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First of all, LEARNING SOLELY FROM ANIME/MANGA/DORAMA/J-MUSIC=NO. What you learn from there is either incredibly archaic, or way overblown and will make you look strange when used in a casual conversation. Imagine if someone you knew spoke like they were in a cartoon or a soap opera every time they spoke. If entertainment media is all you learn from, that's what you're gonna sound like. Remember, lessons are the base, and media supports and reinforces what you're learning, never the other way 'round. Moving on, though, like any other student of any other subject, you must be willing to learn from both the lessons offered and the stumbles you'll encounter; because if there's one thing you'll do a lot of it's stumbling. (for a while your Japanese may sound like this, and that's ok. It isn't what you want it to sound like when you speak, though, trust me)

For example, in Japanese, words calls for stress on certain syllables to differenciate them from one another(IE hashi[chopsticks] & hashi[bridge]). Also when you see words with an i or u at the end of them-specifically those ending in ou and ei- that's a sign to extend the end vowel. For example, the word sensei is properly rendered and romanized(though I'll render it in Hiragana once I get the basics down, more on that later) as such, but when pronounced its sounded out like this(seh-n-sehh)

With study and proper listening skills-gained through listening to other people's conversations and manner of speaking-you'll pick up on what you need to to carry out the conversation, which leads me to a key aspect of the language and how people interact with one another: reading the air.

A key aspect to pronunciation is the concept of Elision. What is Elision?
To put it simply, elision is a bit like how we would say pack or bus, in terms of the extended end sound.

The more elaborate explaination, according to Wikipedia, "Elision is extremely common in the pronunciation of the Japanese language. In general, a high vowel (/i/ or /u/) that appears in a low-pitched syllable between two voiceless consonants is devoiced, and often deleted outright. However, unlike French or English, Japanese does not often show elision in writing. The process is purely phonetic, and varies considerably depending on the dialect or level of formality."

A few examples (slightly exaggerated; apostrophes added to indicate elision):

Matsushita-san wa imasu ka? ("Is Mr. Matsushita in?")
Pronounced: matsush'tasan wa imas'ka

roku, shichi, hachi ("six, seven, eight")
Pronounced: rok', shich', hach'

Shitsurei shimasu ("Excuse me")
Pronounced: sh'ts'reishimas'

Gender roles also influence how this is used in spoken Japanese. Doing it is generally seen as manly, especially the final u of the polite verb forms (-masu, desu, which you'll learn later on), where not doing it is seen as more feminine. However, doing it too much is generally viewed as very obscure, with doing it improperly seen as overly fussy or old-fashioned. Some nonstandard dialects, such as Satsuma-ben, are known for their extensive elision(different dialects also influence how you are perceived in different social circles, since Japanese from different parts of the country hold different views about people from other parts of Japan, one common one being city people seeing those out in the sticks as backwards and dumb. More to be found when you make Japanese-native friends and pick their brains about it)What and when you use elision can affect how others see you, so choose carefully.

For an even closer example let's examine the English words skosh[meaning a little or a bit] and Rickshaw. Derived the Japanese words sukoshi[same basic meaning as Skosh] and rikusha, they reflect very closely how elision sounds when used in Japanese. If you ever need help remembering this part of Japanese pronunciation, remember Skosh and Rickshaw.

As I said before lessons are the foundation of Japanese learning and what you take in as your foundation will help you better understand what you need in learning the language. But what about when you want to apply your knowledge beyond an academic setting? Here are a few things you can use to help immerse yourself in the language and build on what you know.

1. Children's books & Manga

Since many people who study the language are hoping to be able to read these, these will make an excellent way to introduce you to a couple key things. Firstly, that romaji pretty much goes out the window when you get into their media, and secondly that you become introduced to newer and newer terms and ways of speaking to incorporate into your Japanese arsenal. One title I would recommend for this purpose is Yotsuba&!, and from there any titles that contain furigana(smaller printed Hiragana written along the kanji words for the younger readers/people learning about the language to pick up on that kanji's reading and build upon). Once you feel content in your knowledge of Kanji and kanji compounds, go for the titles that contain no furigana to translate and read(which is often the case with newspapers, magazines and many doujinshi). PRO TIP: Don't take on Newspaper reading until your language skill is considerably advanced, enough so to pass the higher levels of proficiency tests. You'll thank me when you're not pulling your hair out

2. Consume other Japanese media

This includes reading books(seriously advanced language skills needed) listening to music, watching Dramas and movies and so on. Not only will this help you better understand the pace and pronunciation, but how intonation and other factors can affect how your words are perceived. I don't really recommend using anime for this purpose, however, as what is said there can be as subtle as getting slapped by a ham, and about as fruitful when used. For both previously mentioned methods, a good Japanese-English/English-Japanese dictionary is indispensable to have in your collection, so be sure to snag one ASAP.

3. Make friends with other learners/Japanese penpals

This will help you in not only learning, but using what you know in a social context. And in this day and age, there are many means to actually write to them and talk to them. So by all means, go on and use them and improve your language skills. No use in knowing so many words and terms if you don't know how to use them.

And for the most important step of all...



No amount of book reading, pen pal'ing or media consuming can substitute for a class taught by a real teacher with other students with you learning the language and picking up the same stuff you do, especially not this(as I am also a student, and do get things wrong now and then). It doesn't matter if it's online or off, find a class, enroll and pay attention. If one does not strengthen the roots, the tree is soon to whither away. Now more than ever there are many ways to do it, use the will in you and use them.

The same goes for actually talking to people in Japanese. You may end up lost in a lot of initial conversations and lead to say things you might not agree with if you understood them, but doing it is how you realize where your shortcomings are and where you can improve yourself. Listen to the people around and let them teach you about different ways to speak, as well as how wildly different a person's range of vocabulary can be from one to the next. After all, what would the point of learning Japanese if it's not utilized in the ultimate setting: among the people who use it, who come from all ranges of life. Make mistakes, learn from them, and enjoy not only the process, but also the pure act of communication

(note, from this lesson on, I'll be using hiragana, Katakana and Kanji for what I teach, so be sure to have your system updated with the software needed to read Japanese characters)

Katakana are for native Japanese words much like italics are for English, in terms of accenting and drawing attention to a certain word. They also, however, serve a secondary function for writing out words not native to their language(though sometimes you may also see them written out in Hiragana). Another thing to keep in mind regarding Katakana is despite what people-sometimes even native Japanese-may tell you, the word's root is not always English, and the pronounciation should not be as such.

Take for example the word they use for bread (パン[Pan]). If you were to assume the word was English and thus pronounced it with an English accent, you'll undoubtedly draw stranger than usual stares, since you and any other English speakers in the crowd might conjure up images of a cooking pan, instead of the bread you intended. For anyone curious, the word's root is actually Portuguese(pão), which is also where word for raincoat (カッパ[kappa]) oiginates from(capa).

There are also instances where what the word means in Japan takes a 180 from it's mother language's meaning. One example of it is the word smart. It may be kinda old and outdated slang, so the person could either be saying you actually are smart or that you're suave(slim, stylish, cool, handsome, and well dressed being encompassed in the sentiment of Smart). Another is their use of the word Mansion, which in Japan may still refer to a condo or penthouse. The total phenomenon of loanwords is called Wasei-eigo, or English words created in Japan for Japanese usage, and is quite prevalent in modern Japanese society. Please visit the link provided and arm yourself with it's knowledge.

So remember, when speaking with Japanese speaking friends of things outside their country, keep Katakana in mind and pronounce it through their accent-especially with mora in mind. This will also help you in getting what you want from Japanese establishments, even if how it's pronounced in Japanese seems nowhere near close to how it sounds in English-Vodka being pronounced as ヲッカ(wokka), for example. More on what the small つ(tsu) signifies in speech later.

(special note: steer well clear of outdated slang in your spoken slang. You know how you look in pity at an old person that says, "Radical dude!" in an attempt to be with the kids? That's how you'll look when you use super old slang, so be sure to keep your knowledge of it up to date).

Up to now I've been teaching that each 仮名(かな)is given it's own distinct voicing and intonation. In addition to that, a small や, ゆ, or よ-this usage being called a 拗音-proceeding a 仮名 signifies a whole new kind of sound. To show what I mean let's take the reading of two 仮名, き and よ and say them at regular speed. Now remove the pause and read this: きょ. Now you can say the other 拗音 仮名 without a hitch.

The 仮名 that utilize 拗音 would be き, ひ(including when either゜ or ゛ are applied to it),み,り,し(including when ゛ is applied to it)&ち. し. じ &ち are quite distinctive in that when paired with either 拗音 or a small え 仮名 they produce a whole new sound-those being しゃ(sha)しゅ(shu)しぇ(she)しょ(sho), じゃ(ja)じゅ(ju)じぇ(je)じょ(jo) & ちゃ(cha)ちゅ(chu)ちぇ(che)ちょ(cho).

Informally, small 平仮名outside of y 平仮名(not called 拗音) can signify an extended vowel, such as in はぁ and ねぇ, and may be something you encounter when chatting with Japanese speaking friends over the net or while reading 漫画( まんが). In 片仮名 this mark (ー)-called a 長音符 (ちょうおんぷ- is used mainly to show extended vowels, although on rare occasions it's also used in 平仮名 , as when 拉麺(ラーメン) is written in 平仮名.

Although everyone knows what happens when you assume, I'm sure many of you reading this many want to visit the island nation at some point in your lives so you can apply your knowledge of the language and culture, regardless of how much or how little you know. If you've ever traveled some place unfamiliar, like, say, a restaurant your friend said you gotta try that's tucked away among a mass of grey brick boxes and neon, you'll soon realize that a key piece of knowledge is how to ask for directions; for a place with as many grey brick boxes and neon as the cities of Japan, this is especially important to have with you.

Travel guides and phrase books do help, but I wouldn't rely too heavily on them, as they can and will get lost in the shuffle of going place to place to try and fit in as much as one trip allows. So if wanna you know which way leads to what you wanna see, set your pride aside, humble up and get ready to ask some directions. When the time comes, find someone friendly looking(gut instincts should be trusted on this part), approach and say the following:

失礼(しつれい)しますが 。。。
(Excuse me, but...)

To indicate you're looking for help, follow it up with this phrase:

助(たす)けてくれませんか。
(Could you lend me a hand with something?)
[Note: you can also use 助けて by itself to request assistance, such as when you see someone suddenly having a seizure/choking/going through other tough stuff, and need immediate help]

If you're not lucky, they won't know enough English/have the time to help you out and will either wave their hand in front of their face (like this) or say something among the lines of 難(むずか)しいけど。(It's a bit tough for me) or いそがしいけど。(I'm busy right now), or anything else, really, before they move on, implying that you gotta keep it moving and find someone else.

However, if they don't turn you down, ask one of the following:

"(place) はどこですか。[note: since はis used as a particle in this instance, it's pronounced like 'わ'. More on this later]"
(where is [place]?)

Or

"(place)はどこでが有りますか。"
{(place)はどこでがありますか。}
[where is (place) at?]

To help make the place more apparent, here are a few general terms to fill in the blank and get you off on the right foot.

トイレ/お手洗(てあら)い
[both referring to a general toilet.]

病院( びょういん)
[hospital]

公園(こうえん)
[park, or more specifically public parks]

コンビニ
[convenience stores, much like your corner liquor stores and 7-11(of which there are many in Japan, with a wide variety of products).]

劇場(げきじょう)
[theater(for plays and other such events)]

映画館(えいがかん)
[theater, as in where they play movies]

デパート
[department store, like a Target or, if you know the brand, UNIQLO(Google it, if you don't. Definitely a place you'll want to hit on your trip)]

カフェ
[cafes, like Starbucks and similar establishments.]

レストラン
[restaurants serving foreign foods, which come in many varieties.]

居酒屋(いざかや)
[izakaya, which are restaurants where both the beer and food is of excellent quality, and quite varied in selection ]

ナイトクラブ
[nightclub, of which are also plentiful, and may also card you, so bring a Japanese-fluent friend]

Japanese food, drink and fun is an entity onto itself, and there's a lot you'll want to know about it before you head there(for example, why there are two separate words for toilets in Japanese.). This much will be covered in future posts, and of course, be sure to check other places and ask around for what you're looking for.

Where, exactly, you'll want to go depends on your interests and should be studied appropriately, but with asking the question comes understanding the answer. If the things is relatively nearby, they may point over to a building and say this:

"ここ/そこ/あそこです。"
(here/there/over there)

There are key differences between the three-the gist being ここ is near you , そこ is near them and あそこ is somewhere in the background(remember this, as you'll see it and similar stuff here again in future posts). However, when more detailed directions are needed, like what here, there and over there are, precisely, they will go into greater detail in their answers, which you will also need with you as your routes become more and more intricate.

There are many things we learn as children we take for granted as adults, one of those being the ability to count numbers in our native tongue. As I'm sure you can ascertain, this is also important in learning Japanese, so let's begin with the base numbers

一(いち)、 二(に)、 三(さん)、 四(よん/し)、 五(ご)、 六(ろく)、 七(なな/し
ち)、 八(はち)、 九(きゅ/く)、 十(じゅう)

Those would be numbers 1-10. The reason why some of them can be said two different ways is tied to their language is much akin to why the number 13 has rather dark associations in English, in that one of し's homonyms is the word for death. Keep this in mind when reciting numbers and giving out multiples of things to your Japanese friends(and when they're given to you) To help you remember them in Japanese, try counting them on your hands. When you feel you have them down solid, count these numbers in Japanese:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Learning numbers 11-99 is a snap once you have those down pat. Observe these examples:

十三(じゅうさん)
[13]

五十(ごじゅう)
[50]

九十八(きゅうじゅうはち)
[98]

Get the mechanics down and now you know how to count up to 99 in Japanese. Of course, as is common knowledge by now, many things in Japan cost more than 99 yen. The question is, how much more?