[English／日本語]

The Tokyo Olympics is over and the Paralympics will soon begin. At the closing ceremony of the Olympics, it was impressive to see athletes from different countries communicating with each other. In this article, I would like to introduce the unique way Japanese people communicate.

Japanese people who don't "hug" but suddenly touch their bodies: a tap on the shoulder

I often hear from international students that they were surprised by a sudden tap on the shoulder from a Japanese person. Japanese people do not hug and generally keep more distance from others than people in some other countries. However, we often tap someone on the shoulder when we speak to them. We also pat small children on the head to show that they are "cute" or "good." Lovers may do this as well. In some countries, it is absolutely forbidden to pat a child's head. For Japanese people, patting a head is a sign of affection. If it makes you uncomfortable, be sure to tell the person.

Aizuchi

At Japanese language schools, we often guide students who do not give many aizuchi during class. Do you know what aizuchi is? Aizuchi is a way of communicating by nodding your head to show you are listening closely to what someone is saying. That is why Japanese people use a lot of aizuchi in conversation. In some countries, people tilt their heads to the side to mean "yes" when making an aizuchi. However, that gesture means "I don't understand" to Japanese people. Learning Japanese grammar and kanji is very important, but if you do not learn communication habits like aizuchi as well, misunderstandings can arise, so be careful.

What is the meaning of tongue clicking?

Tongue-clicking is a problem that occurs in the classroom about as often as aizuchi. In Japan, people click their tongues to express sarcasm or dissatisfaction toward others. Tongue clicks that others can hear are considered bad manners and can cause trouble even among Japanese people. Depending on a foreign student's country, tongue-clicking may have no particular meaning or may be done only toward oneself. Teachers at Japanese language schools are used to this kind of situation, so they lightly warn students, but if you click your tongue at a part-time job, you could be fired. When you come to Japan, be careful not to click your tongue.

While studying abroad, your small gestures can often lead to misunderstandings. If you are misunderstood, polish your Japanese so you can explain yourself properly. At our school, we teach not only the Japanese language but also manners in class. We support you so you can live as an international student with peace of mind, so please consider enrolling in our school.

The Tokyo Olympics is over and the Paralympics will soon begin. The closing ceremony of the Olympics left an impression with athletes communicating across national borders. This time, I will introduce the distinctive ways Japanese people communicate.

Japanese people who do not hug but suddenly touch others: the act of tapping the shoulder

I often hear from international students that they were surprised when a Japanese person suddenly tapped their shoulder. Japanese people do not hug, and compared with other countries they tend to keep a greater distance from strangers. Still, they often tap someone on the shoulder when speaking to them. They also stroke a small child's head to convey feelings of “cute” or “good child.” This action is sometimes done to lovers as well. In some students’ home countries, stroking a child’s head is absolutely forbidden. For Japanese people, stroking the head is one form of expressing affection. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, be sure to tell the other person.

Aizuchi

At Japanese language schools, teachers often instruct students who do not give aizuchi during class. Do you know what aizuchi are? Aizuchi are the small responses you give while listening, such as nodding your head vertically to show “I am listening carefully to what you are saying.” That is why Japanese people insert many aizuchi in conversation. In some countries, people tilt their heads sideways to mean “yes” when giving an aizuchi. However, that gesture comes across to Japanese people as “I don’t understand.” Studying Japanese grammar and kanji is very important, but if you do not learn communication behaviors like aizuchi at the same time, misunderstandings can occur, so be careful.

What does tongue-clicking mean?

Tongue-clicking is a problem that happens in the classroom almost as often as issues with aizuchi. In Japan, people click their tongues to show sarcasm or dissatisfaction toward someone. Tongue clicks that others can hear are regarded as bad manners and can cause trouble even among Japanese people. In some countries, tongue-clicking may be meaningless or may be directed only at oneself. Teachers at Japanese language schools are accustomed to this and give students gentle warnings, but if you click your tongue at your part-time job, you might lose your position. When you come to Japan, take care not to click your tongue.

While studying abroad, your small gestures often cause misunderstandings. If you are misunderstood, improve your Japanese so you can explain yourself properly. At our school, we teach manners as well as the language during lessons. We support you so you can enjoy your study-abroad life with peace of mind, so please consider applying to our school.