Learn to Speak Japanese
Step 1: Let's start off with greetings: We say "Ohayou" (ohio) in the morning, "Konnichi wa" after 11 am
and sometimes use "Konban wa" (Konbahn wah) in the evening. "Sayounara" means goodbye.
1. Greetings
Ohayou (good morning) Konnichi wa (hello) Konban wa (good evening) Sayounara (goodbye)
Sing along with the Ohayou Song :
"Ohayou, ohayou, konnichi wa, konnichi wa. Sayounara, sayounara, konban wa, konban wa"
ONAMAE WA ? Let's learn how to ask and understand : "What's your name?"
We ask : "Onamae wa?" (Oh-num-eye wah?)
BOKU/ WATASHI You can answer with : "Boku" and your name if you are a boy and "Watashi" and your name if you are a girl
Here are some examples: "Boku John" (I am John) "Watashi Naomi" (I am Naomi)
FUN ACTIVITY
Want to know what your name is in Japanese? Try this Japanese Name Converter
2. Ask and Answer: What's Your Name?
3. Ask and Answer: How old are you?
NAN SAI? Let's learn how to ask and understand the question : "How old are you?"
We ask : "Nan sai ?" (Nun sigh ?)
How Old Are You?
Onamae wa?
Song Time
4. Learn a few phrases through an easy song
Big Bird in Japan is one of our little kids' favourite movies and you can learn some essential Japanese Phrases from just singing the song. The Bird's pronunciation is a bit off but we can excuse him as he is a bird who comes from New York, of course! (He is not Japanese)
BIG BIRD IN JAPAN SONG
Girls : 1,2,3 is Ichi, Ni, San
Big Bird: Ichi, Ni what?!
Girls: Ichi, Ni, San
Girls : Ohayou means 'good morning'
Big Bird: That's my favourite one
Girls: and 1,2,3 is Ichi, Ni, San
Big Bird : 'please' is..
Girls : Douzo
Big Bird: Yes is...
Girls: Hai
Girls: Sayounara means 'good bye'
Girls: Arigatou 'thank you'
Big Bird: Now we're nearly done
Altogether: and 1,2,3 means Ichi, Ni, San