Textbook-correct but weird? A collection of English phrases Japanese learners tend to use, and 500 native alternatives for the same situations!

Do you find yourself saying things like 'What time is it now?', 'I'm fine, thank you.' (when asked how you are), 'What's your hobby?', 'How much?', or 'Can I pay by my credit card?'? These phrases may seem like textbook-correct English, but they often make native speakers secretly smile, feel annoyed, or find them confusing.

This book collects English expressions that Japanese people frequently use but native speakers never say, covering everyday greetings, daily conversation, ordering at restaurants, and hotel interactions. It introduces 500 phrases that native speakers naturally use in the same situations.

Author Profile

Catherine A. Craft

Born in Michigan, USA, and raised in Ohio. Graduated from Bowling Green State University. Came to Japan as an exchange student at Nanzan University. Currently serves as President of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Children's English (JAPEC). Former lecturer at Nagoya City University (NCU). While publishing the online magazine 'ET PEOPLE!' (http://www.et-people.com/), she also works as an interpreter and translator. Additionally, she has written a long-running column for 'NHK Radio English Conversation'. Her major books include '650 English Expressions Japanese Learners Almost Can Say But Can't', '700 English Expression Alternatives That Naturally Convey Your Message to Natives', '600 Simple English Phrases That Don't Come to Japanese Learners' (all published by the same publisher), 'Understanding Adjectives Unlocks English' (Chikuma Shinsho), and '186 English Expressions You Can Say in 3 Words That Japanese Learners Never Think Of' (SB Shinsho).

Editor/Translator Profile

Tetsuhiko Satonaka

Specially Appointed Lecturer at Fuji Gakuin. Author of 'What is English, Anyway?' (Gendai Shokan), 'The Power of English Mistakes' (Place), 'The Charm of English Grammar' (Chuko Shinsho), and editor/translator of Jonathan Green's 'Kick Away Famous Quotes' (Gendai Shokan) and 'The Power of Aphorisms' (Place), among many others.

Book Information

Weird English Expressions That Are Textbook-Correct But Natives Never Use

Author: Catherine A. Craft

Editor/Translator: Tetsuhiko Satonaka

Release Date: June 3, 2026

Price: 1,320 yen (tax included)

ISBN: 978-4-413-04752-4