Nihongo to English
Nihongo To English blends language learning and stand-up humor as comedians Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen CPA (GoatVsFish) explore the quirks of Japanese and English—words that don’t translate, culture shocks, and why politeness can melt you faster than ice cream. Each episode moves freely between the two languages, revealing how funny and human bilingual life can be.
You’ll learn phrases, hear authentic conversation, and laugh about everything from Japanese idols and snacks to Ken-son humility and mistranslated signs.
Perfect for fans of Japanese culture, bilingual comedy, or learning Japanese the fun way.
Episodes
28 episodes
Japan Trip Planning, Onsen Monkeys & Ube vs. Murasakiimo | EP 27
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 ...
Won't You Study With Us? (Masen ka, Daruma Drama & the Netflix Scandal) |EP 26
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
Japanese Particles Explained (Without the Boring Stuff): Ni, De, He & More | Nihongo to English EP. 25
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...
Japanese Verb Groups Explained: Ru-Verbs, U-Verbs & Irregulars + Bilingual Small Talk | Ep. 24"
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...
Japanese Multiplication, Biscuit Songs & Deep Fat Fried?! | Nihongo To English Ep. 23
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 te...
Learn Japanese Pronunciation (Fu vs Hu?) + Easy Vocabulary Practice | Nihongo To English Ep. 22
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), th...
Learn Japanese with Genki: Making a Date, Shinkansen & “Thing Japan” | Nihongo To English Ep. 21
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 expecte...
Learning Japanese Through Momotaro, Menus & Mayhem Ep. 20
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 episo...
Bonus Episode: Stationery Festival for Pen, Paper & Fountain Pen Lovers
🎟️ 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...
Ahiru or Kamo? Learn Japanese with Ducks, Genki & Metal Festival Chaos | Nihongo to English Ep. 19
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.&n...
California Teeth, Vegeta, and Koko/Soko/Asoko in Japanese | Nihongo to English Ep. 18
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 pr...
Kono / Sono / Ano in Japanese (Genki): Sake, Aliens & Dodgers | Nihongo to English Ep. 17
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....
Kore/Sore/Are in Japanese (Genki Lesson 6) : Hello Kitty vs Garfield | Ep. 16
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 Hel...
Japanese Valentine’s Day: Giri Choco, White Day, and Gift “Obligations” (Genki + Numbers) EP15
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...
Hi vs Pi vs Bi: Japanese Pronunciation Shifts (Yamu/Yameru + Ne/Yo) EP 14
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, an...
Japanese Particle も (Mo) Explained (Also/Too) | Genki Lesson 5 EP 13
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 ...
Kore? Sore? Are? Dore? | Genki “This/That” Practice + Mochi Donut Wordplay + Goat vs Fish Morning Motivational EP 12
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 ...
Learn Japanese Shopping Phrases + “How Much?” (Ikura) | Nihongo to English (No Show) EP 11
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 t...
Hatsu Warai & Japanese New Year Confusion (Shōgatsu, Shinnenkai) EP 10
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 ...
Stripe Isn’t a Border (And Other Language Lies)
🎧 Episode 9 DescriptionIs 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 conf...
Learn Japanese Naturally (Genki Study, Passive Form & Real Conversation)
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 4...
Why Japanese Animal Sounds Are Different from English
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 woo...
Why Japanese Don’t Say No (Bread “Ears” & NYC Culture Shock)
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<...
Japanese vs American Food Culture (Thanksgiving & Inari Sushi)
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 s...
Scary Japanese Words Explained (Kawaii, Kowai & Yokai)
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 soun...
