Japanese language Archives - Where to Kim?

Where to buy Japanese language books online from Europe?

Kim — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Are you looking for Japanese language books to improve your Japanese reading skills? Find out how you can read or buy Korean books online from Europe.

In recent years I have collected quite a few books to practice reading Japanese using “real” language instead of textbooks. In Europe you can’t just buy these books in a shop and in many online webshops you can search for a long time without finding what you’re looking for.

Still, I found some good websites where I could buy my Japanese language books. I also started reading (samples of) Japanese books and manga for free online.

English translations of Japanese books (literature) can often be found at Amazon. In my post about the best Japanese books you can read more about the best translated books.

1) Verasia

Verasia is a Spain-based online store that sells a variety of books you can use to learn the Japanese language. They have textbooks from many brands, study materials for the JLPT tests, and also sell manga and Japanese literature. What I like about the product pages is that they often mention whether a book has furigana and which JLPT level it is suitable for.

Because it is not a Japanese online store, the selection is limited. But if you’re not too picky, you can find what you need. They regularly add new books to their webshop.

Pros

Low shipping costs (shipping three books from Spain to the Netherlands cost me 3.20 euros).
VAT is included
Fast delivery (few business days)

Cons

Offers a selection of books
Some books listed on the site are sold out
The prices of the books are higher than in a Japanese store, but if you include the shipping costs of a book ordered directly from Japan, the total sum is about the same.

2) Japanese Amazon

Amazon.co.jp has it all. Every Japanese language book you can think of, ranging from textbooks and literature to materials for Japanese children or JLPT test takers. Although the website’s navigation can be set up in English, you’ll have to use Japanese keywords to find what you’re looking for. No worries: if you know the Japanese words for grammar, vocabulary and Kanji, you can start your search in the right direction. Just click on a search result and then see what other customers are also buying or viewing. Another tip: search on Google for the Kanji for an author’s name and use that for your search.

Pros

Gigantic offer
Low prices
Amazon already withholds VAT, so you won’t be charged custom clearance fees in your home country

Cons

High shipping costs, so make sure to combine orders
Shipping takes a bit longer than with Verasia, but it’s still pretty quick

Also read: Japanese Kanji dictionary for Elementary school kids

3) Book Walker

Book Walker is an online bookseller of Japanese ebooks and digital manga. Their digital offering is quite large and what’s best: you can try out the books and manga before you buy them. Sometimes the sample is as long as fifty pages. This is ideal if you want to see if an edition uses furigana and if your reading skills are up to par with the difficulty of a book. If you want to save money, you could start practicing your Japanese reading skills by reading only these samples. Every now and then you can also get a manga volume for free. After you buy a book, you can read it in the Book Walker app.

To sign up: click on the green button marked ‘無料会員登録’ in the upper right corner of the webshop. You can then change the navigation language from Japanese to English and complete your registration in English.

Book Walker also has an English webshop where they sell English translations of Japanese books.

Pros

Good offer
Sample books before you buy
Instant reading

Cons

Digital books only

Also read: Core Japanese language learning materials for JLPT N3

4) CDJapan

CDJapan is a Japanese online store that ships internationally from Japan. Their selection is good and you can also use their proxy shopping option if you can’t find what you are looking for. Since they ship from Japan, the shipping costs are quite high, although the airmail option with an estimated delivery time of two weeks maximum is not so bad. Just combine your purchases in one larger order.

Pros

Good offer
Can search in English

Cons

High shipping costs
No VAT is withheld yet, so you will have to pay VAT and import duties when you receive your package. However, CDJapan is in the process of setting up a Onestop Shop system that will allow them to withhold VAT on their end, making them a better option for European customers. Until this system is in place, I will not be buying anything else there. At the time of writing this blog post, CDJapan estimates that the system will be in place in March 2022. So hopefully it will be there soon.

Also read: Japanese language materials for JLPT N4 and N5

5) European Amazon

Your local (or slightly less local) Amazon is a good option for buying Japanese textbooks. Shipping is fast and shipping costs are low or non-existent. If you are looking for literature or manga in Japanese, your local Amazon is not such a good option. They sell some bilingual books and Japanese editions of very popular books, but the selection is limited. Try searching for ‘Japanese edition’.

Pros

No or low shipping costs
Fast delivery

Cons

Limited selection

The post Where to buy Japanese language books online from Europe? appeared first on Where to Kim?.

Core Japanese language learning resources for JLPT N3

Kim — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What Japanese learning language resources will take you from JLPT N4 to N3? Continue your studies with these textbooks, native materials, and websites.

I wrote a comprehensive list for N5 and N4 in an earlier blog post and I still use many of the materials mentioned in that post. To progress to the next level, I have added some N3-ish textbooks and materials. I will give you tips on how to learn at this stage from my personal experience. My learning method will not be suitable for everyone, but you will understand why I do it this way if you know my reasons for learning Japanese. If your goal is different, you can still use the resources in this list for the reading comprehension part of your journey.

Personal Story
Japanese Textbooks
More Kanji Focus
Kanji and Vocabulary Dictionaries
Japanese Grammar
Reading Practice
Final Thoughts and Learning Method

Personal Story

Just a few months after I wrote the N5 and N4 language learning materials post, the unexpected happened: I suddenly took my Japanese language studies more seriously and made it to the next level. I am now ready to pursue the N3 language proficiency level.

And by pursuing N3, I mean achieving a language proficiency comparable to what is tested on a JLPT N3 exam. I don’t plan to take any tests because I have no need for a certificate that proves my Japanese level. My reasons for learning the Japanese language are as follows.

Being able to read Japanese literature from the source. I want to experience complete immersion; something I can only achieve by reading books in the original language. Moreover, not every book by authors I am interested in will be translated. The number of books with English, Dutch, German or French translations increases every year, but the choice of those that make it to my bookshelf is unfortunately not up to me. Time to change that.
The wow feeling of mastering another language and being able to decipher a text that most people can’t make sense of.
Understanding at least the easy parts of conversations in Japanese TV shows. It’s always nice when you can still follow what’s going on if you look away from the subtitles.
And the main reason – my personal pet peeve and a source of lifelong frustration – making sense of the Japanese menu in restaurants in Japan. I have visited Japan twice, first in 2015 (Highlights of Japan) and then again in 2019 (Kyushu and Yakushima). On my first trip, it was really hard to order anything at all because there were no English-language menus in the offbeat places I visited and the restaurant staff often didn’t speak English at all. Google translate was the way to go then. On my second trip, even some of the offbeat places suddenly had menus in English, but they were often shortened versions of the full Japanese menu. Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciated these menus, but they led to some frustration. So I vowed that on my next trip to Japan I would be able to read the Japanese menu. Covid made sure I had plenty of time to work on it. Although I haven’t made any plans yet to master reading Japanese handwriting. Step by step.

In the past few months I finished Genki 1 and Genki 2, my Japanese textbooks in Korean and made my way through Basic Kanji Book Vol. 1. The above sounds like I went incredibly fast, but that’s not true. I did half of Genki 1 in 2015 and then did the same half again in the summer of 2021. Last summer I also read Tae Kim’s grammar and memorized the first 150 or so Kanji/Hanja for both Japanese and Korean. So I already had some passive knowledge that helped me move through the material faster. Now I find myself in new territory and I am excited to continue my learning journey. I’m moving full speed ahead to reading novels with full furigana or only furigana for the more difficult Kanji. With a few secret glimpses into novels without furigana: Yoko Ogawa’s The Sea (海) and Osamu Dazai’s Run, Melos! (走れメロス), I’m looking at you.

Japanese Textbooks

For N3, Tobira Gateway to Advanced Japanese is the way to go. Some consider this a big step up from Genki I and II because the texts are longer. I, however, found the change very refreshing. If you’ve been practicing with reading Japanese texts at the N5 and N4 level – either Japanese Graded Readers or something more difficult such as Harry Potter – the wall of text won’t scare you. I actually find most texts easier because the same grammar point can appear several times in a longer text.

In this textbook, you will find a wide variety of texts, ranging from informational texts to conversations, and from formal language to informal language. Following the texts is an overview of the vocabulary and grammar used in this chapter and some exercises. It is up to you to decide whether to study the vocabulary and grammar before or after reading the texts.

You can buy the supplementary Kanji book (Tobira Power up your Kanji) for more Kanji practice. In this book, you will learn about 800 Kanji: the 297 that the book assumes you already know and 503 others introduced in Tobira Gateway to Advanced Japanese. If you use other materials to learn Kanji, for example Wanikani or Basic Kanji Book Vol. I and Vol. II, the first few chapters will go smoothly because you already know many characters. This does not mean that these chapters are not useful: practicing writing kanji with different materials will only help you to memorize the Kanji. For me, it is absolutely necessary to write the Kanji as well, because only then do I look at the Kanji closely enough to be able to distinguish them from similar characters when I encounter them in texts.

More Kanji Focus

In my previous blog post about N5 and N4, I mentioned that I had quit Wanikani. However, after focusing on grammar for a while, I again found myself needing the SRS system that Wanikani uses to help you learn Kanji. I was off to a rough start because I was welcomed by the 12 levels of vocabulary I had learned 7 years ago, but after a month I regained control and started making progress again. Thanks to Wanikani and Basic Kanji Book Vol. I (see next), I was able to start reading native Japanese materials at a better speed than before.

In Basic Kanji Book Vol. I and Vol. II, you’ll find writing exercises and repetitions that help you memorize the Kanji better. What I like about these books is the grouping of Kanji: they are often grouped by meaning. This is very helpful if, for example, you have trouble remembering which Kanji for place/room/building is used in which words.

For me, it’s not a problem anymore since I own the books, but I still wonder if the high price of the books makes them worth buying. The main issue is that Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 cover about 250 Kanji each. I appreciate them as another way to practice what I have already learned, but maybe they are not necessary because you can practice the same Kanji through other sources.

Kanji and Vocabulary Dictionaries

I still use the same resources as I did for N5 and N4 because I chose books and apps that cover all JLPT levels from the start.

I have a Kanji dictionary (Kanji dictionary that Japanese children use in elementary school) that I value very much because of its depth. This book might not be for everyone because it does not contain any English so the initial learning curve before you can use it comfortably is very steep. I quite like this book as it helps with immersion and forces me to read Japanese. Also, it is very comprehensive and gives more information than books meant for foreigners. If you do prefer a book in English, check out Kanji Dictionary for Foreigners Learning Japanese 2500 N5 to N1.

Whenever I come across a Kanji or vocabulary word I don’t know and my paper dictionary is nowhere near, I look it up in the WWWJDIC dictionary app (for Android) on my phone. In this app, you can sketch the Kanji and get the meaning, stroke order, and words in which it is frequently used. I have tried many other apps, but I keep coming back to this dictionary. Unfortunately, this recommendation is not of much use to those of you without Android phones. Although I prefer to use physical books for many other things, I always look up vocabulary on my phone because it is faster and more flexible.

In the Obenkyo app (Android), you can look up Kanji by JLPT level and find out all the basic information you need to learn about this Kanji. It also has tests that will help you remember them.

Japanese Grammar

The Dictionaries of Japanese Grammar series consist of A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar and A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.

These books give the best general overview of Japanese grammar. Since you are now studying at N3 level, it is time to move to the Intermediate book. This is the book I would buy if I didn’t already have a Japanese grammar book in Korean.

I supplement my grammar book with two free online resources that go into more depth explaining individual grammar points.

The first is Imabi. For each grammar point you look up, you can read about usage, spelling, contractions, and many example sentences. At this level, there is probably more information than you can use, but this does mean that this resource scales very well. If you are low on funds, try this free online resource first! The only downside I could find is that it might take a while to figure out which lesson you need to read. The grammar points are broken down into skill levels, but that doesn’t mean the lesson you are looking for is where you expect it to be.

Another useful free online resource is Wasabi’s Online Japanese Grammar Reference. This grammar resource is less comprehensive than Imabi, but what it does very well is group similar grammar points together based on their usage. For example, you can study the grammar for quotation or judgments and make progress in learning the nuances of each form.

Reading Practice

When I was at N5 and N4 level, I read Shirokuma Cafe and Japanese Graded Readers. I also own some other manga of which I occasionally read a few pages. I have now switched to Japanese books for children and young adults. I will share my book selection, but feel free to choose anything else that interests you. The basic idea is as follows: find a book with an uncomplicated story that uses furigana and another book with less furigana and a bit more complicated sentences. After N3 you can choose your first book without furigana.

For the first book, I chose the full furigana edition of Tenki no Ko (天気の子). This is a light novel that was also made into a film. Since almost all the kanji are accompanied by furigana, you can start reading it after N4 level. The sentences are easier than in Harry Potter (see the next paragraph) and the words used are common in everyday life. Even before I started Tobira Gateway to Advanced Japanese, I could understand the story without looking up words. Of course, I will look up many words because I want to learn vocabulary, but I will also do reading sessions where I do not look up words. You can find the furigana edition of 天気の子 on Amazon JP (physical), Book Walker (digital) or Verasia (physical).

My choice for a book with less furigana is the translation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I bought this one in a Book Off store during my Japan trip in 2015 and I was quite happy when I discovered that it contains a lot of furigana, although less than Tenki no Ko. What’s good about choosing Harry Potter is that I know the story very well, but the downside is that the subject matter presents you with a lot of (magical) words you haven’t encountered yet. The grammar is easy enough, even though you won’t understand every nuance. I’m going pretty slow right now, but I’ll make faster progress when I master the basic vocabulary for this subject matter. Do be careful when buying a Harry Potter book online: many editions are without furigana. This hardcover edition is of the full book with lots of furigana (often the first time you come upon new words, though not for every Kanji). You can check out other hardcovers with this type of design if you prefer one of the other Harry Potter books.

Another great resource is Book Walker; a seller of Japanese ebooks and manga. You can view the first 10-50 pages of just about any book you look up. Not only does this provide a good reading exercise of many different styles, you can also assess whether a book is appropriate for your current skill level or if you’d be better off waiting until your Japanese level improves.

What I am working towards

The two books mentioned above I translate more than I read. A natural follow-up for these are the short story collections by Yoko Ogawa (The Sea (海)) and Osamu Dazai (Run, Melos! (走れメロス)). I also read that Sayaka Murata and Otsuichi are very readable for Japanese language learners. So I’ll keep these in mind for my N2 level reading material. While studying Japanese at N3 level, I will try to read a few pages of these books to measure my progress.

When you can read a book without furigana you are well on your way to mastering Japanese.

Final Thoughts and Learning Method

As you can see I am focusing on reading comprehension and my JLPT N3 resource list is geared towards that. If you are learning Japanese for the same reasons then this list will help you. I would recommend everyone to switch to reading native material at this stage and to let the sentences in Japanese literature guide your learning journey. The textbooks should take a back seat here and help you become aware of grammar patterns or nuances that you would otherwise be unaware of.

As you read, you strengthen your vocabulary, grammar and kanji knowledge. Nothing is better for memorizing than to encounter words and patterns in the wild. If you come across a word or pattern you don’t know, read up on this item in a grammar book or a (kanji) dictionary with examples of common usage. This is then your study topic for the day.

You don’t have to look up everything you come across, instead it’s better to pick your battles so that the story stays interesting. If you get distracted, that’s fine too. Your way forward is by mastering more kanji, vocabulary and grammar. That means spending time immersing yourself in real texts.

I’m curious to hear about your Japanese learning journey in the comments below. Do you have any tips for other readers?

The post Core Japanese language learning resources for JLPT N3 appeared first on Where to Kim?.

Japanese language learning resources for JLPT N5 and N4

Kim — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What are the best Japanese textbooks and other resources for learning basic conversation, grammar, kanji, and pronunciation at N5 and N4 level? Get a headstart learning Japanese with these language resources.

This overview of Japanese textbooks and other resources is meant for those studying JLPT N5 and N4. For those of you studying JLPT N3: take a look at Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese, which will probably be my next textbook. When – if ever – I reach N3, I’ll compile a list of resources for that.

Best Japanese textbook: Tobira 1: Beginning Japanese
Free Japanese textbook: Irodori – Japanese for Life in Japan (new recommendation)
Best Japanese grammar handbook: A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Best Kanji resources: Dictionary, apps and book
Useful Japanese vocabulary resource: Synonyms / antonyms / homonyms / kanji readings book
Best Japanese vocabulary dictionary: WWWJDIC
Best free Japanese reading material: Todai and Tadoku
Free learning materials for Japanese school kids: Happylilac
Best (free) online course for learning Japanese: Irodori

Best Japanese textbook: Tobira 1: Beginning Japanese

Among those starting out with Japanese, the most popular books are Genki (I and II), Minna no Nihongo and Tobira. I used Genki I, but I think the other methods would work just as well. Tobira (one of the go-to textbooks for N3) has recently published its own N5/N4 book: Tobira 1: Beginning Japanese. Looking at the Tobira’s sample pages, I think I would prefer Tobira over Genki if I were to begin my Japanese learning journey today because I like the layout, explanations and content.

Some thoughts about Genki I

What I like about Genki – an integrated course in elementary Japanese:

The pace is good and you learn many new things in each chapter.
It uses hiragana / katakana / Kanji from the start. Although there is romanization of hiragana and katakana in the first chapters, I recommend learning these scripts through another resource before you start with Genki.

What I like less about Genki – an integrated course in elementary Japanese:

The new grammar you learn is usually not paired with similar grammar points. For someone who enjoys learning grammar, this is not very pleasant.
You need another resource to keep up with the Kanji. Most Kanji have furigana, but at some point you want to stop looking at the furigana and learn to recognize the Kanji.
Many of the exercises are intended for classroom use, but you can do most of them on your own.

What other books do I use?

I mix Genki I with Korean textbooks for learning Japanese (일본어 초급 단숨에 따라잡기 and the 중급 version). Since Korean and Japanese are more similar than English and Japanese, I find it much easier to have Japanese compared to the former. A comparison to English requires a lengthy explanation because the sentence structure is so different, but for a comparison to Korean, it is often sufficient to mention the grammar or vocabulary in the other language. The Korean textbooks are more concise with fewer exercises and I go through the basic material much faster. For those of you who know intermediate Korean, I recommend Korean textbooks for learning Japanese.

Also read: Best Textbooks for Learning Korean

Free Japanese textbook: Irodori - Japanese for Life in Japan (new recommendation)

Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan is a free Japanese textbook series for people who are living in Japan, or who will be living in Japan in the future. It teaches Japanese for different daily situations in Japan, including working, shopping, having fun, eating, and interacting with other people.

This method consists of three textbooks including mp3 up to and including A2 level. You can also download bundled grammar notes, kanji reading exercises, tips for living in Japan, and word lists.

It looks perfect for self-study: you can do the exercises on your own, all the materials are available and the books are pleasant to look at. When I continue my Japanese self-study I will work through some chapters from Irodori.

Best Japanese grammar handbook: A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

The Dictionaries of Japanese Grammar series consist of A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar and A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.

These books give the best general overview of Japanese grammar. Of course, you only need the basic one to get started.

A free resource to get you started is Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese. This is a very comprehensive guide to basic Japanese grammar. It is easy to read and follow and perfect for getting you started with the basics. There might be some errors in the guide, but none too bad if you use it at this level.

What other book do I use?

I use a Japanese grammar book in Korean (일본어 문법 학원으로 끝내기) for reference. As with the textbooks, I really like the ordering of the Korean book; it seems more natural to me. There is less explanation in this book, but at this level it is enough.

Best Kanji resources: Dictionary, apps and book

There are many online resources for learning Kanji. Many years ago, I started with Wanikani, a tool that helps you memorize the meaning of Kanji. Although it did what it promised (and is very addictive!), I noticed that I was focusing too much on recognizing Kanji and neglected studying grammar, conversation and vocabulary. So I chose a less addictive Kanji training method to support my Japanese learning journey, namely the Obenkyo app.

In the Obenkyo app (Android), you can look up Kanji by JLPT level and find out all the basic information you need to learn about this Kanji. It also has tests that will help you remember them.

Whenever I come across a Kanji I don’t know, I look it up in the WWWJDIC dictionary app (for Android) on my phone. In this app, you can sketch the Kanji and get the meaning, stroke order, and words in which it is frequently used. I have tried many other apps, but I keep coming back to this dictionary.

Then I got to the point where my Kanji knowledge was lagging behind my grammar and vocabulary and I needed to focus a little more on Kanji. I looked at many learning methods, but was never satisfied with the scope of the books as they often focused on a small amount of Kanji. I wanted a book that would last me a long time and I ended up buying a Kanji dictionary that Japanese children use in elementary school. I quite like this book as it helps with immersion and forces me to read Japanese. Also, it is very comprehensive and gives more information than books meant for foreigners. If you do prefer a book in English, check out Kanji Dictionary for Foreigners Learning Japanese 2500 N5 to N1. As you can see, I prefer very complete resources over guided learning methods.

How do I learn Kanji?

If I stumble upon a Kanji I don’t know or keep seeing a particular Kanji I want to know more about, I look it up in a dictionary and study its stroke order and frequent usage. From there I look for similar looking Kanji to learn how to tell them apart and search for homonyms to also study those as well. The book in the next topic will help you tell Kanji readings apart.

These days my learning is guided by chapters from textbooks and reading above my level in the Todai news app, manga or Harry Potter.

As soon as I master N5 and N4 level, I will however buy Tobira’s Power Up Your Kanji for better memorization.

Useful Japanese vocabulary resource: Synonyms / antonyms / homonyms / kanji readings book

I have not yet reached the point where I make vocabulary my main focus. For now, grammar and Kanji take precedence in my study sessions.

I did buy a book about synonyms, anonyms and homonyms, because I wanted to have a good overview of some words that I have a hard time telling apart. It’s a great book for that purpose, as you can read in my review.

Whenever I want to practice vocabulary the ‘easy way’ I turn to Memrise or Anki.

Best Japanese vocabulary dictionary: WWWJDIC

I must admit that this recommendation is not of much use to those of you without Android phones, but WWWJDIC is the vocabulary dictionary I like best. Although I prefer to use physical books for many other things, I always look up vocabulary on my phone because it is faster and more flexible. In this dictionary app, I can sketch the Kanji, type in Japanese or type in English.

Best free Japanese reading material: Todai and Tadoku

As soon as I know the very basics of a language (studying N5) I start reading in that language. For this purpose, the free Todai Easy Japanese News app (Android or iOS) is perfect because it helps you with all vocabulary and grammar you don’t know. If you pick a news article that is heavy with N5 material, you can get started right away. When your Japanese improves, you can change the settings to receive less help with the things you have learned.

Tadoku.org is a great resource with free short stories that you can download as pdf. I can’t think of a reason not to use it.

If you prefer physical books, check out Japanese Graded Readers. They are quite expensive though and I would not buy level 0 as you can easily find free resources online for this level. Level 1 and 2 can be interesting though and after that you can switch to real Japanese sources.

When you are close to mastering N4, you can take a look at some free manga in the Manga Zero app (Android or iOS). Most manga will be way too complicated, but there are some easier ones that you can use to challenge yourself. For manga, you can also take a look at Shirokuma Cafe which you can read at N5 level.

Free learning materials for Japanese school kids: Happylilac

At happylilac.net you can download free language learning materials that are used in Japanese elementary school and middle school. The website and materials are in Japanese, but once you know where to find the resources you like, it is easy to navigate. Another option is to have Chrome translate the website for you.

What’s really fun about this website is that it also contains learning materials for other subjects like math and science. But you’ll probably focus on the Japanese language material. I especially like the worksheets for reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. Answers to the worksheets and tests are also provided.

Best (free) online course for learning Japanese: Irodori

Irodori not only offers free textbooks, it also has a free online course.

That’s it: a book or resource for every category to help you learn Japanese at JLPT N5 and N4 level. What is your favorite Japanese textbook or resource?

The post Japanese language learning resources for JLPT N5 and N4 appeared first on Where to Kim?.

Review: Japanese Kanji Dictionary for Elementary School Kids

Kim — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 14:00:00 +0000

The New Rainbow Elementary School Japanese Kanji Dictionary (Japanese title: 新レインボー小学漢字辞典　改訂第６版　小型版) is a great resource for Japanese language learners. You’ll learn more about Kanji in no time.

Use this Kanji dictionary to look up Japanese characters and study their many meanings and readings, as well as the idioms in which they are most commonly used.

Japanese level

As this book is intended for Japanese elementary school students, it is 100% in Japanese. You can start using it (with a dictionary) if you are studying for the JLPT N4 level. The grammar used in the explanations is simple, the sentences are short, and the kanji mentioned in the explanations have furigana.

And by “start using it” I really mean start using it. At first, you look up the Kanji to find out about their pronunciation and words in which they are often used, so you can look up the Kanji in another dictionary app. Later, you can use the dictionary to study individual Kanji to learn more about their meaning and usage.

This dictionary contains 3150 Kanji including the 1026 Kanji that Japanese kids learn at elementary school and the most common Kanji for personal names. As a Japanese learner, you can comfortably use this dictionary for a very long time.

Content

Let’s take a look inside.

Finding Kanji

The Kanji are ordered by radical and the radicals are ordered by stroke number. You look up characters by determining the radical of the Kanji and then counting the strokes of that radical. The book will often help you if you are trying to look up a character under the wrong radical as it lists references to some other characters that fall under a different radical but contain the element you are looking at. Every radical entry begins with a brief index of the characters included in that section and their page numbers. At the top of the page, you can see the other radicals with the same amount of strokes, which helps you navigate within that section of the book.

Indexes

You can use the above method if you are fairly sure about the radical of a Kanji or if you are just exploring what’s out there. In most cases, you will look up a character in one of the twelve indexes at the beginning of the book.

部首 – An index of the radicals. This index also shows the alternative shapes of the radicals when they are found on the side
音訓 – Pronunciation: this index also lists the stroke count and learning level (elementary school year, personal name or extra character)
総画 – Stroke count: this index also lists the radical and learning level (elementary school year, personal name or extra character)
学年別 – School year
コラム – This index shows where you can find highlights about words with the same reading but different kanji
漢字グループ – This index shows where you can find highlights about Kanji groupings (references to other kanji that deal with the same concept)
故事成語 – This index shows where you can find highlights about idioms derived from historical events or classical literature of China
四字熟語 – Four character idioms (Yojijukugo)
句 – Idioms that often appear in junior high school entrance exams and newspapers
Plant names (植物名) and animal names (動物名)
国字 – Native Japanese characters
なりたち – Naritachi: drawings of how the character came to be and explanations of the elements a Kanji consists of that helps you memorize their meaning

For Japanese beginners, the first three indexes are most useful. The others will be interesting when you reach an intermediate level and want to study Kanji in more detail.

At the end of the book, you can find more information about the different elements of a character and how they help you to guess the sound or meaning.

Kanji explanations

Common Kanji are explained in more detail than Kanji that are used less frequently or only appear in a few set expressions. You can see the stroke order with some visual and textual hints for the tricky parts. One or more meanings are given for all Kanji. Look at the examples of compounds in which the Kanji occur to explore the readings and expressions. I can assure you, there is usually more information than you need.

When relevant, more information is highlighted about ambiguity, Kanji groupings, naritachi and the other interesting things listed in the indexes. These highlights are clearly marked with colorful headings and often contain pictures.

You can read more about using this dictionary in the manga book that discusses the indexes and layout (included with the dictionary).

Opinion

Design

The new full color edition looks good and is easy to navigate. I can find the information I am looking for at a glance. The only downside is that the font is rather small, though that goes for most Japanese dictionaries I have seen.

Using the dictionary

This Kanji dictionary has a steep learning curve. If you start using it as early as N4, you will need another dictionary to look up the words in the explanations. Even if you know enough grammar to read the sentences, you won’t be able to make full use of all the features until your vocabulary is at a higher level.

If you are not used to looking up characters, it will take you a while to master the book. Once you get the hang of using the indexes, you will find what you are looking for in no time.

I use this dictionary to look up readings, but also to study a few characters at a time. The Kanji groupings and ordering by radical are especially helpful in this regard, as it helps me tell the characters apart, which can be quite a challenge.

Before I bought this Japanese Kanji dictionary, I also considered another dictionary that orders the Kanji by elementary school year and uses more pictures and color to explain the meanings. It looks nicer but is not as suitable because there is much less information in the book. On the other hand, the ordering by school year is great if you are using the dictionary as a textbook, studying the easier and more commonly used characters first. It is also less overwhelming because it has less text and fewer words you may not know.

Japanese or English Kanji Dictionary?

Why not use an English dictionary? Because you will never get the same in-depth information as you would with native sources. I considered Kanji Dictionary for Foreigners Learning Japanese 2500 N5 to N1, but the sheer amount of information I would not have had if I had bought it… I am very happy with my purchase because I love the challenge. As soon as I have a basic understanding of grammar, I switch to native material. It is so rewarding when you find that you can read your first sentence without looking up words.

Since you are studying the Kanji in Japanese, you also get some reading practice as a bonus. You will see that once you drop the English textbooks in favor of Japanese textbooks, your Japanese will improve much faster. It’s hard at first, but more rewarding in the end. Books for Japanese elementary school children excel at captivating their audiences and – let’s not admit it – foreign adults as well.

Interested?

Get your copy of the New Rainbow Kanji Dictionary (Japanese title: 新レインボー小学漢字辞典　改訂第６版　小型版) from Amazon.co.jp. International shipping costs and import taxes may be high, but for me (shipping to the Netherlands) it was still cheaper than ordering it elsewhere. At Amazon, you can also find more pictures of the content.

A good supplement to your Kanji learning journey is another book by the same publisher about synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and Kanji readings. Check out my review of this Japanese textbook.

The post Review: Japanese Kanji Dictionary for Elementary School Kids appeared first on Where to Kim?.

Japanese textbook for synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and kanji readings

Kim — Wed, 12 May 2021 14:00:00 +0000

The Japanese language has many words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings and/or spelling. Use this textbook to study the Kanji and readings.

Are you learning Japanese? Then this book is for you. This dictionary of words that you need to learn to tell apart is great for studying but can also be used as a reference book.

The Japanese title is: 小学生のまんが言葉の使い分け辞典 [同音異義・異字同訓・類義語・反対語].

Let’s break it apart:

小学生のまんが言葉の使い分け辞典: Dictionary (辞典) for the proper use (使い分け) of manga words (まんが言葉) for elementary school students (小学生). While manga is used to explain the different meanings, this book is not aimed at reading manga.
同音異義: homonyms and homophones, meaning words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and/or spellings
異字同訓: words with different Kanji that have the same Japanese reading and a similar meaning (but different nuance)
類義語: synonyms, meaning words with different pronunciation and spelling that have almost the same meaning
反対語: antonyms, words that are opposite in meaning to each other.

Japanese level

As this book is intended for Japanese elementary school students, it is 100% in Japanese. You can start using it (with a dictionary) if you are studying for the JLPT n4 level. The grammar used is simple, the sentences are short, and the kanji have furigana. When you are at this level (or close to n3), you can use this book to study a few pages at a time to better understand the nuances of the words. After n3, this dictionary can still be very useful as a reference book. The index at the back of the book gives a good overview of homonyms/homophones, useful words with different kanji readings, and the most common synonyms and antonyms.

Content

Let’s take a look inside.

The book is divided into four parts. Every part starts with a short manga story explaining what you will learn from this part. The characters make puns that illustrate why it is important to understand the different meanings and readings of Japanese words.

Part 1: same reading, different kanji

The first part is the biggest and contains 119 pages of words that have the same pronunciation but are written with different kanji. While the meanings are often similar, all words have very specific uses. Every page in this part discusses one pronunciation with two or three readings. The manga next to it illustrates some of the meanings. Both verbs and nouns are discussed.

Example: 開ける, 空ける and 明ける are pronounced as あける.

The first one, 開ける, is commonly used for opening doors, windows, stores, or your mouth. Its antonym is 閉める (to close). And you need to keep an eye on ひらける, which is another reading for 開ける but expresses a different meaning.
空ける can be used when you empty the contents of something (on a plate) or when you make time for something.
明ける can mean that it gets bright outside. Its antonym 暮れる (くれる) means that it gets dark. You can also use 明ける to talk about a new year starting or a period ending.

Part 2: similar words with different nuances

This part discusses words that appear to have the same meaning (and often have the same English translation) but are used in different situations. Each page contains two examples with explanations. 34 pages in total.

Example: 時刻 (じこく) and 時間 (じかん). Both can be translated as time, but the first points at an exact moment in time and the second can be used for a timespan.

Part 3: antonyms

In this part, you will find 44 pages filled with antonyms (two pairs per page). Here you will build on the knowledge gained in the previous chapters, or, if you pick pages at random, you can use the explanations in the other sections to further your understanding. The same information can be absorbed in many different ways. You can search for あつい in part one and find an explanation that focuses on the readings of the kanji, or in part three and read more examples of あつい and its antonyms. In the latter case, you will see:

厚い meaning thick <–> 薄い (うすい) meaning thin (for objects)
暑い meaning hot <–> 寒い (さむい) meaning cold (weather)
熱い meaning hot <–> 冷たい (つめたい) meaning cold (to touch)

Part 4: same kanji, different reading

In the last part of the book, you can find examples of kanji that have different readings depending on the context. This list is not exhaustive (17 pages, three per page), but it will get you started.

Example: 風車 can be read as ふうしゃ meaning windmill or かざぐるま meaning pinwheel (the toy).

Opinion

Useful content

This dictionary is ideal for studying the Japanese language. The sentences in the book are easy enough and a beginner – lower average student of Japanese should be able to understand the grammar. There are enough examples so that you can understand some of the nuances and begin to understand what meaning and word is used in what situation. The chapters provide a high-level overview and are not overwhelming for those who have only recently started learning Japanese. This also means that this book is not a good resource for the advanced learner, as it lacks the details that someone at that level needs. The publisher, Gakken, focuses on the most common words: words that are essential in basic conversations.

Entertainment

Aside from the useful content, this book is also a lot of fun. The puns are funny if you’re in the right mood, and the manga is entertaining to read. However, it is not a manga book: the manga is secondary to explaining the principles. There is no overarching story, only fragments that focus on imparting knowledge.

Reading practice

Because you are studying the concepts in Japanese, you get some reading practice as a bonus. You will see that once you drop the English textbooks in favor of Japanese textbooks, your Japanese improves much faster. It’s hard at first, but more rewarding in the end. Books for Japanese elementary school children excel at captivating their audiences and – let’s never admit it – foreign adults as well.

Interested?

Get your copy from Amazon.co.jp. International shipping costs and import taxes may be high, but for me (shipping to the Netherlands) it was still cheaper than ordering it elsewhere.

In the same order I also bought a Kanji dictionary for elementary school kids, which I will review later, and three parts of しろくまカフェ (Shirokuma Cafe manga). They’re also great for Japanese learners at beginner level or lower intermediate level.

The post Japanese textbook for synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and kanji readings appeared first on Where to Kim?.

Japanese language Archives - Where to Kim?

Where to buy Japanese language books online from Europe?

1) Verasia

2) Japanese Amazon

3) Book Walker

4) CDJapan

5) European Amazon

Core Japanese language learning resources for JLPT N3

Table of Contents

Personal Story

Japanese Textbooks

More Kanji Focus

Kanji and Vocabulary Dictionaries

Japanese Grammar

Reading Practice

What I am working towards

Final Thoughts and Learning Method

Japanese language learning resources for JLPT N5 and N4

Table of Contents

Best Japanese textbook: Tobira 1: Beginning Japanese

Some thoughts about Genki I

What other books do I use?

Free Japanese textbook: Irodori - Japanese for Life in Japan (new recommendation)

Best Japanese grammar handbook: A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

What other book do I use?

Best Kanji resources: Dictionary, apps and book

How do I learn Kanji?

Useful Japanese vocabulary resource: Synonyms / antonyms / homonyms / kanji readings book

Best Japanese vocabulary dictionary: WWWJDIC

Best free Japanese reading material: Todai and Tadoku

Free learning materials for Japanese school kids: Happylilac

Best (free) online course for learning Japanese: Irodori

Review: Japanese Kanji Dictionary for Elementary School Kids

Japanese level

Content

Finding Kanji

Indexes

Kanji explanations

Opinion

Design

Using the dictionary

Japanese or English Kanji Dictionary?

Interested?

Japanese textbook for synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and kanji readings

Japanese level

Content

Part 1: same reading, different kanji

Part 2: similar words with different nuances

Part 3: antonyms

Part 4: same kanji, different reading

Opinion

Useful content

Entertainment

Reading practice

Interested?