Author Archives: Tony

Genkier, Lesson 4, Kanji

In our second kanji lesson we learn a bit more about Chinese vs Japanese readings, and the remaining kanji for the days of the week. We also karate chop boards, draw turkeys, and set someone we know on fire. Kanji introduced: 中, 上, 下, 半, 人, 入, 曜, 水, 木, 本, 火, 王, 金, and [...]

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Genkier, Lesson 3, Grammar note 3

After a brief diversion into Japanese pop music in the US, we talk about using negative verb forms to make invitations, get a peek ahead at how to make informal negative verb forms, and discuss the use of frequency adverbs. Musical guest Reiko Obata and East West Jazz.

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Genkier, Lesson 3, Grammar note 2

In this lesson, we learn four new particles: を、へ、に、 and で. Other topics include using the word せんせい, and making questions in informal Japanese. Special guest appearances by Informal Hamster and Formal Panda. Music by microbosch.

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Genkier, Lesson 3, Grammar note 1

This lesson introduces Japanese verbs. We discuss how verbs are used, the types of Japanese verb, and our first conjugations:  the positive and negative present formal forms. Musical guest CHIBI.

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Genkier, Lesson 3, Kanji

In this lesson, we learn the kanji from Chapter 3 of your text, and a few others that will be helpful. We also discuss what radicals are, and how we will use radicals to remember the kanji. Kanji and radicals introduced are: 一、二、三、四、五、六、七、八、九、十、百、千、口、円、土、寺、日、時、白、冂、亠、儿

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Genkier series podcast: An overview of the Japanese writing system

In this lecture, we talk about the history of the Japanese writing system, how the hiragana, the katakana, and the kanji are used in modern Japanese, and some suggestions about how you should study them.

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Genkier, Lesson 2, Grammar note 3

In the third and final lecture for Lesson 2, we learn some semi-new uses of the の particle, and how to make the negatives of sentences.

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Genkier, Lesson 2, Grammar Note 2

In this podcast, we learn about the も, よ, and ね particles. We also learn our first Japanese tongue twister! Special musical guest: SOU-SHI

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Genkier, Lesson 2, Grammar Note 1

In this Lesson, we learn our first few sets of “ko so a do” words, also known as “reference words”. Music by the Japanese Hawaiian cowboy country ukelele duo “Petty Booka”.

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Genkier, Lesson 1, Grammar Note 3

In this lesson, we learn about how to use the の particle. This is also the first episode to feature a musical spotlight, with music clips from Kyoto musician Suematsu Yoshimitsu. Enjoy!

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