Kotoba Drill Blog

Insights on vocabulary learning, product releases, and localized study tips.

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Vague Expressions ④: How to Use 「〜のようです」

「〜のようです」 is a useful form for giving soft inferences based on what you see or hear. If you understand the difference from 「〜かもしれません」 and 「〜と考えられます」, you can choose wording that fits each scene. This article explains usage scenes, rephrasing options, and practical switching examples with kana(かな(ひらがなよみ))+ IPA.

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Vague Expressions ③: How to Use 「〜ではないでしょうか」

「〜ではないでしょうか」 is a way to make suggestions and checks sound softer while inviting agreement. But if you use it too much, it can sound roundabout. In this article, we learn the difference from 「〜と思います」, usage scenes, rephrasing options, and practical examples with kana(かな(ひらがなよみ))+ IPA.

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Vague Expressions ②: How to Use 「〜と思われます」

「〜と思われます」 is a way to state an opinion without sounding too strong, with a bit of distance. But if you use it too much, people may feel it is unclear whose opinion it is. In this article, we learn the difference from 「〜と思います」, when to use it, ways to rephrase it, and usage examples with kana(かな(ひらがなよみ))+ IPA.

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Vague Expressions ① How to use 「〜かもしれません」

「〜かもしれません」 is a basic way to say something without a hard statement. It is used when facts are not fixed or when you want to be considerate. We learn rephrase directions and usage examples with kana readings (かな(ひらがなよみ)) and IPA.

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Rephrase Your Words ⑦ How to rephrase 「〜と思います」

「〜と思います」 is very useful, but it can be unclear whether you mean an opinion, a guess, or a gentle softening phrase. This article explains the three functions and shows how to choose a clearer wording for each goal. In “Rephrase directions” and “Usage examples,” we also include kana readings (かな(ひらがなよみ)) and IPA for practice.

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Rephrase Your Words ⑥ Find precise ways to say “すごい”

“すごい” is handy but too broad, so its meaning can get lost. This article groups its functions into praise, awe, degree, surprise, and negative intensity, using CEFR A2 vocabulary. Japanese examples include kana and IPA so learners can start using them right away.

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Rephrase Your Words ⑤: Think about the real meanings inside 「お願いします」

「お願いします」(onegaishimasu) is one of the most common request expressions in Japanese. It is very handy, but its meaning is often vague, because it can be a request, greeting, thanks, or closing phrase. This article explains its functions and suggests clearer rephrases with examples, kana, and IPA, in easy English for learners (CEFR A2).