My Nihongo Lessons

1. New words

The Japanese language is always changing!

On August 2, 2022 the Japan Meteorological Agency, a part of the the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, announced that it chosen 2 new words to use in describing hot weather.

For days that are over 40 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the Agency will refer to as KOKUSHOBI・酷暑日・こくしょび ・cruel heat days.

For nights that are never cooler than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) will be referred to as CHOUNETTAIYA・超熱帯夜・ちょうねったいや・tropical night.

Here is the link to the original article in Japanese: https://tenki.jp/suppl/tenkijp_labo/2022/08/02/31275.html

Here is a report by webzine Japan Today reporting on the new words in English: https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-weather-association-creates-new-words-to-describe-merciless-summer-heat?

2. Japan Meteorological Agency Website

The agency’s website provides ample resources for all levels of Japanese language learners: Map of Japan and its weather, lists of major Japanese cities and their weather, and weather from cities around the world. If you are learning weather terminology or Japanese geography this is a fun authentic resource to start with. The images and symbols provide context clues that will help learners quickly find the information they are looking for. https://tenki.jp/

3. Japan Meteorological Agency YOUTUBE CHANNEL

In addition to reading about the weather, the agency has a fun and entertaining YouTube Channel! Although produced for native speakers of Japanese, students can hear authentic and uptodate weather and other information, such as what to wear for certain types of weather and cycles of the moon. You can subscribe here.

4. Japan Meteorological Agency Twitter & Facebook

Presentational skills are one way communications, however the comment sections fo social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook provides us with opportunities to experience interpersonal communication in the written form. There are emoji reactions and occasionally comments. Mostly the information is shared by readers.

5. Cultural appreciation of weather through postcards and letters

There are many standard phrases about the weather and seasons used in Japanese correspondence. This may be a fun activity for intermediate learners. I recommend this blog post for some phrase ideas:
https://www.chillistore.com/blog/japanese-business-correspondence-3-tips-from-one-foreigner-to-another/

6. 72 seasons?!

It is both ironic and logical… but there are 72 micro seasons in Japan. Here is a good youtube video in English to get an introduction to this idea.

This website provides a calendar and more information about how the weather is woven with the natural world and its seasons. I highly recommend this app https://www.kurashikata.com/72seasons/. I have not been paid for my opinion. I have actually used this application for several years.

7. More Teacher resources for weather

If you are a teacher or homeschool parent looking for worksheets and games about Japanese weather (or weather in Japanese) I recommend the Japanese Teaching Ideas website: http://japaneseteachingideas.weebly.com/weather.html?c=mkt_w_chnl%3Aaff_geo%3Aall_prtnr%3Asas_subprtnr%3A1538097_camp%3Abrand_adtype%3Atxtlnk_ag%3Aweebly_lptype%3Ahp_var%3A358504&sscid=81k6_9ryd7

If you are looking for more worksheets on weather in the Japanese language. please reach out to me. Designing worksheets that are practical, useful, and beneficial for all levels of Japanese language users is my passion.