Audit Course_5

On

AC5-V:

Third Year of Computer Engineering (2019 Course)

Course Co-Ordinator: Mrs. S.S. Jadhav

A.Y: 2024-2025
OVERVIEW

Importance of Japanese language

The Japanese language holds immense importance on a global scale, both
culturally and economically. With over 125 million speakers, Japanese is the
ninth most spoken language in the world and plays a crucial role in facilitating
communication within Japan and beyond. As Japan remains a global leader in
technology, manufacturing, and innovation, learning the language provides direct
access to cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and business
opportunities. Many of the world’s top companies, including Toyota, Sony, and
Mitsubishi, are headquartered in Japan, making Japanese a key language in
international business, especially in industries like automotive, electronics,
robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Moreover, Japan's rich cultural heritage—encompassing literature, art,

philosophy, and entertainment—continues to captivate people worldwide.
Japanese language learners gain access to this wealth of knowledge, experiencing
works of art, films, and literary classics in their original form. Anime, manga, and
Japanese cinema have sparked a cultural wave across the globe, and learning
Japanese allows enthusiasts to appreciate these genres without the barrier of
translation. Beyond entertainment, Japan's cultural practices, including tea
ceremonies, calligraphy, and traditional festivals, offer profound insights into
values such as respect, harmony, and discipline, all of which are deeply
embedded in the language.

In addition, as Japan continues to play a key role in international diplomacy and

trade, proficiency in the language can be a significant asset in global relations,
tourism, and education. Japan's tourism industry is thriving, and the ability to
speak Japanese enhances the travel experience, allowing deeper connections with
local communities and a better understanding of Japan's unique traditions.
Educationally, many scholarships and exchange programs are available for
students who wish to study in Japan, making the language a gateway to numerous
academic opportunities.

In today’s interconnected world, learning Japanese goes beyond simply mastering

grammar and vocabulary; it opens doors to a vibrant culture and a thriving
economy. Whether one is interested in pursuing a career in business, technology,
or culture, or simply wishes to broaden their global perspective, the importance
of the Japanese language cannot be overstated. It empowers individuals to engage
more fully with Japan’s history, innovations, and cultural contributions, making it
an invaluable skill in an increasingly globalized world.
LESSON INDEX:

I. Three scripts

II. Greetings & Phrases

III. Vocabulary

IV. Grammer

V. Idioms

VI. Reading & Listening

 I. Three scripts

The Japanese writing system is unique and complex, consisting of three distinct
scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Each script plays a vital role in the
language, serving different functions and purposes in both written and spoken
communication. Mastery of these scripts is essential for anyone seeking fluency
in Japanese, as they are used interchangeably depending on context, formality,
and meaning.

Hiragana is the most basic and foundational of the scripts, often the first one
taught to learners of the language. It consists of 46 characters, each representing a
distinct syllable, which makes it a phonetic script. Hiragana is used primarily for
native Japanese words that do not have corresponding Kanji characters or when
the Kanji is too difficult to read. It is also employed in grammatical functions,
such as conjugating verbs and particles, which are crucial for sentence
construction. Children in Japan start learning Hiragana before moving on to more
complex scripts, and it is also used in books for young readers and learners. The
script’s simple and flowing design makes it easier to read and write, providing
the foundation for beginners to grasp the rhythm and sound of the language.
Katakana, like Hiragana, is also a phonetic script with the same 46 sounds but is
used for entirely different purposes. While Hiragana is used for native words,
Katakana is reserved for foreign loanwords, scientific terms, onomatopoeia, and
the names of foreign places or people. Words like "computer" (コンピュータ,
konpyūta) and "coffee" (コーヒー, kōhī) are written in Katakana, reflecting
Japan's adaptation of global influences. The characters in Katakana are sharper
and more angular compared to the rounder Hiragana, giving them a distinct
visual style. Katakana is frequently seen in advertisements, product packaging,
and pop culture, contributing to its modern and often technical or foreign
association.

Kanji , the third script, is by far the most complex and visually intricate.
Originally borrowed from Chinese characters, Kanji represents whole words or
concepts rather than sounds. There are thousands of Kanji characters, each
carrying its own meaning, and they are often used to write nouns, stems of verbs,
adjectives, and names. One of the challenges of Kanji is that a single character
can have multiple readings, depending on its context. Learning Kanji requires
understanding not only the character's meaning but also its pronunciation, which
can vary significantly. However, the use of Kanji allows for brevity and clarity in
writing, as one character can convey the meaning of an entire word or concept,

which would otherwise require several Hiragana or Katakana characters.

The interplay of these three scripts makes Japanese both intricate and efficient. In
a single sentence, you might find all three scripts working together: Kanji for the
main content, Hiragana for grammatical elements, and Katakana for any foreign
words. For example, in a sentence like "私はコンピュータを使います" ("I use
a computer"), you have Kanji (私 for "I"), Hiragana (は, を, and ます for
grammatical purposes), and Katakana ( コンピュータ for "computer"). This
dynamic combination allows for nuanced expression and precise communication,
which is a distinctive feature of the Japanese writing system.

Mastering all three scripts is essential for fluency in reading and writing
Japanese, as each script adds a different layer of meaning and utility. Hiragana
provides the phonetic backbone of the language, Katakana incorporates
international elements, and Kanji offers depth and efficiency. Together, they
form the backbone of written Japanese, reflecting the language’s rich history and
its evolution into the modern world.
II.Greetings &phrases

-ような気がする (-you na ki ga suru)

“have a feeling that, think that”
Verb-casual + （ような）気がする
Noun + （のような）気がする
い adj + （ような）気がする
な adj + （な/のような）気がする

私は彼女にどこかで会ったような気がする。
Watashi wa kanojo ni doko ka de atta you na ki ga suru.
I feel like I have seen her somewhere before.

-べきではない (beki de wa nai)

“must not do, should not do”
Verb-dictionary form + べきではない

自分のお母さんを軽視するべきではない。
Jibun no okaasan wo keishi suru beki de wanai.
You should not disrespect your own mother.

-ばいい (ba ii)

“should, can, it’d be good if”
Verb-ば conditional form + いい

もっと野菜を食べればいい。
Motto yasai wo tabereba ii.
It would be great if I ate more vegetables.

べつに…ない (betsu ni… nai)

“not particularly”
別に大したことはない。
Betsu ni taishita koto wa nai.
It’s not a big deal at all.

-いくら～ても (ikura-temo)
“no matter how”
いくら + Verb-て form + も
いくら + Noun + でも
いくら + い adj (remove い) + くても
いくら + な adj + でも

人は歳をいくらとっても学ぶことができる。
Hito wa toshi o ikura tottemo manabu koto ga dekiru.
No matter how old a person can be, they can still learn.

-から言うと (kara iu to-)

“in terms of, from the point of view of”
Noun + から言うと/から言えば/から言って

私の視点から言うと短い髪がかわいい。
Watashi no shiten kara iu to mijikai kami ga kawaii.
From my point of view, short hair is cute!

なぜなら (naze nara)

“because; the reason is; if you want to know why”
Result + なぜなら（ば）/なぜかというと + reason

彼らは泳がなかった。なぜなら寒かった。
Karera wa oyoganakatta. Naze nara samukatta.
They couldn't swim because it was cold.
-に比べて (ni kurabete)
“compared to, in comparison to”
Noun + に比べて/に比べると/に比べれば/に比べ

今日は昨日に比べて暑かった。
Kyou wa kinou ni kurabete atsukatta.
It was hot today compared to yesterday.

-ために (tame ni)

“for, for the sake of, in order to”
Noun + のため（に）
Verb-dictionary form + ため（に）
Verb-ない form + ため（に）

日本に留学するためにお金を貯めている。
Nihon ni ryuugaku suru tame ni okane o tamete iru
I have been saving money to study abroad in Japan.

何回 (nankai)
“How many times?

あなたは何回その音楽を聞きましたか？
Anata wa nankai sono engaku wo kikimashitaka?
How many times did you listen to that song?

に違いない (ni chigai nai)

“I’m sure, no doubt that, without a doubt”
Noun + に違いない
Verb-casual + に違いない
な adj + に違いない
い adj + に違いない
この携帯は高いに違いない。
Kono keitai wa takai ni chigai nai.
That phone must be expensive.

にしても (ni shite mo)

“even, even if”
Noun + にしても
Verb-dictionary form + にしても
Verb-た form + にしても
な adj + にしても
い adj (remove い) + くしても

たとえ彼女が行かないにしても私は行きます。
Tatoe kanojo ga ikanai ni shite mo watashi wa ikimasu.
I will go even if she doesn't.

おかげで (okage de)

“thanks to, because of”
Verb-casual + おかげで
い adjective + おかげで
な adjective + な/だった + おかげで
Noun + のおかげで

たくさん本を読んでいるおかげで、多くのことを学ぶことができます。
Takusan hon wo yondeiru okage de, ooku no koto wo manabu koto ga
dekimasu.
Thanks to reading a lot of books, I was able to learn about many things.

そうもない (sou mo nai)

“very unlikely to”
Verb-stem + そうもない
明日雨は降りそうもない。
Ashita ame wa furisou mou nai.
It is unlikely to rain tomorrow.

その結果 (sono kekka)

“as a result”

彼は一生懸命に勉強したその結果好きな大学に入られました。
Kare wa isshou kenmei ni benkyoushita sono kekka suki na dagaku ni

hairaremashita.
He studied hard and as a result was able to get into the university that he
likes.

てもかまわない (te mo kamawanai)

“it doesn’t matter if…”
Verb-て form + もかまわない
Noun + でもかまわない
い adj (remove い) + くてもかまわない
な adj + でもかまわない

たとえいじめでも私はかまわない。
Tatoe ijime demo watashi wa kamawanai.
I don't mind even if I get bullied.

ところで (tokoro de)

“by the way”
ところで + new topic
ところで新しい鞄を買いました。
Tokoro de atarashii kaban wo kaimashita.
By the way, I bought a new bag.

わけにはいかない (wake niwa ikanai)

“must not, cannot afford to, can’t very well, no choice but to”
Verb-casual, non-past + わけにはいかない
Verb-ない form + わけにはいかない

この仕事を終えるまでは変えるわけにはいかない。
Kono shigoto wo oeru made wa kaeu wake ni wa ikanai.
I cannot afford to go home until I finish all this work.
III.Vocabulary
Basic Words for Learning Japanese
1. 本 (hon) - Book
2. ベッド (beddo) – Bed
3. 誕生日 (tanjōby) – Birthday
4. 時計 (tokei) – Watch, clock
5. 名前 (namae) – Name
6. きれい (kirei) – Beautiful
7. 黒い (kuroi) – Black
8. 白い (shiroi) – White
9. 英語 (eigo) – English (language)
10.大学 (daigaku) – University
11.電話 (denwa) – Telephone
12.バス (basu) – Bus
13.猫 (neko) – Cat
14.犬 (inu) – Dog
15.コンピュータ (konpiūta) – Computer
16.服 (fuku) – Clothes

Basic Japanese Food Vocabulary

17. コーヒー (kohi) – Coffee
18. パン (pan) – Bread
19. ビール (biru) – Beer
20. 昼ご飯 (hirogohan) - Lunch
21. 夕食 (yūshoku) – Dinner
22. 食べ物 (tabemono) – Food
23. 飲み物 (nomi mono) – Beverage
24. 果物 (kudamono) - Fruit
Basic Japanese Words for People
25. 男の子 (otoko no ko) – Boy
26. 女の子 (onna no ko) – Girl
27. 子供 (kodomo) – Child
28. 母 (haha) – Mother
29. 父 (chichi) – Father
30. 友達 (tomodachi) – Friend
31. 学生 (kagusei) – Student
32. 先生 (sensei) – Teacher

Basic Japanese Nature Words

33. 川 (kawa) – River
34. 花 (hana) – Flower
35. 魚 (sakana) – Fish
36. 空 (sora) - Sky
37. 山 (yama) – Mountain
38. 雨 (ame) – Rain

Basic Japanese Words for Saying Time

39. 今 (ima) – Now
40. 今日 (kyou) – Today
41. 昨日 (kinou) – Yesterday
42. 明日 (asita) – Tomorrow
43. 毎日 (mai nichi) – Every day
44. 毎週 (maishū) – Every week
45. 午前 (gozen)* - Morning
46. 午後 (gogo) – Afternoon
47. 月曜日 (getsuyoubi) – Monday
48. 火曜日 (kayoubi) – Tuesday
49. 水曜日 (suiyoubi) – Wednesday
50. 木曜日 ( mokuyoubi) – Thursday
51. 金曜日 (kinyoubi) – Friday
52. 土曜日 (douyoubi) - Saturday
53. 日曜日 (nichiyoubi) – Sunday
54. 今年(kotoshi)–This year
55. 母 (haha) – Mother
 56. 父 (chichi) – Father
57. 友達 (tomodachi) – Friend
58. 学生 (kagusei) – Student
59. 先生 (sensei) – Teacher

Basic Japanese Nature Words

60. 川 (kawa) – River
61. 花 (hana) – Flower
62. 魚 (sakana) – Fish
63. 空 (sora) - Sky
64. 山 (yama) – Mountain
65. 雨 (ame) – Rain

Basic Japanese Words for Saying Time

1. 今 (ima) – Now
2. 今日 (kyou) – Today
3. 昨日 (kinou) – Yesterday
4. 明日 (asita) – Tomorrow
5. 毎日 (mai nichi) – Every day
6. 毎週 (maishū) – Every week
7. 午前 (gozen)* - Morning
8. 午後 (gogo) – Afternoon
9. 月曜日 (getsuyoubi) – Monday
10. 火曜日 (kayoubi) – Tuesday
11. 水曜日 (suiyoubi) – Wednesday
12. 木曜日 ( mokuyoubi) – Thursday
13. 金曜日 (kinyoubi) – Friday
14. 土曜日 (douyoubi) - Saturday
15. 日曜日 (nichiyoubi) – Sunday
16. 今年(kotoshi)–This year
Japanese Body Parts Vocabulary for Beginners
1. 耳 (mimi) - Ear
2. 手 (te) - Hand
3. 足 (ashi) - Foot
4. 目 (me) - Eye
5. 口 (kuchi) – Mouth
6. 顔 (kao) - Face

Japanese Words for Places and Directions

7. 駅 (eki) – Train station
8. 北 (kita) – North
9. 南 (minami) – South
10. 西 (nishi) – West
11. 東 (higashi) – East
12. 国 (kuni) – Country
13. 外国 (gaikoku) – Gaikoku
14. 右 (mighi) – Right
15. 左 (hidari) – Left
16. 入口 (iriguchi) – Entrance
17. 出口 (deguchi) – Exit
 Japanese Words for colors

Hiragana/Katakan Romaji Kanji English

a
あか Aka 赤 Red
あお Ao 青 Blue
き Ki 黄 Yellow
だいだい、オレン Daidai, Orenji 橙、オレン Orange
ジ ジ
みどり Midori 緑 Green
きみどり Ki midori 黄緑 Light
green
むらさき Murasaki 紫 Purple
ももいろ、ピンク Momo iro, 桃色、ピン Pink
Pink ク
みずいろ Mizu iro 水色 Light
blue
こん Kon 紺 Navy
blue
はい Hai 灰 Gray
ちゃ Cha 茶 Brown

Hiragana/Katakana Romaji Kanji Englis

h
しろ Shiro 白 White
くろ Kuro 黒 Black
 IV. Grammer
Japanese Sentence Structure
Japanese Grammar Rules are easy

Let’s point out some facts about Japanese grammar in defense of its
simplicity and ease of use:

• Similar to other romance languages such as French and

Portuguese, there are no gender words when learning Japanese
grammar (masculine or feminine words).
• Actions/verbs are always mentioned at the end of a thought or
Japanese sentence.
• The basic word order in Japanese is free. The subject can appear
before or after the object, and the order of the object is flexible.
• There are only two irregular verbs in Japanese and just a
few other irregularities throughout the entire language.
• There is no distinction between the present tense and the future
tense, meaning you’ve only got to worry about the past and
present tenses.

Japanese langauge sentence structure uses particle system ,there are many
particles and major part of sentence so lets understand

What are Japanese Particles?

Japanese particles are teeny tiny bits of grammar, but they made a big impact on
the clarity of your sentences. Learn Japanese particles, and you’ll have a solid
foundation for Japanese grammar.

But particles can seem so confusing to Japanese language learners. Why do we

need them? What is their purpose? How do you know when to use は (wa) and
が (ga)? The list of questions goes on.

Basically, Japanese particles define what you’re talking about in a sentence. They
tell you how a noun, object, or verb relate to one another. Similar to English
articles “the”, “a”, and “an” and preposition words like “to”, “in”, and “on”.
First, let’s talk about Japanese sentences and their structure. Japanese sentence
structure is different from English sentence structure. In English, our sentences
look like this:

Subject → Verb → Object

For example: “I ate cake.”

In Japanese, sentences look like this:

Subject → Object → Verb

This means that verbs come at the end of a sentence. Take the same example:

私はケーキ―を食べた (watashi wa ke-ki- wo tabeta)

Watashi is “I”, ke-ki is “cake”, and tabeta is “ate”. So the verb is last. But notice
those two extra words in that sentence: は (wa) and を (wo).

Those are particles.

Japanese sentences don’t use spaces, so particles are crucia

1. が (Subject Marker)

が is used to:

Indicate the subject of a sentence

Follow a question word (like who, what or where)

が lets us know the sentence’s subject (i.e., who or what it’s about). The
only exception is that sometimes は (which we’ll learn next) does the job
for it.

But to keep it simple, know that any time the person speaking is giving
new information, が is used.

You’ll also find that sometimes, the subject of a sentence in Japanese is

different from the subject in English. Take this sentence for example:

私は猫が好きです。 (わたしは ねこが すきです。)

I like cats.
In English, the subject would be “I.” But in Japanese, the subject is
actually “cats.” This is because any time the following verbs are used, が
follows the object instead of the subject:

好き (すき) — to like

嫌い (きらい) — to dislike

ほしい — to want

できる — to be able to

Let’s take a look at a few more examples of が:

私は蜘蛛が怖いです。 (わたしは くもが こわいです。)

I’m afraid of spiders.

私は納豆が好きじゃないです。 (わたしは なっとうが すきじゃな

いです。)

I don’t like natto.

But if your roommate likes dogs instead, she would use は to show contrast.
For example:

犬は好きです。 (いぬは すきです。)

I like dogs.

3. か (Question Particle)

か is used to:

Indicate a question is being asked

List options and alternatives (similar to meaning “or”)

When asking a question in Japanese, add か to the end of the sentence. For
example:

誰が先生ですか？ (だれがせんせいですか？)

Who‘s the teacher?

今何時ですか？ (いまなんじですか？)

What time is it?

Another common way to use か is to list options and alternatives. For

example:

猫か犬か、どちらが好きですか？ (ねこかいぬか、どちらがすきで
すか？)

Do you like cats or dogs? (literally, “Cats or dogs, which one do you like?”)

田中さんか中谷さんか、誰が先生ですか？ (たなかさんかなかたに
さんか、だれがせんせいですか？)

Who’s the teacher, Tanaka or Nakatani? (literally “Tanaka or Nakatani,

which one is the teacher?”)
4. を (Direct Object Particle)

を is used to:

Mark a direct object

A direct object is a thing being acted upon. For example, when you say “I’m
listening to a song,” song is the direct object because it’s the thing being
listened to.

In modern Japanese, を as a particle is pronounced as “o,” not “wo.”

私は日本語を勉強しています。 (わたしは にほんごを べんきょうし

ています。)

I am studying Japanese.

私は猫を見ます。 (わたしは ねこを みます。)

I see a cat.

5. と (Connecting Particle)

と is used to:

List more than one response to a question

Show who you’re doing something with

When listing items in Japanese, think of と as “and.” For example:

猫とチンチラが好きです。 (ねことちんちらがすきです。)

I like cats and chinchillas.

日本語と英語が話せます。 (にほんごとえいごがはなせます。)

I can speak Japanese and English.

When listing more than two items, add と to the end of each one on the list.
The other way to use と is to show relationships. In these situations, you can
think of it as “with.” It’s often followed by 一緒に (いっしょに), which
means “together,” and goes after the particle は.

(私は) 彼と一緒に日本語を勉強しています。 ([わたしは] かれと い

っしょに にほんごを べんきょうしています。)

I am studying Japanese with him.

今、誰と話していますか？ (いま、だれと はなしていますか？)

Who are you talking with/to right now?

お母さんと話しています。 (おかあさんと はなしています。)

I’m talking with my mom.

6. の (Possession Particle)

の is used to:

Indicate possession (owning something)

Ask informal questions

To say something belongs to someone, simply tack の onto any noun. For
example:

それは誰の猫ですか？ (それはだれのねこですか？)

Whose cat is that?

それは私の猫です。 (それはわたしのねこです。)

That’s my cat.

うわ、猫の目がとてもきれいです！ (うわ、ねこの めが とてもきれ

いです！)
Wow, the cat’s eyes are really beautiful！

Be careful with the last sentence. If we were to say 猫の目はとてもきれい

です , what was a nice compliment with が suddenly becomes a veiled
insult. Changing が to は makes this sentence sound like, “Well, the cat’s
eyes are beautiful… but the rest of it isn’t.”

の can also be used to ask informal questions. Women and children mainly
use it this way, so you might say it’s the more cute or feminine way to ask a
question.

どこいるの？

Where are you?

いいの？

Is this ok?

ここでいいの？

Is here okay?

どうしたの？

What’s the matter?

7. も (Addition Particle)

も is used to:

Make a comment about more than one thing

Mean “too” or “also”

This is a cool particle similar to the Pokemon Ditto—it can attach onto and
even replace other particles to mean “also” or “too.” It shows that whatever
we said about the first thing applies to the second as well. For example:

私は猫が好きです。犬も好きです。 (わたしはねこがすきです。い
ぬもすきです。)
I like cats. I also like dogs.

私は日本語を勉強しています。中国語も勉強しています。 (わたし
はにほんごをべんきょうしてます。ちゅうごくごもべんきょうして
います。)

I’m studying Japanese. I’m studying Mandarin, too.

It can also mean “both.”

猫か犬か、どっちが好きですか？ (ねこかいぬか、どっちが好きで
すか？)

Do you like dogs or cats?

どっちも! 猫も犬も好きです。 (どっちも！ ねこもいぬもすきです。

)

Both! I like cats and dogs.

8. に (Location and Time Particle)

に is used to:

Mark time, location and direction

Show the destination of a verb

Mark indirect objects

Show that something exists

When using a verb of motion (such as “to go”), you can use に to say where
you’re going to. For example:

今日ディズニーランドに行くよ！ (きょう でぃずに－らんどにいく

よ！)

I’m going to Disneyland today！(Informal)

どこに住んでいるのですか？ (どこにすんでいるのですか？)
Where do you live?

昨日どこに行ったのですか？ (きのうどこにいったのですか？)

Where did you go yesterday?

In the last sentence, の is used to emphasize that you’re seeking an

explanation from someone.

に also marks the indirect object of a sentence or “who” gets the result of an
action. For example:

学生は先生に宿題を提出した。 (がくせいは せんせいに しゅくだい

をていしゅつした。)

The student hands their homework to the teacher. (informal)

私は友達に笑顔を見せた。 (わたしは ともだちに えがおを みせた。

)

I smiled at my friend. (Informal)

In these sentences, the teacher and the friend are the indirect objects because
they’re the ones who receive the action (being handed homework and being
smiled at).

Lastly, に shows where something exists. The structure for this usage is:

(Somewhere) に (something) が (ある/いる)

The verb いる is used with living, animate objects whereas the verb ある
is used with non-living, inanimate objects. For example:

机の上に鉛筆がある。 (つくえの うえに えんぴつが ある。)

There’s a pencil on the table. (Informal)

箱の中に猫がいる。 (はこのなかに ねこが いる。)

There’s a cat in the box. (Informal)

9. で (Location Particle)

で is used to:

Show where an action takes place

Show the use of something

Unlike に, there’s no movement involved with the Japanese particle で. This

particle is used to show the location of an activity.

Let’s say you asked someone where they went the previous day, and they
said they went to a pet store. You might then ask:

へえ？そこで何をしましたか？ (へえ？そこでなにをしましたか？)

Oh? What did you do there? (literally, “What did you do at that place?“)

日本で日本語を勉強しています。 (にほんで にほんごを べんきょう

しています。)

I am studying Japanese in Japan.

で is also used to express the usage of something. For example:

車で、来ました (くるまで、きました。)

I came by car.

10. へ (Direction Particle)

へ is used to:

Show the destination or direction of a movement

The particle へ can be used to describe where you’re going, just like the
particle に. But it doesn’t always carry the same nuance.

へ can carry a stronger feeling of “towards” than “to,” so it’s important to

pay attention to what context it’s being used in.
東京 に 行った。

(とうきょう に いった。)

I went to Tokyo. (Informal)

東京 へ 行った。

(とうきょう へ いった。)

I went to Tokyo. (Informal)

Whether に or へ is used, both of these sentences mean, “I went to Tokyo.”

But if you use へ, this could also be read as “I went/set off toward Tokyo,”
leaving the possibility that you didn’t actually get to Tokyo but became
distracted along the way.

Unlike に, the particle へ can come before の, allowing a noun to be used.

Japanese people often use this structure to make metaphorical statements,
like this one:

平和への歩み。 (へいわへの あゆみ。)

A step toward peace.

 V. Idioms

1. 自業自得 – Jigou jitoku

Literal translation: One’s act, one’s profit.
Meaning: This Japanese idiom means that eventually, you will face the
consequences of your actions.
English equivalent: What goes around, comes around. You reap what you sow.
You get what you give. Getting one’s just desserts. Reap what you sow.

2. 十人十色 (じゅうにんといろ)
Literal translation: Ten men, ten colours
Meaning: People have different tastes and preferences and are free to like different
things
English equivalent: To each his own. Different strokes for different folks

3. 起死回生 (きしかいせい) – Kishikaisei

Literal translation: Wake from death and return to life. Resuscitation.
Meaning: To turn a negative situation into a positive one.
English equivalent: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Make the best
of a bad situation. Every cloud has a silver lining.

4. 我田引水
Literal translation: Drawing water to one’s own rice paddy fields.
Meaning: To do or say something for your own benefit.
English equivalent: Take advantage of.

5. 悪因悪果
Literal translation: Evil cause, evil effect.
Meaning: Similar to 自業自得 that “you will reap what you sow.” This Japanese
proverb suggests a karmic intervention.
English equivalent: You get what you deserve.
6. 見ぬが花
Literal translation: Not seeing is a flower.
Meaning: Things often look more beautiful in your imagination than in reality. In
Japan, flowers are used to represent imagination, beauty, and oftentimes politeness.

English equivalent: Reality can’t compete with the imagination. Prospect is often
better than possession.

7. 弱肉強食

Literal translation: The weak are meat; the strong eat.

Meaning: The most able or fit are the ones who survive.
English equivalent: Survival of the fittest. Law of the jungle.

8. 海千山千
Literal translation: Ocean thousand, mountain thousand.
Meaning: Someone who’s had a lot of experience and can handle any situation.
They are usually exceptionally clever, cunning, or shrewd, especially in devious or
underhanded ways.
English equivalent: A sly old fox. Sly old dog. Old fox.

9. 酔生夢死
Literal translation: Drunken life, dreamy death.
Meaning: To spend all your time daydreaming without accomplishing anything.
English equivalent: To have your head in the clouds.

10. 一期一会 (いちごいちえ)

Literal translation: One life, one encounter.
Meaning: This Japanese proverb means that each and every moment is a once-in-
a-lifetime encounter that should be cherished because you’ll only experience it
once.
English equivalent: Seize the day. You only live once.
11. 異体同心 (いたいどうしん)
Literal translation: Different body, same mind. Two bodies, one heart.
Meaning: Refers to like-minded people who share similar interest and/ or beliefs.
English equivalent: Brother from another mother. Kindred spirits. Soul mates.

12. 羊頭狗肉
Literal translation: Sheep head, dog meat.
Meaning: When something has been misrepresented on purpose.
English equivalent: Crying wine and selling vinegar. False advertising

13. 会者定離
Literal translation: People meet, always part.
Meaning: This idea comes from Buddhism, that every human relationship will end
someday due to the transient nature of life.
English equivalent: Those who meet must part. All good things must end.

14. 美人薄命
Literal translation: Beautiful person, thin life.
Meaning: This Japanese idiom expresses the idea that beauty and long life seldom
go together.
English equivalent: Beauty fades.

15. 負けるが勝ち – Makeru ga kachi

Literal translation: To lose means to win.
Meaning: The idea that sometimes it’s best not to engage in combat or conflict
and to save your energy for more important things.
English equivalent: Better to bend than break. Agree to disagree. Live to fight
another day.
16. 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。
Literal translation: If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you won’t catch its cub.
Meaning: You won’t achieve anything unless you take risks.
English equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Fortune favours the bold.

17. 猿も木から落ちる。- Saru mo ki kara ochiru

Literal translation: Even monkeys fall from trees.
Meaning: This Japanese idiom means that we all make mistakes but that’s no big
deal. It’s just life’s way of teaching us a lesson that we learn from.
English equivalent: Everyone makes mistakes.

18. 蓼食う虫も好き好き
Literal translation: There are even bugs that eat knotweed.
Meaning: The idea that different people like different things, which you don’t
necessarily agree with or understand. The Japanese knotweed is referenced here as
one such example since it’s one of the world’s fastest-spreading species.
English equivalent: Every worm to his taste; some prefer to eat nettles. There’s no
accounting for taste. Every man to his taste.
 VI.Reading and Listening
Listening and Reading Practice is a crucial aspect of language acquisition,
especially in Japanese, where the interplay between written scripts (Hiragana,
Katakana, and Kanji) and spoken language requires learners to develop skills in
both areas to achieve fluency.

Listening Practice in Japanese is vital for understanding the rhythm, intonation,

and pronunciation of the language. Japanese has a relatively consistent phonetic
system compared to some other languages, but there are subtleties that learners
must be aware of. For example, long vowels (おばあさん "grandmother" vs. おば
さ ん "aunt") and pitch accents can change the meaning of words, making it
important to train the ear to catch these differences.

Listening comprehension helps learners become familiar with natural spoken

Japanese, which often differs from textbook-style conversations. Everyday speech
includes contractions, informal language, and various dialects that can be
challenging at first. For intermediate learners, engaging in listening practice
through authentic materials such as podcasts, TV shows, radio programs, or news
broadcasts is essential for improving comprehension. These sources expose
learners to different contexts, speeds, and voices, helping them adapt to how
Japanese is spoken in real life.

One technique for improving listening skills is shadowing, where learners listen to
a conversation or dialogue and immediately repeat it, mimicking the native
speaker’s pace and intonation. This practice helps with pronunciation and fluency,
making the listener more comfortable with natural speech patterns.
Subtitles in both Japanese and the learner’s native language can also be a helpful
tool, allowing for simultaneous listening and reading to strengthen understanding.

Reading Practice:
Reading practice in Japanese involves tackling the challenge of three different
scripts—Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji—and requires learners to build their
vocabulary and Kanji recognition skills. As learners move from basic to
intermediate Japanese, they need to shift from relying heavily on Hiragana and
Katakana to increasingly using Kanji. Reading texts with a mix of all three scripts
is crucial for real-world comprehension, as Kanji carries the core meaning of
words while Hiragana and Katakana fill in the grammatical and phonetic gaps.
For intermediate learners, reading practice should start incorporating more
complex materials such as short stories, news articles, or graded readers
specifically designed for language learners. Graded readers are books or

A focus on contextual reading is also important. Instead of focusing solely on

individual Kanji characters, learners should aim to understand the meaning of
sentences and paragraphs in context. This approach not only improves reading
speed but also helps learners recognize Kanji compounds (multiple Kanji
characters that together form a word) and sentence structure.

Another effective strategy is reading aloud, which improves pronunciation while

reinforcing reading skills. By reading aloud, learners practice connecting the
written and spoken aspects of the language, helping to reinforce vocabulary,
grammar, and sentence flow.

Combining Listening and Reading:

Listening and reading practice are often most effective when combined. For
example, **watching anime or Japanese dramas with Japanese subtitles** allows
learners to see how spoken language corresponds to written scripts, deepening their
understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Similarly, reading
along with audiobooks or following transcriptions of podcasts can enhance both
listening comprehension and Kanji recognition, as learners can see the words they
are hearing.
CONCLUSION:

A Roadmap to Learning Japanese: From Beginner to JLPT

Understanding the Japanese Language
Before embarking on your Japanese language journey, it's essential to grasp its
unique features. Japanese uses three writing systems: kanji (Chinese characters),
hiragana (a phonetic syllabary), and katakana (another phonetic syllabary).
Understanding these systems is crucial for reading and writing Japanese.

Setting Clear Goals

Defining your goals is a fundamental step. Are you aiming for conversational
fluency, passing the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), or simply
exploring Japanese culture? Your objectives will guide your learning path.

Choosing the Right Resources

There's a plethora of resources available, from textbooks to online courses.
Consider factors like your learning style, budget, and time constraints. Some
popular options include:

• Textbooks: Series like Genki and Minna no Nihongo are commonly used.
• Online Courses: Platforms like Duolingo, Memrise, and JapanesePod101
offer structured lessons.
• Language Exchange Partners: Practicing with native speakers is
invaluable.
• Japanese Immersion Programs: Immerse yourself in the language and
culture for accelerated learning.

Building a Strong Foundation

Start with the basics: hiragana, katakana, and essential grammar points. Focus on
mastering these fundamentals before progressing to more complex topics.
Consistent Practice is Key
Regular practice is essential for language learning. Make time for daily or weekly
study sessions. Use flashcards, practice writing, and listen to Japanese audio or
watch Japanese media.

The JLPT: A Benchmark

The JLPT is a standardized test that assesses Japanese language proficiency. It
consists of five levels, from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). Aiming for a JLPT
level can provide a clear goal and measure your progress.

Cultural Immersion
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture to enhance your language learning. Watch
Japanese movies or TV shows, listen to Japanese music, and try Japanese cuisine.
This will help you understand the context and nuances of the language.

Conclusion
Learning Japanese can be a rewarding and enriching experience. By setting clear
goals, choosing the right resources, practicing consistently, and immersing yourself
in the culture, you can achieve your language learning objectives. Remember, the
journey is as important as the destination. Enjoy the process of discovering the
beauty and complexity of the Japanese language