New York, Bread Ears & The Power of の (No)

In Episode 6 of Nihongo to English, Michelle returns from her very first trip to New York and brings a suitcase full of stories, discoveries, and—of course—an omiyage for the show. From wandering through Central Park and the Empire State Building to getting inspired at MoMA, she shares her favorite moments and the unexpected things she learned… including the surprising history of the modern paper lunch bag.

Meanwhile, Michael dives into the world of Japanese idioms and expressions. How do you say “You made your bed, now you have to lie in it”? What’s the Japanese equivalent of “don’t cry over spilled milk”? We compare English and Japanese phrases, discover “spilled water doesn’t return to the tray,” and finally settle—once and for all—the eternal mystery of ame: rain or candy?? (Hint: it’s all about the direction.)

We also explore bread “ears,” Japanese vs. American toast culture, and why you’ll never get a crunchy slice in Japan no matter how hard you try. From Texas toast to fluffy shokupan, the carb journey is real.

Then we roll up our sleeves for a Genki Book 1 grammar session: the power of の (no), how to build phrases like a pro, and why です (desu) is the quiet MVP of the Japanese language. Michelle and Michael turn grammar into a comedy sketch—yes, that’s possible—breaking down possessives, subsets, professions, and how you can stack no-no-no-noforever.

By the end of the episode, you’ll have learned:
• Everyday idioms in both languages
• How to talk about museums, sandwiches, and travel in Japanese
• Why bread has “ears”
• How to use です and の naturally
• And maybe… how to navigate New York like a bilingual legend

It’s another round of cultural confusion, linguistic discoveries, and laugh-filled learning.
Join us, practice with us, and email your questions to NihongoToEnglishNoShow@gmail.com