Konnichiwa from the Japan Switch Team!

Learning Japanese has a reputation for not being a cake walk.

Never mind kanji. Just figuring out the right level of politeness can be a headache!

Fortunately, Japanese people are typically very understanding when it comes to people learning their language. They know they you're probably picking up both good and bad habits from making friends, online culture, dating, and so on.

But that understanding might earn you a bit of side-eye if you're exclaiming 'YABAI!' in the middle of the office.

So, without any further ado, let's talk bad Japanese, slang, and improving Japanese conversational skills!

Top Tips to Improve 'Bad' Japanese

Iku. Ikanai. Itta. Ikanakatta. Ikimasu. Ikimasen. Ikimashita. Ikimasen deshita.

Go. Don't go. Went. Didn't go. Go. Don't go. Went. Didn't go.

And that’s not even all of them. But if you’re just starting out, these are the forms you’ll need to recognize and use.

In this article, you’ll learn how politeness levels work in Japanese, why keigo matters more than you might think, and how to spot patterns that can boost your confidence and fluency.

Read Now!

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Slang

Well, this one is pretty much in the title. If you're looking to make Japanese friends or even just spending more time with Japanese content, a lot of these words will pop up!

4649 ne! (This one is number 19 on the list!)

Read Now!

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Conversation

When you first start speaking Japanese, it can feel awkward. There’s a lot of stopping, starting, and trying to find the right words. But here’s what I’ve learned: most people want to understand you, and they’ll work with you to get there. Many Japanese speakers are incredibly patient, and some will even try using their own English to help keep things moving. You don’t need to be perfect. Think about how often you understand someone speaking imperfect English. You can still laugh and cry together, share stories, and make real connections. The same goes for speaking Japanese. What matters most is that you're trying, and that you're willing to connect.

Read Now!

Side note: If you're serious about visiting or living in Japan, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and make sure you're ready to make the most of your time here!

For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our website here.

Your Friends,

The Japan Switch Team