Japanese Lesson Part 1

During my university years, I have taken up Japanese language as a foreign language that is supposed to add value to undergraduates =p . That time all things Japanese are the in things, so the gullible me was influenced to take up the language out of languages such as French, Arabic, Kadazan, and some I forget.

So, since sharing is good mmmkay, I feel the need to share what I know with all of you. Please feel free to chip in and also correct me if I am wrong. After all, I only have JLPT Level 4 cert. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test certification.

First of all, the introduction of Japanese Language. Japanese language is used and spoken by the Japanese people in a country called Japan. (Brrrrr, cold....I know.... =p)The Japanese writing system is divided into 3 categories which is the Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

Hiragana is curvilinear in style and phonetic and can be considered as the basic Japanese writing system. Katakana can be considered the secondary writing system used primarily for foreign names or words of foreign origin. Kanji in the other hand is similar to Chinese writing characters and each conveys meaning, most of which have at leas two readings. Aside from the primary 3 writing system, there is this form which is similar to the Chinese Pin Yin, the Romanji.

Romanji means Roman letters and is used particularly for the convenience of foreigners and normally used by foreigners to have better understanding on the Japanese language.

Example of usage:

Wa-ta-shi-wa I-gi-ri-su Ni I-ki-ma-su
(I am going to England)
*note- the I is pronounced as yi*
*the -ma-su can be pronounced as mas as in I-ki-mas*

Watashiwa Mareshiaa Jin Desu
(I am a Malaysian)

Alright, lets go to some daily useful expression that is more common shall we?

Ohayogozaimasu
(Good Morning)

Konnichiwa
(Good Afternoon)

Konbawa
(Good Evening)

Sayonara
(Goodbye)

Ja mata / Ja ne
(Normally said when parting with friends- informal goodbye)

Shitsurei shimasu
(polite way of saying goodbye, normally used to superior and the elders)

Oyasuminasai
(Good Night- only said before going to bed)

Ogenki desuka
(How are you?)

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
(Thank you very much)

Chotto Matte Kudasai
(Please wait for a while)

Ganbatte Kudasai
(Encouragement- like Jia You)

So, that is it for Japanese Lesson Part 1. One have to learn how to crawl first before learning how to walk. Again, please feel free to correct me if there are mistakes and we can learn together and share our knowledge. All opinions are welcomed.

As the lessons goes, it will go into more advance usage of the Japanese Language. So, Stay tuned for Japanese Lesson Part 2.



Random Picture Of The Day By Yours Truly

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