The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Many cultures have superstitions that continue to influence everyday life long after people stop thinking about where they came from. Japan is no different. Some are tied to language, others to religion or tradition, and many still appear in ordinary conversations and daily routines. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I explored some of the Japanese superstitions we encountered after moving here and discussed what they reveal about Japanese culture and the way many people think about everyday life. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Everyday Superstitions You Notice in Japan Some Japanese superstitions are easy to overlook until someone points them out. One of the best-known examples is the number four, which is sometimes avoided because one pronunciation sounds the same as t...

One of the things that surprises many people learning Japanese is just how often onomatopoeia appears in everyday conversation. In English, sound words are usually limited to things like animal noises or obvious sounds. In Japanese, they describe emotions, textures, movement, weather, and countless other everyday experiences. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I explored some of the Japanese onomatopoeia that stood out to us after moving here and discussed why these expressions become such a natural part of daily life. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Why Onomatopoeia Is Everywhere in Japanese Many people are surprised to discover that Japanese onomatopoeia isn't limited to children's books or comic books. These expressions appear in everyday conversations between adu...

Living in Japan isn't only about the famous landmarks or seasonal attractions. Over time, it's the everyday conveniences, routines, and small cultural habits that often have the biggest impact on daily life. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I talked about some of the things we've come to appreciate after living in Japan for many years, from convenience stores and transportation to neighborhood culture and everyday life. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube The Small Conveniences That Add Up One of the easiest things to take for granted after living in Japan is just how convenient everyday life can be. Convenience stores offer much more than snacks, making it easy to grab a meal, pay bills, send packages, or pick up everyday essentials at almost any hour. We al...

Borrowed English words are everywhere in Japan, but many of them don't mean exactly what native English speakers expect. Some have been shortened, others have developed completely new meanings, and a few can lead to some genuinely confusing conversations. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I continued our discussion about Japanese-English vocabulary by looking at more examples of words that surprised us after moving to Japan and the stories behind how they came to be used. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Familiar Words With Unexpected Meanings One of the first words we discussed was Hotchkiss , the Japanese word for a stapler. To someone hearing it for the first time, it sounds completely unrelated to office supplies. Like many borrowed words in Japanese, however, it...

Some of the biggest surprises about living in Japan aren't the famous landmarks or traditions that everyone talks about. They're the small, everyday experiences that slowly teach you how life here works. In this episode, guest co-host Keito and I shared some of the lesser-known things we've encountered while living in Japan, from everyday etiquette and regional differences to small cultural habits that often surprise newcomers. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Everyday Rules You Don't Expect Many of Japan's unwritten rules aren't difficult to follow once you know they exist—but discovering them usually happens through trial and error. We talked about everything from garbage disposal and noise etiquette to small language misunderstandings that can completely ...