Archive for October, 2008
Where to buy an okoto in the UK?
Author: Richard
Q: Hey. i am wondering, where do i buy an o-koto in the uk as i really want one. if you could get back to me i would be greatful. joshua
A: Hi Joshua. I get asked this question a lot (although it’s usually from people in the US). But to be honest I’ve no idea! I guess ebay would be a good place to start, or even Amazon. Failing that, quite a few cities in the UK have Japanese stores that might be able to help you. Or you could just phone the Japanese embassy in London, they might just have some info!
Be genki,
Richard
Posted in 
Free lessons and no free time
Author: Richard
Q: What is the best way to lern if you need lessens free and do not have a lot of free time. Bethany
A: The free part is easy, just have a look at the Japanese games and you’ll be learning in no time, they are all free of course. The time part is more tricky, so other than getting a Japanese boyfriend (I.e. your free time would also be study time!), I’d say set yourself some concrete goals to aim for. Write down exactly what you want to learn and when you want to learn it by. Then really use your time well by always asking yourself, is what I am doing now helping me achieve my goal?
Be genki,
Richard
What does ‘honki’ mean?
Author: Richard
Q: What does ‘honki’ mean? – Ann
A: Ooo, that’s a good question.
Hon = 本 can mean “real” or the root of something,
Ki = 気 is “chi” or “spirit”.
For example Japan is Nihon = 日本 which is the root or origin of the sun.
And genki = 元気 which literally means the source of your spirit.
So honki = 本気 sort of means “seriously” or “not in a joking way”. You often use it as an alternative to hontou = 本当 which means “really?” when someone tells you something amazing!
Be genki,
Richard
Who does the voice for the japanese music videos?
Author: Richard
Q: Who does the voice for the Japanese music videos? flo
A: I have a few Japanese friends who help me out with them!
How to say “what’s that” in Japanese?
Author: Richard
Q: How do you say what is that in japanese. Kouturiay
A: If it’s something that the other person is holding e.g. they’re talking on an iPhone or something, you’d say “それ何？” (so re na ni?). If it’s something that you can both see, but aren’t touching e.g. a new Nintendo console on a store shelf, then you’d say “あれ何？” ( a re na ni?).
Similarly if it’s something you are holding and want to say “What’s this?” you say in Japanese ”これ何？” (ko re na ni?).
何？ (na ni) on its own means “What?” . You’ll hear this a lot in Japan!
Good way to meet people that speak Japanese?
Author: Richard
Q: I am just starting Japanese and I was wanting to ask, what is a good way to find people that speak Japanese? – The Demon of White Fire but y’all can call me TD
A: Hi TD. If you’re looking for fellow learners of Japanese, then you could pop across to the Genki Japan community on Youtube. If you’re looking for Japanese friends then probably the best thing to do is to try and do a language exchange with a Japanese person who wants to speak English. You spend 30 minutes speaking English then 30 minutes speaking Japanese. The best way to find them is to simply do a google search for “language exchanges”. Or if you’re looking for people in real life then pop along to the local community college, uni etc. or wherever there are Japanese lessons or Japanese student exchanges. Or you could of course just pop over to Japan! ; )
