Michael Allen (CPA — Comedic Performance Actor) and Michelle MaliZaki are back with Episode 32 of Nihongo to English, the bilingual Japanese-English podcast that pairs real Genki grammar with real conversation. This episode kicks off with Michael's new 12-string guitar (used, $600, and worth every yen) and a detour into why so few comedians play guitar. From there the co-hosts dig into Japanese grammar: the tricky transitive/intransitive verb pair kaeru (変わる) vs. kaeru (変える) vs. kaeru (帰る) — change, change something, and return, all sounding nearly identical — plus frequency adverbs yoku, tokidoki, amari, and zenzen straight from Genki Lesson 6. Along the way: birthday math, the actual Japanese names for the months (ichigatsu through juunigatsu), a surprising fact-check on whether 7-Eleven and Lawson are American or Japanese companies, and why Japanese families celebrate milestone birthdays at the food court instead of a fancy restaurant. Perfect for Japanese language learners who want real bilingual conversation, cultural context, and grammar that actually sticks.

No homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

Japanese description

日本語学習×バイリンガルポッドキャスト「Nihongo to English」第32回。マイケル・アレン(CPA=コメディック・パフォーマンス・アクター)とみしえる・まりザきが、今回はマイケルが購入した中古の12弦ギター(600ドル)の話からスタート。芸人はなぜギターを弾かないのか?という脱線トークも。そして本題は日本語文法。「変わる」「変える」「帰る」——発音がそっくりな自動詞・他動詞のペアを徹底解説し、Genki第6課の頻度を表す副詞、よく・ときどき・あまり・ぜんぜんも学びます。さらに誕生日トーク、一月から十二月までの日本語の月名、セブン-イレブンとローソンは本当はアメリカ発祥なのか?という豆知識、そして日本の家族が節目の誕生日をなぜ高級レストランではなくフードコートで祝うのかまで。日本語学習者はもちろん、バイリンガル会話や日米文化の違いに興味がある方にもおすすめの一本です。

宿題なし、ただのバイリンガル・カオス、それでも学べる。

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Learn Japanese with Genki on episode 31 of Nihongo to English! This episode dives into Japanese grammar with the ますか negative invitation form — masen ka, "won't you...?" — straight from Genki Lesson 3, covering verb conjugation, ni vs. de particles, and the iku vs. kuru distinction (why "come to my house" and "go to Kyoto" need different verbs). Michelle brings back souvenirs from a trip to Japan, including Niigata sake, Mount Fuji-themed dishware, and a Crayon Shin-chan snack, while Michael breaks down why McDonald's becomes "Maku" in Japanese and unpacks the cultural difference between nekojita (cat tongue) and the English "cat got your tongue." Plus: a bullet train ride to Nagoya, an on-the-rocks whiskey podcast preview, and a genuinely unsettling story about a scammer with nostril hair at Haneda Airport. No homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

Write to us at NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com

Theme jingle by Michelle MaliZaki.

日本語学習×バイリンガルポッドキャスト「Nihongo to English」第31回!今回はGenki第3課の文法、「ませんか」を使った勧誘表現(Won't you...?)を中心に、動詞の活用、「に」と「で」の使い分け、そして「行く」と「来る」の違いを解説します。みしえるが日本旅行で買ってきた新潟の日本酒や富士山モチーフの食器、クレヨンしんちゃんのお菓子も登場。マイケルはマクドナルドがなぜ「マック」になるのか、そして「猫舌」と英語の"cat got your tongue"の文化的な違いについても語ります。新幹線での名古屋旅行、オンザロックのウイスキーポッドキャスト出演の話、そして羽田空港で遭遇した鼻毛が印象的な詐欺師のエピソードも必聴。宿題なし、バイリンガルカオスだけ ― それでも自然と学べる。

メールください！！NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com

テーマソング:みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Learn Japanese with Genki on this episode of Nihongo to English! Hosts Michael Allen, CPA and Michelle MaliZaki tackle one of Japanese grammar's sneakiest mix-ups: tsukeru (to pickle), tsukau (to use), and tsukuru (to make) — three verbs that sound almost identical but mean very different things (ask Michael about his slightly vulgar mnemonic device). Along the way they make cucumber pickles (tsukemono), work through Genki Chapter 3's daily schedule practice with Yamashita-sensei — telling time, days of the week, and the particles に and か — and go down a sumo rabbit hole covering yokozuna rankings, sponsor flags, and the age-old tradition of throwing zabuton pillows when a champion loses. Plus: America's 250th birthday, a Kiss tribute concert, and a World Cup memory from Michelle's years living in Japan. This is also the first episode simultaneously recorded live on the Nihongo to English Twitch channel, with real questions from live chat. No homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

Write to us: NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com

Theme jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

日本語学習×バイリンガルポッドキャスト「Nihongo to English」第30回! ホストのマイケル・アレン(CPA)とみしえる・まりザきが、日本語文法で紛らわしい三兄弟、つける(漬ける)・つかう(使う)・つくる(作る)の違いに挑戦します。きゅうりの漬物を実際に作りながら文法を整理し、Genki教科書第3課の「山下先生の一日」を使って時間の言い方、曜日、助詞「に」と「か」を練習します。さらに相撲トークでは横綱の格付け、懸賞旗、そして横綱が負けたときに観客が座布団を投げる伝統についても語ります。おまけに、アメリカ建国250周年、KISSトリビュートバンドのライブ、そしてみしえるが日本で見たワールドカップの思い出も。今回はNihongo to EnglishのTwitchチャンネルで初めて同時ライブ配信された記念すべき回で、視聴者からの質問にもリアルタイムで答えています。宿題なし。ただのバイリンガル・カオス — でもなぜか学べる。

メール送ってね！NihongoToEnglsihNoShow @gmail.com

テーマジングル：Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Learn Japanese with Genki Chapter 3! In EP 29, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (CPA) tackle 〜ますか questions with verb practice straight from page 95 — 読みます, 飲みます, 見ます, します — and turn a textbook "guessing game" into a full-blown points competition. (Michael loses. There's a scoreboard now. Things are getting serious.)

Before the Japanese grammar kicks in, we sample a mysterious eucalyptus-menthol candy souvenir from Spain, debate the world's best herbal tea (ginger turmeric supremacy?), and celebrate Michael's 100th Morning Motivational episode — powered by exactly 10 squats a day.

Also in this episode: Japanese bean vocabulary (ひよこ豆 = chickpea = baby chick bean, you're welcome), an accidental anatomy lesson (心臓? 腎臓? 象??), how to play だるまさんがころんだ — Japan's answer to Red Light, Green Light — and Michael's review of a fringe show called "Weird Al's Gonna Die." (He's fine. Probably.)

Plus: why is タコ both an octopus AND a kite? Japan, explain yourself.

Questions, comments, or Daruma donations: NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com

No homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

日本語学習×バイリンガルポッドキャスト第29回!今回は『げんき』第3章、95ページの「〜ますか」の質問練習に挑戦。読みます・飲みます・見ます・します — 教科書の「当てっこゲーム」がいつの間にかガチの得点勝負に。(マイケル、負けました。)

グラマーの前には、スペインのお土産・謎のユーカリ&メンソールキャンディを実食!最強ハーブティー論争(生姜ターメリック茶、優勝?)、そしてマイケルのMorning Motivational番組100回達成のお祝いも。毎日スクワット10回の力、恐るべし。

さらに:ひよこ豆の英語(chickpea = ひよこの豆!そのまま!)、なぜか始まる内臓の単語レッスン(心臓?腎臓?象??)、「だるまさんがころんだ」の遊び方講座、そしてマイケルが観た舞台『Weird Al's Gonna Die』のレビューも。(ウィアード・アルは元気です。たぶん。)

おまけ:「タコ」はなぜ octopus でもあり kite でもあるのか。日本語、自由すぎる。

みしえる・まりザき&マイケル・アレン(米国公認会計士)がお届けする、英語と日本語がいきなり切り替わる番組です。

ご感想・メッセージはこちらまで:NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com

宿題なし。バイリンガルカオスだけ — なのに、なぜか身につく。

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Episode 28 – Iku vs. Kuru, Barcelona Croquettes & The Daruma Gets an Eye

Learn Japanese and discover Japanese culture with hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki in Episode 28 of Nihongo to English — the bilingual podcast where somehow, you always walk away knowing more Japanese than when you started.

This week, Michelle is back from a family trip to Europe — Dublin, Barcelona, and the World Cup chaos in between. Tapas were eaten. Open mics were canceled. And a very important debate was settled: are Japanese croquettes (コロッケ) and Spanish croquettes the same thing? (They are not. And the panko situation is complicated.)

Then it's back to Genki Lesson 3, page 93–94 for one of the most important — and most confusing — Japanese grammar topics for beginners: 行く (iku) vs. 来る (kuru). When do you say "I'm going" vs. "I'm coming"? It all depends on where the speaker is standing, and Michael and Michelle break it down with real examples, Takkyubin scenarios, and a guy who is apparently the size of a building. They also practice masu and masen verb conjugations with full sentences across eight different verbs: taberu, kiku, nomu, hanasu, yomu, miru, suru, okiru, neru, and iku — because once you're in it, you're in it.

Also on this episode: the World Cup takeover of Barcelona, the word darui (だるい — that "ugh, everything is too much" feeling), the invention of the Daruima (a bucket shaped like a Daruma with a to-do list inside), Japanese useless inventions, えー vs. うん as response words, chotto as the world's most polite "no," and the moment Michael drew an eye on Daruma-san live on air — setting the goal of 10,000 downloads.

The Daruma has one eye. The rest is up to you.

No homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

📩 NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com
🎵 Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki 

Japanese Description

エピソード28 – 行く vs. 来る、バルセロナのコロッケ＆ダルマに目を入れた日

日本語学習中のあなたへ。バイリンガルポッドキャスト Nihongo to English のエピソード28へようこそ！ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきが、今週も笑いとカオスの中で日本語をお届けします。

今回、みしえる・まりザきはヨーロッパ家族旅行から帰還。ダブリン、バルセロナ、そしてワールドカップ一色の街並みを体験。オープンマイクは全滅。でもコロッケはおいしかった。日本のコロッケとスペインのコロッケ、実は全然違う？パン粉問題まで深掘りします。

そして今週のメイン：げんき Lesson 3（93〜94ページ） より、日本語学習の定番の壁、「行く」と「来る」を徹底解説！話し手がどこにいるかで使い方が変わるこの2つの動詞、宅急便シナリオや実例を使ってわかりやすく説明します。さらに、ます形・ません形の動詞活用練習として、食べる・聞く・飲む・話す・読む・見る・する・起きる・寝る・行く の8つ以上を文章で練習！

その他のトピック：ワールドカップに飲み込まれたバルセロナ、「だるい」 という言葉の発見、ダルマをバケツにした謎の発明品 「ダルイマ」、日本のユニークな発明文化、「えー」と「うん」の使い方、「ちょっと」が実は丁重な断りの言葉である理由、そして放送中に実際にダルマに目を入れた瞬間——目標は ダウンロード1万回！

ダルマに片目が入りました。あとはリスナーのみなさん次第です。

宿題なし。バイリンガルなカオスだけ——でもなぜか学べる。

📩 NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com
🎵 テーマジングル：みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Want to learn Japanese while laughing? Welcome to Nihongo to English — the bilingual Japanese-English podcast where Japanese culture, language, and pure chaos collide.

In Episode 27, hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki take a break from the Genki book and go full Japan travel mode. Michael is calling in live from Arizona, and Michelle is fresh off a golf tournament, Canada-bound for a comedy festival, and already big in Nagoya.

Together they spiral into the Japan trip planning session you didn't know you needed: mixed onsen (混浴), snow rotemburo in Niigata, the Sapporo Snow Festival, Ainu culture, a federal penitentiary in the frozen wilds of Hokkaido, a terrifying amount of bears, izakaya culture, stand-up comedy in Shinjuku, and a monkey in Kyoto that broke into a house and started opening doors like a landlord.

And because this is Nihongo to English, they also settle the most important question in Japanese food culture: ube vs. murasakiimo (むらさきいも). One is morning glory family. One is a yam. They are NOT the same. You're welcome.

Whether you're learning Japanese, planning a trip to Japan, or just love Japanese culture — this episode is for you.

NO homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

📩 Questions? NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com
🎵 Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード27 – 日本旅行計画、温泉モンキー＆ウベvsむらさきいも

日本語を楽しく学びたい方へ。Nihongo to English は、日本語と英語を行き来しながら、日本文化・日本語学習・バイリンガルトークをお届けするポッドキャストです。

エピソード27では、ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきがゲンキでのお勉強をお休みして、日本旅行トークに全力投球！マイケルはアリゾナからリモート参加、みしえる・まりザきはゴルフトーナメントを終え、カナダのコメディフェスティバルへ向かい、名古屋でも活躍予定。

二人が繰り広げる日本旅行計画トークは盛りだくさん：混浴温泉、新潟の雪見露天風呂、札幌雪まつり、アイヌ文化、北海道の刑務所（本物）、クマ大量出没、居酒屋文化、新宿でのスタンダップコメディ、そして京都で家に侵入して勝手にドアを開けまくったサルの話まで。

そして日本食文化最大の謎に迫る：ウベvsむらさきいも。片方はヒルガオ科、もう片方はヤム芋。全然違います。どういたしまして。

日本語を勉強している方、日本旅行を計画している方、日本文化が好きな方 — このエピソードはあなたのためにあります。

宿題なし。ただのバイリンガルカオス — でも、なぜか学べる。

📩 質問はこちら：NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com
🎵 テーマジングル by みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 26 of Nihongo to English, hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki are back with more bilingual chaos — and somehow, you're going to learn Japanese.

This week, they crack open Genki page 95 and dive into ませんか (masen ka) — the surprisingly polite (and surprisingly negative) way to invite someone to do something. Won't you listen? (See what we did there?) They also tackle frequency adverbs like 毎日 (mainichi), よく (yoku), 時々 (tokidoki), and the power duo 全然・あまり (zenzen/amari) — and why you cannot say 全然大丈夫 (and yet... people do). Plus, a deep dive into Japanese word order and why it's actually not as scary as it looks — hello, Yoda.

Oh, and Michael may or may not have stolen a prop from a Netflix festival and declared this podcast officially part of the Netflix is a Joke Festival. We have the cube. We have the napkins. It's canon.

Also on this episode: the Japanese word for cleavage (tanima — you're welcome), Michael's voice work for The Conscious Outlaws, morning show energy, siesta culture, and the eternal question — is it a study date or just a date?

NO homework. Just bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

📩 Questions? NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com 

🎵 Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード26 – 一緒に勉強しませんか？（ませんか・ダルマ騒動＆Netflixスキャンダル）

**Nihongo to English（日本語 to English）**のエピソード26へようこそ！ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきが、今週も最高にカオスなバイリンガル学習をお届けします。

今回はげんき95ページを開いて、「ませんか」を徹底解説！なぜ否定形なのに招待・誘いになるの？英語の "Won't you...?" との意外な共通点も掘り下げます。さらに、頻度を表す副詞——毎日・よく・時々・全然・あまり——の使い方と、なぜ「全然大丈夫」は文法的に間違いなのに皆が使うのか？についても話し合います。そして日本語の語順が実はヨーダの話し方に似ている理由も解説！

さらにこのエピソードでは…マイケルがNetflixはジョークフェスティバルのキューブを「お借り」して、このポッドキャストを公式フェスティバル参加作品として宣言。証拠のキューブあり。ナプキンもあり。もう公式です。

他にも：「谷間（タニマ）」という日本語、マイケルのThe Conscious Outlawsへのボーカル参加、朝のラジオのちょっぴりナイトな話、シエスタ文化、そして「スタディデートって本当に勉強するの？」問題も登場。

宿題なし。バイリンガルなカオスだけ。でも、なぜかちゃんと学べる。

📩 ご質問・コメントはこちら：NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com 

🎵 テーマジングル：みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 25 of Nihongo to English, hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki dive into one of the most essential — and most confusing — parts of Japanese grammar: particles. They break down を、で、に、and へ in the most un-boring way possible, with real examples, laughs, and zero judgment. Along the way, they recap Michelle's wildly successful Stationery Park festival (85 tables! Vendors from New York and Japan! Someone left their Cartier rings behind!), debate the life choices of hikikomori, set a brand new Daruma goal, and somehow end up discussing what it means to gaman when there's pee running down your leg. Just another episode of bilingual chaos — and somehow you learn.

Have a question or comment? Email us at NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki.

Nihongo to English 第25話では、ホストのマイケル・アレン（CPA）とみしえる・まりザきが、日本語学習者が最もつまずきやすい文法のひとつ、助詞を取り上げます。を、で、に、への使い方を、リアルな例文と笑いたっぷりにわかりやすく解説。さらに、みしえるが主催した大盛況のステーショナリーパーク（出店85テーブル！ニューヨークや日本からもベンダーが参加！カルティエの指輪を忘れた人まで！）を振り返りつつ、引きこもりの人生哲学を議論し、新しいだるまの目標を設定し、なぜかガマンの話で盛り上がります。いつものバイリンガルカオスをお楽しみください。気づいたら、ちゃんと学べてます。

ご質問やご感想は NihongotoEnglishnoshow@gmail.com までどうぞ！

テーマジングル：みしえる・まりザき

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Learn Japanese verb conjugation the fun way with Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki! We break down ru-verbs, u-verbs, and irregular verbs (suru & kuru) from the Genki textbook — plus bilingual small talk about mochi, scams, and Golden Week. New episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd.   Michael Allen CPAとMichelle MaliZakiと一緒に楽しく日本語の動詞活用を学ぼう！Genki教科書からる動詞・う動詞・不規則動詞（する＆くる）を解説。お餅、詐欺、ゴールデンウィークのバイリンガル雑談も！毎月2日・12日・22日配信。

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 23 of Nihongo To English, Michelle and Michael somehow turn a Japanese lesson into a deep discussion about multiplication tables, tatami mats, biscuit songs, and the dangers of sticking your whole body out of a moving car in Genki textbook illustrations.

This episode covers:
✨ Japanese math vocabulary and “kuku” multiplication tables
✨ Differences between Japanese and English learning styles
✨ Japanese location words like ue, shita, tonari, and aida
✨ Weird children’s songs from Japan and America
✨ Deep Fat Fried references
✨ Pocket biscuits multiplying endlessly
✨ More Genki textbook adventures and bilingual chaos

No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

🎧 New episodes every 12th and 22nd!

Follow us on Instagram @nihongotoenglish

IG: MichaelAllenCpa  MichelleMaliZaki

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

『Nihongo To English』第23話では、日本語レッスンのはずが、九九、ビスケットの歌、畳、そしてGenki教科書の危険なイラストについて語り出すカオス回に！

今回のエピソード：
✨ 日本の「九九」と英語の掛け算表現
✨ 日本語と英語の学び方の違い
✨ 「上・下・隣・間」などの場所の言葉
✨ 日本とアメリカの不思議な子どもの歌
✨ Deep Fat Friedトーク
✨ 無限に増えるポケットのビスケット
✨ Genki教科書ツッコミコーナー

宿題なし。バイリンガルカオス。でもなぜか勉強になる。

🎧 新エピソードは毎月12日＆22日配信！

Instagramでフォローしてね！ @nihongotoenglish

IG: MichaelAllenCpa  MichelleMaliZaki

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 22 of Nihongo To English, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen CPA dive into one of the most confusing Japanese pronunciation sounds and why it’s somewhere in between. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually say ふ (fu), this is your episode.

We also flip the script on our usual format with a fun reverse vocabulary quiz—English to Japanese—covering everyday words like food, dates, and daily routines. Plus: curry-smelling houses, slow cookers vs Instant Pots, and a surprisingly deep conversation about Daruma goals and “healing” language.

No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.

In this episode:

• The truth about Japanese “fu” pronunciation
• English vs Japanese sound differences
• Beginner vocabulary (food, daily life, verbs)
• Daruma goal-setting explained
• Real conversations (and real confusion)

🎧 New episodes drop on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd
Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

『Nihongo To English』第22回では、Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen CPAが
日本語の発音の中でも特にややこしい「ふ」の音について、英語との違いを交えながら楽しく話しています。

さらに今回はいつもと逆！英語→日本語のボキャブラリークイズに挑戦。食べ物や日常会話の単語を中心に、実践的に学べます。
カレーの匂いが充満する家の話や、スロークッカー vs インスタントポット、だるまの目入れと「癒し」の話まで…今回もカオスだけどちゃんと学べる内容です。

宿題なし。バイリンガルなカオス。でもなぜか学べる。

このエピソードの内容：

• 「ふ」の正しい発音とは？
• 英語と日本語の音の違い
• 初級ボキャブラリー（食べ物・日常・動詞）
• だるまで目標設定
• リアルな会話とちょっとした混乱

🎧 配信日：毎月2日・12日・22日
Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 21 of Nihongo To English, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen talk about Japanese trains, Shinkansen names, “Thing Japan,” The Little Engine That Could, and why Genki’s “making a date” chapter may be more dramatic than expected.

This episode includes:

• Japanese words like nozomi, hikari, kodama, and tetsudou
• a conversation about Shinkansen, hope traveling faster than light, and why Japan makes trains look cool
• beginner Japanese practice from Genki Lesson 3
• useful classroom expressions like wakarimasu ka, yukkuri itte kudasai, and mou ichido itte kudasai
• a very serious investigation into whether Mary and Takeshi are actually going on a date
• a surprise Bechdel Test discussion involving Genki, slippers, and host moms

If you want to learn Japanese while listening to two comedians talk about trains, textbooks, dating, and absolutely unnecessary cultural analysis — this is the episode for you.

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen / GoatVsFish.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglish for new episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd of the month.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

Genkiで日本語：デートの約束、新幹線、「Thing Japan」| Nihongo To English Ep. 21

Japanese Description

『Nihongo To English』第21回では、Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen が、新幹線、Nozomi・Hikari・Kodama、「Thing Japan」、そして Genki の「デートの約束」について話します。

今回のエピソードでは：

• のぞみ・ひかり・こだま・鉄道などの日本語
• 新幹線の名前と「希望は光より速い？」という謎の名言
• Genki Lesson 3 の初心者向け日本語練習
• わかりますか、ゆっくり言ってください、もう一度言ってくださいなどの便利な表現
• Mary と Takeshi は本当にデートなのか？という真剣すぎる考察
• ホストマザー、スリッパ、そしてなぜかベクデル・テストまで登場する会話

日本語を勉強したい人、英語と日本語の間を行ったり来たりしたい人、そして「何の話？」と思いながらなぜか最後まで聞いてしまう人にぴったりのエピソードです。

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen / GoatVsFish によるバイリンガル・コメディポッドキャスト。
💌 言語や文化についての質問はこちらまで：NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com

📱 Instagram は @NihongoToEnglish
新エピソードは毎月 2日・12日・22日 に配信中！

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish) talk about viral Japanese meme culture, Momotaro, Japanese folktales, and funny restaurant roleplay in Episode 20 of Nihongo To English No Show.

This bilingual comedy podcast episode wanders through Michelle’s songwriting homework, her song “Nap Time by nap8sta” becoming the official song of National Napping Day, the Momotaro meme taking over Japanese social media, and a delightfully chaotic Japanese restaurant dialogue practice session. Along the way, they also talk about Japanese vocabulary, ordering food in Japan, and modern slang like kasuhara.

If you like Japanese language, Japanese culture, comedy podcasts, and learning through weird conversations, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglish for new episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd of the month.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Nihongo To English No Show 第20話では、Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen（GoatVsFish）が、桃太郎ミーム、日本の昔話、日本語でのレストラン注文、そして Michelle の曲 「Nap Time by nap8sta」 について語ります。

この日英バイリンガル・コメディポッドキャストでは、日本語学習、日本文化、日本のSNSミーム、レストランで使える日本語表現、食べ物の注文フレーズ、そしておかしな文化ギャップを楽しく紹介。桃太郎、金太郎、サバ定食、メニューの聞き方、そして kasuhara などの話題も登場します。

日本文化が好きな方、日本語を楽しく学びたい方、バイリンガル会話やコメディポッドキャストが好きな方におすすめのエピソードです。

🎙️ Nihongo To English No Show — No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 言葉や文化について聞いてみたいことがあれば、NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com
まで
📱 Instagram @NihongoToEnglish もフォローしてください。新エピソードは毎月2日・12日・22日に配信中。

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

🎟️ Stationery Park tickets + info (May 16–17 • Santa Monica): More info

🛍️ More than 60 vendors! 🎖️ Each ticket comes with a Stamp Rally Bingo and everybody wins a surprise prize!

If you love pens, paper, stickers, stamps, notebooks, fountain pens, and ink, this bonus episode is for you.

Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish) talk about Stationery Park, a whimsical stationery festival happening May 16–17 in Santa Monica, California. Whether you’re into Japanese stationery, cute finds, fountain pens, or discovering new favorites—Stationery Park is packed with things stationery lovers will want to see.

Michael and Michelle will both be there—come hang out with us at Stationery Park!

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

📱 Instagram: @NihongoToEnglish (new episodes every 2nd, 12th & 22nd)

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 19 of Nihongo to English, Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki talk about tobacco festivals, sister cities, heavy metal, mosh pits, ducks, and college majors before working through more Genki Japanese practice. 

This episode includes:

• beginner Japanese practice with simple yes/no questions
• Genki vocabulary about school, majors, years in college, and belongings
• a lively detour into heavy metal festivals, mosh pits, and concert culture
• a surprisingly long discussion about whether duck in Japanese is ahiru or kamo
• side quests involving Pokémon, Animal Crossing, handkerchief games, and geese
• more chaotic bilingual conversation that somehow still helps you learn Japanese 

If you like learning Japanese while listening to two comedians wander through ducks, metal festivals, and textbook exercises, this episode is for you.

Intagram 

Email: NihongoToEnglishnoShow@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード19では、Michael Allen CPA と Michelle MaliZaki が、たばこ祭り、姉妹都市、ヘビーメタル、モッシュピット、アヒル、そして大学の専攻の話で脱線しながら、今回も Genki を使って楽しく日本語練習をしていきます。 

このエピソードの内容：

• 初級レベルの はい / いいえ で答える日本語練習
• Genki の 学校・専攻・学年・持ち物 に関する語彙
• メタルフェス やモッシュピットについてのにぎやかな脱線トーク
• 日本語で「duck」は あひる なのか かも なのかをめぐる長めの議論
• ポケモン、どうぶつの森、ハンカチ落とし、ガチョウ まで飛び出す寄り道
• 脱線しながらもなぜか日本語の勉強になる、いつものバイリンガル会話 

日本語を勉強しながら、二人のコメディアンのちょっと変で楽しい会話も楽しみたい方にぴったりのエピソードです。

メールはNihongoToEnglishnoShow@gmail.comまでお願いします！！

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 18 of Nihongo to English, Michael Allen and Michelle MaliZaki talk about California teeth, Hammurabi, Dragon Ball Z, fake Vegeta figures, Japanese straw hats, and vegetables before getting back into Genki Japanese practice.

This episode includes:

• beginner Japanese practice with koko / soko / asoko
• learning how to describe where things are in more natural Japanese
• no-particle practice with questions like “Whose is this?”
• a detour into Vegeta, anime toys, and food-inspired character names
• talk about waraboshi / mugiwara boshi, vegetables, and everyday Japanese vocabulary

If you want to learn Japanese while listening to two comedians go completely off the rails—and still somehow make it educational—this is the episode for you.

📩 Email us literally anything: nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Japanese Description:
エピソード18では、Michael Allen と Michelle MaliZaki が、カリフォルニアの歯、ハムラビ法典、ドラゴンボールZ、ベジータのフィギュア、わら帽子、野菜 などについて脱線しながら、最後は Genki の日本語練習に戻ってきます。 

このエピソードで出てくること：

• ここ・そこ・あそこ を使った初級日本語練習
• 物の場所を より自然な日本語で説明する言い方
• これはだれのですか のような の の練習
• ベジータ、アニメのフィギュア、食べ物由来の名前 の話
• わら帽子／麦わら帽子 や 野菜の名前 など、日常で使える日本語

いつものようにたくさん脱線しながらも、なぜかちゃんと勉強にもなる回です。日本語を勉強したい人も、英語を聞きたい人も、ぜひ聴いてください。

📩 メールは何でも大歓迎です： nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 17 of Nihongo to English, Michael Allen and Michelle MaliZaki talk about Japanese sake, aliens, Earthlings, newspapers, baseball, and Dodgers parking prices before circling back to Genki Japanese practice.

This episode includes:

• beginner Japanese practice with kono / sono / ano
• price questions and shopping-style vocabulary from Genki
• a fun conversation about sake, snacks, and Japanese souvenirs
• weird and wonderful words like uchu-jin (alien) and chikyu-jin (Earthling)
• a very normal detour into Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers talk, and expensive parking

If you want to learn Japanese while listening to two comedians talk about almost nothing — and somehow still learn something — this is the episode for you.

Price Master Video 

📩 Email us literally anything: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Japanese Description:
エピソード17では、Michael Allen と Michelle MaliZaki が、日本酒、お土産、宇宙人、地球人、新聞、野球、ドジャースの駐車場代まで、あちこち話が飛びながら、最後は Genki の日本語練習に戻ってきます。

このエピソードで出てくること：

• この・その・あの の初級日本語練習
• 値段の聞き方 や買い物に使える Genki の表現
• 日本酒 やおつまみ、お土産のゆるいトーク
• 宇宙人（uchu-jin） や 地球人（chikyu-jin） など、ちょっと面白い単語
• そしてなぜか 大谷翔平、ドジャース、駐車場が高すぎる話 まで

日本語を勉強したい人も、英語を聞きたい人も、そして「結局何の話だったの？」というポッドキャストが好きな人も、ぜひ聴いてください。

プライスマスターのビデオ

📩 メールは何でも大歓迎です：nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 16 of Nihongo to English, Michael Allen and Michelle MaliZaki fall into a “ki” spiral—kitte (stamp), kite(to cut / “cut and…”), and somehow kitty—which turns into a chaotic pitch for a Hello Kitty x Garfield crossover (and the question nobody asked: what if they dated?).

Then we jump into Genki Lesson 6 practice:

• Shopping + prices vocabulary (hat, shoes, bag, wallet, and more)
• The endlessly confusing world of Japanese counters (flat things vs cylindrical things… why)
• A full workout of kore / sore / are (this/that/that over there)—aka the “sphere of influence” lesson

📩 Email us literally anything—even “I’m listening!”: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Keywords: kore sore are, Genki Lesson 6, Japanese demonstratives, Japanese counters, Japanese shopping phrases, Japanese prices, Hello Kitty, Garfield

日本語版（Description）

『Nihongo to English』第16話は、Michael Allen と Michelle MaliZaki が “ki” 地獄に突入。
kitte（切手／スタンプ）→ kite（切って…）→ kitty で、気づけば ハローキティ×ガーフィールドのクロスオーバー妄想に発展。しかも「もし付き合ったら？」という誰得の議題まで。笑

後半は Genki Lesson 6 の練習！

• 買い物＆値段の単語（帽子・くつ・かばん・財布など）
• 助数詞の沼（平たいもの vs 筒状のもの…なぜ…）
• これ／それ／あれ を徹底トレーニング（いわゆる“勢力圏”レッスン）

📩「聞いてます！」だけでもOK：nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 15 of Nihongo to English, we dive into Japanese Valentine’s Day culture—from giri choco (obligation chocolate) to the panic of White Day reciprocity. Comedians Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (Goat VS Fish)also bounce from “nee / Knights who say Ni!” into a surprisingly deep (and very funny) cultural breakdown.

Then it’s Genki time: we crack open Genki (pp. 66–68) and practice Japanese money + numbers, from yen bills vs coins (satsu / kouka) to counting up through ichi-man (10,000) and beyond—plus shopping-style price questions like: “___ wa ikura desu ka?”

Also in this episode: big snow in Japan, travel whiplash (Japan → SF → NYC), “milk chocolate isn’t real chocolate” opinions, and a heartfelt thank-you to everyone listening.

📩 Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Follow us on socials + tell a friend who’s learning Japanese (or just loves chaos).

Keywords: giri choco, White Day, Japanese Valentine’s Day, Genki lesson, Japanese numbers, yen, satsu, kouka, ikura desu ka, ichi-man, oku

『Nihongo to English』第15話は、コメディアンの Michelle MaliZaki と Michael Allen（Goat VS Fish） が、「nee（ニ〜！）」「Knights who say Ni!」のくだりからスタートして、気づけば 日本のバレンタイン文化へ突入！

今回は 義理チョコ（giri choco / obligation chocolate） や ホワイトデーの“お返しプレッシャー”を、笑いながら（でもわりと真面目に）語ります。
さらに後半は Genkiタイム！ 『げんき（Genki）』66〜68ページを開いて、お金・数字・買い物の言い方を練習します。
「〜は いくらですか？」、さつ（紙幣）／こうか（硬貨）、そして いちまん（10,000） の「4ケタ区切り」に英語話者が混乱する話まで！

ほかにも：日本の大雪、旅行の移動（日本→サンフランシスコ→ニューヨーク）、チョコレートの強すぎるこだわり（ミルクチョコはチョコじゃない？）などなど、今回も脱線多めでお届けします。

📩 メール：nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Episode 14 starts with a very LA problem: “It doesn’t rain enough to casually say ame ga yamu.” From there, Michael Allen and Michelle MaliZaki jump into Genki-style grammar and nuance—yamu vs yameru, tomaru vs tomeru, and what changes when the “stopping” happens by itself vs when you stop something (Superman stops the Shinkansen, obviously).

Then we go full language-nerd with a pronunciation breakdown of why Hi / Pi / Bi (ひ・ぴ・び) are in the same family—voicing, airflow, and how those sound shifts show up in real Japanese (hello, sanbyaku / roppyaku / happyaku / sanzen / hassen). We also cover sentence-ending particles ね / よ / よね, polite request phrases (～をください / ～をお願いします / ～をどうぞ), a sentimental Mt. Aso onsen-sake story, and a quick plug: we made a Twitch channel.

Hosts: Michael Allen, CPA + Michelle MaliZaki
Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

エピソード紹介（日本語・追記版）

第14回は「LAは雨が少なすぎて 雨がやむ を言う機会がない！」からスタート。Genkiの文法で やむ／やめる、とまる／とめる（自動詞・他動詞）を整理しつつ、文末の ね／よ／よね のニュアンスもチェック。

さらに今回は発音オタク回！ひ／ぴ／び（Hi / Pi / Bi） の関係を、息・声帯（有声音／無声音）からわかりやすく解説。数字の音変化 さんびゃく／ろっぴゃく／はっぴゃく／さんぜん／はっせん にもつながります。阿蘇（熊本）の温泉水で造られたお酒の思い出話、そして Twitch 開設のお知らせも。

ホスト: Michael Allen, CPA / Michelle MaliZaki
Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In this episode of Nihongo to English, hosts Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki break down Japanese particle も (mo) from Genki I (Lesson 5)—how to use も to mean “also/too,” and how it can imply “among other things.” We also practice じゃないです (janai desu) vs ではないです (dewa nai desu) for saying “not” in Japanese, plus common beginner pitfalls (like stacking “also” and “too”).

Then we do what we do best: a comedian detour into pennies, “paying to do the work,” and the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Amen… Ramen).

If you’re studying Japanese with Genki—or you’re English-curious and like your learning with chaos—come hang out.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

今回の Nihongo to English は、ホストの Michael Allen CPA と Michelle MaliZaki が Genki I（第5課） を使って 助詞「も」 を解説します。「も」＝ “also / too（〜も）” の基本用法に加えて、「ほかにも色々ある」という 含み（暗示） が出る使い方も練習。さらに、否定表現の 「じゃないです」 と 「ではないです」（カジュアル／ややフォーマル）の違いも整理しながら、初心者がつまずきやすいポイントを一緒に確認します。

…そして当然、話は脱線します。ペニーの話から「お金を払って自分で作業するのがアメリカンドリーム？」、さらには フライング・スパゲッティ・モンスター まで（Amen… Ramen）。

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 12 of Nihongo to English No Show, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (CPA / comedic performance artist) bounce between English + 日本語 (nihongo) and dive into the Genki textbook to tackle one of the most confusing beginner topics: kore / sore / are / dore — plus the matching sets kono / sono / ano / dono and koko / soko / asoko / doko.

Along the way: an audition callback mix-up, Michael’s Goat vs Fish early-morning livestream “motivational” routine (is it a cult? 👀), Michelle’s daily bass practice (quietly, so the family doesn’t complain), a local Japanese-English language exchange, and a dangerously chewy mochi donut detour that turns into peak vocabulary chaos: momo (peach), mochi, mochimasu, mochimono, okanemochi and more.

If you’re studying Japanese (or English!) and want fun, real conversation + Genki-based learning, this one’s for you.

Listen, like, subscribe, and share!
Questions or vocab requests: email us at nihongo.englishnoshow@gmail.com

第12話は「これ・それ・あれ・どれ」問題！『げんき』を使って “this/that” の言い方（この・その・あの・どの／ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ）をゆるっと練習します。途中でモチドーナツの「もも・もち・もちます」ダジャレ祭り、Goat vs Fishの朝活トーク、そしてミシェルのベース練習話も！英語と日本語で会話しながら一緒に学びましょう。

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 11 of Nihongo to English (No Show), hosts Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen tumble into Japanese shopping phrases, beginner-friendly Genki vocabulary practice, and a chaotic-but-useful roleplay that goes from the store… to the restaurant… to “wait, why is Mary going to the bathroom?” 😄

You’ll hear practice with essentials like kore / sore / dore, common shopping & everyday nouns (wallet, bag, shoes, notebook, pen), and the most important question of all: “How much?” (いくら / ikura). Plus: a mini rabbit-hole on asteroid vs meteorite vocabulary, and a hilarious riff on Japanese “firsts of the year” like kaizome (first shopping) and hatsuyume (first dream).

📩 Have a question for Michelle & Michael? Email: nihongo to english no show at gmail.com
✅ Subscribe for more bilingual banter + practical Japanese/English learning moments.
👋 またね / Hatcha ne!

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Welcome to 2026 — and our first 初笑い (hatsu warai), the first laugh of the New Year 🎍

Nihongo to English hits Episode 10 with Japanese New Year traditions, language mix-ups, and joyful confusion.

We talk oshōgatsu, bonenkai, and shinnenkai, New Year foods, long tamago jokes, karuta vs. hanafuda, and why the Japanese New Year lasts more than one day. Along the way, we confuse similar-sounding words, invent new ones, and laugh a lot.

Then it’s classic Genki-style chaos:
Japanese numbers, phone numbers, telling time, time zones, awkward role play, and the mystery of analog clocks — in two languages.

Also in this episode:
• Hatsu warai (first laugh of the year)
• Bibimbap pronunciation debates - provided by @vividkitchen_global on IG

• Japanese New Year resolutions
• Tokyo vs. New York time
• Snacks, food labels, and eating only after the podcast ends

A bilingual Japanese–English comedy podcast that’s lightly educational, very conversational, and proudly unpolished.

2026年最初の**初笑い（はつわらい）**エピソード！

第10回の「Nihongo to English」では、お正月（お正月・忘年会・新年会）の話から始まり、日本語と英語が入り混じった会話、言い間違い、食べ物トーク、そして時間・数字・ロールプレイまで、ゆるく楽しく脱線します。

勉強というより、笑いながら「なんとなく分かる」バイリンガル・ポッドキャストです。

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

🎧 Episode 9 Description

Is a stripe the same as a border?
(No. Definitely no.)

In Episode 9 of Nihongo to English, comedians Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen CPA tumble into classic Japanese–English confusion while debating stripes, borders, and why English sounds so confident even when it’s wrong. Along the way, they snack on zebra popcorn, wander into euphemisms, sake cups, gift-giving customs, and — eventually — make their way back to studying Japanese.

This episode loosely follows Genki Book 1, Chapter 1, Pages 49-51, but as always, digressions are encouraged. Whether you’re learning Japanese, brushing up on English, or just here for the chaos, you’re in the right place.

Episodes drop on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of every month.
Listen, laugh, and accidentally learn something.

🎵 Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In this episode of Nihongo to English (No Show), Michelle and Michael learn Japanese the way adults actually do — through real conversation, mistakes, and a little sake.

We dive into Genki textbook Japanese (pages 46–48), including school years (〜年生), age counters (〜歳), and the confusing but essential grammar pattern 〜ようになる (“to become able to do”). Along the way, we untangle passive vs ability forms like taberareru and nommeru, and why they trip up English speakers.

Cultural detours include Japanese drinking age vs America, the image of the drunk salaryman, why “leftovers” (残り物) sound strangely negative in Japanese, and how Minecraft, Black Friday shopping, and adult learning habits somehow all connect.

If you’re learning Japanese, brushing up after years away, or just curious how Japanese is actually spoken outside the classroom, this episode is for you.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 7 of Nihongo to English (No Show), Michelle and Michael dig into one of the most surprisingly fun language differences: animal sounds in Japanese vs. English.

Why does a dog say wan wan instead of woof woof? Why do cats go nyan nyan? And what happens when you translate sounds instead of meanings? This episode uses onomatopoeia as a gateway into how Japanese actually thinks about sound, rhythm, and expression—and why literal translation often misses the point.

From pets and farm animals to everyday sound words, we explore how these expressions show up in conversation, children’s books, manga, and daily speech. Along the way, we talk about why Japanese learners remember sound words so easily, how these phrases build intuition, and what they reveal about culture, cuteness, and communication.

It’s a playful episode with real learning underneath—perfect for beginners, culture lovers, and anyone who’s ever wondered why languages don’t “hear” the world the same way.

Highlights

• 🐶 Japanese animal sounds vs. English explained
• 🐱 Why onomatopoeia is everywhere in Japanese
• 💬 How sound words show up in real conversation
• 📚 Language, culture, and how kids (and adults) learn
• 😂 Why translating sounds is harder than it looks

Keywords

Learn Japanese, Japanese animal sounds, onomatopoeia in Japanese, Japanese vs English, Japanese culture, bilingual podcast, language learning through culture, Japanese conversation

Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Original Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 6 of Nihongo to English (No Show), Michelle and Michael talk about New York through a Japanese cultural lens—and stumble into a surprisingly deep conversation about boundaries, politeness, and the power of saying no.

What starts as travel talk turns into a lesson on how everyday experiences shift when language and culture collide. From New York energy and sensory overload to small misunderstandings like “bread ears,” we explore how Japanese learners navigate unfamiliar expressions—and how meaning can get lost, softened, or completely reinvented in translation.

Along the way, we compare Japanese indirectness with American and British communication styles, unpack why “no” often comes wrapped in politeness in Japanese, and share the small, practical phrases that help you sound natural without feeling rude. It’s less about perfect grammar and more about reading the room, choosing tone, and knowing when silence says enough.

This episode is about language as social navigation—how to listen between the words, protect your energy, and communicate clearly across cultures.

Highlights

• 🗽 New York culture through Japanese eyes
• 🍞 Language confusion moments (yes, “bread ears”)
• 🚫 The power of “no” in Japanese vs. English
• 💬 Indirectness, politeness, and setting boundaries
• 🌍 Cross-cultural communication in real life

Keywords

Learn Japanese, Japanese culture, Japanese vs American communication, saying no in Japanese, New York culture, bilingual podcast, language and identity, cross-cultural humor

Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Original Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 5 of Nihongo to English (No Show), Michelle and Michael talk about Thanksgiving through a Japanese lens—and discover how food, gratitude, and cultural assumptions don’t always translate cleanly.

The conversation starts with Thanksgiving basics and quickly veers into Japanese food culture, including inari sushi, leftovers, and what it actually means to share a meal. Along the way, we unpack how Japanese expresses gratitude differently, why certain foods feel “special” in one culture but ordinary in another, and how meaning shifts when traditions cross borders.

As always, language sneaks in naturally: everyday food words, casual phrasing, and the kinds of expressions textbooks skip but real conversations demand. We also reflect on family gatherings, expectations, and the quiet cultural rules that shape how (and when) you say thank you.

It’s a relaxed, conversational episode about Japanese vs. American culture, food as language, and learning how to talk about familiar holidays in an unfamiliar tongue—without overthinking it.

Highlights

• 🦃 Thanksgiving explained for Japanese learners
• 🍣 Inari sushi and everyday Japanese food culture
• 🙏 How gratitude is expressed differently in Japanese and English
• 💬 Casual food-related Japanese you’ll actually hear
• 🌏 Cultural translation gaps around holidays and family meals

Keywords

Learn Japanese, Japanese food culture, Thanksgiving in Japan, inari sushi, Japanese vs American culture, bilingual podcast, Japanese conversation practice, language learning through culture

Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Original Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Just in time for October, Nihongo to English (No Show) gets a little spooky. In Episode 4, Michelle and Michael explore Halloween in Japan and the fine line between kawaii (cute) and kowai (scary)—two words that sound similar but live in very different worlds.

Along the way, we unpack haunted houses (obake yashiki), folk spirits (yokai), and Japan’s deep-rooted obsession with cleanliness, politeness, and the unseen. A big discovery in this episode is the power of the polite “o-” prefix, and how it can make words feel sweeter, stranger, or even slightly sinister—like o-kane (“honorable money”) and other phrases born from playful word logic.

Between ghost stories and laughs, we practice formal Japanese greetings like hajimemashite, compare British “how do you do” with American “howdy,” and even pitch a horror movie called “The Curse of the Chewing Gum.” Because in Japan, everything might have a spirit… even gum stuck to the floor.

It’s a mix of Japanese language tips, cultural comedy, and haunted grammar, where every word seems to come with a backstory.

Highlights

• 🏮 Halloween in Japan, explained
• 👻 Yokai 101: why spirits are everywhere
• 💸 The mystery of o-kane and the polite “o-” prefix
• 💬 Formal vs. casual greetings in Japanese and English
• 🎭 Mini role-play: international student meets Japanese student

Keywords

Learn Japanese, Japanese culture, Halloween in Japan, yokai, kawaii vs kowai, Japanese honorifics, Japanese greetings, bilingual comedy podcast, language learning through culture

Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Original Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

In Episode 3 of Nihongo to English (No Show), Michelle and Michael chase the kind of everyday Japanese that textbooks forget—like how to talk about paying utilities (コーネツヒ)—and somehow end up building a whole philosophy around ice cream, idols, and enlightenment.

We look back at the early days of learning Japanese before Google Translate, when tiny paper dictionaries were basically pocket-sized lifelines (and accidental fashion accessories). From there, the conversation swerves into money and language: exchange rates (為替レート), Niigata senbei that “age like whiskey,” and the oddly specific mystery of 十八年もの (aged 18 years).

Then we hit peak chaos: the viral アイスクリーム (aisukurīmu) idol song—and a surprisingly helpful mini-lesson on comparisons like より vs. よりも / よりも. Finally, we zoom out into “Japanese-style” humility and what enlightenment might sound like if Buddha had to answer a compliment in Japan (“いやいや…そんなことないです…”).

It’s bilingual banter, cultural comedy, and practical language discovery—served with sprinkles of self-awareness.

Japanese words featured

• コーネツヒ — utilities
• 為替レート — exchange rate
• 十八年もの — aged 18 years
• より / よりも — comparisons (“more than”)
• アイドル / アンチアイドル — idol / anti-idol

Listener homework

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor—and what would your “idol self” say when fans shout 何が好き!? (nani ga suki!?) 🍨

Email: nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com

Original Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Counting to ten quickly turns into a comedy class as Michelle and Michael warm back up to Japanese and discover how easily being “rusty” becomes part of the lesson. From the art of 謙遜 (kenson, humble deflection) to why shi sometimes becomes yon, we explore how numbers, politeness, and social instinct collide in everyday conversation.

Along the way, we riff on Niigata senbei, “shrimp media,” and a fairy tale where Yuki-hime literally melts from too much politeness—a surprisingly accurate metaphor for what happens when you hesitate too long in Japanese. The episode balances laughs with practical takeaways, landing on phrases you can actually use without sounding stiff, awkward, or out of practice.

What you’ll learn (and laugh about)

• 謙遜 (kenson): why compliments in Japanese often get a humble “no, no, no”
• “Rusty” in Japanese: when English metaphors don’t translate cleanly
• Japanese numbers: 0–10, teens, and counting by tens (without common traps)
• Pronunciation pitfalls: 病院 (byōin) vs. 美容院 (biyōin)
• おごる, two meanings: to boast vs. to treat someone to a meal
• Culture corner: Yuki-hime, politeness, and knowing when to speak up

Try these phrases

• 「すごいですね。」→「いえいえ、まだまだです。」(kenson in action)
• 「今日はご飯を奢ります。」(I’ll treat you to dinner today)
• 「ちょっと熱いです。」(It’s a bit hot — polite and self-preserving)

Have a question or a moment you want us to unpack?
Email the show at nihongotoenglishnoshow@gmail.com
— we may feature it in a future episode.

Theme Jingle by Michelle MaliZaki

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.

Ever tried to learn a language by watching TV shows or listening to the news—and felt totally overwhelmed? This show is for you.

In the first episode of Nihongo to English (No Show), two comedians kick things off by talking about nothing in Japanese—and discovering why that’s often the best way to learn. We introduce ourselves, swap Niigata snow stories, and dig into the small phrases textbooks skip but real life depends on: timing, fillers like nanka, and everyday greetings that bookend the day, from ittekimasu to okaerinasai.

The conversation naturally turns to identity and language. Which “I” do you use today—watashi, boku, or ore—and what does that choice signal about age, mood, and social context? We unpack how pronouns, region, and register quietly shape meaning, then lean into playful memory tricks (“Costco salmon” for gochisousama, anyone?) as scaffolding, not shortcuts—tools to get you speaking sooner and refining later.

Along the way, food becomes a classroom (karaage vs. karikari), and life in Niigata shows why small towns can turbocharge fluency: fewer English escapes, more real stakes, and constant reps at the neighborhood izakaya. We also share practical habits you can steal—scene-based Anki decks, fixed exchanges you can record and reuse, and a running list of words life demands but books ignore (futsukayoi included).

This is a show about nothing that ends up being about what matters most in language learning: attention, courage, and the joy of being understood. If you’re studying Japanese, brushing up after years away, or just here for the laughs, hit follow—and tell us which phrase you’re claiming next.

Support the show

🎙️ Nihongo to English — a bilingual comedy podcast by Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen (GoatVsFish).
No homework. Just bilingual chaos—and somehow you learn.
💌 Got a language or culture question? Email us at nihongotoenglishnosho@gmail.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @NihongoToEnglishPodcast for new episodes on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month.