Japanese is a wonderful language, very different from European languages. It is also the gateway to the rich culture of the exciting and complex island nation of Japan. Some people get intimidated by the prospect of speaking Japanese–worried that it’s just too complex and different–but these fears are unfounded. While you can devote a lifetime to the study of this or any language, picking up the basics of Japanese doesn’t require any more than an interest and a willingness to try something new.
Japanese For Dummies has everything you need to get off the ground with speaking the language. Author and Professor of Japanese Eriko Sato starts you off with the essentials of grammar and pronunciation, giving you a working sense of the language, before showing you Japanese in action. You’ll then explore vocabulary and expressions through dialogues taking place in situations such as:
* Introductions and greetings
* Eating and drink ing
* Shopping
* Exploring the town
* Talking on the telephone
* Asking directions
* Getting around
* Staying at a hotel
You’ll also discover social customs, formalities, and manners, from how and when to bow to how to unwrap a present. Whether you simply want to introduce yourself to the Japanese language, say a few words to a neighbor or coworker, or you’re planning a major trip or study abroad in Japan, Japanese For Dummies will enable you to get the basics fast and work towards your own goal at your own pace. You’ll also find out about:
* How to use karaoke to help you learn Japanese
* Movies that will introduce you to Japanese culture and language
* Learning Japanese the 'gourmet’ way
* When ignoring 'no, thank you’ shows good manners
* Proper table manners
* Proper body language
* How to sound fluent
* And much more!
With helpful vocabulary summaries, a mini-dictionary at the end, and an audio CD full of conversations and pronunciations, Japanese For Dummies assumes no prior knowledge of Japanese on your part–providing the perfect guide for a quick-but-thorough, lighthearted-but-not-lightweight introduction to the language.
Spis treści
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started 7
Chapter 1: Japanese in a Nutshell 9
Chapter 2: Checking Out the Japanese Sounds and Scripts 17
Chapter 3: Warming Up with Japanese Grammar Basics 33
Chapter 4: Starting with Simple Expressions 61
Chapter 5: Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight 77
Chapter 6: Speaking Japanese at Home 99
Part II: Japanese in Action 117
Chapter 7: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 119
Chapter 8: Asking for Directions 131
Chapter 9: Dining Out and Going to the Market147
Chapter 10: Shopping Made Easy 163
Chapter 11: Going Out on the Town 183
Chapter 12: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunications199
Chapter 13: Recreation and the Great Outdoors 219
Part III: Japanese on the Go 233
Chapter 14: Planning a Trip 235
Chapter 15: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land 245
Chapter 16: Making Your Way Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More 257
Chapter 17: Finding a Place to Stay 275
Chapter 18: Handling Emergencies 291
Part IV: The Part of Tens 309
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Pick Up Japanese Quickly 311
Chapter 20: Ten Things Never to Say in Japanese 315
Chapter 21: Ten Favorite Japanese Expressions 319
Chapter 22: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Japanese323
Part V: Appendixes 327
Appendix A: Mini-Dictionary 329
Appendix B: Verb Tables 349
Appendix C: On the CD 359
Appendix D: Answer Key 363
Index 365
O autorze
Eriko Sato, Ph D, is Director of the Teacher Certification Program for Japanese and the Pre-College Japanese Language Programat the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
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