learning japanese

[nyawne]

when there's a will there's a way

totally agree... but i lack the will...

 

[nyawne]

textbook is gd but it can nvr compensate learning at a sch n with frens...just my 2 cents worth.

yep, but while learning at bunka, i had difficulty adjusting to the style of their notes. now that i've covered some lessons from the same series of my old textbook, i like the explanations and practices a lot better. i think someone mentioned that a school at shaw house (ikoma?) uses minna no nihongo too, so maybe i should try that school, except it's quite expensive and i think i should wait till i go on course next year, then i'll have more free time to commit.

since i've decided to skip the learning at a sch part for the time being, i thought the learning with frens part would be good if i could make it happen. but those 2 i started learning with, one went japan and the other is always OT-ing.

 

[surfuz]

Seniors,

By sheer hard work I have memorised all the Kata. But the problem is that I still can't decipher the english words in Kata at all. they remain foreign to me. For instance, I read the word in Kata but I can't make out the english equivalent of that word. Can someone pls give me a guide as to what the letters of the Kata translate to in English?

For instance, I know "mu" is "m" in English.
And "Ka" is "Ca". But how about the others?
Any sounds equivalent?

 

[ShougunX]

there's no rule in translating kata to english....u just have to make guess the meanings if you are not too sure....super is su-pa- instead of su-pe-ru. one advise i can give is to read thru the kata quicky as one. U will easily find an english word for it. tweak ur mind a little. give it a try. it wasn't tat hard.

 

[VH2006]

Seniors,

By sheer hard work I have memorised all the Kata. But the problem is that I still can't decipher the english words in Kata at all. they remain foreign to me. For instance, I read the word in Kata but I can't make out the english equivalent of that word. Can someone pls give me a guide as to what the letters of the Kata translate to in English?

For instance, I know "mu" is "m" in English.
And "Ka" is "Ca". But how about the others?
Any sounds equivalent?

I faced the same problem in my elementary class. However, as I progress, the Kata vocab are often repeated and I got used to them. Besides that, some of the Kata are also found along with English words on Japanese products.

 

[surfuz]

I only got used to a couple of kata words for my fav foods. Having serious problems with countries' names lol.
So are there no set of "rules" for determing the kata sound that will be formed for a particular english sound?
I was a bit sianz when I realise that kata is still foreign to me despite me knowing all the kata sounds.

And I think it is weird that they have a kata for milk when there is a kanji and a hiragana for the word "milk." and the shocking discovery for me is that anime is written in KATA and not hiranaga! How weird could that be? Anime is a japanese product! *confused*

 

[PingJun]

Actually, I am also not that familiar with Kata as well. I have no problem in writing some Japanese words in Kata, however.

But, if writing in Kata, then I don't really know how to read the words.

 

[PingJun]

Seniors, checking with you all.

How many times per week & how many hrs do you study Japanese Lang?

Possible to buy "assignment" books for Japanese to practice?

 

[surfuz]

There are many (expensive) assignment books at Kino (esp the Liang Court branch) if you are interested.

 

[PingJun]

I have been to Kino. What I see is mostly JLPT books

 

[surfuz]

Look at the assessment book section for primary school kids.

 

[WillieTan]

hi guys, i'm looking for good japanese textbook for starter, which comes with Audio CD. Any intro?

 

[ender51244]

I have been to Kino. What I see is mostly JLPT books

you aren't looking at the right place, dear.

its located first & second left shelf when you enter the shop via the escalalor. and of course, JLPT books are just right beside / along the shelves.

 

[PingJun]

Look at the assessment book section for primary school kids.

You mean Kino has selling Japanese assessment books under assessment book section for primary school kids?

 

[PingJun]

you aren't looking at the right place, dear.

its located first & second left shelf when you enter the shop via the escalalor. and of course, JLPT books are just right beside / along the shelves.

IIRC, that location is selling some Japanese textbooks.

 

[surfuz]

Will a senior please help me with these counters?

Thank you!

For the month of April, I pronounce 四月　as しがつ。
How about 4 months? My book said 四ヶ月　is pronounced as よんかげつ。 So is the か in the pronouncation of 4 months a 'visible' sound as in I need to pronouce the ka getsu (3 sounds) clearly? Or is there a pause in between　よん　and the　げつ (such that I only pronounce 2 sounds げつ　?

Damn I wish there is a audio for me to listen.

ありがとうございます！




　

 

[ShougunX]

ya, the 'ka' must be pronounced as per normal.

 

[surfuz]

But any idea why ｹ must be pronounced clearly as か when it is in a small letter?
混乱しまですね！　：（

another question:
If I want to say, I am going to Japan in 12 months' time. Is the following sentence correct?

私は十二ヶ月に日本で　いけます。　

ありがとうございます！ (x2)

 

[ShougunX]

the small 'ke' is used to imply getsu as the kanji for sangatsu n sankagetsu is the same. It shud be written as 三か月，三ヶ月 is another way of implying sankagetsu as it is clearer. Except for や　ゆ　よ つ, there's no other smaller hiragana used as part of the vocab. Sumtimes u see a small hira of other hira like　あ, but seriously tat is only used as an emphazing tool in conventional colloquial usage.

私は十二ヶ月／一年後日本に行っておる　(strange to say 12 months when one can say 1 yr)

 

[surfuz]

Thanks for your clear explaination. Now I understand. I wonder when we will reach your level lol. How many years have you studied japanese?

Errr...the 12 months is just a random thought. Can also use 5 months or etc
I just want to know if my use of the grammar is correct. 'Cos I am still v confused about my grammar.

Anyway I just remember that へ　should be used and not で when we talk about come and go.

私は五ヶ月後日本へ行きます。　 ---> I hope this is correct now?

Shougun X, my level of grammar only enables me to say the above now. Not sure what 行っておる　is now. すみませｈ。