https://github.com/squallstar/learning-japanese
Learning Japanese
https://github.com/squallstar/learning-japanese
Last synced: 6 months ago
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Learning Japanese
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/squallstar/learning-japanese
- Owner: squallstar
- Created: 2015-07-30T14:55:31.000Z (almost 11 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2015-07-31T10:48:46.000Z (almost 11 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-01-26T13:13:01.380Z (over 1 year ago)
- Homepage:
- Size: 121 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
I'm following [JapanesePod101](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/learn-japanese-japanesepod101.com/id109573938?mt=2) podcast to help with me with studying Japanese.
Here below you will find my notes, organised per lesson.
# Writing system
## Characters
### Furigana
- hiragana over the kanji
- will save your life
- manga commonly has furigana
### Katakana
- is boxier, sharp hangles
- foreign words
### Hiragana
- is curvy and flowy
### Kanji
- chinese characters — borrowed and adapted
- 15 thousands!
- you need to know 2000 characters to be literate in japanese (*joyoo kanji*) — regular use — thought in school
- 1000 should be enough when staying in japan
#### Kanji readings
Kanji has two different readings
- japanese reading
- chinese reading
depends if the kanji is by itself or compound
- itself > *kun* reading
- compound > *on* reading
(rule of thumb)
---
# Grammar
## Subject, Object, Verb
- English is a SVO language (subject, verb, object)
`I eat fruit`
- **Japanese is SOV language** (subject, object, verb)
`I fruit eat`
## Tense
What is tense?
- past
- present
- future
In japanese there are **two tenses**:
- past
- non past
Japanese use the same tense for **present** and **future**
`watashi wa suupaa ni ikimasu`
私は スーパー に 行きます。
**ikimasu** 行きます *(verb)*: to go
`I will go to the supermarket` — is exactly same sentence
To make clear that is in the future, you can use something like **ashita** 明日(tomorrow), **raishuu** らいしゅう (next week)
## Conjugation
True for **roman languages** and **english**
`I go, he goes`
Japanese verbs **does not conjugate according to the subject**.
e.g.
(`ikimasu` 行きます verb) - to go
`watashi wa suupaa ni ikimasu` - I go to the supermarket
`peeta wa suupaa ni ikimasu` - Peter goes to the supermarket
Grammar is a lot easier for sure
## Singular and plural
- english we add s at the end, with loads of exceptions
- **japanese words don't make distinction** between singular and plural
e.g.
- book/books: hon 本
- car/cars: kuruma 車
## Things unique in japanese grammar
### Formal and informal language
You usually learn japanese **formal** language.
### Concise
Japanese is a really concise language
The key to sound natural is leaving out things that are already understood from the context. **Don't repeat yourself**.
---
# Introduction
## Lesson 1 - Say Hello
`Konnichiwa`
こんにちわ
**Hello**
You can use it anytime, basic standard greeting.
---
`Ohayou gozaimasu`
おはようございます
**Good morning** (formal)
---
`Ohayou`
おはよう
**Morning** (informal)
---
`Konbanwa`
こんばんわ
**Good evening**
You should start using it when the sky gets dark.
---
## Lesson 2 - Introducing yourself
### Example conversation:
A: `hajimemashite, nikorasu desu`
はじめまして、ニコラス です
**nice to meet you, I'm Nicholas**
---
B: `hajimemashite, kaori desu`
---
A: `yoroshiku onegaishimasu`
よろしく おねがいします
**it's a pleasure to meet you**
We can't really translate it into english, literally: *I ask for your good favour*
---
B: `yoroshiku onegaishimasu`
---
## Lesson 3 - Show your appreciation
It is custom to bring a souvenir from your home country or when visiting another country. Usually the best kind of `omiage` (souvenir) is something **edible**, like a box of small gifts.
### Example conversation:
A: `omiage desu`
おみやげです
**this is a small gift for you**
(omiage: souvenir)
---
B: `arigatou gozaimasu`
ありがとうございます
**thank you**
(use `gozaimasu` to be **formal**)
---
A: `douitashimashite`
どういたしまして
**you're welcome**
---
## Lesson 4 - Being sorry
In Japan, you might need to say **sorry** very often. The same word mean both **sorry** and **excuse me**.
### Example conversation:
A: `itatatata`
イタタタ
**ouch!**
also (`ita`, `itata`, `ite`)
---
A: `ano... sumimasen`
あの…すみません。
**ehm... excuse me**
- `ano` (to get the attention)
- `sumimasen` (excuse me, to get the attention)
---
B: `hai`?
はい？
**yes?**
(used to tell that we are listening)
- it's like: *I'm sorry? What is it?*
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A: `ashi...`
あし…。
**my foot...**
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`a, sumimasen`
あ、すみません！
**oh, I'm sorry!**
- this time `sumimasen` means **sorry**
---