Welcome to Your Japanese Learning Journey!
We're thrilled you're ready to embark on your Japanese learning adventure. Our lessons are structured to guide you from absolute beginner to conversational fluency. Choose your starting point below, or take our quick assessment to find your ideal path.
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Brand New to Japanese? Start Here!
If you've never studied Japanese before, this is the perfect place to begin. We'll cover the essential basics, starting with Hiragana, common phrases, and fundamental grammar.
Review the Core Basics
Already know some Japanese? Jump into our foundational modules to brush up on essential grammar, vocabulary, and basic conversational patterns.
Explore By Topic or Level!
Already know what you need? Dive into specific areas of Japanese learning.
Japanese Scripts
Grammar
Vocabulary
Japanese Culture
The Japanese Alphabet
Not Sure Where to Start?
Take our quick assessment to find your current Japanese proficiency level and get personalized recommendations for lessons that match your skill.
Our Approach to Learning
At Gakushuu Nihongo, we believe in practical, culturally-rich learning designed for real-world application. We're here to support you every step of this incredible journey!
Ganbatte kudasai! (Good luck!)
JLPT N5: Beginner Essentials
This level covers the absolute fundamentals of Japanese, essential for daily life conversations. You'll learn basic greetings, simple sentence structures, particles, and core vocabulary. It's the perfect starting point for complete beginners!
Basic Greetings & Introductions
- ã“ã‚“ã«ã¡ã¯ (Konnichiwa) - Hello / Good afternoon
- ãŠã¯ã‚ˆã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ (Ohayou gozaimasu) - Good morning
- ã“ã‚“ã°ã‚“㯠(Konbanwa) - Good evening
- ã•ã‚ˆã†ãªã‚‰ (Sayounara) - Goodbye
- ã¯ã˜ã‚ã¾ã—㦠(Hajimemashite) - Nice to meet you (first time meeting)
- ã©ã†ãžã‚ˆã‚ã—ããŠé¡˜ã„ã—ã¾ã™ (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) - Pleased to meet you (often used after Hajimemashite)
Simple Sentence Structure & Particles
- **Noun 㯠Noun ã§ã™** (Noun wa Noun desu) - "A is B." (e.g., ç§ã¯ã‚¸ãƒ§ãƒ³ã§ã™ - Watashi wa Jon desu - I am John.)
- **Particle ã‚’ (o)** - Direct object marker (e.g., 水を飲ã¿ã¾ã™ - Mizu o nomimasu - I drink water.)
- **Particle ã‚‚ (mo)** - "also / too" (e.g., ç§ã‚‚å¦ç”Ÿã§ã™ - Watashi mo gakusei desu - I am also a student.)
- **Particle ã« (ni)** - "at / to / in" (e.g., å¦æ ¡ã«è¡Œãã¾ã™ - Gakkou ni ikimasu - I go to school.)
- **Adjectives (ã„-adjectives & ãª-adjectives)** - Describing things (e.g., 楽ã—ã„ã§ã™ - Tanoshii desu - It's fun.)
JLPT N4: Building Your Foundation
Moving beyond N5, N4 introduces more complex grammar forms, including various verb conjugations, potential forms, and passive voice. You'll expand your vocabulary for broader communication and daily scenarios.
Essential Verb Forms & Usage
- **ã¦å½¢ (Te-form)** - Connecting verbs, requests, ongoing actions (e.g., èªã‚“ã§ãã ã•ã„ - Yonde kudasai - Please read.)
- **å¯èƒ½å½¢ (Potential Form)** - Expressing ability (e.g., 日本語ãŒè©±ã›ã¾ã™ - Nihongo ga hanasemasu - I can speak Japanese.)
- **å—身形 (Passive Voice)** - Being done something to (e.g., 先生ã«è¤’ã‚られã¾ã—㟠- Sensei ni homeraremashita - I was praised by the teacher.)
- **å‹•è©žã®è¾žæ›¸å½¢/ãªã„å½¢ (Dictionary/Negative forms)** - For various clauses (e.g., 食ã¹ã‚‹ / 食ã¹ãªã„ - Taberu / Tabenai - to eat / not to eat)
Connecting Sentences & Expressions
- **～ãªãŒã‚‰ (nagara)** - Doing two things simultaneously (e.g., 音楽をèžããªãŒã‚‰å‹‰å¼·ã—ã¾ã™ - Ongaku o kikinagara benkyou shimasu - I study while listening to music.)
- **～ã™ãŽã‚‹ (sugiru)** - Too much (e.g., 食ã¹ã™ãŽã¾ã—㟠- Tabesugimashita - I ate too much.)
- **～ãŸæ–¹ãŒã„ã„ã§ã™ (ta hou ga ii desu)** - Had better do (e.g., æ—©ãå¯ãŸæ–¹ãŒã„ã„ã§ã™ - Hayaku neta hou ga ii desu - You'd better sleep early.)
- **～ã§ã—ょã†/ã ã‚ㆠ(deshou/darou)** - Expressing probability/conjecture (e.g., 明日雨ãŒé™ã‚‹ã§ã—ょㆠ- Ashita ame ga furu desu hou - It will probably rain tomorrow.)
JLPT N3: Intermediate Connections
At N3, you'll start connecting sentences more naturally, express opinions, and understand more nuanced expressions. This level bridges the gap between basic and advanced Japanese, focusing on conversational flow, reading comprehension, and everyday situations.
Expressing Nuances & Conditions
- **～㰠(ba)** - Conditional form (e.g., 勉強ã™ã‚Œã°ã€åˆæ ¼ã§ãã¾ã™ - Benkyou sureba, goukaku dekimasu - If you study, you can pass.)
- **～ã®ã« (noni)** - In spite of, although (e.g., 寒ã„ã®ã«ã€çª“ã‚’é–‹ã‘ã¦ã„ã‚‹ - Samui noni, mado o akete iru - Although it's cold, the window is open.)
- **～ã¯ãšã§ã™ (hazu desu)** - It is expected that / It should be (e.g., 彼もæ¥ã‚‹ã¯ãšã§ã™ - Kare mo kuru hazu desu - He should also come.)
- **～ã¤ã‚‚ã‚Šã§ã™ (tsumori desu)** - Intending to do (e.g., 日本ã¸è¡Œãã¤ã‚‚ã‚Šã§ã™ - Nihon e iku tsumori desu - I intend to go to Japan.)
Conjunctions & Opinion
- **～ã«ã‚ˆã‚‹ã¨ (ni yoru to)** - According to (e.g., ニュースã«ã‚ˆã‚‹ã¨ã€é›ªãŒé™ã‚‹ã‚‰ã—ã„ã§ã™ - Nyuusu ni yoru to, yuki ga furu rashii desu - According to the news, it seems it will snow.)
- **～ã¨(to)** - If/when (e.g., ボタンを押ã™ã¨ã€é›»æ°—ãŒã¤ãã¾ã™ - Botan o osu to, denki ga tsukimasu - When you press the button, the light turns on.)
- **～ãŸã‚(ni) (tame (ni))** - For the purpose of, because of (e.g., å¥åº·ã®ãŸã‚ã«é‹å‹•ã—ã¾ã™ - Kenkou no tame ni undou shimasu - I exercise for my health.)
- **～ãã†ã«/ãã†ã«ãªã„ (sou ni/sou ni nai)** - Seems like / does not seem like (e.g., 雨ãŒé™ã‚Šãã†ã§ã™ - Ame ga furisou desu - It looks like it will rain.)
Hiragana Lessons: Start Your First Script!
Hiragana is the most basic phonetic script in Japanese. Mastering it is your first essential step to reading and writing Japanese! Each character represents a syllable.
The Five Vowels & K-Row
- ã‚ (a) - Sounds like 'a' in 'father'
- ã„ (i) - Sounds like 'ee' in 'see'
- ㆠ(u) - Sounds like 'oo' in 'moon'
- ㈠(e) - Sounds like 'e' in 'get'
- ㊠(o) - Sounds like 'o' in 'go'
- K-Row:
- ã‹ (ka) - ã (ki) - ã (ku) - ã‘ (ke) - ã“ (ko)
Recommendations for Hiragana
- **Stroke Order:** Always practice with correct stroke order for legible writing.
- **Flashcards:** Use physical or digital flashcards for quick memorization.
- **Typing Practice:** Type Hiragana on a Japanese keyboard layout.
- **Reading Practice:** Start reading simple Hiragana-only texts or children's books.
- **Consistency:** Dedicate 15-20 minutes daily for consistent practice.
Katakana Lessons: Foreign Words & Emphasis
Katakana is another phonetic script, primarily used for foreign loanwords, names, and for emphasis (like italics in English). Its characters are often more angular than Hiragana.
The Five Vowels & K-Row in Katakana
- ア (a) - イ (i) - ウ (u) - エ (e) - オ (o)
- K-Row:
- カ (ka) - ゠(ki) - ク (ku) - ケ (ke) - コ (ko)
Recommendations for Katakana
- **Loanword Focus:** Prioritize learning common loanwords used in daily life.
- **Name Recognition:** Practice recognizing foreign names written in Katakana.
- **Visual Drills:** Due to similar-looking characters (e.g., シ/ツ, ソ/ン), pay attention to subtle differences in writing.
- **Real-world Exposure:** Look for Katakana in signs, product labels, and menus.
- **Practice Writing:** Write your own name and familiar foreign words in Katakana.
Kanji Introduction: The Ideographic Script
Kanji are Chinese characters adopted into the Japanese writing system. They represent concepts and ideas, unlike Hiragana and Katakana which represent sounds. Learning Kanji expands your vocabulary and understanding significantly.
Basic Kanji Examples
- **日 (nichi/bi/hi)** - Sun, Day (e.g., 日本 - Nihon - Japan)
- **本 (hon)** - Book, Origin (e.g., 日本 - Nihon - Japan)
- **人 (hito/jin)** - Person (e.g., 日本人 - Nihonjin - Japanese person)
- **大 (dai/oo)** - Big, Large (e.g., 大ãã„ - Ookii - Big)
- **å¦ (gaku/mana)** - Study, Learn (e.g., å¦æ ¡ - Gakkou - School)
Recommendations for Kanji
- **Radicals:** Learn common radicals to understand Kanji structure.
- **Context:** Learn Kanji within words or sentences, not in isolation.
- **Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS):** Use tools like Anki for efficient memorization.
- **Gradual Learning:** Start with the most common Kanji (e.g., JLPT N5 list) and build up.
- **Reading:** Read Japanese texts to reinforce Kanji recognition.
JLPT N2/N1: Advanced Grammar 🎓
This section delves into the complex grammar patterns required for higher proficiency levels (JLPT N2 and N1). Mastering these will allow you to understand nuanced expressions, read advanced materials, and engage in more complex conversations.
Key N2 Grammar Points
- **～ã«ã‚ˆã‚‹ã¨/ã«ã‚ˆã‚Œã° (ni yoru to/ni yoreba):** According to (e.g., å¤©æ°—äºˆå ±ã«ã‚ˆã‚‹ã¨ã€æ˜Žæ—¥ã¯æ™´ã‚Œã‚‹ãã†ã§ã™ - Tenki yohou ni yoru to, ashita wa hareru sou desu - According to the weather forecast, it seems it will be sunny tomorrow.)
- **～ã¯ãšãŒãªã„ (hazu ga nai):** Cannot possibly be (e.g., å½¼ãŒãã‚“ãªã“ã¨ã‚’ã™ã‚‹ã¯ãšãŒãªã„ - Kare ga sonna koto o suru hazu ga nai - He couldn't possibly do such a thing.)
- **～ã‚ã‘ã§ã¯ãªã„ (wake de wa nai):** It's not that, it doesn't mean that (e.g., 日本語ãŒè©±ã›ã‚‹ã‚ã‘ã§ã¯ãªã„ - Nihongo ga hanaseru wake de wa nai - It's not that I can speak Japanese fluently.)
- **～ãªã„ã§ã¯ã„られãªã„ (nai de wa irarenai):** Cannot help but do, cannot stop doing (e.g., é¢ç™½ã„ã®ã§ã€ç¬‘ã‚ãªã„ã§ã¯ã„られãªã‹ã£ãŸ - Omoshiroi node, warawanai de wa irarenakatta - It was so funny, I couldn't help but laugh.)
- **～ã«é•ã„ãªã„ (ni chigainai):** Must be, I'm sure (e.g., å½¼ã¯ãã£ã¨æ—¥æœ¬äººã§ã‚ã‚‹ã«é•ã„ãªã„ - Kare wa kitto Nihonjin de aru ni chigainai - He must surely be Japanese.)
- **～ã°ã‹ã‚Šã‹ (bakari ka):** Not only... but also (e.g., å½¼ã¯æ—¥æœ¬èªžã°ã‹ã‚Šã‹ã€è‹±èªžã‚‚話ã›ã‚‹ - Kare wa Nihongo bakari ka, Eigo mo hanaseru - He can not only speak Japanese, but English too.)
Key N1 Grammar Points
- **～もã®ã® (mono no):** Although, but (e.g., å½¼ã¯æ—¥æœ¬ã«é•·ãä½ã‚“ã§ã„ã‚‹ã‚‚ã®ã®ã€æ—¥æœ¬èªžã¯ã‚ã¾ã‚Šè©±ã›ãªã„ - Kare wa Nihon ni nagaku sunde iru mono no, Nihongo wa amari hanasenai - Although he has lived in Japan for a long time, he can't speak much Japanese.)
- **～ã«ãŠã„㦠(ni oite):** In, at, on (formal) (e.g., 会è°ã¯æ±äº¬ã«ãŠã„ã¦è¡Œã‚れ㟠- Kaigi wa Toukyou ni oite okonawareta - The meeting was held in Tokyo.)
- **～ã–ã‚‹ã‚’å¾—ãªã„ (zaru o enai):** Cannot help but do, must do (e.g., 残念ãªãŒã‚‰ã€è«¦ã‚ã–ã‚‹ã‚’å¾—ãªã„ - Zannen nagara, akiramezaru o enai - Unfortunately, I have no choice but to give up.)
- **～ã«ã»ã‹ãªã‚‰ãªã„ (ni hoka naranai):** Nothing but, simply (e.g., å½¼ã®æˆåŠŸã¯åŠªåŠ›ã®çµæžœã«ã»ã‹ãªã‚‰ãªã„ - Kare no seikou wa doryoku no kekka ni hoka naranai - His success is nothing but the result of his effort.)
- **～ã‹ã‚‰ã«ã¯ (kara ni wa):** Now that, since (e.g., ç´„æŸã—ãŸã‹ã‚‰ã«ã¯ã€å®ˆã‚‰ãªã‘ã‚Œã°ãªã‚‰ãªã„ - Yakusoku shita kara ni wa, mamoranakereba naranai - Now that I've promised, I must keep it.)
- **～ã¤ã¤ã‚ã‚‹ (tsutsu aru):** To be in the process of, to be continuing to (e.g., 日本経済ã¯å›žå¾©ã—ã¤ã¤ã‚ã‚‹ - Nihon keizai wa kaifuku shitsutsu aru - The Japanese economy is gradually recovering.)
Recommendations for Advanced Grammar
- **Read Extensively:** Engage with native Japanese materials like news articles, novels, and academic papers to see these grammar points in context.
- **Shadowing & Listening:** Practice mimicking native speakers and listen for how advanced grammar is used in natural conversations and media.
- **Sentence Mining:** Identify and record example sentences using new grammar points, and try to create your own variations.
- **Tutor Practice:** Work with a native Japanese tutor to practice using advanced grammar in conversation and receive feedback.
- **JLPT Practice Tests:** Utilize official JLPT N2/N1 practice tests to familiarize yourself with question formats and time management.
- **Focus on Nuance:** Pay close attention to the subtle differences in meaning between similar grammar patterns.
Everyday Vocabulary: Words for Daily Life 🗣ï¸
Expand your Japanese vocabulary with essential words and phrases used in common daily situations, from greetings to shopping.
Common Categories & Examples
- **Family Members (å®¶æ— - kazoku):**
- ãŠçˆ¶ã•ã‚“ (Otousan) - Father
- ãŠæ¯ã•ã‚“ (Okaasan) - Mother
- 兄弟 (Kyoudai) - Siblings
- ãŠå…„ã•ã‚“ (Oniisan) - Older brother
- ãŠå§‰ã•ã‚“ (Oneesan) - Older sister
- 弟 (Ototo) - Younger brother
- 妹 (Imouto) - Younger sister
- **Food and Drink (食ã¹ç‰©ã¨é£²ã¿ç‰© - tabemono to nomimono):**
- ã”飯 (Gohan) - Cooked rice/Meal
- æ°´ (Mizu) - Water
- ãŠèŒ¶ (Ocha) - Tea
- éš (Sakana) - Fish
- 肉 (Niku) - Meat
- é‡Žèœ (Yasai) - Vegetables
- 果物 (Kudamono) - Fruit
- **Colors (色 - iro):**
- 赤 (Aka) - Red
- é’ (Ao) - Blue
- 白 (Shiro) - White
- é»’ (Kuro) - Black
- ç·‘ (Midori) - Green
- 黄色 (Kiiro) - Yellow
- **Numbers (æ•°å— - suuji):**
- 一 (Ichi) - One
- 二 (Ni) - Two
- 三 (San) - Three
- å›› (Yon/Shi) - Four
- 五 (Go) - Five
- å… (Roku) - Six
- 七 (Nana/Shichi) - Seven
- å…« (Hachi) - Eight
- ä¹ (Kyuu/Ku) - Nine
- å (Juu) - Ten
Recommendations for Vocabulary Learning
- **Contextual Learning:** Learn words in phrases or sentences, not just in isolation. Create simple sentences using new vocabulary.
- **Daily Review:** Use spaced repetition apps (like Anki) to reinforce new words efficiently. Consistency is key!
- **Thematic Groups:** Study words related to specific topics (e.g., `travel`, `food`, `hobbies`) to build cohesive vocabulary sets.
- **Listening Immersion:** Pay attention to vocabulary used in Japanese media (anime, dramas, podcasts, news). Try to identify new words you hear.
- **Practice Speaking:** Try to use new words in conversation as soon as possible. Even small sentences help solidify memory.
- **Labels:** Label objects around your home or office with their Japanese names to create an immersive environment.
- **Visual Aids:** Use images or draw pictures to help associate words with their meanings, especially for concrete nouns.
Travel Phrases: Navigate Japan with Confidence ✈ï¸
Essential Japanese phrases for travelers, covering everything from asking for directions to ordering food and checking into a hotel.
Useful Phrases & Scenarios
- **Basic Greetings & Thanks:**
- ã“ã‚“ã«ã¡ã¯ (Konnichiwa) - Hello
- ã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ (Arigatou gozaimasu) - Thank you (polite)
- ã™ã¿ã¾ã›ã‚“ (Sumimasen) - Excuse me / Sorry
- **Asking for Directions:**
- ～ã¯ã©ã“ã§ã™ã‹ï¼Ÿ (~ wa doko desu ka?) - Where is ~? (e.g., トイレã¯ã©ã“ã§ã™ã‹ï¼Ÿ - Toire wa doko desu ka? - Where is the restroom?)
- ã¾ã£ã™ã (Massugu) - Straight ahead
- å³ (Migi) - Right
- å·¦ (Hidari) - Left
- ã“ã®é“ã‚’è¡Œã (Kono michi o iku) - Go down this road
- ～ã®éš£ (No tonari) - Next to ~
- ～ã®å‰ (No mae) - In front of ~
- **Ordering Food & Shopping:**
- ～をãŠé¡˜ã„ã—ã¾ã™ (~ o onegaishimasu) - May I have ~? (e.g., ã“れをãŠé¡˜ã„ã—ã¾ã™ - Kore o onegaishimasu - This, please.)
- ã„ãらã§ã™ã‹ (Ikura desu ka?) - How much is it?
- ãŠä¼šè¨ˆ (Okaikei) - The bill, please
- 美味ã—ã„ (Oishii) - Delicious
- ã“ã‚Œãã ã•ã„ (Kore kudasai) - This one, please.
- æŒã¡å¸°ã‚Š (Mochikaeri) - Takeout
- ä¸ã§é£Ÿã¹ã¾ã™ (Naka de tabemasu) - Eat in
- ãŠã™ã™ã‚ã¯ä½•ã§ã™ã‹ (Oススメ wa nan desu ka?) - What do you recommend?
- **Transportation:**
- 駅 (Eki) - Station
- ãƒã‚¹åœ (Basutei) - Bus stop
- 切符 (Kippu) - Ticket
- ～ã¾ã§ (Ma de) - To ~ (e.g., æ±äº¬ã¾ã§ - Tokyo made - To Tokyo)
- 次ã®é›»è»Š (Tsugi no densha) - Next train
- タクシー (Takushii) - Taxi
- ã“ã®ãƒã‚¹ã¯ï½žã«è¡Œãã¾ã™ã‹ (Kono basu wa ~ ni ikimasu ka?) - Does this bus go to ~?
- **Accommodation:**
- ホテル (Hoteru) - Hotel
- ãƒã‚§ãƒƒã‚¯ã‚¤ãƒ³ (Chekkuin) - Check-in
- 予約 (Yoyaku) - Reservation
- 部屋 (Heya) - Room
- éµ (Kagi) - Key
- æœé£Ÿ (Choushoku) - Breakfast
- インターãƒãƒƒãƒˆ (Intaanetto) - Internet
- **Emergencies/Trouble:**
- 助ã‘ã¦ãã ã•ã„ (Tasukete kudasai) - Please help me!
- è¦å¯Ÿ (Keisatsu) - Police
- 病院 (Byouin) - Hospital
- é“ã«è¿·ã„ã¾ã—㟠(Michi ni mayomashita) - I'm lost.
Recommendations for Travel Phrases
- **Role-play:** Practice dialogues for common travel scenarios with a partner or language exchange friend. Simulate ordering food, asking for directions, or checking into a hotel.
- **Listen to Audio:** Familiarize yourself with natural pronunciation through travel phrase audio guides, Japanese podcasts, or videos.
- **Phrasebook App:** Keep a small phrasebook or a translation app on your phone for quick reference when you're on the go.
- **Key Verbs:** Focus on essential verbs like `ikimasu` (go), `tabemasu` (eat), `nomimasu` (drink), `kaimasu` (buy), `arimasu/imasu` (to be/exist).
- **Confidence:** Don't be afraid to try using the phrases, even if you make mistakes! Most Japanese people appreciate the effort and will be understanding.
- **Learn Numbers:** Being able to count and understand prices is crucial for shopping, ordering, and transportation.
- **Basic Questions:** Master simple question words like `doko` (where), `nani` (what), `itsu` (when), `dare` (who), and how to form basic questions with `ka`.
- **Cultural Awareness:** Learn basic Japanese etiquette, like bowing, to enhance your interactions.
Business Japanese: Politeness & Professionalism 💼
Learn the nuances of polite and respectful Japanese, essential for professional settings, meetings, and formal communications.
Core Concepts & Phrases
- **Keigo (敬語): Honorifics and Humble Language**
- 尊敬語 (Sonkeigo) - **Honorific language** (e.g., ã„らã£ã—ゃる - irassharu - to come/go/be, honorific of è¡Œã/æ¥ã‚‹/ã„ã‚‹) - Used to elevate the person you are speaking to or about.
- 謙è²èªž (Kenjougo) - **Humble language** (e.g., 伺ㆠ- ukagau - to visit/ask, humble of è¡Œã/èžã) - Used to humble yourself or your actions, showing respect to the other party.
- ä¸å¯§èªž (Teineigo) - **Polite language** (e.g., ã§ã™/ã¾ã™ forms) - The standard polite forms used in most formal situations.
- **Business Greetings & Introductions:**
- ãŠä¸–話ã«ãªã£ã¦ãŠã‚Šã¾ã™ (Osewa ni natte orimasu) - **Thank you for your continued support** (very common business greeting, often used at the start of emails/calls).
- åˆã‚ã¾ã—ã¦ã€[会社å]ã®[自分ã®åå‰]ã§ã™ (Hajimemashite, [Kaishamei] no [Jibun no Namae] desu) - **Nice to meet you, I am [Your Name] from [Company Name]**.
- よã‚ã—ããŠé¡˜ã„ã„ãŸã—ã¾ã™ (Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu) - **Best regards / Pleased to meet you** (formal closing, used for favors, introductions, etc.)
- 本日ã¯ã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ (Honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimasu) - Thank you for today.
- **Formal Requests & Apologies:**
- æれ入りã¾ã™ãŒ (Osoreirimasu ga) - **Excuse me, but... / I'm sorry to trouble you, but...** (used when making a request or asking for a favor).
- 申ã—訳ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã›ã‚“ (Moushiwake gozaimasen) - **I am truly sorry** (formal and strong apology, often used in business).
- ãŠæ‰‹æ•°ã‚’ãŠã‹ã‘ã—ã¾ã™ãŒ (Otesuu o okake shimasu ga) - **Sorry to trouble you, but...** (used before asking for a favor that might be inconvenient).
- ãŠå¿™ã—ã„ã¨ã“ã‚æ縮ã§ã™ãŒ (O-isogashii tokoro kyoushuku desu ga) - I apologize for disturbing you during your busy time, but...
- **Meeting & Discussion Phrases:**
- 会è°ã‚’始ã‚ã¾ã™ (Kaigi o hajimemasu) - Let's start the meeting.
- ã”æ„見ã¯ã‚ã‚Šã¾ã™ã‹ (Go-iken wa arimasu ka?) - Do you have any opinions/suggestions?
- 承知ã„ãŸã—ã¾ã—㟠(Shouchi itashimashita) - **Understood** (formal acknowledgment, often replacing `wakarimashita`).
- 検討ã„ãŸã—ã¾ã™ (Kentou itashimasu) - I will consider it.
- 大変å‚考ã«ãªã‚Šã¾ã—㟠(Taihen sankou ni narimashita) - That was very helpful.
- 質疑応ç”ã®æ™‚é–“ã§ã™ (Shitsugi outou no jikan desu) - It's time for Q&A.
- **Email & Telephone Etiquette:**
- ã„ã¤ã‚‚ãŠä¸–話ã«ãªã£ã¦ãŠã‚Šã¾ã™ (Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu) - Always indebted to your support (common email opening).
- ãŠé›»è©±ã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ (O-denwa arigatou gozaimasu) - Thank you for calling.
- 担当ã®è€…ãŒä¸åœ¨ã§ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ (Tantou no mono ga fuzai de gozaimasu) - The person in charge is currently absent.
- 折り返ã—ãŠé›»è©±ã„ãŸã—ã¾ã™ (Orikaeshi o-denwa itashimasu) - I will call you back.
- ã”確èªã®ã»ã©ã‚ˆã‚ã—ããŠé¡˜ã„ã„ãŸã—ã¾ã™ (Go-kakunin no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu) - Please confirm (formal closing for requests).
Recommendations for Business Japanese
- **Observe:** Pay close attention to how native speakers use polite forms in business contexts, especially in meetings, formal emails, and phone calls. Mimic their patterns.
- **Phrase Memorization:** Start with common business phrases and internalize them. Focus on phrases that are frequently used in your specific work environment or industry.
- **Role-playing:** Practice with a tutor or native speaker to build confidence in using Keigo and formal expressions. Simulate common business scenarios like introductions, apologies, and discussions.
- **Formal Media:** Watch Japanese business news, documentaries, or read business-related articles and reports to expose yourself to professional language and vocabulary.
- **Focus on Keigo:** This is often the most challenging but crucial aspect of business Japanese. Understand the different types (Sonkeigo, Kenjougo, Teineigo) and when to use them appropriately.
- **Email & Document Writing:** Practice drafting formal emails, meeting summaries, or simple business proposals to grasp the appropriate tone, vocabulary, and sentence structures.
- **Active Listening:** Develop strong listening skills to accurately understand instructions, requests, and nuanced opinions in a fast-paced business setting.
- **Cultural Nuances:** Beyond language, understand Japanese business etiquette, such as exchanging business cards (meishi koukan), meeting protocols, and the importance of group harmony.
Japanese Culture: An Overview 🌸
Explore the rich and diverse aspects of Japanese culture. This section provides a general introduction to what makes Japan unique, from its deep-rooted history to its modern-day global influence.
Key Cultural Elements
- Historical foundations and philosophical thoughts.
- Influence of nature and aesthetics (e.g., Wabi-Sabi).
- Community values and group harmony.
- The evolving modern Japanese society.
- Brief overview of arts and daily life.
Learning Recommendations
- Read general books on Japanese history and culture.
- Watch documentaries that cover various cultural aspects.
- Visit cultural exhibitions or online resources.
- Engage in discussions about cultural differences.
- Approach learning with an open mind and respect.
Japanese Traditions: Etiquette & Classical Arts 👘
Delve into the timeless traditions that shape Japanese society. Understand the foundational etiquette, the beauty of classical arts, and the deeply ingrained practices passed down through generations.
Key Aspects of Traditions
- **Bowing (ãŠè¾žå„€ - Ojigi):** Different types and contexts.
- **Chopstick Manners (箸ã®ä½œæ³• - Hashi no Sahou):** Dos and don'ts.
- **Gift-giving (è´ˆç” - Soutou):** Importance and customs.
- **Tea Ceremony (èŒ¶é“ - Sadou):** Ritual and philosophy.
- **Traditional Clothing:** Kimono, Yukata, etc.
- **Calligraphy (æ›¸é“ - Shodou) & Ikebana (生ã‘花):** Artistic expressions.
Learning Recommendations
- Practice bowing and common polite phrases.
- Observe chopstick etiquette in Japanese restaurants.
- Learn about the history and significance of the tea ceremony.
- Explore videos or books on traditional Japanese arts.
- Consider trying a cultural workshop if available.
Japanese Festivals: Vibrant Celebrations 🎉
Experience the energy and joy of Japan's countless festivals (ç¥ã‚Š - Matsuri)! These vibrant events, deeply rooted in history and local customs, offer a unique glimpse into the heart of Japanese communities.
Popular Festivals & Their Significance
- **Hanami (花見):** Cherry blossom viewing (Spring).
- **Obon (ãŠç›†):** Ancestor worship festival (Summer).
- **Gion Matsuri (祇園ç¥):** Kyoto's famous parade (July).
- **Sapporo Snow Festival (ã•ã£ã½ã‚雪ã¾ã¤ã‚Š):** Ice sculptures (Winter).
- **New Year's (ãŠæ£æœˆ - OshÅgatsu):** Important family celebration.
- Local shrine festivals and regional specific events.
Learning Recommendations
- Research major Japanese festivals and their customs.
- Watch videos of festival parades and activities.
- Learn related vocabulary (e.g., `mikoshi` - portable shrine).
- If traveling, try to experience a local festival.
- Understand the seasonal aspect and traditional foods/drinks.
The Japanese Alphabet: Understanding the Scripts
Japanese doesn't have a single 'alphabet' like English. Instead, it uses a combination of three writing systems. Mastering these scripts is fundamental to reading and writing Japanese!
Hiragana (ã²ã‚‰ãŒãª)
Hiragana is a phonetic script used for native Japanese words, grammatical particles, and verb endings. It's the first script you should learn! Each character represents a syllable.
| Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ゠| a | ㄠ| i | ㆠ| u | ㈠| e | ㊠| o |
| ã‹ | ka | ã | ki | ã | ku | ã‘ | ke | ã“ | ko |
| ã• | sa | ã— | shi | ã™ | su | ã› | se | ã | so |
| 㟠| ta | 㡠| chi | 㤠| tsu | 㦠| te | 㨠| to |
| 㪠| na | ã« | ni | 㬠| nu | ã | ne | ã® | no |
| 㯠| ha | 㲠| hi | 㵠| fu | 㸠| he | 㻠| ho |
| ã¾ | ma | ã¿ | mi | ã‚€ | mu | ã‚ | me | ã‚‚ | mo |
| や | ya | ゆ | yu | よ | yo | ||||
| ら | ra | り | ri | る | ru | れ | re | ゠| ro |
| ゠| wa | ヲ | wo | ン | n |
**Example words:**
- ãã“ (neko) - cat
- ã•ãら (sakura) - cherry blossom
- ã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã† (arigato) - thank you
Katakana (カタカナ)
Katakana is also a phonetic script, often used for foreign loanwords (gairaigo), foreign names, and for emphasis (like italics in English). Its characters are often more angular than Hiragana.
| Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji | Char | Romaji |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ア | a | イ | i | ウ | u | エ | e | オ | o |
| カ | ka | ゠| ki | ク | ku | ケ | ke | コ | ko |
| サ | sa | シ | shi | ス | su | セ | se | ソ | so |
| タ | ta | ム| chi | ツ | tsu | テ | te | ト | to |
| ナ | na | ニ | ni | ヌ | nu | ム| ne | ノ | no |
| ム| ha | ヒ | hi | 㵠| fu | ヘ | he | ホ | ho |
| マ | ma | ミ | mi | ム| mu | メ | me | モ | mo |
| ヤ | ya | ユ | yu | ヨ | yo | ||||
| ラ | ra | り | ri | る | ru | れ | re | ゠| ro |
| ワ | wa | ヲ | wo | ン | n |
**Example words (often loanwords):**
- コーヒー (koohii) - coffee
- ビール (biiru) - beer
- アメリカ (Amerika) - America
Kanji (æ¼¢å—)
Kanji are Chinese characters adopted into the Japanese writing system. They represent concepts and ideas, unlike Hiragana and Katakana which represent sounds. Learning Kanji expands your vocabulary and understanding significantly.
A typical Japanese sentence uses a mix of Kanji (for nouns, verb stems, adjective stems), Hiragana (for grammatical particles, verb/adjective endings, native words without Kanji), and Katakana (for foreign words).
**Example:** ç§ã¯**アメリカ人**ã§ã™ã€‚ (Watashi wa **Amerika-jin** desu.) - "I am **American**." (Kanji: ç§, 人; Hiragana: ã¯, ã§ã™; Katakana: アメリカ)