Lesson One - Cazilu

This is just a little lesson on the basics of nihongo (Japanese).  Before we start learning some words, get a notebook, and dedicate it especially to your
Japanese learning.  I tell everyone this, but it really does help to have a notebook.  I really don’t mind if you copy this lesson and print it off, but
sometimes writing things down by hand can help it stick in, so feel free to do both.  Also, just reading what I wrote can get a bit tedious. ^^

Okies, so there are four ways to write Japanese: Hiragana; Katana; Kanji,  and Romaji.  Hiragana is the standard writing system that Japanese words are
written in, Katana is the writing system exclusively for foreign words according to how the Japanese would say then, and Kanji is the system of one character
per word that was imported from China quite a bit back. You’ll often see hiragana and Kanji mixed in together.  Romaji is the way to write Japanese words
in the alphabet, which is what we’re gunna deal with until we’ve mastered Hiragana. Make sense?  If not, just re-read, take it at your own pace. ^^

Kay, enough blathering, let’s get on to learning some cool words. ^__^

We’ll start of with an introduction, and some greetings.

Hajimemashite (ha - ji - mem - ash - tet [note the ‘ji’ is pronounced softly]) - How do you do/Nice to meet you.  Hajimemashite is used when meeting someone
for the first time.

Kochirakoso (ko - chee - ra - koh - so) - Same here. This is used as an answer to Hajimemashite only.  It basically means, same here, or nice to
meet you too.  e.g  PersonA: Hajimemashite PersonB: Kochirakoso, Hajimemashite.

Ohayou (oh - high - yo) or a more full, polite way, Ohayougozaimasu (oh - high - yo - goz - aye - ee - mass) - Good Morning.

Konnichiwa (konn - ee - chee - wa) - Good Day/Good Afternoon

Konbanwa (kon - ban - wa) - Good Evening

Oyasumi (oh - ya - sue - mi) or Oyasuminasai (oh - ya - sue - meen - ah - sigh) - Good night.  This is used when going to bed, but not when leaving a
friends house at night.

Okay got this so far?  Go back and re-cap if you’re not so sure.  

Some super common words you’ll hear are

Hai (high) - Yes.  Can also be used in the context of ‘Okay!’ I will do that, or, Okay, I’m going to do.

Iie (ee - egh) - No.  Can also be used in the context, of ‘don’t mention it.’

Pleases and thank yous and what not.

Onegaishimasu (on - a - guy - she - mass) - Please

Kudasai (koo - da - sigh) - Please, used in the context of, please do this.

Douzo (doe - zo) - Please. An informal way, used with friends.

Doumo (doe - mo) - Thanks, informal.

Arigato (ah - ree - gat - oh) - Thankyou, a nice, polite way to say it.

And finally, we'll finish this lesson with

Sayonara (sigh - own - are - ra) - Goodbye

and

Mate ne! (ma - ta - nay) - See you!

Quiz Time - Just to make sure you were paying attention.  Which I'm sure you were.  Right?

Don't cheat and look back until you're done!

1. What do you say when meeting someone for the first time?

2. When saying thankyou to your teacher, which should you use?  Arigato, or Doumo?

3. When saying goodbye to your best friend, which word should you use for goodbye?  Sayonara, or Mate ne?

4.Hai means yes.  What can it also mean?

5.Name one writing system in Japan.

6. When should you say Oyasuminasai?
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