Uki Uki mini 3

Q1 from Zaidan: How to end a phone call in Japanese?

You answer the phone with もしもし (Moshi moshi)
You end the call mostly in the same way as saying goodbye in person.

Polite speech: では、また (Dewa, mata), 失礼します (Shisurei shimasu), はい、どうも (Hai, doumo)
Respectful speech: では、失礼致します (Dewa, shitsurei itashimasu)
Casual speech: じゃあね (Jaane)

Q2 from Supriya Gaikar: How is 別に used?

Usually paired up with a negative ending, this means “not in particular.”
In a certain tone, it can come off a little cold. Here’s an example.

今晩の夕食、何が食べたい？ (Konban no yuushoku, nani ga tabetai?)
What do you want to eat for dinner tonight?

A teenage daughter or son may say: 別に。(betsu ni)
Whatever. / I don’t care.

Similarly, 特に(+ negative ending) means “not…in particular.”
Q: 質問はありますか？ (Shitsumon wa arimasuka?) Any questions?
A: 特にありません。(Toku ni arimasen.) Not in particular.

Q3 from AL M: Why is “wa” written with は?

The “wa” written in Hiragana は is a topic particle.
Regular “wa” is written as わ, as in わたし.
私は学生です。(Watashi wa gakusei desu.) I’m a student.

Q4 from Laura Hosoi: How to say “or”?

The easiest way to say “or” is the particle か.
アイスクリームはバニラかチョコか、どっちがいい？
(Aisu kuri-mu wa banira ka choko ka, docchi ga ii?)
Which ice cream do you want, vanilla or chocolate?

カラオケ、来週の土曜日か日曜日に行かない？
(Karaoke, raishuu no doyoubi ka nichiyoubi ni ikanai?)
Why don’t we go to Karaoke next Saturday or Sunday?