Learn Japanese FAQ

Archive for August, 2009

You’ve probably seen 回転寿司 – kaiten zushi – the sushi that goes around on conveyor belts. But those in the know know that that sushi isn’t too fresh, we always order it!

And in today’s restaurant, just look at the “plates” they used to bring the sushi out on! Just thought you’d like to take a look!

Be genki,

Richard
www.GenkiJapan.net

P.S.  If you can’t see the video, click the title above to see it on the blog!

It’s Summer Festival time in Japan again, and here’s a video of one of the most popular the 阿波踊り Awa Odori in Tokushima (Awa is the old name for the prefecture).

There are dances going on all over the city over the next three days, but I just managed to grab this one for you before I caught the plane up to Tokyo.

Also have a look at the video I took here last year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnVyD0s5myo

Be genki,

Richard
http://www.GenkiJapan.net

Q: What is difference in meaning between Tokyo & Kyoto?  Are they both Eastern Capital? – Cameron

A: Good question!  They look the same, but it’s actually a trap of the Romanisation.  Tokyo actually has an extra “o” sound on the end.  So Tokyo means 東京　East + Capital.  But Kyoto is 京都　which is capital +  city ( or metropolis.)

Q: Konnichiwa, I have Rosetta stone. Do you think it would be wise to just learn how to listen and speak first and then go back with it then learn reading and writing? Or should I just do it all at once? Also the grammar sections in that program are a bit confusing for me. Any books for grammar that you recommend? -  James

A:  Usually I recommend everyone to learn to speak and listen first, then learn to read and write.  Having said that, with the Rosetta stone, as long as you don’t get bored of it then you could try doing both at once and see how you go.

The grammar can be confusing with the Rosetta stone but as usual my recommendation for grammar is to never buy a book, that’s not how you learnt English after all.  My recommendation is always Youtube!  Watch as much Japanese as you can on there and your brain will naturally start getting a feeling for what “sounds right” with Japanese grammar.

For example in English we instinctively know that “an banana” should be “a banana” without thinking about the grammar rules.  So, listen to lots of Japanese on Youtube is my hint of the day!

Q: Your site is excellent thank you. can you recommend a course where you get a legitimate qualification at ou bis in French or Italian as most Japanese courses just say we will take your word for it and send you a bit of paper i want a nvq or higher thanks -  Christopher

A: The only real qualification in Japanese is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)  , so if a paper qualification is what you want then a course that offers this is the only real option.

However there are two problems with the test, the first is that it is very grammar/written based, many people who have good test scores can’t speak at all.  Also any jobs that would need a qualification would expect the top level 1 kyu.    My advice would be to learn to speak first, and then if you want to go further the JLPT is very good at forcing you to learn kanji!