#studying japanese
My friend and I have decided to speed up our Japanese learning (as we are planning on working in Japan) and set up the goal to take the JLPT N4 by December 2019. If we are able to pass it, we’ll be taking the N3 on July 2020.
I’m in the process of gathering all the learning resources I’m able to get my hands at. If you have any tips, recommendations (especially online/free materials), or experience in taking the JLPT, please leave a comment on this post!
This is what I’ve found so far:
JLPT Test Dates in Japan (2019)
1st: July 7 (registration closed)
2nd: December 1 (registration on September)
About the JLPT Test
Applying for the JLPT in Japan
JLPT Test Sample Resources
N5-N1 sample question PDFs (official JLPT website)
N5-N1 pre-2010 test study materials
JLPT N4
Preparing for the N4 (KawaKawa)
Japanese Learning Resources
Anyone else doing reviews on wanikani?
It’s my birthday today ^^ I’m turning 30! And what better to do when celebrating one more year on this planet than to do something new that I haven’t done before?
So I want to share with you all my very first series of characters that I’ve made and designed.
怪獣を作りました。They’re monsters, they’re out to scare you and they’re not messing around. Are you ready to meet the first one?
.
.
.
This is Ichi!
Ichi specializes in growls and ferocious glares. However, he also gets embarrassed easily. He can often be found to be blushing and trying to hide in a corner. He likes the smell of coffee but will only drink it if it’s extra sweet. Do tell him he did a good job of scaring you!
The kanji for Ichi’s name 位置 means ‘location’. He picked it himself!
In the following weeks, I will also be introducing Ni, San, Yon, Go, Roku, and Nana. All of them will be available to my patrons on patreon and you may find them interacting with each other and discussing things.
For my birthday, anyone who signs up to be my patron from now until 23:59 hrs of November 05, EST will get a free commission of the kanji of their choice.
If you decide to sign up, check out my set of 2 downloadable 怪獣 (kaijū), meaning ‘monster,’ mobile wallpapers featuring ichi! One has the kanji art for kaiju, and the other additionally has a breakdown of the kanji by radicals if you want to memorize the kanji.
That’s all for now! I hope you’ll join me on patreon in the new things I’ll be doing this year. まだ下手ですけど、my art skills have gotten better, don’t you think? Though I’m afraid when it comes to animation, it’s still very rough around the edges. I’ll keep trying to do better though! Please feel free to drop by my askbox here on Tumblr for feedback any time, whether you subscribe to my patreon or not! I love hearing from you guys ^^ Anonymous asks had got turned off for a while for some reason, but they’re back on now.
You can now also find me with the same name and handle on twitter and instagram as well - @ sangetsuei! Come say hi over there if you like!
Thank you for reading! I hope you all have a lovely day!
Japanese Study Group Discord
hi guys ^-^ if you’re wondering about the discord I made a little while back, it’s still up and running! all that’s left is finding some more japanese learning fanatics to join.
of course it will be a constant work in progress, but the dream is that maybe someday it will be filled with a variety of people with the same common goal, all trying to help each other out in the process of helping themselves.
We are currently accepting staff applications and are offering special roles to certain active or more advanced learners. We hope you consider joining! Having a sense of community is so important when it comes to taking on huge goals such as learning Japanese.
I’m also working on getting native speakers to join, so although for now it will be mostly english speakers, hopefully we can change that soon! I look forward to you seeing the server grow into a flourishing community of positivity, motivation, and belief in one another!
Drama’s can be one of the most enjoyable ways to practice your Japanese listening ability, expand your vocabulary, and understand Japanese language used in every-day situations. For those reasons and more, I present to you 5 of my favourite ‘vintage’ and easy to watch Japanese dramas!
5.電車男 [Densha Otoko] (Train Man)
Episodes: 11
Wiki:Link
Year: 2005
So we start with one of the most popular Drama’s of all time in Japan. Densha Otoko (“Train Man”) tells the story of an Otaku who gets to know a beautiful woman on a train after attempting to rescue her from an attack. He posts about this relationship on a Japanese message board, and the drama centers around the advice he receives from the board’s users.
This drama is amazing and you will love it regardless of your interests. It’s wacky, cheesy, hilarious, but also sincere and there are some tear-jerking moments. Most of all, it shows human emotion in a lovely way. I have to warn you though, it’s a rollercoaster ride (train ride?) - your emotions will be up and down with each episode!
4. 結婚できない男 [Kekkon Dekinai Otoko] (The Man Who Can’t Marry)
Episodes: 12
Wiki:Link
Year: 2009
Next we have a drama with another male protagonist, a 40-year old architect who can’t marry. Or rather, he doesn’t want to. The drama revolves around this man who prefers to be alone but is forced to make friendships and relationships with people around him.
I love Natsukawa Yui who plays the love interest in this drama, and the way the relationship between her and Kuwano (main guy) develops. This drama is really heartwarming and addictive, definitely worth a watch.
Note: trailer is for the second series, “The man who still can’t marry”, released this year!
3. 私が恋愛できない理由 [Watashi Ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu] (The Reason I Can’t Find My Love)
Episodes: 12
Wiki:Link
Year: 2011
This is a different drama to the previous two, in that it revolves around 3 women. However, similarly they cannot find love. This is supposedly a common problem in Japanese society in general and is the topic of many dramas.
This is a great show about the friendships between modern working women who have trouble finding love.
2. 結婚しない [Kekkon Shinai] (I won’t Marry/Wonderful Single Life)
Episodes: 11
Wiki:Link
Year: 2012
Another drama centering around being unable to find love, but I just loved this drama. The three main actors are great, I especially love Amami Yuki as the main actress (she also appears in BOSS, a good old drama), and Kanno Miho (main actress) is super cute.
1. TOKYOエアポート[TOKYO Ea-po-to] (TOKYO Airport)
Episodes: 10
Wiki:Link
Year: 2012
Finally, my most favourite drama of the 2010′s. This takes a different genre to the other drama’s as it isn’t based on a love story but on the difficulties faced working as a newbie in the Tokyo Airport control tower.
I knew nothing about aeroplanes, airports or control towers or had any interest in them, but this is so beautifully filmed and well acted that I was actually really interested in it. The drama is great quality and still feels modern.
—————
Folllow Benkyogo on YouTube!
⛩️Check out the Benkyogo Store!