Veggies!

Since we learned our fruits yesterday, let's learn our vegetables!

Horenso - Spinach

Kabu - Turnip

Jagaimo - Potato

Satsumaimo - Sweet Potato

Ninjin - Carrot

Tamanegi - Onion

Shoga - Ginger

Negi - Leek

Kyuri - Cucumber

Nasu - Eggplant

Piman - Green Pepper

Kabocha - Pumpkin

Tomoroskoshi - Corn


Yatta!
Arigato
Mata ashita.

Who's hungry!?

My wife was eating some fruit tonight and I realized I didn't know how to ask her about what she was eating. Let's learn some names for fruit!

Kudamono - Fruit

Ringo - Apple

Orenji - Orange

Suika - Watermelon

Ichigo - Strawberry

Remon - Lemon

Momo - Peach

Nashi - Pear

Painappuru - Pineapple

Budou - Grape

Sakuranbo - Cherry

Banana - Banana

Kiui - Kiwi

Raimu - Lime

Yatta!
Dewa mata

Why is the Ramu always gone?

It's Saturday night and chances are if you aren't one of your friends is out drinking. So let's learn about going out and getting a drink.

O-sake arimasu ka? - Do you serve alcohol?

Nihonshu - sake

Uisukii - Whiskey

Wokka - Vodka

Ramu - Rum

Mizu - Water

Soda - Club Soda

Tonikku Wota - Tonic Water

Onzarokku - With ice

Mo hitotsu kudasai - One more please

Arigato!

Mata ashita.

Kozoku Ni

Yesterday we learned some different names and terms for family members in Japanese. Let's learn a few more!

Ani - Older Brother

Ototo - Younger Brother

Ane - Older Sister

Imoto - Younger Sister

Sofu - Grandfather

Sobo - Grandmother

Oji - Uncle

Oba - Aunt

Musuko - Son

Musume - Daughter

Yatta!
That is a lot of family!

Dew mata!

Family!

Maybe you've never seen this movie (it's great if you haven't). Anyways, there is a line from it that is quite memorable that being, "Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind." So let's learn how to say family in Japanese!

Kazoku - Family

Ryoushin - Parents

Kyoudai - Siblings

Kodomo - Child

Itoko - Cousin

Shinseki - Relatives

Father - Chichi

Mother - Haha

We'll learn some more names for family members tomorrow!

Yatta, arigato,
Mata ashita!

Who's having fun!?

I love learning new words and phrases everyday. I hope you are too! Let's learn how to say this is fun!

Tanoshii - I'm having fun
(Tan o She)

Omoshiroi - Funny
(Omo she roy)

Yatta!
Tanoshii.
Mata ashita!

Today, no tomorrow!

We've talked about the different days of the week, but lets learn a few different ways to reference them!

Kyo - Today

Kino - Yesterday

Ashita - Tomorrow

Konshu - This Week

Raishu - Next Week

Yatta!

Arigato!

Dewa mata

Directions

Get that compass out and let's learn some directions!

Hidari - Left

Migi - Right

Kita - North

Minami - South

Higashi - East

Nishi - West

Appu - Up

Shita - Down

Mae - Forward

Ushirto - Back

Here's a fun little song I found on youtube to help you remember!

Weather

Let's learn our weather!

Tenki - Weather

Kikou - Climate

Ondo - Temperature

Ame - Rain

Yuki - Snow

Hare - Sunny

Kumori - Cloudy

Kiri - Fog

Kaminari - Thunder

Arashi - Storm


Yatta!
Arigato
Mata ashita.

Question words!

Who, What, When, Where, and Why? That is the question. Let's learn them!

Dare? - Who
(dah-reh)

Nani? - What
(nah-nee)

Itsu? - When
(it-soo)

Doko? - Where
(doh-koh)

Doshite? - Why
(doh-sh'teh)

Doyatte? - How
(dohh-yah-teh)

Dore? - Which
(doh-reh)

Ikura? - How much
(ee-koo-rah)

Donna? - What type of
(dohn-nah)

Yatta!
Arigato,
Dewa mata.

Warning!

A friend of mine almost hurt herself yesterday, but I was able to call out to her and warn her before she did. Then I realized I don't know how to do that in Japanese. So let's learn how!

Abunai - Look out!

Doke - Get out of the way!

Kiotsukete - Watch out!

Nigeru - Run away!

Kakusu - Hide!

Yatta!
Arigato,
mata ashita.

Let's count to 20!

A while back we learned how to count to 10 now let's add 10 more!

Ju - 10

Ju-ichi - 11

Ju-ni - 12

Ju-san - 13

Ju-shi - 14

Ju-go - 15

Ju-roku - 16

Ju-nan - 17

Ju-hachi - 18

Ju-ku - 19

Ni-ju - 20

Yatta!
Arigato
Mata Ashita

How many ways can I say "Thank you!"

Had a really generous donation come in a few days ago, and that really put me in an appreciative mood especially today. So let's learn a few ways to say thank you.

Arigato - Thank you

Arigatou gozaimashita - Thank you (formal)

Domo - Thank you (classy)

Kansha shimasu - Thanks (appreciative)

Okagesama de ... - Thank you for ...


Arigato!
Dewa mata

Want to buy!

Let's look at some phrases that will help us if we need to purchase something.

Sumi masen - Excuse me.
Kohi wo kudasai - I would like a coffee
Ikura desu ka - How much is it?
Hyaku en - 100 yen
Hai - here you are
Hai domo - Ok, thanks.

Kampai! (Cheers)
Arigato
Mata ashita.

What's up?

Let's learn some casual ways to ask people how are they are what's going on?

Nanika atta - What's up?
(Nanny Kaw Taw)

Kawatta koto aru - What's new?
(Ka Wa Ta Koe Toe Arroo)

Ossu - Casual informal "Hey" style greeting or "What's up"

Nani goto - What's going on?

Yatta!

Dewa mata

I'm hungry!

I haven't gotten to really eat anything all day. So I'm hungry. Let's figure out how to tell someone in Japanese.

Onaka ga sukimashita - I'm hungry ( really is more akin to my stomach is empty)
(Oh nah kah gah skimashta)

Onaka suita - I'm hungry (casual version)
(Oh nah kah sue e ta)

Nodo ga kawakimashita - I'm thirsty ( my throat is dry)

Nodo kawaita - I'm thirsty (casual)


Onaka ga sukimashita! I'm gonna go cook something!

Yatta.
Arigato.
Mata ashita.

Zzzz

So I've been tired throughout most of today and it hit me. I don't know how to say "I'm tired" in Japanese yet. Let's figure out how!

Nemutai - I'm Sleepy
(Ne Moo Tie)

Nemutai desu - I'm Sleepy (formal)

Tsukareta - I'm Tired (masculine version)

Tsukarechatta - I'm Tired
Ts ku rey cha ta

With that being said... Tsukareta.

Arigato.
Dewa mata!

How old are you?

We've already learned how to introduce ourselves so let's learn a little more conversational Japanese.

O ikutsu desu ka - How old are you?

(Ni ju nana) desu - I'm (27).

Omedetoo gozi masu! (Congratulations!)

Dewa mata.

Do you speak English?

We are all just learning Japanese so there is bound to be a time where we don't know how to say something. So let's learn how to ask if anyone speaks English.

Wakarimasen - I don't understand.

Nan te iimashita ka - What did you say?

Mo Ichido, itte kudasai - Please say that again.

Eigo wa dekimasu ka - Do you speak English?

Eigo no hanaseru hito wa imasen ka - Does anyone speak English?

Alright! Now we hopefully can get some help if we don't understand.

Arigato

Mata ashita!

Encouragement!

We've been doing this for quite a few days now, let's learn some encouraging words and phrases!

Akiramenaide - Keep trying.

Genki o Dashite - Cheer up.

Ganbatte - Come on.

Zutto tsuzukete - Keep Going.

Yattemitara - Try it.

Yuuki o dashite - Be brave.

Kibou o motte - Be ambitious.

Anata wa deimasen - You can do it!


Yatta! Zutto tsuzukete. Anata wa deimasen.

Mata ashita!

Where are you from?

Moshi moshi!

Let's learn a little more conversational Japanese.

Dochira kara desuka? - Where are you from?

Watashi-wa Amerika-jin desu. - I am American.

California kara desu. - I am from California.

Yatta!

Keep practicing.

Arigato!
Dewa mata.

Months

Moshi moshi!
November just started and we are getting into the Winter Season so let's learn how to say our months and seasons.

Ichigatsu - January

Nigatsu - February

Sangatsu - March

Shigatsu - April

Gogatsu - May

Rokugatsu - June

Shichigatsu - July

Hachigatsu - August

Kugatsu - September

Jugatsu - October

Juichigatsu - Novemeber

Junigatsu - December

Haru - Spring

Natsu - Summer

Aki - Autumn

Fuyu - Winter

Yatta!
Arigato.

Sayonara

Sorry

Running a little behind today, so today's update is gonna be a quick one. Let's learn to Apologize!

Sumimasen - Sorry (light apology)

Shitsurei - I'm rude (informal and mild apology)

Gomen - very informal apology


Yatta!

Shitsurei for the short update tonight!
Arigato!

Dewa Mata

Desu

One of the most used action words or verbs in English is well is or to be. You might remember from your early days of learning to speak when you practiced the conjugation of to be am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been.

Desu is the more polite form or the way to say to be

Desu - Present affirmative

De wa arimasen - Present Negative

Deshita - Past affirmative

De wa armasen deshita - Past Negative


Arigato!
Mata Ashita

It's Grammar Time! (Pronoun Edition)

Let's take a moment and learn some pronouns!

Watakushi - I (very formal)

Watashi - I (formal)

Boku - I (informal male)

Atashi - I (informal female)

Anata - you (formal)

Kimi - you (informal)

Kare - he / him

Kanojo - she / her

Watakushitachi - we / us (formal)

Watashitachi - we / us (polite)

Bokutachi - we / us (informal male)

Atashitachi - we / us (informal female)

Ano Katagata - they / them (formal)

Ano Katachi - they / them (formal)

Karera - they / them

Yatta!
Today's pronoun lesson is over. Now time to practice them!

Arigato!
Dewa mata!

Happy Halloween!

It's our first holiday together! So let's learn how to say it!

After a little bit of research it looks like Halloween is a mostly Western culture holiday so in Japan they use mostly the same phraseology just with their own spin when saying it.

Hapi Harouin - Happy Halloween

in light of that lets learn one extra phrase today... how to say "I'm scared"

Kowai desu - I'm scared
Ko Why Des


alright all until tomorrow
Arigato
Hapi Harouin!

We can't do it alone! (Can you help me?)

Although we don't really have a set curriculum, we're learning pretty fast and some very important things, but we can't do it alone. Let's learn how to ask for help!

Mayotte shimai mashita - I'm lost.
(Mayote shim mai mash ta)

Nani - Huh?
(Na Nee)

Wakarimasen - I don't understand.
(Wah kari Mase)

Tesudatte kuremasuka - Can you help me?
(Te su da te kur ey mass kaw)


Yatta!
We now know how to ask for help!
Don't forget your manners though and make sure and thank them!

Arigato!

Sayonara

Like it psshhh I LOVE IT!

Moshi Moshi
So yesterday we learned how to say we like something or dislike something, but what if we LOVE something?

Let's learn how to say it!
(seems like there are lots of ways to do it)

Daisuki yo - I love it (it's my absolute favorite)(really strong like)

Sore ii ne - I love it

Kore suki - I love it

Sore ga kirai - I hate it

Sore ga daikirai - I really hate it

As with any language there are lots of ways and lots of meanings behind every phrase.

Daisuki yo nihongo wo benkyou shite imasu! (I love that I am learning japanese!)

Arigato!
Mata ashita!

Like it!? I love it!

Moshi moshi!

Hey everybody! Hope you're having fun learning Japanese with me. I sure am.
So I was practicing some Japanese with a friend yesterday and she asked me how I'm liking it, and I realized I didn't know how to respond. So let's learn how!

Watashi wa [sore] ga suki desu - I like [it]
Wah Ta She Wa Soreay Gah Ski Des

Watashi wa [sore] ga kirai desu - I don't like [it]
Wah Tah She Wa Soreay Ga Keyrai Des

So next time someone asks you
Anata wa sore o sukidesu ka - Do you like it
Ah nata Wah Sorey o Skides Kaw

You can say
Hai, Watashi wa sore ga suki desu!

Arigato

Mata ashita!

Nice to meet you!

Moshi moshi!

So we've learned how to say hi to each other, but we haven't properly been introduced.

Hajimemashite - How do you do?
(Ha je me ma shte)

Watashi wa [name] desu - I'm name
(watashiwa Casey desu) - I'm casey
(Wa Ta shi wa [name] des)

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu - It's a pleasure to meet you
(yo ro shiku on ne ga shimas)

for a shorter less formal introduction

[name] desu - I'm name
Casey desu - I'm Casey

Yoroshiku - a less formal version of it's a pleasure to meet you

Onamae wa nandesuka - What is your name?
(On nay maywa nandes kaw)

Anata no onamae wa - Your name is?
Ah na ta no oh na may wa

Yatta!
We now know how to introduce ourselves properly!

Arigato
Dewa mata!

The Wonderful World of Colors!

Do'youbi omedetou goazimau!

Moshi moshi!

We've learned some basic numbers. Now lets learn our favorite color?

Iro - colors
(ee ro)
Ao - blue
(oww)
Aka - red
(ah kaw)
Chairo - brown
(chai ro)
Daidaiiro - orange
(die die ro)
Haiiro - grey
(hiiii ro)
Kiiro - yellow
(key ro)
Midori - green
(me doe re)
Kuro - black
(kuu row)
Momoiro - pink
(moi moi row)
Murasaki - purple
(mura saki)
Shiro - white
(she row)

Sukina iro wa nan desu ka? (What is your favorite color?)

Watashi no sukina iro wa midori desu. (My favorite color is green)

Arigato
Mata ashita!

It's Friday!

We made it! It's Friday finally! The weekend is almost here.
Wait, we don't know our days of the week in Japanese yet.
Well, let's learn them!

Getsu youbi - Monday
(getsoo yow bee)
Kai youbi - Tuesday
(kah yow bee)
Sui youbi - Wednesday
(sui yow bee)
Moku youbi - Thursday
(moh koo yow bee)
Kin youbi - Friday
(kin yow bee)
Do youbi - Saturday
(doh yow bee)
Nichi youbi - Sunday
(nee chee yow bee)
Youbi - Weekday
(yow bee)

Kin'youbi omedetou goazimasu! (Happy Friday!)

Dewa doyoubi ni! (well the, see you Saturday!)

Number 7, no wait number 10, no... number 7

Moshi moshi!

So we've learned how to say a few phrases and words in Japanese, but what about numbers?
Numbers are pretty important in everyday life. You need to wake up at 8, put on 2 shoes, drink 3 glasses of orange juice (okay maybe that's a little more orange juice than the average person drinks at 8am with their shoes on, but you get the point.) Anyways numbers are crucial so lets learn to count to 10!

Ichi  is one
(eechee)
Ni is two
(nee)
San is three
(Saan)
Yon is four
(Yawn)
Go is five
(Go)
Roku is six
(Row kew)
Nana is seven
(Naanaa)
Hachi is eight
(Hachee)
Kyu is nine
(Que)
Ju is ten
(jew)

I found a fun little song that might help you learn to count to 10 a little easier!

Arigato! 

Dewa mata!

Where is the bathroom?

Moshi moshi!
You might not think it is, but being able to ask where the bathroom is is a crucial question when you are in a place you don't know with people you have a difficult time communicating with.

So lets figure out how to ask it!

Toire wa doko desuka means where is the bathroom.
Toy de wa do ko des ka

Toire is a more casual way of saying bathroom.
Toy de

Otearai is a more polite way of saying restroom.
O Tear Eye

Keshooshitsu is like saying powder room or ladies room.
Kes shu sheet su

Benjo is a more abrupt use of the word and is rather crass used mostly by males.

Alright now that we know how to ask where it is ... I'm off to the Toire myself to wash my hands of all of this bathroom talk!

Arigato
Sayonara

Yes!

Moshi moshi!

Yesterday was a bit too negative for me, but thankfully it's positive day!

Let's learn how to say Yes!

Hai is your basic yes.
Pronounced like Hi.
Un is a more casual yes.
Pronounced Ooon.
Ii yo would be similar to okay.
Pronounced Eee Yo.
Osoraku means probably.
Pronounced O sew ra kew

Banzai!
(that means hurray. I know I'm adding an extra phrase today.)
We did it we learned how to say Yes!

Arigato.
Mata ashita!

No!

Moshi moshi!

I was thinking I'd like to learn Yes and how to say agreeable phrases first, but I'm a positive person so I'd rather get the negative out first and then the positive.

So let's learn how to say No!

Chigau is a polite way to say no.
Pronounce like Chig Gow

Chigau masu is a more formal polite no.
Pronounced Chig Gow

Iie is a very distinct "No" and is viewed as a bit harsh
Pronounced EEyah

Iya desu is a more polite I dislike.
Pronounced Eyah des

Dame desu is more like I disapprove.
Pronounced Da May Des

Yamete kudasai is the equivalent to please stop that.
Pronounced Ya Mey Te Koo Da Sai

Alright now we know how to say No!
So next time I'm in Japan and someone offers me some Spinach... (I hate Spinach)
I know just what to say.

Chigau!

Arigato!
Dewa Mata!

How are you?

Moshi moshi everybody!

Two days ago we learned how to say Hello. Last night we learned goodbye. Now that we have a beginning and an end let's get learn something to put in the middle of that conversation.

How are you?

Ogenki desuka means how are you.
Pronounced something like gank key des ko.

Now lets see how we can respond to that if someone asks us.

Watashi wa genki desu. Arigato! is how you could say I'm fine. Thanks!
Pronounced like Wa Ta shee wa Gank Key Des Ari Ga Toe

Genki desu would be how you reply I'm doing good.
Pronounced something akin to Gan Key Des

Maa-maa desu is how you would reply if you are feeling so so.
Pronounced something like Ma Ma Des

Okay so over the first 3 days we have learned how to say

Hey!
How are you?
I'm Fine. (good / so-so)
Goodbye

Moshi moshi!
Ogenki desuka?
Watashi wa genki desu. Arigato!
Sayonara.

Way to go!
We have now learned how to have a very tiny conversation with someone in Japanese!


Arigato!
Mata ashito!

Learn Goodbye with Me!

Yesterday we learned how to say "Hello" in many different ways.
Today we are going to learn how to say "Goodbye"!

Sayonara is your basic Goodbye. It's a pretty universal way to end a conversation.

Dewa mata is something akin to See you later. (Ja Mata) is the informal version.

Mata ashita means See you tomorrow.

Shitsurei shimasu is a formal way to say I am going to leave.

Sorry for the short update today. Tomorrow's will be longer. Sayonara!

Learn Japanese with Me!

I've always wanted to learn Japanese. English is my native language, but I studied Spanish in school and even ended up teaching Jr. High Spanish for a little while. Throughout my teenage years I visited Mexico and always enjoyed a change of culture. Not that I don't love American culture, but there is just something fascinating about how people live. My last year of High School I was rather sick and had taken all the Spanish classes my school offered, so I decided to take French. Unfortunately I grew a bit more ill that year so I had to try and teach myself as much French as I could. The year or so after high school when I was starting to feel a bit better I spent a summer in France. Oh I love France (and England too), but there is just something so magical about the French countryside. Laying in the grass under a canopy of stars (unlike I'd ever been able to see in Southern California), with grapes strewn about, a baguette on the table and a glass of wine in your hand. It's just so lovely and magical. Fast forward I've always loved adventure and life being what it was I came back to CA, and shortly after moved to Wisconsin for a while. Wow, that is a whole different culture. Anyways I digress ... Like I said earlier I've always been fascinated with culture and Japanese culture is just so unique and interesting. From the food, to the music, to the values, every aspect of their way of life seems so different and I really would just love to understand it and experience it. So here I am, plenty of life changes recently and on the verge of possibly being rather sick again, and I don't want to put anything off that I don't have to. I don't have any books or formal training, but I know I have learned other languages in the past so if you're interested, come join me on my journey to try and learn to speak Japanese and maybe one day be able to experience as close as I can the entirety of the culture!

Today's first lesson.

Hello!
You've got to learn how to greet people so why not start there.



The breakdown is basically something like this.

Konnichiwa is your basic "Hello". Just like in English Hello is pretty versatile and universal no matter what status or region you are from.
Pronounced something like Ko Nee Chee Waa

Moshi Moshi is more like a "Hey". A bit more casual and usually used when on the phone.
Pronounced something like Mo Shee Mo Shee

Ohayo Gozaimasu seems to be the equivalent of a Good Morning. So a greeting one would use early in the day.
Pronounced something akin to Oh Ha Yo Go Za Eye Maas

Konbanwa is a greeting used after dinner time. So probably a Good Evening like greeting.
Pronounced something like Kon Bahn Wuua

Oyasumi Nasai is a greeting like Good Night.
Pronounced something akin to Oh Ya So Mi Na Sai

Ossu this is an informal greeting usually used between Males
Roughly pronounced Ohh suu

Saikin do? this seems to be more of a "What's up?" style greeting. Very casual and inquisitive style Hello.
Pronounced something like Say Kin Do.

Hisashiburi is another informal greeting used on friends or loved ones you haven't seen in a while. Similar to a Hey! Long time no see!
Pronounced something akin to Hee Saa Shee Buu Ree

Thanks for reading! Hope you learned something along with me!
See you tomorrow where we'll learn something new!

~ Turbos

WikiHow Yuu Asakura Japanese Greetings