anybody got recommendations for good resources to practise reading Japanese?
I'm looking for like something like with mostly hiragana and katakana characters and just a small amount of kanji. something like manga or a magazine would probably be the most fun, but maybe like an elementary school story book would be easier to find?
I need to actively practice my kana so i don't lose it and drilling the list of characters is really boring.
i always recommend tadoku if you want something beginner-friendly. they have a lot of short stories organized by level and it's easy to go through and see which ones are suitable for you. most of the beginning level ones will have furigana even if they use kanji so they should still be good practice if you want to stick with hiragana/katakana.
Absolutely agree! The NPO Tagengo Tadoku currently is the best free online archive for graded readers in Japanese and has been for a while now.
If you are interested in physical books, I can recommend the following series:
レベル別（べつ）日本語多読（にほんごたどく）ライブラリー
日本語多読（にほんごたどく）ブックス
げんき多読（たどく）ブックス
The first two series follow the same level system as the free online archive above (0=absolute beginner to 5=advanced), but the third series is designed to accompany the Genki textbooks, so books 1-2 are for book 1 and 3-4 are for book 2.
Gorgeous royal blue calligraphy! The surname 馬頭 Batō belongs to about 240 people. It's also something else, but that is a secret for the end of the post! And 鍼灸院 [しんきゅういん] means acupuncture and moxibustion clinic.
馬 is read うま, ま, or バ. As the 灬 pawprints/flame radical often indicates, it's an animal! Specifically, a horse.
頭 is read あたま, かしら, -がしら, かぶり, トウ, ズ, or ト. It means head, and it's also the counter for large animals [-とう]. (More on that here.)
鍼 is read はり, さ.す, or シン. It means needle. The radicals are 金 metal and 減 reduce—mnemonic: a needle is a tiny piece of metal.
灸 is read やいと, キュウ, or ク. It means moxibustion, which is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy of burning mugwort (moxa) on different points of the body. (But it doesn't hurt! In my limited experience.) The radicals are 久 long ago and 火 fire—mnemonic: it's a fire technique that's been practiced for a long time.
院 is always read イン. It means institution, temple, school, or mansion. It is often a suffix for temple, building, or organization names.
Okay, now, finally! Time for the secret! When 馬頭 Batō is not a name, it is this:
[Ukiyo-e map], an interactive database showing the real locations behind famous painter Utagawa Hiroshige‘s works (thanks Nautiljon for the discovery!)
Listed on this site are the following series:
One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, like the peaceful garden of Kameido:
Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces, with among others raging Naruto whirpool of Awa:
The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, my favourite being the Hakone pass:
30 Of My favorites Compliments in Japanese to Praise Artists and Their Work
I love complimenting artists; I like them to know that their work is always amazing, and I enjoy motivating them. Since I started creating pixel art, I have become very close to Japanese artists and realized that it is much easier to compliment them in Japanese, as it seems to make them feel more comfortable! That’s why I put together a list of compliments! Feel free to use them and correct me!
1. 素晴らしい作品ですね。 (Subarashii sakuhin desu ne.)
“It’s a wonderful piece of work.”
2. とても感動しました。 (Totemo kandō shimashita.)
“I was very moved.”
3. あなたの才能に驚かされます。 (Anata no sainō ni odorokasaremasu.)
“I am amazed by your talent.”
4. 色使いが本当に綺麗ですね。 (Irozukai ga hontō ni kirei desu ne.)
“The use of colors is really beautiful.”
5. 細部まで丁寧に描かれていますね。 (Saibu made teinei ni kakareteimasu ne.)
“The details are drawn so carefully.”
6. ユニークなスタイルですね。 (Yunīku na sutairu desu ne.)
“You have a unique style.”
7. 本当に才能がありますね。 (Hontō ni sainō ga arimasu ne.)
“You truly have talent.”
8. 見ていてとても楽しいです。 (Miteite totemo tanoshii desu.)
“It’s very enjoyable to look at.”
9. 構図が素晴らしいです。 (Kōzu ga subarashii desu.)
“The composition is amazing.”
10. こんな作品を作れるなんて信じられません。 (Konna sakuhin o tsukureru nante shinjiraremasen.)
“I can’t believe you can create such a piece.”
11. とても独創的ですね。 (Totemo dokusōteki desu ne.)
“It’s very creative.”
12. あなたの作品はいつもインスピレーションを与えてくれます。 (Anata no sakuhin wa itsumo insupirēshon o ataete kuremasu.)
“Your work always gives me inspiration.”
13. 表現力が豊かですね。 (Hyōgenryoku ga yutaka desu ne.)
“Your expressive power is remarkable.”
14. 見るたびに新しい発見があります。 (Miru tabi ni atarashī hakken ga arimasu.)
“I discover something new every time I look at it.”
15. あなたの作品には心がこもっていますね。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa kokoro ga komotteimasu ne.)
“Your work has so much heart in it.”
16. あなたの作品には魂が宿っています。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa tamashī ga yadotteimasu.)
“Your artwork has a soul in it.”
17. 発想力がすごいですね。 (Hassōryoku ga sugoi desu ne.)
“Your creativity is amazing.”
18. あなたのスタイルはとても独特です。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo dokutoku desu.)
“Your style is very distinctive.”
19. 作品に強いメッセージ性を感じます。 (Sakuhin ni tsuyoi messe-ji sei o kanjimasu.)
“I feel a strong message in your work.”
20. この作品を見ると、何かを感じずにはいられません。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, nanika o kanjizu ni wa iraremasen.)
“I can’t help but feel something when I look at this piece.”
21. あなたの作品を見ていると、とても幸せな気持ちになります。 (Anata no sakuhin o miteiru to, totemo shiawase na kimochi ni narimasu.)
“Looking at your work makes me feel very happy.”
22. どの作品も心に響きます。 (Dono sakuhin mo kokoro ni hibikimasu.)
“Every piece of your work resonates with my heart.”
23. この作品の雰囲気がとても好きです。 (Kono sakuhin no fun’iki ga totemo suki desu.)
“I really like the atmosphere of this piece.”
24. あなたのアートはとても洗練されています。 (Anata no āto wa totemo senren sareteimasu.)
“Your art is very refined.”
25. この作品からインスピレーションをたくさんもらいました。 (Kono sakuhin kara insupirēshon o takusan moraimashita.)
“I received a lot of inspiration from this piece.”
26. あなたの技術は素晴らしいです。 (Anata no gijutsu wa subarashii desu.)
“Your technique is superb.”
27. これからの作品も楽しみにしています。 (Korekara no sakuhin mo tanoshimi ni shiteimasu.)
“I’m looking forward to your future works as well.”
28. 色彩の使い方がとても巧みですね。 (Shikisai no tsukaikata ga totemo takumi desu ne.)
“Your use of colors is very skillful.”
29. こんなに素晴らしい作品を見たことがありません。 (Konna ni subarashii sakuhin o mita koto ga arimasen.)
“I’ve never seen such an amazing piece of work.”
30. あなたの描くキャラクターはとても魅力的です。 (Anata no kaku kyarakutā wa totemo miryokuteki desu.)
“The characters you draw are very captivating.”
Some observations made by my Japanese study friends!
1. あなたの作品には魂が宿っています。
This phrase is correct, but it’s quite poetic. If you want a simpler expression:
あなたの作品には力強さを感じます。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa chikarazuyosa o kanjimasu.)
“I feel strength in your work.”
2. 発想力がすごいですね。
Correct and commonly used.
3. あなたのスタイルはとても独特です。
Correct, but for a softer tone, you could say:
あなたのスタイルはとても個性的ですね。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo koseiteki desu ne.)
“Your style is very unique and individual.”
4. 作品に強いメッセージ性を感じます。
Correct, but slightly formal. You could also say:
作品から強いメッセージを感じます。 (Sakuhin kara tsuyoi messe-ji o kanjimasu.)
“I feel a strong message from your work.”
5. この作品を見ると、何かを感じずにはいられません。
This phrase is fine, but can be made simpler:
この作品を見ると、心が動かされます。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, kokoro ga ugokasaremasu.)
“When I look at this piece, my heart is moved.”
6. あなたの作品を見ていると、とても幸せな気持ちになります。
This is correct and conveys the intended meaning well.
7. どの作品も心に響きます。
Correct and natural.
8. この作品の雰囲気がとても好きです。
Correct and natural.
9. あなたのアートはとても洗練されています。
This is fine, but “アート” (āto) is a bit casual. Using 作品 (sakuhin) might be better for a more formal tone:
あなたの作品はとても洗練されています。
10. この作品からインスピレーションをたくさんもらいました。
This is correct. Another way to say it:
この作品にとても刺激を受けました。 (Kono sakuhin ni totemo shigeki o ukemashita.)
“I was very inspired by this piece.”
11. あなたの技術は素晴らしいです。
Correct and natural.
12. これからの作品も楽しみにしています。
Correct and natural.
13. 色彩の使い方がとても巧みですね。
Correct and suitable.
14. こんなに素晴らしい作品を見たことがありません。
Correct, but sounds slightly dramatic. A softer version:
こんな素敵な作品を見たことがないです。 (Konna sutekina sakuhin o mita koto ga nai desu.)
15. あなたの描くキャラクターはとても魅力的です。
Correct, but can be shortened for a more natural tone:
あなたのキャラクターは魅力的ですね。 (Anata no kyarakutā wa miryokuteki desu ne.)
16. あなたの作品には魂が宿っています。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa tamashī ga yadotteimasu.)
Correct, but it’s quite poetic and intense. A simpler alternative could be:
あなたの作品には強い感情を感じます。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa tsuyoi kanjō o kanjimasu.)
“I feel strong emotions in your work.”
17. 発想力がすごいですね。 (Hassōryoku ga sugoi desu ne.)
Correct and natural for complimenting creativity.
18. あなたのスタイルはとても独特です。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo dokutoku desu.)
Correct, but “独特” (dokutoku) can be interpreted neutrally. For a more positive tone, use:
あなたのスタイルはとても個性的です。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo koseiteki desu.)
“Your style is very unique and individual.”
19. 作品に強いメッセージ性を感じます。 (Sakuhin ni tsuyoi messe-ji sei o kanjimasu.)
Correct, but it can be simplified:
作品から強いメッセージを感じます。 (Sakuhin kara tsuyoi messe-ji o kanjimasu.)
“I feel a strong message from your work.”
20. この作品を見ると、何かを感じずにはいられません。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, nanika o kanjizu ni wa iraremasen.)
Correct, but it’s a bit formal and literary. A simpler alternative could be:
この作品を見ると、心が動かされます。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, kokoro ga ugokasaremasu.)
“When I look at this piece, my heart is moved.”
21. あなたの作品を見ていると、とても幸せな気持ちになります。 (Anata no sakuhin o miteiru to, totemo shiawase na kimochi ni narimasu.)
Correct and natural. No adjustments needed.
22. どの作品も心に響きます。 (Dono sakuhin mo kokoro ni hibikimasu.)
Correct and natural.
23. この作品の雰囲気がとても好きです。 (Kono sakuhin no fun’iki ga totemo suki desu.)
Correct and natural.
24. あなたのアートはとても洗練されています。 (Anata no āto wa totemo senren sareteimasu.)
Correct, but the word “アート” (āto) is a bit casual. Using “作品” (sakuhin) might be more appropriate for a formal tone:
あなたの作品はとても洗練されています。
“Your work is very refined.”
25. この作品からインスピレーションをたくさんもらいました。 (Kono sakuhin kara insupirēshon o takusan moraimashita.)
Correct. Another way to say it:
この作品にとても刺激を受けました。 (Kono sakuhin ni totemo shigeki o ukemashita.)
“I was very inspired by this piece.”
26. あなたの技術は素晴らしいです。 (Anata no gijutsu wa subarashii desu.)
Correct and natural.
27. これからの作品も楽しみにしています。 (Korekara no sakuhin mo tanoshimi ni shiteimasu.)
Correct and natural.
28. 色彩の使い方がとても巧みですね。 (Shikisai no tsukaikata ga totemo takumi desu ne.)
Correct and suitable.
29. こんなに素晴らしい作品を見たことがありません。 (Konna ni subarashii sakuhin o mita koto ga arimasen.)
Correct, but it sounds slightly dramatic. A softer version would be:
こんな素敵な作品を見たことがないです。 (Konna sutekina sakuhin o mita koto ga nai desu.)
“I’ve never seen such a wonderful piece.”
30. あなたの描くキャラクターはとても魅力的です。 (Anata no kaku kyarakutā wa totemo miryokuteki desu.)
Correct, but can be shortened for a more natural tone:
あなたのキャラクターは魅力的ですね。 (Anata no kyarakutā wa miryokuteki desu ne.)
“Your characters are captivating.”
This list was quite a bit of work to make, but it was very fun! I would appreciate it if you shared it! Thank yoooooou!
areudirty
jbbartram-illu
kianamaiart
snowghoul
yousharknotpass
blakekathryn
