にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi cover art

にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi

にほんごのたね Nihongo no Tane with Yumi

By: TheJapanesePage.com
Listen for free

About this listen

 A weekly podcast for upper beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Listen to Yumi talk about... whatever she wants to talk about. Practice your listening comprehension with natural (howbeit slightly slowed down) Japanese on various topics such as Japanese culture, fun idioms, and, of course, cats. The episodes can be enjoyed in any order. -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript and a list of key vocabulary. www.MakotoPlus.comCopyright 2020 All rights reserved. Language Learning
Episodes
  • Nihongo no Tane 172: 娘のミュージカル My Daughter’s Musical | Japanese Immersion podcast

    Nihongo no Tane 172: 娘のミュージカル My Daughter’s Musical | Japanese Immersion podcast
    Sep 2 2025
    In this episode, Yumi shares a heartwarming story about her 17-year-old daughter’s summer vacation, which turned into an unexpected adventure on stage. What began as a small supporting role in a local production of the Percy Jackson Musical soon transformed into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: being chosen as the lead. From the excitement of her very first audition to the challenges of daily rehearsals and the triumph of nine successful performances, Yumi reflects on the surprises, the hard work, and the “secret” behind what might seem like just good luck. A touching glimpse into family life, perseverance, and the magic of following one’s dreams. KEY VOCABULARY: 新学期(しんがっき) — "New school term/semester." 新(しん) means "new," and 学期(がっき) means "school term" or "semester."2週目位(しゅうめぐらい) — "Around the second week." 週(しゅう) means "week," 目(め) is an ordinal marker ("the second week"), and 位(くらい) means "approximately." Put together, it means "about the second week."夏休(なつやす)みの間中夢中(あいだじゅうむちゅう) — "Absorbed the whole summer vacation." 夏休(なつやす)み means "summer vacation," 間中(あいだじゅ) means "throughout; the whole time," and 夢中(むちゅう) means "absorbed; obsessed; completely into something."神話(しんわ) — "Myth; mythology." 神 means "god," and 話 means "story" or "tale."ティーン向(む)け — "For teenagers; aimed at teens." ティーン (from English "teenager") and 向(む)け ("intended for; geared toward"). Used for products, media, or content aimed at a teenage audience.劇場(げきじょう) — "Theater." 劇 means "drama; play," and 場 means "place." Together, "place for drama" →端役(はやく) — "Minor role; small part (in a play)." 端 means "edge" or "side," and 役 means "role."チョイ役(やく) — "Bit part; cameo role." チョイ is a colloquial shortening of ちょっと ("a little"), and 役(やく) means "role." Literally "a little role."出演(しゅつえん) — "Appearance; performance." 出 means "to go out/appear," and 演(えん) means "performance." Together, "to appear on stage, in a show, or on screen." 主役(しゅやく) — "Leading role; main character." 主 means "main" or "primary," and 役(やく) means "role."代役(だいやく) — "Substitute role; understudy." 代(だい) means "replacement/substitute," and 役(やく) means "role." Refers to someone who steps in to play a part instead of the original actor.持(も)ち上(あ)がった — "Came up; arose." From the verb 持(も)ち上(あ)がる (to be raised; to arise). The past tense form 持(も)ち上(あ)がった means "came up" or "was brought up." Often used for topics, issues, or proposals that suddenly appear.挑戦(ちょうせん) — "Challenge; attempt." 挑(ちょう) means "to challenge," and 戦 means "battle." Together, "to challenge oneself" or "to try." Can be used as a noun or as a verb with する (挑戦(ちょうせん)する = "to challenge/attempt").公演(こうえん) — "Performance (stage)." 公(こう) means "public," and 演(えん) means "performance." Refers specifically to a theatrical performance, musical, or play presented to an audience.初舞台大成功(はつぶたいだいせいこう) — "Debut stage, great success." 初(はつ) means "first," 舞台(ぶたい) means "stage," 大(だい) means "big," and 成功(せいこう) means "success." Together, "a debut stage performance that was a big success."滞(とどこお)りなく — "Smoothly; without delay." 滞(とどこお)り means "hindrance; delay; stagnation," and なく is the negative form ("without"). Expression meaning "without problems; smoothly."本格的(ほんかくてき) — "Authentic; full-scale; serious." 本格(ほんかく) means "real thing; authentic style," and 的 turns it into an adjective. Refers to something being genuine, professional, or proper.一応(いちおう) — "For the time being; sort of; just in case." Used to soften statements, meaning "tentatively," "to some extent," or "for the record." Can imply something is not perfect but sufficient.非常(ひじょう) — "Extreme; very; extraordinary." 非 means "non-/not," and 常 means "usual." Literally "not usual" → "extraordinary; unusual; very." Often used in 非常(ひじょう)に ("extremely; very").女優(じょゆう)さん — "Actress." 女 means "woman," 優 means "performer/actor." さん is the polite suffix. Refers to a female actor.素人(しろうと)さん — "Amateur; non-professional." 素 means "plain; unrefined," and 人 means "person." Together, "amateur" or "non-professional." さん adds politeness.抜擢(ばってき)された — "Was selected; was chosen (for a special role)." 抜擢(ばってき) means "selection for a prominent position, often unexpectedly." された is the passive form of する, so 抜擢(ばってき)された...
    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Nihongo no Tane 171: ラジオ番組 Radio Show | Japanese Immersion podcast

    Nihongo no Tane 171: ラジオ番組 Radio Show | Japanese Immersion podcast
    Jun 16 2025
    In this episode, Yumi visits her family home in Japan, only to find it cold, boring, and isolating—with no internet, books, or entertainment. Feeling stuck in what she jokingly calls a "mini-prison," she unexpectedly finds joy in a Japanese radio show. Listener stories and nostalgic memories rekindle her love for storytelling and inspire her to share more fun tales with her audience. A charming reflection on boredom, discovery, and the power of laughter. KEY VOCABULARY: 刑務所(けいむしょ) — "Prison." 刑(けい) means "punishment" or "penalty," and 務所(むしょ) means "workplace" or "institution." Together, this refers to a penal institution where people serve criminal sentences.大(おお)げさ — "Exaggerated; over the top." This word is used to describe something overly dramatic or blown out of proportion. Often used to modestly admit to possible exaggeration, as in "maybe I’m exaggerating."ローカル局(きょく) — "Local TV/radio station." ローカル means "local" (borrowed from English), and 局(きょく) means "bureau" or "station." Together, it refers to a regional broadcasting station.映(うつ)る — "To be reflected; to be broadcast." This verb often refers to something being visible on a screen or being shown on TV. In this context, it means "to be shown (on TV)."高齢(こうれい) — "Elderly; advanced in age." A formal term used to describe older individuals. Common in written and official contexts.どういうわけか — "For some reason." A phrase used when the reason is unknown or unclear. It adds an air of mystery or puzzlement.契約以上(けいやくいじょう) — "Beyond the contract limit." 契約(けいやく) means "contract" or "agreement," and 以上(いじょう) means "more than" or "beyond." Used when referring to exceeding agreed terms, such as data usage limits.節約(せつやく) — "Saving; economizing." Often refers to cutting expenses or conserving resources. Used commonly in household and budget discussions.放送局(ほうそうきょく) — "Broadcasting station." 放送(ほうそう) means "broadcast," and 局(きょく) is "bureau/station." This refers to a television or radio network office or station. 日曜天国(にちようてんごく) — "Sunday Heaven." The title of a radio program. 日曜(にちよう) means "Sunday," and 天国(てんごく) means "heaven" or "paradise." Together it conveys a cheerful, relaxing Sunday-themed show.一部分(いちぶぶん) — "A part; a portion." 一部(いちぶ) means "one part," and 分(ぶん) also means "portion" or "segment." Emphasizes that only a partial section of something is being referred to.クスクス — "Chuckle." An onomatopoeia representing soft, suppressed laughter, like giggling to oneself.ゲラゲラ — "Loud laughter." Another onomatopoeia, this time representing uninhibited, hearty laughter.リスナーさん — "Listener (polite)." リスナー is a borrowed word meaning "listener," and さん adds a polite and respectful tone.おハガキ — "Letter/postcard (from a listener)." ハガキ means postcard, and お is an honorific prefix used to show politeness or respect toward the sender.一言(ひとこと) — "One remark; a few words." Literally “one word,” but used to mean a short statement or comment.帰(かえ)ってくるなり — "As soon as (someone) gets home." 帰(かえ)ってくる is "to come back home," and なり expresses an immediate sequence — something happened immediately upon return.恐竜(きょうりゅう) — "Dinosaur."体験談(たいけんだん) — "Personal story or experience." 体験(たいけん) means "experience," and 談(だん) means "story or talk." Together, it refers to a shared anecdote or testimony.いたんだよって — "They were there, you know?" いた is the past form of いる (to exist, for living things), んだ emphasizes explanation, よ adds assertion, and って is quoting a statement.自身(じしん) — "Oneself; self." Often used to emphasize the subject personally, as in “his own experience.”地元(じもと) — "Local; hometown." Refers to one’s home area or region.案外人(あんがいひと) — "Surprisingly, people..." 案外(あんがい) means "unexpectedly" or "surprisingly," and 人(ひと) here refers to people. Often used to express that people may react in a way that’s not expected.癒(いや)すもの — "Something that heals." 癒す means "to heal" or "soothe," and もの ("thing") indicates the object that performs the action.気取(きど)りで — "With the air of; acting like." 気取(きど)り means "pretension" or "affectation," and で indicates the manner in which something is done — in this case, acting as if one were an announcer. For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this ...
    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Nihongo no Tane 170: 日本のお風呂 Japanese Bath | Japanese Immersion podcast

    Nihongo no Tane 170: 日本のお風呂 Japanese Bath | Japanese Immersion podcast
    May 5 2025
    In this episode, Yumi returns to Japan in the dead of winter, navigating the chill of an old house, the busyness of inheritance matters, and the quiet grief of family loss. Amid the hardship, she rediscovers the simple joy of soaking in a deep, warm bath. A heartfelt story of discomfort, tradition, and small comforts KEY VOCABULARY: はや — "Already; soon." Often implies that time has passed quickly. In the phrase はや3週間(しゅうかん), it intensifies the feeling of how fast those three weeks went by. Common in conversational and narrative contexts.相続(そうぞく) — "Inheritance." 相 means "mutual" or "together," and 続 means "to continue." Refers to the process of passing assets or rights from the deceased to their heirs.手続(てつづ)きなど — "Procedures and such." 手続(てつづ)き means "procedure" or "formalities" (手(て) = hand, 続(つづ)き = continuation). The など ("etc.") softens the statement and implies that other tasks were also involved.ドタバタしていて — "Being hectic or frantic." ドタバタ is onomatopoeic, evoking loud, busy movement. していて is the て-form of する + the progressive いる, showing an ongoing hectic state.追(お)われているような — "As if being chased." 追(お)われている is the passive progressive form of 追(お)う ("to chase"), indicating "being chased." ような compares the speaker’s situation to that of someone being chased.断熱材(だんねつざい) — "Insulation material." 断 = to block/cut off, 熱 = heat, 材 = material. Used to describe materials that prevent the transfer of heat in buildings.ほぼ — "Almost; nearly." An adverb used to express approximation, indicating that two things are nearly the same (e.g., temperatures inside and outside the house).襲(おそ)われる — "To be struck; attacked." Passive form of 襲(おそ)う ("to attack"). Here, used metaphorically to describe the sharp, overwhelming feeling of cold when leaving the futon.着替(きが)えなくてはいけません — "Have to change clothes." 着替(きが)える = to change clothes. 〜なくてはいけません is a grammatical structure meaning "must" or "have to." Expresses necessity or obligation. 燃料代(ねんりょうだい) — "Fuel cost." 燃料(ねんりょう) = fuel, and 代(だい) = fee or cost. Together, refers to the expense of heating fuel.電気代(でんきだい) — "Electricity bill." 電気(でんき) = electricity, 代(だい) = cost. Common compound used to refer to household electricity expenses.非常(ひじょう)に — "Extremely; very." A formal adverb often used in written or polite speech to emphasize intensity.ままならず — "Unable to; not going as desired." Classical negative form of ままなる ("to go as intended"). This structure implies a frustrating lack of control, often due to circumstances.唯一(ゆいいつ) — "Only; sole." A compound meaning "one" (唯) and "exist" (一), used to describe something that is one-of-a-kind or exclusive.幸(さいわ)い — "Fortunately; luckily." Can function as both a noun and an adverb. Formal or literary in tone; expresses relief or unexpected fortune.ゆったり — "Leisurely; relaxed." An adverb describing a calm, spacious, and unhurried manner—often used for comfort or space, such as in a bath.伸(の)ばして — "Stretching out." 伸(の)ばす = to stretch or extend. The て-form (伸(の)ばして) is used here to connect to the next verb 浸(つ)かる ("to soak").浸(つ)かる — "To soak; to immerse." Often used for soaking in water (like in a bath). The verb implies full bodily immersion and comfort.野生(やせい)の猿(さる) — "Wild monkeys." 野生(やせい) = "wild," and 猿(さる) = "monkey." Describes animals living naturally in the wild, untouched by domestication.気持(きも)ちよさそうな — "Looks pleasant/comfortable." 気持(きも)ち = feeling, よい = good, よさそう = seems good. The full phrase is the adjective form used to describe something that appears to feel good.済(す)ます — "To get by with; to finish." The verb 済(す)ます means "to complete" or "to manage with." In context, it implies using only a shower instead of a bath, often out of convenience.銭湯(せんとう) — "Public bathhouse." 銭 = money/coin, 湯 = hot water. A traditional, inexpensive facility where people go to bathe.湯船(ゆぶね) — "Bathtub." 湯 = hot water, 船 = boat. Refers to the tub where one soaks, often large and communal in a public bathhouse.ジャグジー — "Jacuzzi." Loanword from English, referring to a whirlpool bath with jets.露天風呂(ろてんぶろ) — "Open-air bath." 露天(ろてん) = under the open sky, 風呂(ふろ) = bath. Typically found in traditional inns or onsen; known for their scenic and relaxing atmosphere.ぽかぽか — "Nice and warm." Onomatopoeic expression describing the sensation of pleasant warmth, ...
    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.