Self-learn Japanese?
Self-learn Japanese?
hey i'm wondering if anyone know any books or something similar that i can buy or download(only legally) or maybe some sites that could even work? i dont got access to any japanese learning lessons near me so...
ps: if this is in the wrong forum please move to the correct one, mods =).
ps: if this is in the wrong forum please move to the correct one, mods =).
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self learn Japanese?
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http://www.timwerx.net/home/index.htm
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okey, may I ask why hira and kata? what is JLPT?emerica1123 wrote:I would recommend studying hiragana and katakana like crazy then buying a level 4 JLPT study guide/book
wow. thank you. will have to check out the books, hopefully not too expensive =)sandy+clef wrote:. This is a really good site that has a lot of grammar rules. If you are looking for books, I think the Genki I and II are good books. You can check Amazon.com for that.Code: Select all
http://www.timwerx.net/home/index.htm
nek wrote:
okey, may I ask why hira and kata? what is JLPT?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Language_Proficiency_Test
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Theres also the Erin Ga Chosen series. Its basically a book with a DVD about a girl named Erin whos an exchange student from England. Shes really half Japanese and an idol but thats besides the point. Anyways the DVD is setup like a japanese drama and goes through her daily life at her new school while covering important key points. Currently there are three volumes available with more to come. Its good for self learners and beginners because you get to hear it which i think is most important. If theres a Japanese bookstore near you, then they should have it. If not you might be able to order it through Kinokuniya....
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Gotorairai wrote:does anyone know any software/chip for nintendo ds wher i can learn japanese (in romaji).. i only found JE EJ dictionary but its in kanji.. thanks!
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www.alc.co.jp
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I've been using audio CDs to learn (the Pimsleur Japanese series). My first goal is comprehension of spoken Japanese, so I favor things like CDs and DVDs rather than books alone. Next year, I will probably pick up some grammar books. I don't plan to attempt learning written Japanese until later on in my studies. From what I hear, that's a-whole-nother can of worms. XD The one drawback to audio CDs is that they can get pretty expensive. You could always try picking up second-hand materials on Amazon or eBay. Good luck!
I am learning japanese, here are some good sites I have found:
The dirty guide to japanese
Tae-Kims guide to japanese grammar
You should learn hiragana and katakana first then basic grammar.
You can then learn new words with the hiragana and katakana you have learned priviously and putting them to use
in whatever grammatic sense you wish.
Learn by listening to japanese all the time: dramas, j-tv, podcast, radio, mp3s, site like
It's a fun way of learning It's as close as some will ever get to japan (myself included)
The Genki books, I have heard, are very good. If possible, get them.
I would rather be learning japanese right now, but I have all these **** exams...
The dirty guide to japanese
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http://nihonbunka.uaa.alaska.edu/language/dirtyguide.html
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http://www.guidetojapanese.org/
You can then learn new words with the hiragana and katakana you have learned priviously and putting them to use
in whatever grammatic sense you wish.
Learn by listening to japanese all the time: dramas, j-tv, podcast, radio, mp3s, site like
Code: Select all
http://www.jpopasia.com/
The Genki books, I have heard, are very good. If possible, get them.
I would rather be learning japanese right now, but I have all these **** exams...
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You'll need kana, both hiragana and katakana (and when you have them down, easy kanji) if you want to become somewhat literate in Japanese.okey, may I ask why hira and kata?
indyana said she learns solely by audio sources, which also is a way, but IMO learning Japanese script from the beginning has a number of advantages - like the time you have to study it, being able to learn through any kind of written media, being able to understand the way words are linked.
It sounds like you are a beginner, and of course, there aren't that many different ways to get started. One has to learn core vocabulary, easy grammar and maybe the basics of the script, preferrably in an enjoyable way. (I did that by watching dorama ;) )
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http://ideogramme.ca/japan/
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http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html
I also use Tae Kim's guide a lot, too.
And it would be useful to google for keywords like "free kana learning game/site" or similar. I know I once had a free PC game to learn kana ... (I didn't learn them through it, though. I just drilled myself with writing exercises. Writing makes it a lot easier to memorize kanji, too)
Thank youteeheeman wrote:I am learning japanese, here are some good sites I have found:
The dirty guide to japaneseTae-Kims guide to japanese grammarCode: Select all
http://nihonbunka.uaa.alaska.edu/language/dirtyguide.html
You should learn hiragana and katakana first then basic grammar.Code: Select all
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/
You can then learn new words with the hiragana and katakana you have learned priviously and putting them to use
in whatever grammatic sense you wish.
Learn by listening to japanese all the time: dramas, j-tv, podcast, radio, mp3s, site likeIt's a fun way of learning It's as close as some will ever get to japan (myself included)Code: Select all
http://www.jpopasia.com/
The Genki books, I have heard, are very good. If possible, get them.
I would rather be learning japanese right now, but I have all these **** exams...
In my case, I use the books called Minna no Nihongo.
They are translated in a looooot of languages and pretty easy to find also.
Each lesson is divided in 4 parts:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Exercices
- And something "useful", they call that part "informations"
I think it's well done.
The only reproach I could do is that there are no corrections for the exercices, so you need to be very careful.
They are translated in a looooot of languages and pretty easy to find also.
Each lesson is divided in 4 parts:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Exercices
- And something "useful", they call that part "informations"
I think it's well done.
The only reproach I could do is that there are no corrections for the exercices, so you need to be very careful.
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My university uses "Nakama" 1 and 2 books which I'm sure you can find on Amazon/Ebay (For levels 100-200).. The 300 level book however is a different one.. which is garbage...
Everyone's suggestions above are very good ones. You're on the right page though coming here to ask, in that the best way to learn a language is to first familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language (hence why dorama is such a good tool ^^).
You can definitely learn patterns of speech from dorama (not so much anime with their erratic speech styles), however; as already pointed out, you will NEED kana. Kanji in itself has very many ways to be read and is very difficult to learn (even for native speakers). And although there are many phrases and patterns you can learn from music/tv, you won't be able to get the inner workings of different grammar points (such as honorifics).
Hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions ^_^
Everyone's suggestions above are very good ones. You're on the right page though coming here to ask, in that the best way to learn a language is to first familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language (hence why dorama is such a good tool ^^).
You can definitely learn patterns of speech from dorama (not so much anime with their erratic speech styles), however; as already pointed out, you will NEED kana. Kanji in itself has very many ways to be read and is very difficult to learn (even for native speakers). And although there are many phrases and patterns you can learn from music/tv, you won't be able to get the inner workings of different grammar points (such as honorifics).
Hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions ^_^
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I forgot to add another fun way to learn reading: Karaoke subbed PVs or performances. And I mean karaoke subbed in Japanese, the way TV performances usually are.
At least for me this is the fastest way to learn kanji, and it probably helped a lot with being able te read kana fast, and it helps with the listening comprehension.
At least for me this is the fastest way to learn kanji, and it probably helped a lot with being able te read kana fast, and it helps with the listening comprehension.
Our university uses the Genki series which I find is of the best books to learn Japanese. As a supplement to that reading Japanese news and watching it helps with reading and pronunciation respectively. Untranslated manga helps greatly with kanji reading as most of the popular ones(Naruto, Bleach, etc) have furigana on the side so you can read and kanji and look it up. This site has a good chart of hiragana and steps to draw them And finally dont be afraid to try and to ask questions. It may seem difficult but find a unique way that you can understand it. がんばろう!
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http://shodan.co.za/images/hiragana_chart.jpg
I have been self learning Japanese for some time. Longer than I would have liked it to take, but that is partially because of some of the tools I chose to use, and partially because when frustrated I have given up on it. Having a 50+ our work week on top of an hour drive each way did not help either.
From all my trials and troubles, I have found a few things out about the learning process, especially where it concerns Japanese.
The first thing to learn is the Kana. This is the Katakana and the Hiragana sylabries (alphabets). The reason why is two simple things. First, if you learn Japanese, they are part of Japanese. Second, the best learning tools I have found all use Japanese to teach Japanese. More specifically, the Kana represent the sounds of Japanese, and they use these sounds to teach you the language, conjugation, and so on.
While learning the Kana, use sources of proper Japanese audio to work on your pronunciation. It is great to learn dialects, slang, and all those fun things, but first, at least learn how proper Japanese sounds. Then you will know why those other things are different.
After that, it depends on why you are learning Japanese. If it is just for fun, then use fun sources. Dramas, etc. If it is more serious, then pick more serious sources.
Here are some sources of proper audio with companion text:
NHK World Radio has had several Japanese learning programs, with companion text. Some of them are available as torrents through d-addicts, but here is the direct download source.
http://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/english/
The Meguro Language Center is a Japanese Language School in the Meguro district of Tokyo Japan. They give away for free many of their learning materials, including audio, JLPT prep exams, and so on.
http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/
Iwate University in Japan also gives away a chunk of their materials for free.
http://sp.cis.iwate-u.ac.jp/sp/lesson/
And this site has a chunk of audio with proper scripts to lead you through what is being said. It too specializes in learning the language.
http://www.japanese-nihongo.com/
A few other interesting sites are these:
Here I found a great PDF file for learning the Katakana. The companion book on Hiragana is still under construction.
http://www.kanjicafe.com/
Another way to have fun learning is to use a game to help. This site has Sudoku puzzles using Kanji, which forces you to think and write. If you also sound things out after learning the Kana, it can really help you remember several of the basic Kanji.
http://www.kanji-sudoku.com/
Now one thing that slowed me down was I used the exceptionally well renowned books by James W. Heisig and Kenneth G. Henshall. These would supposedly cause my kana and kanji retention levels to skyrocket.
So if these books are so great, how did they slow me down?
I already knew that many, if not most, Kanji are formed by taking a base part that has meaning and sound, and then adding a radical that changes the meaning, but not the sound. Add to this the fact that the Kana are derivatives of Kanji, and that their history is well documented, some of which I learned.
Now take those facts, that the Japanese developed their written and audible language in a specific way, and completely ignore that. Why ignore it? Because James W. Heisig and Kenneth G. Henshall did, and they think that is the proper way to learn Japanese.
If the James W. Heisig and Kenneth G. Henshall mnemonic books worked for you, great. But their contradicting every other source of Japanese instruction I previously had, really grated on me, and made it very hard for me to get any further. In fact, my longest break in learning Japanese was after the mental confusion and frustration those books caused.
To be fair, I must state that mnemonic systems have repeatedly failed for me, even in grade school. So this is just how I don't fit those books, not how good those books are.
So where am I learning Kanji from? The flashcards for kana and kanji by White Rabbit Press with the companion audio, the "Chinese-Japanese Character Cards" by Naoe Naganuma which were given to me for free by a man who used them a long time ago, and the "250 Essential Kanji for Everyday Use" volumes 1 and 2 developed by the Kanji Text Research Group, University of Tokyo, published by Tuttle.
I know those books are not the best texts for university learning, or the JLPT. They are good books, and will help you pass te JLPT, but they are not really structured towards the goal of a formal education. The White Rabbit cards are very JLPT structured, and one of the best ways to get proper stroke order, readings, etc. that are focused on passing those tests.
My goal is not to get a grade, and while I would love to take the JLPT, it is not something I am aiming to do this year. So for me, these books, and their focus on 500 of the most common Kanji used in every day life, are good for me. When accented with the cards that are JLPT focused, I am moving towards that goal, just slowly.
Now, I do want to learn the grammar, and proper use of the language. There are many commercial learning texts that are good for this. If you look at the course books of most Japanese classes you can find those books.
What about a free book that is based off a university student's trek through learning Japanese. One that has been refined over years, and added to through discussions with other students as well. And lets toss in the fact that this student had learned more than one other language before learning Japanese, so his linguistic experience is a little more than your basic student's. Add to this revisions over time, corrections, and so on, and you get a decent text on the grammar of the language that happens to be free.
http://www.nihongoresources.com/
Well, I think I have said more than enough about my own trek through learning Japanese. I hope it helps, and I wish you luck.
Konrad
From all my trials and troubles, I have found a few things out about the learning process, especially where it concerns Japanese.
The first thing to learn is the Kana. This is the Katakana and the Hiragana sylabries (alphabets). The reason why is two simple things. First, if you learn Japanese, they are part of Japanese. Second, the best learning tools I have found all use Japanese to teach Japanese. More specifically, the Kana represent the sounds of Japanese, and they use these sounds to teach you the language, conjugation, and so on.
While learning the Kana, use sources of proper Japanese audio to work on your pronunciation. It is great to learn dialects, slang, and all those fun things, but first, at least learn how proper Japanese sounds. Then you will know why those other things are different.
After that, it depends on why you are learning Japanese. If it is just for fun, then use fun sources. Dramas, etc. If it is more serious, then pick more serious sources.
Here are some sources of proper audio with companion text:
NHK World Radio has had several Japanese learning programs, with companion text. Some of them are available as torrents through d-addicts, but here is the direct download source.
http://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/english/
The Meguro Language Center is a Japanese Language School in the Meguro district of Tokyo Japan. They give away for free many of their learning materials, including audio, JLPT prep exams, and so on.
http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/
Iwate University in Japan also gives away a chunk of their materials for free.
http://sp.cis.iwate-u.ac.jp/sp/lesson/
And this site has a chunk of audio with proper scripts to lead you through what is being said. It too specializes in learning the language.
http://www.japanese-nihongo.com/
A few other interesting sites are these:
Here I found a great PDF file for learning the Katakana. The companion book on Hiragana is still under construction.
http://www.kanjicafe.com/
Another way to have fun learning is to use a game to help. This site has Sudoku puzzles using Kanji, which forces you to think and write. If you also sound things out after learning the Kana, it can really help you remember several of the basic Kanji.
http://www.kanji-sudoku.com/
Now one thing that slowed me down was I used the exceptionally well renowned books by James W. Heisig and Kenneth G. Henshall. These would supposedly cause my kana and kanji retention levels to skyrocket.
So if these books are so great, how did they slow me down?
I already knew that many, if not most, Kanji are formed by taking a base part that has meaning and sound, and then adding a radical that changes the meaning, but not the sound. Add to this the fact that the Kana are derivatives of Kanji, and that their history is well documented, some of which I learned.
Now take those facts, that the Japanese developed their written and audible language in a specific way, and completely ignore that. Why ignore it? Because James W. Heisig and Kenneth G. Henshall did, and they think that is the proper way to learn Japanese.
If the James W. Heisig and Kenneth G. Henshall mnemonic books worked for you, great. But their contradicting every other source of Japanese instruction I previously had, really grated on me, and made it very hard for me to get any further. In fact, my longest break in learning Japanese was after the mental confusion and frustration those books caused.
To be fair, I must state that mnemonic systems have repeatedly failed for me, even in grade school. So this is just how I don't fit those books, not how good those books are.
So where am I learning Kanji from? The flashcards for kana and kanji by White Rabbit Press with the companion audio, the "Chinese-Japanese Character Cards" by Naoe Naganuma which were given to me for free by a man who used them a long time ago, and the "250 Essential Kanji for Everyday Use" volumes 1 and 2 developed by the Kanji Text Research Group, University of Tokyo, published by Tuttle.
I know those books are not the best texts for university learning, or the JLPT. They are good books, and will help you pass te JLPT, but they are not really structured towards the goal of a formal education. The White Rabbit cards are very JLPT structured, and one of the best ways to get proper stroke order, readings, etc. that are focused on passing those tests.
My goal is not to get a grade, and while I would love to take the JLPT, it is not something I am aiming to do this year. So for me, these books, and their focus on 500 of the most common Kanji used in every day life, are good for me. When accented with the cards that are JLPT focused, I am moving towards that goal, just slowly.
Now, I do want to learn the grammar, and proper use of the language. There are many commercial learning texts that are good for this. If you look at the course books of most Japanese classes you can find those books.
What about a free book that is based off a university student's trek through learning Japanese. One that has been refined over years, and added to through discussions with other students as well. And lets toss in the fact that this student had learned more than one other language before learning Japanese, so his linguistic experience is a little more than your basic student's. Add to this revisions over time, corrections, and so on, and you get a decent text on the grammar of the language that happens to be free.
http://www.nihongoresources.com/
Well, I think I have said more than enough about my own trek through learning Japanese. I hope it helps, and I wish you luck.
Konrad
Here is a tip or all people in London, United Kingdom or thereabouts who wish to learn Japanese.
I stumbled in on this place once, at Oxford Street number 25-27 on the third floor.
Its an all out Japanese lead learning centre and for UK standards its dirt cheap.
When I was there a couple of months ago they told me it about 14 GBP per hour single student courses or if you team up with a freind or a couple of more people you can get it down to about 9 GBP an hour.
Books and stuff not included, but if you're in to dorama they will have alot to talk to you about (^^).
I stumbled in on this place once, at Oxford Street number 25-27 on the third floor.
Its an all out Japanese lead learning centre and for UK standards its dirt cheap.
When I was there a couple of months ago they told me it about 14 GBP per hour single student courses or if you team up with a freind or a couple of more people you can get it down to about 9 GBP an hour.
Books and stuff not included, but if you're in to dorama they will have alot to talk to you about (^^).
Recently I have been using http://www.japanesepod101.com as a source of native speaker audio of standard Japanese. There is a ton there for free, and they also have more if you deside to pay a small fee.
If you just want some instruction to help let you understand your favorite dorama better, their free lessons will really help.
If you just want some instruction to help let you understand your favorite dorama better, their free lessons will really help.
Seems like an old topic was brought back from the dead.
If your goal is fluency, and you plan to study on your own, input (i.e. listening, reading), should take central focus. Listen to Japanese, all the time. In fact, go to All Japanese All The Time and read up. This guy knows what he's talking about, and it works.
So do what you love, watch dramas (without subtitles...), films, listen to music, all in Japanese. You'll find yourself picking up words, phrases, and sentences. Use an SRS (Spaced Repetition System, ex. Anki) to enter sentences into that you come across and to retain Kanji. Use Heisig's books, Remembering the Kanji. All it really takes is dedication and passion. If you like what you're doing, you will do it more efficiently and more often. So make it fun.
If your goal is fluency, and you plan to study on your own, input (i.e. listening, reading), should take central focus. Listen to Japanese, all the time. In fact, go to All Japanese All The Time and read up. This guy knows what he's talking about, and it works.
So do what you love, watch dramas (without subtitles...), films, listen to music, all in Japanese. You'll find yourself picking up words, phrases, and sentences. Use an SRS (Spaced Repetition System, ex. Anki) to enter sentences into that you come across and to retain Kanji. Use Heisig's books, Remembering the Kanji. All it really takes is dedication and passion. If you like what you're doing, you will do it more efficiently and more often. So make it fun.
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I used to study using Meiko Shimizu Han's Japanese language books.
However times have changed, and the GENKI 1 and GENKI 2 books are far much better in quality.
Trust me - the Genki series are realllly good. After 1 & 2 I'd bet you could pass the JLPT 3 with ease.
My instructor also had some pretty nifty instructional DVD's. I dont remember the production company, but it featured a Girl in Sailor Uniform and this yellow blob which almost likes a lemon and some UFO hovering around.
Also - the number one hardest thing about Japanese language is Kanji Literacy. You can pick up almost 200 fairly easily, then about 1000 before you know it (as long as you keep up with your studies).
However times have changed, and the GENKI 1 and GENKI 2 books are far much better in quality.
Trust me - the Genki series are realllly good. After 1 & 2 I'd bet you could pass the JLPT 3 with ease.
My instructor also had some pretty nifty instructional DVD's. I dont remember the production company, but it featured a Girl in Sailor Uniform and this yellow blob which almost likes a lemon and some UFO hovering around.
Also - the number one hardest thing about Japanese language is Kanji Literacy. You can pick up almost 200 fairly easily, then about 1000 before you know it (as long as you keep up with your studies).
The Meiko Han "Intermediate Japanese" book does include translations for the first few chapters, then after that there are no more translations. The first book however does include translations and furigana for most of the book.
If it were up to me I'd get both Meiko Han and Genki. Once you get the basics - Id switch immediately to the intermediate book. Both books have their ups and downs - but I can see the appeal of the Genki series.
If it were up to me I'd get both Meiko Han and Genki. Once you get the basics - Id switch immediately to the intermediate book. Both books have their ups and downs - but I can see the appeal of the Genki series.
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- Joined: Jun 27th, '13, 15:42
This is a very old thread and I apologize for digging it up but I hope this will help in some way
I have been studying Japanese for a long time now and also teach basic Japanese on weekends and through the course of my study, here are my most used and most recommended materials:
My recommended books for beginners:
1. Minna no Nihongo - but make sure to get the one with Kana instead of Romaji, and also the one with the audio CD included because there will be listening exercises. It will also help with your pronunciation because you can actually hear the dialogues.
2. Genki series
3. Japanese for busy people
4. A Dictionary of Basic/Intermediate/Advanced Japanese Grammar - this is actually a set of 3 individual books. No problem if you want to get each one individually. But i got mine as a set, so I always have a reference for whatever level I was studying for. Really, really helpful
Apps for iPhone and Android:
1. imiwa - a free and awesome Japanese-English dictionary. I love this so much and is one of my most used apps on my phone
2. ScribeOrigins - free (with option to purchase upgrade). Helps to memorize a lot of words and actually retain them
3. Tae-Kim's guide to learning Japanese - a free and awesome app for learning Japanese grammar
Nintendo DS
1. Kanji sono mama rakubiki jiten - this was my go-to dictionary when I didn't have my iPhone yet
2. Bimoji - a DS game that helps you write Kanji beautifully
3. Kanken DS 2 - a Kanji learning software
Audio programs
1. Assimil - I have not used the one for Japanese but I am using Assimil French with Ease and Assimil German with Ease. This is a wonderful audio program! it gets me speaking right away. The audio starts off as really slow until the learner is familiar with the general pronunciation.
2. Living Language - My friend has the one for Japanese and I have the one for Italian. I love the Platinum edition because it gives me access to an online tutor who is a native speaker. Very cool
I have tried My Japanese Coach but I did not find it particularly useful. I have also read a lot of reviews about it from other Japanese learners and I have to agree with them.
i hope this helps. If anyone has questions about these or my personal methods, please ask and I will do my best to help you
I have been studying Japanese for a long time now and also teach basic Japanese on weekends and through the course of my study, here are my most used and most recommended materials:
My recommended books for beginners:
1. Minna no Nihongo - but make sure to get the one with Kana instead of Romaji, and also the one with the audio CD included because there will be listening exercises. It will also help with your pronunciation because you can actually hear the dialogues.
2. Genki series
3. Japanese for busy people
4. A Dictionary of Basic/Intermediate/Advanced Japanese Grammar - this is actually a set of 3 individual books. No problem if you want to get each one individually. But i got mine as a set, so I always have a reference for whatever level I was studying for. Really, really helpful
Apps for iPhone and Android:
1. imiwa - a free and awesome Japanese-English dictionary. I love this so much and is one of my most used apps on my phone
2. ScribeOrigins - free (with option to purchase upgrade). Helps to memorize a lot of words and actually retain them
3. Tae-Kim's guide to learning Japanese - a free and awesome app for learning Japanese grammar
Nintendo DS
1. Kanji sono mama rakubiki jiten - this was my go-to dictionary when I didn't have my iPhone yet
2. Bimoji - a DS game that helps you write Kanji beautifully
3. Kanken DS 2 - a Kanji learning software
Audio programs
1. Assimil - I have not used the one for Japanese but I am using Assimil French with Ease and Assimil German with Ease. This is a wonderful audio program! it gets me speaking right away. The audio starts off as really slow until the learner is familiar with the general pronunciation.
2. Living Language - My friend has the one for Japanese and I have the one for Italian. I love the Platinum edition because it gives me access to an online tutor who is a native speaker. Very cool
I have tried My Japanese Coach but I did not find it particularly useful. I have also read a lot of reviews about it from other Japanese learners and I have to agree with them.
i hope this helps. If anyone has questions about these or my personal methods, please ask and I will do my best to help you
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- Joined: Jul 5th, '13, 10:25
I know it's been said before, but learn the kana first (hiragana, then katakana). Take advantage of the fact you're not being rushed in a classroom, and really learn how to read and really learn how to write them. Kana will be essential to every stage of Japanese language learning. Use flashcards with the stroke order/direction indicated. A worthwhile investment is Shin Nihongo no Kiso Kana Renshucho (Kana Workbook) published by 3A. I went through two of these, and it's good value at around $10 a copy.
I must share the same brain as konrad, because I agree 100% with his earlier comment.
My "original" contribution: try karaoke on the computer. Enter something like カラオケバージョン or 歌詞付 in the Yew Tube search box. Start with something slow, like enka, and don't worry about missing most of the words. Just make yourself keep going - it will get better, I promise. One day, your desire will extend to wanting to sing the kanji parts, too....
Ganbare ne!
I must share the same brain as konrad, because I agree 100% with his earlier comment.
My "original" contribution: try karaoke on the computer. Enter something like カラオケバージョン or 歌詞付 in the Yew Tube search box. Start with something slow, like enka, and don't worry about missing most of the words. Just make yourself keep going - it will get better, I promise. One day, your desire will extend to wanting to sing the kanji parts, too....
Ganbare ne!
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Some of those links have been quite helpful, although it was not my intention to learn japanese, and until a year ago, my knowledge of japanese (words) was limited to "hai", "ije", "arigato" "-san / -sama"...
About a year ago, I discovered the Jdrama's/series (some time later also the Kdrama) and they were really entertaining. But in the meantime I couldn't shake off the feeling, that a little bit of japanese has been rubbing off, while watching those doramas
(as in: some words I can recognize when they're spoken out loud, like "yume", "yuki", "keisatsu" "keiji" etc )
About a month ago, that has lead to a funny situation:
I'm also playing online games, and some of those games are more fun, when playing with some people you know, like in a clan/guild. While ingame chatting with an other guild member, he said something. I wanted to comment on that with: "Really?" but for fun sake, I typed: "Hontto?"
Great was my astonishement when he suddenly answered with a question: "Nihonjin desuka?"
Me: "Iyaa! Nihonjin jenai. Orandajin desu."
I'm not sure whether that was correct, but guild had great fun, when they discovered that we two were "speaking" japanese :p. and wanted to know, where we had learned it.
Me: "watching japanese tv-series."
He: "my wife is japanese."
Just as a fun anecdote
About a year ago, I discovered the Jdrama's/series (some time later also the Kdrama) and they were really entertaining. But in the meantime I couldn't shake off the feeling, that a little bit of japanese has been rubbing off, while watching those doramas
(as in: some words I can recognize when they're spoken out loud, like "yume", "yuki", "keisatsu" "keiji" etc )
About a month ago, that has lead to a funny situation:
I'm also playing online games, and some of those games are more fun, when playing with some people you know, like in a clan/guild. While ingame chatting with an other guild member, he said something. I wanted to comment on that with: "Really?" but for fun sake, I typed: "Hontto?"
Great was my astonishement when he suddenly answered with a question: "Nihonjin desuka?"
Me: "Iyaa! Nihonjin jenai. Orandajin desu."
I'm not sure whether that was correct, but guild had great fun, when they discovered that we two were "speaking" japanese :p. and wanted to know, where we had learned it.
Me: "watching japanese tv-series."
He: "my wife is japanese."
Just as a fun anecdote
i learn katakana & hiragana first
it will help you when you read some blog or article in japanese , and then learn conversation sentence. just enjoy it from dorama.
when in high school, there is a japanese subject that make me learn japanese easier hehe
kanji is difficult but just try to remember some frequent kanji like watashi, ai, kawa, yama etc.
IMO
it will help you when you read some blog or article in japanese , and then learn conversation sentence. just enjoy it from dorama.
when in high school, there is a japanese subject that make me learn japanese easier hehe
kanji is difficult but just try to remember some frequent kanji like watashi, ai, kawa, yama etc.
IMO
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I'm just starting to learn Japanese myself. A good friend of mine created these Apps called Real Kana and Real Kanji. I've started with the kana, was slow at first but I'm getting the hang of it. The interface is intuitive, easy to use and portable on my phone! Worth the price.
Real Kana
Real Kanji
Real Kana
Code: Select all
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-kana/id343807473?mt=8
Real Kanji
Code: Select all
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-kanji/id794223917?mt=8[/code
Hope that helps.
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- Joined: May 11th, '15, 04:48
Re: Self-learn Japanese?
iTunes iBooks has a good Martin's Concise Dictionary. I think my college instructor recommended this one.
Re: Self-learn Japanese?
One piece of advice I have is to transition to learning Japanese IN Japanese as soon as possible. It might be a little way ahead of you yet, but if you do it at the right time you will learn better and faster. Do it too early and you may struggle too much and lose confidence, do it too late and you will find yourself translating everything before you understand it or reproduce it.
I say this from experience - I failed the JLPT N1 partly because I haven't changed my vocab lists to Japanese definitions instead of English ones. It gets in the way of comprehension, reproduction, and is also inaccurate. I would say by time you are somewhere between N3-N2 level, pretty much all of your vocab learning could be done in Japanese rather than English.
I say this from experience - I failed the JLPT N1 partly because I haven't changed my vocab lists to Japanese definitions instead of English ones. It gets in the way of comprehension, reproduction, and is also inaccurate. I would say by time you are somewhere between N3-N2 level, pretty much all of your vocab learning could be done in Japanese rather than English.
- dhisashi
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Re: Self-learn Japanese?
Check these out: http://www.fluentu.com/japanese/blog/best-apps-for-learning-japanese/bitrate wrote:any android or ios app can learn japanese in faster way?
Re: Self-learn Japanese?
I've used a few resources in my time, rambling opinions to follow!
Japanesepod101 - prob the best course out there, quite lively and pitched more at younger people, if you're thinking of travel to Japan for fun, or to understand everyday language that you might hear in dramas, this is the one to go for. There are always special offers, wait til it's cheap and pillage all downloads at once.
Michel Thomas method - Old school audio course - a good general introduction, the method is to teach you mostly sentence structures with less emphasis on vocabulary, it's a good way to start. It's quite a low-pressure format, where you're listening in on lessons between a good teacher and a couple of students of varying abilities.
Pimsleur - old school audio course - dry as dust and aimed squarely at the business travel market. The content is not bad, if you can handle what seems like hours of lessons about playing golf with the boss and his wife on Saturday. The hard part is staying awake and taking the "I'm a smooth professional voiceover guy" narration seriously. It's OK but the style is very dated and there are better options out there.
Graded Readers books on omgjapan.com - pure gold, buy them! Sets of children's reading material from beginner to intermediate reader.
"Naze, doushite" books on omgjapan.com - a nice set of children's science books.
"Essential Japanese Vocabulary" book by Akira Miura - pure gold, buy it! Good for any level beyond absolute beginner. The writer has an excellent understanding of how English speakers think and how that leads to mistakes in Japanese, good explanations of things where the usage is quite different to English ( which is almost everything in Japanese!)
If you aim to get into classic Japanese literature, I can highly recommend the two "Breaking into Japanese Literature" books. Also the two "Read Real Japanese" books which cover more modern material. Definitely aimed for intermediate level and above.
Japanesepod101 - prob the best course out there, quite lively and pitched more at younger people, if you're thinking of travel to Japan for fun, or to understand everyday language that you might hear in dramas, this is the one to go for. There are always special offers, wait til it's cheap and pillage all downloads at once.
Michel Thomas method - Old school audio course - a good general introduction, the method is to teach you mostly sentence structures with less emphasis on vocabulary, it's a good way to start. It's quite a low-pressure format, where you're listening in on lessons between a good teacher and a couple of students of varying abilities.
Pimsleur - old school audio course - dry as dust and aimed squarely at the business travel market. The content is not bad, if you can handle what seems like hours of lessons about playing golf with the boss and his wife on Saturday. The hard part is staying awake and taking the "I'm a smooth professional voiceover guy" narration seriously. It's OK but the style is very dated and there are better options out there.
Graded Readers books on omgjapan.com - pure gold, buy them! Sets of children's reading material from beginner to intermediate reader.
"Naze, doushite" books on omgjapan.com - a nice set of children's science books.
"Essential Japanese Vocabulary" book by Akira Miura - pure gold, buy it! Good for any level beyond absolute beginner. The writer has an excellent understanding of how English speakers think and how that leads to mistakes in Japanese, good explanations of things where the usage is quite different to English ( which is almost everything in Japanese!)
If you aim to get into classic Japanese literature, I can highly recommend the two "Breaking into Japanese Literature" books. Also the two "Read Real Japanese" books which cover more modern material. Definitely aimed for intermediate level and above.
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