I am looking for interesting uses of the prefix 'mu' (無) in Japanese. I want to find an example of mu's general use that attains to its meaning as -less or an absence of. The example I have currently, 無線 'musen' meaning 'wireless', is a little boring. [more inside]
posted on Aug 8, 2008 - 14 answers

Where can I buy the Japanese version and a Chinese version of Microsoft Vista Business online for use in the United States? Media and license. [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2008 - 4 answers

I remember finding a link off AskMe for a young guy who taught himself Japanese through immersion at home, got a job in Japan, tried the same thing with Chinese? Does anyone remember this? Have a link?
posted on Jan 24, 2008 - 3 answers

How can I get Japanese characters to show up on webpages, rather than those less-than-helpful little boxes? [more inside]
posted on Dec 27, 2007 - 5 answers

What do you know about the Japanese word/concept of 'Ma'? I know it denotes the negative space between objects and it relates closely to the similarly used Japanese word 'Mu'. [more inside]
posted on Dec 27, 2007 - 15 answers

I'd like to teach myself some various languages. Help me find some resources for Spanish and Japanese. [more inside]
posted on Dec 19, 2007 - 21 answers

LostintranslationFilter: "Hang on to your grandmas!" [more inside]
posted on Dec 18, 2007 - 11 answers

How do I format the citation information for this Japanese journal article? I've found a journal article that I want to cite in a paper, but I can't determine the journal's name. The index page seems to claim the journal title is "Suikei Kozo to Ryuiki Dotai ni Motozuku Mizu, Dosha Ryushutsu Kiko to Saigai Kankyo ni kansuru Kenkyu Heisei", which seems too long and also appears to not translate (so I can't figure out if it's shortenable). [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2007 - 9 answers

Guides for Learning Japanese Particles [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2007 - 9 answers

I'd like to read some blogs and websites in Japanese. [more inside]
posted on Oct 23, 2007 - 3 answers

Languagefilter: does anyone know the Japanese words (if there are particular words) for great-aunt and great-grandmother? All of my dictionaries have left me in the lurch, and I don't trust Babelfish.
posted on Oct 12, 2007 - 10 answers

How is the English language regarded in Japanese culture? [more inside]
posted on Aug 25, 2007 - 16 answers

Has anyone taken the language courses offered by the Japan Society in New York? [more inside]
posted on Jul 17, 2007 - 8 answers

JapaneseLanguageFilter: I am looking for good practice reading materials that are a happy medium. [more inside]
posted on Jun 10, 2007 - 9 answers

What language should I study? [more inside]
posted on May 7, 2007 - 25 answers

Japanese language filter: I need help utilizing Jim Breen's WWWJDIC or failing that: I am looking for a Japanese word frequency list. [more inside]
posted on Apr 10, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm looking for some ideas to effectively use the Genki 1 textbook to start teaching myself Japanese. [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2006 - 6 answers

Why the random English words used in asian language programming? [more inside]
posted on Nov 16, 2006 - 12 answers

PolyglotFilter: I'm looking for multiple blogs to practice several languages. [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2006 - 3 answers

Are there any JLPT prep books that are filled with short, interesting stories that make extensive use of the kanji/grammar for whatever level you are studying? [more inside]
posted on Oct 2, 2006 - 2 answers

What are some recommendations for Japanese language schools, especially for conversation, in Tokyo? [more inside]
posted on Aug 23, 2006 - 2 answers

How would I find a Japanese language "camp" or intensive school in the greater New York metro area? [more inside]
posted on Jun 29, 2006 - 9 answers

What are the best Japanese language schools in Tokyo? [more inside]
posted on Jan 18, 2006 - 1 answers

I'd like to learn Japanese... writing, reading, speaking, listening. As quickly, comprehensively, and correctly as possible. [more inside]
posted on Nov 17, 2005 - 24 answers

Recommendations for workbooks on building Japanese vocabulary? [more inside]
posted on Oct 5, 2005 - 3 answers

Does anyone have Japanese pen pals while they don't speak Japanese? [more inside]
posted on Sep 25, 2005 - 5 answers

I want to learn Japanese, specifically to read it, preferably quickly. [more inside]
posted on Aug 9, 2005 - 16 answers

There is a japanese word, used frequently in factories, that means roughly "bucket" or "container" or "processing bin." I think it begins with a "k" although I could be wrong. Does anyone have any idea what it is?
posted on May 5, 2005 - 11 answers

I'm in process of learning Japanese, and wondered if anyone had ever heard of a course of teaching through anime (something like the spanish teaching series Destinos. I've seen Japanese through Comics and another japanese grammar through manga, but those seem to be more advanced. I do have other books that I'm using - the Pimsler set and Japanese for Busy People but I thought it might be fun to watch something as well as to practice comprehension. I do realize that the vocabulary in most anime is likely to be of questionable use in real life. Regrettably, "Quick! We must use the time machine to defeat the space pirates!" seldom comes up in my conversation.
posted on Apr 26, 2005 - 12 answers

I'm looking for Japanese language study materials to put on my iPod. [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2005 - 10 answers

For those of you fluent in Japanese, I'd like to hear your best advice on the subject. I've studied for about 4 years, and have been living in Japan for nearly a year, but despite this, achieving true "fluency" still seems like an insurmountable task. Although I am conversationally fluent, at times I become incredibly frustrated. How long do you think it takes to become fluent? And now for the oh-so-impossible question: what should I do to speed up the process? Advice, experiences, suggestions would be welcome from any students of foreign language.
posted on Feb 13, 2005 - 9 answers

I think I'm learning Japanese, I really think so... How do I proceed?
posted on Jul 13, 2004 - 15 answers

Help! I have less than one week to memorize a 5-minute speech for a contest--in Japanese. Most of what I can find on Google tells me not to bother with memorization, but the contest rules say I have to have it memorized verbatim. I have about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes memorized so far, but they're not solid yet. Does anyone have some tips for memorization?
posted on Mar 7, 2004 - 17 answers

Is there a good free way to begin to learn to speak japanese?
posted on Jan 28, 2004 - 12 answers

I've been studying Japanese at a college level for three years now and I think I have an intermediate knowledge of the language, sentence pattern and grammar wise, and an OK vocabulary, considering I don't speak it everyday. Aside from actually living in Japan, which isn't an option right now due to college and work commitments, what is the best way to learn Japanese, especially reading and writing Kanji?
posted on Dec 11, 2003 - 16 answers