The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

One of the easiest ways to see how cultures influence one another is through language. Words travel across borders through trade, food, technology, entertainment, and everyday life, often becoming so familiar that we forget they originally came from somewhere else. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I explored some of the Japanese words that have become part of everyday English and discussed the stories behind how they made that journey. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Japanese Words We Use Without Thinking Many Japanese loanwords have become so common in English that most people never stop to consider where they came from. Words such as sushi , karaoke , emoji , tsunami , and futon are now used around the world. While their meanings have sometimes shifted over time, ...

Borrowed English words continue to evolve in Japanese, often taking on meanings that surprise native English speakers. By the time you've lived in Japan for a while, you start realizing that understanding the English word itself isn't always enough—you also have to understand how that word is used within Japanese culture. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I continued our discussion about Japanese-English vocabulary by looking at more everyday expressions that regularly confuse foreigners living in Japan and the stories behind them. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Familiar Words With New Meanings One of the recurring themes throughout our conversation was how familiar English words can develop completely different meanings after becoming part of Japanese. We talk...

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...