JAPANESE
FOR BEGINNERS
Learning Conversational Japanese
JAPANESE
FOR BEGINNERS
SECOND EDITION
Sachiko Toyozato
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
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Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 2016 by Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Toyozato, Sachiko.
Japanese for beginners : learning conversational Japanese / Sachiko Toyozato.
— 1st ed.
ix, 242 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. + 1 sound disc (digital ; 4 3/4 in.)
ISBN 978-4-8053-1367-1 (pbk.)
1. Japanese language—Conversation and phrase books— English. I. Title.
PL539.T67 2008
495.6’83421
—dc22
2007038903
ISBN 978-4-8053-1367-1; ISBN 978-1-4629-1884-3 (ebook)
Distributed by: North America, Latin America & Europe
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First edition
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Contents
Introduction
Acknowledgments
How to Use This Book
Symbols and Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Sounding Japanese
Learning the Basic Japanese Syllables
The Japanese Writing System (Script)
From Syllables to Japanese Words
Vowels
Saying Double Consonant Sounds
Tips for Learning New Words and Sentences
Practice
Chapter 2: Wow!
Express Your Emotions! Start with Interjections
Short Dialogues
Vocabulary
Learning from the Dialogues
Formal and Informal Japanese: Understanding the Difference
Practice
Chapter 3: Excuse me, ...?
Short Dialogues
Vocabulary
Learning from the Dialogues
Using Hai
Practice
Chapter 4: How Do You Do?
Dialogue
Vocabulary
Learning from the Dialogue
Practice
Expressing Relationships
MakingIntroductions
Practice