Which Japanese Should I Learn First?
Introduction
Japanese is a fascinating language, with a unique writing system and many regional dialects. Learning Japanese can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be daunting to decide which version of the language to start with. In this article, we will discuss the different types of Japanese and which one you should learn first.
Benefits of Learning Japanese
Learning Japanese can open up a world of new opportunities for travel, business, and cultural understanding. It is also a great way to improve your resume and stand out from the crowd in the job market. Furthermore, if you are looking for an interesting challenge or want to add something unique to your skillset, learning Japanese is definitely worth considering.
Different Types of Japanese
When it comes to learning Japanese, there are two main types: Standard Japanese (also known as Tokyo-ben) and Kansai-ben (or Kansai dialect). Standard Japanese is the official language used in Japan and is spoken by most people throughout the country. Kansai-ben is another type of Japanese that originated in the Kansai region in western Japan. It has its own distinct accent and vocabulary that sets it apart from Standard Japanese.
What is Standard Japanese?
Standard Japanese (also known as Tokyo-ben) is the official language used in Japan. It is based on Tokyo dialect and is spoken by most people throughout the country. This form of Japanese uses polite forms such as desu/masu for verbs, o-prefixes for nouns, and keigo (honorific language) when addressing superiors or strangers. It also features many loanwords from English and other languages that have been adopted into everyday use in Japan.
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What is Kansai-ben?
Kansai-ben (or Kansai dialect) originated in western Japan’s Kansai region around Osaka and Kyoto cities. This type of dialect has its own distinct accent and vocabulary that differs from Standard Japanese in several ways: it uses shorter words or phrases; drops certain particles; does not always use polite forms; does not use honorific language; uses different verb conjugations; etc.. While some people may find it easier to understand than Standard Japanese due to its more casual nature, others may find it difficult due to its unfamiliarity with other forms of the language.
Other Regional Dialects of Japanese
In addition to Standard Japanese and Kansai-ben, there are several other regional dialects spoken throughout Japan including Tohoku-ben (northern Japan), Kyushu-ben (southern Japan), Chugoku-ben (western Japan), Shikoku-ben (island between Honshu and Kyushu), Hokkaido-ben (northernmost island), etc.. Each region has its own unique accent and vocabulary that sets it apart from other areas of Japan. While these dialects may not be necessary for basic communication purposes, they can be useful if you plan on traveling or living in those regions at some point in time.
Resources To Learn Standard Japanese
If you decide to learn Standard Japanese first then there are plenty of resources available online or offline that can help you get started on your journey towards fluency: textbooks; audio courses; online courses; apps; websites; tutors/teachers; etc.. You should also consider joining a local community group or attending classes so that you can practice speaking with native speakers who can give you feedback on your progress as well as provide helpful tips on how best to learn the language effectively.
Conclusion
Deciding which version of the language to learn first can be tricky but ultimately depends on what your goals are for learning it: Do you want to travel around Japan? Do you want to work or study abroad? Do you just want a fun challenge? Once you have determined this then you will have a better idea about which type ofJapanese would best suit your needs – whether it’s StandardJapanese or oneofthemanyregional dialects spoken throughoutJapan!
FAQs About LearningJapanese
Q: What’s the best waytolearnJapanese? A: The bestwaytolearnJapanese dependsonthelearner’spersonalgoalsand preferences – somepeoplemay finditbettertousebooksand audio courses whileothersmay preferonlinecoursesortutors/teachers who canteachthelanguageinperson! Q: IsStandardJapaneseeasierthanotherdialects? A: GenerallyspeakingStandardJapaneseiseasiertounderstandandcommunicatewiththanotherdialectsbutyoumayfinditmorechallengingtolearnduetotheformalityofthelanguageanditsabundanceofloanwordsfromotherlanguages!
What part of Japanese do you learn first?
Hiragana
Learn to Read Hiragana The other two are katakana and kanji, but hiragana is where everything starts. The ability to read hiragana is going to be a prerequisite for most beginner Japanese textbooks and resources. Its the first thing you learn in a traditional classroom.
Which is easier to learn katakana or hiragana?
The use of katakana is limited to a few words so it would be more useful to start with hiragana. However if you are going to Japan soon I recommend you learn Katakana first. Because if you know katakana (especially the menu and ingredients!) you can read more.
Which is better hiragana or katakana?
Katakana is often used as a phonetic symbol while hiragana is often used as a grammatical symbol. Various grammatical and functional words such as particles are written in hiragana. When writing in Japanese you should only use hiragana to write grammatical words especially in formal situations.
At what age do Japanese learn kanji?
Japanese children learn more than 1000 kanji during their six years of elementary school. During this time he greatly increased his reading development and moved from picture books to short novels and simple biographies.
Do Japanese use hiragana or katakana or kanji more?
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Hiragana
Hiragana is the most commonly used, standard form of Japanese writing. Its used on its own or in conjunction with kanji to form words, and its the first form of Japanese writing that children learn. Written on its own and without kanji, its a bit hard to read and child-like, and can only be read with some effort.
What is the correct order to learn Japanese?
You have to learn hiragana and katakana and kanji first. Hiragana looks more subtle than katakana or kanji. Used to write compound endings and grammatical particles in Japanese. Hiragana consists of alphabets representing each letter.