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
37 episodes
Learn Japanese: Arimasu vs Imasu & Star Trek's Data | EP 36
Learn Japanese with Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki on Nihongo to English! This episode tackles the Genki grammar behind あります and います — the existence verbs for non-living vs. living things — plus location words like migi, hidari, and to...
Japanese Temples, Churches & Confusing Japanese Vocabulary | EP 35
In Episode 35 of Nihongo to English, Michelle MaliZaki and Michael Allen CPA dive into the confusing—and sometimes hilarious—world of Japanese vocabulary and language differences.Michael talks about her experience staying overni...
Japanese Proverbs & Ron's Missile Manuals ft. Chris Crooks | EP 34
Learn Japanese with Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki on Nihongo to English! Fan-favorite guest Chris Crooks is back for round two, and things get delightfully weird. The gang unpacks the proverb ただより高いものはない ("nothing costs more than free...
Our First-Ever Podcast Guest Talks Japanese Culture & Genki Lessons | EP 33
Learn Japanese with Michael Allen CPA and Michelle MaliZaki on Nihongo to English's first-ever guest episode! Michael's longtime friend Chris Crooks joins for Genki house vocabulary (toire, ofuro, genkan, fusuma vs. shouji) and the aku/akeru tr...
12-String Guitar Talk, Japanese Months & Kaeru/Kawaru Explained | EP 32
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 Micha...
Masen Ka? Japanese Invitations, Niigata Sake & The Nostril-Haired Airport Scammer | EP 31
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 parti...
Tsukeru vs. Tsukau vs. Tsukuru, Cucumber Pickles & Flying Sumo Pillows | EP 30
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 s...
Japanese Verbs ~ますか Questions, Eucalyptus Candy from Spain & Weird Al's Gonna Die | EP 29
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 compet...
Iku vs. Kuru, Barcelona Croquettes & The Daruma Gets an Eye – EP 28
Episode 28 – Iku vs. Kuru, Barcelona Croquettes & The Daruma Gets an EyeLearn Japanese and discover Japanese culture with hosts Michael Allen (CPA) and Michelle MaliZaki in Episode 28 of Nihongo to English — the bilingu...
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 ...