Apr
28
2013

Japanese Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia. That’s a big scary term with a much less daunting meaning: any word that mimics a sound. In English, onomatopoeia consists of words like “boom”, “pop”, and “cock-a-doodle-do”.

Of course, Japanese also has onomatopoeia (which they call 擬態語 : ぎたいご). They have LOTS of it…

Japanese Onomatopoeia
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Jan
15
2013

6 Sites All Japanese Learners Should Bookmark

Today I’m going to share a collection of websites that I think are absolutely amazing resources which everyone learning Japanese should know about. A few of them I don’t use (because I’m already fluent in Japanese), but they’re all sites that I either have used, currently use, or wish I had known about when I was still at the beginner-intermediate level.

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Dec
08
2012

36 Cool and Obscure Words (WOTD Roundup)

For the last month or so, (almost) every day, I’ve been posting a #Japanese #WOTD on Twitter. Since information on twitter is quickly buried, I’ll leave a record here for the sake of data permanence…

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Dec
01
2012

Reading Practice: the Dead Parrot Sketch in Japanese

Month Python’s dead parrot sketch. It’s deservingly one of the most famous sketches in all comedy, in which John Cleese (Mr. Praline) attempts to return a dead parrot to a stubborn pet shop owner…

Reading Practice: the Dead Parrot Sketch in Japanese
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Oct
20
2012

Numbers and Time Cheat Sheet (PDF)

For those of you who missed it because you aren’t connected with Nihonshock on either Twitter or Facebook (shame on you!), I just released a digital version of one of the most popular sheets in the full Cheat Sheet Pack!

Numbers and Time Cheat Sheet (PDF)
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Oct
15
2012

Basic Japanese Cheat Sheet: Digital Version!

Today I am releasing a version of the Basic Japanese cheat sheet which has been fully optimized for use on a computer (or computer-like device).

Basic Japanese Cheat Sheet: Digital Version!
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Oct
02
2012

5 Traits of a Successful Japanese Learner

Let’s be honest, learning a language is tough. While some learners go on to be highly proficient speakers, living and working in their second language, a large number (probably a majority) either give up half way or struggle to progress beyond the intermediate level.

Fortunately, whether or not a person will become an advanced-level bilingual doesn’t seem to have any relation to their IQ or age…

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Aug
11
2012

Shorthand Kanji Forms

Shorthand kanji forms (called 略字:ryakuji in Japanese) are something you’re unlikely to come across in your Japanese studies (since they’re technically incorrect), and thanks to the everything-becoming-digital age are less useful than they once were.

Shorthand Kanji Forms
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Jul
19
2012

Off the Beaten Path: Gujo-Hachiman

What makes this town unique is not only it’s beautiful scenery, but a castle on a steep mountainside with a stunning view, an “old-style town” (古い町並み) that is a pleasant walk, a pristine river that runs through the town, and a certain very unique product that the town is known for.

Off the Beaten Path: Gujo-Hachiman
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Jul
11
2012

Otaku Expression: MINAGITTEKITA!!!

Today’s post will be a short one on my favorite expression in Japanese: ミ・ナ・ギ・ッ・テ・キ・ターーーー!!!!!

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