Konnichiwa!
Whenever I write a blog post, I always start with “Konnichiwa.”
Just like “Hi” or “Hello” in English, it’s a simple but warm way to connect with someone. And honestly, beginning with a friendly greeting just feels right, doesn’t it?
When I was traveling abroad, people would sometimes say to me, “I know Japanese! Sayonara!”
Of course, “Sayonara” means goodbye, so I’d gently suggest, “Actually, Konnichiwa is a better choice here!”
It always turned into a fun little language exchange that made both of us smile.
These days, Japanese is becoming more familiar around the world.
At the same time, more and more English-like words are blending into Japanese—especially in technical fields. And when it comes to industry terms, figuring out what’s “correct” can be surprisingly tricky.
One great example is Microcentrifuge Tube.
In Japan, it’s often shortened to Micro Tubes, while in English-speaking countries, the full Microcentrifuge Tubes is more common.
It’s interesting how something can technically be English, but take on a “Japanese” flavor depending on where and how it’s used.
Even so, just because something’s the majority usage doesn’t make it the absolute answer.
As I work on updating our website, I find myself constantly researching—but still ending up in that gray zone of uncertainty more often than I’d like.
That’s why I created a glossary on our site—a personal collection of terms filtered through my own lens.
It’s not full of stiff, textbook definitions. I’ve kept it light and breezy, something you can enjoy during a short break or when you need a little mental refresh.
Curious about a specific term?
Feel free to send in your requests—I’d love to explore them with you!
