Japanese Language & Culture — learn how to read, speak, and write in japanese « Japanese Language & Culture

How To: Ask "Do you like...?" in Japanese

Watch this video sequence and learn how to ask someone if they dislike or like something and also how to respond to such a question.

How To: Count numbers in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to do basic counting in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Ask simple questions in Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to turn a statement into a question in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Use basic train vocabulary in Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to make use of handy train-related vocabulary in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Use common hotel phrases in Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to use basic hotel vocabulary in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Flirt in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to flirt in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Say "this" and "that" in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say the Japanese words for "this" and "that." With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Say "excuse me" in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say "excuse me" in perfect Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Say "I love you" in Japanese

In this video we learn how to say "I love you" in Japanese tutorial. Japanese words take a lot of different ones and expressions to say. To learn how to say this in Japanese, you first need to listen to how it's said. The word "aisitemasu" is how you say "I love you" in Japanese. If you say this wrong, you could end up saying something completely different that will come off as the wrong response to "I love you". Once you learn how to say this correctly, you can learn how to say more phrases ...

How To: Pronounce the Japanese "R" sound

In this video we learn how to pronounce the Japanese "R" sound. About 90% of people learning this language have problems saying this. The "R" sound is a combination of different sounds, not just the "R" sound like it is in English. There are five different ways to say the "R" pronunciation. You will combine all of these sounds together in one sound, unlike English. To help say these more correctly, start out by making out normal English words, pushing your tongue against the top of your mouth...

How To: Use the Japanese Slang 'Kakkoii' or 'Cool'

In this tutorial, we learn Japanese slang "kakkoii" or "cool." The word we will learn is "kakkoii," which describes something that is cool, looks awesome, or sounds cool. So, if you wanted to describe a band that sounds cool or say someone is cool, you would use this word. There is a small "su" in the word that you will need to learn to pronounce when you are saying it. "Mabui" is a word that you would use to describe a girl who is really hot with a nice body and face. For the ladies, if you ...

How To: Use Japanese expressions for "lazy"

In this video, we learn how to use Japanese expressions for "lazy". This is difficult to translate for most people, because of how it's expressed and said. Mendo-Kusai is expressing something you don't feel like doing. This is something that takes too much effort, and you can take this to someone casually or with your friends. An example is if you don't feel like doing your homework, or you don't want to walk all the way around a grocery store. This basically means you are being lazy and don'...

How To: Say "thank you" in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say "thank you" in perfect Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Say "I want to" in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say "I want to" in perfect Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Ask how much something costs in Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to negotiate and make purchases in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Ask for help in perfect Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask for help in Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Say "cheers" and other drinking phrases in Japanese

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say "cheers" in perfect Japanese. With Japanese, as with any other language, a few key nouns and phrases (and knowing how to properly pronounce them) can go a long way. For more information, and to get started speaking Japanese yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Confess your love for someone in Japanese

Learning a new language can be a hard and trying task. It takes time and patience to fully understand and use a language. Something else that can be difficult is confessing your love to someone. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to confess your love for someone in Japanese. So good luck and enjoy!

How To: Say hello in Japanesse

It couldn't be any simpler than this. You don't need to fuss around to learn Japanese phrases. This instructional video makes it easy as possible by quickly showing you the correct way to say hello in Japanese. It only takes three seconds to pay attention and listen carefully!

How To: Write "tree" in Japanese

If you have ever wanted to learn Japanese or even just a few words in the language then this video is perfect for you to begin with. This video will show you how to write the word "tree" in Japanese in a fun creative way. The video takes a picture of an actual tree and redesigns it to become the word tree, but if you want to just learn how to write the word on it's own then a grab a piece of paper, pen and begin with making a horizontal stroke. Next, make a vertical line through the horizonta...

How To: Translate your name into Japanese in 2 easy ways

This is a video that explains to a person how to write their name in Japanese. The woman shows two ways as to how to translate your name in Japanese. The first is how the name is pronounced, and the second way is to translate your name based on the meaning. Usually the name is translated based on pronunciation in the native language. The name is pronounced similarly but not exactly the same. For example Rachel is pronounced "Reicheru". She also shows a website where more information can be fo...

How To: Write the Japanese character, "hito" meaning "human"

Writing the word “human” using Japanese characters or writing (also known as kanji) is deceptively easy. It can be completed in as little as two downward, curving strokes. Beginning from the top, draw a line downward, curving the direction of the pen or pencil slightly to the left as you go. Next, find the halfway point of the line you have just drawn. Once you have found the halfway point, draw a line from the halfway point downwards and curving slightly to the right. The end result will loo...

How To: Write the Japanese character "kuni" meaning "country"

This video tutorial is about Japanese language, and it shows us how to write the Japanese Kanji character "kuni" meaning "country". Our first step is to write a line starting from the top left and finishing in the bottom left. Remember that the order of the strokes in Japanese language are very important; there is just one possible stroke order for every character. After making the first stroke, you will need to make other two lines with only one stroke, starting from the same point than he p...

How To: Hold a dinner conversation with Japanese etiquette

This video language lesson explains how to hold polite dinner conversation in Japanese, focusing on traditional Japanese table etiquette. At the beginning of a meal, a typical thing to hear is "itadakimasu". Translated literally, it means, "I will partake." When finished with a meal, everyone says, "gochiso-sama", which is a way of expressing respect for the meal. The names of the utensils used in a Japanese meal are "hashi" (chopsticks), spoon (same as in English) and "foh-ku" (fork), "coppu...

How To: Learn the negative form of some basic Japanese verbs

Trying to increase your Japanese vocabulary? This video language lesson shows simple verbs in the negative form written in Japanese as well as English while the word is clearly pronounced. Follow along while watching this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to read and say some basic verbs in the negative form.

How To: Learn the simple past tense of basic Japanese verbs

Trying to increase your Japanese vocabulary? This video language lesson shows simple verbs in the past tense form written in Japanese as well as English while the word is clearly pronounced. Follow along while watching this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to read and say some basic verbs in the simple past tense form.

How To: Read and say basic Japanese verbs

Trying to increase your Japanese vocabulary? This video language lesson shows simple verbs written in Japanese as well as English while the word is clearly pronounced. Follow along while watching this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to read and say some basic verbs.

How To: Learn basic Japanese sentence structure

In English, sentences follow the SVO, subject verb object, structure. Japanese, on the other hand goes by the SOV, subejct object verb, structure. As it's a little counter-intuitive to a non-native speaker, it can make learning the Japanese language that much tricker. Watch this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to use and construct a sentence following proper formation rules.

How To: Say Japanese location words like here, there, & where

Where to start when learning a language, that's neither here nor there. This video language lesson starts building up a basic Japanese vocabulary of location words. Watch this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to say some terms associated with places, like here, there, and where.

How To: Count from 1 to 12 in Japanese

You're in Japan trying to buy something, but don't know how much it costs? Numbers are important to know, and simple to learn. This video language lesson shows the days of the week written in Japanese as well as English while the word is clearly pronounced. Follow along while watching this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to read and say numbers from one to twelve.

How To: Say and read the days of the week in Japanese

You're in Japan but don't know what today is or what tomorrow is going to be? The days of the week are important to know, and simple to learn. This video language lesson shows the days of the week written in Japanese hiragana and kanji, as well as English while the word is clearly pronounced. Follow along while watching this video Japanese language tutorial and learn how to read and say the days of the week.

How To: Use Japanese slang

Check out this instructional Japanese language video for a lesson in Japanese slang. Practice your lingo and impress native Japanese language speakers with your firm grasp of their vernacular. This video is great for language nerds and anime enthusiasts who are trying to improve their Japanese language skills.