In this episode, Yumi visits her family home in Japan, only to find it cold, boring, and isolating—with no internet, books, or entertainment. Feeling stuck in what she jokingly calls a "mini-prison," she unexpectedly finds joy in a Japanese radio show. Listener stories and nostalgic memories rekindle her love for storytelling and inspire her to share more fun tales with her audience. A charming reflection on boredom, discovery, and the power of laughter. KEY VOCABULARY: 刑務所(けいむしょ) — "Prison." 刑(...
Jun 16, 2025•4 min•Ep. 171
In this episode, Yumi returns to Japan in the dead of winter, navigating the chill of an old house, the busyness of inheritance matters, and the quiet grief of family loss. Amid the hardship, she rediscovers the simple joy of soaking in a deep, warm bath. A heartfelt story of discomfort, tradition, and small comforts KEY VOCABULARY: はや — "Already; soon." Often implies that time has passed quickly. In the phrase はや3週間(しゅうかん), it intensifies the feeling of how fast those three weeks went by. Commo...
May 05, 2025•4 min•Ep. 170
In this episode of Nihongo no Tane, Yumi shares a personal and heartfelt story about returning to Japan for her father’s funeral. From navigating unfamiliar funeral customs to reconnecting with family members she hadn’t seen in years, Yumi reflects on the busy, emotional days that followed her father’s passing. She also talks about what made the ceremony special and how her father’s long life in his hometown was filled with friendship and meaning. A touching episode with insights into Japanese c...
Apr 07, 2025•4 min•Ep. 169
In this episode of Nihongo no Tane, Yumi shares a shopping trip with her daughter that started with a simple plan to buy one pair of exercise pants but ended with three! She also talks about how their dog, Maro, played a role in this unexpected shopping spree. Along the way, Yumi reflects about how English words get adapted into Japanese. Tune in for a lighthearted and relatable episode filled with everyday moments and language insights! KEY VOCABULARY: いわゆる — "So-called; what is commonly known ...
Mar 03, 2025•4 min•Ep. 168
In this episode of Nihongo no Tane, Yumi shares her recent conversations with her mother and younger sister in Japan. She reflects on how her elderly mother has developed a habit of one-sided conversations, often hanging up as soon as she’s finished speaking. She also considers her own role as a listener rather than a talker and how being a good listener can be a rare and valuable trait. Tune in for an insightful and relatable discussion on family dynamics, communication, and the importance of l...
Feb 03, 2025•4 min•Ep. 167
In this episode of Nihongo no Tane, Yumi takes us back to a beloved Japanese custom that is slowly fading: the “New Year Film” tradition. She recalls how families would flock to theaters to watch holiday releases like Otoko wa Tsurai yo, Tsuribaka Nisshi, and even Godzilla. Yumi fondly remembers her father’s love for these films and reflects on how the genre has evolved, with fewer people nowadays making special New Year trips to the cinema. Instead, she points out how streaming services and a c...
Jan 20, 2025•5 min•Ep. 166
In this episode of "Nihongo no Tane," Yumi reflects on her experience welcoming the New Year amidst a busy holiday season. She shares insights into traditional Japanese New Year customs, from preparing osechi ryori to watching NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen and giving otoshidama. Despite these celebrations, Yumi explains why this year felt less "new" to her, revealing how a cluttered home and a packed schedule impacted her perspective. Tune in to explore the contrasts between Japanese and American New ...
Jan 07, 2025•5 min•Ep. 165
In this episode of "Nihongo no Tane," Yumi shares delightful stories about Pon-chan, the newest member of her family—a curious and calm kitten! She recounts how Pon-chan has grown from a tiny ball of fluff to a playful companion with a big personality. From quiet visits to the vet to bonding moments with her daughter and dog Maro-chan, Pon-chan’s gentle yet bold nature continues to charm everyone around him. Tune in to hear about his adventures and discover why Yumi believes he’s destined to be ...
Dec 23, 2024•4 min•Ep. 164
In this episode of "Nihongo no Tane," Yumi introduces a new, furry member of her family —a playful and adorable kitten named Pon-chan! She shares the heartwarming story of how this little ball of fluff captured her heart during a church gathering and quickly became part of the family. From its charming "sock-like" paws to its lively antics, Pon-chan has brought new energy and joy to Yumi’s home. Tune in to hear about the kitten’s journey, its growing bond with other pets, and the simple happines...
Nov 25, 2024•4 min•Ep. 163
In this episode of "Nihongo no Tane," Yumi shares her experience of navigating hurricane season in Florida. From power outages to the community’s resilience, discover how locals handle the intense storms. Yumi reflects on the challenges, unexpected routines, and even a bit of "hurricane weight gain" that come with these events. Tune in for a glimpse into life during storm season and the strength of Floridian spirit! KEY VOCABULARY: 通(とお)り過(す)ぎました — passed through; went past (通(とお)り: passage, 過(す...
Nov 04, 2024•5 min•Ep. 162
In this episode of “Nihongo no Tane,” join Yumi as she shares her visit to her elegant piano teacher’s home. Discover how her refined lifestyle, surrounded by antiques, reflects her sophistication, from music to furniture. Yumi reflects on the importance of keeping antiques in good condition, contrasting her teacher's approach with other personal experiences. This episode will transport you to a world of elegance and nostalgia! KEY VOCABULARY: 塊(かたまり) — embodiment; personification (used metaphor...
Oct 15, 2024•4 min•Ep. 161
In this episode of "Nihongo no Tane," Yumi shares her delightful encounter with a professional pianist whose lifestyle is a page out of history. Explore a home adorned with Victorian elegance, complete with a century-old telephone still in use! Immerse yourself in this captivating tale of classical music, vintage fashion, and timeless grace. KEY VOCABULARY: 教会(きょうかい) — church 個人(こじん) — individual; personal 音楽(おんがく)を専攻(せんこう)されて — to specialize in music (音楽(おんがく): music, を: object marker, 専攻(せんこう)...
Oct 07, 2024•5 min•Ep. 160
Dive into the original, bittersweet tale of "The Little Mermaid" with this episode of "Nihongo no Tane." Explore the deeper, more poignant version of the story as Yumi contrasts it with the popular Disney adaptation. Join us for a captivating and educational discussion! KEY VOCABULARY: 人魚姫(にんぎょひめ) The Little Mermaid [人魚(にんぎょ) mermaid + 姫(ひめ) princess] 寝室(しんしつ) bedroom [寝(ね) sleep + 室(しつ) room] 前回(ぜんかい) last time; previous time [前(ぜん) previous + 回(かい) time; instance] 夜明(よあ)けとともに at dawn; along wi...
Aug 05, 2024•4 min•Ep. 159
Dive into the original, bittersweet tale of "The Little Mermaid" with this episode of "Nihongo no Tane." Explore the deeper, more poignant version of the story as Yumi contrasts it with the popular Disney adaptation. Join us for a captivating and educational discussion! KEY VOCABULARY: 筋肉(きんにく) muscle 証拠(しょうこ) evidence; proof と思(おも)いつつ我慢(がまん)しているんですが though I think; I'm enduring [と思(おも)う (to think) + つつ (while) + 我慢(がまん)している (enduring; tolerating; している is the continuous form of する to do) + んですが ...
Jul 29, 2024•5 min•Ep. 158
Discover the art of simple, family-friendly cooking with Yumi in this episode of "Nihongo no Tane." Join her as she shares her culinary journey, from experimenting with vegetarian recipes to catering to her family's diverse tastes. Don't miss this engaging and relatable episode! KEY VOCABULARY: 飽(あ)きられてしまいます Will get tired of [飽(あ)きる (to get tired of); passive form + しまう (to end up); ます (polite form)] 組(く)み合(あ)わせて Combine [組(く)み合(あ)わせる (to combine); て-form (conjunctive form)] 高度(こうど)な Advanced 真...
Jul 08, 2024•5 min•Ep. 157
Ever wondered why Japanese kids dislike piman more than broccoli? Find out on this new episode of "Nihongo no Tane" as Yumi delves into the fascinating world of vegetables and their cultural significance. Don't miss this entertaining and educational episode! KEY VOCABULARY: ピーマン bell pepper [ピーマン is a transliteration of "piment," the French word for pepper. In Japanese, it specifically refers to the green bell pepper.] 母語(ぼご) native language [母語(ぼご) consists of 母 (mother) and 語 (language). Toget...
Jun 24, 2024•5 min•Ep. 156
What happens when Yumi decides to tackle Spanish through English? Find out on this new episode of “Nihongo no Tane” as she shares the funny and challenging moments of her language learning journey. Tune in and join the adventure! KEY VOCABULARY: 何(なに)かと one thing or another バタバタしている to be very busy doing different things [a phrase used to describe someone is very busy by moving around doing things constantly. バタバタ is onomatopoeia which is mimicking sounds of a person who is making noise by movin...
May 20, 2024•5 min•Ep. 155
In this episode of her podcast, Yumi shares her personal story of dental discovery and recovery, emphasizing the vital role of dental care in our lives and the resilience needed to overcome oral health hurdles. Listen to this episode and let us know if you had some experience like this! KEY VOCABULARY: 歯(は)医(い)者(しゃ) - dentist [歯(は) (tooth); 医(い)者(しゃ) (physician; medical doctor)] 別(べつ)の件(けん) - another matter; another case [別(べつ) (another; separate); 件(けん) (matter; case)] 診(み)てもらう to be seen/ to b...
Mar 18, 2024•4 min•Ep. 154
In this episode of her podcast, Yumi delves into the profound impact of classical music on personal growth, inspired by violin prodigy Yoshimura Himari's mesmerizing performances. She beautifully narrates her own musical journey and the unexpected ways a popular manga stirred a friend's ambition to master Chopin, weaving a narrative that celebrates the transformative power of art and inspiration. Listen to this episode and let us know if you had some experience like this! KEY VOCABULARY: 聴(き)く -...
Feb 26, 2024•4 min•Ep. 153
Have you ever heard the term "神童" (shindou)? It refers to child prodigy, and this time, Yumi will talk about it. Listen to the podcast and let us know what you think about it in the comments below! KEY VOCABULARY: 神童(しんどう) child prodigy; genius; wonder child [神(しん) (god); 童(どう) (child)] 大(おと)人(な)に負(ま)けない as good as adults; comparable to adults; unyielding to adult; unbeatable by adult [literally, “unbeatable by adults”; 大(おと)人(な) (adult); に(to; against); 負(ま)けない (unbeatable; unyielding); a fixed...
Feb 19, 2024•6 min•Ep. 152
Happy New Year! (Better late than never, right?). This year started not too good in Japan, with an earthquake and a plane crushing. So, this time Yumi will talk about it. Have you ever been in an earthquake? Let us know in the comments below! KEY VOCABULARY: 石川県(いしかわけん)能登(のと)半島(はんとう) the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture [石川県(いしかわけん) (Ishikawa Prefecture); 能登(のと) (Noto); 半島(はんとう) (peninsula)] 炎上(えんじょう)事故(じこ) crash that ended in inferno [炎上(えんじょう)(going up in flames); 事故(じこ) (accident; crash)...
Jan 29, 2024•7 min•Ep. 151
Let’s talk about sleep! This time, Yumi will talk about her sleeping time, what she was doing when she woke up during the night (and now she stopped!) and how daylight saving times could affect your life or the life of your pet. Listen this episode and let us know what you think! KEY VOCABULARY: 寝付(ねつ)きがいい easy to fall asleep; to fall asleep quickly [寝付(ねつ)き (falling asleep) indicates “how quickly/easily one normally can fall asleep”; 寝付(ねつ)き is the noun form of 寝付(ねつ)く (to fall asleep)] 周(まわ)りp...
Jan 15, 2024•5 min•Ep. 150
What do you eat during the day? Listen to the podcast and find out the new diet Yumi is doing! KEY VOCABULARY: 実際(じっさい)に actually; really; truly; indeed 具体的(ぐたいてき)に specifically; in detail [具体的 (specific); に (“-ly”; makes the preceding word into adverb form)] 薄(うす)める to dilute; to thin 炒(いた)め物(もの) stir-fry; stir-fried food [炒(いた)め (fry; broil; roast); 物(もの) (thing; item)] 物足(ものた)りなさそうseeming not enough; seeming unsatisfied [物足りな is from 物足りない (not enough; not satisfied); “さ” is necessary between...
Jan 08, 2024•5 min•Ep. 149
Yumi continues her talking about the changes she made in her life. What do you think of these changes? Listen to the podcast to know all the changes she made! KEY VOCABULARY: 大腸(だいちょう)カメラcolonoscopy [大腸(だいちょう) (large intestine; colon)] がん cancer ポリープ polyp 麻(ま)酔(すい) anesthesia [麻(ま) (hemp; flax); 酔(すい) (drunk)] 痛(いた)くもかゆくもない “it’s no concern at all” or “it has no effect on me whatsoever” [literally, “it’s neither painful nor itchy”] 固(こ)形(けい) solid [固(こ) (harden); 形(けい) (form; shape)] 一切(いっさい) a...
Jan 04, 2024•5 min•Ep. 148
Have you tried stair stepper? Listen to Yumi to know why is she doing it and how it helped her to be in better shape. KEY VOCABULARY: 階段(かいだん) stair; stairway 目標(もくひょう) goal; objective; target 心臓(しんぞう) heart 心臓(しんぞう)が口(くち)から飛(と)び出(だ)す one’s heart pops out of the chest [it’s a saying that describes bodily feeling where one’s heart is beating so fast due to physical exertion or extreme nervousness that it almost feels as if the heart is about to pop out the mouth] ～うちに while doing ~ ～を目指(めざ)す to a...
Nov 27, 2023•5 min•Ep. 147
Yumi continues her talking about the changes she made in her life. What do you think of these changes? Listen to the podcast to know all the changes she made! KEY VOCABULARY: 順調(じゅんちょう)に steadily; smoothly; without a hitch 何(なん)度(ど)も many times; frequently; plenty of times 血液検(けつえきけん)査(さ) blood test; blood exam [血液(けつえき) (blood); 検(けん)査(さ) (check; checkup; inspection; exam)] 血管(けっかん) blood vessel [duct; tube] 血栓(けっせん) blood clot [栓(せん) (plug; stopper; spigot)] 可(か)能(のう)性(せい) possibility 大腸(だいちょう...
Nov 06, 2023•5 min•Ep. 146
Yumi has made some changes in her life. What do you think she changed? Listen to the podcast and hear her reflections on this! KEY VOCABULARY: あまり～ない (there is ) not so much ~; (I have) not so much ~ [あまりmeans “very” or “much” when used with ～ない] これといって nothing special; not worth mentioning [always used with ～ない; “いって” is “言(い)って”, but usually written in hiragana] 神様(かみさま) [God] 退屈(たいくつ) boring; dull; boredom [a state where nothing to do to spend time] つまんない boring; dull [casual for つまらない ; used...
Oct 16, 2023•4 min•Ep. 145
The Hurricane Idalia has come to Florida, and after its passage, it left Yumi without electricity for a few hours. This made Yumi think about the importance of electricity in her life. Listen to the podcast and hear her reflections on this! KEY VOCABULARY: 直撃(ちょくげき)する to hit directly [直(ちょく) (direct); 撃(げき) (hit; attack)] 避(ひ)難(なん)する to evacuate; flee; escape 出身(しゅっしん) one’s origin (country, city, town; school) 平(ひら)屋(や) single story house [平(ひら) (flat); 屋(や) (house; roof)] こもる to stay inside; t...
Sep 25, 2023•6 min•Ep. 144
Finally, the trip to Japan ended and Yumi and her family are back in Florida. So, this time Yumi will reflect on the trip and the impressions she had during it. Listen to the podcast and learn what was the thing that left a big impression on her this time! KEY VOCABULARY: 総(そう)まとめ total conclusion; roundup; overall summary [総(そう) (total); まとめ (conclusion; summary)] 感想(かんそう) view; thought; impression すっきりする become neat [すっきり (neat; pleasant)] ジンベエザメ whale shark 心(こころ)が落(お)ち着(つ)く feels calm; calm ...
Sep 18, 2023•8 min•Ep. 143
A few months ago, Yumi comment us about the souvenirs she was planning to take to Japan for family and friends. Now that she’s back, she will tell us which are the ones that people liked and which ones may have not being such a success. Listen to the podcast to find out! KEY VOCABULARY: 経(た)つ (for time) to pass 落(お)ち着(つ)く to settle down 反応(はんのう) response; reactions 喜(よろこ)ぶ to be pleased; to be delighted がっかりされた was disappointing (for people); disappointed (people); had (people) get disappointed ...
Sep 11, 2023•6 min•Ep. 142
