Street Kanji #4

営業中　－　えいぎょうちゅう　－　Eigyouchuu　－　Open

You will often see the above sign at the entrance to shops and restaurants. The sign literally means 'Currently doing business' so in other words it means '(we are) open'

Kanji Break Down

営 = Occupation, Camp, Perform, Build, Conduct, (business)
ON Reading: Ei
KUN Reading: Itonamu, Itonami

業 = Business, Vocation, Arts, Performance.
ON Reading: Gyou, Gou
KUN Reading: Waza

中 = In, Inside, Middle, Mean, Centre
ON Reading: Chuu
KUN Reading: Naka, Uchi, Ataru

Every Day Saturday #4. How to say you don't like the taste of something in a polite way.

There are going to be times when you are given something to eat which you are not too keen on. After all a lot of Japanese food is not to Western taste and it will take time to aquire a taste for some foods, such has Natto. So the following two, every day phrases may help:

不思議な味だね。　－　ふしぎなあじだね。　－　Fushigi na aji dane.　－　It's an unusual taste.

まあまあ　－　Maa-maa.　－　It's okay / So-so.

These two are polite ways of saying you do not really like something, especially if it's something the other person has made. (If they are really proud of it, it's best to say oishii but be less enthusiastic than normal)

Kanji Break Down

不 = Negative, Non-, Bad, Ugly, Clumsy.
ON Reading: Fu, Bu.

思 = Think.
ON Reading: Shi.
KUN Reading: Omou, Omoeraku, Obosu.

議 = Deliberation, Consultation, Debate, Consideration.
ON Reading: Gi.
KUN Reading: Kata, Nori.

味 = Flavour, Taste.
ON Reading: Mi.
KUN Reading: Aji, Ajiwau.

Kanji (ON or KUN reading?) Video lesson.

A video I posted on YouTube which may be of interest to you all.

When do you know to read the Chinese ON reading or the Japanese KUN Reading? Well a guide to use is if the Kanji is in a group of two or more you may read the Kanji with the Chinese On Reading. On it's own you may read it using the Japanese KUN Reading. I have used the example for tree　木.　Using the Chinese ON reading it is 　－　もく　－　モク　－　Moku.　Using the Japanese KUN reading it is 　－　き　－　Ki.

The example I have used is　－　木曜日　－　もくようび　－　Mokuyoubi　－　Thursday

Has you can see the above is made up of two or more Kanji and 木 is read has 'Moku.' On it's own however 木 is read has 'Ki'

This is just a guide to reading Kanji and is not a hard and fast rule. It is just a guide to help you make an educated guess.

A Little More etc. - Mou Sokushi #2 - Asking for a different item

もう少し大きいのはありませんか。　－　もうすこしおおきいのはありませんか。　－　Mou sukoshi ookii no wa arimasen ka.　－　Don't you have a larger one?

Kanji Breakdown:
大 = Large, Big
ON Reading: Dai, Tai
KUN Reading: Ookii

もう少し小さいのはありませんか。　－　もうそくしちいさいのはありませんか。　－　Mou sukoshi chiisai no ha arimasen ka.　－　Don't you have a smaller one?

Kanji Breakdown:
小 = Little, Small
ON Reading: Shou
KUN Reading: Chiisai

もう少し安いのはありませんか。　－　もうそくしやすいのはありませんか。　－　Mou sukoshi yasui no ha arimasen ka.　－　Don't you have a cheaper one?

Kanji Breakdown:
安 = Relax, Cheap, Low, Quiet, Rested, Contented, Peaceful
ON Reading: An
KUN Reading: Yasui, Yasumaru, Yasu, Yasuraka

もう少し地味なのはありませんか。　－　もうそくしじみなのはありませんか。　－　Mou sokushi jimi na no ha arimasen ka.　－　Don't you have a plainer one?

Kanji Breakdown:
地 = Ground, Earth
ON Reading: Chi, Ji

味 = Flavour, Taste
ON Reading: Mi
KUN Reading: Aji, Ajiwau

もう少し派手なのはありませんか。　－　もうすこしはでなのはありませんか。　－　Mou sokushi hade na no ha arimasen ka.　－　Don't you have a louder one?

Kanji Breakdown:
派 = Faction, Group, Party, Clique, Sect, School
ON Reading: Ha

手 = Hand
ON Reading: Shu, Zu
KUN Reading: Te

Verbs #1 Akeru

There are at least 13 verb variations in Japanese. The Plain Form, Masu Form, Imperative, Te Form, Conditional, Presumptive, Volitional, Potential, Passive, Causative, Causative Passive, Honourific and Humble.　But I will only concentrate on the Plain, Masu and Te forms for now.

There are actually three meanings for the word 'Akeru' but they vary depending on which kanji is used. Which is why it is important to learn Kanji. The first one is:

開 ける　＝　To open.
空ける　＝　To empty, keep the day open.
明ける　＝　The day breaks.　　　　　　　　　　　　

PLAIN FORM:
Present Affirmative: ける Akeru
Past Affirmative: あけた Aketa　 　
Present Negative: あけない Akenai 　　　
Past Negative: あけなかった Akenakatta

MASU FORM:
Present Affirmative: あけます Akemasu
Past Affirmative: あけました Akemashita　
Present Negative: あけません Akemasen 　 　
Past Negative: あけませんでした Akemasendeshita

TE FORM: 　　　　
Affirmative: あけて Akete
Negative: あけなくて Akenakute

Sentence examples:
まどを開けてもいいですか。　－　まどをあけても いいですか。　－　Mado wo akete mo ii desu ka.　－　May I open the window?

この どの日曜日を空けておいてください。　－　こんどのにちようびをあけておいてください。　－　Kondo no nichiyoubi wo akete oite kudasai.　ー　Please keep this Sunday open.

夜が明ける　－　よるがあける　－　 Yoru ga akeru　－　Day Breaks.

開 = Open, Unfold, Unseal.
ON Reading: Kai.
KUN Reading: Hiraku, Hiraki, Hirakeru, Aku, Akeru.

空 = Empty, Sky, Void, Vacant, Vacuum
ON Reading: Kuu
KUN Reading: Sora, Aku, Aki, Akeru, Kara, Suku, Sukasu, Munashii

明 = Bright, Light
ON Reading: Mei, Myou, Min
KUN Reading: Akari, Akarui, Akarumu, Akaramu, Akiraka, Akeru, Aku, Akuru, Akasu.

Sound Files #2: Goodbye

さようなら　－　Sayounara　―　Goodbye.

でわまた　－　Dewa mata　－　See you later.

また明日　－　またあした　－　Mata ashita 　－　See you tomorrow

A Little More etc. - Mou Sokushi #1 - Requests

もう少しください。　－　もうすこしください。　－　Mou sokushi kudasai　－　May I have some more, please?

もう少しお待ちください。　－　もうすこしおまちください。　－　Mou sukoshi omachi kudasai.　－　Wait a little longer, please.

もう少し急いでください。　－　みうすこしいそいでください。　－　Mou sukoshi isoide kudasai.　－　Please hurry up.

もう少し静かにしてください。　－　もうすこししずかにしてください。　Mou sukoshi shizuka ni shite kudasai.　－　Please be quiet.

もう少しゆっくり話してください。　－　もうすこしゆっくりはなしてください。　－　Mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai.　－　Please speak a little more slowly.

もう少しおあがりください。　－　もうすこしおあがりください。　－　Mou sukoshi oagari kudasai.　－　Please have some more (food)

少 = Few Little.
ON Reading = Shou
KUN Reading = Sukunai, Sukoshi.

Onomatopoeia #1 - Peko Peko

ぺこぺこ　－　Peko peko　－　To be very, very hungry.

お腹ぺこぺこよ！　－　Onaka peko peko yo!　－　I'm starving.

お腹はぺこぺこです。－　Onaka wa peko peko desu.　－　I am hungry.

お腹がぺこぺこです。　－　Ohara ga peko peko desu.　－　I'm Starved.

腹　＝　Abdomen, Belly, Stomach

ON Reading:　Fuku

KUN Reading:　Hara.

I suppose onaka could be お中、but お腹 is used because rather than middle it has to do with one's stomach. In effect naka is a special reading for 腹 in this one instance.

It's a Waste

In this, one of my extra lessons for this blog only, we will learn the word:-

無駄　－　むだ　－　Waste.

無 = Nothingness, None, Ain't, Nothing, Nil, Not.

ON Reading: Mu, Bu.

KUN Reading: Nai.

駄  = Burdensome, Pack horse, Horse load, Send by horse.

ON Reading: Da, Ta.

無駄です。　/　それは無駄です。　－　むだです　/　それはむだです。　－　Muda desu. / Sore wa muda desu.　－　It's a waste.

無駄！　－　むだだよ！　－　Muda da yo!　－　It's no use / it's a waste.

いまさら後悔しても無駄だ。　－　いまさらこうかいしたもむだだ。　－　Ima sara koukai shite mo muda da.　－　It's no use regretting it now.

時間の無駄です。　－　じかんのむだです。　－　Jikan no muda desu.　－　It's a waste of time.

時間を無駄にするな。　－　じかんをむだにするな。　－　Jikan wo muda ni suru na.　－　Don't waste time.

お金の無駄です。　－　おかねのむだです。　－　Okane no muda desu.　－　It's a waste of money.

無駄遣いをするな。　－　むだずかいをするな。　－　Muda zukai wo suruna.　－　Don't waste your money.

無駄口をたたくな。　－　むだくちをたたくな。　－　Muda kuchi wo tatakuna.　－　Don't waste your breath.

Osewaninaru

Today's lesson is going to be a quick one on the word:-

Osewaninaru　－　お世話になる　－　おせわになる

There is actually no real English translation for this word. In other words there is nothing like it. It literally means 'You've taken care of me.' But I guess it translates better has 'Thank you for all your trouble' or 'Thank you for your hospitality.'

Quick Verbs:

Dictionary form:　お世話になる　－　おせわになる　－　Osewaninaru

Present / future form:　お世話になります　－　おせわになります　－　Osewaninarimasu

Past form:　お世話になりました　－　おせわになりました　－　Osewaninarimashita

Somtimes you might see it written has:　御世話になる

御 = Honourable, Manipulate, Govern.

ON Reading: Gyo, Go

KUN Reading: On-, O-, Mi-

世 = Generation, World, Society, Public

ON Reading: Sei, Se, Sou

KUN Reading: Yo, Sanjuu

話 = Tale, Talk

ON Reading: Wa

KUN Reading: Hanasu, Hanashi.

Sample Sentences:

お世話になりました。　－　おせわになりました。　－　I really appreciate your kindness / Thank you for all your trouble.

日本にいる時はお世話になりました　－　にほんにるときはおせわになりました。　－　Thank you for your kindness when I was in Japan. / Thank you for your hospitality when I was in Japan. 

Street Kanji #3

Today's street kanji is:

お手洗い　－　おてあらい　－　Otearai　－　Toilet / lavatory.

Kanji break down:

手 = Hand

KUN Reading = Shu / Zu

ON Reading = Te / Ta

洗 = Wash

KUN Reading = Sen

On Reading = Arau

Example sentence:

お手洗いはどこですか。　－　おてあらいはどこですか。　－　Otearai wa doko desu ka.　－　Where is the toilet / lavatory?

Every Day Saturday #3 Yokatta & Yatta

YOKATTA.
よかった　－　Yokatta.　Comes from the adjective 　良い　－　Yoi　Which means 'good.' It is this adjective's past conjugation. 　良かった。In other words it literally means 'was good'
However in Japanese it is often used to mean something like 'I am so glad' and is also normally written in Hiragana.

東京はとてもよかったです。　－　とうきょうはとてもです。　－　Toukyou wa totemo yokatta desu. 　－　Tokyo was great.

よかったですね。　－　Yokatta desu ne.　I am glad.

YATTA!
やった　－　Yatta　Is actually the shorten form of the word 　やりました　－　Yarimashita, Which translates to ”(I / We) did it." But can also have meanings of "okay!", "ready" "it's done", or "alright"

わたしは勝つです、やった！　－　わたしはかつです、やった！　－　Watashi wa katsu desu, yatta!　－　I won, hooray!

Sound Files #1 - Greetings

お早う　－　おはよう　－　Ohayou　－　Good Morning.

今日は　－　こんにちは　－　Konnichiwa　－　G00d Afternoon.

看板は　－　こんばんは　－　Konbanwa　－　Good Evening.

A Very Informal Way to Say 'Don't'

I thought maybe I could teach a way of saying 'don't' but the kind of 'don't' you will often read in manga or hear in anime, even in films and on the street among close friends. Anyway, the way of saying this informal 'don't' is taking the verb in it's dictionary form and then adding 'na' at the end, so for example.

食べる　＋　な　=　食べるな = (taberuna) Don't eat!
行く　+　な　=　行くな　=　(ikuna) Don't go!

So take any verb, in it's dictionary form and add 'na' at the end makes it a very informal way to say 'don't.'

So for example, you are cooking a meal and some of the food you have cooked is on the table ready and your friend say's something like '美味しそう'　(Oishisou = that looks delicious) and then goes to taste the food you have cooked you could say '食べるな' (don't eat)

Please be aware this is very informal, and so therefore, is actually a little impolite. This is something you would only use with good friends.

First Kitchen - Fakkin

You're in Tokyo and you can't find a 'First Kitchen'? Then ask for directions, but remember the Japanese have a habit of shortening words so you will have to ask where the nearest :- ファッキン is.

最寄りのファッキンはどこですか。
Moyori no fakkin wa doko desu ka.

最寄り : 'Moyori' = Nearest.
の : 'no' this is a particle meaning something like 'of.'
ファッ キン : Fakkin (First Kitchen) The Japanese often shorten words for example the Japanese band 'Asian Kung Fu Generation' is often shortened to 'Ajikan.'
は : 'wa' is the subject particle.
どこ : 'doko' = where.
です : 'desu' = is / are
か : 'Ka' is the question particle. To make a sentence a question add 'ka' at the end.

Yes, I know it is childish and immature to want to go to a First Kitchen just so you can say the word 'fakkin' Just because it sounds very similar to the 'F' word, but it has to be done.
Actually it is also often referred to just 'FK' (Efukei) and they redesigned their logo in 2005 to emphasize this.

Useful Daily Expressions

Ohayou gozaimasu 　おはようございます　Good Morning. This is normally said until about 10:00 A.M.

Konnichiwa 　 こんにちは　Hello. This greeting is normally spoken between 10:00 A.M. until evening or sundown.

Konbanwa 　こんばんは　Good Evening.

Sayounara 　さようなら　Good Bye.

Shitsurei shimasu 　しつれいします Good Bye. Said in more formal occasions instead of Sayounara.

Oyasuminasai 　おやすみなさい　Good Night. This is said before going to bed. When parting company at night, outside the home, it is more usual to say Sayounara.

Ja mata / Dewa mata 　じゃまた　/　ではまた　Well then...This is said informally when parting from family or friends.

Itte rasshai 　いってらっしゃい　This literally means 'go and come back' and is said to members of the household as they leave home.

Itte mairimasu　 いってまいります　The Literal meaning of this phrase is 'I'm going and coming' It is the reply to Itte Rasshai.

Tadaima 　 ただいま 　Literally means 'I have returned' This is said by a person when they return home.

Okaerinasai 　 おかえりなさい　This is the reply to Tadaima and means Welcome Home.

O-genki desu ka 　 おげんきですか　How are you? It more correctly translates as 'Are you well?'

Arigatou gozaimasu. Genki desu.　ありがとうございます。げんきです　I am well, thank you.

O-daijini 　 おだいじに　Take care of yourself.

O-genki de 　 おげんきで　Take care, or more literally 'keep well.'

Doumo arigatou gozaimasu どうもありがとうございます　Thank you very much.

Dou itashimashite 　 どういたしまして　You're Welcome.

Sumimasen 　すみません　Excuse me, I'm sorry.

Gomen nasai 　ごめんなさい I am sorry. Less formal than Sumimasen.

Chotto matte kudasai 　ちょっとまってください　Please wait a moment or Wait a moment, please.

Mou ichido onegaishimasu 　もういちどおねがいします　Once more, please.

Yukkuri onegaishimasu 　ゆっくりおねがいします　Slowly, please.

Osakini 　 おさきに　This means 'Pardon my going first / before you' This is normally said when leaving the office or a meeting before or ahead of other people.

Douzo osakini どうぞおさきに　Please, go ahead.

Ki o tsukete 　きをつけて　Be Careful! or Take Care!

Abunai あぶない　This literally means 'It's Dangerous' but is used in a way of saying 'Look Out!'

Dame desu 　だめです　Impossible / No Good / Out of the question. Dame desu yo can mean 'Stop it!'

Ganbatte Kudasai がんばってください　This is like saying 'Keep at it' / 'Do your best' / Keep your chin up' It is used as words of encouragement

Itadakimasu 　いただきます　An expression of gratitude before a meal.

Gochisousamadeshita　ごちそうさまでした　Said after meals or when leaving a restaurant.

Is That (Am I On) The Right ~ ?

~ 行きですか　－　~いきですか　－　~Iki desu ka.

このバスは新宿行きですか。　－　このバスはしんじゅくいきですか。　－　Kono basu wa shinjuku iki desu ka.　－　Is that the right bus to Shinjuku? / Am I on the right bus to Shinjuku?

この電車は大阪行きですか。　－　このでんしゃはおおさかいきですか。　－　Kono densha wa Oosaka iki desu ka.　－　Is that the right train to Osaka? / Am I on the right train to Osaka?

この地下鉄は池袋行きですか。　－　このはちかてつはいけぶくろいきですか。　－　Kono chikatetsu wa ikebukuro iki desu ka.　－　Is that the right tube / underground / subway to Ikebukuro?
Am I on the / underground / subway to Ikebukuro? Am I on the right tube . underground / subway to Ikebukuro?

The above phrases can be used either when you are on the platform or in the train. Or in the case of the bus, at the bus stop or when boarding the bus.
Another example and an important one to remember is:

この電車はどこ行きですか。　－　このでんしゃはどこ行きですか。　－　Kono densha wa doko iki desu ka.　－　Where does this train go?

At big stations where many lines stop, even Japanese will get confused if they are not familiar with the place. Here are some more phrases that should help you when you are not sure which train or bus to take.

中央線は何番線ですか。　－　ちゅうおうせんはなんばんせんですか。　－　Chuuoo sen wa nan bansen desu ka.　－　What track (number) is the Chuo line?

小田急線はこのほうもですか。/　ここですか。　－　おだきょうせんはこのほうもですか　/　ここですか。　－　Odakyuu sen wa kono houmo desu ka / koko desu ka.　－　Is this the platform for the Odakyu line?

新宿行きのバスは何番ですか。　－　しんじゅくいきのバスはなんばんですか。　－　Shinjuku iki no basu wa nan ban desu ka?　－　What's the number of the bus that goes to Shinjuku?

この電車は特急　/　急行　/　各駅ですか。　－　このでんしゃはとっきょう　/　きゅうこう　/　かくえきですか。　－　Kono densha wa tokkyuu / kyuukou / kakueki desu ka.　－　Is this train a Limited Express / an Express / a Local?

この電車は四谷に止まりますか。　－　このでんしゃはよつやにとまりますか。　－　Kono densha ha Yotsuya ni tomarimasu ka.　－　Does this train stop at Yotsuya?

Expressing Likes and Dislikes.

In this lesson we will take a quick look at how to say you like or dislike something.

これは好きです。　－　これはすきです。　－　Kore wa suki desu.
I really like it (them)

これはあまり好きじゃありません。　－　これはあまりすきじゃありません。　　Kore wa amari suki ja arimasen.
I don't really like this (these) very much.

これは大好物です。　－　これはだいこうぶつです。　－　Kore wa daikoubutsu desu.
I love this food.

これは苦手なんです。　－　これはにがてなんです。　－　Kore wa nigate na n desu.
I'm not very fond of this food.

If you want to mention you have not liked milk since your were a child you could be blunt and say:
ミルクはきらいです。　－　Miruku wa kirai desu.　－　I don't like milk.
When you have been invited to dinner, however, it is a different matter. This is because the food that's in front of you is something that your host has kindly provided and cooked. If you find you've been served something you can't eat, say:
すみません、いかはたべられません。　－　Sumimasen, ika wa taberaremasen.　
I'm sorry, I can't eat squid.
これはちょっとにがてなｎです。　－　Kore wa chotto nigate na n desu.
I'm afraid I don't really like this.
おさけはだめなんです。　－　Osake wa dame na n desu.
I don't drink.
These phrases should help you from hurting your host’s feelings.....as long, of course, you gobble up the other dishes.

Katakana

This is Katakana. This writing system is used for foreign words, Foreign names and places. Example my name, Steve, is written as: ステイーブ

Katakana カタカナ

	A　 ア	I　 イ	U　 ウ	E 　エ	O 　オ
K	KA　 カ	KI キ	KU ク	KE ケ	KO コ
S	SA サ	SHI シ	SU ス	SE セ	SO ソ
T	TA タ	CHI チ	TSU ツ	TE テ	TO ト
N	NA ナ	NI ニ	NU ヌ	NE ネ	NO ノ
H	HA ハ	HI ヒ	FU フ	HE ヘ	HO ホ
M	MA マ	MI ミ	MU ム	ME メ	MO モ
Y	YA ヤ		YU ユ		YO ヨ
R	RA ラ	RI リ	RU ル	RE レ	RO ロ
W	WA ワ				WO ヲ
N, M	ん
G	GA ガ	GI ギ	GU グ	GE ゲ	GO ゴ
Z	ZA ザ	JI ジ	ZU ズ	ZE ゼ	ZO ゾ
D	DA ダ	JI ヂ	ZU ヅ	DE デ	DO ド
B	BA バ	BI ビ	BU ブ	BE ベ	BO ボ
P	PA パ	PI ピ	PU プ	PE ペ	PO ポ
	KYA キャ		KYU キュ		KYO キョ
	SHA シャ		SHU シュ		SHO ショ
	CHA チャ		CHU チュ		CHO チョ
	NYA ニャ		NYU ニュ		NYO ニョ
	HYA ヒャ		HYU ヒュ		HYO ヒョ
	MYA ミャ		MYU ミュ		MYO ミョ
	RYA チャ		RYU リュ		RYO チョ
	GYA ギャ		GYU ギュ		GYO ギョ
	JA ジャ		JU ジュ		JO ジョ
	BYA ビャ		BYU ビュ		BYO ビョ
	PYA ピャ		PYU ピュ		PYO ピョ

Double Consonants

KK, PP, SS, TT

ツ

Long Vowels

AA	アー
II	イー
UU	ウー
EE, EI	エー
OU, OO	オー