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Learning Japanese - part 1 (basics, Hiragana, Katakana)

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 So you want to learn Japanese? First advice, don't believe the services popping up on Instagram and Tik-Tok or wherever that you can learn Japanese in a month. That is absolutely unrealistic. They only say this that you subscribe to their paid programs. It is a long way until you will be able to say that you can speak Japanese. You can use Gemini or ChatGPT to get help in learning. "How to do" * Start with the basics. * Learn the Japanese writing systems. For a good overview see Wikipedia article on  Japanese language Japanese writing system Hiragana and Katakana Kanji If you have read these articles then you probably understand that you will have to go a long way. But a famous proverb tells you to just start and not to be overwhelmed by its length. " A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step ".  * Learn basic characters, grammar and vocabulary. * Practice regularly. So, what are basic characters? Hiragana Katakana Kyoiku kanji, followed by Joy...

Learning Japanese

 These files are available now at my  Google Drive : Many influencers/companies try to tell you that you can learn Japanese in a few weeks if you buy their services - even alongside your normal life. Don't fall for that. It is wrong as wrong can be. Even for the basic A1 level you will need several months. Don't forget, you also need to learn reading - and writing - necessary, if you really want to learn the language. Writing and reading requires repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition and repetition. For this, you need some help with prefabricated materials. I will show you how you can make a few by yourself. 1) Hiragana and Katakana: The best is you learn them side-by-sidhttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1amUz-wHzwMXsOuNfUh6dEc2asPHSiaTO?usp=sharinge, you see か (which is Hiragana "ka") then you should be able to write "ka" in Katakana too. 2) Kanji You want to learn the Kyoiku Kanji Level 1. If you see one of these Kanji, you should be able to ...

Old boy cat

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August 14, 2024 I have many routes to go shopping (by bicycle), some of them take me 15-25 km instead of the direct 6 km route. A week ago, I met an old boy cat on one of the more straight routes. He wasn't afraid when I approached him, actually the opposite. He liked to be petted. He looked very thin, either from age or from not enough food. I brought him some food and he quickly devoured all of it. So, food was at least part of the problem. I saw some trays for water and food nearby but they were dirty and empty. Since some days, I am always taking this route now and bring him food and water. When he realizes that I have arrived, he comes running and can't wait until I open the bag and give him the food. It is my chore now to bring food and water everyday. August 21, 2024 Nearby, is an old abandoned house and another house. I don't know if he belonged to the former owner of that abandoned house or if he belongs to that old house. I need to ask when I see the people from t...

Bad weather in Japan

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  The weather in Japan in autumn and winter is typically bad - very often, it is cloudy.

New local transportation concept in Narita, Japan

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   The city of Narita in Japan has recently tested a new local transportation concept.   The results are still pending.  

DIC's art books for Kulturbanausen

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  The Japanese chemical company  DIC Corporation , formerly Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, is the owner of an art museum,  Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art . The founding family was very interested in art and bought many drawings and sculptures. To make sure that other people can also enjoy these works they founded a museum, the Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art.  If you have the opportunity to visit the Tokyo area, try to find time to visit this museum. It is located about half an hour away from Tokyo but it can be easily accessed by train and bus (see the homepage for details).  In the same town is also the  National Museum of Japanese History , visit this one too if you go to the Kawamura museum. The founding family did more for spreading art. As they were also the CEO of the company, they published art books for the 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th anniversary of the company and gave each employee such a book. From left to the right: 1) Art of Contemporary Japan ...

The Complete Guide to Japanese Systems 全図解 日本のしくみ

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  The Complete Guide to Japanese Systems 全図解 日本のしくみ  I just saw the new edition of this book at my local library. This seems like a book worth to study. Important topics in Japanese "daily" life are briefly addressed. Short but they can serve as an entry point for further study. The older editions have a few bad "reviews" on Amazon. I call them bozo reviews, just giving points, no explanations => no meaning.   So, better have a look for yourself when you visit your preferred bookshop. If you have to say something about this book or the older editions, please comment. Thank you.  Click on the photo with the contents view to see it enlarged.   Publisher:IBCパブリッシング Authors:安部 直文(著)/Michael Brase(訳) publication date:2023/11/04 ISBN-13:9784794607881 220 pages MRSP 2200 yen