Japanese Language and Culture

[Yuzuki 30]

Basically, this thread is for sharing your knowledge about the Japanese language and culture.

So...

 

'Mashou' is used after something like... eat (Taberu). So if you say: Tabemashou!-- It means Let's eat! Another example: Ikimashou = Let's go.

 

3 common mistakes beginners make when speaking Japanese:

1.Putting 'desu' after 'masu',

2.Putting 'san' after their own name. You only use it after someone elses name, not your own.

3.Using 'sayonara' when they are going to see someone again soon. Sayonara is a form of goodbye that is used when you're either not going to see the person again, or when you're not going to see them for a long time.

If you are going to see the person again soon, use "Ja ne", "Ja na", "Ja matta", or "Mattana".

 

 

 

I'll post more later...

[Rob 5,571]

Baka is idiot

Arigatou is Thank You

Judaime is 10th

 

Please correct me.

[HelpMeRan-Sama 141]

Tsumanai is boring

[CrownKeeper13 688]

What does Mr. Roboto mean? lol

[Tails 6,690]

Well, it's glad to see that there's another person who's interested in Japanese culture besides me (and maybe other people on this site too). Do you happen to speak Japanese and are you Japanese yourself Yuzuki? I am learning Japanese and I am sort of intermediate at the language.

 

Anyway, I know that itadakimas is a phrase you say before a meal. And you say Oishii after as meal which means "it's delicious". Most of the words you posted Yuzuki are words I already know . So do you speak japanese?

[HelpMeRan-Sama 141]

Mr. Roboto means IM A BAD GUY WHO LEADS AN EVIL SAKKA TEAM TO DESTROY ALL THE OTHER TEAMS AND TAKE OVER THE WORLD WITH A SAKKA BALL! (sakka = soccer)

lol jk, Mr Roboto makes me think of Inazuma Eleven ahaha;;;;;;

[Yuzuki 30]

Well, it's glad to see that there's another person who's interested in Japanese culture besides me (and maybe other people on this site too). Do you happen to speak Japanese and are you Japanese yourself Yuzuki? I am learning Japanese and I am sort of intermediate at the language.

 

Anyway, I know that itadakimas is a phrase you say before a meal. And you say Oishii after as meal which means "it's delicious". Most of the words you posted Yuzuki are words I already know . So do you speak japanese?

 

D8

No actually, I'm not. That would be so cool though...

I'm not fluent with the language but if I had to list off what I know it would take a while.

Also, remember! It's itadakimasu! The 'u' is kinda silent though. But it's still there!

Itadakimasu is before, oishii is in between, Mama is in between, and Gochisousama deshita is after. For a more informal way of saying it would be gochisousama.

 

-San is used after someones name. Kind of like a "MR." or "MRS.". -Chan is often used as 'litte' and mostly used for girls. -Kun is used for boys.... but I have seen it used with a girls name...

-Sama is kinda like san but sometimes people will use it when refering to their girlfriend/boyfriend.

 

A few particles:

 

No - Possessive particle. Example: Watashi = I. Watashi no = My. Example2: Kimi = different way of saying 'you'. Kimi no = Your.

 

Wa - Subject particle. Example: Anata WA kawaii desu. = You are cute.

 

Ga - Same as WA, but with more emphasis. Anata GA kowai desu. = YOU are scary.

 

Ne - This can be something like "Isn't it?" or "right?" and it often over-used. Example: Kawaii desu ne? = Cute, isn't it?. Example2: Koji-kun no konpyuuta desu ne? (I think that's correct...?) = This is Koji-kuns computer, isn't it?.

 

Yo is usually used at the end of a short phrase or sentence. Its nuances are not easy to define, but it generally has two purposes: to emphasize an action, or to brag about one:

Heya o souji shimashita yo. (I DID clean the room.)

Eigo no shiken, goukaku shita yo. ([Of course] I passed the English exam.)

Note: As in English, to correctly use the "brag" version you have to keep a straight, matter-of-fact, "no big deal" face.

 

In the world of Japanese adjectives, there are "true" and "quasi" types. When a "quasi-adjective" modifies a noun in a straightforward manner, na goes in between:

Sono mise wa benri na basho ni aru. (That store's in a convenient place.)

Ooki na inu desu ne. (That's a big dog, isn't it. [with a falling intonation])

Changing na to ni converts quasi-adjectives to adverbs:

Dare demo kantan ni dekimasu yo. (Anyone can do it easily.)

 

You could call o a "limited use" particle. Its only job is to show us what the direct object is:

 

Jisho o kashite kureru? (Would you please loan me your dictionary?)

Atarashii kamera o katta. (I bought a new camera.)

Pizza o tabemashou ka. (Shall we get a pizza?)

However, ga is usually preferred when using the -tai ending:

 

Ramen ga tabetai. (I want to eat ramen.)

Also, use ga, not o, before the verbs iru (to be present; to exist), iru (to need), aru, wakaru, dekiru, and the weird quasi-verb/adjectives suki, kirai and hoshii:

 

Bob no heya ni tokage ga iru. (There's a lizard in Bob's room.)

Boku wa atarashii kasa ga iranai. (I don't need a new umbrella.)

Shizu wa jitensha ga arimasu ka. (Does Shizu have a bicycle?)

Kenji no itte iru koto ga wakaranai. (I don't understand what Kenji's saying.)

Emiko wa ryouri ga dekiru? (Can Emiko cook?)

Chuuka ryouri ga suki desu ka. (Do you like Chinese food?)

Tom wa hikouki ga kirai. (Tom hates airplanes.)

Ano nuigurumi ga hoshii! (I want that stuffed animal!)

It is sometimes easy to confuse the particle o with the o- prefix which is used as an honorific indicator for some selected nouns, so be careful. Some of these are:

 

o-tenki: the weather

o-cha: tea

o-mizu: water

o-niku: meat

o-naka: stomach

o-kuruma: car

 

Ka makes questions, both plain and polite:

 

Kodomotachi wa mou tabemashita ka. (Have the kids already eaten?)

Jennie no kasa o karita ka. (Did you borrow Jennie's umbrella?)

When it comes to making questions, there are both written and unwritten rules that will keep you wondering. While ka can be used in most instances, there are times when no is preferred. These can be interchangeable in some cases, but not in others. Both of them — no ka — are even used together sometimes.

 

I'm done with particles for now...

 

 

 

 

What does Mr. Roboto mean? lol

 

Since 'Roboto' is kinda like a name, you'd usually have to write it in katakana(i'll stick to romaji though), because it's a name that's not Japanese. It would be "Roboto-san", perfect right? That's because the sounds Ro, bo, and to, ARE in the Japanese language. So that makes it cool.

GTG now thoughhh

[alexiiirific 0]

Hi Guys!

 

Watashi wa Arekusandora desu

I am Alexandra.

 

So anyway guys, i also love Japanese culture which is why I wanted to learn also Japanese language.

I tried to register at some sites that teach this particular language but my account expired after some time.

And then I tried watching anime such as Bokura Ga ita ( We were There) and many more. You can learn basic japanese when you try this one.

 

BTW, these are some few words I learned

 

Hajimemashite - Nice to meet you

Sumimasen - Excuse me (but you can also say it in such a way - sorry)

Gomen nasai - Sorry (but you can also say it gomen ne~)

mite mite - Look!Look!

Daisuki dayo - Ilove you(you can also say it as suki dayo)

ogenki desu ka - How are you (basic reply is: I am fine - genki desu, arigatou (means thank you)

 

i also learned how to count from 1-10 by watching videos from youtube. I'll try to post some hints in forming japanese sentences here. just tell me okay? :lol: )

 

^^

[Tails 6,690]

Hi Guys!

 

Watashi wa Arekusandora desu

I am Alexandra.

 

So anyway guys, i also love Japanese culture which is why I wanted to learn also Japanese language.

I tried to register at some sites that teach this particular language but my account expired after some time.

And then I tried watching anime such as Bokura Ga ita ( We were There) and many more. You can learn basic japanese when you try this one.

 

BTW, these are some few words I learned

 

Hajimemashite - Nice to meet you

Sumimasen - Excuse me (but you can also say it in such a way - sorry)

Gomen nasai - Sorry (but you can also say it gomen ne~)

mite mite - Look!Look!

Daisuki dayo - Ilove you(you can also say it as suki dayo)

ogenki desu ka - How are you (basic reply is: I am fine - genki desu, arigatou (means thank you)

 

i also learned how to count from 1-10 by watching videos from youtube. I'll try to post some hints in forming japanese sentences here. just tell me okay? :lol: )

 

^^

 

I totally suck at trying to count from 1-10 in Japoanese because it's hard for me to memorize them all . Also, if you want to learn more Japanese than here's some videos that should help you.

 

 

 

Anyway, let me tell you more Jap stuff:

 

Yotto Tokyo ne = "At last we've arrived un Tokyo"

 

the phrase "yotto" is a word spoken after you have been traveling for more than an hour. The "ne" sound in the phase is that sounds very feminine (so i think it's mostly used by women.

 

Now as for Sugoi, it's a word used to describe something you like. If you add "Sugoi ne" you will say "it's great isn't it?".

[Sora'sMum 352]

hmmm, what do I know? I've never taken any Japanese but I learn Mandarin Chinese at school so some words are written the same.

 

I can count 1-10

hikari 光 light. I wonder where that's from?

I know the standard, konichiwa, sayonara, arigatou. But only how to say, not to write.

And there's lot's of words which are the same as chinese which I can recognise.

[alexiiirific 0]

hmmm, what do I know? I've never taken any Japanese but I learn Mandarin Chinese at school so some words are written the same.

 

I can count 1-10

hikari 光 light. I wonder where that's from?

I know the standard, konichiwa, sayonara, arigatou. But only how to say, not to write.

And there's lot's of words which are the same as chinese which I can recognise.

 

really? me too. I learned Mandarin Chinese at school and we used to write numbers and greetings in a mandarin notebook. We also sang a song

[HelpMeRan-Sama 141]

あははこのトピクはおもしろいwwwww

 

off topic: I like playing the original Japanese Touhou games

[RoxAs Is Wise 7]

あははこのトピクはおもしろいwwwww

 

off topic: I like playing the origina Japanese Touhou games

 

wwww is often used by japanese poster, what does it actually mean?

 

Here's what I remember from my japanese class looong ago:

Mina-san= you all (I hope that's right)

Tomodachi=student

Konnichiwa=good afternoon

Jin= people

Kuni=country

Shizuka=quiet

Gakuen= school

supotsu=sport (it's a new word adapted by japanese)

basuketto=basketball

 

And here's something that most people with manga love would've already known:

kaji=fire

yuki= snow

kaze=wind

natsu=summer

gomen=sorry

doki= *sound of heartbeat*

hime=princess

oujou=queen

(and I was about to say meshitsukai is servant...)

[DarkmoonTenshi 22]

I've been taking Japanese class, so...

 

Watashi no namae wa Daakumuun Tenshi desu. Juuroku sai desu. Ima, ni nensei desu. Tokidoki, namae wa Kasai desu. Kingudamu Haatsu no RIku ga daisuki desu.

Kinou, kazoku to eiga o mimashita. Eiga wa "Enchantedo" desu.

 

Translation:

My name is DarkmoonTenshi. I'm 16 years old. Right now, I'm a sophomore. Sometimes, my name is Kasai. I really like Kingdom Heart's Riku.

Yesterday, my family and I watched a movie. The movie was "Enchanted."

 

I also know my Hiragana, Katakana, and the Kanji for on/above (Ue), below/under (Shita), inside (Naka), half (Kan), time/hour (Ji), yen (En), book (Hon) the days of the week, and my numbers up through 99999 (Kyuuman kyuusen kyuuhyaku kyuujuu kyuu)

[alexiiirific 0]

wwww is often used by japanese poster, what does it actually mean?

 

Here's what I remember from my japanese class looong ago:

Mina-san= you all (I hope that's right)

Tomodachi=student

Konnichiwa=good afternoon

Jin= people

Kuni=country

Shizuka=quiet

Gakuen= school

supotsu=sport (it's a new word adapted by japanese)

basuketto=basketball

 

And here's something that most people with manga love would've already known:

kaji=fire

yuki= snow

kaze=wind

natsu=summer

gomen=sorry

doki= *sound of heartbeat*

hime=princess

oujou=queen

(and I was about to say meshitsukai is servant...)

 

 

tomodachi is friend not classmate anyway.

[HelpMeRan-Sama 141]

wwwwww means something like "warai" so if you type ww it means your smiling or happy

[RoxAs Is Wise 7]

tomodachi is friend not classmate anyway.

 

Oh I see, thanks

 

wwwwww means something like "warai" so if you type ww it means your smiling or happy

 

so it's the replacement for lol I'll remember that

[Koko 3,944]

-San is used after someones name. Kind of like a "MR." or "MRS.". -Chan is often used as 'litte' and mostly used for girls. -Kun is used for boys.... but I have seen it used with a girls name...

-Sama is kinda like san but sometimes people will use it when refering to their girlfriend/boyfriend.

 

-Kun is sometimes used for girls because they may have a name that's typically meant for boys.

-San and -Sama are used as a sign of great respect, -Sama being the more respectful one of the two, used when referring to an elder and such. I've never heard of -Sama being used for boyfriend/girlfriend.

idk rambling.

[Tails 6,690]

I've been taking Japanese class, so...

 

Watashi no namae wa Daakumuun Tenshi desu. Juuroku sai desu. Ima, ni nensei desu. Tokidoki, namae wa Kasai desu. Kingudamu Haatsu no RIku ga daisuki desu.

Kinou, kazoku to eiga o mimashita. Eiga wa "Enchantedo" desu.

 

Translation:

My name is DarkmoonTenshi. I'm 16 years old. Right now, I'm a sophomore. Sometimes, my name is Kasai. I really like Kingdom Heart's Riku.

Yesterday, my family and I watched a movie. The movie was "Enchanted."

 

I also know my Hiragana, Katakana, and the Kanji for on/above (Ue), below/under (Shita), inside (Naka), half (Kan), time/hour (Ji), yen (En), book (Hon) the days of the week, and my numbers up through 99999 (Kyuuman kyuusen kyuuhyaku kyuujuu kyuu)

 

Lucky, my school doesn't teach Japanese. It only teachese Spanish and French I wish I was at your school right now D:. Maybe you can teach me some japanese too. And how long did it take you to learn Japanese? I'm intermediate at Japanese and your fluent at Jap so can you teach me some Jap you know as well? O-namea desu?

[Yuzuki 30]

Hi Guys!

 

Watashi wa Arekusandora desu

I am Alexandra.

 

So anyway guys, i also love Japanese culture which is why I wanted to learn also Japanese language.

I tried to register at some sites that teach this particular language but my account expired after some time.

And then I tried watching anime such as Bokura Ga ita ( We were There) and many more. You can learn basic japanese when you try this one.

 

BTW, these are some few words I learned

 

Hajimemashite - Nice to meet you

Sumimasen - Excuse me (but you can also say it in such a way - sorry)

Gomen nasai - Sorry (but you can also say it gomen ne~)

mite mite - Look!Look!

Daisuki dayo - Ilove you(you can also say it as suki dayo)

ogenki desu ka - How are you (basic reply is: I am fine - genki desu, arigatou (means thank you)

 

i also learned how to count from 1-10 by watching videos from youtube. I'll try to post some hints in forming japanese sentences here. just tell me okay? :lol: )

 

^^

 

Remember not to depend on Animes too much. Sometimes subs can be... not so accurate.

You can end up getting things mixed up.

Gomen nasai is more polite. Gomen, or Gomen ne is more informal.

Dai means big. Daisuki literally means big like. A serious way of saying I love you is Aishiteru.

Also, counting up to 1000 and over is really easy. I CAN count to 1000 in Japanese, but I never really have because it takes so long. lol

One thing I did was write down a bunch of numbers, like, 1526, 5675, 1098, 9504, 584, etc., and then say each one out loud in Japanese. It really helps to read numbers faster.

 

Ichi - 1

Ni - 2

San - 3

Yon - 4

Go - 5

Roku - 6

Nana - 7

Hachi - 8

Kyuu - 9

Juu - 10

(And of course then past 10 you do stuff like Juu-san(13) Juu-kyuu(9) until twenty which is like Ni-juu-go(25) Ni-Juu-ichi(21). You continue doing this with 30s(San-juu) and 50s(Go-juu) etc. until you get to 100 and then you say, Go-hyaku(115), etc. Get it?

Hyaku - 100

Sen - 1,000

Man - 10,000

Juman - 100,000

Hyakuman - 1,000,000

Senman - 10,000,000

Oku - 100,000,000

 

Also, here's some kanji:

Ichi　一

Ni　二

San　三

Shi/Yon　四

Go　五

Roku　六

Nana/Shichi　七

Hachi　八

Kyu/Ku　九

Jyuu　十

 

 

Who here knows Hiragana and agrees that Romaji stinks and you really shouldn't depend on it too much because it makes learning Japanese harder in the future? I've heard that one more that once... And I'm starting to see what they mean.

.......Better not let my Hiragana get rusty.

[Sora'sMum 352]

Is kanji the name for words written the same as Chinese? Because the numbers are written the same. Konnichiwa means good afternoon? I always thought it was hello, now I feel stupid for always telling people konnichiwa was hello.

 

Btw @ darkmoon, how did you know Enchanted was Enchantedo? Do you just change english words around to sound Japanese, like you did with your name? I think download in Japanese is downulodu or something. Sounds funny.

[HelpMeRan-Sama 141]

-Kun is sometimes used for girls because they may have a name that's typically meant for boys.

-San and -Sama are used as a sign of great respect, -Sama being the more respectful one of the two, used when referring to an elder and such. I've never heard of -Sama being used for boyfriend/girlfriend.

idk rambling.

 

lol I have Sama in my name. RESPECT ME

[alexiiirific 0]

Oh I see, thanks

 

 

 

so it's the replacement for lol I'll remember that

 

welcome. )

[Tails 6,690]

D8

No actually, I'm not. That would be so cool though...

I'm not fluent with the language but if I had to list off what I know it would take a while.

Also, remember! It's itadakimasu! The 'u' is kinda silent though. But it's still there!

Itadakimasu is before, oishii is in between, Mama is in between, and Gochisousama deshita is after. For a more informal way of saying it would be gochisousama.

 

-San is used after someones name. Kind of like a "MR." or "MRS.". -Chan is often used as 'litte' and mostly used for girls. -Kun is used for boys.... but I have seen it used with a girls name...

-Sama is kinda like san but sometimes people will use it when refering to their girlfriend/boyfriend.

 

A few particles:

 

No - Possessive particle. Example: Watashi = I. Watashi no = My. Example2: Kimi = different way of saying 'you'. Kimi no = Your.

 

Wa - Subject particle. Example: Anata WA kawaii desu. = You are cute.

 

Ga - Same as WA, but with more emphasis. Anata GA kowai desu. = YOU are scary.

 

Ne - This can be something like "Isn't it?" or "right?" and it often over-used. Example: Kawaii desu ne? = Cute, isn't it?. Example2: Koji-kun no konpyuuta desu ne? (I think that's correct...?) = This is Koji-kuns computer, isn't it?.

 

Yo is usually used at the end of a short phrase or sentence. Its nuances are not easy to define, but it generally has two purposes: to emphasize an action, or to brag about one:

Heya o souji shimashita yo. (I DID clean the room.)

Eigo no shiken, goukaku shita yo. ([Of course] I passed the English exam.)

Note: As in English, to correctly use the "brag" version you have to keep a straight, matter-of-fact, "no big deal" face.

 

In the world of Japanese adjectives, there are "true" and "quasi" types. When a "quasi-adjective" modifies a noun in a straightforward manner, na goes in between:

Sono mise wa benri na basho ni aru. (That store's in a convenient place.)

Ooki na inu desu ne. (That's a big dog, isn't it. [with a falling intonation])

Changing na to ni converts quasi-adjectives to adverbs:

Dare demo kantan ni dekimasu yo. (Anyone can do it easily.)

 

You could call o a "limited use" particle. Its only job is to show us what the direct object is:

 

Jisho o kashite kureru? (Would you please loan me your dictionary?)

Atarashii kamera o katta. (I bought a new camera.)

Pizza o tabemashou ka. (Shall we get a pizza?)

However, ga is usually preferred when using the -tai ending:

 

Ramen ga tabetai. (I want to eat ramen.)

Also, use ga, not o, before the verbs iru (to be present; to exist), iru (to need), aru, wakaru, dekiru, and the weird quasi-verb/adjectives suki, kirai and hoshii:

 

Bob no heya ni tokage ga iru. (There's a lizard in Bob's room.)

Boku wa atarashii kasa ga iranai. (I don't need a new umbrella.)

Shizu wa jitensha ga arimasu ka. (Does Shizu have a bicycle?)

Kenji no itte iru koto ga wakaranai. (I don't understand what Kenji's saying.)

Emiko wa ryouri ga dekiru? (Can Emiko cook?)

Chuuka ryouri ga suki desu ka. (Do you like Chinese food?)

Tom wa hikouki ga kirai. (Tom hates airplanes.)

Ano nuigurumi ga hoshii! (I want that stuffed animal!)

It is sometimes easy to confuse the particle o with the o- prefix which is used as an honorific indicator for some selected nouns, so be careful. Some of these are:

 

o-tenki: the weather

o-cha: tea

o-mizu: water

o-niku: meat

o-naka: stomach

o-kuruma: car

 

Ka makes questions, both plain and polite:

 

Kodomotachi wa mou tabemashita ka. (Have the kids already eaten?)

Jennie no kasa o karita ka. (Did you borrow Jennie's umbrella?)

When it comes to making questions, there are both written and unwritten rules that will keep you wondering. While ka can be used in most instances, there are times when no is preferred. These can be interchangeable in some cases, but not in others. Both of them — no ka — are even used together sometimes.

 

I'm done with particles for now...

 

Just to add something, if you say "sama" it can also be used for parents, teachers, and your superior(s). Most of the stuff here is pretty useful and helpful for those who are beginners at the Japanese language.

 

Also for everyone else: Forms of saying "goodbye"

1) sayounara

(with or without the long "u" in the middle)

This is standard for "goodbye" or "farewell." The connontation of this is a more

permanent "farewell" where you won't see the person for a while, so don't

confuse this with other expressions that mean more like "see you later."

 

2) sore dewa, mata ne

Literally, "Well, again!" This is a somewhat formal way of saying "See you

later." This is kind of the "root" of a lot of "see you later" expressions, so,

even though it is not used as often as the others, it provides a good starting

point.

"sore dewa" by itself means "then; if so; if that is the case; well,...;" according

to the dictionary. Add to that "mata" which means "again; once more; once again;"

and you get the equivalent of "Well, see you later."

I'm sure everyone is familiar with it, but the "ne" is "a sentence-final

particle that indicates the speaker's request for confirmation or agreement..."

(from A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar from the Japan Times), or in other

words, "you know?; is it?; isn't it?; don't you?;" Depending on its use, "ne" can

be associated with feminine speech.

Contracting the "dewa" to "ja" makes the expression:

 

sore ja, mata ne

It carries the same meaning, and is only slightly less formal.

It is also possible to add "ashita" (tomorrow) or "raishuu" (next week) after

the mata for expressions like:

 

sore dewa, mata ashita ne

Well, (I'll see you) again tomorrow!

 

sore dewa, mata raishuu ne

Well, (I'll see you) again next week!

 

These are "ne"-optional, as they are rather formal, and the "ne" can also be rather

feminine at times.

However, the "ashita" and "raishuu" can be added to #3, "mata ne".

 

3) mata ne

"Later!" This is just the last part of #2, shortened and more "familiar."

When compared to the following #4, "mata ne" can be seen as a little on the feminine

side, with the strong 'ne' being a characteristic of female speech.

 

4) sore ja

Again, contracted from the "sore dewa, mata ne" and "sore ja, mata ne" in #2. This is a more

masculine term than #3, "mata ne".

 

5) ja

Contracted down from #4, "ja" retains basically the same meaning but it takes a

step down in formality. Situations this would most likely be used in are between

close male friends.

 

6) baibai

This is just the Japanese integration of "bye-bye." This is very informal, and

it is also on the feminine side. In general girls are the only ones who use

this, or maybe even guys with their girlfriends.

 

These lists are by no means all-inclusive. They are meant to serve as a jumping

off point for greetings and communication in Japanese, and we hope you hear and

see more and pick them up along the way.

[HelpMeRan-Sama 141]

I wonder how many weeaboos will be made after this thread.

._.