mccanono

You might also want to watch Japanese movies / dramas when you have the time. And if you like, you can also watch animes.

This way, you'll be able to know how certain words are being used depending on the context.

Happy learning!

While I haven't started to learn the language as yet it is something that is way up on my list of priorities. I would love to learn it as I'm fascinated by the language and it's intricate writing styles, also I want to be able to know the basics when I visit, I plan on doing that one day.

Why not try doing that now? Try learning Japanese and you'll enjoy writing those bad-a$$ Hiraganas and Katakanas. And who knows, you'll learn how to read and write Kanjis too!

When you do have the time though, do try studying katakana. While it's not as useful as hiragana (in my opinion, that is), it's still worth studying since Japan has adopted a lot of loan words. Plus your name (assuming you're not Japanese) is always written in katakana so that's definitely something you would want to know.

Aha! You're right! I actually memorized writing my name in Hiragana before not realizing that it should be written in Katakana. Haha. Total waste of efforts. (Well, not totally though)

Kansai-ben is particularly rich in them. I never had the chance to learn it, so only know a few common phrases. And that accent!

I also like how they say "akan" for "dame" or "ikemasen".

Aha. Now that you've mentioned it, I wonder, how many onomatopoeias they have for each dialect.

Honestly, I haven't come across on a lot of onomatopoeias yet but it would be nice if somebody can provide a good list of such.

This is one of the things that make Kanji even harder than it already is.

You have to memorize A LOT just to be able to have a normal day-to-day conversation using these Kanjis.

But then again, it's fun. Haha

Seems like Japanese are really good in innovating things. Ramen for example. haha

This is one of the hardest part in learning Japanese (aside from Kanji).

It would be best if we have a native Japanese speaker in here. I am able to talk to a lot of Japanese (because I work as a part time English tutor) but I don't get to ask them about Nihongo. But I'll try to invite some of my students to join here.

One of the great benefits of being able to speak more than one language is that you can make friends easily.

Strangers would often feel comfortable when they know that you can speak their language. Also, it is one way of showing your appreciation to their culture.   :wacky:

with all due respect, I thought that word was just a series of random keyboard strokes. Haha.

I don't even know how to pronounce those words. Tough.

Definitely French.

The way they pronounce words is like they're already smooching. 

Here's a really interesting site with lots of videos:

https://www.erin.ne.jp/en/

It has grammar explanations as well as short movies that are great for practicing listening. There are also vocabulary segments, some games and cultural quizes (that are quite difficult sometimes!).

Waa! The girls in the videos are cute. Would definitely enjoy this.

thanks for sharing this.

And for TS - Thank you for opening this thread.

Thanks for answering guys. It's just that I don't have that much free time to study both at the same time. So I would just like to focus on one.

All right! Seems like I'm on the right track for choosing hiragana.

Again, thanks guys!

Appreciate it.

Ohh. Souka!

So that's what they call them words; Kimarimonku.

Do you know where I can learn more of this stuff? This would certainly help us a lot especially when it comes to understanding more of the Japanese culture.

My friend and I had a little bit of a debate on which should we study first; Katakana or Hiragana.

My answer is Hiragana first and then Katakana. This way, you will be able to learn the basic words that are most commonly used in Japan and then learn loaned words.

But according to him, it is the different way around. In order for you to "penetrate" the Japanese culture, you have to start with Katakana first since you would probably encounter more words written in Katakana at first than those words in Hiragana.

What about you guys? Which do you think, we foreigners, should we study first? Katakana or Hiragana?

Kanji would be last. Definitely. hehe

はい。　感じわだいじょぶです。

hai.  kanji wa daijobu desu.

わたしの　趣味わ　インタネットサーフィン です。

watashino shumi wa internet surfing desu.

どこにカリフォルニアの？

doko ni California no?

Well, I have to admit, using Taglish is very convenient most of the time. But whenever I hear a socialite wanna-be talking in pure Taglish, it makes me want to hit them in the face.  seriously, why don't they just use pure English instead?

Where did this word come from anyway?

I've seen a post on Facebook by my previous English trainer and he didn't like the word either. And yeah, I don't want to sound rude but using such word makes someone (who uses it) look stupid. Haha

Well, as a Filipino, I am having pronunciation slips when the words have /p/, /f/, /v/, and /b/ sounds.

Somehow similar to this.

When I hear or see the word "cockpit" I think of a different thing. Haha Gross. XD  :sick:

I think Taglish is somehow becoming an official way Filipinos speak.

Like for example, when you call a Telecom's hotline, it will prompt you for the following:

Press 1 for English

Press 2 for Taglish

And there is no prompt for Tagalog / Filipino.

Just like in Japanese, they often use loan words and write them in Katakana. This is one way to make things in life easier. Haha Convenience.

I've been studying for 2 years :] How about you?

Wow. You must know a lot then. Right?

I just actually started learning Japanese a couple of months ago. I am working as part-time English tutor for this Japanese company so my students somehow influenced me to learn Japanese. So far, so good.

Right after every lesson, I always say, otsukaresama deshita (おつかれさまでした） which means I am tired, which then means you have worked hard. Weird right?

I am currently learning (and memorizing) Hiragana through the help of a doctor.

Doctor Moku haha  :grin:

http://drmoku.com/

So basically, it's an app for iOS and Android devices that teaches you how to learn Hiragana and Katakana easily by using mnemonics. And the examples were good so right now, I am still trying to memorize each character and how they are being written.

(it's taking a little while for me to memorize all of them because I am busy with other things, not enough time   )

I have actually downloaded obenkyo and it looks good. It lets me write! Haha. Unlike other apps, they just show you the characters and not let you write. Thanks for sharing this. And the best thing about it is that it is free. Hooray!

Ohhhh. Souka!

Arigato ne.

I really am having a hard time noticing Kanjis in a sentence especially at a quick glance. XD All looks like hiragana to me.

How long have you been studying Japanese? If you don't mind me asking.

Ahhh! This is the plug-in that I was looking for.

I remembered my friends telling me about this one but unfortunately, I have forgotten about it.

I am currently installing the plug-in.

This would help me a lot especially in reading some Japanese comments on Facebook. Haha.

Well, thanks for sharing these websites.

http://www.kanachart.com/ is a good place to memorize kanas.

I would also like to add http://www.tanoshiijapanese.com/home/

Happy learning! XD