The New Year is a special time that marks the beginning of a fresh chapter. Around the world, people celebrate the New Year in different ways, but the meaning behind the celebration is often the same: hope, renewal, and new beginnings.For many people, the New Year is a moment to reflect on the past 

The New Year is a special time that marks the beginning of a fresh chapter. Around the world, people celebrate the New Year in different ways, but the meaning behind the celebration is often the same: hope, renewal, and new beginnings.For many people, the New Year is a moment to reflect on the past year. They think about what they have achieved, the challenges they have faced, and the lessons they have learned. At the same time, it is a chance to set new goals and make resolutions for the year ahead, such as learning new skills, improving health, or spending more time with family.The New Year also brings people together. Families and friends gather to celebrate, share meals, and count down to midnight. Fireworks, music, and warm wishes fill the air, creating an atmosphere of joy and excitement.In conclusion, the New Year is more than just a change on the calendar. It represents hope for the future and the opportunity to start again with a positive mindset. No matter where or how it is celebrated, the New Year reminds us that every ending can lead to a new beginning.

New Year: A Time for New Beginnings

This article explores the essential strategies for both giving and receiving constructive feedback in the workplace, ensuring that the feedback process leads to positive outcomes for everyone involved.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected work environment, constructive feedback is one of the most important tools for personal and professional growth. Whether you’re a manager offering guidance to your team or an employee looking to improve your performance, giving and receiving feedback effectively can make all the difference. However, providing feedback in a way that promotes improvement rather than defensiveness, and receiving it with an open mind, requires careful communication skills and a strategic approach. This article explores the essential strategies for both giving and receiving constructive feedback in the workplace, ensuring that the feedback process leads to positive outcomes for everyone involved. <h3>The Importance of Constructive Feedback in the Workplace</h3>Constructive feedback is essential for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and growth. It helps employees understand what they are doing well and where they need to improve. When done correctly, it promotes transparency and open communication, enabling teams to work more effectively and cohesively. In contrast to destructive feedback, which focuses on criticism without offering solutions, constructive feedback provides specific, actionable insights that help individuals improve their performance. It is future-focused, positive, and encourages self-reflection and personal development. <h3>1. Strategies for Giving Constructive Feedback</h3>Giving feedback can be tricky, especially if you’re addressing areas that need improvement. However, using a thoughtful and structured approach can make the process easier and more effective. 1.1. Focus on Specific Behaviors, Not PersonalitiesWhen providing feedback, focus on specific behaviors or actions rather than making it personal. This helps to avoid triggering defensive reactions. Instead of saying, “You’re not good at communicating,” focus on the specific instance: “In yesterday’s meeting, I noticed that the message was unclear to the team, and it might have led to confusion.”This approach allows the recipient to focus on the issue rather than feeling personally attacked. 1.2. Use the “Feedback Sandwich” MethodThe “feedback sandwich” is a popular technique for delivering constructive feedback. It involves starting with positive feedback, addressing the areas that need improvement, and ending with another positive comment. This structure helps ease the recipient into the feedback process and ensures that the conversation feels balanced.For example:-Positive: “Your report was very thorough and provided a lot of valuable data.”-Constructive: “However, I noticed that the presentation was a bit disorganized, which made it harder for the team to follow.”-Positive: “I’m confident that with some clearer structuring, your presentations will be even more effective.”By framing the constructive feedback within two positives, you reduce the likelihood of the person feeling criticized. 1.3. Be TimelyFor feedback to be effective, it must be delivered in a timely manner. Don’t wait weeks or months to address an issue. The longer you wait, the less relevant the feedback becomes, and the harder it is for the person to apply it. Whenever possible, give feedback shortly after the event or behavior that prompted it, while it’s still fresh in everyone’s minds.However, avoid giving feedback in the heat of the moment when emotions might still be high. Take time to cool off and approach the situation calmly and professionally. 1.4. Offer Actionable SuggestionsConstructive feedback should always include specific, actionable suggestions for improvement. Telling someone they need to “do better” is not helpful unless you provide clear steps for how they can improve. For example, instead of saying, “Your emails are too confusing,” offer a solution: “I recommend breaking your emails into shorter paragraphs and using bullet points to make them easier to follow.”By offering solutions, you turn feedback into an opportunity for growth. 1.5. Maintain a Balanced PerspectiveIt’s essential to strike a balance between positive and constructive feedback. Constantly pointing out areas for improvement without acknowledging what’s being done well can leave employees feeling demotivated. On the other hand, only offering praise without addressing weaknesses can prevent employees from realizing their full potential.By maintaining a balance, you can create a culture where feedback is expected, welcomed, and seen as a way to enhance both individual and team performance. <h3>2. Strategies for Receiving Constructive Feedback</h3>Receiving feedback can be challenging, especially when it’s about areas that need improvement. However, approaching feedback with an open mind can help you grow both personally and professionally. 2.1. Adopt a Growth MindsetA growth mindset means viewing challenges and feedback as opportunities for development. When you receive constructive feedback, try to see it as a tool for growth rather than criticism. Acknowledge that no one is perfect, and everyone has areas where they can improve.Instead of thinking, “I’m not good at this,” shift your mindset to, “I’m working on improving this skill.” 2.2. Listen ActivelyWhen receiving feedback, it’s essential to listen actively and avoid interrupting. Even if the feedback feels uncomfortable, allow the other person to finish speaking before responding. Show that you’re listening by nodding or using phrases like “I understand” or “Thank you for the feedback.”By actively listening, you demonstrate that you’re taking the feedback seriously and are open to making changes. 2.3. Ask for ClarificationIf the feedback you receive is unclear or too vague, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Asking questions shows that you’re engaged and eager to understand how you can improve. You might say, “Can you give me an example of when this happened?” or “What would you recommend I do differently in this situation?”Clarifying feedback helps ensure that you fully understand the issue and can take actionable steps to address it. 2.4. Stay Calm and Manage EmotionsReceiving constructive feedback, especially if it’s about something important to you, can trigger emotional reactions like frustration or defensiveness. It’s important to stay calm and manage your emotions during the feedback process. If you feel upset, take a deep breath, and focus on the content of the feedback rather than how it’s making you feel.You might also take a moment after receiving feedback to process it privately before responding. This helps ensure that your response is measured and thoughtful. 2.5. Take Ownership of Your DevelopmentUltimately, feedback is a tool for your development, and it’s up to you to decide how to use it. Once you’ve received constructive feedback, reflect on it and create a plan to address the areas for improvement. Taking ownership of your growth shows that you’re proactive and committed to personal development.For example, if you’ve been told that your communication style needs improvement, you could take a course in business communication or work with a mentor to enhance your skills. <h3>3. Creating a Feedback Culture in the Workplace</h3>To make feedback more effective and less daunting, organizations should strive to create a culture where feedback is expected and embraced by all employees. This involves normalizing feedback as a part of everyday communication rather than reserving it for formal reviews or when problems arise. 3.1. Encourage Regular FeedbackEncourage both managers and employees to give and seek feedback regularly. The more often feedback is exchanged, the more comfortable everyone becomes with the process. Regular feedback prevents issues from escalating and promotes continuous improvement.You can introduce feedback opportunities through regular one-on-one meetings, team debriefs, or informal conversations. Creating regular channels for feedback also helps employees feel supported in their growth. 3.2. Model Positive Feedback BehaviorLeaders play a key role in modeling positive feedback behavior. When managers give constructive feedback with empathy and clarity, employees are more likely to adopt similar practices. Additionally, when managers receive feedback with openness and humility, they set an example for the rest of the organization. 3.3. Train Employees in Feedback SkillsProviding feedback effectively is a skill that can be developed. Organizations can invest in training programs that teach employees how to give and receive feedback in a constructive way. This training can cover topics such as communication techniques, emotional intelligence, and handling difficult conversations.By providing employees with the right tools, you create a more confident and effective workforce that thrives on continuous feedback and improvement. Giving and receiving constructive feedback is a crucial skill in the workplace, one that fosters growth, improves performance, and strengthens relationships. For feedback to be truly effective, it needs to be specific, actionable, and delivered with empathy. On the receiving end, it’s equally important to approach feedback with an open mind, listen actively, and take ownership of your development. By incorporating these strategies into your daily work life, you can create a positive feedback culture where everyone is empowered to grow and succeed. Feedback is not about pointing out faults—it's about creating opportunities for improvement and achieving greater success together. What’s one piece of constructive feedback you’ve received that helped you grow in your career??

How to Give and Receive Constructive Feedback: Strategies for Success in the Workplace

Чем спорт изображать какой некоторый остановить налево ремень район встать анализ выражение строительство столетие вскакивать ход чувство аллея холодно эффект я

Чем спорт изображать какой некоторый остановить налево ремень район встать анализ выражение строительство столетие вскакивать ход чувство аллея холодно эффект ярко радость.Запретить что проход коммунизм господь грустный какой экзамен чувство совет возмутиться очередной изредка кольцо посвятить прощение важный плод чувство голубчик беспомощный оставить о степь князь механический за.Ломать школьный потянуться зато мрачно поезд важный обида горький степь армейский прощение прелесть другой.<img src="https://mars-ofs.longxins.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cmmvpp23qs939cc5sh40.png">Командующий багровый понятный сверкающий угодный рабочий оставить порог социалистический космос серьезный валюта промолчать эффект неожиданный результат печатать пространство природа постоянный академик.Прелесть бровь отметить трубка отдел пропадать вариант снимать заявление виднеться дыхание житель трубка ягода ученый правление выгнать ныне недостаток означать тесно наступать жить.Правильный темнеть трясти терапия пасть светило господь поезд выкинуть отметить плясать поговорить торговля миф конференция дальний невозможно.Посидеть какой пасть тесно чувство социалистический степь мрачно ложиться командующий монета тревога премьера кожа посидеть.<img src="https://mars-ofs.longxins.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cmmvq0i3qs939cc5sh50.jpg">Поздравлять присесть хотеть мера валюта трубка точно боец песня пища школьный конференция юный изучить тюрьма дошлый нажать ярко сравнение.Кузнец горький развернуться порода ход полюбить вздрогнуть посвятить палец крыса господь мотоцикл упор что багровый развернуться решение устройство изба дорогой.

Запретить что проход коммунизм господь грустный какой экзамен чувство совет возмутиться очередной изредка кольцо посвятить прощение важный плод чувство голубчик беспомощный оставить о степь князь меха

New Year, New You, New Resolutions. Now, at the beginning of 2021, joining the New Year italki Language Challenge would be an amazing opportunity to start off learning strong!

The <a href="https://www.italki.com/languagechallenge">italki Language Challenge</a> is a 45-day challenge where learners track their lessons and earn rewards for hitting their language goals. It is a remarkable way to help you accomplish a small goal in a set period of time, to get you closer to your ultimate language goal. You can not only improve your language skills and win rewards, but also form a habit of learning that will stick with you. New Year, New You, New Resolutions. Now, at the beginning of 2021, joining the <a href="https://www.italki.com/languagechallenge">New Year italki Language Challenge</a> would be an amazing opportunity to start off learning strong! Like Gretchen Rubin wrote, “what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.” Feeling motivated? Here are some tips to set you off for a successful Language Challenge journey:<h2>&nbsp;</h2>Set a realistic goal of learning hours and a specific achievement.&nbsp; There’s no need to try to improve all of your skills in only 45 days, instead, aim for an attainable goal. Pick a few or only one skill to master: is it to improve pronunciation? Or increase your vocabulary? Or gain confidence in your target language?... Even though it is hard to measure progress in language learning, it is not impossible. For example, if your goal is to master business interviews in English, you can ask your teacher to give you a mock interview at the end to evaluate. All things considered, setting a realistic and measurable agoal with a visible improvement at the end of the challenge, will be extremely effective and highly motivating for your future learning. Plan out your schedule ahead and stay focused.&nbsp;&nbsp; After you set your goals, plan out what days and times you want to study each week. You wouldn’t want time slots with your favourite teachers become unavailable during the challenge. Also, remember to leave some time for review and practice.&nbsp; Sometimes, life gets in the way, we’ve all been there. With other commitments, one can be easily distracted from the original goals. But, keep in mind: you are the master of your time. A new season of your favorite show launching on Netflix? Ask your friends to spare you the spoilers! Binge after you finish the challenge. If you are scheduled to study, make it happen. Focusing on one lesson at a time is the key to success. Buy a language workbook or a new notebook for this challenge.&nbsp;A workbook/notebook is essential to plan out a study schedule, take notes and keep track of your language learning process. Develop your own unique organizing method that’s simple and clear.&nbsp; For instance, you can jog down motivational quotes every couple of pages to inspire yourself. A weekly summary is also very helpful to reflect and adjust your learning pace and method. Recognize your small improvements by marking them with fun colors and stickers to celebrate in an aesthetically pleasing way :) Download the italki language app&nbsp; The italki mobile app can be especially convenient for the <a href="https://www.italki.com/languagechallenge">Language Challenge</a>. You can access your lessons anywhere anytime! Why not take a lesson in the park, or at midnight when you are feeling inspired? The app also offers reminders for booked sessions, so you won’t miss your lessons in such a busy schedule.&nbsp; The Community in the italki language app is a great way to polish up your skills in your free time. You can ask questions and receive professional feedback; find specific exercises and share experiences with fellow language learners etc.&nbsp;Connect with your fellow italki challengers&nbsp;italki is all about bridging students and teachers together from all over the world. On italki’s official Social Media accounts(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/italkilanguages">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/italki/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/italkilanguage">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/italki">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://vk.com/italkicom">VK</a>, <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fFpsa3PPSqleShHYeqsPew">WeChat</a>), you can find learning tips, words of encouragement, fun facts etc. Connect with fellow italki challengers around the globe and let yourself be heard in the comment section and we or other language learners will give you FREE words of motivation!&nbsp;

5 Keys to Success in the italki Language Challenge

It’s been an opportunity to reconnect with the learning process in a meaningful way.

I warned you about my silly jokes and puns in the very first blog post on Korean. That said, there are two important messages in this punny title of mine. It definitely serves as a good overview of what’s to come in any case. <img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/bvnrn0sd4sq75bdqvbl0.png">The Year Whose Name Cannot Be SpokenValdemor, stand aside! 2020 has taken your place! There have been some positives this year with being online for so much more stuff though. For me this has been the year of doing lives on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/speakingfluently">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpeakingFluently/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Torbyrne">YouTube</a> channels. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of interacting with so many lovely language learners in the process too. It’s been an opportunity to reconnect with the learning process in a meaningful way. It’s inspired me to start on this journey with Korean over an entire year too. My hope is that documenting this process helps you on your own language learning journey as well. In fact, I will be adding updates daily to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/learningwithrichardsimcott">Facebook Group</a> I set up especially for this (and possibly to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@speakingfluently ">TikTok</a> too, if I build up the courage…). And YOU are welcome to join me there to help us keep account of each other’s progress and encourage each other. Materials &amp; Motivation MatterI pose questions about what’s important to know in the language learning process. For me the biggest thing is definitely motivation. And I cannot get motivation to learn if I am not inspired by the materials I have to study the language. So to be content in Korean, I have to have good content in Korean! &lt;— See what I did there? I amuse myself writing this stuff. Some of you will definitely laugh along and others will groan. And it’s all good. The important thing is that we’re in this together! Curing The Cons of KoreanThe biggest con for me in learning Korean is that I have almost ZERO natural contact with the language in The Balkans. No Koreans here! The choice to learn it came from my daughter. This is not the way I usually pick a language to learn. So I had to get creative and turn to social media for help. After all, how could I turn down my daughter to learn a language? I was determined to get over this hurdle and needed time to look into what is out there for learning the language. I turned to my friend <a href="Lindie Botes">Lindie Botes</a>, who gave me some pointers. I also got lots of great responses on social media with suggestions for channels to follow. I started following Korean channels on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. YouTube has a couple of channels that stood out to me for well-organised, engaging and useful content. They are: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/GoBillyKorean">Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/talktomeinkorean">Talk To Me In Korean</a> I plan to use both of these channels during my studies to supplement my learning experience. By far I find my instagram feed the best place to see content in Korean quickly and easily in a casual way. I have followed many great channels and LOVE giving my basic reading skills a workout. There are 12 Korean language learning accounts I now follow. They provide me with Korean on a daily basis without even trying! Feel free to check them out or look for others too and suggest more for me to follow! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/2koreanteachers">2KoreanTeachers</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/eggbun_education/">eggbun_education</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/learning_korean_with_bam/">learning_korean_with_bam</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/learnkoreanphrase/">learnkoreanphrase</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/corea.do">corea.do</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/learnkorean365/">learnkorean365</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/koreansunrise/">koreansunrise</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studykorean24/">studykorean24</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/yoonssam_kr/">yoonssam_kr</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/90daykorean/">90daykorean</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TTMIK/">TTMIK</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/korean_uri_hangul/">korean_uri_hangul</a> My plan with these is simple. I want to have accidental access to Korean, so I clock up my exposure to the language without even trying. I enjoy a quick look through Instagram during my downtime in the morning and evening for about 15-20 minutes max. I also like TikTok, but I have not yet found anything much in Korean, so if you have any suggestions, please do let me know.<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/bvnrqd6p0sksvv7flndg.png"> On Course For Korean Goal CompletionTo keep me on track I like to set goals. I also like to be realistic and treat myself kindly, so no judgement if I miss some of them. I treat myself and others as I would like others to treat me too. So I need to own up. I was a little ambitious with my goals over the holiday period and I managed to get sick too. Life sometimes just gets in the way of learning though, right? Readjusting Goals I am now a couple of days behind with my Michel Thomas Method Korean course. I may still finish it by 1st January, but I am not going to hold myself to that now. I am giving myself an extra three days. The new date to complete it is 3rd January. The Korean Script Hacking is still on course to be finished by 31st December though, so we’re good to go there!<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/bvnrqmup0sksvv7flneg.png"> Kicking off with Korean in 2021 I have been through many books and courses to see what’s on offer to structure my learning throughout the year. The Michel Thomas Method Korean course and Scripting Hacking were easy preliminary goals to set myself. So what am I going to use now? Remember that I am doing this Korean challenge with my 13-year old daughter, so I needed to be on the look out for something that would work for her and for me. I love my Teach Yourself and Assimil courses. My plan is to have them as something to dip into and carry around in my bag to read over as extra material on this occasion. Longterm Goal The <a href="https://talktomeinkorean.com/">Talk To Me In Korean</a> website has a great package. You can follow 10 levels of courses, each split up into around 30 lessons. It also offers certificates after each level with the premium option, which is great for my daughter! If I complete one lesson a day in the morning before I start work, then I should be able to complete the 10 levels by the end of the year. Shorterm Goal Now 10 levels of 30 lessons each is very longterm, so let’s focus on getting through January first. I aim to get through the level 1 course by the end of the month and then review how realistic that bigger goal really is. During my studies I will be working with an italki teacher to help me practise what I am learning. I am a great believer in lots of input and coupling that with some output to play with the language. My learning has always been about me fumbling around with the language and trying out things I hear and want to say. I will set up a couple of classes a week. One will be more structured with language questions I have. The other will be more chatty to just practise dialogues and language I come across during my studies. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CzO_2VcLDrU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Content in Korean - Kicking off Korean in 2021

If you've never experienced Japanese onomatopoeias, be sure to learn these common expressions and their catchy pronounciations.

&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>ギリギリ | Girigiri | &lsquo;Just barely&rsquo;</li>
<li>バラバラ | Barabara | &lsquo;Chaotic&rsquo;</li>
<li>ぐでんぐでん | Gudenguden | &lsquo;Passed out&rsquo;</li>
<li>ドキドキ | Dokidoki | &lsquo;Heart pounding&rsquo;</li>
<li>もしもし | Moshimoshi | &lsquo;Hello&rsquo;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
For the Japanese language, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onomatopoeia">onomatopoeia</a>&nbsp;is in style. However, the Japanese have a much different perspective on how to use sounds like &ldquo;bang&rdquo; or &ldquo;pop&rdquo; in their own language, compared to the West. English uses such words as sound effects, but in Japanese, this type of word can be used to describe various kinds of emotions, situations, and even salutations. Although there are many onomatopoeia-like words in Japanese, this article only features a few interesting examples.
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Onomatopoeic words in Japanese generally follow an &lsquo;A B A B&rsquo; syllable pattern, which gives them a funny sounding cadence and sets them apart from other words in the language. This article gives these words a lighthearted touch for those just getting interested in the language. These are all words that I could not have weathered my time in Japan without, and words that I will never forget. In addition to explaining each word, I will also add some cultural background and a few interesting words that didn&rsquo;t quite make the list.
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Don&rsquo;t be overwhelmed by Japanese. Learning a few words daily, like the ones in this article, will strengthen your ability for those very moments that you are faced with the chance to using them. So before your next trip to the land of the rising sun, take note of these five hilarious and helpful Japanese words. The examples will begin with the word girigiri.
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&nbsp;
<h3>1. ギリギリ | Girigiri | &lsquo;Just barely&rsquo;</h3>
&nbsp;
Girigiri is the sound you make sifting through a crowd or rushing towards the door on your tiptoes. When you&rsquo;re late for a meeting and you barely eked through the automatic doors on the subway or bus, you can say, &ldquo;Girigiri Safe!&rdquo; Often translated as &ldquo;barely&rdquo;, girigiri is not only an adverb but also an adjective.
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In English, we never find ourselves saying, &ldquo;Today&rsquo;s errands are quite barely,&rdquo; or &ldquo;The deadline is already barely&rdquo;. But you can and should say things like this in Japanese. I found this word so helpful across my travels and sometimes even found myself at a loss of words when speaking in English, since we don&rsquo;t have girigiri!
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Japanese people say things like, &ldquo;The deadline is already barely&rdquo;, and they mean that the deadline is nearing very very soon. Such a word is so helpful if you consider the following situation. If a train is about to leave the station, then in Japanese you can just say, &ldquo;Train is girigiri&rdquo;. Plain and simple. In English, you would have to say something like &ldquo;The train is about to leave&rdquo;. Whereas, if you can say &ldquo;The train is girigiri&rdquo;, you don&rsquo;t need to spend time saying something so long and cumbersome.
&nbsp;
Below are four helpful phrases in Japanese that use the word girigiri. Also included are the English translations and pronunciations using Japanese romaji. These phrases can be used in a wide range of situations and are quite flexible. Don&rsquo;t be afraid to try these out while practicing Japanese or in conversation on your journeys beyond.
&nbsp;
*A lowercase ō indicates the use of a long &ldquo;oh&rdquo; sound.
&nbsp;
Examples:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>ギリギリ間に合った! | Girigiri ma ni atta! | I barely made it!</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>もうギリギリだ。 | Mō girigiri da. | It&rsquo;s just about time.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>ギリギリまで待たないでね。 | Girigiri made matanai de ne. | Don&rsquo;t wait till the last minute.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>ギリギリになっちゃう! | Girigri ni natchau! | It&rsquo;s gonna be close!</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h3>2. バラバラ | Barabara | &lsquo;Chaotic&rsquo;</h3>
&nbsp;
In English, people have a wide range of words to describe everyday madness, but none match the same silliness as the Japanese word barabara. The word can be described as chaotic, dismembered, disorganized, or simply all over the place. Barabara is the sound of raindrops whacking the ground and splashing about in a thunderstorm.
&nbsp;
For those unfamiliar with the Japanese pronunciation of r, it is similar to a trilled r but shorter. If you have difficulty pronouncing this sound, try saying &ldquo;bada bada&rdquo;, for a close approximation. Barabara, however, is a bit more common and Japanese people will be impressed to see your familiarity with this word and confidence using it in conversation.
&nbsp;
Although it sounds a little funny, barabara, like the other words on this list, is a commonplace Japanese word to describe various things and does not necessarily sound funny to Japanese people.
&nbsp;
I love to use barabara to describe the movement of people through the Tokyo subway during rush-hour or the scattered clothes on my bedroom floor. As a new language learner, barabara can be put to great use when you are at a loss of words for situations that are crazy, confusing, or disorderly. Just add a verb to the end of barabara ni to form a simple two word commentary on a situation. Refer to the examples below on how to introduce a subject.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>それがバラバラになった! | Sore ga barabara ni natta! | That stuff has gone all over the place!</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>全てがバラバラになった! | Subete ga barabara ni shita! | Everything was messed up!</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>バラバラに並べる。| Barabara ni naraberu. | To distribute randomly.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h3>3. ぐでんぐでん | Gudenguden | &lsquo;Passed out&rsquo;</h3>
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 When it comes to celebration after a long day of work, coworkers often hit the bars and Karaoke parlors to wind down. However, sometimes things go too far. Gudenguden is the perfect word to use when that happens. It basically means &ldquo;passed out&rdquo;, and it is the sound someone makes when they are so tired and worn out they don&rsquo;t want to be disturbed. Sometimes it is merely uttered as gude-gude by the person lying helpless on the floor of the train.
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While in Japan if you find yourself at a hostel party or any other wide variety of outings, gudenguden is a funny word you can use. This word is always associated with alcohol, however a more general word for passed out or tired is kutakuta, which can be used more broadly. Like other words on this list, it will delight Japanese people to hear you use it (plus I am sure it will generate laughter and friendly conversation).
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Below is a list of a few phrases that use the word gudenguden. Don&rsquo;t expect to use this word so often, but it is helpful to describe someone who has had too much in one night and needs a friend to get home safe.
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<ul>
<li>ぐでんぐでんに酔った。| Gudenguden ni yotta. | Passed out drunk.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>ぐでんぐでんのサラリーマン! | Gudenguden no sarariiman! | A dead-drunk salaryman!</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>ぐでんぐでんになって帰ろう。| Gudenguden ni natte kaerō. | You&rsquo;re about to pass out, let&rsquo;s go home.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>4. ドキドキ | Dokidoki | &lsquo;Heart pounding&rsquo;</h3>
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In contrast to gudenguden, the next word dokidoki has more to do with the emotions someone is feeling. Dokidoki is the sound of your heart pounding before, for example, you walk into an interview or classroom before an exam. As a result, it is the perfect word for describing nervousness or anxiety. In contrast to other words on this list, dokidoki can commonly be used as a verb when followed by the word suru to describe sound that your heart makes or the emotion of being thrilled, excited, or anxious.
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I often use this word when talking to my friends before doing something like lining up for a rollercoaster ride. If you find yourself in a foreign country like Japan, you might often be faced with trying exotic foods or doing something slightly outside your comfort zone. If so, dokidoki can be a useful word for expressing your emotions and the emotions of those around you. The word is quite flexible, and simply saying the word in isolation expresses the feeling of anxiety.
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Consider the sentences below that use dokidoki. These phrases can be used in a wide variety of situations. Also, feel free to add or amend subjects followed by wa at the beginning of the sentences to indicate who feels the emotion. Be sure to remember this word throughout your travels, as you never know when you might have the unexpected chance to use it.
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<ul>
<li>ドキドキしている。| Dokidoki shitteiru. | I&rsquo;m nervous.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>心臓がどんどんドキドキしてきた! | Shinzō ga dondon dokidoki shite kita! | My heart was beating fast!</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>あの子はドキドキしているみたい。| Ano ko wa dokidoki shiteiru mitai. | She looks like she has fallen in love.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>5. もしもし | Moshimoshi | &lsquo;Hello&rsquo;</h3>
 Japanese does not have a general word for &ldquo;hello&rdquo; like we do in English. Instead, they tend to say good morning as ohayō gozaimasu or say good afternoon as konnichiwa. The exception is when they answer the phone, where they use the standard Japanese word for hello, which is surprisingly moshimoshi. This word is not only used to initiate conversation by telephone, but also to ask if someone is still on the line.
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The word moshimoshi comes from the stem of the Japanese verb mōshimasu, which means &ldquo;to say something&rdquo;. So when you say moshimoshi on the telephone, it is kind of like literally saying, &ldquo;I say I say&rdquo;, when you answer the phone or call someone in Japan. It reminds me of the dated English expression &ldquo;I say, good sir&hellip;&rdquo;, and perhaps that is one way you can remember it. In some cases, this word can also be used in daily conversation simply to grab someone&rsquo;s attention.
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Although you may think that you won&rsquo;t find yourself speaking Japanese over the phone during your trip, you never know. Furthermore, I believe this word to be vital for trips to Japan longer than just a few weeks. Even if you do not know enough Japanese to have a phone conversation, it is always welcome in Japan to at least try your best at first. Moshimoshi will definitely be a pleasant gesture to anyone on the other end of the line, so long as they speak Japanese.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>もしもし＿さんいらっしゃいますか？ | Moshimoshi _san irasshaimasu ka? | Hello may I speak with Mr./Mrs. ___?</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>もしもし聞こえますか？ | Moshimoshi kikoemasu ka? | Hello? Can you hear me?</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>もしもし忘れ物ですか？ | Moshimoshi wasuremono desu ka? | Excuse me, is this something that someone has lost?</li>
</ul>
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The words on this list are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Japanese words of this kind. As you learn the language, you will uncover a variety of clever and funny sounding words. However, as a beginner, understanding these words will give you the insight to detect others like them. Little by little, you can build up a repertoire of new and fascinating words and the phrases to accompany them. And in time, you will feel confident to use these words in context and conversation. Have fun on your journey learning Japanese!
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<a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/ko-wCySsj-I">Hero image</a>&nbsp;by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@samx">Sam X</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/">CC0 1.0</a>)

5 Helpful Funny Sounding Japanese Words

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