Questions...

[Newb]

Newb here...

OK, so i've mastered Hiragana and Katakana and found out that Japs actually write in Kanji too!

i think im going to have a headache.


anyway, i have a few questions...

1) any tips on how to grasp the basics of this language quickly?
2) when are chan, sama, and kun used?
3) how do u say no (meaning, something negative, not iie), can anyone show me a few examples?
4) when does one write in hiragana, katakana and kanji?
5) im not sure about the particles in the Japanese language other than ka and ne, so, can somebody list all other particles and tell me when to use them?


im sure i have more, but i cant think of any more questions right now.

thanks.

 

[PaulTB]

Originally posted by Newb
5) im not sure about the particles in the Japanese language other than ka and ne, so, can somebody list all other particles and tell me when to use them?

This page
JG|00.03
(under development ;-) might be worth a look.

The paragraph on particles is
"particle: Particles form one of the basic building blocks of Japanese sentences. They are placed immediately after the word or phrase they apply to. Among the most important particles are を [wo] が [ga] の [no] に [ni] は [ha] and へ [he / e]. Note that particles can sometimes be combined into compound particles. から kara (from) + の no (of) = からの (from/of). The phrase "My friend's letter" might be either a letter sent to your friend or a letter from your friend. In Japanese this can be cleared up with '友達からの手紙 [tomodachi kara no tegami.] The letter of+from my friend.'"

but there's more detail on the page for some of the most important particles, as well as links to examples [given below]

JG|wo
JG|ga
JG|no
JG|ni
JG|ha
JG|he

There are lots, and lots and lots of particles - if you count all the compound particles. A good chunk of the full list JG|viewList are probably 'particles'.

Originally posted by Newb
2) when are chan, sama, and kun used?

This would seem to be a good link to check.
San, Kun, Chan, Sama, etc, etc.. | Japan Forum
I'm sure not copying it all into this post.

 

[PaulTB]

Originally posted by Newb
1) any tips on how to grasp the basics of this language quickly?

Text books and lots, and lots of practice.

 

[Newb]

thanks PaulTB

i have a 1 more question.

examples:
in ohayo gozaimasu u dont pronounce the u.
in samui, u pronounce the u (right?).

so, is it safe to say that when the u is at the back, its silent?

 

[PaulTB]

Originally posted by Newb
thanks PaulTB

i have a 1 more question.

examples:
in ohayo gozaimasu u dont pronounce the u.
in samui, u pronounce the u (right?).

Right, as far as I know. (Although they usually say 'the u is devoiced' rather than 'the u is not pronounced'.

so, is it safe to say that when the u is at the back, its silent?

Er, you mean when it's the last character in the romaji word?
No it isn't safe. I'm pretty sure that 'boku' is not said 'bok'.

 

[Newb]

yeah, well, perhaps i clarify this by saying:

so, is it safe to say that when su is at the back, the u is not pronounced?

 

[PaulTB]

Originally posted by Newb
yeah, well, perhaps i clarify this by saying:

so, is it safe to say that when su is at the back, the u is not pronounced?

Hmm, not sure. I think the 'su' is probably pronounced in verbs like watasu 渡す.

[moved next bit down a post - wasn't sure you'd spotted I'd added it]

3) how do u say no (meaning, something negative, not iie), can anyone show me a few examples?

If you mean "X is not Y." then there are quite a few options

ja nai, dewa nai, ja arimasen, dewa arimasen, ja nai desu and dewa nai desu.

e.g. 犬じゃない。 [ inu ja nai]
(That) is not a dog.

More example sentences at JG|da