Konnichi Wa! Welcome to Lewna's Japanese Lesson! Every Saturday will feature a new lesson, and every now and then interesting essays pertaining to Japan and it's people and culture. These lessons will move at an easy to learn pace, and is ideal for beginners. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to pm me!
Konnichi Wa Mina! Welcome to Lesson 2.
These are important phrases to know, as it shows politeness and respect, a big deal in Japan. Let us begin:
Arigatou (gozaimasu): Thank you
Arigatou gozaimasu is the polite version.
Domo Arigatou (Gozaimasu): Thank you very much
Domo: Thanks!
This is used as a quick thanks and usually used with friends.
Do itashimashite: You're welcome.
(Chotto) o-negai shimasu: Please(help me a little)
________ o-negai shimasu: Please give me ___ or Please do ____ for me.
Dozo: Please feel free
This can also mean or be used as "Please accept this" and "Here is what you asked for" It is sometimes used to invite someone into your house or office, meaning "please feel free to come in".
_______ o dozo: Here is some/a __ for you.
This can also mean "Have some_____"
_____ wa?: How about some ___?
Okamai naku: Don't bother/ Dont go to any trouble.
When visiting someones house, it is normal to refuse and foor or beverage offered to you. When offered you would say Okamai Naku. They will ask you again, and then you can accept. If you really dont want what they offer, accept anyways, and try a little bit. If it is because of health reasons that you cannot eat or drink it, accept it and leave it untouched. If you live with the family, you can refuse with the phrase Iie, kekko desu; which translates into something like, No, I am fine.
Sumimasen: I'm sorry
When you are with frends, sumimasen is used as a regular sorry, however when you are using it in a formal situation, it's meant to be used as "Im sorry for making you go through all the trouble." or "thank you for the unexpected favor" There will be alot of situations where you will use what is called a negative to reply. Though you are saying sorry, you are using it in a polite positive way.
Iie: No
This is also used as a polite way of saying "it's nothing". It is used as a response to Sumimasen. So basically you would say "Sumimasen"-Sorry to make you go through the trouble" and they would say " Iie"-"It's nothing".
Hai/ Ee: Yes
Dewa, itadakimasu: Well then, I accept.
Used after the Sumimasen - Iie part. In anime, you will also see that they say Itadakimasu! right before eating a meal. When used in this way, it basically translates into "Thank you for the food/meal!' And is normally said at home or with friends.
Thats all for Lesson 2! Next lesson will be about introductions. I will also be posting conversation practices here and there, to help you see the situations or ways these phrases are used. Until then!
Mata Ne!
Lewna Sensei
Welcome to Lesson 1: Basic greetings and farewells! While most of us already know these, I wanted to start at the very beginning, for anyone who might have just decided to learn or is new to the anime world. Well, Let us begin!
There are certain greetings used at certain times of the day. The main three are as follows:
Ohayo(Gozaimasu):Good Morning
Used in the morning until around 10 am. Ohayo is the informal version, and can be used with friends or family. Ohayo Gozaimasu is the more polite version and what you would use with a teacher, co-worker, aquaintance, etc.
Konnichi Wa: Good Afternoon/Hello
This is used for the main part of the day and until the evening. It is also used as a simple Hello.
Konban Wa: Good Evening
This used in the evening and usually in the night too, however, when used in the night, it is not the same as the goodnight that we use in America. When we say good night, it is usually used as a farewell.
Oyasumi(Oyasuminasai): Good Night
When using this farewell, it is the type of "good night" that we say right before going to bed. Oyasumi would be something you would day to your brother or sister, or really close relatives. Oyasuminasai is the more polite form, and is used with your parents, aunts uncles, and other relatives that you want to show respect too.
Ja Ne/Ja na: Bye!
This can be seen as a sort of slang or a very friendly Bye! It is used with friends and close relatives. There is an importance between Ja Ne & Ja ne that you should make note of. Females are more likely to use Ja ne, while males use Ja na. If a male should use Ja ne. the male is viewed as one who is homosexual.
Therefore, males should use Ja na, unless they publicly wish to announce their gender preference.
Mata Ne/ Mata Na: Until again..
Again, the same rule applies with the male/female aspect as written with Ja Ne/Na. Mata Ne/Na is basically translated into Until we meet again.. Our english equivalent would probably be See ya later! It is also used in an informal way.
Mata Ashita: See You Tomorrow
Literal meaning is Again Tomorrow, with mata meaning again, and ashita meaning tomorrow. In english, the equivalent means See you tomorrow. It is mostly used in informal situations, with a few exceptions, like teachers or co-workers.
Ki O Tsukete: Take Care
Somewhat informal...this is the equivalent to Take Care in english.
Kore de Shitsurei Shimasu: I am Leaving
This is the formal way of saying goodbye. It translates in to "I am going (to be rude) and leave now." It is basically announcing that you are going to leave their presence or that you are going to leave before they do.
Itte Kimasu/Itte Mairimasu: Im going and coming.
Itte Kimasu really doesnt have an english equivalent. It is used as a farewell when you are leaving the house, meaning you are leaving home, but will return later. Itte Mairimasu is the formal version, and something you would use with a grandparent or any relatives you wish to show respect to.
Itte Irasshai: Please go and come back
Again, no equivalent. This is the response given to Itte Kimasu/Mairimasu.
Sayonara: Farewell
Sayonara in America is known to mean goodbye, however, this is not the case in Japan. Sayonara is used as a farewell when you are not going to see someone for a long time, such as you are going to go on vacation or are moving away. There really is no other instance where Sayonara would be used. Therefore, I have translated it as Farewell.
Well, that is all for this weeks lessons. I hope you enjoyed them and learned something new. Mata Ne!
Lewna Sensei
Konnichi Wa Mina! Hello Everyone!
Before I get started with the actual Japanese lessons, I think you should know the importance of indulging yourself into the Japanese culture, especially through anime. I will also take the time to tell you on how I plan on running this world, so you can make full benefit of this site.
First things first! Explore!
Expand your horizons. Limiting yourself to just anime is ok, but it is way better to become totally Japanese obsessed! I started watching anime in english, and when I couldn't stand waiting for adult swim to release the next episode of Inuyasha, I discovered I could download the episodes on kazaa (Yeah, thats bad..now I know). When I first watched these, I realized they were all subtitled, so I had to learn how to deal with watching and reading at the same time. Well, this started an entire new venture into the Japanese language. Like all of you subtitlers know...there are certain words that are repetitous, and pretty soon you start to pick up these words. We all know what Ja ne! Kawaii! Konnichi wa! and so on mean. I think my all time favorite is Itadakimasu!
From then on, I almost always watch anime in Japanese..even when english is available. I also bought a book at barnes and nobles and started teaching myself japanese. Let me say, it is a most intricate and fascinating language, and from what I remember, the second hardest language in the world (chinese is the first). Anyways, from anime I also started to get interested in the music of this wonderful country, and I have over 100 cd's of music. My all time favorite is Utadaq Hikaru, which we all know sings the Kingdom Hearts theme songs. I spend a lot of time listening to this music, and even though sometimes I have no idea what they are saying..I sing along as well, downloading lyrics to help. Little by little, I start to learn more and more of the language.
In anime, we see the characters eating certain foods. How many of us have indulged ourselves in pocky? Ramune? Sushi, Soba Noodles? There are so many different types of food introduced, and its a good way to get outside of your box and try new things!
Since I am such a geek, I watched Rurouni Kenshin and fell in love with swords. I now own my very own sakabatou (reverse blade) sword..numerous sword sets, and had taken kendo and iai-do classes. It was pretty awesome since you wear the equivalent of a samurai uniform (Hakama & Ginta). I have a bokuto (wooden sword like in the Last Samurai) and a shinai (Like what Yahiko and Kaoru use).
Another big impact has been anime itself. I am ana nime artist, and I learned all on my own and in a matter of 4 years. No books, no teachers, no classes, nothing of the sort. I picked up a pencil and paper and just started drawing from there. I guess you caqn say my teachers have been the masters, like Rumiko Takahashi and Nobuhiro Watsuki. I imitated and tryed to figure out what they were doing and doon enough I can draw all on my own.
I also learned how to sew. Yup, I had to in order to wear costumes to the annual Nan Desu Kan anime convention here in denver. I started out by hand, and eventually worked my way up to a sewing machine. Now I get to be whatever character I want for three days..and I can apply this hobby to other things, like making my own clothes or clothes for my daughters dolls.
The point is, because I have indulged myself, I have learned many new things, have taken on many new hobbies, and have changedmy workld entirely..and all because I indulged myself. So sit back, relax and experience things on a totally new % different level!
How this world will work:
Since all of this is pretty new, I am going to be working things out as I go along. I plan on posting a new lesson every week on Saturdays. These are all beginner lessons, and I will make them as fun and interesting as I can.I am alway s open to comments and suggestions, so feel free to contact me whenever you want to.
Before we begin, let me say that I am not Japanese, have nevr been to Japan (at least not yet..but someday) and am still learning Japanese myself. I WILL MAKE MISTAKES! I am only human, after all. If you do find a mistake,let me know! I think it's fun this way because we will learn together. I will also post little essays about certain topic I find of interest every now and then, like holidays, current events, singer profiles, and so forth.
Well, I believe I have said enough for now. Enjoy!
Love,
Lewna Tsuki
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