Learn Japanese Pod

These are just the Japanese dialogues taken from podcast #05 “Top 10 tips for studying Japanese” Top 10 Tips for Studying Japanese One of the most common questions I get is “I want to study Japanese but where should I start?”. The next most common question is “I’ve hit a wall with my Japanese and don’t seem to be improving, what should I do?”. So, if you are a beginner, or have already started studying Japanese but got stuck, this podcast is for YOU! Asuka and I put our heads together and came up with our top 10 tips for studying Japanese more quickly and effectively. I also wanted to make this podcast to point out that, there aren’t any magical shortcuts or secret techniques for learning to speak perfect Japanese in only a few months. A lot of websites out there would have you believe otherwise! Rather, it is more about discovering your “why” or motivation for studying Japanese. Then, you want to focus on a specific goal. In that way, you won’t waste your time studying non-essential topics and save a lot of time. Podcast Dialog Japanese Pronunciation English Asuka: おはようございます ohayō gozaimasu Good morning Alex: おはようございます ohayō gozaimasu Good morning Asuka: 昨日のパーティー楽しかったですね kinō no paatii tanoshikatta desu ne Yesterday’s party was fun Alex: 楽しかったですね tanoshikatta desu ne It was fun wasn’t it? Asuka: またやりましょう mata yarimashō Let’s do it again Alex: ぜひ! zehi Absolutely! Top 10 Tips for Studying Japanese Tip # 1 – Set a clear goal This one is pretty obvious. Before you start anything, you should set a clear goal, preferably with a deadline. This will help to really focus your studies. If you’re not sure what your goal is, simply ask yourself “why do I want to study Japanese?” Do you want to visit Japan on holiday? Do you want to be able to read your favorite manga? Or perhaps you want to become a ninja. Depending on that answer, you can focus more effectively on a study plan. That might be obvious to you but it is worth saying. And there is one more reason to have a clear goal that people sometimes forget about. And that is, setting a goal avoids wasting time studying stuff you don’t need to know. If your goal is to visit Japan for a week on holiday, then you should just be studying simple phrases for booking tickets, asking directions and perhaps shopping. You don’t need waste your time studying 2500 kanji from a dusty textbook for that. So, why do you want to study Japanese? Think about it and leave a comment below. On to the next tip. Tip # 2 – Know your everyday expressions For those of you who want to visit Japan, work here and be able to hold a conversation in Japanese, learning high frequency everyday expressions is a great place to start. You should know greetings for different times of day, asking how people are and how to say please and thank you. For example: おはようございます – ohayō gozaimasu – Good morning こんにちは – Konnichi wa – Hello (Used around midday) こんばんは– Konban wa – Good evening お元気ですか – ogenki desu ka – How are you? 元気です – I’m fine お願いします – onegai shimasu – Please (Could you do something for me?) ありがとうございます – arigatō gozaimasu – Thank you どういたしまして – dō itashi mashite – You’re welcome Tip # 3 – Learn expressions that don’t translate easily into English After learning some basic daily expressions you should learn phrases that don’t easily translate into English. In other words, learn phrases that give you a deeper insight into Japanese culture. This also helps you to stop translating words from your own language into Japanese which wastes time and makes you sound unnatural. Here are some examples: お先に失礼します – osaki ni shitsurei shimasu This means something like, “I’m sorry for leaving before you”. You say this when you are the first person leaving work or some engagement with a group of people. お疲れ様です – otsukare sama This literally means, “you must be tired”. It is used in various situations but means something like good job, or well done. You use it to express your appreciation for someone after they have exerted a lot of effort for something. It can also be used when someone finishes work and goes home for the day. You often hear the last two phrases together like this. A: お先に失礼します – Right, I’m off (Excuse me for leaving first) B: お疲れ様です – Bye (Good job) これからよろしくお願いします – kore kara yoroshiku onegaishimasu The word “yoroshiku” means something like good or please treat me well. So this phrase is could be used to mean “I look forward to working with you” or ” I look forward to doing something with you in the future”. It’s used a lot at the end of a self introduction. いただきます – itadakimasu The closest phrase I could think of would be “bon apetite”. You say it before eating, usually at home when someone has cooked for you. Itadakimasu literally means “I receive”. It’s not only used for food but 9 times out of 10 you’ll hear it before people eat. ごちそうさまです – gochisō sama desu This basically means “That was delicious”. You use it after you’ve eaten to show your appreciation for having received the food and that

These are the downloadable PDF show notes for podcast #05 “Top 10 tips for studying Japanese” For more Japanese language learning podcasts go to http://learnjapanesepod.com

In this podcast, Asuka and Alex teach you how to talk about your home town in Japanese. You will also learn how to ask and answer questions about where you are from. For more Japanese language learning podcasts go to http://learnjapanesepod.com    

These are just the Japanese dialogues taken from podcast #04 “How to talk about your home town in Japanese” How to talk about your home town in Japanese I can guarantee you, if you are visiting or living in Japan as a foreigner, you will undoubtedly be asked 出身はどこですか – shusshin wa doko desu ka – where you are from? So Asuka and I (Alex) thought we would make this podcast to teach you how to talk about your home town with someone you have just met in Japan. This is a great way to get a conversation going and with the simple vocabulary and phrases in the podcast, you’ll learn how to do this without too much trouble. You’ll learn how to say where you are from, describe what it’s like and recommend cool places to visit. Japanese are very interested and inquisitive when it comes to finding out why a foreigner would take the time to travel all the way to Japan. Main podcast dialog A: ご出身はどこですか？ shusshin wa doko desu ka Where are you from? B: ロンドンです rondon desu (It is) London A: そうですか。どんなところですか sou desu ka. donna tokoro desu ka Really? What is it like? B: 賑やかですね nigiyaka desu ne It’s lively A: おすすめな観光スポットはありますか？ osusume na kankou suppoto wa arimasu ka What’s your recommendation for sightseeing? B: バキングハム宮殿がいいですね。ぜひ遊びに来てください。案内しますよ。bakinguhamu kyuuden ga ii desu ne. zehi asobi ni kite kudasai. annai shimasu yo. Buckingham Palace is good. You should visit. I’ll show you around.   For more Japanese language learning podcasts go to http://learnjapanesepod.com

These are the downloadable PDF show notes for podcast #04 “How to talk about your home town in Japanese” For more Japanese language learning podcasts go to http://learnjapanesepod.com

As discussed in Top 10 Etiquette Mistakes in Japan, there are two golden rules for apologising in Japanese: 1) If it’s your fault apologize. 2) If it’s not your fault, apologize. I’m half joking but Japanese people tend to apologize more frequently than westerners. As they say in Japan: とりあえず謝る – toriaezu ayamaru (Whatever happens) just apologize In this podcast, Asuka and Alex go through the basics of apologizing in Japanese in different situations and contexts. This is perhaps one of the most important skills you will learn when studying Japanese. Lesson goal In this lesson you’re going to learn some various ways to apologize in Japanese and what situations to use them in naturally. Being humble, sincere and ready to admit you are wrong are traits held in high regard in Japan. Making excuses is avoided as that can be interpreted as being selfish or childish. Japanese are also sometimes quick to apologize for the actions of others especially if they are in the same group. Some westerners might sometimes find this hard to understand however Japanese people are highly sensitive to the group dynamic and how their actions might affect others. So, let’s have a look at the most useful vocabulary and phrases for apologizing in Japanese. すみません Sumimasen This is most common way to say sorry for something. It is common for people in conversation to pronounce it “seimasen”. However, it is also useful in a variety of other situations, for example: 1) “Excuse me” if you bump into someone on the street or just a simple apology すみません – sumimasen Sorry, that was bad of me 2) Getting someone’s attention such as a waiter or when you want to ask someone directions. すみません、メニューお願いします – sumimasen, menyuu onegaishimasu Excuse me, can I have the menu please? すみません、駅はどこですか – sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka Excuse me, where is the station? 3) Receiving something from someone A: メニューをどうぞ – menyuu o dozo B: すみません – sumimasen A: Here’s the menu B: Thanks ごめんなさい Gomen nasai “Gomen nasai” is a little less formal than “sumimasen” and can sometimes sound a little childish so it’s better to only use this with friends and not your boss or other superiors. It can also be shortened to ごめんね – gomen ne which is much more casual. When in doubt, use “sumimasen”. 申し訳ありません Mōshi wake arimasen This is a very formal phrase and is stronger than “sumimasen” and “gomen nasai”. This should be used when apologizing to superiors. As a tourist or customer, you’ll often hear this when staff apologize to you. Here are some typical uses of this phrase: 大変申し訳ありません -taihen mōushiwake arimasen I’m very sorry 遅れて申し訳ありません – okurete mōshiwake arimasen I’m sorry for being late 申し訳ありません満席です – mōshiwake arimasen manseki desu I’m sorry, the flight is full. (no seats left) 申し訳ありません満室です – mōshiwake arimasen manshitsu desu I’m sorry we don’t have any available rooms left. 失礼します Shitsurei shimasu Shitsurei literally means “rude” so when you say Shitsurei shimasu is a semi-causal way to say you are sorry. It has various uses including the following; 失礼な!– shitsurei na How rude! – Used when complaining about a rude person. 失礼します – shitsurei shimasu I’m sorry / Excuse me 失礼しました – shitsurei shimashita I’m sorry (This is usually used for something bad you did or a mistake you made) 失礼 – Shitsurei Sorry (Very casual and usually used more by men) お先に失礼します – osaki ni shitsurei shimasu May I be excused? – This is used when you are the first person to leave a social gathering or the office at the end of the day. ご迷惑 Gomeiwaku This means trouble or troublesome and although is not an apology in itself, it is used a lot with “sumimasen” and “mōushiwake arimasen” and is quite formal. For example: ご迷惑をおかけてしてすみません – gomeiwaku o okakeshite sumimasen I’m sorry for any trouble I caused. (Polite) ご迷惑をおかけております – gomeiwaku o okakeshite orimasu (The most formal way of apologizing often seen on signs outside construction works) お詫び 申し上げます Owabi Mōshi agemasu This is extremely polite and formal. It is rarely used in speech and usually appears in formal letters of apology. Dialog examples from the podcast Example 01 A: あの、変なことして本当にすみません B: どんなこと? A: ちょっと言えないんですけど A: ano, hen na koto shite hontou ni sumimasen B: donna koto A: chotto ienain desu kedo A: I did something weird, I’m sorry B: What kind of thing? A: I can’t really say Example 02 遅れしまってすみません okurete shimatte sumimasen I’m sorry for being late Example 03 すみません、メニューお願いします sumimasen menyuu onegaishimasu Excuse me, may I have the menu please? Example 04 すみません、駅はどこですか sumimasen eki wa doko desu ka Excuse me, where is the station Example 05 A: 明香さんいろいろ助けてくれました。どうぞ、バラです。 B: すみませんアレックス A: asuka san iroiro tasukete kuremashita. douzo bara desu B: sumimasen arekusu A: Asuka, you’ve helped me with so many (various) things. Here are some roses. B: Thank you Alex (You shouldn’t have) Example 06 お忙しところ大変申し訳ございません oisogashii tokoro taihen moushi wake arimasen I’m sorry to disturb you at such a busy time Example 07 お待たせしてしまって本

These are just the Japanese dialogues from podcast #03 “How to apologize in Japanese”  

These are the PDF show notes for podcast #03 “How to apologise in Japanese”. You can either download the PDF from the podcast feed or click on the PDF icon below.

In this podcast, Asuka and Alex are back to teach you how to do a self introduction in Japanese to a group of people. For example, this might be useful for you on your first day of Japanese class at university, college or school. We cover how to say your name, where you are from and what your hobbies and interests are. If you learn the set phrases in this podcast you should be able to do your own self introduction easily. For more Japanese language tutorial podcasts visit http://learnjapanesepod.com  

These are just the Japanese dialogues for podcast #02 “How to do a self introduction in Japanese. How to do a basic self introduction in Japanese Today’s podcast will teach you how to do a self introduction in Japanese. This is extremely useful for students who are about to start a new Japanese course at university, college or even high school. Don’t worry, although there are many ways you could do this, we’ve made you an easy template with 5 simple steps for you to use to make your own. Just change the words in blue to fit your own information. Step 1: Say your name はじめまして、ジェニファーと申します。 Hajimemashite, Jennifer to moushimasu Nice to meet you. I’m Jennifer. Step 2: Say where you’re from アメリカのカリフォルニア州から来ました。 Amerika no kariforunia shuu kara kimashita I come from California in the US Step 3: Say what your hobbies and interests are 趣味はタンゴダンスです。そして、食いしん坊です。 Shumi wa tangodansu desu. soshite kuishinbou desu My hobby is dancing tango. Also I love food. Step 4: Say you’ll do your best to study Japanese これから日本語を一所懸命勉強したいと思います。 Korekara nihongo wo isshokenmei benkyou shitai to omoimasu I want to do my best to study Japanese. Step 5: Use a natural Japanese phrase express good will and end the introduction 宜しくお願い致します。* yoroshiku onegai itashimasu I look forward to (studying) with you *This literally means “I count on your good favour in the future” but it can mean anything from “nice to meet you” to “I look forward to working/studying with you” If you listen to the podcast you can hear more examples of self introductions.

These are the PDF show notes for podcast #02 “How to do a self introduction in Japanese”. You can access the show notes through the podcast feed or simply click the PDF icon below.

In this podcast, Alex and Asuka will teach you how to ask your friends to hang out with you in natural, fluent Japanese. Listen to dialogues spoken by a native speaker for various situations so you can improve your listening and speaking skills. You can also download the free PDF show notes to study the grammar and vocabulary in more detail. Get involved with the Learn Japanese Pod Community Website: http://learnjapanesepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/japanesepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnJapanesePod

These are just the Japanese audio dialogues featured in podcast #01: How to ask your friends to hang out in Japanese. Us this to practice your listening and speaking skills. Here are the main dialogues used in today’s lesson: Dialogue 01 A: ね,アレックスお寿司好き B: 好き、好き A: じゃあ、明日一緒にお寿司食べに行かない B: いいね、楽しみ A: Ne, arekkusu, osushi suki B: Suki suki A: Jaa, ashita issho ni osushi tabe ni ikanai ii ne. tanoshimi A: Hey Alex, do you like sushi? B: Yeah, I love it. A: OK, so do you want to get some sushi with me tomorrow? B: Sounds great, I’m looking forward to it! Dialogue 02 A: ね,アレックスしゃぶしゃぶ好き B: 好き、好き A: じゃあ、明日一緒にしゃぶしゃぶ食べに行かない B: いいね、楽しみ A: Ne, arekkusu, shabu shabu suki B: Suki suki A: Jaa, ashita issho ni osushi tabe ni ikanai ii ne. tanoshimi A: Hey Alex, do you like shabushabu? B: Yeah, I love it. A: OK, so do you want to get some shabushabu with me tomorrow? B: Sounds great. I’m looking forward to it! Dialogue 03 A: ね,アレックスビール好き B: 好き、好き A: じゃあ、明日一緒にビール飲みに行かない B: いいね、楽しみ A: Ne, arekkusu, shabu shabu suki B: Suki suki A: Jaa, ashita issho ni biiru nomi ni ikanai ii ne. tanoshimi A: Hey Alex, do you like beer? B: Yeah, I love it. A: OK, so do you want to get some beer with me tomorrow? B: Sounds great. I’m looking forward to it! Dialogue 4 A: ね,アレックス日本酒好き B: 好き、好き A: じゃあ、明日一緒に日本酒飲みに行かない B: いいね、楽しみ A: Ne, arekkusu, nihonshu suki B: Suki suki A: Jaa, ashita issho ni nihonshu nomi ni ikanai ii ne. tanoshimi A: Hey Alex, do you like nihonshu? B: Yeah, I love it. A: OK, so do you want to get some nihonshu with me tomorrow? B: Sounds great. I’m looking forward to it! Dialogue 5 A: ね,明日香,お寿司好き B: 好き、好き A: じゃあ、明日一緒にお寿司食べに行かない B: ああ、明日はちょっと忙しいかも A: じゃあ、また今度ね B: ありがとう、またね A: Ne, asuka, osushi suki B: Suki suki A: Jaa, ashita issho ni osushi tabe ni ikanai aa, ashita wa chotto isogashii kamo jaa, mata kondo ne B: Arigatou, mata ne A: Hey Asuka, do you like sushi? B: Yeah, I love it. A: OK, so do you want to get some sushi with me tomorrow? B: Ah, actually, tomorrow’s a little difficult for me A: OK, next time B: Thanks, next time

These are the PDF show notes for podcast #01 “How to ask your friends to hang out in Japanese”. You can either download the PDF from the podcast feed or click on the PDF icon below.