Wanna Learn Japanese with Me?

I always enjoy furthering my education, who doesn't? Right now I'm learning Japanese. I've just started, so, maybe I can help you out as I embark on this journey of 'speech improvement'.

I've only learned the basics, simple phrases, such as, 'hello, my name is Iian, Nice to meet you.' So we will start with that. Of course, you've heard it in movies, the Japanese way of saying 'hello' is Kon'nichi wa (Kone-nee-chee wah). Simple, is it not? It is a formal and informal greeting used universally. I'm not too sure if it's followed by a bow, but is probably considered polite to a native in a position of power.

If it is the first time you are meeting this person, you're going to want to tell them your name, right? Well, the thing to say is 'Watashi wa ________ desu'. Of course, your name goes in the blank. 'Watashi' is the noun meaning 'I'. 'Wa' is a particle indicating a subject or topic. And 'desu' (the 'u' usually being silent), is the verb, in this case, 'am'. In standard Japanese practice, it is traditional to use the last name first, ultimately giving respect to their family before themselves. So the sentence structure is 'noun wa noun desu'.

As for saying 'nice to meet you', that is just one word. 'Hajimemashte' (hah-jee-mah-mash-ta). It is just that, usually said after you have indicated your name.

Other useful words to know include 'Amerika-jin' which, of course, means American. And, also, 'Nihon-jin' (Nee-hone) which means Japanese.

The reason I am learning Japanese is because I do V.I.P. security for Anime Conventions, where people get together to meet 'voice-actors' who do the voices of their favorite Japanese cartoon characters, mostly English voice-overs. Also, at these, conventions, they have 'Cos-plays' where people dress up in their own unique costumes and do plays on stage, often parodies of popular Japanese cartoons, movies, and television shows. They hold traditional Japanese demonstrations such as martial arts, and the use of weapons. This year our performance artist is a one Kristine Sa who sings Japanese R&B for some well known Japanese animated cartoon called Inuyasha. I met her two years ago. She lives in Toronto, but also commutes to New York for publicity, and whatnot.

I will be writing a lesson for every lesson I learn, and will be opening you up to a whole new world, such is my duty in this world, to help others.