ようこそ！！🙇‍♂️ Youkoso! Welcome to this week's new members!! Everyone can answer this question, new member or seasoned veteran: Rice or noodles?🍚🍜 ご飯か麺か？🤤🤤 Welcome: @Athalia Jefrey @Briannia Rucker @Amanda M @Rachit Valecha @Shivani Bandagar @Anabel Olivares @Martin Toranzo @Ramon Montes @Guido Chomnalez @Aditay Jeliya @Hrishikesh Patil @Md shahriar Chowdhury @Daniel Hagan @Atul Sooden @Rhit Zyy @Tirth Patel @Francesca Naccarato @Andra Constantinescu @Maxym Sanchez--Boulay @Nandkishor Meena

✏️ Goal: Write a short diary entry in Japanese 🗒️ Topic: A good day ✅ Beginner 今日、高校で日本語を教えました。 Kyō, kōkō de Nihongo o oshiemashita. Today, I taught Japanese at high school. 今年の新しい生徒にたくさん会いました。 Kotoshi no atarashii seito ni takusan aimashita. I met many new students. 生徒はとても熱心でした。 Seito wa totemo nesshin deshita. The students were very enthusiastic. 日本語を学ぶ楽しさを、みんなと分かち合いたいです。 Nihongo o manabu tanoshisa o, minna to wakachiaitai desu. I want to share the fun of learning Japanese with everyone. 高校生は時々失礼なこともあります。 Kōkōsei wa tokidoki shitsurei na koto mo arimasu. Sometimes high school students can be rude. でも、今日はとても良い日でした。 Demo, kyō wa totemo yoi hi deshita. But today was a very good day. ✅ Advanced 今日は高校で日本語を教え、今年初めて多くの新しい生徒たちに会いました。 みんなとても前向きで、学ぶ意欲が感じられました。 日本語を学ぶ楽しさや、自分の情熱をこれから共有していけることが楽しみです。 高校生は時々、失礼だったり思いやりに欠けることもありますが、 今日はそれ以上に前向きなエネルギーを感じる一日でした。 🫵 Your Turn Write 3–5 sentences about your day. You can start with: 今日、＿＿＿をしました。 ＿＿＿は＿＿＿でした。 とても良い日でした。 Short and simple is perfect 😊 Post your diary below — I’ll give feedback.

Each week, let's write about our week or day and try to improve our sentence building skills. This week I moved into a new apartment! I’ll share the story in Japanese at different levels so everyone can learn something new. Read the version that suits your level — or challenge yourself with the next one! 💪 If you have any questions, feel free to ask! --- (Beginner) あたらしいアパートにひっこししました。 たいへんでした。でも、この家はすてきですから、うれしいです。 Atarashii apaato ni hikkoshimashita. Taihen deshita. Demo, Kono ie wa suteki desu Kara, ureshii desu. apaato - apartment/flat Hikkoshimashita - moved into Taihen - tough ie - home/house suteki - lovely 🥢 (N5) 今しゅう　あたらしい　アパートに　ひっこしました。 たくさん　はこを　はこびました。 体が　すこし　いたいです。 でも　あたらしい　家は　きれいです。 今日は　やすみます。 --- ⚔️ Elementary (N5–N4) 今週　新しい　アパートに　ひっこしました。 たくさんの　はこや　かぐを　うごかしたので、　とても　つかれました。 でも　新しい　アパートは　すてきで　ひかりが　たくさん　はいります。 今日は　コーヒーを　のみながら　ゆっくり　します。 --- 🏯 Intermediate (N4–N3) 今週は新しいアパートにひっこしました。 家具やはこを運ぶのはたいへんでしたが、とてもやりがいがありました。 新しい家は前のところよりも光が入っているし、町に近くて便利だし、　毎日の生活が楽しみです。 今日はやっとすこし自分の時間を作って、　のんびりしたいと思います。 --- 💬 Your Turn What was your week like? Try writing your own mini diary in Japanese — even two lines is fine! I’ll reply with gentle corrections and tips. Let’s keep learning together: 継続は力なり — Consistency is power!

This week’s fact is about something simple that carries deep meaning in Japan: chopstick etiquette. At first glance, chopstick manners might look just like “rules”… But in Japan, they’re really about respect, memory and relationships. 🥢 Japan Fact Friday — Chopsticks & Meaning Chopsticks (箸・はし) are everyday tools in Japan, but how you use them matters just as much as what you eat. Here are a few common manners — and what they truly mean: ❌ Sticking chopsticks upright in rice This is only done at funerals as an offering to the dead. Doing this at the table reminds people of death — so it’s deeply uncomfortable. ❌ Passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks This mirrors a funeral ritual where bones are passed after cremation. Even if the intention is kind, the association is very strong. ❌ Pointing with chopsticks This can feel aggressive or rude — like pointing a finger at someone. ❌ Digging through dishes to “search” for foodCalled saguri-bashi, it suggests impatience or selfishness. ✅ Placing chopsticks neatly when not eatingThis shows care, calmness, and consideration for others. 🧠 The Deeper Meaning These manners aren’t about being strict or formal — they reflect core Japanese values: • respect for others• awareness of shared space• remembering ancestors and tradition• harmony at the table Even small actions communicate who you are. ✨ Why This Matters for Learners Understanding manners helps you understand the culture — not just the language. And honestly? Japanese people don’t expect perfection… they appreciate awareness. 🫵 Your Turn Which chopstick rule surprised you the most? Have you ever worried about making a chopstick mistake in Japan? Can you use chopsticks? Answer in English or Japanese 😊

Introduce yourself and share a pic of something Japanese you own or something Japanese that you're interested in! Feel free to explain why you want to learn Japanese or what you like about Japan. Also, feel free to post any Japanese language questions you have. I'd be glad to answer them! As for me, I love learning Judo. Have you ever tried it? And I love Japanese literature, such as Kokoro by Natsume Soseki. Have you read any Japanese novels? I also really enjoyed Cowboy Bebop when it came out! Not the live action Netflix version! To start learning, I highly recommend Your 50 First Sentences Course: https://www.skool.com/japanese/classroom/fe1c2853?md=60ee3552d26e4ffcb910a86675e10f95 Arigatou, Joe Sensei.