How can i not lose interest in Japanese?

Question:

heres the thing, im struggling and wishing for me to go to a japanese class, but i don't know any near by classes that i could take?? everyday i wish for a class that i could take, because my school does not teach japanese its just spanish, french and whatever... :( i look on the internet all the time to practice words, katakana, hiragana, and kanji, but it's just confusing, and so thats why i need a class, and i'm starting to lose interest because i cannot understand it perfectly, i mean seriously this is one of my life goals, that i cannot fail, ive wanted this since i was 12, now im 17, could someone please tell me some tips that i could do, because i really do not want to lose interest in learning japanese, because i have no other ideas for my future, someday i will have the guts to go to japan...

Answer:

Hello Blake, The best way is to mix up what you are learning and the way you learn it. Set some goals for motivation and try to achieve your goals. These could be a test at the end of the year or simply to learn 10 new kanji every week.

The best way to learn Japanese is by taking a class, enrolling in a course or investing in a good textbook. If you can't take classes then the self-study method with the correct resources is a good way.

The key to learning Japanese effectively is to work on your grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Its best to think of these as separate categories and focus on each specific category as these require different methods and techniques.

Start by learning the basics through grammar. These books really helped me.

• Shin Nihongo no Kiso I & II
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

• An Introduction to Modern Japanese by Osamu Mizutani & Nobuko Mizutani
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

• Japanese Demystified by Eriko Sato a self-teaching guide
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

These books cover both polite Japanese, which is extremely important to learn in order to speak Japanese effectively and causal Japanese, which is great for everyday conversations.

I also recommend trying to learn a certain amount of vocab or kanji each day as this helps you build up your vocab and kanji ability. I tried to learn 5 kanji per day or about 20 a week and did the same with vocab.

Watching Japanese anime or any Japanese TV program is a good idea for improving your listening skills and also your vocabulary. Keep a notebook and jot down any new words you hear. Then look them up and find out the meaning.

Websites are not always the best way to learn Japanese. Most websites are run by people with no teaching credentials and are not even native speakers of Japanese. Some of them are just interested in making money and not in helping you in what you need to be successful in learning Japanese.

How to Learn Japanese
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

What is への and how would you use it?

Question:

I come across it in Japanese texts and it really confuses me :/

Answer:

You've parsed it incorrectly, let's try again:

人類---の .............../ 未知--- へ--- の ...................../ 好奇心---を........../ のせ、........./
mankind+poss.prt./ [the] unknown+toward+adj.prt./ curiosity+obj. prt./ unfold+infin./

>As mankind's curiosity toward the unknown unfolds...
未知---へ---の([the] unknown-toward-ish) 好奇心(curiosity)---"curiosity toward the unknown"

"の" can be a possessive, or adjectival particle, in the above phrase, it is adjectival, describing the "type" of curiosity.

"へ" is a locative particle which usually describes *physical* motion towards. I consider its use here to be "odd", but then I'm no Japanese expert (yet). We can see it used ("properly") here:

遠い...../ 惑星---へ ................../ 向---かった................./ 無人探査機--は、
distant/ [the] planet(s)+toward/ going toward+pastperf/ unmanned probe+top.prt.

>...an unmanned probe moving towards [the] distant planet(s)

As far as know, へ and の do not function together. If you see them juxtaposed, it is probably for the same reason as in the above passage---a phrase ending with the "motion toward" particle, being used to describe something else. Going on this theory, let's see how it works:

未知の好奇心---lit. "[an] unknown curiosity"
未知への好奇心---lit. "a curiosity *toward* [the] unknown"

If a native speaker of Japanese happens across this page, perhaps s/he can explain the last part of the passage:

"目の当たりにしてきた。"

"目の当たり" is "before one's (our) eyes", but what about the rest? Is it:"目の当たり---に---してきた"? with the prepositional particle "に"? or is it the past form of "にする"? I understand the rest of the passage as: "miracles of our wildest imaginings, [に]してきたbefore our eyes"...anyone?

How do you say 'where are you?' in Japanese?

Question:

me and my friend haven't talked in awhile and to I want to say 'where are you? I really miss you so much.' I know 'I really miss you so much is: 私はあなたがいなくて本当にすごく寂しい
わたしはあなたがいなくてほんとうにすごくさびしい (correct if i'm wrong) but how do you say 'where are you?' like looking for you???

Answer:

>'where are you?
今どこにいるの？
ima dokoni iruno?

This includes "ima" which means "now". But it's customary to say it when you say "where are you?" in Japanese.

Difference between noda and nanda?

Question:

also what's the difference between gakusei janainda and gakusei nanjanai ?? and is this sentence correct? 8時に起きたいんじゃなかったの i tried to say (lolol) didn't u want to wake up at 8. here's the website where i got this from: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/nounparticles

Answer:

>difference between noda and nanda?

It depends on context. Please tell us more.

>gakusei janainda

I'm not (or it's not) a student.

>gakusei nanjanai ??

Are you (or is it) a student?

>8時に起きたいんじゃなかったの

This is correct.

What is Japan battery?

Question:

Well I bought a watch today and the tag said "Japan Battery" and so what kind of battery is that?

Answer:

Just means the battery is made in Japan. To know what type of battery it is, you need at any special,numbers listed on the battery itself - there will be numbers, letters or combination. If the battery has nothing on it (a bit odd) take it to a watch repair shop and have them look at it for you

Easy Peruvian recipes without an oven?

Question:

Are there any easy Peruvian recipes out there that don't require an oven? Links and/or recipes itself would be greatly appreciated :D

Answer:

it is similar to japanese sushi, you take small chunks of tuna or slices of white fish put submerged in Lemon juice, add some salt, you can use a few drops of english sauce and pieces of onion, let it be in the juice for three hours, serve with white bread- no heat no cooking.

Is this correct japanese? (sentence)?

Question:

I'm practicing verb conjugation and using the phrase "hisashiburi". Could you check that I'm using these words correctly? Thanks so much.

ものをとるのがだいすきです。　ひさしぶりにあなたのものにとられるですね？


It should say:

I love stealing things. It's been a long time since your things have been stolen, right?

If I'm getting it wrong, could you please explain exactly how? I'm trying to learn how to use のが and こと to conjugate verbs into their noun forms. Also, am I misusing ひさしぶり? What other uses are there for it?

Thanks a lot.

Answer:

The first sentence seems correct, but there are some small errors on the 2nd,

ひさしぶりにいぜんあなたのものをとってしまいましたね
Long time, いぜん = since, your things, とってしまいました = have been stolen

What does the (Japanese) word 様変わりし mean in English? And how do you pronounce it?

Question:

I'm working my way through a Japanese game; I can't find this combination in my dictionary and I'm getting all sorts of off the wall answers when I look online,
様変わりし

Answer:

Samagawari shi
changed dramatically

First time trip to Japan?

Question:

So I wanna go on vacation to Japan, but I'm not sure where to start. I want to go to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto definitely but don't know where would be the cheapest. Is there one place that's cheaper to fly to and another that has cheaper hotels or are they the same? Also on the hotel, I'm going to need one that is very used to people who speak no Japanese, because we don't speak any Japanese. Also probably want it Westernized, my friends and I are to used to beds rather than traditional futons. So after flight and a place to stay that isn't too expensive, we have a bunch of things we want to see. Temples and landmarks of course, and we really want to go to a festival if we can, but the biggest thing, we are pretty big otakus and would love to see all the anime, manga, etc. possible, especially all the places that sell Japan-only merchandise that cost way too much to get imported to the united states. OK so that's all I can think of for now, here are details below.

2-4 people, all adults
1 to 2 weeks stay

Answer:

You could easily just stick to Osaka and Kyoto. Osaka has an area called Denden Town (the area's actual name is Nipponbashi, Denden Town is more of a local nickname), which is sort of a miniature Akihabara. Unless you're very picky, you're sure to find whatever otaku-related stuff from there. Also, if you want to buy cheap (or cheaper at least) manga and anime, just find the closest Book Off, which sells used Japanese books, comics and DVDs at reasonable prices.

Kyoto and Nara have much more to offer on the historical side of things than Tokyo, plus you'd save quite a bit of money by not having to use the shinkansen (i.e. moving between Kansai and Tokyo/Kanto). Assuming that you'd stay in Osaka, you could take a regular train to either Nara or Kyoto and get there in about an hour.

Kyoto, having so many temples and shrines, would be the likeliest place to see a festival, however that really depends on when you're planning on going there.

If you don't speak much/any Japanese, a phrase dictionary could prove very useful. Even if you can't pronounce the Japanese phrases, you can always point at the phrase in the book to the Japanese person you are trying to talk to.

What spoken methods to cops in Japan have to test drunk drivers?

Question:

In the Unites States, cops tell suspected drunk drivers to say the alphabet without singing it. Do Japanese cops use anything like the abc's, like a-i-u-e-o?

Answer:

Often they just have you blow in their face. Supposedly U.S. police can't do that, but they get around it by propping their arms on your window sill as they ask for your license. Sometimes they'll have little portable BAC machines but bring out the real deal if you fail there. No A, B, Cs, they just talk to you. Ask you what day it is, where you live, where do you work, how much you have had to drink. No heel to toe but the cop will walk a few yards away and then ask you to walk to him.

But all of the above is just the beginning, as there are almost endless hoops to jump through, one of which involves losing your drivers license for 2 years and having to take ALL the tests to get it back and another of paying a fine that starts out at about 400,000 yen.

And note, you can't drive if you have had anything to drink, regardless of your BAC. If they can smell it, or it even registers on the BAC machine, you do NOT drive. Even if you are under the legal limit and no charges are made, you can NOT drive the car. You have to call someone to come get you and get someone else to drive your car.

NOTE: This saying your ABCs is called a field sobriety test. It will NOT stand up in court. Same thing with walking heel to toe. Or standing on one foot. Or watching a pen with your eyes only (your eyes will be jerky as they track the pen if you have been drinking.) All of these are a prelude to putting you under arrest on the suspicion of DUI. At the police station you will be asked to submit to a BAC analysis. Pass and you go home with an apology. Fail and you're nailed. Refuse and many states will automatically revoke your license for one year, with no chance for a limited license to drive to work.

I worked it out once, but I think by U.S. levels a 0.04 is the limit.

And to whoever thinks this deserves a thumbs down, you need to get a clue. Of course, some people couldn't get a clue, in a field full of horny clues during clue mating season even if they rubbed clue musk all over their naked bodies and did the clue mating dance.

Would you vote for a presidential candidate who suffered from sudden explosive projectile diarrhea...?

Question:

...if he or she otherwise agreed with your views?

Or would the sudden explosive projectile diarrhea be a dealbreaker for you?

Answer:

Heck, yeah. The entertainment value would be never-ending. But I would settle for someone who vomits in the Japanese prime minister's lap like Bush Sr. did.

In Japan, do people eat natto every morning?

Question:

First thing first, yesterday there was a striking news that could change my life forever. My father passed away. He had been fighting agaist prostate cancer for years.

My mother called me yesterday, which was the first phone call from her in years. It was 8 pm in the morning when the phone rang and I was just preparing for work. I thought I may ignore it at first, but it was one of those phone calls you know you must pick up. So I moved over to the living room hastly from the bathroom to pick up the phone. She was all crying when I picked up the phone. Poor mother. She was trying to squeeze the last voice from her pettite body. And just when she stopped crying, I was told that my father had just died. That literally stopped time for a while. All I could do was staring at the wall blankly. I called my boss and I spent all day crying in my skimpy-looking cottage in Yorkshire while chilly cattle-smelling december wind was blowing my cheeks so innocently.

Anyways, he left us a ton of fortune so we are planning to visit Japan. I have always thought that Japan has a wonderful culture and amazing technologies. Japanese people's contribution to humanity is so enourmous that I feel I would rather be their slave. Also I love Japanese food. As I grew up in English where the food is just nasty and terrible, I am very excited to eat many delicious foods in Japan. So I have a question, do Japanese people eat natto every morning? I know it is a weird question, but I would like to know if it is true because the Japanese women has sooo nice skin. I would like to know the secret behind it as I don't want to be a nasty old stinky woman like Elizabeth the second. She's so nasty. Thanks in advance,

Answer:

First of all I am sorry to hear that your father passed away. Your father's tombstone will register the same day as Kim Jon Il's.

In answer to your natto-smelling question, some people eat natto every morening, and some people don't. But you must know it is one of the standard foods of the Japanese breakfast. So expect to have natto in a small bowl if you order a Japanese break fast at a hotel or a ryokan. Also, no, eating natto won't prevent you from becoming a nasty old woman. For one thing, it won't stop your aging. Next, if you don't want to be nasty, then stay with a man and let him take of you. It's a lesson from Cleopatra. Men, men, men. They make women prettier if not less nasty. What you are telling us is that you want to sleep with natto hoping it will make you a pretty woman. Just find a man in whatever you are at or in Japan for that matter(Japanese men are sooo good). That's what you need most. Lonely women tend to be less appealing even if they weren't born that way.

Cheers!

Do you think it's too late for me to learn Japanese?

Question:

It's going to be my 4th semester in college and I'm trying to get my AA and plus I'm undecided in my major which is probably not a good thing. I wanted to take a japanese class which was Japanese 101 elementary japanese I. However i could not because i am focus on getting my AA and still figuring out what i want to major in. I mean hopefully at some point in my life i want to be able to go visit Japan. A matter of fact i was going to visit Japan before the earthquake tragedy to have a family reunion from my cousin from Australia, but i was not able to go because i was in school. Right now i am trying to teach myself from books and the internet. Right now I'm 19 years old is too late to learn Japanese? Also i am filipino and i understand my well enough to know they are saying to me and planing to learn how to speak tagalog better once i'm done focusing on Japanese. Honestly i think it's very difficult learning two languages at the same time. Hopefully i can take a japanese class one or two semesters at my college id i ever get the chance to. So, do you think it's too late for me to learn Japanese? I have watch videos foreign exchange students on youtube and wow is the life there different from the life in U.S. When i went to my homeland Philippines it was sooooooo diferent compared to the US, but i was already expecting that.

Answer:

It's never too late to learn a different language, Japanese is actully alot easier to learn then alot of other languages. I think you should give it a try.

Best methods for learning Japanese?

Question:

I am willing to be patient and take my time with this because I realize that it will not be a quick and easy task. I want to be able to speak and write the language fluently. Any advice?

Answer:

first step - be aware of how much time it'll take you to learn it and be willing to learn it
second step - go learn it by using these methods (watch animes with english subtitles,listen to japonese songs,you'll need the first step now, you'll have to download the "pimsleur lessons",i downloaded mine at "www.piratebay.com",and listen to them EVERY SINGLE DAY,do not skip any day,please
third step - after completing the pimsleur lessons and all of the things above,if you can,go to JAPAN
it's important,but don't need to worry if you can't,just keeping using the methods above and you'll get fluency at it,by giving everything you've got into learning it!

Can someone please explain Japanese particle use?

Question:

Or even if you could refer me to a link that could teach me. I did look at the Wikipedia article however unfortunately I didn't understand it at all. Thanks.

Answer:

Well, Japanese particles are not an easy thing to learn as many overlap (ga/wa or even no in a subordinate clause; ga/wo, ni/de) and many have diferent uses (ga: object or subject, wa: basically anything though mainy subject and time, ni: time, place, indirect object)

You can find explanations here:
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/com… (They are all broken up in several parts)

I suggest you keep to the guide in the sense that you don't try to learn all the main particles (ga,wo,no,ni,de,he,wa,mo) at once but in smaller groups and whevever you learn a new one which overlaps with a prior one, put great focus on when to use which.

How do you can "Can I help you" in Japanese?

Question:

How would one say "Can I help you?" in a situation where you might see someone having a difficult time with something (opening a door, carrying heavy items, trying to change a tire) but not in a professional or store employee capacity.

Any help would be appreciated! : )

Answer:

Most friendly: Tetsudaouka?
To teacher or not your friend: Tetsudaimasyouka?
So polite: Otetsudaishimasyouka?

How much would it cost for a one week trip to Japan from the UK?

Question:

Ok so I EVERYONE (most people) want to go to Japan, but I swear I have wanted to since I was a little girl. I have been learning Japanese since I was about 10 ( I'm not really good at it, but I try =/) I'm 16 now and I think I'm ready to go. I'm going to save up, but here's the problem, I don't know how much to save up, what time of year would be cheapest to go, I really want to go to Tokyo as it is the main city with all the shops and such but I'd love to venture elsewhere if it's cheaper and just as good. Any advice? Thanks.
Oh I'm 16 by the way so where would I even be able to stay, do they have youth hostels over there?

Answer:

Heard of Google? do a search under the title "cheap tickets from London Heathrow to Tokyo Japan" choose as many price comparison sites you see and take it from there. Most airlines will not let you travel alone and staying in hotels as well might be an issue. Get written permission or get an adult to tag along

Which language has to be taken for me . plz advice...?

Question:

i did graduation in tourism from IGNOU . i learnt 6 month french language course in 2009.
dear frnd. plz advice me which language is better for me . Portuguese language which is offering by Portugal embassy or Spanish language is offering by Hispana institute at chankya puri or Japanese course by Mosaic in C.P. .. also advice me ... where will be booming in which language?. i don't think that i should learn for Japanese because i am working in Tour Comp. i think ..i cant give to Japanese ... Plz must advice.... because batches are going to finish.....

Answer:

which language will be "booming" (if there is any) is irrelevant. You need a language you enjoy learning, and have the time for. It won't do you much good if you only speak it a little. Ideally you take classes in all three, to find out which one suits you.
Or, you need to have an interest in any of them already.

japanese is pointless if you never meet japanese, Spanish is pointless if you never meet people from spain or theamericas. Portuguese might be convenient if you ever visit goa.

As to your english....maybe you should learn some Esperanto. It would also help you to learn other languages faster

What I can do in Tokyo during Christmas ?

Question:

plans?
help?

Answer:

If you will be there for New Year's Eve here are a few suggestions:
http://traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/201…

Help with japanese (once again)?

Question:

tried to figure it out, but no luck... http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/ujpf.jpg/

help is very appreciated!

Answer:

兄貴
aniki
older brother

It can be used between non-blood related brothers too. Hope this helps! :)

Translation help for English to Japanese?

Question:

How would I translate:

"If I had to choose between breathing and loving you, I would use my last breath to say I love you."
in Japanese?

A serious translation please! Don't use Google Translate! >.<

Can I also have the Romanji, as well as hiragana/ katakana/ kanji translation please?

Thanks in advance!

:) Mishi :)

"A smile is a precious gift, share it with others and make the world a happier place."

Answer:

If I had to choose between breathing and loving you, I would use my last breath to say I love you.
あなたを愛することと息をすることのいずれかを選ばなければならないなら、 最後の一息を使ってあなたを愛していると言うでしょう。
anata wo aisuru koto to iki wo suru koto no izureka wo erabanakereba naranai nara, saigo no hitoiki wo tsukatte anata wo aishiteiru to yuu deshou.

A smile is a precious gift. Share it with others and make the world a happier place.
笑顔は貴重な贈り物です。他の人と分かち合い、世界をより幸せな場所にしましょう。
egao wa kichou na okurimono desu, hoka no hito to wakachiai, sekai wo yori shiawasena basho ni shimashou.

What chat software do japanese use in japan?

Question:

japanese native speakers use what software to chat ?

Answer:

They mostly use their phones. ON the computer they use mixi (japanese facebook, basically) facebook, and skype a lot. At least the ones I know do.

How is the Japanese reaction of the death of Kim Jon Il?

Question:

Hola, como estas?
I heard the news of the death of the (former) North Korean leader, Kim Jon Il.
There have been many rumors about his bad health and new leader of that country. But he's fairly young still(was still in his 70's) and even though he ,as a clueless filthy rich dictator, had many things the average person can't have or experience it is pitiful that he died admist of the time when his country is in need of a serious reform.
I would like to hear a few words about him and his death from people who live in Japan long enough. So this is a fairly open-ended question regarding not only himself but also the Japan-North-Korea relation. Also, my feet smell like natto very richfully, if you know any opinions as to why my feet stink of natto, please let me know. Thanks in advance,

Answer:

Yeah, although I don't know the direct cause of his death, I have heard that he suffered from various illnesses such as diabetes. That he was diabetic is totally reasonable because he used to eat delicious(=bad for your health) foods from all over the world and he didn't like to exercise(guessing from his body shape). His death was surely a bad news because it can mean that the new leader will be more comptent one than the previous guy, therefore giving the country more military and industrial strengths. Remember, North Korea already has the technology to develop their own nuclear weapon. The new leader may be able to use those brillian scientists who made it possible in a way that they can threat Japan and the US more than before. What if they decide to yank the internet? The internet is virtually one of our vital infrastructure; they may be able to pose a serious thread to us by, say, falsifying information on the internet.
Better or worth, we will see new North Korea in a few years.

Can you buy cheap disposable phones in japan?

Question:

me and some friends are going to japan for 2 weeks. we are landing in tokyo and spending a day there then going to a skii resort. we are scared to loose eachother and need cheap phones that work in japan. ie not on a plan. is it easy to get hold of such a phone in japan and if so how much does it cost.

Answer:

No, but you can rent phones at the airport, but they are expensive.

Any Cheap Place to buy a birthday cake in tokyo?

Question:

Does anyone know a cheap Place in Tokyo to buy birthday cakes ?

Answer:

I recommend checking out Itoyokado or Morisia malls if they are near you. The ones near me have decent birthday cake for roughly 1000yen

Japanese speaker_how do you say...?

Question:

Hello. I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering how to say "The Happy Cat," as if it were a title of a book or something. Thank you for reading my request. I appreciate your time.

Answer:

「嬉しい猫」～”Ureshii Neko”

「ハッピーキャット」～”Happī Kyatto” is also correct, and sound natural when written in Katakana.

「幸せな猫」～”Shiawase na Neko” can also be used, but sounds a little odd.

The other answerer has used phonetics for 'happy', which is usually only okay with books for little children.