Introduction 
 
Pronounciation 
Here are a few rules of thumb about the pronounciation of Japanese words that you should try to commit to memory before you begin this cyber course.  

Japanese Pronounciation: 
The pronounciation of Japanese vowels is like that of Spanish or French, consonants are pronounced as those in English. 

Vowels: 
 

  • a as in father or arm 
  • e as in pen or red 
  • i as in ink or machine 
  • o as in open or ocean 
  • u as in true or cruel 

    • Vowel Combinations: 
     

  • ei as in day
  • ai as in alive 
  • ou as in float 
  • au as in out 

    		•
    Meeting Others and Introductions 
    Seeing as this is the introduction lesson, it's only fitting that we begin with meeting others and introducing yourself? 

    Vocabulary: Meeting Others and Introducing Yourself 

    hajimemashite ha-ji-meh-ma-shte Literally, it's the first time we meet.
    doozo yoroshiku do-zo yo-ro-shku Literally, please regard me favorably. (really.) This can be shortened to just yoroshiku.
    sumimasen su-mee-mah-sen This is an expression of apology, the English equivilent of I'm sorry or excuse me. It's also frequently used to attract someones attention or express appreciation.
    shitsuree shimasu. sheet-su-re shi-mas Goodbye. (lit. excuse me.)
    hai hi yes... among other affirmatives. 
    iie ee-ay no, among other negatives. )
    desu des it's, are, is.... (more on this later) 
    ohayoo gozaimasu o-ha-yo go-zai-mas good morning (very formal) you can shorten it to ohayoo.
    konnichi wa kon-ee-chi-wa good afternoon
    konban wa kon-ban-wa good evening
    ogenki desu ka oh-gen-kee des ka how are you?
    okagesama de oh-ka-ge-sama de, genki desu. thanks to you, I'm fine (you can shorten this phrase to okagesama de
    ohisashiburi oh-hee-sa-shee-bu-ree I haven't seen you in a long time. 
     
    Dialouge: Meeting Others and Introductions
    Kobayashi-san asks Tendo-san her name. 
    Kobayashi: Yoroshiku. Kobayashi desu. O-namae wa?
    Tendo: Tendo desu. Yoroshiku.

    Translation: 
    Kobayashi: How do you do?. I am Kobayashi, and you're name?
    Tendo: I'm Tendo. How do you do?
     
    Hibiki-san and Ten'ou-san, meeting for the first time... 
    Hibiki: Hajimemashite.
    Ten'ou: Hajimemashite.
    Hibiki: Hibiki Ryouga desu.
    Ten'ou: Ten'ou Haruka desu.
    Hibiki: Doozo yoroshiku.
    Ten'ou: Doozo yoroshiku.

    Translation: 
    Hibiki: How do you do?
    Ten'ou: How do you do?
    Hibiki: I'm Ryouga Hibiki.
    Ten'ou: I'm Haruka Ten'ou.
    Hibiki: It's nice to meet you.
    Ten'ou: It's nice to meet you.

    Dialouge: Using What You've Learned

    Hibiki-san is looking for Ten'ou-san: 
    Hibiki: Sumimasen, Ten'ou-san desu ka?
    Tendo: Iie.
    Hibiki: Shitsuree shimasu.
    Tendo: Iie.

    Translation: 
    Hibiki: Excuse me, are you Miss Ten'ou?
    Tendo: No.
    Hibiki: I'm sorry.
    Tendo: It's nothing.
    Ooohh.... that Ryouga-kun is such a chick-magnet he can't keep track of all the ladies he meets... Let's hope he finds Haruka before any further embarrassment... ^_^

    Ono-sensee sees Tendo-san in the morning: 
    Ono: Kasumi-san, ohayoo gozaimasu.
    Tendo: Ah, Toufuu-sensee, ohayoo.
    Ono: Ogenki desu ka?
    Tendo: Okagesama de...

    Translation: 
    Ono: Kasumi-san, good morning.
    Tendo: Ah, Toufuu-sensee, good morning.
    Ono: How are you?
    Tendo: Thanks to you... (I'm great)
    They make the sweetest couple don't they... ^_^
    Japanese Culture
    In case you haven't noticed already, the Japanese give their family names first and given name last (there are no middle names). Japanese usually introduce themselves using only their family names, and they address others using their family name followed by a title (-san, -chan, -sama, -sensee, etc.) you should never attach these titles to your own name. (ex. don't say: "watashi wa Reinie-Chan desu", do say: "watashi wa Reinie desu.")
     

     Next: Lesson 2: Introduction pt.2