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In Episode 3 of Nihongo To English, Michelle and Michael dig into the everyday words that textbooks forgot—like how to pay your コーネツヒ (utilities)—and end up building an entire philosophy around ice cream, idols, and enlightenment.

They talk about:
🍵 Early days learning Japanese before Google Translate
📖 Tiny paper dictionaries as accidental fashion accessories
💸 Exchange rates, senbei aging “like whiskey,” and the mystery of 十⼋年もの (18-year-old)
🍦 The viral アイスクリーム (Aisukurīmu) idol song — and the deeper meaning of “yori” vs. “yorimo”
🎤 Their master plan to debut as Language Idols (and Michelle as the “Anti-Aidoru”)
🪷 And finally, enlightenment—Japanese-style humility and how even Buddha might say, “I’m not that enlightened.”

It’s a full scoop of bilingual banter, cultural humor, and linguistic 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 vs よりも — expressing comparisons
• 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⁉︎ (Nanigaski!?)? 🍨

Email: [email protected]

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🎙️ 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 [email protected]

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