Japanese
| Back to the Asian & Other Languages page. |
 D |
- Language Courses :
- Courses :
- Chiron’s Survival Japanese Course
‘This course is designed for beginners who wish to learn basic Japanese. Enjoy these lessons.’ - Easy Japanese
Basic introduction to the language via grammar, the writing system, useful, structures and more. - Introductory Japanese
Learn through stories with linked audio files. Covers all areas including kanji, kana, vocabulary and grammar. - Japanese Lessons
Available in multiple languages. This is the English page. - Japanese Online
Free lessons, maths lessons, dictionary links, a store, a newsletter and audio support. You need Quicktime. - Joyo 96
A virtual internet school for learning Japanese. - Knowledge Base
‘Welcome to our “How to learn Japanese” web page ! This page is only for the beginners. Whoever has some interest in learning Japanese language, please view this and enjoy studying Japanese ! It is our great pleasure if it can be helpful for your understanding of Japanese.’ - Learn Japanese Language
‘ “Learn Japanese Web Site” gives you the basic [ ] Japanese writing concept as well as the most important and most-used Japanese words and phrases for real communications. Also … “Learn Japanese Web Site” will teach you how to speak Japanese by podcasting, so you can read, write, but also [ ] speak and understand Japanese as though you have lived there all your life.’ - Learn to Speak Japanese
Learn Japanese with Free online lessons - the Basics, Grammar, Words and Phrases, how to read Kanji, write Hiragana and Katakana, learn via multimedia, practice and exercises and other online links. - Pera Pera Penguin
‘This column is a conversation class for learners of the Japanese language. It is written by Hitomi Hirayama, a Japanese teacher with more than 15 years of experience. [They] may be downloaded at no cost from this page after each instalment appears in the newspaper.’ Requires .pdf reader for the files. - Teach Yourself Japanese
Lessons for you to work with as well as several java applets. - Tutorials :
- Japster 2000 !
From Thinkquest, ‘20 lessons that include dialogues, vocabulary, key phrase explanation, and cultural tips. The Japster webpage is an ideal studying environment for beginners of the Japanese language. Lessons writing the Japanese alphabet using “Flash” and sound files to hear the dialogues.’ - Video Lectures from York University
[Elementary Modern Standard Japanese]
Contains audio and video files [Quicktime], as well as a significant range of .pdf files. Tertiary level presentation from Canada. - Language Tools
These do not include “Character” sites [for these, see the ‘Writing Skills’ section below] but specific language tools, grammar, vocabulary and other resources. - Dictionaries :
- Japanese
- Bi-Directional English Japanese Dictionary
Type in either English or Japanese [kana or kanji] words to find the translated version. - Counter Dictionary
How to count accurately in Japanese. - Diku
Search by Romaji, kana, kanji or English. Extensive responses provided for each search. From the Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group at Monash University - English - Japanese - English Dictionary
From Free Dictionary. - Nihongo
An English/Japanese dictionary. - OmegaJi
‘Free, opensource Japanese-English dictionary application based on the JMdict project.’ Requires Net 2.0 to operate. - Online English Japanese Dictionary
[Babylon]
‘An exciting searchable database of over 3 million words includes recognition of all possible inflections and derivatives, regardless of what form they are in or what auxiliary word is attached to them. In addition, the Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana forms of writing are all recognized and displayed.’ - Online Japanese Dictionary
‘Denshi Jisho is an easy-to-use and powerful online Japanese dictionary. It lets you find words, kanji and example sentences by searching in many ways.’ - Online English-Japanese-French Dictionary
‘Find easily equivalent Japanese words from English and vice versa, or send a query to Japanese search engines without knowing Japanese translation.’ Multiple dictionaries to choose from. - Online Japanese Dictionaries and Glossaries
‘A collection of annotated links to online Japanese dictionaries’ done by people from Monash University. - The Japanese Slang Jisho
Items listed alphabetically with translation and brief explanation. - Grammar
Includes specific grammar sites, conjugators and sites including a majority of grammar material. - A Japanese Guide to Japanese Grammar
‘This site explains Japanese grammar in a systematic step-by-step process. It was created as a resource for those who want to learn Japanese grammar in a rational, intuitive way that makes sense in Japanese. The explanations are focused on how to make sense of the grammar not from English but from a Japanese point of view.’ Available in various formats. - Japanese for the Western Brain
‘On these pages, I present some of the basic principles of grammar and usage in a way that probably doesn’t resemble your textbook. I have written it so that people who have a working knowledge of English grammar [such as what you learned in school, even if you’ve forgotten some of the details] will be able to compare and contrast English and Japanese grammar.’ - Tim’s Takamatsu
‘A brief overview of Japanese grammar and verbs.’ Has links to other resources including a downloadable section of his book on Japanese verbs. - General Sites & Portals :
- new !Free Japanese
Lessons and Courses
‘We have gathered together here a number of Free language lessons and language courses for those learning Japanese, along with some other Japanese language resources, such as Japanese online newspapers, Japanese dictionaries, Japanese internet radio sites, and other sources relevant to the student of Japanese.’ - Japanese Language
Links listed under headings of general language, written and spoken language. Also a Language forum. - Japanese Language [“About”]
Links to sites from anime to writing systems. Most clearly annotated. - LanguagePlus
[Learn Japanese Online]
‘Particularly designed to help students of Japanese to memorize Japanese vocabulary learnt in class and practise their Japanese grammar skills.’ Free registration provides full access. Includes grammar, reading, writing and listening exercises. - Web Sites for Japanese Students
An extensive, annotated listing of links ranging across topics from dictionaries to lessons, pen friends to politics, education to culture and considerably more. Some sites are in Japanese text. Collated by Griffith University. - Years 1-10 Languages other than English
Japanese sourcebook modules. - Vocabulary :
- A Fan in Japan
‘Here is a phrase file to print out with all introduced phrases and some more that you might find useful.’ Has English statement, Japanese written form and Japanese language statement. From the BBC. - English-Japanese Vocabulary Quizzes
‘Quizzes to Help You Learn and Review Vocabulary. This is a part of The Internet TESL Journal’s Activities for ESL Students.’ A huge collection ! - Japanese Vocabulary Guide
Has extensive audio files for all sections. Presented in Japanese but with English translations, either direct or on mouse over. - Japanese Words and Phrases
Most commonly used words and phrases as well as both hiragana and katakana. - Let’s Study Japanese
Use these audio files covering phrases and dialogue, then use printable lesson pages and follow up through links to other sites. - Photographic Vocabulary Aid
[From MIT]
‘This site presents photos from Japan, and vocabulary items associated with them. It shows you how words are written and pronounced [sound files in .mov — QuickTime]. It also provides quick vocabulary-check pages enabled by JavaScript and Shockwave.’ - Podcasts, Blogs & Videos :
- JapanesePod101.com
‘Our innovative, fun, and easy to use language learning system is designed to get you speaking and interacting from the very first lesson. Learn Japanese at your own convenience and pace with short, effective, fun daily lessons and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art Learning Centre that provides you with the tools to take your Japanese to the next level !’ - Learn Japanese@Japancast.net
‘Learn Japanese with our free Japanese lessons in podcast format. We use examples from anime and everyday conversation to teach you Japanese that is useful for everyday life.’ - Learn Japanese Language Blogspot
‘Teaches you how to speak Japanese words, phrase and a basic conversation in Japanese. So, you will open your mouth and sound like a totally real Japanese speaking person.’ - Learn Japanese with Beb and Alex
Podcast lessons. - Resources
Includes software as well as other resources. - Culture
Includes sites that may have other than just cultural import. - A Primer for Newcomers
[Japanese Culture]
‘This site is to familiarise you with a few basic characteristics of Japanese culture and behaviour that the westerner will encounter.’ - e-Asia Digital Library
Of particular interest is the e-books section where you can select the country of interest [e.g. Japan]. There are also images, audio, maps, a database and even a toolkit. - Japanese Culture [1]
‘Over 120 pages of Japanese culture : Geisha, Samurai, Japanese Language, cherry blossom, Japanese Clothing, kimono, Japanese New Year, Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese gardens, Christmas in Japan, Japanese music and more.’ - Japanese Culture [2]
Extensive links to a range of cultural information, including performing arts, contemplative arts, royalty, cultural events, costume and foods. - Japanese Language and Culture
- Japanese Reference - Culture
Comprehensive information in groupings covering Religion, History & Ethnology, Lifestyle & Relationships, Cultural Issues, Traditions & Etiquette, as well as a Cultural Glossary and links to other aspects of Japanese life. - Kids’ Web Japan
Some language, a huge range of material [some interactive] to help with culture, and other information. - Learning Japanese with Akira Kurosawa
Using the films of Akira Kurosawa as a means of learning or improving your skills in Japanese. From Mahalo. - Super Japanese Web Sites
Links in sub-groups for all aspects of Japanese language and culture. - Virtual Foreign Language Classroom, Japanese
[Language & Culture]
Information and links through 3 sub-groupings - courses & instruction, language resources and culture. - General Sites & Portals :
- Anime Web Turnpike -
Online Resources
Annotated links covering culture and language and including links to sound clips of Japanese language. - Charles Kelly’s Online Japanese
[Language Study Materials]
‘These are free-to-use online materials that I have developed to help people study Japanese.’ Includes plug-ins, quizzes, Kanji materials, flashcards, common words, Japanese signs, Proficiency Test Vocabulary lists, Daily Startup Page, Japanese Language Study Sites and more. - How to Speak Japanese
A page created by the Mahalo Search Engine. It presents a range of suggestions from ‘Before You Begin’ to ‘Resources for Studying Japanese’. A good starting point if you are thinking of studying Japanese. - Japanese Language Links
A large collection of links grouped in areas such as Books, food, grammar, lessons, kana/kanji, other and more. - Japanese Online Readers
From the Department of Education, Science & Training, Australia. - Japanese Page, The
Lessons, forum, articles, downloads and links to other sites about culture and language. - Jim Breen’s Japanese Page
‘This set of pages … provides links to some of the resources available on the WWW on Japanese matters.’ - JP NET
Tools, information and other resources for Japanese language and culture - Language Teaching Resources
Japanese is one of four languages covered by these extensive learning resources compiled by a Queensland teacher. - New South Wales HSC Online, Japanese
While geared to the HSC, it provides revision on all aspects of senior secondary Japanese. - Japanese Proficiency Test :
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Run by the Japanese Government [through their embassy in Brisbane], it allows you to access information about the test, grades, course book and more. Worth considering if you are serious. - Resources
You might also consider borrowing resources from them. - News - Japan Today
News from various sources. - Asahi Shimbun [Japan]
- Japan Times
- Japan Today [1]
Links to a wide variety of topics related to Japan today. - Japan Today [2]
News, search mechanism, posts and more. - Software specific to this language :
- AutoGloss-J
Downloadable glossary program for Win 98. [Primary/Secondary] - Computing and Japanese
‘Free or close to Free downloadable goodies.’ Links to other Japanese resources. - Declan Software
[Japanese Language Learning Software]
Primary/Secondary - DreamKana
[Primary/Secondary]
‘A Freeware hiragana and katakana flash card application for students of Japanese.’ - Hiragana Tiles
‘Hiragana Tiles is a simple game designed to allow for rapid learning of the most basic of Japanese symbol sets. Hiragana consists of well over forty characters, which correspond to Latin vowels and syllabi. The game is designed to allow for learning of the sounding of the Hiragana symbols.’ - Instant Immersion Japanese
[Primary/Secondary] - JapAlpha
Hiragana, katakana, kanji, 14 000 words. Full version, Now Free. - Japtra
‘Asks you Japanese words and phrases to assist you while learning the language. Its vocabulary is user-defined, extendable and editable’. - JDrill
‘A program for multiple-choice testing in the Japanese Katakana and Hiragana scripts.’ - Kana no quiz
‘Kana no quiz is a little educational tool, simple yet efficient, to memorise the transcription and pronunciation of Japanese kana [hiragana & katakana] in a quick, easy, and flexible fashion.’ - KanjiQuick 2.1
- LexiKAN Japanese Kanji Flashcard Software
[Primary/Secondary] - Michio Teaches Japanese
[Primary] - Pazuru Alfabet
‘Flash card game for learning Japanese phonetic scripts.’[Primary/Secondary] - Tell Me More Japanese
[Primary/Secondary] - Writing Skills :
- Hiragana :
- Hiragana
‘Click on the character to see its stroke order and sound.’ The home page covering a range of topics including this one, flash cards, listening quizzes and more is found here. - Hitagana Writing Tutor, Welcome to the
‘A chart of the basic sounds found in Japanese, written in Roman script. Click on any of the boxes and you’ll see an example of how to write that character using the Japanese writing system called Hiragana. Remember : when writing in Japanese, strokes tend to go from left to right first, then from up to down.’ - Kanji :
- E-Kanji
‘Welcome to E-Kanji, the efficient, intelligent, way to learn to read Japanese. If you are tired of being illiterate, try our unique, Free system for improving your reading ability. E-Kanji requires that your computer be able to display Japanese characters.’ Advice is available for the latter point. - Jii-chan’s Kanji Flashcards
‘Around 2 000 or so of the most frequently used Kanji with their pronunciations and approximate meanings have been assembled from KANJIDIC and divided up into 107 “lessons”. These may be viewed and reviewed directly through this site. The most frequently used characters may be found in lesson 1 and so on for each lesson on.’ - Kanji Practice
‘Kanji Practice is a site which helps learners of Japanese to master reading and writing kanji. Kanji are grouped in sets of 50. For each kanji, the site offers a brushstroke image, a brief video clip demonstrating stroke order, sample sentences for On and Kun readings with accompanying audio clips, print variations and the English translation of the kanji. So far, kanji 1-300 and some supplementary kanji are available, with more kanji in production.’ You can also try their Japanese Exercises. - Kanji Site, The
Works with the kanji writing system. A mass of information including examples, explanations and descriptions. - Kanji Writing Tutor, Welcome to the
‘[On] the left are buttons listing different ways to search for the kanji you want to practice. the prime purpose of this page is to teach stroke order and general kanji shape.’ Sections covering subjects, On & Kun, Radicals and Strokes. - Speedanki
‘This site is an interactive flashcard system designed to aid in the memorization of Japanese kanji and kanji compounds for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Though designed for the JLPT, we believe this system of memorization will be useful to any students of Japanese looking to improve their Japanese reading ability. The flashcards can be viewed in kanji or hiragana form, and flipped back and forth between them. Both sides of the card offer the option to display the English meaning and an example sentence. Register for a Free account and the status of your cards will be saved.’ - Other Sites
General sites related to characters, calligraphy and other writing information. - Cracking the Code
Developed through the Learning Federation. It contains a range of activities to develop understanding of Japanese characters [and also Chinese characters]. - Katakana Writing Tutor, Welcome to the
‘A chart of the basic sounds found in Japanese, written in Roman script. Click on any of the boxes and you’ll see an example of how to write that character using the Japanese writing system called katakana. Remember : when writing in Japanese, strokes tend to go from left to right first, then from up to down.’ - Learn Japanese Characters
[Hiragana and Katakana - Quickly & Easily !]
‘ChipChat works with any computer that can connect to the Internet with a Java-enabled browser.’ Use the drills for both of these. - Vashon’s Japanese Page
Covers all writing formats and provides a range of lessons and grammar assistance. - Writing Tutor
A ‘virtual’ writing book where you practise writing skills and technique. Animated GIFs help you learn a range of writing formats.
