Spring (haru)
March – May
花見 Hanami: picnics under the cherry blossoms, late March to early April
The Japanese school year starts in April
Golden Week holidays in early May
ජපානය ගැන දැනගමු
Japan Corner
The culture section of your syllabus, made easy to remember. Start with what's happening in Japan today.
Right now in both countries
Sri Lanka කොළඹ
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Japan 東京
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Japan's four seasons
Sri Lanka has monsoons; Japan has four clear seasons, and each one has its own festivals.
Summer (natsu)
June – August
梅雨 Tsuyu: the rainy season in June
七夕 Tanabata on 7 July: wishes written on paper strips
お盆 Obon in August, with fireworks (花火 hanabi) and festivals
Autumn (aki)
September – November
月見 Tsukimi: moon viewing in September
紅葉 Momiji: maple leaves turn red and gold
七五三 Shichi-Go-San on 15 November for young children
Winter (fuyu)
December – February
お正月 Oshōgatsu: New Year, the biggest holiday
初詣 Hatsumōde: the first shrine visit of the year
節分 Setsubun on 3 February: throwing beans for good luck
Everyday Japan, in six words
Words you'll meet in lessons, in conversation and in culture questions.
いただきます
itadakimasu
Said before every meal to give thanks for the food. ごちそうさま (gochisōsama) is said after.
お辞儀
ojigi, bowing
Used to greet, thank and apologise. The deeper and longer the bow, the more respect it shows.
よろしくお願いします
yoroshiku onegaishimasu
Said when you meet someone new or ask for help. Useful in your first Japanese self-introduction.
がんばって
ganbatte
"Do your best!" What friends and family say to students before an exam.
合格
gōkaku
Passing an exam. Japanese students buy お守り (omamori) charms at shrines for exam success.
玄関
genkan
The entrance area of a home, where you take off your shoes before stepping inside.
More is coming to this site
This is just the beginning. These study tools are being built for our students next.
- Past paper libraryO/L and A/L Japanese papers sorted by year, with marking notes.
- Online MCQ practiceTimed question sets by unit, with your score at the end.
- Kanji by unitEvery kanji in the syllabus with stroke order and example words.
- Class noticesHoliday changes, extra classes and paper discussion days in one place.
Stay with the classes and keep this site bookmarked. New tools go live here first. පන්ති සමඟ රැඳී සිටින්න. අලුත් දේවල් ඉක්මනින්!
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