Japanese Language Overview
Japanese is an East Asian language spoken by about 128 million people. It's not directly related to Chinese, though it borrows kanji characters, and is distinct in syntax and phonology.
Three Writing Systems
Japanese uses three scripts: Hiragana for native words, Katakana for foreign words, and Kanji for words of Chinese origin. Learning all three is crucial for fluency and literacy.
Sentence Structure Basics
Japanese sentences typically follow a Subject-Object-Verb order. For example, 'I eat sushi' translates to 'Watashi wa sushi o tabemasu,' ending with the verb 'tabemasu'.
Politeness Levels
Japanese has various politeness levels. The plain form (tameguchi) is casual, while the polite form (teineigo) is more formal. Keigo is honorific and used in very respectful situations.
Pronunciation and Pitch
Japanese is relatively phonetic, but pitch accent is key. The same spelling can have different meanings based on pitch: 'hashi' can mean 'bridge' or 'chopsticks', distinguished by rising or flat pitch.
Counting in Japanese
Japanese has unique counting systems based on object shape. For example, 'hon' for long cylindrical objects, 'mai' for flat objects, and 'tsu' for general counting.
Common Phrases Practice
Mastering greetings and common expressions is essential. 'Konnichiwa' (hello), 'Arigatou' (thank you), and 'Sumimasen' (excuse me) are fundamental for daily conversation and show respect.
Japanese borrows kanji from which language?
Chinese
Korean
English
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