Japanese Phrases - The Tricky Topic of Love

By Emily Kato

There are many ways to tell someone you love them in every language. For the Japanese language, this is no exception. However, in Japanese there is not just one direct way to say I love you, but a number of ways to express feelings.

'Suki' is a popular word used in expressions to say 'I Love You'. It literally means 'Like' but is popular to use to express love. 'Suki desu' means 'I like' but also a more indirect way of saying 'I Love You'. 'Daisuki desu' is a more informal way of saying 'I really like you'. Males sometimes will use the version 'Suki da' and females 'Suki yo'. If you are in the Kansai region of Japan, you may hear 'Suki yanen' which is dialect for 'I Love You' or 'I Love It'.

To say 'I Love You' directly, you can use the expression 'Aishite Imasu'. 'Ai' is the Japanese word for love. Women will often use the expression 'Ai shite iru wa'.

'Rabu' is the Japanese loanword for 'Love'. It is used in a number of expressions such as 'Rabu retaa' which means 'Love Letter', or 'Rabu shiin' for 'Love scene'. A common phrase used by younger people when in love is 'Rabu Rabu' which is used when in love and means 'Love Love'.

Although you can learn words and phrases that express love, it is good to remember that in Japan it is not common to express opinions and feelings directly. That's why many Japanese couples don't say 'I Love You' often. Love is shown through actions and not so much through words.

How do Japanese show love? Usually by simple favors or gifts. There doesn't need to be anything elaborate, but something simple such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house, or buying a simple gift. - 30216

About the Author:

Learn the correct pronunciation for these phrases. To hear native speaker pronunciation for these Japanese phrases visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Japanese vs. European Languages

By Robertson Kunz

There are many reason that one might want to learn Japanese. Some people are interested in Japanese because of the cultural phenomenon that many products from Japan have become... from video games to anime.

However, there are other reasons, too, for wanting to learn Japanese. Some people are interested in Japanese because Japan is the second largest economy and it would help them greatly in their business efforts. Some people are impressed by Japan's deep cultural traditions.

For whatever your reason may be for learning a language like Japanese, you must remember a few things that learning a foreign language successfully means.

Japanese is more difficult to learn than a European language because Japanese uses kanji which are characters far different from the letters that make up our alphabet.

A language like Spanish, for example, shares many root words with English simply because the two languages have been in greater contact for longer and because English has borrowed a great many amount of words from Latin which is the basis for the Spanish language.

This means that learning Japanese is a little bit more tricky but I am not saying that it is impossible.

However, my best advice for you is to keep your reasons for learning Japanese strong if you want to get far in it.

If you really want to get to that high level in Japanese, you have to make sure that these reasons are foremost in your heart.

So, whether you want to become better at business and open up new opportunities or if you want to better understand that next anime episode you watch, make sure you keep that desire strong in your mind and heart.

This will ultimately keep you going on the long journey that studying Japanese entails. So, make sure that you are able to stay strong when studying and keep going no matter what. Just remember your reason for studying Japanese every time that you feel you are beginning to falter in your studies. - 30216

About the Author:

Author Robertson Kunz has a language learning guide: learn a foreign language fast. Japanese learners: study Japanese fast.

Japanese Phrases - Useful Phrases For Any Occasion

By Emily Kato

Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Congratulations - do you know how to say the Japanese phrases for these special occasions? If you are travelling to Japan or have Japanese friends and colleagues, knowing a few basic phrases for a special event will come in handy. Read on to get learn and be prepared with the essential phrases for special occasions.

At Christmas time, be prepared with "Merii Kurisu-masu!". It is easy to learn as there is no special Japanese words for this phrase, it has been taken directly from English. Christmas is celebrated more amongst younger people in Japan and so be ready with this phrase for your friends.

New Years is one of the most important and celebrated events for the Japanese people. To wish someone a "Happy New Year", the Japanese is "Ake-ma-shite Ome-detou Go-zai-masu" which literally means "Congratulations for the New Year". Another phrase used at New Years is "Yoi otoshi o" which translates as "Have a great new year". You may also hear people saying "Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu" which means "Please help me again this year".

There are many events where you would like to say "Congratulations". This is a simple one word in Japanese "Omedetou" for more formally "Omedetou Gozaimasu". If it is a birthday then add one word to make "Tanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu" which means "Congratulations for your birthday". Another variation is "Honjitsu wa omedeto gozaimasu" which can be used for any special event such as a wedding or other celebration and means "Congratulations for this day".

Japanese people love to give and receive gifts. If you are giving a gift, remember one of these phrases. "Tsumaranai mono desu ga" means "Its not much but" and if you are giving food say "Okuchi ni aimasu ka do ka", which means "I'm not sure if you will like it or not but".

You may like to wish "Good Luck" before a special event. In Japanese you would say "Ganbatte Ne". If you will not be seeing the person for some time, you can also say "Genki-de-ne". This is to wish them well for the future.

If you will be visiting Japan knowing some of these phrases for special occasions will certainly make your stay more interesting. Even if you are not travelling to Japan, imagine the delight of your Japanese friends when you are able to wish them 'Happy Birthday' or one of the other phrases we have covered in this article in their own language. - 30216

About the Author:

Hear how to pronounce these Japanese phrases visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Why Sushi Rolls are Everyone's Favorite

By Kimikoshi Sumo

One of the most popular types of sushi is the sushi roll. There are two primary types of sushi rolls that are sold in restaurants and sushi bars both in Japan and in North America.

Seaweed called nori on outside of sushi is one variety of sushi rolls. The second type has nori inside the roll.

The texture and flavor of sushi rolls change dramatically with the presence of seaweed inside or outside.

Those who enjoy nori often prefer the style of sushi roll where the nori is on the outside of the roll. This style of sushi roll is called futomaki.

A sushi roll with the nori on the inside is called uramaki.

Futomaki is the more popular type of maki sushi roll, as it is considered the more traditional form. When you purchase a sushi roll from a restaurant, at a sushi bar, or even in the grocery store, you will generally see futomaki.

Futomaki is typically vegetarian with non vegetarian toppings, such as fish eggs, on top of the roll. Futomaki is typically cut into pieces, although during some Japanese festivals, the futomaki is served as an entire roll.

Japanese prefer to eat with their fingers, so uramaki is becomes a less popular choice. As uramaki is has a tendency to be sticky and it falls apart under pressure, it is difficult to eat it either with fingers or chopsticks. A uramaki sushi roll, on the other hand, is non-vegetarian in nature and is served with sesame or fish egg toppings.

Since most Americans do not fancy futomaki with its black coating, uramaki is the preferred form of sushi rolls.

Hosomaki is the unsung hero of the sushi roll family. Like futomaki, hosomaki is wrapped with the nori on the outside of the roll.

Hosomaki has four variants known as Kappamaki, Tekkamaki, Negitoromaki and Tsunamayomaki.

Kappamaki that has cucumber as its main ingredient is said to cleanse the palate after eating raw fish dishes and its accompaniments.

Sushi rolls of tekkamaki variety has tuna fish in them, and is named as such.

Tuna and scallions are the main ingredients of Negitoromaki variety of sushi rolls.

The fourth variety of hosomaki, that is Tsunamayomaki, has canned tuna and mayonnaise in it. Such sushi rolls are easy to prepare at home and can be tried by any sushi enthusiast. - 30216

About the Author:

Kimikoshi Sumo is an intercontinental cuisine expert. Her sushi help website at http://www.hereishelp.com offers simple yet delicious sushi recipes. Kimi's sushi ebook "Introduction to Sushi" is jam packed with tips for making mouth watering sushi delicacies.

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