Ame: 2 Different Meanings of the Japanese Word
When we Japanese hear Ame or あめ in the Hiragana alphabet, what comes to our mind is usually 飴 or 雨 in the Kanji character, depending on the intonation and context. 飴 (Ame), seen in...
Category: Trivia
Mirin vs. Ryorishu: Cooking Sake Rice Wines
Mirin (みりん) and Ryorishu (料理酒) are Sake rice wines commonly used in Japanese cooking. These alcohols are seasonings that have become kitchen staples in Japan, where almost every household stores them in the pantry....
How Bijin Differs in Meaning from Kirei and Utsukushii
As I explained how Kirei differs from Utsukushii before, today, I will explain how Bijin (美人) differs from those two words. Bijin vs. Kirei/Utsukushii For beginners, first of all, Bijin and Kirei/Utsukushii are different...
What is Yakumi in Japanese Cuisine?
Yakumi (薬味), literally meaning medicine (薬) taste (味), is the Japanese generic term for natural condiments, including flavoring vegetables/fruits, herbs, and spices. Yakumi (薬味) We typically add a small amount of a Yakumi condiment...
Gyuhi vs. Mochi vs. Mochi Ice Cream
Summer is nearly upon us, and it is the season everyone wants ice cream as a refreshment. In Japan, mochi ice cream has been a long-time favorite, loved by all ages. It is unique, and...
Kirei vs. Kawaii: What’s the Difference in Meaning?
As I wrote in this article, Kirei (きれい/綺麗) is a synonym for Utsukushii (うつくしい/美しい), meaning beautiful. And Kawaii (かわいい/可愛い), which makes up an indispensable part of the Japanese subculture, can also mean beautiful. Kawaii...
Okowa vs. Sekihan: Japanese Rice Dishes
As I wrote in the previous post, I enjoyed Sekihan red rice with Marumiya’s Gomashio sesame salt yesterday. And today, a question suddenly crossed my mind. That is, Okowa (おこわ/御強) and Sekihan (赤飯) are...
Utsukushii vs. Kirei: What’s the Difference in Meaning?
Utsukushii (うつくしい/美しい) is the Japanese word for beautiful in English, and Kirei (きれい/綺麗) is a synonym for it, as you may already know. While the former expression is used more in writing these days,...
