Japanese For Dummies

Learn to speak Japanese

Japanese language enrollment is up by 27.5 percent since 2006, making it the sixth most popular language studied on college campuses. Whether studying for school, business, or travel, Japanese For Dummies provides complete coverage of all Japanese language essentials including grammar, usage, and vocabulary.

Complete with free conversational audio tracks online, this handy book offers everything you need to learn the Japanese language to get ahead in class or on a trip to Japan. In no time, you’ll make sense of the language well enough to communicate with native speakers!

• Includes expanded coverage of grammar, verb conjugations, and pronunciations
• Provides a refreshed mini-dictionary with even more essential vocabulary
• Offers useful exercises and practice opportunities
• Helps you learn to speak conversational Japanese with ease

Whether for work, school, or fun, Japanese For Dummies is the fast and easy way to add this language to your skillset!

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Japanese 7

Chapter 1: Japanese in a Nutshell 9

Chapter 2: Checking Out the Japanese Sounds and Scripts 17

Chapter 3: Warming Up with Japanese Grammar Basics 33

Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight 63

Chapter 5: Speaking Japanese at Home 87

Part 2: Japanese in Action 107

Chapter 6: Icebreakers and Conversation Starters 109

Chapter 7: Getting to Know You 125

Chapter 8: Asking for Directions 145

Chapter 9: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land 161

Chapter 10: Shopping Made Easy 175

Chapter 11: Going Out on the Town 201

Chapter 12: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunications 229

Part 3: Japanese on the Go 251

Chapter 13: Planning a Trip 253

Chapter 14: Making Your Way Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More 267

Chapter 15: Finding a Place to Stay 287

Chapter 16: Handling Emergencies 303

Part 4: The Part of Tens 321

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Pick Up Japanese Quickly 323

Chapter 18: Ten Things Never to Say in Japanese 329

Chapter 19: Ten Favorite Japanese Expressions 335

Chapter 20: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Japanese 339

Part 5: Appendixes 345

Appendix A: Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary 347

Appendix B: Verb Tables 371

Appendix C: Answer Key 381

Index 385

Hiroko Chiba is professor of Japanese at DePauw University, where she teaches all levels of Japanese language and directs the Japanese language program. Eriko Sato, PhD, teaches Japanese at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She authored the previous editions of Japanese For Dummies and Japanese Phrases For Dummies.

• Speak conversational Japanese with ease
• Master basic grammar, vocab, and pronunciations
• Find FREE conversational audio tracks online

Get to know the Japanese language!

There's something special about Japanese language and culture. To get started unlocking the secrets, you don't need to spend hours memorizing vocab or copying out Japanese script. With this book, it's fun and easy to start speaking and reading Japanese! Whether you have your passport in hand for your adventure to Japan or you want to connect with a Japanese-speaking coworker, this book will help you jump into basic conversational Japanese in no time!

Inside...

• Japanese grammar basics
• Pronunciation guides
• "Talkin' the Talk" dialogues
• Fun games and activities
• Common, real-life phrases
• Beginner mistakes to avoid
• Tips for learning quickly
• Free online audio tracks