Makoto Magazine for Learners of Japanese: All the Fun Japanese not Found in Textbooks

By Clay Boutwell and Yumi Boutwell

Makoto E-Zine series #50

Recommended for beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.

Now includes handy QR codes on each page to scan and instantly hear that page's sound files. (You can still download the sound files and PDF for no extra charge)
FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker--download link found on the last page. Listen while reading.

The Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks. If you like our readers and lessons, you will love Makoto, the e-zine filled with articles on kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT tips, Japanese trivia, and much more. Not only that, but every issue will include a brand new reader with newly recorded high-quality MP3s for you to download for no extra charge.

IN THIS ISSUE: April 2022

Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns

Vocabulary: 身を固める

Prefecture Spotlight: Shizuoka

Etymology: 耳を傾ける

Anime Phrase of the Day

Haiku : 正岡子規

Kanji Spotlight: 女

Grammar Time! など

Japanese Readers: Taiyaki (beginner) + Kicchomu and the Fire (Intermediate)

Buy now and start reading in seconds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kotoba Inc
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798437801246

Book preview

Laughs, Jokes, R­iddles, and Puns

鯉 ( こい ) がいる 池 ( いけ ) のそばに、 看板 ( かんばん ) があった。そこには、こう 書 ( か ) いてあった。「 鯉 ( こい ) の 餌 ( えさ ) 10円(じゅうえん) 」これを 読 ( よ ) んだ 友 ( とも ) だちは、 10円玉(じゅうえんだま) を 池 ( いけ ) に 投 ( な ) げ 込 ( こ ) んだ。

（ 解説 ( かいせつ ) ） 看板 ( かんばん ) に 書 ( か ) いてあったのは、「 鯉 ( こい ) の 餌 ( えさ ) は 10円(じゅうえん) で 売 ( う ) っています」という 意味 ( いみ ) だったが、 友 ( とも ) だちは「 10円玉(じゅうえんだま) 」が 鯉 ( こい ) の 餌 ( えさ ) になると 勘違 ( かんちが ) いした。でも、 鯉 ( こい ) は、 10円玉(じゅうえんだま) は 食 ( た ) べられない。

There was a signboard near a pond with carp. It said there, Carp food 10 yen. When my friend read this, he threw a 10 yen coin into the pond.

（Explanation）What was written on the signboard meant that Carp food is sold for 10 yen, but my friend misunderstood that the 10 yen coin would be used as food for the carp. However, carp can't eat a ten-yen