New at Japanese

[bonz]

So I've decided to start learning Japanese. Gonna be a great challenge for me. Anyway, questions!
How did you start learning Japanese?
What's the best way to start learning the language? Also, if you can't get classes, will that just make the learning progress alot harder?

[nhk9]

Welcome, you've came to the right place

Best way? Get a Japanese girl/boyfriend who doesn't speak your mother tongue.

Otherwise, you can try some books, such as "genki". A year in Japan is better than a few years in Aussie land, so maybe you wanna consider going there too

Good luck

[Bucko]

Starting's the hardest part. First, check out www.japanesepod101.com and find their first lessons (from early last year). It's a podcast website that's fantastic and free. Second, get a text book like 'Genki' and start studying from it. At the same time you should go and find some resources on the interenet to help you learn hiragana and katakana, two basic writing scripts used in Japanese.

Good luck!

[bonz]

Thanks for the replies :) but... stupid question..
what exactly is "Genki" :?

[Mikawa Ossan]

Thanks for the replies :) but... stupid question..
what exactly is "Genki" :?
"Genki" means 'active, full of energy, fine, well', etc.

"How are you?" is often translated as "Ogenki desu ka?" and vice versa. although the "correct" answer is different. In English we expect something along the lines of "fine, thanks", but the Japanese is a yes/no question (lit. Are you well?) so the proper response is a "yes".

Does this help at all?

[Bucko]

Here's the textbook, 'Genki'

http://www.thejapanshop.com/product.php?productid=16153&cat=270&page=1

[Mikawa Ossan]

Does this help at all?
Hehehe, I guess not, huh? Sorry, that'll teach me to read the threads a little better!

[bonz]

I was referring to the text book, but thanks for the advanced translations! ;)

To understand every-day life in Japan, do you need to know around 1800 Kanji?! That just kills my confidence in learning their language. All those symbols are daunting to memorize.

[northsider1983]

To read Japanese yes you need to know all those kanji. But if you do not intent on writing or reading much, I would focus on speaking and it's much easier. Of course doing both at the same time is the best way. It is a lot to remember, but Japanese people study throughout school, so don't expect to learn it in 1 year, or even two...you will continue to learn.

[Terumoto]

I take classes and in them we use the Genki text book. I would definitely recommend it, there is also a workbook, an answer book and a CD and all go with the text book. It is quite possible to learn from the textbook by yourself and ask about any queries on here.

Also, try to make some Japanese friends. lol

[bonz]

Ok, you guys have convinced me to buy the text book, along with the workbook, cd, and answer key. This is getting quite expensive!

[dan_j]

audio lesson's =
pimpslur japanese
www.byki.com