Grammatical Terms - Characteristics Of Japanese Grammar - Basic Conjugations - Verbs - Connection Forms Of Important Expressions - Numerals And Counters - Compound Words. Seiichi Makino And Michio Tsutsui. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 632-634) And Indexes. Seiichi Makino Michio Tsutsui.

Basic Kanji Book Volume 1 This volume covers about 250 kanji and the second volume completes the 500 in the Basic series. These books are really textbooks just for learning kanji. Each lesson covers about 10 characters and begins with a section called "About the kanji" which gives interesting background on the kanji you are about to learn. Next comes writing and reading lessons for each kanji. Lastly, there is a longer reading section followed by a game or some quiz.

Second edition of the most highly regarded teaching text book on the Japanese language, covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing to cultivate overall language ability. Each lesson in the revised edition features a new section dubbed Culture Notes," and now includes the audio CD companion which is in mp3 format ready to install on any music player. In Japanese/English. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Do you know what the hardest thing for a Japanese learner is?Finding PROPER reading material that they can handle…which is precisely the reason we’ve written this book!You may have found the best teacher in town or the most incredible learning app around, but if you don’t put all of that knowledge to practice, you’ll soon forget everything you’ve obtained. This is why being engaged with interesting reading material can be so essential for somebody wishing to learn a new language.Therefore, in this book we have compiled 20 easy-to-read, compelling and fun stories that will allow you to expand your vocabulary and give you the tools to improve your grasp of the wonderful Japanese language.How Japanese Short Stories for Beginners works: Each chapter possesses a funny, interesting and/or thought-provoking story based on real-life situations, allowing you to learn a bit more about the Japanese culture. Having trouble understanding Japanese characters? No problem – we provide you with the English translation below each paragraph, allowing you to fully grasp what you’re reading! The summaries follow a synopsis in Japanese and in English of what you just read, both to review the lesson and for you to see if you understood what the tale was about. Use them if you’re having trouble. At the end of those summaries, you will be provided with a list of the most relevant vocabulary from that chapter, as well as slang and sayings that you may not have understood at first glance! Do not get lost trying to understand or pronounce it all, either, as all of the vocabulary words are Romanized for your ease of learning! Finally, you’ll be provided with a set of tricky questions in Japanese, allowing you the chance to prove that you learned something in the story. Whether it’s true or false, or if you’re doing the single answer questions, don’t worry if you don’t know the answer to any — we will provide them immediately after, but no cheating!We want you to feel comfortable while learning Japanese; after all, no language should be a barrier for you to travel around the world and expand your social circles!So look no further! Pick up your copy of Japanese Short Stories for Beginners and level up your Japanese language skills right now!

This is the LATEST EDITION (Update 8.0)Japanese From Zero! is an innovative and integrated approach to learning Japanese developed by professional Japanese interpreter George Trombley and co-writer Yukari Takenaka.The lessons and techniques used in this series have been taught successfully for over ten years in classrooms throughout the world. Using up-to-date and easy-to-grasp grammar, Japanese From Zero! is the perfect course for current students of Japanese as well as absolute beginners.In Book 1 of the Japanese From Zero! series, readers are taught new grammar concepts, over 800 new words and expressions, and also learn the hiragana writing system.Features of Book 1:* Integrated Workbook with Answer Key* Over 800 New Words and Expressions* Learn to Read and Write Hiragana* Easy-to-Understand Example Dialogues* Culture Points about Japan* Bilingual Glossaries with Kana and Romaji...and much more!

A comprehensive, communicative, and practical guide to using Japanese, Kodansha's Furigana Japanese Dictionary is an invaluable tool for anyone with an interest in the Japanese language. It has been edited with the needs of English-speaking users in mind, whether students, teachers, business people, or casual linguists, and special care has been taken at each stage of its compilation including the selection of entry words and their equivalents, the wording of the detailed explanations of Japanese words, the choice of example sentences, and even its functional page design to maximize its usefulness.What is furigana and why is it so important?Furigana refers to the small kana that are printed above or alongside kanji to show their pronunciation. With furigana superscripts, the beginner who is familiar with hiragana and katakana is able to read even the most difficult and obscure kanji at a glance. Other dictionaries either provide little or no guide to kanji readings or romanize some or all of the Japanese words and sentences. In the past, romanized dictionaries were of some value to students using textbooks that contained no Japanese script. Now, however, an increasing number of influential curricula around the world are based on a rationale and methodology that demands the introduction of hiragana and katakana from the earliest stages. Learners and their teachers using such curricula will inevitably feel more comfortable with a dictionary such as Kodansha s Furigana Japanese Dictionary, one that shows the pronunciation of kanji with a familiar and authentic kana script.Combining Kodansha's Furigana Japanese-English Dictionary (1995) and Kodansha's Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary (1996) in one portable. affordable, and user-friendly volume, this dictionary has the following unique features: A basic vocabulary of 30,000 entries covers the most frequently used English and Japanese words Special treatment has been given to hundreds of words, names, and phrases of special relevance to English-speaking students of Japanese Semantic and usage differences between Japanese words and expressions are explained in clear English Thousands of example sentences and phrases illustrate how Japanese words are used in context Special information is provided on verb conjugations, formality, and other aspects of Japanese grammar and usage

A modern vocabulary guide for the serious student of Japanese, this volume contains 21st century vocabulary. There is thorough coverage of contemporary topics like the Internet, the post-Soviet national divisions of Europe, and the environment. The guide also inlcudes a number of special topics not ordinarily contained in vocabulary books, such as Japanese homonyms, Sino-Japanese verbs, prefixes, and suffixes. All pronunciation keys are in hiragana and/or katakana.

NPO多言語多読の前身、日本語多読研究会で日本語多読が始まって20年。『日本語教師のための多読授業入門』（2012）から10年を経て、様々な実践、新たな研究、知見を盛り込んだ、日本語多読入門書です。世界中に広がった日本語多読のこれまでの蓄積とこれからの可能性を『上巻～広がり深化する多読～』『下巻～新たな挑戦と資料集～』の2冊にまとめました。世界中の日本語教育現場で取り入れられるようになった日本語多読実践を集め、改めて整理し、上下巻の2冊に分けてお届けします。支援者の現場での試行錯誤や新たな実践、また学習者の多読に対する感想やコメント、さらに4名の学習者の変化を時間の経過とともに追った記録もあります。「今まで読んだ本で一番面白い本です。日本語の授業で「屁」という言葉を見ると思いませんでした。」「最初はずっと笑って読んでいました。でも、途中から、お嫁さんが心配になりました。この話は、アジアの国々の男女平等の問題を書いているみたいです。」（『屁っこき嫁』を読んでの感想）オンライン時代のオンライン多読の紹介も！日本語多読に関する研究ガイドや、関連文献リストも掲載しました。以下は上巻の内容です。 多読とは？ 多読用読みものとは？ 日本語多読の基本的な進め方 多読支援10の質問 国内外の多読授業の実例紹介 東京、埼玉、仙台、浜松、名古屋、米国インディアナ州、ベオグラード、シドニー、ローマ、クアラルンプール、ブライトン（英） 学習者はどのように本を楽しむか 学習者は多読をどう思ったか 4人の学習者の足跡監修　NPO多言語多読著者高橋亘（たかはし・わたる／神田外語大学留学生別科　講師・NPO多言語多読　正会員）粟野真紀子（あわの・まきこ／NPO多言語多読　理事長）作田奈苗（さくた・ななえ／津田塾大学、文京学院大学等　非常勤講師・NPO多言語多読　正会員）片山智子（かたやま・ともこ／東京大学、成蹊大学等　非常勤講師・NPO多言語多読　正会員）纐纈憲子（はなぶさ・のりこ／米国ノートルダム大学 Teaching Professor・NPO多言語多読　正会員）（下巻のご紹介） 多読の新しいカタチ オンライン多読授業の実践 授業内外でのオンライン多読クラブの広がり 新「日本語多聴・多観・ディスカッション」コースの誕生 公立図書館の多読 筆者による座談会 日本語多読研究ガイド 日本語多読に関連する参考文献リストと注釈日本語教師読本シリーズについて新しい時代の日本語教師に必要な、勉強の方法、法律の知識、ICT、など、多様なテーマを、その道の研究者や専門家が書いたシリーズです。手軽に買えるブックレットスタイル。「話者に教えるシリーズ」について読本シリーズの「シリーズ内シリーズ」です。学習者を母語別に分け、長年、日本語を教えてきた教師や、その言語の研究をしてきた方々、あるいはノンネイティブとして日本語を学習し現在日本語の研究者となった方々の経験とノウハウを凝縮しました。オンライン時代、いろんな言語の話者の学習者に出会う可能性が増大する中、日本語教師にとって学習者の母語の影響は重要なスキルになるはずです。 その言語の特徴と日本語との比較、学習上のアドバンテージや壁は？ その言語圏の学習者の姿はどんなものか その言語が話されている地域の文化は？ どんな日本語の教材が使われ、どう教えられているのか 現地で教えるチャンスはあるのか、必要な条件は？ 学習者インタビューで知る今の学習者のリアルな姿とは？

Complete Japanese is a unique multimedia program that takes you beginner to advanced level in one convenient package.At the core of Complete Japanese is the Living Language Method™, based on linguistic science, proven techniques, and over 65 years of experience. Our method teaches you the whole language, so you can express yourself, not just recite memorized words or scripts.Millions have learned with Living Language®. Now it’s your turn.• 4 Books: 46 lessons, additional review exercises, culture notes, study tips, and an extensive glossary—plus a complete guide to reading and writing Japanese, including explanations of hiragana, katakana, and kanji symbols.• 9 Audio CDs*: Vocabulary, dialogues, audio exercises, and more—listen while using the books or use for review on the go• Free Online Learning: Flashcards, games, and interactive quizzes for each lesson at www.livinglanguage.com/languagelab*Access to downloadable audio also available with purchase.To learn more visit livinglanguage.com.The Living Language Method™Build a FoundationStart speaking Japanese immediately using essential words and phrases.Progress with ConfidenceBuild on each lesson as you advance to full sentences, then actual conversations.Retain what You’ve LearnedSpecial recall exercises move your new language from short-term to long-term memory.Achieve Your GoalsDon’t just mimic or memorize. Develop practical language skills to speak in any situation.

Since it was first published in 1998, "Minna no Nihongo" has been a long-selling and classic textbook for both teachers and learners of Japanese alike. Now the series has been reborn in this second edition, with the vocabulary and conversational settings being revised (words that have gone out of usage have been replaced with new expressions frequently in use, and conversational settings have also been updated), and a CD of the dialogues and exercises included with the book. Illustrations for use in reviewing have also been increased. The grammar syllabus is basically the same, however, allowing for a smooth transition for teachers. While this book is not meant as a study aid for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, upon completing the book, the student is roughly at the N5 level of the Test.

The Easiest and Fastest Way to Learn JapaneseWhether you want to travel, communicate with friends or colleagues, reconnect with family, or just understand more of what’s going on in the world around you, learning Japanese will expand your horizons and immeasurably enrich your life.The best part is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or take years to master. Thirty minutes a day is all it takes, and we get you speaking right from the first day. Pimsleur courses use a scientifically-proven method that puts you in control of your learning. If you’ve tried other language learning methods but found they simply didn’t stick, then you owe it to yourself to give Pimsleur a try.Why Pimsleur?- Quick + Easy – Only 30 minutes a day.- Portable + Flexible – Core lessons can be done anytime, anywhere, and easily fit into your busy life.- Proven Method – Works when other methods fail.- Self-Paced – Go fast or go slow – it’s up to you.- Based in Science – Developed using proven research on memory and learning.- Cost-effective – Less expensive than classes or immersion, and features all native speakers.- Genius – Triggers your brain’s natural aptitude to learn.- Works for everyone – Recommended for ages 13 and above.What’s Included?- 30, 30-minute audio lessons- 60 minutes of recorded Culture Notes to provide you some insight into Japanese culture- in total, 16 hours of audio, all featuring native speakers- a Culture Notes Booklet and a User’s GuideWhat You’ll LearnIn the first 10 lessons, you’ll cover the basics: saying hello, asking for or giving information, scheduling a meal or a meeting, asking for or giving basic directions, and much more. You’ll be able to handle minimum courtesy requirements, understand much of what you hear, and be understood at a beginning level, but with near-native pronunciation skills.In the next 10 lessons, you’ll build on what you’ve learned. Expand your menu, increase your scheduling abilities from general to specific, start to deal with currency and exchanging money, refine your conversations and add over a hundred new vocabulary items. You’ll understand more of what you hear, and be able to participate with speech that is smoother and more confident.In the final 10 lessons, you’ll be speaking and understanding at an intermediate level. In this phase, more directions are given in the target language, which moves your learning to a whole new plane. Lessons include shopping, visiting friends, going to a restaurant, plans for the evening, car trips, and talking about family. You’ll be able to speak comfortably about things that happened in the past and make plans for the future.One hour of recorded Cultural Notes are included at the end of Lesson 30. These Notes are designed to provide you with some insight into Japanese culture. A Culture Notes booklet is also included in PDF format.The Pimsleur MethodWe make no secret of what makes this powerful method work so well. Paul Pimsleur spent his career researching and perfecting the precise elements anyone can use to learn a language quickly and easily. Here are a few of his “secrets”:The Principle of AnticipationIn the nanosecond between a cue and your response, your brain has to work to come up with the right word. Having to do this boosts retention, and cements the word in your mind.Core VocabularyWords, phrases, and sentences are selected for their usefulness in everyday conversation. We don’t overwhelm you with too much, but steadily increase your ability with every lesson.Graduated Interval RecallReminders of new words and structures come up at the exact interval for maximum retention and storage into your long-term memory.Organic LearningYou work on multiple aspects of the language simultaneously. We integrate grammar, vocabulary, rhythm, melody, and intonation into every lesson, which allows you to experience the language as a living, expressive form of human culture.Learning in ContextResearch has shown that lear

This book is ready for immediate mailing in a cushioned box on the day of purchase or the next mail day with OUR COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE TO PRIORITY MAIL for domestic US addresses. Also, we provide free tracking as well as a 100% no-quibble money-back guarantee if not completely satisfied. Please let us know right away if there is any problem at all with this purchase.

4th Revised Edition of JAPANESE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, the most popular Japanese language textbook series in the world. Now comes with free downloadable audio recordings.Since it was first published in 1984, the focus of the Japanese for Busy People series has always been to teach Japanese for effective communication.Picking up where Japanese for Busy People Book I left off, Japanese for Busy People Book II goes beyond survival Japanese, turning to the basics of Japanese syntax, enabling learners to make a smooth transition from mid-beginner-level to intermediate-level Japanese.Grammar and content topics are carefully selected to assist learners to effectively develop sentence patterns and vocabulary related to each topic through the practice of talking about them. Kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese) are gradually introduced in Book II along with furigana so that learners know how to pronounce them.By the end of the book, learners will have acquired through a series of concise grammatical explanations and extensive speaking and listening exercises a command of Japanese that will enable them to carry on a variety of daily conversations.Audio recordings can be downloaded for free from kodansha.us.

Yookoso! Continuing with Contemporary Japanese is the second volume of a two-volume series for beginning Japanese courses. Based on modern principles of second-language acquisition, Yookoso! was the first beginning Japanese text to integrate the teaching of all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and offer a full complement of ancillary materials. In this text, grammar is treated as a tool for developing the ability to communicate in Japanese, rather than as a focal point. The rich illustration program--including photographs, line drawings, and realia--provides an attractive context for language learning.

Originally published in 1990, this acclaimed language-instruction text is recognized as one of the most user-friendly and effective programs available both for classroom use and self-study. Based on a notional-functional approach, which emphasizes the social purpose of language, Japanese for Everyone takes the absolute beginning student to a level where he or she can communicate well in everyday situations. Because the world has seen such dramatic changes since the books publication, Japanese for Everyone has been revised and updated to reflect the way we live today, including references to currency, prices and technology, maps colloquialisms and slang.The course is divided into twenty-seven lessons, with each lesson consisting of dialogues and expressions in Japanese, together with useful cultural information enabling students to use the language as a native speaker would in a variety of real-life situations. Since the meaning and use of language in communication is the main focus, full attention is given to grammar and structure practice to hone the students ability to apply new material. Moreover, ample opportunities for written and oral practice are built into every lesson. Each lesson begins with a chapter from a continuing story, followed by functional explanations and exercises which encourage the learner to take an active part in the lessons. Equal importance is given to the development of oral and written skills; and limited use of romaji helps the student learn hiragana and katakana faster.

japanese speaking

The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary answers the urgent need for an easy-to-use kanji dictionary compact enough to be easily carried around, yet detailed enough to satisfy the practical needs of the beginning and intermediate learner.Its basic goal is to give the learner a thorough understanding of kanji by providing instant access to a wealth of useful information on the meanings, readings, and compounds. Normally, the learner must memorize numerous compounds as unrelated units. A unique feature of this dictionary that overcomes this difficulty is the core meaning, a concise keyword that defines the dominant sense of each character, followed by detailed character meanings and numerous compounds that clearly show how thousands of building blocks are combined to form countless compound words.Another unique feature is the System of Kanji Indexing by Patterns (SKIP), an indexing system that enables the user to locate characters as quickly and as accurately as in alphabetical dictionaries.Modern linguistic theory has been effectively integrated with sophisticated information technology to produce the most useful kanji learner's dictionary ever compiled. For the first time, learners have at their fingertips a wealth of information that is linguistically accurate, easy to use, and carefully adapted to their practical needs.FEATURESo 2,230 entry characters, including all the kanji in the Joyo and Jinmei Kanji listso 41,000 senses for 31,300 words and word elements show how each character contributes to the meanings of compoundso 1,200 homophones with core meanings explain differences between closely related characterso 386 variant forms used in prewar literature and in nameso 1,945 stroke order diagrams show you how to write each kanji stroke by strokeo 7,200 character readings, including name readingso Over 2,000 cross-references and five appendixes give instant access to a mass of useful reference data

This is a comprehensive beginning-level Japanese textbook and language learning program.Elementary Japanese is designed for students who are just beginning their study of the Japanese language at the first-year college level or on their own. The author and contributors have created a highly structured approach to learning Japanese based on acquiring the fundamental patterns and constructions of the language as well as the Japanese writing system including the primary Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji characters.Each volume of this two-book set is designed for one semester of study. The books feature detailed grammatical explanations which make them extremely useful as references and for review purposes when traveling to Japan or preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Examination (JLPT).Printable PDFs and MP3 audio files are included with each volume, available for free download online, making this a great way to learn Japanese on your own while ensuring that you learn the correct pronunciation. The recordings also help you build up your listening comprehension skills.After completing this course, you will be able to: Describe yourself, your family and your friends. Talk about daily events using basic vocabulary and grammatical constructions. Understand conversations on these topics as well as classroom activities. Read Japanese articles and write short compositions and letters.Elementary Japanese Volume One covers the first semester of a college-level Japanese beginner course. It contains 14 lessons, each representing one week of instruction over multiple sessions. Each lesson consists of a dialogue, usage notes, grammar notes, exercises, new kanji and explanations, and new vocabulary. Authentic Japanese script is used throughout; the two volumes together introduce 313 Kanji.All media content is alternatively accessible on the Tuttle Publishing website.

Learn the Japanese you need. Gain the language skills you want.Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Japanese is your trusted companion to your Japanese learning experience. Each chapter focuses on key grammar concepts and essential vocabulary, which are accompanied by helpful, clear examples. With these fundamentals under your belt, you will learn to communicate in authentic Japanese--how to meet new people, engage in small talk, make suggestions and requests, express ideas, and more.You will, of course, get plenty of practice, practice, practice using your new skills. Whether you are learning on your own or taking a beginning Japanese class, Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Japanese will help you build your confidence in communicating in this complex language.Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Japanese includes: Everyday Japanese presented in both Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana, and kanji) and phonetic translation High-frequency vocabulary Grammar basics An introduction to Japanese pronunciation and writing systems Hundreds of exercises in a variety of formats for whatever your learning style

This ever-popular series of dictionary-style grammar guides comprises three volumes--basic, intermediate, and advanced--with each presenting some 200 key grammar items, along with analysis of sentence patterns, abundant example sentences, and easy-to-understand explanations in English. The books also thoroughly explains common pitfalls and the distinctions in usage of similar expressions, helping users to develop an even stronger grasp of Japanese grammar. A must-have reference for learners and teachers alike.

In one compact volume, Japanese Verbs & Essentials of Grammar, Second Edition, offers an integrated beginner's guide to all major verbal and grammatical concepts of the Japanese language. This latest edition of the popular and accessible guide has been updated to include: Expanded vocabulary lists featuring common idiomatic phrases New examples of sentences and sentence structure An in-depth introduction to Japanese scriptsEach of the 46 units includes clear explanations and examples to help you master the Japanese language. Roomaji, or transliteration, is featured throughout.

A popular self-study guide for students of Japanese. Each chapter covers a grammar point: i.e., a part of speech (noun, verb, preposition), a word's function in a sentence (subject, direct object, indirect object), a grammatical term (tense, polite vs. plain form, topic). Each chapter is divided into two sections. 1. In English: grammar is explained as it relates to English, anticipating concepts necessary for Japanese. 2. In Japanese: grammar is explained as it relates to Japanese; examples in romanized Japanese, with word-for-word meaning and grammatical identification. Points out similarities, differences, and alerts students to pitfalls. This self-study guide is part of the O&H Study Guide series for students of foreign languages. Experience has shown that students using the O&H Japanese Study Guide improve their performance in Japanese grammar thanks to a better understanding of English grammar. Teachers can devote more class time to developing communicative skills.

Kanji in Context Reference Book [Rivesed Edition] - Japanese Language Study Book---- Japanese Titles: Kanji in Context Reference Book [Rivesed Edition]

Through explanations of commonly used words such as "seken (society)," "kejime (distinction)," and "kuki wo yomu (read between the lines)," you can learn about Japanese sensibilities and Japanese culture. In response to changes in Japanese society in the 10 years since the first edition was released, the words and explanations were updated. Additional explanations and new items have been added for a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Have you been trying to learn Japanese and simply can’t find the simple way to discover new words?Are you tired of having to pore through boring textbooks and complicated material that you don’t really understand?Are you looking for a way to learn the language more effectively without taking shortcuts?If you answered “Yes!” to at least one of those previous questions, then this book is for you! We’ve compiled the 2000 Most Common Words in Japanese, a list of terms that will expand your vocabulary to levels previously unseen.Did you know that — according to an important study — learning the top two thousand (2000) most frequently used words will enable you to understand up to 84% of all non-fiction and 86.1% of fiction literature and 92.7% of oral speech? Those are amazing stats, and this book will take you even further than those numbers!In this book: A detailed introduction with tips and tricks on how to improve your learning – here, you will learn the basics to get you started on this marvelous list of Japanese terms! A list of 2000 of the most common words in Japanese and their translations An example sentence for each word – in both Japanese and English Finally, a conclusion to make sure you’ve learned and supply you with a final list of tipsDon’t look any further, we’ve got what you need right here!In fact, we’re ready to turn you into a Japanese speaker… are you ready to become one?

Here is a book that allows the learner to review upper beginner level grammar while at the same time developing the skills necessary to pass N4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. With concise explanations and ample practice exercises, the book is organized so that the learner in a step-by-step manner gets closer and closer to the level needed to pass the exam. The book is structured in the following manner: Question Examples, Practicing Grammatical Forms, Skills Development and Mock Test. In Part 1 of the Skills Development section, 2 to 3 test question grammar forms are presented per chapter to clarify their grammatical form by semantic function. In Part 2, beginning with the different usages of particles, use of the 'te-form,' beginner-level grammar points related to such items as transitive and intransitive verbs, etc., the basic rules of Japanese grammar are acquired. Not only aimed at taking the exam, this book is also suitable for those wishing to firmly establi

Japanese for Busy People is the most popular Japanese language textbook series in the world. With over 20 components including texts, workbooks, CDs, videos and teacher’s manuals, it is also one of the most comprehensive. Now, a decade after its first revision, the entire series is being redesigned, updated and consolidated to meet the needs of 21st-century students and businesspeople who want to learn natural, spoken Japanese as effectively as possible in a limited amount of time.The book features not only a sleek, new design but also a unit structure that groups thematically linked lessons together, making it easier than ever to learn Japanese. Moreover, it now comes with a CD containing audio for the dialogues and listening exercises from the text. The exercises in the book have also been thoroughly revised to incorporate more comprehension and production tasks. Many of these exercises are illustrated, making for a stimulating learning experience, and the purpose of each one is clearly stated.This first of three volumes introduces "survival Japanese"—the absolute minimum amount of Japanese needed to live in Japan. Thus, the vocabulary and grammatical items it introduces are limited to about a third of what is typically introduced in a first-year course. In addition, the book features notes on Japanese culture intended to expand the learner’s understanding of Japan, its customs and people.Japanese for Busy People I is available in two formats: romanized and kana. The Romanized Version uses romanized Japanese throughout, with kana in the Opening Dialogues of each lesson.The Kana Version—exposing students to hiragana and katakana from the very beginning—uses only kana. The content of the two books is otherwise exactly the same.The companion volume, Japanese for Busy People 1: The Workbook for the Revised 3rd Edition contains a variety of illustrated exercises for mastering the basic sentence patterns presented in the main text.

From the very earliest stages of study until far into the intermediate level, students of the Japanese language are continually scratching their heads over the usage of verbs. It is no wonder that they should feel the need for a solid reference book, one they can continually turn to throughout their studying careers. The Handbook of Japanese Verbs is just that book.The Introduction takes the first step toward comprehension by pointing out the features of Japanese verbs that stand in contrast to their English counterparts, such as tense, politeness level, auxiliaries, and transitive and intransitive forms.Part 1 shows through tables and concise commentary how Japanese verbs are categorized, conjugated, and combined with auxiliaries. Each form is followed by a short exercise, reinforcing the points just made.Part 2 takes up the forms described in the first part and shows how they function in full-fledged sentences. Each discussion is followed by examples and exercises, ensuring that the student has understood the forms under discussion.In the appendices, the student is offered a number of look-up methods, including an English-Japanese verb dictionary. This completes the apparatus necessary for a solid handbook on Japanese verbs, a book students can rely on for many years to come

From the nutty mind of Kyohiko Azuma, creator of the hit manga Azumanga Daioh comes the story of the new kid in town - little Yotsuba, a green-haired and wide-eyed girl who doesn't have a clue... about anything! With no knowledge of the world around her, and an unnatural fear of air conditioners, Yotsuba has her new neighbors' heads spinning. Join the hilarious exploits of an out-of-this-world schoolgirl as her befuddled friends attempt to uncover the secrets behind this strange child in Yotsubato!

Volume I dealt with "survival Japanese" for tourists and other short-term travelers and newcomers to Japan. Volume II, meanwhile, turns to the basics of Japanese syntax. The book is by no means only about grammar, however. Rather, it is designed to help learners consolidate their understanding of syntactical structure through lessons that focus on how to talk about topics relevant to daily life. In addition to serving learners continuing from Volume I, Volume II will benefit those who have already studied beginning Japanese to some extent but wish to brush up on syntax.Major Features of Japanese for Busy People II, Revised 3rd EditionJapanese for Busy People II, Revised 3rd Edition will enable learners to progress smoothly through the equivalent of the latter half of a typical first-year Japanese course while gradually building speaking and listening skills.Learners approaching mid-beginner status often find themselves suddenly faced with syntax and vocabulary much more complex than what they have studied before. Such grammar and vocabulary do not appear as frequently in everyday conversation as those words and structures they have learned up to this point, necessitating that they spend ample time on review. Moreover, learners at this stage are expected to become familiar with verb tense and aspect, time expressions, conditional clauses, and other topics that require them to have a solid grasp of context and speaker intent if they are to fully understand the differences in meaning conveyed by each. Such points cannot be mastered by reading through grammatical explanations alone. In short, the mid-beginner level is a difficult one for many adult learners who, unlike students in school, have neither time nor opportunities to take repeated tests or to otherwise gauge their progress.Japanese for Busy People II, Revised 3rd Edition helps overcome the above obstacles through grammar and content topics carefully selected to be appropriate to learners at this level of Japanese proficiency. The book is designed so that by practicing talking about each topic, learners will gradually and effectively acquire sentence patterns and vocabulary related to that topic. Like Volume I, Volume II is organized into several large units, each covering topics grouped under a particular theme. In this way, the book enables learners to achieve a well-balanced understanding of grammar, sentence structure, and context.Themes and lesson objectives of the five units in Volume II are as follows.Unit 1: Souvenir ShoppingFollowing up on Volume I, Unit 1 presents survival Japanese related to shopping, thus providing learners with a thorough review of simple clauses. The unit also goes beyond what was covered in Volume I by showing ways of asking someone's opinion while shopping, making comparisons between items, and describing an item's characteristics. The overall theme is "picking souvenirs," a subject that should be relevant to learners both in Japan and abroad. The verbal skills and dialogue patterns studied here may be applied not only to shopping but also more broadly to any situation that involves choosing between options.Unit 2: Building Rapport with ColleaguesThis unit introduces the plain forms of verbs-a crucial component of Japanese compound sentences-along with several sentence-final elements that make use of these forms. Topics are selected from among those that typically come up when interacting with people from work. Covered are constructions for indicating interest in another's actions, inviting someone to do something outside of work, asking for help or offering advice, and otherwise interacting with people in ways that help build relationships of trust and understanding.Unit 3: Returning to Japan for WorkThis unit explains how to build sentences using temporal clauses, direct and indirect quotation, and attributive modifiers. Through talking about factual events in one's life history or in that of a particular neighborhood,

This pocket-size book lists approximately 6,000 words in English with translations into Japanese. Words are divided into several different categories and listed alphabetically within each category. Categories include greetings, numbers, measurements, moods and emotions, driving situations, travel situations, sports, foods, shopping, phoning, and many others. All titles in Barron's foreign language Vocabulary Series include pronunciation guides and a bilingual and alphabetical quick Wordfinder section. Barron's Vocabulary books are useful students' classroom supplements as well as handy travelers' aids.

Following on the phenomenal success of Remembering the Kanji, the author has prepared a companion volume for learning the Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries of modern Japanese. In six short lessons of about twenty minutes, each of the two systems of "kana" writing are introduced in such a way that the absolute beginner can acquire fluency in writing in a fraction of the time normally devoted to the task.Using the same basic self-taught method devised for learning the kanji, and in collaboration with Helmut Morsbach and Kazue Kurebayashi, the author breaks the shapes of the two syllabaries into their component parts and draws on what he calls "imaginative memory" to aid the student in reassembling them into images that fix the sound of each particular kana to its writing.Now in its third edition, Remembering the Kana has helped tens of thousands of students of Japanese master the Hiragana and Katakana in a short amount of time . . . and have fun in the process.

Onomatopoeia is one of the most outstanding features of the Japanese language. Its acquisition is essential for students who wish to speak (or understand) natural Japanese, read literature or manga, or watch anime in the original. The problem is that Japanese onomatopoeic words are so different from their English equivalents (words such as pop, bang, splat, and squeak) that they are extremely hard to remember and put into practice.The book begins with an introduction that outlines what "onomatopoeia" means in both English and Japanese. It covers sound and meaning in general, onomatopoeia in English, sound symbolism in English and Japanese, Japanese onomatopoeia and mimesis, types of Japanese onomatopoeia, grammatical functions of Japanese onomatopoeia, Japanese written forms, and how new Japanese onomatopoeic words are formed (for example, in manga).This introductory material is all-important, for without the overall picture it presents, students are forced to learn Japanese onomatopoeia by rote, one word at a time, as if each was unique unto itself, as if each had no logical connection with any other word, and as if Japanese onomatopoeia was a huge, ugly hodgepodge instead of the beautiful, well-organized microcosm that it is.However, this introduction alone would not suffice to produce fluency. Onomatopoeia must be seen in action for that to happen. This is done in the second part of the book, which consists of eleven situational dialogues that allow students to eavesdrop on Japanese speaking the way they do in real life. The dialogues are given in Japanese script (with furigana over all kanji), romanization, and English translation. Each example of onomatopoeia that appears in the dialogue has its own commentary, including definitions, usage, and two or more sample sentences. Cultural notes are given when they help to clarify the situation presented in the dialogue. Each dialogue is followed by a quiz.With its edifying introduction and lively dialogues, Jazz Up Your Japanese with Onomatopoeia: For All Levels will, without a doubt, help students come to grips with this intriguing aspect of the Japanese language, whether they be intermediate students who can benefit from seeing onomatopoeia used in a variety of situations or beginning students who, as they slowly add new onomatopoeia to their vocabulary, will profit from seeing how these words fit into a larger, fully developed scheme. The book will also, whatever the level, make Japanese much more fun to study.Previously published in Kodansha International’s Power Japanese series under the title Flip, Slither, & Bang: Japanese Sound and Action Words (1993). Now with a new introduction and quizzes.

Japanese English/English Japanese dictionary. This is THE standard reference work.

With The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary: Revised and Expanded, learners finally have at their fingertips accurate and in-depth information on all the kanji prescribed by the Japanese government. In all, 3,002 characters-772 more than in the first edition-fill its pages, making it the most comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary of its kind.The main goal of the dictionary is to give the learner instant access to a wealth of useful information on kanji, including their meanings, readings, stroke order, and usage in compounds.Compounds pose a special problem for learners. Normally one must memorize them as unrelated units. A unique feature of this dictionary that overcomes this difficulty is the core meaning, a concise keyword that defines the dominant sense of each kanji, followed by character meanings, or specific senses the kanji can have when used in the living language. Together these features help learners understand the logic behind compound formation.Another unique feature is the System of Kanji Indexing by Patterns (SKIP), a revolutionary indexing system that has gained widespread popularity because it enables the user to locate characters as quickly and as accurately as in alphabetical dictionaries. With SKIP, all one needs to do to find a kanji is identify the geometrical pattern to which it belongs, then count the strokes in each part of that pattern-a much speedier process than searching by traditional methods.These features, and many more, make this dictionary the most powerful kanji-learning tool ever devised.

Cd Game

"Unexcelled as a dictionary of basic Sino-Japanese characters. Extremely easy to use."—Japan SocietyThis is the utmost classic and well regarded standard Japanese Kanji Dictionary available today.The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary is a complete revision of The Original Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary, published by Charles E. Tuttle Company in 1962. Long the foremost Japanese-English character dictionary, adopted by Japanese-study programs around the world and used at all levels of Japanese language study, the Nelson, as it is familiarly called, has been enhanced in this edition with several fundamental changes. The Universal Radical Index, an significant advance on the traditional character indices, has been created as a handy appendix that enables users to search for any main-entry character's reference number in Morohashi's Dai Kanwa Jiten. Over 1,200 characters have been added and more than 2,000 new on-kun entries included. Definitions have been modernized to reflect current usage and translation. This revised edition is updated with additional characters, contemporary definitions, and an innovative radical index system and sets new standards of excellence, easy-of-use, and reliability for Japanese language reference tools. This edition keeps pace with the evolution of the Japanese language and remains an indispensable tool for students and scholars of Japanese

Kodansha's widely acclaimed Kanji Learner's Course (KLC) is a complete guide to mastering all the kanji needed for genuine literacy in Japanese. It anchors a comprehensive kanji learning system, supported by the KLC Graded Reading Sets, the KLC Green Book, the KLC Wall Chart, and keystojapanese.com (a user-support website for forming study groups, exchanging tips, and tracking one's learning progress with points and level ranks). The KLC is also cross-referenced for convenient use with Kodansha's companion volume, the Kanji Learner's Dictionary.THE FOUR ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR KANJI LEARNINGThe 2,300 entries of this main textbook adeptly integrate the four essential elements for mastering kanji meanings:(1) Accurate keywords. Each character's core meaning is encapsulated in a concise, easily memorized keyword. The keywords for all 2,300 entries have been carefully chosen to be semantically accurate and to integrate the character's various senses into a core idea.(2) Vocabulary to illustrate the keywords. The concept captured in each keyword is illustrated with up to five sample vocabulary items, carefully selected to clarify how the kanji is used in building typical words and phrases.(3) Mnemonic aids for remembering the keywords. Each entry contains an original mnemonic aid that is carefully designed to help learners remember the character's core meanings. Mnemonic aids pay special attention to helping learners immediately recognize each kanji and distinguish it from lookalikes.(4) Rational learning sequence. The course's widely praised sequence represents a breakthrough in kanji pedagogy. It aids learning by introducing kanji components step by step, grouping related kanji together, and building vocabulary progressively - all while teaching kanji in rough order of importance.A SELF-GUIDING, SELF-REINFORCING COURSEThe course arranges all the information needed to master 2,300 characters into a streamlined, self-guiding, and mnemonically self-reinforcing curriculum. Sample compounds include only such kanji as have previously been learned, ensuring that learners are able to understand and use each compound, and providing a built-in review of all the kanji already studied.THE ULTIMATE KANJI LEARNING RESOURCE* Provides a sophisticated, pedagogically sound method for remembering the core meaning of each kanji, conveniently summarized in concise keywords to facilitate memorization.* Introduces the meaning and usage of each grapheme the first time it appears, helping learners seamlessly acquire new kanji based on a sound understanding of their component parts.* Innovatively uses concrete imagery to simplify complex characters and make their meanings immediately recognizable in their graphical forms.* Teaches characters in a pedagogically effective sequence, presenting graphically related characters together to help learners give significance to their contrastive features as they learn them, and thereby avoid having to re-learn them later.* Helps learners actively apply each character's principal meanings and readings using key vocabulary words, carefully chosen to illustrate the character's uses and to help learners employ it in everyday reading and written communication.* Helps learners differentiate among graphically similar kanji by showing how to remember the characters in a mutually contrastive manner that connects their graphical distinctions to their underlying semantic differences. Along the way, the course introduces nearly 800 pairs of easily confused kanji.* Helps students learn to write kanji accurately, by indicating each kanji's stroke order and placing careful emphasis on distinctions among graphically similar characters.* Includes all the kanji needed for genuine literacy in Japanese, including all 196 characters added to the official Joyo Kanji List in 2010.

A dual-language edition of Japanese stories—many appearing in English for the first timeThis volume of eight short stories, with parallel translations, offers students at all levels the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of contemporary literature without having constantly to refer back to a dictionary.The stories—many of which appear here in English for the first time—are by well-known writers like Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto, as well as emerging voices like Abe Kazushige, Ishii Shinji, and Kawakami Hiromi. From the orthodox to the cutting-edge, they represent a range of styles and themes, showcasing the diversity of Japanese fiction over the past few decades in a collection that is equally rewarding for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students of English or Japanese.Complete with notes, the stories make excellent reading in either language.

A great story can lead a reader on a journey of discovery#8212;especially if it's presented in two languages!Beautifully illustrated in a traditional style, Japanese Stories for Language Learners offers five compelling stories with English and Japanese language versions appearing on facing pages. Taking learners on an exciting cultural and linguistic journey, each story is followed by detailed translator's notes, Japanese vocabulary lists, and grammar points along with a set of discussion questions and exercises.The first two stories are very famous traditional Japanese folktales: Urashima Taro (Tale of a Fisherman) and Yuki Onna (The Snow Woman). These are followed by three short stories by notable 20th century authors: Kumo no Ito (The Spider's Thread) by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1892-1927) Oborekaketa Kyodai (The Siblings Who Almost Drowned) by Arishima Takeo (1878-1923) Serohiki no Goshu (Gauche the Cellist) by Miyazawa Kenji (1896-1933)Reading these stories in the original Japanese script—and hearing native-speakers read them aloud in the accompanying free audio recording—helps students at every level deepen their comprehension of the beauty and subtlety of the Japanese language. Learn Japanese the fun way#8212;through the country's rich literary history.All audio content is alternatively accessible on the Tuttle Publishing website.