4 Catchy J-Pop Songs That Will Improve Your Japanese
Posted by Filed under Culture, Educational, Idioms, Japanese, Learning Advice, Popular Culture
Whether you’re traveling to Tokyo or Osaka, the upbeat, memorable melodies of J-Pop (“Japanese Pop”) songs will help beginners and experts alike to learn new words and dialects in Japanese.
These fun tunes will also be a huge help for building connections on your next trip to Japan.
1. Perfume – “Nee”
A synth-laden tune with an infectious melody, “Nee” is an especially good song for beginners, as it highlights the versatility of Japanese words. No longer will you be bewildered by the ever-common word nee, which can be used to indicate agreement, understanding, emphasis, and more. See the diverse ways that Perfume uses Nee in their song!
2. Spitz – “Cherry”
If you’re planning on hitting up the vibrant Tokyo nightlife, knowing the words to “Cherry” is crucial. One of the most famous songs in Japan, “Cherry” is a popular karaoke choice that you’re bound to hear at least once while you’re out with friends on a Friday night. In it, you’ll learn important emotionally-charged phrases like aishteru (“I love you”) — view the complete song and lyrics.
Photo via wandertokyo
3. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – “Mottai Night Land”
As a mottai inai (“foreigner”) in Japan, “Mottai Night Land” is just the song for you. Kyary, often referred to as the Lady Gaga of Japan, infuses the song with bold, inventive lyrics and melodies that have given “Mottai Night Land” international fame. You certainly won’t be wasting your time as you learn useful Japanese expressions like jikan mottai inai (“What a waste!”) — check out a full run-down of this “Mottai Night Land” here.
4. Dreams Come True – “Osaka Lover”
If you’re traveling to the vibrant city of Osaka, acquaint yourself with the city’s unique accent and vocabulary by listening to “Osaka Lover”, which tells the story of a girl who often visits her boyfriend in the city. You’ll impress your friends and colleagues in Osaka when you utter regional slang, such as Nan de ya nen? (“What the hell?”), that you pick up from the lyrics. Here, you can read more about Osaka Lover and its use of the Osaka dialect.
Photo via bedazle.com
One thing is for sure about J-Pop: these catchy songs will get stuck in your head! But what better way is there to learn new words than by singing along to a great pop beat? If you can’t get enough J-Pop, click here for more music reviews, or further prepare for your trip to Japan with these Japanese-language movies. And if you’d really like to hone your Japanese language skills, contact us today and learn about our course and package options — your new Japanese connections won’t believe that a mottai inai speaks the language so well!