• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Easiest way (or, least painful) to learn Japanese characters?

A

AndrewR

Lifer
Ok, there are 1,850 of the essential characters. :| Is there any easier way to learn them than another?!? I have a feeling that this is going to be a tad difficult. 😱
 
I don't remember all that much from when I took classes, but you must be talking about 1850 essential kanji characters, arn't there also a few alphbets to learn... like katakana (sp) and one more... maybe?
 
AndrewR, I would suggest moving to Japan, but after reading the link that brock posted, I would say pick another language 🙂
 
Check out your local community college. Might be a Japanese class you can take. It will take time, but think of all the cute female Japanese students you can have tutor you. 😀

-Rich
 
AndrewR, I would suggest moving to Japan

I AM moving to Japan, which is why I'm trying to learn the language. In all likelihood, it won't be essential for me (military), but I don't like to be a rude American when I travel or live somewhere. The opportunity to learn some Japanese is fairly unique and use it in the "home country" of the language, and I want to take advantage of it.

That link is certainly encouraging! 😀
 
AndrewR,

Whilst living in Japan, I attended an International School (Population mostly American, with some Japanese, British and others) and I had Japanses classes for 45 minutes a day.

In reality, constant practice is the only way. You wont do it in say a couple of weeks intensive courses.

Make sure you learn the basics first. Hiragana, Katakana, and then Kanji, going from easy Kanji that are used everyday, to the more difficult obscure Kanji.
 


<< I don't remember all that much from when I took classes, but you must be talking about 1850 essential kanji characters, arn't there also a few alphbets to learn... like katakana (sp) and one more... maybe? >>

Katakana and hiragana are the two phonetic alphabets used in Japanese. Katakana is used for borrowed foreign words, company names, etc. and the characters are simplified versions of their counterparts in hiragana.
 
Easy way!? There is no easy way. It's a frickin' hard language. Not as hard to learn as Chinese or Cantonese though...but I was born with those. 😀

You might wanna take my route though.

1. Get Japanese girlfriend.
2. Try to say romantic things in Japanese and end up saying weird stuff like "I love that camel you're dangling over the bridge" <---- not really what I said...
3. Get other Japanese friend (in my case, also a girl and it should preferably be a girl) to teach you strangely romantic things to say in Japanese.
4. Suceed in saying stranglely romantic things to Japanese girlfriend.
5. Ask to learn more from other Japanese friend.
6. Have other Japanese friend convince to you to take Japanese class in school.
7. Learn the basics after a few years and then take it in university.

There you go.
 
one of the funniest parts of that article:

"When European settlers first came upon Japan, the Japanese scholars suggested that Europse adopt the Japanese written language as a "universal" language understood by all parties. This was the cause of World War 2 several years later."

😀
 
1. Get Japanese girlfriend.

Have to modify that list...

1a. Completely piss off the wife.
1b. Recover from multiple blows to the groin area from said wife.
1c. Finish divorce papers then start paying alimony.

Ok, the rest of the list might work. Oh, there are probably more items related to my job, considering that adultery is illegal under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Damn.
 
I have been studying Shodo for a few years now, and I hardly know a thing. But one word of advice I can give you is to get this book called Kanji and Kana. A must have if you are really curious and want to learn.

Kanji and Kana

Another book which I do not own (yet) but I know a few folks that seem to enjoy it is Nelson's Character Dictionary

Nelson's

Good luck.
 
Umm...
Flashcards?
I know maybe a couple hundred kanji, and it's taken me a long time to memorize that many, it's a slow process.
 


<< 1. Get Japanese girlfriend.

Have to modify that list...

1a. Completely piss off the wife.
1b. Recover from multiple blows to the groin area from said wife.
1c. Finish divorce papers then start paying alimony.

Ok, the rest of the list might work. Oh, there are probably more items related to my job, considering that adultery is illegal under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Damn. >>



Hmmm...yeah, I guess that wouldn't work for you then.

...but it does for us university guys. 😀
 
Babbles and Andy: Thanks for the book recommendations and the links -- all look extremely helpful! I think one of the big ways I'll try to learn Kanji is by just practicing my calligraphy on them. I've been doing Gothic for some time now, and it should be interesting to work on the characters. Thanks again, everyone -- I have my work cut out for me. 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top