There are some words in English that are used almost always in spoken English only. These words are a little difficult to understand, because they are not usually written down or explained in textbooks. Occasionally they are explained in textbooks but not very well.

Today we are going to take a look at a word that isn't talked about very often and is hard to explain.  The odd word "Well,"

Let's be clear. This is not the adverb well: I can read well. This is not the deep hole in your backyard that you can get water out of either. O no, this is something much much stranger.

"Well," has several uses in spoken English.

First, it can be used to change the subject. It is usually used when the new subject is not connected or related to the previous one. For example,

"That's a really funny story. Well, it's time to go home."

The funny story is not connected to going home.

It's often used on newscasts to change to another story:

"Thanks for that story, Jane. Well, next, a local man has given birth to twins."

There is also a colloquial word "welp":

A: Mmm, those were good pickles.

B: Yes, they were. Welp, let's go watch some TV.

Second, it can be used as a hesitation word. It is often used after someone asks a question.

A:Do you like pickles?

B:Well, not really.

B is thinking about a safe answer. Saying "well" helps the speaker think a little more before answering the question.

It can also be used when the speaker is at a loss for words:

A: You are a crazy pickle eater!

B: Well, I like to eat pickles. That isn't bad.

B is a little surprised. She needs to think of a good thing to say, so she uses "well" to think for a little while.

Can you give it a try?  In the comments below try to write a dialog using well.

In Japan there are lots of choices on where to lie your head at the end of the night.  Sometimes you miss the last train due to a late night drinking/party fest, or you're traveling around Japan and just need a place to crash.  Maybe you just want to save some cash and not stay in an expensive hotel.  Well, there are some other options available to you.

This first one is my favorite.  It's a 24 hour media cafe.  They are located just about everywhere in Japan, especially in bigger cities.  There are many different chains, but basically they are all the same.  Most require a membership card, but are relatively easy to get.  The cool thing about these places is that there are lots to do inside of them and they are open 24/7.  They have pool tables, dart boards, video games, a manga library (if your into that), and even your own little enclosed cubicle with a computer.  Most of these little rooms are dark and cushioned.  You can access the internet or play computer games.  You may not realize this, but many people sleep in there.  It's just big enough for you to catch a few zzzz's.  Most of the time it's quiet, occasionally you might encounter some rambunctious college kids.  These are popular hangouts for the "nothing to do" college crowds.  Another cool thing is that you can drink to your hearts content the juices, sodas, and coffees provided.  Some media cafe's even have showers available.  Most of these places charge by the hour, just ask them to break down the price guide.  It's definitely cheaper than a hotel or a long cab ride home.

A second option available is the capsule hotel.   These are also fairly common.  Japan started the unique idea and it hasn't spread to other countries yet.  It's just what it sounds like.  You get your own little capsule to sleep in.  Most of these capsule hotels have a t.v in your own little box.  Some also provide towels, slippers, and public baths or showers.  Typically there are separate sleeping quarters for males and females.  The prices range from 2000-4000 yen per night.  They are often occupied with traveling business men or drunks who don't want to make a trip home.  It is a must for the Japanese experience.

Another Japan experience to try is the famous "Love Hotel."   I regret missing this opportunity.  I did not partake in this quirky experience.  These are frequent in the major cities of Japan. You can usually tell it is a Love Hotel by the architecture.  The building will not look like anything else around it.  They are usually lit up with purple and pink neon lights and waterfalls everywhere.  These are mainly for couples to get a "short rest", if you know what I mean.  However, you can also sleep there.  There is minimal interaction with a person, usually just hands through a hole in a frosted glass window.  Most operate with just a vending machine.  You pay the machine and pick your room.  There are different rates depending on how long you plan to stay.  They are the most expensive of these 3 sleeping options.  They can run about 1000-2000 yen per half hour.  So this would be for a short nap if you miss the last train.  However, the fun part of these places are the different room choices.  They have many different kinds, decorations, and styles.  Rooms can come with big screen tvs, dvd players, karaoke machines, tanning beds, vibrating or rotating beds, and the theme's are endless.  Osaka is famous for these short stay rooms.  Don't miss checking one of these out, even if it's just a short 1/2 hour.

So the next time you catch yourself too far away from home and miss the last train, remember you have plenty of options to kill the time, even if you don't want to sleep.

Don't forget to check out the other articles about living in Japan.

Recently, I was teaching class and I encountered the always difficult to explain and understand “ironically.” I have often times messed this up in my head trying to explain it, but then my student asked me what “satirically” means and what the difference was. I was not able to come up with a quick answer. So I decided to do some research.

First, let's start with ironically. It is the adverb of “ironic” which means “the opposite of what you expected to happen.” For example,

He bought 20 lilies for his girlfriend, hoping to surprise her. Ironically, she was allergic to lilies. She started sneezing and almost went to the hospital.

In the above example, he wanted his girlfriend to be happy with the flowers. However, she is allergic, so she is very not happy with the flowers. He expected her to be happy, but she wasn't. This is ironic.

Satirically is a little different. Satirically is the adverb of “satire” which means “using sarcasm, irony, or ridicule to describe human weaknesses.” For example,

“I only drink the finest wine.” he said satirically as he drank from his $4 a bottle wine.

In the above example, he is ridiculing the higher class of wine drinkers, but he is in fact drinking a cheap bottle of wine.

Satirically can often be replaced by sarcastically. Sarcastically is in fact more often used in daily speech and in writing.

There is yet another word that is a little similar, “paradoxically.” It is the adverb of the noun “paradox” which means “a statement that seems to prove the opposite of itself.” i.e. a statement that seems untrue but is really true. For example,

Paradoxically, global warming can actually cause some parts of the world to cool down.

This is a paradox because it seems global warming should warm the whole world up, but it does not.

What do you think? Can you make sentences using paradoxically, satirically, or ironically? Give it a try in the comments below.

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It will soon be that time of year again.  That special week when people sleep on the ground, suffer the cold, and camp out to save a spot.  People plan parties with friends and co-workers.  Artists scope out the perfect view for the optimal picture opportunity or painting spot.  Sweet smells takes over the air, the beautiful pinks and whites fill up the trees.

I'm of course talking about sakura.  Hanami parties are a fantastic Japanese tradition.  The tasty meat sizzling on the grill, sharing an ice cold one with some friends in the spring weather is a great way to enjoy an afternoon. The sun is out, the weather is warmer, and mother nature blesses us with a beauty that is the cherry blossom.  Sakura is often only a week long.  There is a prime week for optimal viewing pleasure.  This week is announced by weather experts on the news and in the newspapers.  They will let you know when the best viewing time is for your area. Don't worry about missing the week you will hear the buzz from everyone else.

These little flowers blossom all over Japan.  However, some spots are more concentrated than others and are often a lot more people crowded.  These spots are not to be missed.  Kyoto has some famous spots where people often camp out over night just to reserve a good spot underneath the trees.  Maruyama Park is one of the most famous spots.  It's located just behind Yasaka Shrine.  It's about 20 minutes from the Kyoto station.  Take bus number 100 or 206 and get off at the Gion stop and follow the crowds.  Don't forget a tarp or blanket and a camera.

One of my favorite spots in the Osaka area is off the Hankyu line at the Shukugawa station.  When you exit the station turn left and follow the river.  This beautiful river is lined with the cherry blossom trees.  It's a little less crowded, and a very photogenic area.

Let us know what your favorite spots are around Japan.  Send us an email ( このメールアドレスは、スパムロボットから保護されています。アドレスを確認するにはJavaScriptを有効にして下さい ) and we'll post it to share it with others.

I recommend planning the party early, so you can get a good spot, before the blossoms all fall to the ground.  Enjoy your parties and your spring before the weather gets miserably hot and humid.