Basic Japanese - Nihongo 101
Nihongo means Japanese Language. (That was easy...you've said your first japanese word!)
This lens introduces Japanese Language and has a list of basic greetings, some simple words, basic grammar and an introduction to the script. This is for those who would like to try a new language and dip their toes in the oriental world. It is also very helpful for those who would like to learn some quick Japanese before visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.
I would not be able to do justice to the language if I say that this lens will teach you how to read, write and speak Japanese. This is just the starting point, an introduction, if I may, to the language.
The Japanese Language, like any other foreign language, is very easy to learn as far as speaking is concerned. The scripts (yes, its plural, japanese has three scripts, but lets come to that in a bit) are very different from most other languages, but extremently intriguing all the same.
Japanese pronounciations are uncomplicated. Words are pronounced as they are written. Although kanji's have several reading ways depending on context (we can get to that later), the basic spoken japanese can be unmistakenably straightforward.
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This lens was nominated Lens of the Year 2007 and even received a 2007 Honorable Mention (which I flaunt so modestly here *ahem*ahem*)Thank you all for your support.
Keep visiting !!!
The Land Of The Rising Sun, Japan
Just because I can
Japanese Temple
Water Dragon
Kogane Shrine
Red Tori or Gates at Temples/Shrines
Basic Greetings - Aisatsu
Here is a list of some very common greetings and words in english & japanese. The japanese words have been written in english based on the pronounciation.
Yes - Hai
No - Iiye
Good Morning - Ohayo Gozaimas
Good Afternoon - Konnichiwa
Good Evening - Konbanwa
Good Night - Oyasumi Nasai
Good Bye - Sayonara
See you - Dewa mata/Jaa mata
How are you - Ogenki Des Ka
I am fine - Hai, Genki Des
Thank You Very Much - Domo Arigato Gozaimas
Thanks - Domo (used mostly by men)/Arigato
You're Welcome - Do Itashi Mashite
Sorry - Gomen Nasai
Excuse Me (I'm Sorry) - Shitsurei Shimas
Excuse Me (in a crouded train) - Sumimasen
Hello (on the phone) - Moshi Moshi
Cheers - Kampai
There you go!!! Now, wasn't that easy. These basic greetings can get you through your first 30 seconds of conversation with a Japanese person or at your local Sushi restaurant. Read on, you'll love it.
Japanese Greetings
This YouTube Video is great for a beginner, illustrating how to pronounce the Basic Greetings and how they are used.
Learn Japanese - 01#Greetings and Salutations
Wanna learn japanese? Have computer? This may help.
Runtime: 1:35
133824 views
10 Comments:
Japanese Grammar - Nihongo Bumpou
Forming sentences is just as easy. Here's a quick way of saying your first basic sentences.
This is a fish. --> Kore wa sakana des.
Now, let's break that up...
* kore - This (sore - that; aare - that over there)
* wa - is
* sakana - fish (object)
* des - is/are/am (used at the end of a sentence)
Examples:
1. This is a table - Kore wa tsukue(table) des
2. That is a book - Sore wa hon(book) des
3. That is a car - Aare wa kuruma(car) des
4. What is this? - Kore wa nan(what) des ka(question tag)?
Now you can form your own basic sentences in Japanese :)
Did you know?
Sakura - also called "Cherry Blossom" is the national flower of Japan
It flowers in early spring for exactly 10 days!
Sakura
Sakura
Sakura
Sakura
Sakura
More Grammar
My name is Kimiko. --> Watashi no namae wa Kimiko des.
Now, let's break that up...
* watashi no - my (mine)
* namae - name
* wa - is
* des - is/are/am (used at the end of a sentence)
Examples:
1. What is your name? - Anata no (your) namae wa nan(what) des ka(question tag)?
Grammar may seem daunting to begin with, but once you get the rules straight, its pretty simple.
Did you know?
Japanese Calligraphy is known as "Shodo"
In addition to being an artform in its own right, Calligraphy has also led to the development of many other forms of art in East Asia
Rose
Brush - Fude
Sage & Blossoms
Good Luck and Prosperity
Shodo Art
Japanese Scripts
Here's an introduction to written japanese.
Japanese is written with a combination of three scripts. It may take a while to master all the scripts, so I recommend starting with the first two.1. Hiragana
This is a phonetic script consisting of 46 characters. Hiragana is mainly used for non-kanji words, particles and prepositions for instance are written in hiragana. However, you can write a complete sentence in hiragana. Children's books are written in hiragana and kanji's are introduced as they grow older.
2. Katakana
This too is a phonetic script and consists of syllables, just like hiragana. However, katakana is used for writing 'foreign' words. There are several words which have non-japanese origin and are borrowed from other languages. Words like 'computer' or 'beer' for instance are written using the katakana script.
3. Kanji
This is a pictoral script. The kanji script consists of over 5000 characters, often used alone or in conjunction with other kanji's to form words. Learning kanji can be very addictive, so let's leave that for another lens.
"Romaji" (english alphabets) is a variation of script used in modern japanese for inputting the characters into the computer and writing names.
Did you Know?
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is an elaborate experience where tea is made and served in a series of graceful movements and deliberate actions.
And you thought brewing your morning coffee should be done faster !
Tea Pot
Tea Ceremony
Matcha, Green Tea
Serving Tea
Tea Bowl
New Words - Atarashi Kotoba
Its always interesting to learn new words. Here are some common words categorized logically.
Numbers - Suuji
One - Ichi
Two - Ni
Three - San
Four - Shi / Yon
Five - Go
Six - Roku
Seven - Shichi
Eight - Hachi
Nine - Kyuu / Ku
Ten - Jyuu
Relations - Shinseki
Mother - Okaasan / Haha
Father - Otousan / Chi chi
Elder Brother - Oniisan
Younger Brother - Otouto
Elder Sister - Oneysan
Younger Sister - Emouto
Uncle - Ojisan
Aunt - Obasan
Grandfather - Ojiisan (extended i)
Grandmother - Obaasan (extended a)
Friend - Tomodachi
Fruits - Kudamono
Apple - Ringo
Orange - Mikan
Strawberry - Ichigo
Watermelon - Suika
Grapes - Budou
Pineapple - Paainappuru
Banana - Banana
Mango - Maango
Colors - Iro
White - Shiroi / Shiro
Black - Kuroi / Kuro
Red - Akai
Blue - Aaoi
Green - Midori
Yellow - Kiiro
Purple - Murasaki
Orange - Orenjee
Animals - Doubutsu
Dog - Inu
Cat - Neko
Mouse - Nezumi
Horse - Uma
Cow - Ushi
Elephant - Zou
Lion - Raion
Tiger - Tora
Camel - Rakuda
Countries - Kuni
Japan - Nihon / Nippon
China - Chyugoku
USA - Aamerika
Europe - Yoroppa
France - Furansu
Germany - Doitsu
India - Indo
Australia - Oosutoraria
Languags - Kotoba / ~go (postfix)
English - Eigo
French - Furansugo
German - Doitsugo
Miscellaneous - Iro iro na
Boy - Otoko
Girl - Onna
Tea - Ocha
Fish - Sakana
Sea - Umi
Water - Mizu
Island - Shima
Road - Michi
Umbrella - Kasa
Key - Kagi
Near - Chikai
Far - Tooi
Question - Shitsumon
Answer - Kotae
Love - Ai
Since this is just a beginner's page, I would like to urge you to purchase a dictionary or use some of the free online resources available to improve vocabulary.
Did you know?
Sumo is a non-competitive sport where two wrestlers called rikishi face off in a circular area.
The sport is popular in Japan and is surrounded by ceremony and ritual.
Sumo Arena
Sumo wrestlers walking
Sumo dance
Yokozuna Takanohana
US Sumo Open
Books from Amazon
Here is some good learning material, which you can browse and buy from Amazon.
Genki 1: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese 1 (Japanese Edition)
Beginner's Japanese Course
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) 
Beginner's Kana Workbook
This workbook will help get familiar with the hiragana and katakana scripts, learn their stroke orders and practice reading and writing.
Amazon Price: $10.16 (as of 07/10/2009)
Kanji Pict-O-Graphix: Over 1,000 Japanese Kanji and Kana Mnemonics
A very interesting kanji book. This book illustrates how the kanji's were derived and has simple tips on how to remember them. Warning: This books makes kanji's addicitve.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/10/2009)
Kodansha's Furigana Japanese Dictionary: Japanese-English English-Japanese
This is a good beginners's dictionary because it has Furigana (the reading way of the kanji) printed with the words.
Amazon Price: $37.80 (as of 07/10/2009)
Japanese Language Proficiency Test: Grammar Exercises Level 3 (Kanzen Masutaa) (Japanese Edition)
Japanese Language Proficiency Tests are conducted from Level 4 (basic) to Level 1 (advanced). This book is a guide for Level 3.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
What Next
After reading through this lens, you are equipped to speak some japanese words, greetings and basic sentences. Now that this lens has inspired you to dig deeper into this newly gained knowledge, where do you go?
- Intermediate Japanese Language
- My next lens in the series of Japanese Language lenses. This will talk some more about Japanese Grammar and some fun vocabulary and even a quiz! What're you waiting for, go check out the lens and ace it...I'm sure you will.
- About Japanese
- This site by Namiko Abe offers japanese lessons for students from beginner to advanced levels. You can also sign-up for the newsletter (recommended) and learn something new each week.
- Japanese Tools
- This site has some interesting tools, most important being the online dictionary. This site also offers a compilation of several links offering japanese language learning tools.
- Japanese Grammar
- This site is all about japanese grammar. You can go through this site for a step-by-step approach to the various grammar patterns. You will need to know and install japanese script (atleast hiragana) for this site.
- Meguro Language Centre
- This site offers a host of (free) material for a Japanese language student ranging from Level 4 to Level 1. For a beginner it offers some flash animation tools, which help in learning the script. For advanced students, the worksheets and practice tests are very helpful. It has several short dialogues for listening practice too.
Did you know?
Ikebana, also called "Kado" is the art of Japanese Flower Arrangement.
In contrast to the decorative form of flower arranging in western countries, Japanese flower arrangement creates a harmony of linear construction, rhythm, and color; in themselves, decorative requirements.
Ikebana by Graca Vargas
Ikebana by Margarida
Ikebana by Meighan
Ikebana by Toshio
Japanese on eBay
Here's what eBay has to offer on Japanese
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Learning Japanese Language
This is a well-composed introductory video on Japanese Language by www.TheJapanesePage.com & www.TheJapanShop.com
Learn Japanese: Introduction to Japanese
Lesson on Japanese for the very beginner From www.TheJapanesePage.com & www.TheJapanShop.com & www.1nichi1kai.com - my blog!
Runtime: 7:14
450093 views
10 Comments:
My Guestbook
I would love to hear from you, so do drop in a line on your feedback and comments here.
Cindy Ann wrote
Hi! Thanks for this, I will keep your page as reference, I'm from the Philippines, and currently a Tourism student, and I have enrolled my first Foreign Language subject-Niponggo, and I'm doing my research to prepare myself for this Semester... Domo Arigatou Gozaimas!
Posted June 05, 2009
Liz wrote
domo arigatou! this helped me a lot since im studying elementary japanese as one of my major classes.
Posted June 02, 2009
karlo wrote
dis helped me alot tnx
Posted February 18, 2009
Matt Jackson wrote
awesome lens great balance of grammar and vocabulary!!
Posted February 05, 2009
Matt Jackson wrote
awesome lens great balance of grammar and vocabulary!!
Posted February 05, 2009
ThePrancingPony wrote...
Domo Arigatou for all your comments and greetings. I hope you all will enjoy nihongo as I have.
Posted January 24, 2009
angel wrote
in reply to kimi
konnichiwa
Posted January 24, 2009
kimi wrote
ohayo gozaimasta watashi ha kimi san i was able to learn from your coverage it was a great help and i like also to learn more about nihongo
Posted January 06, 2009
kimi wrote
ohayo gozaimasta watashi ha kimi san i was able to learn from your coverage it was a great help and i like also to learn more about nihongo
Posted January 06, 2009
tanel ^_^ wrote
konnichiwa!!!
I'm a college student and I want to learn how to read,write and speak in japanese. Its hard for me to study all by myself so I decided to visit some site and then I foind this out. I'm so glad I found this site. It gives me a lot of information on how to construct sentences in nippongo and also suggested some site that can be visited and help me in learning new words in japanese. More power to this site. Arigato gozaimasu watashi no tomodachi.
hehe n_n I hope my grammar was correct.
Posted December 28, 2008
by ThePrancingPony
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