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Ellen in Japan
Blogging in Tochigi, Japan about my teaching experience and travels. Come explore with me!
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Remember 3/11
Today is the anniversary of the unfortunate earthquake disaster in the Tohoku region that uprooted many lives. Yahoo! Japan has a special donation promotion set up this year, so if you search “3.11″ on their search engine, they’ll donate 10 yen per person to help assist with reconstruction in the Tohoku area.
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Here’s a masterpost of my Japanese posts I’ve made so far. For newer posts and posts made by other langblrs please check my Japanese-tag. You may like/reblog this post if you want to, but I would really appreciate if you liked/reblogged individual posts instead!
Please note that some posts are from my old blogs, I’m not stealing/claiming other people’s posts as mine!
Japanese resources
Japanese phrases
Spring vocabulary
Summer vocabulary
Autumn vocabulary
Winter vocabulary
Valentine’s day vocabulary
Halloween vocabulary
Christmas vocabulary
New Year vocabulary
Birthday vocabulary
Ramadan vocabulary
Hanukkah vocabulary
Eurovision vocabulary
Rainy day vocabulary
Flower vocabulary
Insects vocabulary
Tea vocabulary
Knitting and crocheting vocabulary
Traveling vocabulary
Harry Potter vocabulary
Moomin vocabulary
Studio Ghibli vocabulary
When Marnie Was There vocabulary
Friendship vocabulary
Cozy vocabulary
Mental health and mental disorders vocabulary
Menstruation vocabulary
Ainu vocabulary
Catalan referendum vocabulary
Bullying vocabulary
11.3.2011 vocabulary
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki vocabulary
Terrorism vocabulary
Refugee vocabulary
New words I learned in Japan
1 month kanji challenge
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Since 2018 is the year of the dog, I’m doing a series of posts about dog / wolf shrines in or near Tokyo. The shrine that features in my second post is a very small and apparently nondescript one, hidden between tall buildings in Shibuya, but it’s unusual: instead of kitsune (foxes), it has wolf guardians. That’s very rare. It’s called Miyamasu Mitake Jinja (宮益御嶽神社), and though its origins are obscure, it dates back to the Edo period.
The first post, about Mitsumine Jinja, is here.
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Japanese Winter Vocabulary ❄
冬 ( ふゆ ) - winter
冬至 ( とうじ ) - winter solstice
十二月 ( じゅうにがつ ) - December
一月 ( いちがつ ) - January
二月 ( にがつ ) - February
雪 ( ゆき ) - snow
雪片 ( せっぺん ) / スノーフレーク - snowflake
白 ( しろ ) - white
氷 ( こうり ) - ice
氷柱 ( つらら ) - icicle
寒い ( さむい ) - cold, chilly
ゾクゾク / ぞくぞく - shivering (onomatopoeic / SFX word)
凍る ( こおる ) - to freeze
霜 ( しも ) - frost
雹 ( ひょう ) - hail
吹雪 ( ふぶき ) - blizzard
冬眠 ( とうみん ) - hibernation
雪だるま ( ゆきだるま ) - snowman
そり - sled, sleigh
アイススケート - ice skating
スキー - skiing
毛布 ( もうふ ) - blanket
コート / 上着 ( うわぎ ) - coat
セーター - sweater
スカーフ - scarf
手袋 ( てぶくろ ) - glove, mitten
帽子 ( ぼうし ) - hat
クリスマス - Christmas
「メリークリスマス！」 - “Merry Christmas!”
ハヌカ - Hanukkah
正月 ( しょうがつ ) - New Year
大晦日 ( おおみそか ) - New Year’s Eve
元日 ( がんじつ ) - New Year’s Day (January 1st)
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Particles 1.
こんにちは。
Versión es español: ->aquí<-
1. は - Topic particle*
Note that this is not a subject particle, but a topic one which means that this particle is used to highlight the main topic in a sentence.
Examples:
私は学生です。= わたしはがくせいです。= I am a student.
日本はきれいです。= にほんはきれいです。= Japan is beautiful.
2. を - Direct object particle.
Indicates the things that are directly related or affected by the action (the verb)
Examples:
私は日本語を勉強します。= わたしはにほんごをべんきょうします。= I study Japanese.
*Remember that in Japanese you can omit the subject is this is explicit in the context of the sentence.
毎朝、コーヒーを飲みます。= まいあさ、コーヒーをのみます。= I drink coffee every morning.
3. へ - Movement Particle.
Indicates the goal of movement.
Ejemplos:
A. どこへ行きますか。= どこへいきますか。= Where are you going?
B. 大学へ行きます。= だいがくへいきます。= I am gointo to college
家へ帰ります。= うちへかえります。= I come back home.
4. で - Action particle.*
Indicates the place where an action (verb) takes place.
Ejemplos:
A. どこで食べますか。= どこでたべます。= Where do you eat?
B. 喫茶店で食べます。= きっさてんでたべます。= I eat at a coffe shop / cafeteria.
図書館で本を読みます。= としょかんでほんをよみます。= I read a book in the library.
*This is just one of its usages.
5. に - Time particle*
Indicates the time in which an event (verb, action) takes place.
Ejemplos.
A. 何時に寝ますか。= なんじにねますか。= What time do you go to bed?
B. 十一時に寝ます。= じゅういちじにねます。= I go to bed at 11 o’ clock.
日曜日に家で食べます。= にちようびにうちでたべます。= On sundays, I eat at home.
*This is just one of its usages..
*It is generally used with numerical expressions of time such as: the days of the week or the hours…
*You cannot use it with vague expressions of time such as: in the morning, at night, every day…
VERBS USED IN THIS LESSON (～ます FORM):
勉強します。= べんきょうします。= To study.
食べます。= たべます。= To eat.
行きます。= いきます。= To go.
帰ります。= かえります。= To return, to come back.
読みます。= よみます。= To read.
寝ます。= ねます。= To go to bed, to sleep.
ありがとうございます。:))
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Japanese lesson #11: Particles
Wa- は
(Indicates the topic or a sentance)
Ga- が
(Indicates the subject)
Ka- か
(Added at the end to make it a question)
Ni- に
(Indicates location)
No- の
(Indicates possession)
e-え
(Indicates direction)
Wo- を
(Indicates the object of a verb)
To- と
(Used to connect and list multiple items)
Ya- や
(Used to connect and partially list up items)
Nado- など
(Used with や)
Mo- も
(Means- both, and, neither, or, too, either, also)
• Note: particles are used in a lot of sentences you might hear in Japan. For example- in 犬はかわいいです。は is pronounced ‘wa’ and indicates the dog IS cute. (Inu WA kawaii desu)
• Note 2: Make sure to use the right one when forming a sentance, or you might sound weird.
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A list of things to practice your listening skills with, and to practice hearing the flow of Japanese, so as to better incorporate that in your own speaking (*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑
YouTube
LayerQ - gaming channel, speaks clearly.
Mitoku - gaming channel, speaks at a nice pace. I’m currently watching her Breath of the Wild LP!
Roa - gaming channel, speaks really fast, but she’s just so 元気 that it doesn’t matter that she’s hard to follow. I enjoy having her in the background.
Fonimu - plays a lot of JRPGs, but he is very relaxing to listen to, and polite.
日本語の森 - I’m sure you all know this one! Get Japanese explained to you in Japanese. They have dedicated channels for N3, N2, and N1.
Just Duncan - Japanese youtuber, with Japanese subtitles. It’s been a year since he uploaded anything, but I enjoy his sense of humor.
Shows
If you want to use shows for practicing listening, either a) listen with closed eyes, b) turn off subtitles, or c) put on Japanese subtitles.
野武士のグルメ - Samurai Gourmet. I swear, this is the cutest show in the world. Go find it and just feel the warmth of watching a sweet elderly man having lunch.
Japanese Style Originator - a show where the origins of Japanese concepts are explained, and some people have to make some guesses. The game part of it isn’t terrible interesting, and the music they use is obnoxiously loud, but I’ve learned some very interesting things!
Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories - as far as I understand this is a live-action adaptation of a manga. I haven’t watched it yet.
Terrace House - Japanese reality show about 6 young people living in a house together.
Little Witch Academia - anime about a witch school. It’s kinda cute.
AJIN: Demi-human - significantly darker anime than the one listed above. This is the only one on the list without any kind of Japanese subs available.
Good Morning Call - drama about two classmates accidentally renting the same apartment. I haven’t seen this, but it looks like it caters to every romance trope in the best way possible.
Keep in mind that availability varies greatly depending on countries! The ones I’ve listed are available on Netflix Denmark, so I’m thinking they are also available in most of Europe and America as well.
Podcasts
ひいきびいき - a super relaxing podcast with hour long episodes feat. two Japanese people just talking about their days and anything and everything. I really like this one.
バイリングアルニュース - Bilingual News. A Japanese-speaking woman and an English-speaking man discuss recent events. This is easier to follow along with, because you have the context very clearly in English.
そのアニ - Discussions about anime entirely in Japanese.
自由なラジオ Light Up! - Politics, society, news, and stuff like that. Difficult Japanese, but there are transcripts, so you can practice reading with them as well!
天使のモーニングコール - A slower paced podcast meant to be relaxing, discussing lifestyle-related topics.
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Chiune Sugihara. This man saved 6000 Jews. He was a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania. When the Nazis began rounding up Jews, Sugihara risked his life to start issuing unlawful travel visas to Jews. He hand-wrote them 18 hrs a day. The day his consulate closed and he had to evacuate, witnesses claim he was STILL writing visas and throwing from the train as he pulled away. He saved 6000 lives. The world didn’t know what he’d done until Israel honored him in 1985, the year before he died.
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Hokoku Shrine, located on the grounds of Osaka Castle
Hokoku Shrine was erected under the edict of Emperor Meiji and is dedicated to those three great benefactors of the Japanese nation, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Toyotomi Hideyori, and Toyotomi Hidenaga. Sharing in the good fortune of the Toyotomi clan, Hokoku Shrine offers a charm of success to visitors coming to pray for good luck and prosperity. The statue at the shrine entrance is of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was crafted by the foremost Japanese sculptor, Shinya Nakamura.
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Kyoto Tower - night and day versions
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Grammar Sentences for all JLPT levels.
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Studying Japanese: Resources!
In lieu of a ‘how to study’ Japanese post, here’s a few online resources which have helped me with studying Japanese throughout the years.
The resources listed below;
Range from beginner’s level to advanced level
Are appropriate for studying for the JLPT (N4- N1)
Are appropriate for self study
Most are free, or come with a free trial period! (excluding textbooks. but trust me, i’ve got your back)
Essential Websites and Extensions
IN RIKAIKUN WE TRUST
Rikaikun:The one-stop shop for all your browsing needs. Hover over any kanji compound and this app will do all the translating for you. I found this incredibly useful for reading practice (esp. on news articles etc.).
Jisho.org: One of the best dictionaries out there. Sorts most kanji according to JLPT level.
Tofugu: A good general starting place to find resources and read interesting articles about Japanese culture, ex-pats working in Japan and Studying in Japan. They also have a special series on applying for the JET Program!
Grammar
Particles? Verbs? Subjects? Conjugations?
JGram: All grammar is sorted by JLPT Levels. A good overview of common grammar structures.
Tanos: Also JLPT sorted
Introduction to Japanese Syntax, Grammar and Language: a comprehensive overview for beginners
NHK World: Lessons from the Japanese Public Broadcaster NHK. Largely Beginner’s Level.
Dictionary of Japanese Grammar (beginners) (advanced)
Handbook of Japanese Verbs: Beginners guide. Very handy pocket size so great for revision for the beginner-intermediate level.
How to Tell the Difference between Japanese Particles: Comparisons and Exercises: something to help with those pesky particles!
Writing (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji)
Learn your alphabet(s) gdi!
Japanese Lesson
@ryohkei is a Japanese calligrapher who handwrites beautiful characters + stroke order and definitions. Very informative, given that handwritten kanji may differ from their typed counterparts.
@kanji-a-day
Practice Writing Sheets
Charts (hiragana, katakana)
Networks
Get you in touch with other native learners!
Lang-8
Hi Native
RhinoSpike
Forvo
Renshuu.org
Textbooks
Genki: perfect for beginners
Sou Matome: easy daily lessons and weekly review. All levels (sorted by JPLT level)
Kanzen Master
Tobira: highly recommended for those who are in the awkward intermediate - advanced plateau! Traditional Textbook format.
Tanki Master
500 Essential Japanese Expressions: A Guide to Correct Usage of Key Sentence Patterns: really useful for revision and to bridge the intermediate-advanced gap.
This blogspot: Lifesaver. Just, trust me on this. Please.
Multimedia (Youtube, Podcasts)
…because heck, learning a language is more than memorising charts and structures!
Bilingual Chika! One of my favourites. She recently published her own textbook!
Japanese Podcast 101
Watch Japanese TV at Jpopsuki
More?
A masterlist of free resources by @nihongogogo
This resource post by @study-ings
A list of N2 resources by @learningkakumei
This beginner’s resource post by @solarstudy
Stay tuned for later parts to this series incl. going on exchange, studying japanese, “wtf this kanji looks like a scribble”
All the best!
- fuckstudy
Masterposts are posted every other Sunday (asia pacific)/ Saturday (everywhere else). See previous masterposts here. Feel free to request topics here.
Previous topic: dealing with failure
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Hey can someone help me out and make a transparent cutout of ash from this pic
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Learn to Cheer in Japanese like a Champ’ in 30 seconds!
C’mon! - 頑張れ！
Go for it! - 行け〜
Cheer up! - ファイト！
Hang in there! - もう少し！
Keep it up! - いいよ！いいよ！
Don’t worry! - 大丈夫！
You can do it! - できる！できる！
PS: Start learning Japanese language with the best resources, just click here
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I remember the first time I watched this documentary a few years ago, and I thought this teacher was the most amazing human being ever. I still think he’s pretty impressive, but now I also think these students are very special for working together as a class.
This documentary is definitely worth the watching until the end. What I like about it is they don’t only show all the positive experiences the teacher has in the classroom but also the struggles he experiences with his students and how he manages to work through them. It’s unfortunate something like this is considered special and not yet the norm.
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Me right after someone says I’m good at using chopsticks:
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As I get older I’m finding that a lot of the “intellectuals” I used to admire are actually just condescending and pretentious. And also realizing how much more important it is to be present, considerate, and empathetic because nobody really knows what they’re talking about and anyone who claims to know everything about anything is feeding you bs.
#why I left grad school#since I get that question a lot#and now I have a post to link to instead of having to try to explain it all the time#but I won't stop saying this:#I'm glad I left because I have the best job ever now#and I can finally put most if not all my skills to use where I am now#as well as contribute to raising kind and humble people#and not condescending and pretentious people
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