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[Deleted member 17706]

Do you have any recommendations for rote memorization?
Kanji I've learned so far have mostly just come from manga that I see often so those kinda stick with me that I understand them without furigana too, earlier I used to just write down first grade kanjis and repeat them until they stick too, I assume there is no real "wrong" way of doing this?
Thanks.

I would recommend you do what I did many many years ago and buy 漢字ドリル books for elementary school students. Grades 1 - 6. You'll learn the kanji in the same order and context as Japanese kids do. They will teach you stroke order, readings, vocabulary examples, etc.

Just go on Amazon.co.jp and search for them. You may even be able to find some on your local Amazon. These days there are probably great online resources or apps, but I don't know any off the top of my head.

 

[Kudo]

Lots of different editions of those drill books, hard to choose which one would be the best but I guess they all should have the same contents. Those should get me started.
I downloaded some app on my phone but it was pretty hard to navigate on small screen.

 

[urfe]

Instead of learning kanji, I've always learned words. Every word I know I learned the kanji for and how to read and write it. This way to me seems less abstract and easier to reinforce with reading and journal writing.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

Lots of different editions of those drill books, hard to choose which one would be the best but I guess they all should have the same contents. Those should get me started.
I downloaded some app on my phone but it was pretty hard to navigate on small screen.

They should have more or less the same contents. The government decides which characters get taught in which school years.

 

[urfe]

元職場の人と飲んだ。終電に間に合った。着いたら現地のバーで飲むと思ってる。ザー土曜日だな。泡盛飲んじゃダメだったかな。

 

[Aizo]

Sounds like you're having fun haha

 

[bigmit3737]

Are you not at liberty to just post the examples as they appear in the book?

Sorry, I was hoping that I was that I was interpreting the book's system incorrectly.
The book use a system which includes lot of acronyms, shorthand and symbols that are most likely defined in the preface of the book, but I didn't read mostly because I don't need that level of detail.

I will list the examples when I get a chance.

 

[RangerBAD]

Does anyone know where I can look at the Genki II 2nd Edition book online? I bought the book, but I do enjoy having the book a click away when I'm at my computer. To check things or whatever. Speaking of kanji, not all kanji is sticking for me. I plan to focus solely on it (that and vocabulary) after I finish Genki to prep for intermediate books, or whatever I need to do at that point, but I am doing the kanji practice in the workbooks. I'm not sure what works for me. I seem to be able to recognize kanji, but not necessarily pull it up in my head without indication. Some of them I can. Seems I'm at a weird point.

 

[Grokbu]

Kanji has been something I've found really difficult, but I think I've noticed that it helps me if I just sit and do some kanji flashcards over and over. For example, I read the kanji listed in one chapter and try to remember them somewhat (the book I'm on now is Tobira, and for the kanji characters themselves and how they're written, I like using the kanji workbook a lot). Then I write them down in Anki and I do the chapter over and over, as a custom study deck, until I feel somewhat satisfied, then I try to mix them together with an older chapter.

A personal tip for Anki is to use the tags, by the way. It makes it easy to search for what you want in your decks and mixing multiple chapters. For example, makes it possible for the cards to come up in random order, instead of the cards from different decks not "mixing" (like, when you start and see a kanji from chapter 2, if you have more from that deck coming up, the next one is gonna be from there as well) (I might have misunderstood a bit, but I think it works like this).

I would also like to ask some questions I have been wondering about.

Let's say that I want to write the following です/ます-form sentences into polite, written だ-form, would these be correct?
どうですか。　->　どうだか。
どうでしたか。　->　どうだったか。
元気ですか。　->　元気だか。
元気でしたか。　->　元気だったか。

It feels like I have probably learned this before, but I can't remember quite well. I think 元気だか feels weird to write, but I'm not sure if one can simply skip だ after a な-adjective in polite form?

 

[urfe]

どう？
どうだった？
元気？
元気だった？

Would be the casual forms, so skip the だ for present and the か for all.

元気だった doesn't come up so often though.

 

[Jintor]

Uh, have you got it backwards? です・でした are more polite, だ is casual... although more casual would just be to leave off the です・だ entirely

 

[Grokbu]

どう？
どうだった？
元気？
元気だった？

Would be the casual forms, so skip the だ for present and the か for all.

元気だった doesn't come up so often though.

Uh, have you got it backwards? です・でした are more polite, だ is casual... although more casual would just be to leave off the です・だ entirely

Thanks guys. However, what I'm speaking of is, for example, when writing an essay (I uploaded mine the other day and I feel like I might have gotten some things wrong). It should have been written in short and polite form.

Edit: Maybe "formal written language" is the correct term?

 

[urfe]

Thanks guys. However, what I'm speaking of is, for example, when writing an essay (I uploaded mine the other day and I feel like I might have gotten some things wrong). It should have been written in short and polite form.

I see I misread and now feel embarrassed and dumb.

Although now I'm less sure what you mean. Could you give an example sentence?

 

[Jintor]

和からへん。。。

 

[Grokbu]

I see I misread and now feel embarrassed and dumb.

Although now I'm less sure what you mean. Could you give an example sentence?

Oh, no worries! Here are some example sentences:

日本の昔のすしはどうだったか。 (I now believe that 昔の日本 might have been better?)
日本の現代と昔の甘物とデザートは何だか。(Same thing here, should probably have begun with 現代と昔の?)
めんを作ることの歴史は何だか。

I guess some of these have multiple problems. What I really have doubts about are the だか/だったか, though.

Edit:

和からへん。。。

Sorry if this is directed to me. I don't quite understand what that means. :<

 

[urfe]

Oh, no worries! Here are some example sentences:

&#26085;&#26412;&#12398;&#26132;&#12398;&#12377;&#12375;&#12399;&#12393;&#12358;&#12384;&#12387;&#12383;&#12363;&#12290; (I now believe that &#26132;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412; might have been better?)
&#26085;&#26412;&#12398;&#29694;&#20195;&#12392;&#26132;&#12398;&#29976;&#29289;&#12392;&#12487;&#12470;&#12540;&#12488;&#12399;&#20309;&#12384;&#12363;&#12290;(Same thing here, should probably have begun with &#29694;&#20195;&#12392;&#26132;&#12398;?)
&#12417;&#12435;&#12434;&#20316;&#12427;&#12371;&#12392;&#12398;&#27508;&#21490;&#12399;&#20309;&#12384;&#12363;&#12290;

I guess some of these have multiple problems. What I really have doubts about are the &#12384;&#12363;/&#12384;&#12387;&#12383;&#12363;, though.

Edit:

Sorry if this is directed to me. I don't quite understand what that means. :<

I don't know besides a feeling (problem of learning Japanese from reading reports at work, and I apologize if that makes my answer seem worthless), but I would say no &#12384;, or perhaps after a &#12384;&#12387;&#12383; a &#12391;&#12354;&#12429;&#12358;?

&#26132;&#12398;&#23551;&#21496;&#12399;&#12393;&#12358;&#12384;&#12387;&#12383;&#12391;&#12354;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12290;
&#26132;&#12392;&#29694;&#20195;&#12398;&#23551;&#21496;&#12398;&#36949;&#12356;&#12399;&#20309;&#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358;&#12363;&#12290;
&#29694;&#20195;&#12392;&#26132;&#12398;&#23551;&#21496;&#12434;&#27604;&#36611;&#12377;&#12428;&#12400;&#12289;&#12393;&#12358;&#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358;&#12363;&#12290;

I think you can't use &#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358; in formal writing, but for some reason I would use it.
I forget the difference in usage between &#12384; and &#12391;&#12354;&#12427; too.

Not much help, but I look forward to someone with better Japanese helping.

Edit: I believe Jintor means &#20998;&#12363;&#12425;&#12408;&#12435;. (&#38306;&#35199;&#24321;&#12398;&#12300;&#12431;&#12363;&#12425;&#12394;&#12356;&#12301

 

[Jintor]

IME doesn't like kansai-ben :T

although I don't know how the &#12408;&#12435; is supposed to look in kanji, if it's meant to be repped in kanji. I don't think so, right?

 

[stump sock]

although I don't know how the &#12408;&#12435; is supposed to look in kanji, if it's meant to be repped in kanji. I don't think so, right?

I don't think so either. every time I've noticed it, it was in kana.

 

[Grokbu]

I don't know besides a feeling (problem of learning Japanese from reading reports at work, and I apologize if that makes my answer seem worthless), but I would say no &#12384;, or perhaps after a &#12384;&#12387;&#12383; a &#12391;&#12354;&#12429;&#12358;?

&#26132;&#12398;&#23551;&#21496;&#12399;&#12393;&#12358;&#12384;&#12387;&#12383;&#12391;&#12354;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12290;
&#26132;&#12392;&#29694;&#20195;&#12398;&#23551;&#21496;&#12398;&#36949;&#12356;&#12399;&#20309;&#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358;&#12363;&#12290;
&#29694;&#20195;&#12392;&#26132;&#12398;&#23551;&#21496;&#12434;&#27604;&#36611;&#12377;&#12428;&#12400;&#12289;&#12393;&#12358;&#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358;&#12363;&#12290;

I think you can't use &#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358; in formal writing, but for some reason I would use it.
I forget the difference in usage between &#12384; and &#12391;&#12354;&#12427; too.

Not much help, but I look forward to someone with better Japanese helping.

Edit: I believe Jintor means &#20998;&#12363;&#12425;&#12408;&#12435;. (&#38306;&#35199;&#24321;&#12398;&#12300;&#12431;&#12363;&#12425;&#12394;&#12356;&#12301

Ah, thank you! I really appreciate your help. Yeah, &#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358;&#12363;/&#12391;&#12354;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363; and perhaps &#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12363; sounds good. Maybe since you might be unable to use &#12391;&#12375;&#12423;&#12358; in formal writing, perhaps one could substitute with &#12384;&#12429;&#12358;/&#12391;&#12354;&#12429;&#12358; (I might be incorrect though).

Again, thank you for the help, both of you! I will try to post some information from when I get the corrected version of my sakubun from my teacher.

Also learned something new about kansaiben today as well!

 

[tomakasatnav]

Right, I've subbed!

I did my GCSE Japanese exams last year but have really let it slide since so... &#12371;&#12435;&#12395;&#12385;&#12399;!

 

[stump sock]

can someone help me understand the difference between &#24515; and &#12495;&#12540;&#12488;?

I know they both mean the "philosophical" version of heart, but unless I'm just imagining things, it seems like they're used in different situations.

Maybe it's just a dialect or gendered thing?

 

[Sitrus]

can someone help me understand the difference between &#24515; and &#12495;&#12540;&#12488;?

I know they both mean the "philosophical" version of heart, but unless I'm just imagining things, it seems like they're used in different situations.

Maybe it's just a dialect or gendered thing?

&#24515; can mean the heart in the metaphorical sense, mind or spirit. Not the organ.
&#35211;&#30446;&#12424;&#12426;&#24515;&#12290;

&#12495;&#12540;&#12488; &#10084;&#65039; Pretty much the same usage as the english heart.

&#24515;&#33235; is the technical word for the organ only.
&#24515;&#33235;&#12398;&#20685;&#12365;&#12399;&#34880;&#28082;&#12434;&#36865;&#12426;&#20986;&#12377;&#20107;&#12391;&#12377;&#12290;

 

[stump sock]

&#12495;&#12540;&#12488; &#10084;&#65039; Pretty much the same as the english heart.

This is actually why I was asking because I'm used to it meaning the shape, but I heard it in a sentence basically saying "what's in a woman's heart" and was a little confused. I understood the meaning, but wasn't used to that kind of usage.

and then there's the idol group BELLRING&#23569;&#22899;&#12495;&#12540;&#12488; but I try not to worry too much about names of musical acts making sense.

 

[Sitrus]

This is actually why I was asking because I'm used to it meaning the shape, but I heard it in a sentence basically saying "what's in a woman's heart" and was a little confused. I understood the meaning, but wasn't used to that kind of usage.

&#12495;&#12540;&#12488; is often used together with another word as in a heart-shaped something something. &#12495;&#12540;&#12488;&#24418; is pretty common, but also in the beating heart. It's also commonly associated with love or affection. In short, you can use it as the english equivalent of heart, just note that it has a somewhat romantic/love connotation with it. The word originated from the english word heart to begin with so there's that too.

 

[Grokbu]

Alright, so a followup on my previous posts. I went ahead and asked my teacher this:

&#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12290;&#12301;&#12434;&#19969;&#23527;&#12394;&#12384;&#20307;&#12395;&#12375;&#12383;&#12425;&#12289;&#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12363;&#12290;&#12301;&#12392;&#26360;&#12356;&#12383;&#12425;&#12356;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12397;&#12290;&#12391;&#12418;&#12289;&#20363;&#12360;&#12400;&#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12290;&#12301;&#12434;&#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12384;&#12363;&#12290;&#12301;&#12395;&#12375;&#12383;&#12425;&#38291;&#36949;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12397;&#12290;&#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12290;&#12301;&#12434;&#12393;&#12358;&#26360;&#12356;&#12383;&#12425;&#12356;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12290;

And if I understood her reply correctly, she mentioned that &#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12301; could be &#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12363;&#12301; and &#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12301; could be &#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12363;&#12301;. And also that in written language &#12300;&#65374;&#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12301; is also often used, as in &#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12301; and &#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12301; when giving the meaning of " I wonder...".

Right, I've subbed!

I did my GCSE Japanese exams last year but have really let it slide since so... &#12371;&#12435;&#12395;&#12385;&#12399;!

&#12371;&#12435;&#12395;&#12385;&#12399;&#65281;

 

[bigmit3737]

Alright, so a followup on my previous posts. I went ahead and asked my teacher this:

And if I understood her reply correctly, she mentioned that &#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12301; could be &#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12363;&#12301; and &#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12301; could be &#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12363;&#12301;. And also that in written language &#12300;&#65374;&#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12301; is also often used, as in &#12300;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12301; and &#12300;&#12403;&#12435;&#12412;&#12358;&#12384;&#12429;&#12358;&#12363;&#12301; when giving the meaning of " I wonder...".



&#12371;&#12435;&#12395;&#12385;&#12399;&#65281;

I'm confused. Why would removing the ’&#12391;&#12377;’&#12288; and using "&#12384;”&#12288;be considered more formal?

 

[Grokbu]

I'm confused. Why would removing the &#8217;&#12391;&#12377;&#8217;&#12288; and using "&#12384;&#8221;&#12288;be considered more formal?

Well, I'll start off by saying that I am far from being an expert at Japanese, so what I mention in my posts could be incorrect.

However, as far as I understand, it wouldn't exactly make it more formal. But my problems were about how one would write the example sentences I used (the ones in long-/&#12391;&#12377;-/&#12414;&#12377;-form) in formal written short-/&#12384;-form. So what I have written was basically dealing with how one would write something going from one style to another.

 

[bigmit3737]

Well, I'll start off by saying that I am far from being an expert at Japanese, so what I mention in my posts could be incorrect.

However, as far as I understand, it wouldn't exactly make it more formal. But my problems were about how one would write the example sentences I used (the ones in long-/&#12391;&#12377;-/&#12414;&#12377;-form) in formal written short-/&#12384;-form. So what I have written was basically dealing with how one would write something going from one style to another.

Ah! Gotcha.


&#36007;&#20047;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#65309;&#12288;&#36007;&#20047;&#12394;&#12398;&#12363;
&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12288;&#65309;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12398;&#12363;

That's how I would write it.

&#27005;&#12375;&#12363;&#12288;is probably also correct.

 

[Grokbu]

Ah! Gotcha.


&#36007;&#20047;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#65309;&#12288;&#36007;&#20047;&#12394;&#12398;&#12363;
&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12363;&#12288;&#65309;&#27005;&#12375;&#12356;&#12398;&#12363;

That's how I would write it.

&#27005;&#12375;&#12363;&#12288;is probably also correct.

Sorry for the late reply! Thank you a lot for the help. I really appreciate it!

 

[Gradivus]

Hello, everyone. I was just reading my friend's Facebook page today because it was her birthday. She is overseas at the moment, but returning to Japan next week. I was getting a bit confused at understanding some of the messages on her page by our mutual friends when it came to &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;.

Person A: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#65281;&#65281;&#26469;&#26376;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358; &#31169;&#12418;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65374;

I can understand this one at least&#12288;bit
"Happy birthday, I look forward to meeting you next month."
"Thanks, me too."

Person B: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#12316; &#31169;&#12418;&#26469;&#26376;&#12450;&#12461;&#12385;&#12419;&#12435;&#12395;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65281; (Relative of Person A)
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#12418;&#12358;&#12377;&#12368;&#24112;&#22269;&#12391;&#12377;&#12290;&#32080;&#23130;&#24335;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;

"Happy Birthday, I as well, look forward to meeting you next month!"
"Thanks, I'll be back soon"
Then I get confused at the wedding part...

Is birthday girl referring to herself or Person B? (I didn't know about this, so I want to congratulate the right person ).

I understand you can cut away &#31169;&#12398;/&#31169;&#12399; if the speaker/listener clearly know whats going on, but this type of grammar always confused me when I saw past examples of &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427; comments on Facebook, if the speaker was actually talking about themselves or about the listener...

 

[RangerBAD]

I think my Japanese is too limited so I won't make a fool of myself.

 

[Darksol]

Hello, everyone. I was just reading my friend's Facebook page today because it was her birthday. She is overseas at the moment, but returning to Japan next week. I was getting a bit confused at understanding some of the messages on her page by our mutual friends when it came to &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;.

Person A: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#65281;&#65281;&#26469;&#26376;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358; &#31169;&#12418;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65374;

I can understand this one at least&#12288;bit
"Happy birthday, I look forward to meeting you next month."
"Thanks, me too."

Person B: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#12316; &#31169;&#12418;&#26469;&#26376;&#12450;&#12461;&#12385;&#12419;&#12435;&#12395;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65281; (Relative of Person A)
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#12418;&#12358;&#12377;&#12368;&#24112;&#22269;&#12391;&#12377;&#12290;&#32080;&#23130;&#24335;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;

"Happy Birthday, I as well, look forward to meeting you next month!"
"Thanks, I'll be back soon"
Then I get confused at the wedding part...

Is birthday girl referring to herself or Person B? (I didn't know about this, so I want to congratulate the right person ).

I understand you can cut away &#31169;&#12398;/&#31169;&#12399; if the speaker/listener clearly know whats going on, but this type of grammar always confused me when I saw past examples of &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427; comments on Facebook, if the speaker was actually talking about themselves or about the listener...

Honestly, with that context I'm not sure either. If I had to guess I'd say Birthday Girl is saying that she's looking forward to the wedding ceremony. I assume Person B is either getting married or both B and Birthday Girl will meet at said ceremony of somebody else.

I'm stumped. Then again, my Japanese leaves much to be desired.

Sorry, I know that didn't help. Hopefully someone else chimes in.

 

[urfe]

Hello, everyone. I was just reading my friend's Facebook page today because it was her birthday. She is overseas at the moment, but returning to Japan next week. I was getting a bit confused at understanding some of the messages on her page by our mutual friends when it came to &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;.

Person A: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#65281;&#65281;&#26469;&#26376;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358; &#31169;&#12418;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65374;

I can understand this one at least&#12288;bit
"Happy birthday, I look forward to meeting you next month."
"Thanks, me too."

Person B: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#12316; &#31169;&#12418;&#26469;&#26376;&#12450;&#12461;&#12385;&#12419;&#12435;&#12395;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65281; (Relative of Person A)
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#12418;&#12358;&#12377;&#12368;&#24112;&#22269;&#12391;&#12377;&#12290;&#32080;&#23130;&#24335;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;

"Happy Birthday, I as well, look forward to meeting you next month!"
"Thanks, I'll be back soon"
Then I get confused at the wedding part...

Is birthday girl referring to herself or Person B? (I didn't know about this, so I want to congratulate the right person ).

I understand you can cut away &#31169;&#12398;/&#31169;&#12399; if the speaker/listener clearly know whats going on, but this type of grammar always confused me when I saw past examples of &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427; comments on Facebook, if the speaker was actually talking about themselves or about the listener...

I'd assume Person B, but it's unclear, and could also be another person's wedding they're both going to.

 

[Mik2121]

Hello, everyone. I was just reading my friend's Facebook page today because it was her birthday. She is overseas at the moment, but returning to Japan next week. I was getting a bit confused at understanding some of the messages on her page by our mutual friends when it came to &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;.

Person A: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#65281;&#65281;&#26469;&#26376;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358; &#31169;&#12418;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65374;

I can understand this one at least&#12288;bit
"Happy birthday, I look forward to meeting you next month."
"Thanks, me too."

Person B: &#35477;&#29983;&#26085;&#12362;&#12417;&#12391;&#12392;&#12358;&#12316; &#31169;&#12418;&#26469;&#26376;&#12450;&#12461;&#12385;&#12419;&#12435;&#12395;&#20250;&#12360;&#12427;&#12398;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;&#65281; (Relative of Person A)
Birthday Girl: &#12354;&#12426;&#12364;&#12392;&#12358;&#65281;&#12418;&#12358;&#12377;&#12368;&#24112;&#22269;&#12391;&#12377;&#12290;&#32080;&#23130;&#24335;&#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427;&#12424;

"Happy Birthday, I as well, look forward to meeting you next month!"
"Thanks, I'll be back soon"
Then I get confused at the wedding part...

Is birthday girl referring to herself or Person B? (I didn't know about this, so I want to congratulate the right person ).

I understand you can cut away &#31169;&#12398;/&#31169;&#12399; if the speaker/listener clearly know whats going on, but this type of grammar always confused me when I saw past examples of &#27005;&#12375;&#12415;&#12395;&#12375;&#12390;&#12427; comments on Facebook, if the speaker was actually talking about themselves or about the listener...

It's definitely not birthday girl's wedding. It's either Person A (she seems to be coming back to Japan so probably for a wedding), Person B or an unrelated third party.

 

[Jintor]

"Looking forward to the Wedding"... I would hazard a guess at B-san, but could also be a third party's.

 

[Porcile]

Subbed, just in case I have to ask some ridiculous noob question. Seriously though, I just started out from scratch and it's surprising how much I've been able to learn in just a few days. Is two months a reasonable amount of time to learn to read hiragana and katakana easily? I mean to just gain the the ability to decipher the symbols, not what it actually means - haha. I know it's probably not wise to rush through things, but I've put aside this summer to getting some Japanese down in preparation for a teaching application. How much you do think I can reasonable learn in three months, if I put in about 3-4 self taught hours a day?

 

[Darksol]

Subbed, just in case I have to ask some ridiculous noob question. Seriously though, I just started out from scratch and it's surprising how much I've been able to learn in just a few days. Is two months a reasonable amount of time to learn to read hiragana and katakana easily? I mean to just gain the the ability to decipher the symbols, not what it actually means - haha. I know it's probably not wise to rush through things, but I've put aside this summer to getting some Japanese down in preparation for a teaching application. How much you do think I can reasonable learn in three months, if I put in about 3-4 self taught hours a day?

You can learn hiragana and katakana in two weeks (or less), so yeah, two months is definitely doable

With a few months of consistent practice you can learn the kana (hiragana & katakana), a few basic, frequently used kanji, have an introduction to particles, and establish a reasonable grammatical foundation for forming basic sentences (desu/masu, te form, how to conjugate i and na adjectives, etc).

Just don't try and rush it

 

[Porcile]

You can learn hiragana and katakana in two weeks (or less), so yeah, two months is definitely doable

With a few months of consistent practice you can learn the kana (hiragana & katakana), a few basic, frequently used kanji, have an introduction to particles, and establish a reasonable grammatical foundation for forming basic sentences (desu/masu, te form, how to conjugate i and na adjectives, etc).

Just don't try and rush it

Cheers. That's kind of where I thought I would be able to get to, so at least my expectations are in check.

Like I say, Japanese for me, in a few days, went from 'Holy shit, what is this? Why are there two words just for the number four? Nothing makes sense at all!' to 'I think I might actually be able to get this.' It's surprising how much I'm enjoying it so far, but having an actual real world goal to work towards helps a lot.

I've got a long Summer ahead though.

 

[Darksol]

Cheers. That's kind of where I thought I would be able to get to, so at least my expectations are in check.

Like I say, Japanese for me, in a few days, went from 'Holy shit, what is this? Why are there two words just for the number four? Nothing makes sense at all!' to 'I think I might actually be able to get this.' It's surprising how much I'm enjoying it so far, but having an actual real world goal to work towards helps a lot.

I've got a long Summer ahead though.

That's great to hear. I also remember the start of my learning to be a frustrating, yet fun process. It's nice to be able to look at something which was previously meaningless squiggles, and now have the context and understanding to process it.

Just remain consistent and don't give up. Eventually the fun ends and you'll hit a slump. You'll start to doubt yourself, and it won't be enjoyable. But you just have to keep soldiering on. Once you get out of the crap heap, you return to the "This is awesome!" mindset.

Learning Japanese is a series of peaks and valleys.

I'm currently in the valley, because I'm working on JLPT N3 material and finding it a bit of a slog, at the moment. Couple that with the fact that I'm moving to Japan in February and it's very easy for me to get overwhelmed

But, onwards and upwards, keep a stiff upper lip, and all that. &#38929;&#24373;&#12387;&#12390;&#12367;&#12384;&#12373;&#12356; / &#12364;&#12435;&#12400;&#12387;&#12390;&#12367;&#12384;&#12373;&#12356;! Be sure to share how your progress is going, as well as any questions you may have.

 

[Jintor]

If anyone can explain the difference between &#12400;&#12363;&#12426; and &#12384;&#12369; i would be grateful. I've been staring at this grammar dictionary for a bit trying to parse it but I can't seem to fit it into my head.

 

[TheSporkWithin]

If anyone can explain the difference between &#12400;&#12363;&#12426; and &#12384;&#12369; i would be grateful. I've been staring at this grammar dictionary for a bit trying to parse it but I can't seem to fit it into my head.

&#12400;&#12363;&#12426; has the meaning of just barely achieving something or having just enough to do something (with the additional connotation that you could have done better or had more).
&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#38291;&#12395;&#21512;&#12356;&#12414;&#12375;&#12383;&#12397;&#12290;You made it just (barely) in time.
&#20116;&#21315;&#20870;&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#25345;&#12387;&#12390;&#12356;&#12427;&#12290;I have 5000 yen with me (and while it's just enough, I wish I had more)

&#12384;&#12369; means only this and (regretfully) nothing else, or often used in comparison with some contrasting thing.
&#26397;&#12372;&#12399;&#12435;&#12399;&#12497;&#12531;&#12384;&#12369;&#12434;&#39135;&#12409;&#12414;&#12375;&#12383;&#12290;I only ate bread for breakfast (I would have eaten more).
&#12381;&#12358;&#12394;&#12435;&#12384;&#12289;&#20693;&#12399;&#19977;&#20154;&#20804;&#24351;&#12384;&#12369;&#12356;&#12414;&#12377;&#12290;Oh, I only have three siblings[myself included as is the custom in Japanese family size counting] (compared to the previous speaker who had more).

There's also &#12385;&#12423;&#12358;&#12393;, which means "exactly" or "just" with a positive sense.
&#21315;&#30334;&#20108;&#21313;&#19977;&#20870;&#12385;&#12423;&#12358;&#12393;&#12358;&#12391;&#12377;&#12397;&#12290;That's exactly 1023 yen.
&#12371;&#12398;&#26257;&#12373;&#12399;&#12385;&#12423;&#12358;&#12393;&#12356;&#12356;&#12391;&#12377;&#12290; This temperature is just right.

 

[soc]

&#12400;&#12363;&#12426; has the meaning of just barely achieving something or having just enough to do something (with the additional connotation that you could have done better or had more).
&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#38291;&#12395;&#21512;&#12356;&#12414;&#12375;&#12383;&#12397;&#12290;You made it just (barely) in time.
&#20116;&#21315;&#20870;&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#25345;&#12387;&#12390;&#12356;&#12427;&#12290;I have 5000 yen with me (and while it's just enough, I wish I had more)

Do you have a source for that? This doesn't seem quite right to me, and searching Google for "&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#38291;&#12395;&#21512;" brings up nothing. I know Tae Kim's guide isn't always totally accurate, but he suggests the opposite here: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/amount.

 

[TheSporkWithin]

Do you have a source for that? This doesn't seem quite right to me, and searching Google for "&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#38291;&#12395;&#21512;" brings up nothing. I know Tae Kim's guide isn't always totally accurate, but he suggests the opposite here: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/amount.

Herp derp. I was actually confusing &#12400;&#12363;&#12426; with &#12400;&#12387;&#12385;&#12426;, which in the area I live in is used synonymously with &#12366;&#12426;&#12366;&#12426;.

&#12400;&#12363;&#12426; is totally different, and the only situations I've heard or seen it used that I can think of are when someone is saying that someone does something to the exclusion of everything else (usually with negative connotations).
&#24444;&#12399;&#12466;&#12540;&#12512;&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#12377;&#12427;&#12290;He does nothing but play video games.

 

[Jintor]

I was confused too because I don't think I've ever encountered &#12400;&#12363;&#12426; in the wild and was wondering why it wasn't used more. &#12393;&#12358;&#12382;&#12290;

 

[bigmit3737]

&#12300;&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#12301;&#12288;has many meanings so just be aware of that.
&#12300;&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#12301;&#12288;and &#12288;[&#12384;&#12369;&#12301; are very similar when it comes to one of the meanings of [&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#12301;&#12290;

depending on the situation the nuance is a little different at times.

&#12300;&#12450;&#12461;&#12399;&#27598;&#26085;&#28459;&#30011;&#12400;&#12363;&#12426;&#35501;&#12435;&#12391;&#12356;&#12427;&#12301;&#12288;All Aki does is read manga all day.

&#12300;&#31179;&#12399;&#28459;&#30011;&#12384;&#12369;&#35501;&#12416;&#12301;&#12288;Aki only reads Manga (not novels or magazines)

 

[urfe]

I use &#12400;&#12363;&#12426; quite a bit. As mentioned, it has different meanings.

It can be &#12400;&#12387;&#12363; in casual situations.

&#35328;&#12356;&#35379;&#12400;&#12387;&#12363;&#12376;&#12419;&#12435;&#65281;

All you do is give excuses!

&#35328;&#12356;&#35379;&#12384;&#12369;&#12376;&#12419;&#12435;&#65281;

That's just an excuse!

Or at least in my head that's the case.

Edit: while chatting, I just said &#12354;&#12289;&#20778;&#12375;&#12356;&#12371;&#12392;&#12400;&#12387;&#12363;&#12426;&#65281; so I suppose it can be used in a positive way?

 

[TheSporkWithin]

Edit: while chatting, I just said &#12354;&#12289;&#20778;&#12375;&#12356;&#12371;&#12392;&#12400;&#12387;&#12363;&#12426;&#65281; so I suppose it can be used in a positive way?

I thought that would be &#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426;, or is that only for tangible objects?

EDIT: Just realized this could look like I'm correcting you, I'm not, I'm just curious as to whether &#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426; can be used in that way or if it would sound really strange.

 

[urfe]

I thought that would be &#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426;, or is that only for tangible objects?

EDIT: Just realized this could look like I'm correcting you, I'm not, I'm just curious as to whether &#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426; can be used in that way or if it would sound really strange.

Please don't hesitate to correct me if you think I'm wrong. I'm definitely not an authority.

I think &#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426; can only be used for things, like food or drink. However, I'm not sure.

 

[Genki]

The only thing I can think of now is the&#12288;&#37326;&#33756;&#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426;&#12459;&#12524;&#12540; I had in Sapporo. Guess it's time for a meal.

 

[TheSporkWithin]

Yeah, I usually see it used on food products. &#12495;&#12512;&#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426;&#12469;&#12531;&#12489;, &#12501;&#12523;&#12540;&#12484;&#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426;&#12469;&#12521;&#12480; and so on. I've also seen it in reference to movies, anime or manga, as in &#31505;&#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426; or &#20882;&#38522;&#12383;&#12387;&#12407;&#12426;.

I've got a hunch that it may be exclusively used for "advertisement" purposes, so using it in conversation might be very strange.