Feed: Japanetics - Language Learning Nexxus - AggScore: 50.1

The Kanji For Man In Japanese

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The kanji for man in Japanese is easy to learn and memorize.

The word for man is otoko and it looks like this 男. It is really made of two other kanji stacked one on top of the other. The kanji on top is the word for field, ta or 田. The kanji on bottom is the symbol for power, chikara or 力. We can easily remember the kanji for otoko by thinking of a powerful person working in the field. I think chikara 力 looks like a sword on a samurai who is very powerful. Field, or 田 is just a box cut into quarters like a rice field would be divided. To make the otoko, or man kanji, just put a field, or 田on top of power, or力. 

In review, the word for man in Japanese is otoko, and it looks like this 男.
In hiragana otoko is おとこ.  

Towards Better Japanese Ganbatte ne! Do Your Best! Makurasuki

How to Say ,"I Think So..." in Japanese

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How to say, “ I think so” in Japanese


A Lesson in Basic Japanese Grammar

To say the English phrase, I THINK SO in Japanese, you would say
SOU DA TO OMOIMASU そうだと思います.

To say you think or believe something in Japanese the following grammar can be used for plug and play style sentence construction for Japanese phrases “ I think that …P.F.”

P.F. + TO OMOIMASU と 思います

P.F. or plain form can be any verb, or adjective in plain dictionary form with an ai あい,iiいい, ui う,いeiえい,oiおい ending; what is known as Base III or Plain form of a verb.

“TO” OMOIMASU と 思います - “TO” と(Pronounced like toe or tow) acts as a “”quotation device for the Japanese verb OMOU 思う. It quotes whatever comes before the “TO”, so that a Japanese sentence like iku to omoimasu 行くと 思います,would translate into I think “He is going” or I think “He is going to go”. In a similar fashion this “TO” quotation marker is used in phrases to say, as in iku to iu 行くと言う- He says, “He is going”. The only difference between iku and iu, a difference of to go and to say, the quotation marker TO stays the same.

P.F. + TO IU と言う- It is said that… or They say that…etc.

“TO” とbecomes “TTE” って, and dewa nai では ないbecomes ja nai じゃ ない in colloquial Japanese

OMOU思う - v. to think (of, about).
IU 言う - v. to say


OMOU 思う and IU言う are definitely two Japanese verbs that you will want to remember when studying Japanese. Even without purposefully seeking to understand the meaning of the words, OMOU思うor IU言う , you will eventually run into their utility. They are smack dab in the center of Japanese conversation a whole lot of the time. So take special care to notice how these two Japanese words are used. These are two words not to exclude in your studies. It is the word for what you believe in sometimes. It is the word for what you feel sometimes. In English, we may say I feel such and such a way, or I believe in this and that a way; In Japanese the verb OMOU 思うand  IU言うhelp us express these things. These two Japanese verbs cover a lot of ground for their size.

OMOIMASU思います is polite form of OMOU思うin Base II + Masu ます

IIMASU 言いますis polite form of IU言う in base II + Masu ます

Examples:

1.Kirei da to omoimasu. きれいだと思います - “I think it is pretty.”

1a. Kirei da to iimasu きれいだと言います - “He says she is pretty”, or “They say it is pretty”

2.chigau to omoimasu. 違うとおもいます- “I think it is different.”, or “ I beg to differ”; more literally “I think that it may differ.”

2a.Chigau to iimasu 違うと言います - “They say it is different.”

3.muzukashii to omou*. 難しいと思う- “I think it is difficult “

3a.muzukashii to iu 難しいと言う- “They say it is hard. “

4.sugoi to omou! 凄いと思う! - “I think that is great!”

4a. sugoi to iu 凄いと言う- “They say it is great!”

5.O kotowari suru to omoimasu. お断りするとおもいます- “I think that I will humbly bow out of this one”, or “I think I pass on this one”, or “ I think I'll humbly reject this”.

5a.O kotowari suru to iu お断りすると言う- “He'll say no!”

•The Japanese verbs OMOU思うand IU言う, in dictionary form, are not as polite as the verb Base II + Masu construction. Always keep your language in crispy polite shape by using Base II + Masu construction.

Another use of OMOU 思うcomes in the form of suspicion. DEWA NAI KA TO OMOUではないかと思う- means to suspect that something is true, or more literally “I think it might not be…or that it isn't.”

Examples:
1.Okii dewa nai ka to omotta 大きいではないかと思った- I thought it was big, or I suspected that it might have been big.

2.Iku no dewa nai ka to omoimasu 行くのではないか と思います- I didn't think he was going to go, or I suspect he is probably going.

Good luck making new sentences with this Japanese Grammar Lesson



As Always,
Ganbatte Ne!
Do Your Best!
Makurasuki.

Quick and Easy Japanese Vocabulary Learning - Mai Everything

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The kanji for every, or Mai

Learn these useful words that all begin with mai or every -

毎- まい - mai – every

毎日 - まいにち - mainichi –every day
毎晩 - まいばん - maiban – every night
毎週 - まいしゅう - maishu^ - every week
毎月 - まいつき - maitsuki – every month
毎年 - まいねん - mainen - every year
毎度 - まいど - maido – every time
毎朝 - まいあさ maiasa – every morning


Towards Better Japanese
Ganbatte ne!
Do Your Best!
Makurasuki

How to Say Boy and Girl in Japanese

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The writing on this Manga says,"Bokutachi Otoko no ko"

It is easy to learn the words for boy and girl in Japanese. First, however we need to know the words for man and woman, then by adding, "no ko", we can change man and woman into boy and girl.

The word for man is otoko (男)

The word for woman is onna (女)


The word for boy is otoko no ko.

The word for girl is onna no ko.


Ko is the word for child or infant and its' kanji looks like this - 子.

In kanji the word for boy is 男 の 子 - otoko no ko.

In kanji the word for girl is 女 の 子 - onna no ko.


Towards Better Japanese
Ganbatte ne!
Do Your Best!
Makurasuki

How to Get Somebody's Phone Number in Japanese

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A Japanese Pay Phone

 Let's say, you are in Japan, and you meet a new friend and want to get their phone number. Before we learn the phrase, we must first understand that they will not be telling us their phone number, they will be instead teaching us their phone number.

The phrase for, "please tell me your phone number" in Japanese is -

電話 番号 を 教えて 下さい
denwa bango o oshiete kudasai - please teach me your phone number.

The keyword here is oshieru or the verb to teach.



Towards Better Japanese
Ganbatte ne!
Do Your Best!
Makurasuki

How to Tell Time in Japanese Part II

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To say, "What time is it?" in Japanese say
Nanji desu ka?

If it is eight thirty you can then answer with the word now or ima 今
Ima hachiji han desu (今 八時半 です) - It is now eight thirty.

The word we use in Japanese to indicate that it is half past the hour is han or 半
The hour counter in Japanese is ji or 時

ichiji han - 1:30
niji han - 2:30
sanji han - 3:30
yoji han - 4:30
goji han - 5:30
rokuji han - 6:30
shichiji han - 7:30
hachiji han - 8:30
kuji han - 9:30
juuji han - 10:30
juuichiji han - 11:30
juuniji han - 12:30

nanji? - What hour? or What time is it?
何時 - What hour? or What time is it?

一 時 半 - 1:30
二 時 半 - 2:30
三 時 半 - 3:30
四 時 半 - 4:30
五 時 半 - 5:30
六 時 半 - 6:30
七 時 半 - 7:30
八 時 半 - 8:30
九 時 半 - 9:30
十 時 半 - 10:30
十一 時 半 - 11:30
十二 時 半 - 12:30

Towards Better Japanese Ganbatte ne! Do Your Best! Makurasuki

Telling the Time in Japanese - Hour Counters in Japanese

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To say, "What time is it?" in Japanese say
Nanji desu ka?

If it is eight o'clock you can then answer with the word now or ima 今

Ima hachiji desu (今 八時 です) - It is now eight o'clock.

The hour counter in Japanese is ji or 時

ichiji - one o'clock
niji - two o'clock
sanji - three o'clock
yoji - four o'clock
goji - five o'clock
rokuji - six o'clock
shichiji - seven o'clock
hachiji - eight o'clock
kuji - nine o'clock
juuji - ten o'clock
juuichiji - eleven o'clock
juuniji - twelve o'clock

nanji? - what hour?
何時 - what hour?

一 時 - one o'clock
二 時 - two o'clock
三 時 - three o'clock
四 時 - four o'clock
五 時 - five o'clock
六 時 - six o'clock
七 時 - seven o'clock
八 時 - eight o'clock
九 時 - nine o'clock
十 時 - ten o'clock
十一 時 - eleven o'clock
十二 時 - twelve o'clock

Towards Better Japanese Ganbatte ne! Do Your Best! Makurasuki

A Japanese Kotowaza - Saru mo ki kara ochiru - Even monkeys fall from trees

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Kotowaza are words of wisdom or ancient sayings that have many practical uses for the gaijin (foreigners) living in Japan. Most kotowaza are of ancient Chinese origin, but some have been derived from Japan's own history, other foreign countries or have been made from more modern expressions.
Kotowaza take the place of long explanations, or circumlocution because they get the desired meaning across in a more direct, understandable way. Skillful use of the Kotowaza by a non-native speaker can help present oneself to the Japanse people as a wise and well studied scholar.

When used correctly, Kotowaza can express ideas that you want to convey, in an impressive, and meaningful manner. Japanese Kotowaza can be a powerful Japanese language ally. We'll take a look at the meaning behind these proverbs, then add them to our Japanese language arsenal. After understanding their literal and metaphorical meaning, we can, of course, plug and play the kotowaza into our own Japanese conversations to really impress the Japanese with our language skills. Use these ancient Japanese expressions - the Kotowaza - to our speaking advantage.

Say the following kotowaza the next time you want to impress the Japanese and watch their reactions, you will be surprised at how well it works.

Saru Mo Ki Kara Ochiru

This kotowaza is a useful Japanese proverb. Like other kotowaza it talks about animals. Saru is the word for monkey in Japanese and it has us re-evaluate our take on these skillful tree climbers of the jungle - monkeys. Have you ever seen monkeys, monkey'ing around? They are coordinated physically and are well suited to a life of trees proving that they are skillful animals when it comes to climbing and swinging around on the branches of trees.

This proverb - SARU MO KI KARA OCHIRU - helps me understand that there is not much we can do about our imperfectness. Everybody makes mistakes, nobody is perfect. Even the monkeys themselves, on occassion, have been spotted to fall from trees.

Even the greatest of mortals, and demi-gods like Hercules, Achilles and Samson, all possessed a particular vulnerability, weakness, or tragic flaw. But as this proverb points out even these great semi-mortal men had flaws and were not perfect in every way - "Even Monkeys Fall From Trees."

Nobody is perfect - Even monkeys fall from trees.

Next time you want to impress your Japanese friends with your smooth newly learned kotowaza, just say "saru mo ki kara ochiru" - nobody is perfect, even monkeys fall from trees. Slap this kotowaza on at just the right time in a conversation and watch the unmistakeable reactions you'll receive. Don't forget good pronunciation.

SARU MO KI KARA OCHIRU -  EVEN MONKEYS FALL FROM TREES

3 Japanese phrases we just don't have in English

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Many words in Japanese don’t have exact, equivalent translations in English. Japan has a very old national history dating back to at least 600 A.D. The Japanese language has been evolving since even before that time. Customs and traditions are different and unique to each country’s environment and history. Words, phrases, and expressions also are unique to each country's environment and history. Here are 3 Japanese phrases that have evolved in Japan that we just don't have in English. I have included a rough estimation of their meanings.

(御) お- 世話 様 でした – O SEWA SAMA DESHITA – You did a terribly awfully nice favor for me and I am completely grateful and you really helped a lot.

御 苦労 様 でした - GO KURO^ SAMA DESHITA – You worked very hard today and we pay thee much respect and thanks for your hard efforts, it must have been a lot of hard work but good going and thanks.

御 疲れ 様 でした - O TSUKARE SAMA DESHITA - You tired yourself out and did a great job. Thanks for the great work you have done.

Question words and the Japanese particle ka

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The Japanese particle ka (か) is also a useful little syllable. You can think of ka as being the English question mark, or ?. Adding the syllable ka (か)changes the meaning of the question words,  "Who", "What", "Where" ,"When", and "How many".

The following constructions use a Japanese question word + ka (か):

dare + ka, dareka -
who + ?, someone

nani + ka, nanika -
what + ?, something

doko + ka, dokoka -
where + ?, somewhere

itsu + ka, itsuka -
when + ?, sometime

nannin + ka, nanninka -
how many people + ?, some amount of people

Again, the particle ka (か), can be thought of as the English equivalent of the question mark or, ?, and it turns question words into some other things.

Useful Japanese Adjectives

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Below are some common Japanese adjectives that I have found most useful.

可愛 kawai かわい - cute
恐い kowai こわい - scary
近い chikai ちかい - close
鋭い surudoi するどい sharp
賢い kashikoi かしこい - smart

堅い katai かたい - hard
短い mijikai みじかい - short
細い hosoi ほそい - narrow
長い nagai ながい - long
明るい akarui あかるい - bright

太い futoi ふとい - fat
厚い atsui あつい - thick
熱い atsui あつい - hot
寒い samui さむい – cold
涼しい suzushii すずしい – cool

激しい hageshii はげしい - violent
難し muzukashii むつ"かしい - difficult
簡単 kantan かんたん – easy
眠い nemui ねむい - sleepy
眠たい nemutai ねむたい - sleepy

低い hikui ひくい - low
高い takai たかい - tall
珍しい mezurashii めずらしい - rare
大きい ookii おおきいい - big
小さい chiisai ちいさい – small

古い furui ふるい - old
若い wakai わかい - young
広い hiroi ひろい - wide
安い yasui やすい - cheap, easy
目覚しい mezamashii めざましい - alert

凄い tsumetai つめたい - chilly
強い tsuyoi つよい - strong
弱い yowai よわい - weak
柔らかい yawarakai  やわらかい - soft
早い hayai  はやい - fast

遅いosoi - slow
重い omoi - heavy
暗い kurai くらい - dark
重たい omotai おもたい - heavy
軽い karui かるい - light (opposite of heavy)

恥ずかしい hazukashii はずかしい - embarassing
喧しいyakamashii やかましい – loud, obnoxious
静か shizuka しずか - quiet
素晴らしい subarashii すばらしい - wonderful
美味しい oishii おいしい – delicious

酸っぱいsuppai すっぱい - sour
甘い amai あまい - sweet
狭い semai せまい – narrow
悔しい kuyashii くやしい - vexing, mortifying
怪しいayashii あやしい - doubtful, suspicious

辛い tsurai つらい – hard, difficult
美しい utsukushi うつくし - beautiful
面白い omoshiroi おもしろい - interesting
力強い chikarazuyoi ちからずよい - powerful
かっこいい kakkoii – stylish, handsome

惜しい oshii おしい – regretful*

*Oshii is a neat little word - We can say oshii in situations where we might say darnit in English. For example, I would hear oshii a lot at the bowling alley when my bowling friends would miss a pin. They would say,"oshii", or "Darn I missed".

5 different ways to say "delicious" in Japanese

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In English when we eat good food we say, "That was so good". In Japanese when we eat good food we would say, "That was so delicious". The word for delicious, or good in Japanese is oishii. To signify your gratitude for the hearty and delicious portions of o-konomiyaki, tako yaki, yakiniku, oden no tamago, sashimi, natto or especially the jewel like, mouth-watering, toro sushi you might eat in Japan, instead of saying the usual word for delicious, or oishii, try the following 5 Japanese words:

1. umai - very tasty, sweeeet.

2. bariuma - nice, tasty delicious, very good, superb, tastes awesome! - bari being the intensifier and umai meaning very tasty or sweeeet.

3. barioishii - same as in 1 above. - bari being the intensifier and oishii meaning delicious.

4. mechauma - an abbreviation of mechakucha and umai or the intensifier mechakucha meaning absurd, unreasonably sweet (or good, delicious) so mechauma would literally mean, absurdly delicious.

5. bakauma - baka umai - foolishly delicious.

Japanese loan words - gairaigo

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In Japanese, foreign words are heavily borrowed. I would almost venture to say that if you want to speak to a Japanese person, all you would have to do is say what you want in English but with a Japanese accent or pronunciation, and your communication would likely be understood. New words, or words that are borrowed from other countries have a special name in Japanese, they are called gairaigo. Gairaigo are words on loan from languages other than Japanese. Gairaigo are numerous and grow as new words pop up in the world. The word for computer and Ipod are included in this list of gairaigo. Let me give you a few examples:

Spoon - supun
Fork - fouku
Ball - bouru
Door - doa
Curtain - kaaten
Card - kaado
Toaster - tosuta
Juice - juusu
Computer - konpyuuta
Ipod - aipoddo
etc.

...the list goes on and on.

Negative uses of the Japanese particle mo

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Nai is a word used often in Japan. It is equivalent to the English word "not". Using our question words + mo construction, let us now add nai to them to see what kind of new words we can create.

We'll use the question words,"Who", "What",and "Where",

daremo + nai = daremo nai
who + also + not = nobody

nanimo + nai = nanimo nai
what + also + not = nothing

dokomo + nai = dokomo nai
where + also + not = nowhere

ganbare

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Ganbaru means to do your best!
SO DO IT!
GANBARE!

ganbare is ganbaru in base IV - command form

Towards Better Japanese
Ganbatte ne!
Do Your Best!
Makurasuki