The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Adjusting to life in Japan doesn't happen all at once. It usually happens through a series of small moments—misunderstandings, unexpected challenges, new routines, and experiences that slowly change the way you see the country. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I looked back on our own experiences adapting to life in Japan, from learning the language and navigating cultural differences to building friendships and eventually feeling at home. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Learning to Live in Another Language One of the biggest challenges for many foreigners is learning to function in Japanese before feeling truly comfortable with the language. We shared stories about early misunderstandings, everyday interactions, and the moments that reminded us how much there still wa...

One of the biggest surprises for many Japanese learners is discovering that not every katakana word comes from English. While English has had a huge influence on modern Japanese, many everyday words actually came from Portuguese, Dutch, German, French, Russian, and other languages before becoming part of everyday life in Japan. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I explored some of the Japanese words that originated outside both Japanese and English, along with the history behind how they found their way into the language. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Japanese Has Borrowed Words From Around the World It's easy to assume that every katakana word has English roots, but Japan has been borrowing vocabulary from other countries for centuries. We talked about familiar words ...

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...