by TheJapanesePage.com
A weekly podcast for upper beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Listen to Yumi talk about... whatever she wants to talk about. Practice your listening comprehension with natural (howbeit slightly slowed down) Japanese on various topics such as Japanese culture, fun idioms, and, of course, cats. The episodes can be enjoyed in any order. -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript and a list of key vocabulary. www.MakotoPlus.com
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/20/2021
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December 29, 2025
In this episode, Yumi shares the inspiring story of how her daughter landed the lead role in a local musical production of Percy Jackson—a role she wasn’t even aiming for. Originally cast in a small part, her passion for the story, dedication to rehearsal, and deep knowledge of the material made her stand out. Yumi reflects on what people often call “luck” and reveals the real reason behind unexpected success: enthusiasm and consistent effort. Whether it’s theater or language learning, this episode is a reminder that passion often leads the way. A motivational listen for anyone chasing a dream—or studying Japanese. 🎭📚🇯🇵 KEY VOCABULARY: 端役(はやく) — “Minor role” or “bit part.” 端 means “edge” or “marginal,” and 役 means “role” or “part.” Together, this refers to a small or supporting role in a play or production. チョイ役(やく) — “Bit part” or “cameo role.” チョイ is a casual way of saying “just a little,” and 役(やく) means “role.” This term is used for a very minor or brief appearance in a performance. 情熱(じょうねつ) — “Passion” or “enthusiasm.” 情 means “emotion” or “feeling,” and 熱 means “heat” or “fervor.” Together, they express strong emotional commitment. 全(ぜん)シリーズ — “The whole series.” 全(ぜん) means “all” or “entire,” and シリーズ (series) refers to a set of works like books or episodes. Together, it means “every part of the series.” ほぼ — “Almost” or “nearly.” An adverb meaning something is close to being complete or true. 出演者全員(しゅつえんしゃぜんいん) — “All cast members.” 出演者(しゅつえんしゃ) means “cast” or “performers,” and 全員(ぜんいん) means “everyone” or “all members.” 何(なに)かにつけて — “On every occasion” or “at every opportunity.” Used to express that something happens habitually or regularly, no matter the situation. 態度(たいど) — “Attitude” or “behavior.” Refers to a person’s manner or way of acting, especially how it reflects effort or character. ディレクターとして — “As a director.” ディレクター means “director,” and として indicates the capacity or role in which someone acts. しかも — “Moreover” or “on top of that.” An adverb used to add additional, often impressive or unexpected, information. せっかちなのもあるせいか — “Maybe because I’m a bit impatient.” せっかち means “impatient,” and せいか implies a possible reason or cause, used when speculating. 映(うつ)ったよう — “Seemed to appear (a certain way).” 映(うつ)る means “to appear” or “be reflected,” and よう adds a nuance of perception or impression. For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-173 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-173-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com
September 2, 2025
In this episode, Yumi shares a heartwarming story about her 17-year-old daughter’s summer vacation, which turned into an unexpected adventure on stage. What began as a small supporting role in a local production of the Percy Jackson Musical soon transformed into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: being chosen as the lead. From the excitement of her very first audition to the challenges of daily rehearsals and the triumph of nine successful performances, Yumi reflects on the surprises, the hard work, and the “secret” behind what might seem like just good luck. A touching glimpse into family life, perseverance, and the magic of following one’s dreams. KEY VOCABULARY: 新学期(しんがっき) — "New school term/semester." 新(しん) means "new," and 学期(がっき) means "school term" or "semester." 2週目位(しゅうめぐらい) — "Around the second week." 週(しゅう) means "week," 目(め) is an ordinal marker ("the second week"), and 位(くらい) means "approximately." Put together, it means "about the second week." 夏休(なつやす)みの間中夢中(あいだじゅうむちゅう) — "Absorbed the whole summer vacation." 夏休(なつやす)み means "summer vacation," 間中(あいだじゅ) means "throughout; the whole time," and 夢中(むちゅう) means "absorbed; obsessed; completely into something." 神話(しんわ) — "Myth; mythology." 神 means "god," and 話 means "story" or "tale." ティーン向(む)け — "For teenagers; aimed at teens." ティーン (from English "teenager") and 向(む)け ("intended for; geared toward"). Used for products, media, or content aimed at a teenage audience. 劇場(げきじょう) — "Theater." 劇 means "drama; play," and 場 means "place." Together, "place for drama" → 端役(はやく) — "Minor role; small part (in a play)." 端 means "edge" or "side," and 役 means "role." チョイ役(やく) — "Bit part; cameo role." チョイ is a colloquial shortening of ちょっと ("a little"), and 役(やく) means "role." Literally "a little role." 出演(しゅつえん) — "Appearance; performance." 出 means "to go out/appear," and 演(えん) means "performance." Together, "to appear on stage, in a show, or on screen." 主役(しゅやく) — "Leading role; main character." 主 means "main" or "primary," and 役(やく) means "role." 代役(だいやく) — "Substitute role; understudy." 代(だい) means "replacement/substitute," and 役(やく) means "role." Refers to someone who steps in to play a part instead of the original actor. 持(も)ち上(あ)がった — "Came up; arose." From the verb 持(も)ち上(あ)がる (to be raised; to arise). The past tense form 持(も)ち上(あ)がった means "came up" or "was brought up." Often used for topics, issues, or proposals that suddenly appear. 挑戦(ちょうせん) — "Challenge; attempt." 挑(ちょう) means "to challenge," and 戦 means "battle." Together, "to challenge oneself" or "to try." Can be used as a noun or as a verb with する (挑戦(ちょうせん)する = "to challenge/attempt"). 公演(こうえん) — "Performance (stage)." 公(こう) means "public," and 演(えん) means "performance." Refers specifically to a theatrical performance, musical, or play presented to an audience. 初舞台大成功(はつぶたいだいせいこう) — "Debut stage, great success." 初(はつ) means "first," 舞台(ぶたい) means "stage," 大(だい) means "big," and 成功(せいこう) means "success." Together, "a debut stage performance that was a big success." 滞(とどこお)りなく — "Smoothly; without delay." 滞(とどこお)り means "hindrance; delay; stagnation," and なく is the negative form ("without"). Expression meaning "without problems; smoothly." 本格的(ほんかくてき) — "Authentic; full-scale; serious." 本格(ほんかく) means "real thing; authentic style," and 的 turns it into an adjective. Refers to something being genuine, professional, or proper. 一応(いちおう) — "For the time being; sort of; just in case." Used to soften statements, meaning "tentatively," "to some extent," or "for the record." Can imply something is not perfect but sufficient. 非常(ひじょう) — "Extreme; very; extraordinary." 非 means "non-/not," and 常 means "usual." Literally "not usual" → "extraordinary; unusual; very." Often used in 非常(ひじょう)に ("extremely; very"). 女優(じょゆう)さん — "Actress." 女 means "woman," 優 means "performer/actor." さん is the polite suffix. Refers to a female actor. 素人(しろうと)さん — "Amateur; non-professional." 素 means "plain; unrefined," and 人 means "pers
June 16, 2025
Yumi reflects on finding unexpected joy and rekindling her love for storytelling through a Japanese radio show while visiting her family home, inspiring her to share more tales with her audience.
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A weekly podcast for upper beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese.
Listen to Yumi talk about... whatever she wants to talk about. Practice your listening comprehension with natural (howbeit slightly slowed down) Japanese on various topics such as Japanese culture, fun idioms, and, of course, cats.
The episodes can be enjoyed in any order.
-- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript and a list of key vocabulary. www.MakotoPlus.com
This podcast updates weekly.
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