Officer Kaoko

Oh, arigatou . Thank you for pointing it out (there, edited it ). Then it's decided, you should be our editor and advisor .

Learning how to write and read Japanese is very important. So I recommend you should learn how to write and read Japanese first before going any further . IMPORTANT (too): While learning how to speak the Japanese language, do not rely too heavily on Romanized Japanese or romaji (Japanese written in English letters). It is not used in Japan nor is it widely known in Japan. It is very important to learn kana (the Japanese alphabets - hiragana and katakana) to avoid many issues that can come from using romaji as a crutch . The modern Japanese writing system uses three main scripts: ひらがな (Hiragana): Hiragana is used to write native words for which there are no kanji, including particles such as から kara "from", and suffixes such as さん ~san "Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms." Likewise, hiragana is used in words for which the kanji form is obscure, not known to the writer or readers, or too formal for the writing purpose. Verb and adjective inflections, as, for example, be-ma-shi-ta (べました) in tabemashita (食べました, "ate"), are written in hiragana, often following a verb or adjective root (here 食) that is written in kanji. Hiragana is also used to give the pronunciation of kanji in a reading aid called furigana. The article Japanese writing system discusses in detail how the various systems of writing are used. カタカナ (Katakana): In modern Japanese, katakana is most often used for transcription of words from foreign languages except Chinese (called gairaigo). For example, "television" is written terebi (テレビ). Similarly, katakana is usually used for country names, foreign places, and foreign personal names. For example, America is written アメリカ Amerika (America also has its own kanji (ateji) Amerika (亜米利加) or for short, Beikoku (米国), which literally means "Rice Country" – though the connection with the "rice" character, 米, is purely a phonetic one). 漢字 (Kanji): Kanji is a Chinese character and has been adopted by the Japanese as their own. HIRAGANA - ひらがな So first, we are going to learn Hiragana. Hiragana has 48 characters with different styles and number of strokes (it's much more easier than Katakana [which will be introduced later]). Hiragana Chart: Introduction to Japanese Characters - #1 Hiragana: Lesson 1 - 'あ' [a] あ in hiragana or ア in katakana (romanised a) is one of the Japanese kana that each represent one mora. あ is based on the sōsho style of kanji 安, and ア is from the radical of kanji 阿. In the modern Japanese system of alphabetical order, it occupies the first position of the alphabet, before い. Additionally, it is the 36th letter in Iroha, after て, before さ. Its hiragana resembles the kana no combined with a cross. Pronunciation: 'あ' = 'a' is pronounced as 'ah' as in 'add'. Word beginning with 'あ': 1. ありがとう (arigatou = Thank you) 2. あたし (atashi = me) 3. あし (ashi = feet; leg) 4. あなた (anata = you; dear) Strokes order: The Hiragana あ is made with three strokes:[1] At the top, a horizontal stroke from left to right. A downward vertical stroke starting above and in the center of the last stroke. At the bottom, a loop like the Hiragana の. So all who hasn't yet learn the alphabets, I recommend you to write 'あ' and repeat it for at least 50 - 100 times in your textbook (that if you don't have anything to do ). That's your homework for today . Note: This is how I learnt the characters; by writing it numerous times in the textbook. There's much to it... but I think I'd discuss it later till you tell me what you all think . Jaa na! Next lesson -> Hiragana: Lesson 2 - 'い' Source: Wkipedia

I was only teasing you a little , LOL!! Don't worry, I understand what you mean

Accepted Useful vocabulary Accepted! Accepted... be our sensei Oh, gomenasai. I totally forgot to put it in Romanji . There, edited it And I also displayed the cover of the book Okay, accepted... but, I thought Shinichi is influenced in Japanese??? LOL!

Aye! Everyone could join (added to the list)! Or if you don't wanna be added to the list is also OK ^^ you can just come here for updates and stuff. And.. aye! Me and Kenny-sensei made this thread And xXLeration, I hope Kenny sensei's explanation was good (it's good and makes a lot of sense to me). Or, you can find more about Japanese Pronouns here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_pronouns So, Kenny-sensei , this is my request; I'm now studying a book of Japanese elementary second grade (I think ) and the first lesson is a story; The words and sentences are easy to read and understand.. but the problem is; I wanna translate it to English and it's kinda complicated to do it . I would like you to see and correct it for me, if you please . This is the first page of the story. Fuki no tou - Page 1: ふきのとう あさの 光 を あびて、 竹やぶの 竹 の はっぱが、 『さむかったね。』 『うん、 さむかったね。』 と、 ささやいて います。 雪が まだ すこし のこって、 あたりは しんと して います。 Here's the romanji: Here's my English translation: [Edit] In case you are all wondering what kind of book it is... here's the book cover :

Kochi ->

Added Please feel agree to ask any question here . But we'll also have to wait for Kenny-sensei to respond .

Class room for learning Japanese! Japanese Classroom (Nihongo kyoshitsu) Koko ni nihongo wo benkyou shimashou! Help each other to improve their Japanese. Ask anything about Japanese language! Rules: When you post something in Japanese, please avoid translating it in English or at least put it in a Spoiler Box. So members would read the Japanese text rather than just reading the translated. It would be better if you type in Romanji, too. Some people doesn't have Japanese software installed in their computer and they see only squares. Tutor/Sensei: @Pr1me 101 Students: Member List: Officer Kaoko xXLeration blueberry Henny-chan Detective Gin topgun741 Hatsu Anrika Emy Ulfsdotter Cheesus Rom Yui Tantei Shinichi Kiel Stopwatch Southpaw Xcommando Tna Uchiha Orangeburst Conankoibito Parkur Kaitou1412 kirite alicetama Rye Koukou-sei Tantei Momoko-chan Denz001 IdentityUnknown Xenonkid Vermouth-chan PS. This thread has created for all who are fond of learning Japanese. Kenny-sensei will currently be our tutor for now on ANNOUNCEMENT: We just created a blog of our own! Here's the link -> http://japanese-ken.blogspot.com Lessons & Courses Japanese Characters - Hiragana: Introduction to Japanese Characters & Hiragana: Lesson 1 - 'あ' [a] Hiragana: Lesson 2 - 'い' Hiragana: Lesson 3 - 'う' Hiragana: Lesson 4 - 'え' [e] Hiragana: Lesson 5 - 'お' [o] Revision of Lesson 1 - 5 Hiragana: Lesson 6 - 'か' [ka] (and 'が' [ga]) Hiragana: Lesson 7 - 'き' [ki] (and 'ぎ' [gi]) Hiragana: Lesson 8 - 'く' [ku] (and 'ぐ' [gu]) Hiragana: Lesson 9 - 'け' [ke] (and 'げ' [ge]) Hiragana: Lesson 10 - 'こ' [ko] (and 'ご' [go]) -> Lesson 6 - 10 Review Hiragana: Lesson 11 - 'さ' [sa] (and 'ざ' [za]) Hiragana: Lesson 12 - 'し' [shi] (and 'じ' [ji]) (yo-on included) Hiragana: Lesson 13 - 'す' [su] (and 'ず' [zu]) Hiragana: Lesson 14 - 'せ' [se] (and 'ぜ' [ze]) Hiragana: Lesson 15 - 'そ' [so] (and 'ぞ' [zo])

Yup, sounds great !! But please explain your ideas/suggestions more clearly .

Awesome! I am stunned ! You may want to update your avatar so you wouldn't look like some stranger . By the way, how long are you planning to stay here ?