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[Gaspode_T]

I've been browsing the Japanese App store; to see if I can find any apps that are targeted for teaching children Japanese.

One called "Kanamoji" is widely regarded as the best for teaching hiragana and katakana, I like it a lot but it's seriously for kids (painting/coloring are in it too). There is another one which is more about tracing your finger in the right directions.

Nothing beats a good ol dictionary in your hands and cracking through some books/manga that have furigana. Maybe the "sono mama" dictionary where you write kanji to look them up is too hard for beginners to use but that is good to move to after you get your feet sufficiently wet.

 

[Gacha-pin]

Only in the second does it mean that you actually get on top of the car. The first is just climbing up that high.

Thank you. To me, the difference between to the top and on the top feels more logical than get in/on a car/bus.

私だけの考え方かも知れないですけど・・・

やっぱり両方も「車の上に登って」っていう意味なんですよね。でも前者はその、車の上に辿りつく前の登り自体を強調するような気がします。で、後者は車の上に着いた人のイメージを強調すると思います。後者の方がより自然な英語だと思います。

ありがと～、すごくよく分かったよ。忘れないようにメモしとく｡｡｡φ(´ｰ｀ )

 

[KtSlime]

Everyone, good luck on your JLPTs.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Hey GAF, I'd like to know what these characters mean...I'm not even sure if they are Japanese, they don't look very Jap to me but I thought I'd try anyhow:

I saw them on a car, so if they turn out to be of a sexual nature then I didn't have anything to do with it :x

 

[Cheesemeister]

Hey GAF, I'd like to know what these characters mean...I'm not even sure if they are Japanese, they don't look very Jap to me but I thought I'd try anyhow:

I saw them on a car, so if they turn out to be of a sexual nature then I didn't have anything to do with it :x

注意 [ちゅうい]
(n,vs) (P) caution; being careful; attention (heed); warning; advice

 

[Angelus Errare]

I'm going to assume it's suppose to say ちゅうい which could be used as warning, caution, heed, etc.

that extra line in the second character might be put there by mistake.

edit: Beaten (thats what I get for coming back to a tab I opened 21 mins ago >.<)

 

[Bomber Bob]

Tomorrow JLPT! Good luck everybody! Nobody's going near ookayama Eli? (tokyo)

 

[PumpkinPie]

^ Thanks guys, it's much appreciated

 

[gerg]

I wanted to take the JLPT test tomorrow, but it was too much of a hassle to organise to send my results to another prefecture (and one which I didn't even know for certain where I'd be) and then to have to organise to have the results sent either to a third prefecture or home to England. I'm just going to skip N3 now and go straight for N2 in December.

Good luck everyone!

 

[shanshan310]

&#38929;&#24373;&#12387;&#12390;&#12288;&#65342;&#65342;

Man, I'm pretty sure &#27880;&#24847; is the most common kanji in Japan. Its everywheeeree!

 

[Kilrogg]

So, got back from the N1 (took the test in Fukuoka) from 12:30 to 4:30pm. Anyone else took it?

As expected, it was hard for me, but that's what you get for "learning" the near entirety of the grammar the day before the exam and didn't learn any vocabulary.

To sum up for those who are still unfamiliar with the new format, N1 is divided in two parts. The first part lasts around 2 hours and is comprised of anything NOT pertaining to listening. That is, kanji readings, vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. The second part lasts an hour and is entirely devoted to listening comprehension.

Listening comprehension was by far the easiest part. As for the rest, reading was obviously the hardest, although surprisingly not that much more difficult than that of the N2 (which I took before the test changed). Doesn't mean I had an easy time though, far from it, but because I adopted a "screw it, I didn't prepare myself anyway" approach, I was able to finish in time by bullshitting my way through many questions. Vocabulary was a nightmare for me because I didn't study at all. I'd say at least half (if not two thirds) of the questions I replied to without having any idea what the correct answer was. Kanji reading was the easiest part, but also the shortest, sadly. This has always been my forte, so I'm bummed about it. That leaves grammar, which was hard I guess, but there actually weren't that many questions were it felt like actual grammar problems. Either they decided to tone it down or they managed to integrate smoothly into the test without making it too apparent.

Overall, considering that the new format introduces minimum thresholds — say, if you don't have 19 points or more on the listening problems, you fail the entire test —, I'd be very surprised if I passed, especially since I didn't really study for it. Reading is just way too hard/long. At the same time, the overall threshold is lower than it used to be. It's now 100 out of 180 (that's around 55%) for the N1, when it used to be 70%. Also, the exam isn't balanced: again, the listening comprehension part is extremely easy compared to the rest. Not that I'm complaining . Only the questions asking you to listen to long dialogues were hard (excluding the last one, which was ridiculously easy despite being last).

I have the feeling that the old format was harder on the whole.

 

[345triangle]

sounds like your N1 experiences were pretty much identical to my N2 experiences yesterday. i was hungover and i really doubt i've passed, though i wasn't expecting to!

 

[shanshan310]

Also, the exam isn't balanced: again, the listening comprehension part is extremely easy compared to the rest. Not that I'm complaining .

Yeah, I got the same feeling when I did N4.. =/ Like ridiculously easy compared to the rest of the exam.

At least you've got a feel for the test now I hope you passed despite your lack of study.

 

[Mik2121]

Weird, I thought tests were only in December? I did mine back in December 2008. And even though I've been living in Japan since then (since 2006 really) and now I'm working here (not as an English teacher, mind you, but at a company doing 3D stuff for commercials and whatnot), yet I don't think I'd pass the Kanji test on the JLPT Lv1. That shit is so meaningless for when it comes to living in Japan...

 

[345triangle]

i think the listening section is kind of to test people who've never lived in japan - it'd probably be a lot harder if you weren't used to it. there certainly wasn't anything more difficult about yesterday's N2 listening than what i remember of N3 six months ago.

i'd be surprised if i got less than 90% on the listening section yesterday, so hopefully it'll drag my score up a bit...the "good" thing about the test is that the hardest, most time-consuming questions are worth relatively much less; you can spend 10 minutes thinking about one article all for two or three points, when you get the same amount of points in about ten seconds in the kanji section. so, while i did spend a lot of time going "shit, i really don't know this", it probably was only for about 25% of the total marks available.

the reading was way harder than i was expecting, though. the book i used for reading practice made it seem a whole lot more simple.

 

[leadbelly]

I think you would always be better off having a proper tutor and frequently visiting the country. I've heard stories of people teaching themselves japanese, thinking they are at a good level, and then realising they can't understand a word people are saying once they actually get there. lol

 

[Zoe]

We just got an Android tablet with 2.2 on it. Anybody know how to get Japanese input working?

 

[angelfly]

We just got an Android tablet with 2.2 on it. Anybody know how to get Japanese input working?

Simeji seems to be what a lot of people use. Android also has a built in input method but I've only seen it enabled on Japanese android phones.

 

[Jintor]

Anyone know if the Kindle supports Japanese text, and if so, what kind of books I should look at getting to try and start reading some basic Japanese? I know I can use .pdfs, I guess, if I get desperate.

 

[angelfly]

Anyone know if the Kindle supports Japanese text, and if so, what kind of books I should look at getting to try and start reading some basic Japanese? I know I can use .pdfs, I guess, if I get desperate.

Looks like it does. As for getting some basic material to read try here.

 

[Jintor]

Cheers mate.

 

[bigmit3737]

I'm using Japanese input through Windows IME (Vista).

It seems that every time I switch to Japanese input through (Shift+Alt), it
starts off with Alpha (A) input method.

I was wondering if there is a way to have Hiragana input as the default or if there is a shortcut command to to select Hiragana input. I frequently switch between Japanese input and English input, when I'm instant messaging. That's why I'm looking for a faster method than manually using the mouse and changing it through the toolbar.


Thank you.

 

[cnet128]

I gave up on switching between Japanese input and English input for that very reason. I find it works well enough to just stick with Japanese, switching between romaji and kana using the alt-tilde shortcut.

 

[gerg]

That's odd - if I switch to Japanese IME from another language it just goes to whatever input I last used.

 

[Mistake]

I'm using Japanese input through Windows IME (Vista).

It seems that every time I switch to Japanese input through (Shift+Alt), it
starts off with Alpha (A) input method.

I was wondering if there is a way to have Hiragana input as the default or if there is a shortcut command to to select Hiragana input. I frequently switch between Japanese input and English input, when I'm instant messaging. That's why I'm looking for a faster method than manually using the mouse and changing it through the toolbar.


Thank you.

Go to your settings and move Japanese from the second row (under installed services) to the first row, to make it go to Japanese first. If you look further in your settings on Microsoft IME, under general, you can then select your default input method for when you switch to japanese.

To change something to hiragana or katakana on the go, use F6 and F7. Hit enter to separate characters when you do this, or wait until you finish the word.

EDIT: Moving Japanese up WILL fix it to do what you want, just not the first time for whatever you type on, which is strange....

 

[Zoe]

Alt+` will change romaji/kana after you've switched to Japanese.

 

[Kilrogg]

Alt + Caps Lock works too.

 

[bigmit3737]

Alt+` will change romaji/kana after you've switched to Japanese.

This&#12288;works! Thank you.

 

[shanshan310]

Hey guys. I was talking to one of my friends and she said this:

&#12354;&#12392;&#31169;&#12399;&#19968;&#24180;&#21193;&#24375;&#12375;&#12383;&#12384;&#12369;&#12376;&#12419;&#22823;&#23398;&#12395;&#12356;&#12369;&#12394;&#8203;&#12356;&#27671;&#12364;&#12377;&#12427;&#12363;&#12425;&#26089;&#12417;&#12395;&#34892;&#12367;!

I've got all the words but there is just something about it that makes me completely unable to understand it. Can anyone help? We were talking about &#22654;.

 

[GTP_Daverytimes]

Guys am looking for a great FREE learning tool, i was a Smart.FM user before but they switched to pay for use.

 

[gerg]

Hey guys. I was talking to one of my friends and she said this:

&#12354;&#12392;&#31169;&#12399;&#19968;&#24180;&#21193;&#24375;&#12375;&#12383;&#12384;&#12369;&#12376;&#12419;&#22823;&#23398;&#12395;&#12356;&#12369;&#12394;&#8203;&#12356;&#27671;&#12364;&#12377;&#12427;&#12363;&#12425;&#26089;&#12417;&#12395;&#34892;&#12367;!

I've got all the words but there is just something about it that makes me completely unable to understand it. Can anyone help? We were talking about &#22654;.

I think she's saying that she's going to cram school early because she feels that she won't be able to get into university after only one year of going to the cram school.

 

[shanshan310]

I think she's saying that she's going to cram school early because she feels that she won't be able to get into university after only one year of going to the cram school.

That makes sense. thanks for the fast reply!

 

[gerg]

That makes sense. thanks for the fast reply!

No problem. It makes more sense if you move the "&#12354;&#12392;" from the beginning of the sentence to where it should be grammatically (after "&#21193;&#24375;&#12375;&#12383;") and formalise the "&#12376;&#12419;" to "&#12391;&#12399;".

 

[Zoe]

No problem. It makes more sense if you move the "&#12354;&#12392;" from the beginning of the sentence to where it should be grammatically (after "&#21193;&#24375;&#12375;&#12383;")

Though depending on the full conversation, that may not be the case.

 

[gerg]

Though depending on the full conversation, that may not be the case.

Unless I'm mistaken, and &#12384;&#12369; can be a noun (instead of just an adverb), I'm not sure that the sentence would then make sense without needing an extra word inserted.

 

[shanshan310]

No problem. It makes more sense if you move the "&#12354;&#12392;" from the beginning of the sentence to where it should be grammatically (after "&#21193;&#24375;&#12375;&#12383;") and formalise the "&#12376;&#12419;" to "&#12391;&#12399;".

Yeah, those are the bits that messed me up.

 

[Jintor]

So the Heisiq method is great for pure raw remembering kanji, but what's the best way to actually start learning the language properly?

 

[KtSlime]

So the Heisiq method is great for pure raw remembering kanji, but what's the best way to actually start learning the language properly?

By the remembering and repetition of sentences that illustrate the grammar of the language, the most basic of these are things such as introductions, greetings, and ritual language. A textbook of your choosing is a good start. As well as an SRS program and sentence flashcards - pre made ones exist, but you will get the most out eventually making your own - as long as you are following the grammar correctly. As for textbook, I would not want to have anyone endure Jordan unless they really wanted to* so it is probably best to have someone else answer that.

*Everything about Japanese Jordan says I have found to be true, however I question some of the strategies she imposed in her book making it coarse and unforgiving to the beginner. Good but not for the weak of heart.

 

[gerg]

&#30342;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412;&#35486; is a great textbook series that I've used. It's incredibly thorough with the grammar.

 

[shanshan310]

&#30342;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412;&#35486; is a great textbook series that I've used. It's incredibly thorough with the grammar.

yeah, I recommend it too I liked that the text book was all in Japanese, and it had the accompanying grammar book to fill in the parts you didn't figure out on your own. (if that makes sense)

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

&#12471;&#12522;&#12540;&#12474;&#12398;&#27491;&#24335;&#21517;&#12399;&#12300;&#12415;&#12435;&#12394;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412;&#35486;&#12301;&#12384;&#12369;&#12393;&#12394;&#12290;

 

[KtSlime]

&#12471;&#12522;&#12540;&#12474;&#12398;&#27491;&#24335;&#21517;&#12399;&#12300;&#12415;&#12435;&#12394;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412;&#35486;&#12301;&#12384;&#12369;&#12393;&#12394;&#12290;

Haha, yeah, but either way many of the people looking for recommendations in introductory Japanese textbooks probably can't read &#12415;&#12435;&#12394; or &#30342; anyway.

Everyone's recommending Minna No Nihongo, I haven't really looked at it, but from what I have heard people enjoy it, and that's what is important about learning the language, making it something fun, something you look forward to studying.

 

[falconzss]

yeah, I recommend it too I liked that the text book was all in Japanese, and it had the accompanying grammar book to fill in the parts you didn't figure out on your own. (if that makes sense)

I've got a hold of a copy for cheap but don't have the grammar book yet. How did you use the book since it is all in japanese? I've studied the &#12402;&#12425;&#12364;&#12394; and &#12363;&#12383;&#12363;&#12394;/&#12459;&#12479;&#12459;&#12490; (which one is correct when talking about Katakana?) as well as some really basic japanese grammar but i am not sure how to work with &#12415;&#12435;&#12394;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412;&#35486; unless i have a reference i.e. an english translation. I don't want to SRS incorrect content that i came up with. Does the grammar book include translations? Hope my post makes sense and thanks in advance.

Edit: Found the answer to my dumb question.

 

[Jintor]

Can someone post the easiest way to recognise the difference between typed katakana "shi" and "tsu" and "so" and "n"? I'm mainly trying from context at the moment but it's... not working out so good

 

[Kilrogg]

The long part of "shi" and "n" is more horizontal while it's more vertical on "tsu" and "so". Also, when you actually write them, said long part should be written from left to right with "shi" and "n", while it's top to bottom with "tsu" and "so". That's all I've got. You'll get used to it, but I guess visualising it this way help: shi and n are from left to right because they're closer to being horizontal, tsu and so are top to bottom because th'yre closer to being vertical.

I know, I said the same thing twice, but there really isn't more to it.

 

[cntr]

Guys am looking for a great FREE learning tool, i was a Smart.FM user before but they switched to pay for use.

Anki?

 

[345triangle]

think of &#12471; and &#12484; in terms of stroke order: &#12471; goes top-bottom-right just like &#12375;, and &#12484; goes left-right-back just like &#12388;. you write both the exact same way as their hiragana equivalents, only taking your hand off the paper a couple of times.

 

[Angelus Errare]

I'm using Japanese input through Windows IME (Vista).

It seems that every time I switch to Japanese input through (Shift+Alt), it
starts off with Alpha (A) input method.

I was wondering if there is a way to have Hiragana input as the default or if there is a shortcut command to to select Hiragana input. I frequently switch between Japanese input and English input, when I'm instant messaging. That's why I'm looking for a faster method than manually using the mouse and changing it through the toolbar.


Thank you.

You can switch to Hiragana/Katakana by shift+caps once you've switched to Japanese.

 

[Akira]

Verb conjugations for me is the toughest part of Japanese. Just discovered this on Wiki, looks like it might be helpful.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/AMB_Japanese_Verbs.pdf

Edit: I've picked up Japanese again after studying it in college a few years ago because of a job opportunity in Tokyo in the fall. I've downloaded an iPad app called Midori which is a Japanese dictionary and a very helpful Kanji learning tool.

 

[louis89]

No problem. It makes more sense if you move the "&#12354;&#12392;" from the beginning of the sentence to where it should be grammatically (after "&#21193;&#24375;&#12375;&#12383;") and formalise the "&#12376;&#12419;" to "&#12391;&#12399;".

&#12354;&#12392; here means something like "also", or "and". It's where it should be in the sentence.