Learning Comparisons in Japanese – A Fun Classroom Moment!
Comparing things is an essential skill in any language, and Japanese is no exception! In today’s lesson, let’s look at how to use comparisons in a fun and memorable way.
Comparison Practice:
During a recent lesson, our students practiced using 「どちらが〜ですか？」 (Which is ~?) to compare different things. Here’s a glimpse of the conversation:
先生：みなさん、バスとタクシーとどちらがはやいですか。
(Teacher: Everyone, which is faster, the bus or the taxi?)
みんな：タクシーのほうがはやいです。
(Everyone: The taxi is faster.)
先生：じゃあ、バスとタクシーとどちらが高（たか）いですか。
(Teacher: Then, which is more expensive, the bus or the taxi?)
Just as we expected, someone answered “タクシーのほうが高いです” (The taxi is more expensive.) – but then came a surprising twist!
生徒 ：バスのほうが高いです。
(One student: The bus is more expensive.)
みんな：えっ？どうして？
(Everyone: Huh? Why?)
生徒：バスを買います。高いです。
(Because you buy the whole bus. It’s expensive!)
Funny Question: Playing with Words
An another day, we had another hilarious moment when students started applying academic vocabulary to everyday life!
先生：ケイトリンさんは、どうして日本語を勉強していますか。
(Teacher: Kaitlin, why are you studying Japanese?)
ケイトリンさん：副専攻ですから。
(Kaitlin：Because it’s my minor.)
Then came an unexpected question from another student, Luke:
ルーク：先生、主専攻と副専攻は彼女にも使えますか。
(Luke: Sensei, can you use “shusenko” (major) and “fukusenko” (minor) to talk about girlfriends too?)
This playful question, using academic terms like “major” and “minor” in a completely different context, had everyone laughing! Moments like these make learning Japanese fun and engaging
Why Learning with Humor Helps
This unexpected joke made everyone laugh and helped reinforce the comparison structure in a way no one will forget! Adding humor to language learning makes it more engaging and improves retention.
Want to improve your Japanese skills while having fun? Join our classes and learn in a lively, interactive environment!
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