NaNoWriMo

こんにちは！

Hey, just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten about this page.
I am a writer first and foremost and this is NaNoWriMo. A writers month of pleasure and pain.

Write 50,000 words in a month. Sounds pretty easy, right? Well, it's not always. Especially when it comes to internet being worked on, illnesses, (I have been sick) and just life in general.

I just wanted to drop in and let you know how much I miss this, and that as soon as I am able, I will be returning to it. I owe you guys some words. And Kanji, which is not as terrifying as it seems. In some ways, anyway.

I have recieved conflicting opinions on how best to go about studying this, so I might try a mixture of both. I don't know.
I can say this. I know all of grade 1 Kanji on sight, and I USED to know the readings to about 70 of the 103. That has been awhile though. I did these through flashcards.

Then I found this awesome Kanji deck for Anki. I will post the link in my next post, due to time constraints now. I have to take my sick self to work. Anyway, the idea behind the Kanji deck is to learn the 2200 Kanji approved for everyday use, through news papers and whatnot, in 97 days. This is ONLY knowing what they mean. NOT the readings. And honestly, I love the idea.

The hardest part is remembering what the darn things mean. So, let's get that out of the way, then, you can go back and learn the readings.

I will kick this around in my head tonight while I am working, see if I can find a good way to explain it. The readings part can get confusing, as reading can change with the combination of Kanji. I will try to come up with some examples.

Anyway, I hope to be able to post again tonight, ot tomorrow. It depends on how deep the hooks of the story I am writing are sunk in.

じゃまったね！

こんにちは！

げんきですか  
はい、げんきですよ！

Sorry it has been so long. This time I have a fairly valid reason or two.
I went to visit my ex father-in-law. While I was there, I left my charger for my laptop. Oops! It was a few days before I could get it back. Then, during the time I DIDN'T have my charger, my laptop SOMEHOW came down with a virus. It took some time to finally get rid of it. But, I did it.

Okay, enough with that.

I hope during the break you reviewed everything, because today is going to be packed.

Today, we start with, in my opinion, the most important kana.

You remember 'tsu', right? つ = (tsu). Well, THIS kana has a special purpose. When you see it in it's smaller form, you double the consonant that follows it. ONLY THE CONSONANT! Do NOT double the complete kana.

Example: saka = さか = hill. sakka = さっか = author. See the difference in the sizes of the kana? The  っつ.  When inputting the romaji for writing it on the IME keyboard, you simply double the consonant.

Now, the slightly harder part, READING the sokoun (small tsu). Keeping in mind that Japanese is a stress-less language, this little thingy seems to add stress. What you do when reading it is to add a slight pause (VERY SLIGHT) before reading the rest of the word. Doing this makes it a hard consonant.

Examples: いった = itte = this is the te-form of 'say'. You read it like い(pause)て. The て will have a hard t sound.

もうゆっくりいってください。 There are two in that sentence. Let me break it down for you.
もう = mou = again. ゆっくり = yukkuri = slowly. いって = say. ください = kudasai = please.
Please say again slowly.

まって = matte. This again is the te-form of to wait. ま(pause)て.

I honestly believe that the sokoun is probably one of the most fun things to use. I enjoy the sound it makes, lol. I am a nerd.

Okay, now, strap in. This are going to get... interesting. I have to admit I still have problems with these sometimes. I have to think about them way to hard when using them. But, like everything else, they come with time.

The glides.

The 'y' kana you learned before? These are what are used to make the glides. You combine the smaller form with the 'i' kana. And here is where I get confusing. When I refer to the 'i' kana, I don't mean い. I mean all of the others. The き and the し and the り and ALL of the others...

Here we go!

き + (small や) = きゃ = one smooth sound of kya. NOT kiya. Kiya would be きや (notice the sizes of the や)

Actually, I have  a better idea. You can see the way they are written AND how they sound. This will also be less confusing than me typing them out and trying to explain how they sound.

Here you go!

And with that, we wrap up the Hiragana. Congratulations! おめでとう! (Congratulations)

I will not be giving out vocab this time as this is quite a bit to take in. I will return in a couple of days with words for you!
I will also be adding kanji to these lessons. At least the ones I know, lol. Until then, じゃまったね!

みなさん、こんにちは

おげんきですか。
はい、げんきですよ

And we have reached the end of the regular Hiragana kana. Just ご (5) more. Crazy, right? Okay, let's get to it! But of course, the recap first.

あ = (a) ah    か = (ka)   が = (ga)   さ = (sa)    ざ = (za)   た = (ta)   だ = (da)
い = (i) ee    き = (ki)     ぎ = (gi)    し = (shi)    じ = (ji)   ち = (chi)  ぢ = (ji)
う = (u) ou    く = (ku)    ぐ = (gu)    す = (su)    ず = (zu)  つ = (tsu)  づ = (zu) (dzu or du)
え = (e) eh    け = (ke)   げ = (ge)   せ = (se)    ぜ = (ze)   て = (te)  で = (de)
お= (o) oh    こ = (ko)    ご = (go)   そ = (so)    ぞ = (zo)   と = (to)   ど = (do)

な = (na)     は = (ha)    ば = (ba)     ぱ = (pa)     ま = (ma)     ら = (ra)
に = (ni)     ひ = (hi)     び = (bi)      ぴ = (pi)      み = (mi)      り = (ri)
ぬ = (nu)     ふ = (fu)     ぶ = (bu)    ぷ = (pu)     む = (mu)    る = (ru)
ね = (ne)     へ = (he)     べ = (be)     ぺ = (pe)     め = (me)   れ = (re)
の = (no)     ほ = (ho)     ぼ = (bo)    ぽ = (po)     も = (mo)     ろ =(ro)

The last five are in two groups. They are the 'w' kana and the 'y' kana.

や = (ya)
ゆ = (yu)
よ = (yo)
わ = (wa)
を = (wo) *This is really only used as a particle. You will rarely (if ever) see it used any other way.

Tomorrow will be interesting. We will be going over glides. The 'i' kanas combined with the 'y' kana. But that is tomorrow.
For now, vocabulary for the new kana.

やさい = (yasai) = vegetable
ゆき = (yuki) = snow
よん = (yon) = four
やすい = (yasui) = cheap (inexpensive)
やさしい = (yasashii) = easy, simple
およぐ = (oyogu) = to swim
よむ = (yomu) = to read
やすむ = (yasumu) = to rest, take a break
ゆ = (yu) = hot water
ゆげ = (yuge) = steam

じゃまったね！(jamattane) See you later!

Lesson 13 (The 'R' Kana. How fitting )

みなさんこんにちは！


This is the last group of five. This is also the one that most people have trouble pronouncing. The dreaded 'r'.  This sound isn't 'r'.
A lot of people want to compare it to an 'L', but it isn't quite that either. It's more of a 'd' 'r' and 'l' all rolled into one. But we will get to that. First, let's review.


あ = (a) ah    か = (ka)   が = (ga)   さ = (sa)    ざ = (za)   た = (ta)   だ = (da)
い = (i) ee    き = (ki)     ぎ = (gi)    し = (shi)    じ = (ji)   ち = (chi)  ぢ = (ji)
う = (u) ou    く = (ku)    ぐ = (gu)    す = (su)    ず = (zu)  つ = (tsu)  づ = (zu) (dzu or du)
え = (e) eh    け = (ke)   げ = (ge)   せ = (se)    ぜ = (ze)   て = (te)  で = (de)
お= (o) oh    こ = (ko)    ご = (go)   そ = (so)    ぞ = (zo)   と = (to)   ど = (do)

な = (na)     は = (ha)    ば = (ba)     ぱ = (pa)     ま = (ma)
に = (ni)     ひ = (hi)     び = (bi)      ぴ = (pi)      み = (mi)
ぬ = (nu)     ふ = (fu)     ぶ = (bu)    ぷ = (pu)     む = (mu)
ね = (ne)     へ = (he)     べ = (be)     ぺ = (pe)     め = (me)
の = (no)     ほ = (ho)     ぼ = (bo)    ぽ = (po)     も = (mo)


And now for the 'r' kana

ら = (ra)
り = (ri) *you will see this one written another way as well. Just letting you know so you don't freak out like I did. My keyboard will only type it the way shown.
る = (ru)
れ = (re)
ろ = (ro) Be careful with this one, as it is very similar to る (ru).

As for pronunciation, give this a listen. The 'r' sounds

And now for some words.

あびる = (abiru) = to take a shower
はじまる = (hajimaru) = to start, begin
くる = (kuru) = to come. *This is an irregular verb
する = (suru) = to do. *This is the other irregular verb
きる = (kiru) = to cut
たべる = (taberu) = to eat
あたたまる = (atatamaru) = to warm up; to get warm
しる = (shiru) = know
かす = (kasu) = lend
みる = (miru) = to see

Learn these well. Tomorrow is a big day. The last of the regular kana. Yay!

じゃまったね！(ja mattane) See you later!

Lesson 12

こんにちは！

I am back today with the 'm' kana.

But of course, start with the review.

あ = (a) ah    か = (ka)   が = (ga)   さ = (sa)    ざ = (za)   た = (ta)   だ = (da)
い = (i) ee    き = (ki)     ぎ = (gi)    し = (shi)    じ = (ji)   ち = (chi)  ぢ = (ji)
う = (u) ou    く = (ku)    ぐ = (gu)    す = (su)    ず = (zu)  つ = (tsu)  づ = (zu) (dzu or du)
え = (e) eh    け = (ke)   げ = (ge)   せ = (se)    ぜ = (ze)   て = (te)  で = (de)
お= (o) oh    こ = (ko)    ご = (go)   そ = (so)    ぞ = (zo)   と = (to)   ど = (do)

な = (na)     は = (ha)    ば = (ba)     ぱ = (pa)
に = (ni)     ひ = (hi)     び = (bi)      ぴ = (pi)
ぬ = (nu)     ふ = (fu)     ぶ = (bu)    ぷ = (pu)
ね = (ne)     へ = (he)     べ = (be)     ぺ = (pe)
の = (no)     ほ = (ho)     ぼ = (bo)    ぽ = (po)

55 Hiragana kana. Isn't it amazing? Let's make it an even 60.

ま = (ma) *Please don't confuse this with ほ. It is fairly easy to do.
み = (mi) Remember the sound is different. This reads like 'me'
む = (mu)
め = (me) Remember the sound difference. This reads like 'meh'
も = (mo)

I hope that you are not relying too heavily on the romaji. It is easy to read the romaji words as English and that is not always right. If you haven't yet, please take a listen to the link I posted a couple of lessons back for the sounds.

I wish I could post more verbs, because in the Japanese language, a verb is all you need sometimes to form a complete sentence. But a lot of them end with 'ru' and we haven't gotten that far yet.

But the good news is that we are almost done with the Hiragana chart. In fact, tomorrow's lesson with finish it off. There are still a few special things to cover, very important things. But those will come the day after.

But here are some words to play with in the meantime!

こだもの = (kudamono) = Fuit, for eating.
あめ = (ame) = rain, or candy. Again, this is where kanji comes in.
みなみ = (minami) = south
にし = (nishi) = west
ひがし = (higashi) = east
みず = (mizu) = water
みせ = (mise) = store
まど = (mado) = window
めがね = (megane) = glasses
みち = (michi) = road

じゃまったね (ja matta ne) See you later!

Lesson Something

こんばんはみなさん。

And right to it, shall we?

A recap.

あ = (a) ah    か = (ka)   が = (ga)   さ = (sa)    ざ = (za)   た = (ta)   だ = (da)
い = (i) ee    き = (ki)     ぎ = (gi)    し = (shi)    じ = (ji)   ち = (chi)  ぢ = (ji)
う = (u) ou    く = (ku)    ぐ = (gu)    す = (su)    ず = (zu)  つ = (tsu)  づ = (zu) (dzu or du)
え = (e) eh    け = (ke)   げ = (ge)   せ = (se)    ぜ = (ze)   て = (te)  で = (de)
お= (o) oh    こ = (ko)    ご = (go)   そ = (so)    ぞ = (zo)   と = (to)   ど = (do)

な = (na)     は = (ha)    ば = (ba)
に = (ni)     ひ = (hi)     び = (bi)
ぬ = (nu)     ふ = (fu)     ぶ = (bu)
ね = (ne)     へ = (he)     べ = (be)
の = (no)     ほ = (ho)     ぼ = (bo)

And now we are going to learn a new symbol.

This is called the Handakuten, or easier to remember, まる (maru). The word まる is in fact, circle. Adding this to the 'h' kana gives you the 'p' kana. Easy peasy!


The hardest part to this is remembering that circle means 'p'. Repetition will help with this.


ぱ = (pa)

ぴ = (pi)

ぷ = (pu)

ぺ = (pe)

ぽ = (po)


And now for some words!


ばん = (ban) = evening

おめでとう = (omedetou) = congratulations. Often combined with birthday, but we can't do that one yet.

おんな = (onna) = female

ち = (chi) = blood

へび = (hebi) = snake

ひ = (hi) = fire

ほん = (hon) = book

ひくい = (hikui) = low

かたい = (katai) = hard

はなす = (hanasu) = to let go of


Ten brand new words! (I hope there are no repeats. I tried to look.) I promise no more gaps.


I will return tomorrow with the 'm' kana :)


じゃまったね！(ja matta ne) See you later

こんばんは。

がんきですか？

I know it has been a while and you have my apologies. I am horrible.

あ = (a) ah    か = (ka)   が = (ga)   さ = (sa)    ざ = (za)   た = (ta)   だ = (da)
い = (i) ee    き = (ki)     ぎ = (gi)    し = (shi)    じ = (ji)   ち = (chi)  ぢ = (ji)
う = (u) ou    く = (ku)    ぐ = (gu)    す = (su)    ず = (zu)  つ = (tsu)  づ = (zu) (dzu or du)
え = (e) eh    け = (ke)   げ = (ge)   せ = (se)    ぜ = (ze)   て = (te)  で = (de)
お= (o) oh    こ = (ko)    ご = (go)   そ = (so)    ぞ = (zo)   と = (to)   ど = (do)

な = (na)     は = (ha)
に = (ni)     ひ = (hi)
ぬ = (nu)     ふ = (fu)
ね = (ne)     へ = (he)
の = (no)     ほ = (ho)

Now, for more dakuten!

Watch as I wave my magic wand and turn the 'h' kana into 'b' kana!
Voila!

ば = (ba)
び = (bi)
ぶ = (bu)
べ = (be)
ぼ = (bo)

Let's learn some vocabulary! I am trying my best to not repeat words, though I might fail. Please forgive me!

こんばんは = konbanwa = Good evening. Okay, I know. は = ha... BUT! when used as a particle, it is read 'wa'. こんばんは used to be part of a longer sentence, but that part was dropped over time. The は was a particle in that sentence and was kept.

あそぶ = (asobu) = to play
もつ = (motsu) = to have
まつ = (matsu) = to wait
たつ = (tatsu) =  to stand
いつも = (itsumo) = always
たぶん = (tabun) = probably
わかい = (wakai) = young
かたい = (katai) = hard
せいけつな = (seiketsunai) = clean (That was a long one!)

Have fun with these words and I will be back とても (totemo) soon!