Start Learning
By Namiko Abe, About.com Guide to Japanese Language
It is always exciting to start learning a new language, whatever the reasons are. At the same time where to start is often overwhelming. I believe learning a language should be fun. These resources will help you to learn the basics of Japanese and make your learning enjoyable.
- Pronunciation and Comprehension
- Dictionaries and translations
- Japanese for travelers
- Displaying Japanese characters
- Fun ways to learn Japanese
Introduction to Japanese
Are you new to Japanese? Familiarize yourself with Japanese and start learning basic vocabulary and phrases here.
- Characteristics of Japanese
- Japanese word order
- Greetings
- Greetings and daily expressions
- Useful expressions
- Introductory Lessons
Grammar
Verbs, adjectives, pronouns, particles, and much more. Theses resources offer clear explanations of Japanese grammar.
- Specificity of Japanese Verbs
- The Extended Use of the Verb "Suru"
- Conversation Openers and Fillers
- Counters
- Counting People and things
- Ko-so-a-do system
Expressions
Learn basic expressions to expand your level of communication.
- Expressions of Desire
- Expressions of Ability
- Expressing Uncertainty
- Expressing Apologies
- Quantity Expressions
- Expressing One's Thoughts
- Expressing Emotions (1): Pleasure and Sadness
- Expressing Emotions (2): Interjections and Exclamations
- Onomatopoeic Expressions
- Body Part Expressions: Head
- Expressions Used in Letters
- Expressions of Existence
- Expression for Location
Useful phrases
Your confidence with Japanese will grow by using these day-to-day phrases.
- Greetings for Special Occasions (1)
- Greetings for Special Occasions (2)
- Talking on the Phone
- Visiting Someone's Place
- Shopping at the Department Store
- Japanese for Travelers: Getting Around
- Health Problems (1)
- Health Problems (2)
- Simple Japanese Phrases
- Phrase of the Day
Learning Japanese writing
There are three types of scripts in Japanese: kanji, hiragana and katakana.
Pronunciation and Comprehension
It is essential to hear a native speaker when practicing pronunciation. These resources include various audio files to help with your self-study.
- Word of the Day
- Which syllables to stress in Japanese words?
- How to pronounce the Japanese "r"
- How to pronounce the Japanese "f"
Dictionaries and translations
Choosing the right words for a translation can be difficult. These resources give you an idea about what kind of a dictionary to get.
Japanese for travelers
If you need quick survival skills for your trip, try these resources. It makes your stay much more fun and interesting when you are able to speak with locals in their language.
- Shopping at a Department Store
- How to order at a Restaurant
- More expressions at a Restaurant
- Japanese Culture
Displaying Japanese characters
There are several ways to display Japanese characters depending on your operating system.
Fun ways to learn Japanese
I think the most important thing when learning a language is to enjoy it. You can learn from anything you are interested in.
