Japanese to know upon arrival

[weepinbell]

Anything you wish you knew how to communicate when you first got to Japan? I feel like there are those super common phrases/situations in all countries you would never learn in a textbook... Now that I know I'm going, I figure I should take my Genki I level Japanese a lil further lol.

[naginataonthebrain]

The first phrase that my study abroad program's staff taught us on day 1 of orientation was "mottainai", which translates to "What a waste". I thought that was a really good phrase to know because there are so many opportunities where you might be tempted to play it safe (whether it's trying a new food or going out with people you don't really now). Also, I really wish I had been given a primer on Kansai-ben before I left for study abroad because my host family used it constantly and I felt so lost for like a month or so. Therefore, when I learn my placement, I want to see what kind of dialect they use and try to prep on that beforehand.

[weepinbell]

The first phrase that my study abroad program's staff taught us on day 1 of orientation was "mottainai", which translates to "What a waste". I thought that was a really good phrase to know because there are so many opportunities where you might be tempted to play it safe (whether it's trying a new food or going out with people you don't really now). Also, I really wish I had been given a primer on Kansai-ben before I left for study abroad because my host family used it constantly and I felt so lost for like a month or so. Therefore, when I learn my placement, I want to see what kind of dialect they use and try to prep on that beforehand.

yeah dialects are a big concern for me since my Japanese is so remedial haha. I requested Osaka for one of my placements.... if I get it... that'd be cool, but... Imma be so lost haha....

[webstaa]

You'll probably get a cheat sheet with few basic things like a basic self introduction using a bit more formal language and advising to use plenty of yoroshiku onegaishimasu and gambarimasu. Just use what you know.

Maybe one you won't hear but the sentiment will follow you around is 'shoganai' - sort of a too bad mixed with a 'nothing can be done to change the situation' sort of resignation.

Unless you want to dive down the hole of local dialects when you get your placement info.

[Ananasboat]

I wouldn't worry about dialects too much when you first get here. They're sticky business, but I feel like they're best learned when you're exposed to them. Useful Japanese, obviously, is greetings, basic grammar forms and learning hiragana and katakana. If you have time to learn some kanji, start that as well. There's more than enough time to get a basic grasp of the language before you head out. But, you should also focus on business style Japanese. There's going to be lots of talk about contracts and paperwork and various buildings that you'll be going to in your first weeks.

[mothy]

Food kanji is useful to know right away. Especially if you have any dietary restrictions.

[BifCarbet]

I'd recommend learning job titles of people within a school (kouchou, kyouto, etc.), and some words used in the daily schedule (#-jikanme, kyuushoku, souji/seisou, nicchoku, uchiawase). Also, it couldn't hurt to things like city hall, board of education, supervisor, etc.

If you find yourself somewhere with a cool dialect, just add it to your studies. Keep studying the language normally, and try to figure out when people use weird stuff. Once you have the real (hyoujungo) way to say it, try to work the dialect into your speaking. After a couple years, you'll be translating your dialect into regular Japanese for people from out of the area.

[AyaReiko]

I think something really useful would be "Sumimasen, nihongo ga (yoku) wakarimasen." (Sorry, I don't understand Japanese (well).)

Good Osakaben to know:
- shindoi = tired
- ya = da/desu (ex: seyakedo = sou dakedo)
- na = ne
- verb-hen - verb nai (ex: wakarahen = wakaranai)

Poeple don't actually say Ookini, but they do say Nandeyanen!

[webstaa]

Poeple don't actually say Ookini, but they do say Nandeyanen!

In my experience, the only time I've heard ookini is when somebody was trying to use Osaka-ben and the other person thought it was funny/cute.

[AyaReiko]

I've only ever heard it said as an example of Osaka-ben.

[soh]

osakini shitsurei shimasu when you get off work

[naginataonthebrain]

I think something really useful would be "Sumimasen, nihongo ga (yoku) wakarimasen." (Sorry, I don't understand Japanese (well).)

Good Osakaben to know:
- shindoi = tired
- ya = da/desu (ex: seyakedo = sou dakedo)
- na = ne
- verb-hen - verb nai (ex: wakarahen = wakaranai)

Poeple don't actually say Ookini, but they do say Nandeyanen!

I definitely heard shopkeepers in Kyoto say ookini but never in Osaka so maybe it's just a Kyoto thing?

[weepinbell]

YES thank you guys. Super helpful. I know maybe a little over 100 kanji, but... we all know how that is. I'm definitely gonna start trying to improve that number before I go. And yeah, looking at business Japanese is definitely not a bad idea either....

[acpc2203]

Kore onegaishimasu (this please) is useful when you order food from a menu, since you can just point at something on the menu instead of having to say it what it is.

[Lorenzo]

As I'm beginning to learn what a helpful, kind and empathetic guy you are, Ini, especially to new, fresh-faced, rabbit-in-the-headlights JETs, I thought I better Google that one before memorizing it. Probably a good thing I did.

[weepinbell]

I'm bringing this back because omg I'm at such a studying block. I feel like actually BEING there is gonna help me improve so so much, but right now I feel like I know zero Japanese even though I've been in class consistently for a year ugh.... I'm gonna be so discouraged when I get there haha. It'll be so overwhelming no matter how much I study, so that's something to prepare for for suuuure.

I'm finishing up Genki I, so I know some really good basics and I'm definitely gonna get Genki II. I sometimes use Anki, but I don't think it really works well for me. I'm definitely the type of person where repetition through writing helps more than repetition through flashcards... any suggestions? Right now I'm just kind of doing the work in Genki, memorizing vocab/kanji... I feel like I could be doing a lil more but I'm not sure where to start!

[acpc2203]

I'm bringing this back because omg I'm at such a studying block. I feel like actually BEING there is gonna help me improve so so much, but right now I feel like I know zero Japanese even though I've been in class consistently for a year ugh.... I'm gonna be so discouraged when I get there haha. It'll be so overwhelming no matter how much I study, so that's something to prepare for for suuuure.

I'm finishing up Genki I, so I know some really good basics and I'm definitely gonna get Genki II. I sometimes use Anki, but I don't think it really works well for me. I'm definitely the type of person where repetition through writing helps more than repetition through flashcards... any suggestions? Right now I'm just kind of doing the work in Genki, memorizing vocab/kanji... I feel like I could be doing a lil more but I'm not sure where to start!

I'd try to start reading native Japanese stuff, books and magazines geared towards kids are a good start since they don't have complex grammar and often have furigana. Helps a ton with grammar since you see how it is actually used instead of having a book explain it to you, also it's a good way to pick up new words. Also you can practice your writing on Lang8 and native Japanese speakers will correct it for you. I really liked anki but for it to work you need to be religious about doing your decks everyday (same for all SRS stuff really) or you will forget it and/or have a huge backlog. Finally be sure to study at least a bit everyday, it definitely helps with retaining things you learned.

[BifCarbet]

you see how it is actually used instead of having a book explain it to you

This is great. Mild immersion helps out a lot. Also, jisho.org is great for vocab, because it offers a lot of sample sentences so, again, you can see how a word is used.

Don't worry about slow progress. If you've only been studying for a year, being at a pretty elementary level is normal. Getting to Japan will definitely help. Give it time.

[webstaa]

If writing works for you, just get a bunch of Japanese kids books/manga etc and transcribe them into notebooks. You can double that up by translating everything you get your hands on. I did this for my school - I translated all the 1,2,3rd year, health, and principal's newsletters for a while. Which usually helps with vocabulary around the school as well.

[weepinbell]

I really like that idea webstaa, I'm gonna start doing that. Thanks guys.