Top 4 Disorienting Aspects of the Japanese Language (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–9 … My Adventures in Japan)

“Maybe” probably means “no,” but it might mean “yes.”

Just learn the basics, and start understanding

Then learn some advanced elements, and start speaking

And over the years, I learned quite a few of the kanji pictograms – enough to get by very easily in daily life. Also, I learned that double or even triple negatives are sometimes the easiest way to say certain things in Japanese.     _{(Image source)}

Then forget reason, logic, and common sense.

But I could never wrap my head around the fact that “Yes” can sometimes mean “No.” Nor could I comprehend all those other vague, unclear, deceptive, and evasive expressions.

   Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats”  _{(right-click on title)}

Top 3 Disorienting Aspects of Living in Japan

Top 3 Worst Ways to Celebrate New Year’s

Top 3 Fields in Which the Japanese Have Achieved Perfection

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections   _{(right-click on title)}

      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"   _{(right-click on title)
Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.}