So you’re in Japan, but you don’t speak a word of Japanese. Fear not, here are a few essential phrases which will help you get by when you visit Japan. There are a lot of phrases that is useful to know. If you plan to go to Japan and you are not fluent, remember that it is also helpful to bring a Japanese-English dictionary to better understand what your Japanese counterparts are saying to you. One thing to remember is that the japanese have distinct ways of speaking, depending on who the speaker is addressing and the situation. Nihonggo can either be formal or informal, such as when talking to friends or family the informal form is usually used. Most of the phrases here are in their informal form. When speaking in a formal event or to one’s elders, it is imperative to use the formal way of speaking.

PLEASANTRIES

Good morning - Ohayou

Good evening - Kombanwa

Good day - Konnichiwa

Good night - Oyasumi

How do you do? - Ikaga desu ka?

Nice to meet you - Hajimemashite

I am very well - Genki desu

Thank you - Arigatou

Many thanks - Domo arigatou

Goodbye - Sayounara/ Ja ne

Best regards - Yoroshiku

By all means - Douzo

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Posted in Japan, Language |

Suppose you find yourself in the lucky country of Oz with all that slippery slang. If you don’t want to be treated like a Seppo who’s a chop short of a barbie, no worries mate! I’ll give you the drum so you could chew the fat with the blokes and sheilas like fair dinkum Aussie.

Australian slang (strine) is easy to understand - it is either a shortening of words like chokkie for chocolate, a rhyme (noah’s ark is shark), or a reversal (a bluey is a redhead). They could also be a reference to places, people, and things (Buckley’s chance - reference to the store Buckleys & Nunn - which rhymes with ‘none’). Or they could be invented just for the fun of it (woop woop - an imaginary remote place that’s never been heard before). Read on and enjoy!

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Posted in Australia, Language |

It’s been a while since our last Filipino Language for Dummies. By this time, you should have memorized most of the words from the previous three lessons. Now moving on to our fourth lesson, it’s about asking questions in Filipino. When you visit the Philippines, it is inevitable that a visitor would ask questions to know more about the place. Simple questions of what, when, where, how and why.

So here is Ingrid again with her fourth video on how to ask questions in Filipino.

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Posted in Language, Philippines |

As Valentines Day grows closer, everyone is planning what to do for their special someone or parents or siblings or friends. Simple gifts from flowers to chocolates to valentines cards cost a little more extra. If you’re on a limited budget but still want to impress your loved ones, why not tell them how much you love them? A heartfelt ‘I love you‘ goes a long way, but you can even impress them more by saying I love you in different languages.

Here is a list of how to say ‘I love you’ in different languages. Click on ‘listen to audio‘ and practice saying the words out loud until you have perfected it.

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Posted in Asia, Events, Language |

Continuing on with our lessons of the Filipino language, or Pinoy in slang, here are some basic verbs that are very handy to use.

Here is Ingrid again with her video on Pinoy for Dummies.
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Posted in Language, Philippines |

Last time, you read about how to greet your Filipino friends. You also learned how to ask for someone’s name, tell your name, and ask some basic questions. This time, you will learn how to call the Filipino people around you, in particular, Filipinos call their family. You see, family is very important for the Filipinos.

Watch the video and listen carefully to how the words are pronounced. Watch the video a second time and read the accompanying text below while reading the words allowed to yourself.

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Posted in Language, Philippines |

More probable than not, you have met a Filipino or Filipina personally or online, worked or currently working with, or have been introduced to someone who is from the Philippines. Why not try to impress them with a greeting in their local language, Filipino or Pinoy in local slang. Or when you do get to visit the Philippines, try to impress the locals with your expanded vocabulary

In learning a new language, it’s important to start with the basics. So for today, Filipino language for Dummies 1 brings you the greetings.. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Language, Philippines |

You’ve been bitten by the Japan bug, turned into a Japanophile and want to visit Japan. Before that you must know at least the following ten basic Japanese phrases translated to English:

10 yes - Hai, no - Iie

09 Sorry/Excuse me - Sumimasen

08 Do you speak English? - Anata wa Eigo o hanashimasu ka?

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Posted in Japan, Language |