learning japanese

[dimitri_can]

Improving your conversation skills

 

[avalanste]

Improving your conversation skills

For the (3)
I'd usually watch variety shows though, like mechaike and all that.

Sometimes I'd listen to All Night Nippon radio, but mostly in AKB48's programme (e.g. Nogizaka46, I'm a fan of AKB48 and its sister groups so they helped me a lot through my learning journey), basically the members will chat about anything under the sun.

The thing I noticed about Japanese school teachers is that they usually converse you with the level you're comfortable with, but when I go to Japan or meet up with Japanese friends, their conversation level is a lot more versatile and faster. I got improved faster on the latter apparently.

 

[dimitri_can]

It's norm. If we speak too fast, the students may not understand us.

So did your speaking improve?

 

[avalanste]

It's norm. If we speak too fast, the students may not understand us.

So did your speaking improve?

The latter one improved by a lot (as in speaking with Japanese friends), cos' I get to listen various kinds of accents and intonation, the experience is entirely different from school.
My sensei speaks to me at a natural speed, but I can tell the words she used are simpler compared to how I converse with Japanese friends.

In Japan, when I respond quickly enough, they will get the impression that I understand their language, so they'll basically "blast" full speed, at times cutting short their words (e.g. -ているの becomes -てんの). When I don't, they will mix a bit of English here and there, esp. younger Japanese people.

I can only say, I felt really fortunate to have Japanese friends to communicate with. I remember when I first try to speak Japanese to a native in an event, I was so freaking nervous, I don't even dare to say "sumimasen" despite knowing the basics, but now it's increasing response speed while getting sentence structure correct.

 

[saycheese]

Hey do you guys know any good exercise book to prep for N3?

 

[dimitri_can]

Focus on which part? Grammar, vocab, reading or listening?

 

[saycheese]

Focus on which part? Grammar, vocab, reading or listening?

Grammar / vocab I guess..
Most important probably .
Are these exercise books Available in kino?

 

[dimitri_can]

You can try
Shin Kanzen Master N3 for grammar.
http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/new-kanzen-master-jlpt-n3-grammar

It's available in Kinokuniya.

 

[saycheese]

You can try
Shin Kanzen Master N3 for grammar.
http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/new-kanzen-master-jlpt-n3-grammar

It's available in Kinokuniya.

Great!! Thanks Dimitri!
Is there any other book you may recommend for vocab/listenin?

 

[dimitri_can]

For listening, this is my recommendation
http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/the-preparatory-course-for-the-jlpt-n3-kiku-listening

For vocabulary, i guess just take the list and memorize. u can pm me ur email address, i'll send the list to u. =)

 

[theslacker]

planning to attempt N2 in dec. Any books for recommendation? need more practice for reading and listening. Is the JLPT Official Practice Workbook worth getting?

 

[dimitri_can]

For reading, i recommend 新完全マスターN2読解

http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/new-kanzen-master-jlpt-n2-reading-comprehension

Listening

http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/the-preparatory-course-for-the-jlpt-n2-kiku-listening

 

[theslacker]

For reading, i recommend 新完全マスターN2読解

http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/new-kanzen-master-jlpt-n2-reading-comprehension

Listening

http://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/the-preparatory-course-for-the-jlpt-n2-kiku-listening

Thanks! Will check it out!

Is the The Preparatory Course for the JLPT N2, Kiku: Listening comparable to New Kanzen Master JLPT N2: Listening?

 

[dimitri_can]

The kanzen master n2 for listening not good.

 

[JAYBAOKONG]

Hi dimitri,

I just started on learning Japanese. Can I check what books are good for reading or audio books to recommend?
Thanks!

 

[dimitri_can]

Sorry for late reply.
Are u self studying or...?

 

[yuukiXkaname]

Hi, anyone knows of any in-depth guide to particles and sentence construction? I'm self studying N5 right now and while I do understand the definitions that Genki has, I often find them insufficient as I always wonder which particle should I use and the general definition doesn't really seem to help(or maybe I'm just insecure).

Does anyone also knows any book that gives an in-depth guide to sentence construction as well? I know the general rule is Subject-Object-Verb but I find that kinda inapplicable whenever I'm trying to formulate a sentence. I always have to type it out, google it and see if my sentence makes sense or not(maybe I'm just being very insecure again). I can mostly understand what people are saying/typing but when it comes to me constructing a sentence, I'm at a loss of how to do it. Any books that have in-depth guides to those 2 are appreciated as I find that's my stumbling block now.

Btw, I was speaking to a Japanese professional illustrator whom I met in an event and then speak with her online(since there wasn't sufficient time to talk during the event and hence I couldn't answer her questions), where I have some questions. In one sentence she went "かのんちゃん好きなのですね！わたしも大好きな子なので嬉しいです！" While I do understand she means she also likes the character(among the ones she drew) too and is very happy, what does the first なの function as? I mean the statement is still fine if it is "かのんちゃん好きですね！" so what does putting なの achieve? What does that なの act as? I know the second なの is used like a linkage verb, linking わたしも大好きな子 and 嬉しいです together(correct me if I'm wrong), so what does the first なの does?

 

[dimitri_can]

先生 to e rescue. =)
Will reply u once i get home. =)

 

[Ah_keong]

Hi, anyone knows of any in-depth guide to particles and sentence construction? I'm self studying N5 right now and while I do understand the definitions that Genki has, I often find them insufficient as I always wonder which particle should I use and the general definition doesn't really seem to help(or maybe I'm just insecure).

Does anyone also knows any book that gives an in-depth guide to sentence construction as well? I know the general rule is Subject-Object-Verb but I find that kinda inapplicable whenever I'm trying to formulate a sentence. I always have to type it out, google it and see if my sentence makes sense or not(maybe I'm just being very insecure again). I can mostly understand what people are saying/typing but when it comes to me constructing a sentence, I'm at a loss of how to do it. Any books that have in-depth guides to those 2 are appreciated as I find that's my stumbling block now.

Btw, I was speaking to a Japanese professional illustrator whom I met in an event and then speak with her online(since there wasn't sufficient time to talk during the event and hence I couldn't answer her questions), where I have some questions. In one sentence she went "かのんちゃん好きなのですね！わたしも大好きな子なので嬉しいです！" While I do understand she means she also likes the character(among the ones she drew) too and is very happy, what does the first なの function as? I mean the statement is still fine if it is "かのんちゃん好きですね！" so what does putting なの achieve? What does that なの act as? I know the second なの is used like a linkage verb, linking わたしも大好きな子 and 嬉しいです together(correct me if I'm wrong), so what does the first なの does?

なの relates to the ～のだ construction, and as such provides explanatory, secondary, or supporting information (which could be a reason, a cause, or other fact the speaker feels would aid in the listener's understanding). Note that the な is only used if the preceding word is a noun or な-adjective. Following a verb or い-adjective, only の is used:

(Please ignore all the kanji characters)

For Example:

あの公園はとてもきれいなの。 That park is beautiful.

よく見たら、その動物はどうやら猫なの。 When I took a closer look, that animal turned out to be a cat.

その後、ちょっと買い物に行ったの。 After that, I went shopping for a bit.

この宿題は本当に難しいの。 This homework is really difficult.

These sentences have a feminine sound to them; to make them more masculine, change の to んだ, or のだ in written form. んです, or のです in written form, is a polite equivalent which is also gender-neutral.

Also, while this doesn't come through in the English, the use of の implies that the preceding sentence plays a supporting role in the surrounding context. It's still important, but the role it plays is more like that of a framework which buttresses the speaker's main point. This is a somewhat delicate inflection, the complete treatment of which is beyond the scope of this question.

なの is used by females most of the time, but なんです may use by males too

In summary (a bit out of scope, for your info),

The examples here were all ending particles (jp: 終助詞).

Question

Used to indicate inquiry. Inclining intonation.
User: Children as general, or ordinary people towards their close ones (friends, family).


てつお：明日どこか行くの？
Tetsuo: Ar

 

[Janetsk]

Writing

How can I improve my writing skills e.g. the flow? Are there any websites or books? Are there model essay books?