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
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