It's interesting how in Japanese, to extend an invitation to someone you must conjugate the verb to the negative form.
I wonder, does it have something to do with lowering yourself to make a request of someone just as in other aspects of Japanese culture?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
A List of Words Part 1
Last time I wrote, I talked about different ways to learn vocabulary.
Well, I was working on vocabulary myself the other day, and I made a huge list of words that I'm going to look up to help improve my vocab. Some of the words I already know, some I've learned before and don't know fully yet, and some I don't know at all.
Heavy, ceiling, window, music, sound, sing, dance, video, Internet, computer, type, dresser, closet, room, home, house, bookshelf, study school, desk, chair, rain, umbrella, books, read, stuffed animals, pillow, blanket, carpet, rug, paper, pencil, pen, notebook, floor, Bible, box, storage, organize, mail, letter, files, wings, lamp, ruler, measuring tape, fabric, clothes, sewing, cut, pattern, nails, nail polish, glitter, fingernails, finger, hand, front, back, palm, arm, shoulder, elbow, fore arm, chest, stomach, neck, collar bone, chin, cheeks, ears, mouth, teeth, nose, snot (eww...), eyes, eyebrows, forehead, hair, head, face, back, legs, knees, feet, toes, toenails, bottom, sit, stand, walk, jump, run, spin, fall, lay, sleep, make, cook, hold, held, hide, seek, tag, find, look, search, cry, laugh, smile, frown, happy, sad, excited, upset, folder, plastic, truth, lie, socks, tights, skirt, pants, jeans, underwear, shirt, blouse, dress, jacket, cardigan, coat, necklace, bracelet, earrings, stickers, makeup, eat, drink, liquid, solid, gas, air, sky, clouds, weather, leaves, trees, bushes, grass, branches, ground, building, road, grow, mailbox, fence, discover, river, creek, lake, stream, ocean, boat, swim, rope, float, swimming suit, novel, soak, salt, pepper, fruit, vegetables, meat, kids, boy, girl, play, toys, nursery, snack, lesson, color, coloring page, crayon, colored pencil, marker, art, draw, create, absorb, sponge, clean, tidy, kitchen, shelf, stove, microwave, oven, refrigerator, dust, dirty, stuff, storage, table, messy, covered, uncovered, over, under, spoon, fork, knife, plate, bowl, cup, thirsty, hungry, tired, exhausted, pigtails, ponytail, hair (a repeat), braid, cute, cool, accessory, language, speak, learn, new, old, many, few, clip, zip, zipper, close, open, elastic, ruffle, shorts, skort (mix of skirt and shorts. doubt there's a Japanese word for it...), drive, go, explore, leave, come, contain, pin, scissors, snip, write
Told you it was a huge list. Anyways, over the next few posts, I'm going to put the Japanese versions of these words. Maybe it will help some people! I really don't know, but if I can help others, that would be great!
Bye for now!
Just a note, I think it's funny to trace my train of thought with the list. It reminds me of my Psychology class that I took in the first semester of college. ^-^
Well, I was working on vocabulary myself the other day, and I made a huge list of words that I'm going to look up to help improve my vocab. Some of the words I already know, some I've learned before and don't know fully yet, and some I don't know at all.
Heavy, ceiling, window, music, sound, sing, dance, video, Internet, computer, type, dresser, closet, room, home, house, bookshelf, study school, desk, chair, rain, umbrella, books, read, stuffed animals, pillow, blanket, carpet, rug, paper, pencil, pen, notebook, floor, Bible, box, storage, organize, mail, letter, files, wings, lamp, ruler, measuring tape, fabric, clothes, sewing, cut, pattern, nails, nail polish, glitter, fingernails, finger, hand, front, back, palm, arm, shoulder, elbow, fore arm, chest, stomach, neck, collar bone, chin, cheeks, ears, mouth, teeth, nose, snot (eww...), eyes, eyebrows, forehead, hair, head, face, back, legs, knees, feet, toes, toenails, bottom, sit, stand, walk, jump, run, spin, fall, lay, sleep, make, cook, hold, held, hide, seek, tag, find, look, search, cry, laugh, smile, frown, happy, sad, excited, upset, folder, plastic, truth, lie, socks, tights, skirt, pants, jeans, underwear, shirt, blouse, dress, jacket, cardigan, coat, necklace, bracelet, earrings, stickers, makeup, eat, drink, liquid, solid, gas, air, sky, clouds, weather, leaves, trees, bushes, grass, branches, ground, building, road, grow, mailbox, fence, discover, river, creek, lake, stream, ocean, boat, swim, rope, float, swimming suit, novel, soak, salt, pepper, fruit, vegetables, meat, kids, boy, girl, play, toys, nursery, snack, lesson, color, coloring page, crayon, colored pencil, marker, art, draw, create, absorb, sponge, clean, tidy, kitchen, shelf, stove, microwave, oven, refrigerator, dust, dirty, stuff, storage, table, messy, covered, uncovered, over, under, spoon, fork, knife, plate, bowl, cup, thirsty, hungry, tired, exhausted, pigtails, ponytail, hair (a repeat), braid, cute, cool, accessory, language, speak, learn, new, old, many, few, clip, zip, zipper, close, open, elastic, ruffle, shorts, skort (mix of skirt and shorts. doubt there's a Japanese word for it...), drive, go, explore, leave, come, contain, pin, scissors, snip, write
Told you it was a huge list. Anyways, over the next few posts, I'm going to put the Japanese versions of these words. Maybe it will help some people! I really don't know, but if I can help others, that would be great!
Bye for now!
Just a note, I think it's funny to trace my train of thought with the list. It reminds me of my Psychology class that I took in the first semester of college. ^-^
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Building Vocabulary
Building vocabulary in 日本語(nihongo) is hard for me. It doesn't help that I've even had trouble building vocabulary in English...
Some of the best advice I've gotten, though, is this:
When you go into a room, try to name everything around you in Japanese. If you can't, look up the words you don't know.
Another piece of advice that I've gotten is to ask someone who knows the language when you don't understand a word or phrase or when you don't know a word or phrase. During my school last semester, I would ask my すごい先生(sugoi sensei) if I had questions, and he would help me a lot! I also have one of my best friends that I can ask. ^-^
So, my suggestion to you is to try these ways if you can!
And also, especially if you are a beginner, but also if you've been studying for a while, focus on verbs! If you get the verbs then making sentences will be so much easier! I'm definately no grammar expert, I think I've mentioned such before, but it's true. This goes for any language, if you know the verbs, you can make sentences much easier. In 日本語(nihongo) it's even easier because the basic sentences are subject and verb. ^-^
I didn't learn verbs first because I was stubborn and didn't want to have to deal with grammar and now I struggle with making sentences. That may be part of why I don't make sentences on here very often...
I'm working on learning verbs too, so let's do our best!
Thank you for reading! ありがとうございました！(arigatou gozaimashita)
I'll try to write soon!
さよなら！(sayonara)
Some of the best advice I've gotten, though, is this:
When you go into a room, try to name everything around you in Japanese. If you can't, look up the words you don't know.
Another piece of advice that I've gotten is to ask someone who knows the language when you don't understand a word or phrase or when you don't know a word or phrase. During my school last semester, I would ask my すごい先生(sugoi sensei) if I had questions, and he would help me a lot! I also have one of my best friends that I can ask. ^-^
So, my suggestion to you is to try these ways if you can!
And also, especially if you are a beginner, but also if you've been studying for a while, focus on verbs! If you get the verbs then making sentences will be so much easier! I'm definately no grammar expert, I think I've mentioned such before, but it's true. This goes for any language, if you know the verbs, you can make sentences much easier. In 日本語(nihongo) it's even easier because the basic sentences are subject and verb. ^-^
I didn't learn verbs first because I was stubborn and didn't want to have to deal with grammar and now I struggle with making sentences. That may be part of why I don't make sentences on here very often...
I'm working on learning verbs too, so let's do our best!
Thank you for reading! ありがとうございました！(arigatou gozaimashita)
I'll try to write soon!
さよなら！(sayonara)
Sunday, July 1, 2012
日本語の Musings 3
日本語の勉強。(nihongo no benkyou)
For foreign students studying Japanese, it is an interesting experience. The main thing that gets so many people is the writing system. Or, the three writing systems I should say:Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
Hiragana is kind of like a basic alphabet if you want to relate it to English. The characters represent two letter sets with the exception of the vowels and the letter "n." The characters can be combined to make three letter sets to make even more sounds and words. Any Japanese words can be spelled out in these characters, though they may leave some ambiguity between words that are pronounced the same but have different kanji characters to help tell which is which. Hiragana is the first writing system that Japanese kids learn.
Katakana is used for foreign words. English words, German, French, Russian... Any foreign words that the Japanese adapt and add to their language will most likely be written in Katakana.
Kanji are the characters that the Japanese adopted from the Chinese a long time ago. they are like pictures that are made up of different parts. Those different parts are called radicals and when you combine the radicals in certain ways you end up with Kanji. At least, that's a basic understanding of how it works. I don't know many Kanji yet so I don't have a full understanding.
The Japanese use each of these writing systems together. When reading Japanese, you can come accross all three systems in one sentence. It's really kind of cool and fascinating!
Thanks for reading another 日本語の Musings!
Also, if you have something you want me to talk about, leave a comment!
Likewise, if I got something wrong, let me know! I'm still learning too! Thanks!
I'll see you again really soon!
For foreign students studying Japanese, it is an interesting experience. The main thing that gets so many people is the writing system. Or, the three writing systems I should say:Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
Hiragana is kind of like a basic alphabet if you want to relate it to English. The characters represent two letter sets with the exception of the vowels and the letter "n." The characters can be combined to make three letter sets to make even more sounds and words. Any Japanese words can be spelled out in these characters, though they may leave some ambiguity between words that are pronounced the same but have different kanji characters to help tell which is which. Hiragana is the first writing system that Japanese kids learn.
Katakana is used for foreign words. English words, German, French, Russian... Any foreign words that the Japanese adapt and add to their language will most likely be written in Katakana.
Kanji are the characters that the Japanese adopted from the Chinese a long time ago. they are like pictures that are made up of different parts. Those different parts are called radicals and when you combine the radicals in certain ways you end up with Kanji. At least, that's a basic understanding of how it works. I don't know many Kanji yet so I don't have a full understanding.
The Japanese use each of these writing systems together. When reading Japanese, you can come accross all three systems in one sentence. It's really kind of cool and fascinating!
Thanks for reading another 日本語の Musings!
Also, if you have something you want me to talk about, leave a comment!
Likewise, if I got something wrong, let me know! I'm still learning too! Thanks!
I'll see you again really soon!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
日本語の Musings 2
In Japanese, once a subject is established, there is no need to bring it up again...
It makes it hard to follow along in conversation for someone who, like me, was raised speaking English where every sentence has a subject and verb...
I thought of this last night when I was watching a Japanese Drama and later again while I was watching a movie.
In the drama, I thought of how something was explained... in English it would be
"He is my pet.
what?
Pet."
It's strange because normally I would say or reply
"He is my pet.
Your what?
My Pet."
I think that not hearing the subject of the sentence will be strange as I get into conversation Japanese... But I hope I can do by best and get the hang of it! Let's do our best together!
It makes it hard to follow along in conversation for someone who, like me, was raised speaking English where every sentence has a subject and verb...
I thought of this last night when I was watching a Japanese Drama and later again while I was watching a movie.
In the drama, I thought of how something was explained... in English it would be
"He is my pet.
what?
Pet."
It's strange because normally I would say or reply
"He is my pet.
Your what?
My Pet."
I think that not hearing the subject of the sentence will be strange as I get into conversation Japanese... But I hope I can do by best and get the hang of it! Let's do our best together!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Studio Ghibli Craze
I've been on a Studio Ghibli craze lately. I really like Studio Ghibli films anyways, but lately I've been re-watching the ones I've seen and watching some of the ones I haven't seen. I'll give you a list with details.
Princess Mononoke- Watched it when I was in middle school and didn't think much of it. Re watched it a few weeks ago. Amazing story!
Laputa (Castle in the Sky)- I own this one and watch it pretty frequently. ^-^
The Cat Returns- I own this one too and it also gets watched pretty frequently.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind- I own this one as well, but it gets watched less often than the others because it's a bit longer and it's also special to me and I don't want the specialness to wear off...
Spirited Away- Watched this in middle school too and it scared me sooooo much! Don't know why, but I wanted nothing to do with it. 0.o Now I realize that what scared me the most was that she watched her parents turn into pigs right in front of her. I think I'm gonna try re-watching this one sometime soon and hopefully I will like it better.
The Secret World of Arrietty- Loved this one! You can see my post about it here!
Whisper of the Heart- Watched this one tonight because I randomly stumbled on a YouTube video that had the song she sings while he plays the violin. I was curious so I checked it out and ended up watching it. :p
Tales from Earthsea- Watched this a few weeks ago. It was good and creative and awesome, but I couldn't help but feel that the other films were better executed? I dunno. I still liked it. ^-^
My Neighbor Totoro- One of the first ones I ever saw! (Spirited Away I think was the first... bad introduction?) I loved this movie very much and got to watch part of it with a friend at her club about a year ago. Really want to watch it again.
Ponyo- Saw this shortly after it came out and was rather disappointed in it. The ending just fell apart and became a bit cheesy...
Kiki's Delivery Service- Haven't seen this one yet but planning to very soon.
Howl's Moving Castle- Love love love love LOVE this one!!! It is similar to Nausicaä tho in that I only watch it once in a while so it stays special. It means a lot to me because my sister liked it so well and I always watched it with her.
Grave of the Fireflies- One of the saddest movies I have ever watched. I cried so much during it. haven't seen it for years. I kind of want to watch it again even tho it will turn me into a crybaby... 0.o
I know there are a few more films done by Studio Ghibli, but these are the ones I can come up with off the top of my head. There was also one that I can never remember the name of and I can only recall that it was about a girl and a boy and the girl became a pilot into outer space and flew to the far reaches of the universe and pretty much stopped ageing and the guy stayed on Earth and aged as a normal person and it took years for a text message to reach him or her............ I cried in that one too...
Does anyone know what that movie is? I'm pretty sure it was also Studio Ghibli, but I could be wrong...
Well, that's my ramble for now. Thanks for reading!
I'll try to post Japanese things again soon. ^-^
Princess Mononoke- Watched it when I was in middle school and didn't think much of it. Re watched it a few weeks ago. Amazing story!
Laputa (Castle in the Sky)- I own this one and watch it pretty frequently. ^-^
The Cat Returns- I own this one too and it also gets watched pretty frequently.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind- I own this one as well, but it gets watched less often than the others because it's a bit longer and it's also special to me and I don't want the specialness to wear off...
Spirited Away- Watched this in middle school too and it scared me sooooo much! Don't know why, but I wanted nothing to do with it. 0.o Now I realize that what scared me the most was that she watched her parents turn into pigs right in front of her. I think I'm gonna try re-watching this one sometime soon and hopefully I will like it better.
The Secret World of Arrietty- Loved this one! You can see my post about it here!
Whisper of the Heart- Watched this one tonight because I randomly stumbled on a YouTube video that had the song she sings while he plays the violin. I was curious so I checked it out and ended up watching it. :p
Tales from Earthsea- Watched this a few weeks ago. It was good and creative and awesome, but I couldn't help but feel that the other films were better executed? I dunno. I still liked it. ^-^
My Neighbor Totoro- One of the first ones I ever saw! (Spirited Away I think was the first... bad introduction?) I loved this movie very much and got to watch part of it with a friend at her club about a year ago. Really want to watch it again.
Ponyo- Saw this shortly after it came out and was rather disappointed in it. The ending just fell apart and became a bit cheesy...
Kiki's Delivery Service- Haven't seen this one yet but planning to very soon.
Howl's Moving Castle- Love love love love LOVE this one!!! It is similar to Nausicaä tho in that I only watch it once in a while so it stays special. It means a lot to me because my sister liked it so well and I always watched it with her.
Grave of the Fireflies- One of the saddest movies I have ever watched. I cried so much during it. haven't seen it for years. I kind of want to watch it again even tho it will turn me into a crybaby... 0.o
I know there are a few more films done by Studio Ghibli, but these are the ones I can come up with off the top of my head. There was also one that I can never remember the name of and I can only recall that it was about a girl and a boy and the girl became a pilot into outer space and flew to the far reaches of the universe and pretty much stopped ageing and the guy stayed on Earth and aged as a normal person and it took years for a text message to reach him or her............ I cried in that one too...
Does anyone know what that movie is? I'm pretty sure it was also Studio Ghibli, but I could be wrong...
Well, that's my ramble for now. Thanks for reading!
I'll try to post Japanese things again soon. ^-^
日本語の Musings 1
So, "Today is Monday" is 今日は月曜日です (kyou wa getsuyoubi desu)...
Does that make "Today was Monday" 今日は月曜日でした (kyou wa getsuyoubi deshita)?
I think so... but I'm bad with the tenses.
Does that make "Today was Monday" 今日は月曜日でした (kyou wa getsuyoubi deshita)?
I think so... but I'm bad with the tenses.
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