Only three other countries from East or Southeast Asia scored lower on the global ranking.
Teaching English in Japan
Unko Drill series wants to help English learners in Japan get ready for their college entrance exams.
Heartwarming tale of a boy who grew up to have the last laugh, and get rich off the experience as well.
Assistant Language Teacher quickly learns that Japanese doesn’t always translate properly into English.
Fans of Do You Love Your Mom? Will learn how to say “You may not look at me in the nude” as part of new textbook.
Reports say the Canadian teacher regularly spanked children and shoved books into their mouths.
Grabbing the attention of young minds with the implied power of hot lead.
Call us cynical, but we find that our standards over what constitutes funny Engrish have been changing. Unless it’s something really hilarious, perhaps involving naughty words or references to embarrassing body parts, we just can’t muster up the same kind of enthusiasm we once had. When it comes to English that’s just a little bit off in certain ways, it’s sometimes just not that funny, especially when you understand the number of reasons why Engrish happens in the first place. However, visitors to Japan will always remember that first taste of Engrish fondly, even if the same example might fail to raise an eyebrow after a few years of acclimatizing. The last piece of Engrish I felt was worthy of documenting can be seen above – it’s a T-shirt from a store in Osaka and several years later it still blows my mind. However, there’s also plenty of pretty mediocre Engrish to be found, as we’ll demonstrate after the jump.
I’ve marked my fair share of English exam papers here in Japan, and there have been a few gems of hilarity in amongst the spelling mistakes and butchered grammar, but nothing that measures up to this beauty. One student’s answer to a simple question was so deep and existential, it read like poetry.
Learning a second language is never easy, especially when there are so many things like context, nuance, and cultural connotations standing in the way. The key to conquering these hurdles, though, usually lies outside the pages of a textbook, and the Japanese Government addresses this issue by employing thousands of foreigners to assist English teachers in its education system every year. So where would a foreigner start when correcting a student on the finer points of English as a second language? One of the easiest ways would be to take a look at this collection of commonly misused phrases and their simple fixes, put together by David Thayne, the head of AtoZ English.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Tokyo cafe offers all-you-can-eat pancakes for less than ten bucks!
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hatsune Miku-inspired figure has no need for pants or panties 【Photos】
When is the right time for a love confession in Japan?
How to buy a cake in a gacha capsule from a vending machine in Japan
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Weekly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026- Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
- Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hatsune Miku-inspired figure has no need for pants or panties 【Photos】
When is the right time for a love confession in Japan?
How to buy a cake in a gacha capsule from a vending machine in Japan
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Smallest hotel room in Tokyo? This cheap stay for two will turn friends into lovers
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Starbucks Japanese New Year’s Frappuccino: Too delicious to wait for January to drink【Taste test】
We tried Tokyo’s “rent a middle-aged Japanese man” service, and it was awesome!
We take a ride on Seibu Railway’s futuristic luxury liner: the Limited Express Laview
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
LED potion lamp heals us with its array of colors, sets perfect adventure mood
-
