Listen & Learn: 101 Japanese Idioms
Listen & Learn: 101 Japanese Idioms
For All Students This flexible book and audio program features 101 Japanese idiomatic and proverbial expressions that enrich students knowledge of Japanese language and culture. Each left-hand page provides the expression in Japanese orthography and romanization, along with a whimsical illustration. Each right-hand page provides a literal translation of the idiom, its definition, cultural notes, and a dialogue in Japanese orthography, Roomaji, and English. Audiocassettes include expressive readings of the dialogues to help improve students’ pronunciation.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars It’s okay.
It’s really not for learning japanese, as much as it is learning about
the Japanese. It is helpful if you have something else to go with it.
4 Stars A Good Introduction to Japanese Idioms
This book playfully explores the Japanese kotowaza (i.e. idioms). It covers a wide range of frequently used kotowaza like iwanu ga hana (not saying is the flower) and mimi ga itai (my ears hurt). All textual examples are given with parallel English translation, native Japanese and a romanized representation of the native Japanese. Also, the illustrations are rather amusing and the book gives example conversations that use the idioms. Overall, I feel that this book is appropriate for all levels of ability who want to learn some amusing and interesting Japanese idioms.
4 Stars Impress Your Japanese Friends
The Japanese language is full of fixed expressions. In fact the knowledge of fixed expressions (kotowaza) is considered so important that they are often included on school exams. This book introduces 101 of the basics in a comprehensive, but easy to understand, way. Each expression is explained with a full page of text that includes an sample usage and also a full page illustration that often helps you to understand and remember the expression. For more advanced learners, I recommend checking the Power Japanese series for appropriate titles (there are several). If you’re like me, you’ll appreciate that this book allows you to express concepts in a way that native speakers will understand. Once you can seamlessly integrate these expressions into your everyday speech, you will be well on your way to fluency.
5 Stars Excellent book
If you’re going to live in Japan, I imagine this would be very helpful. Even if you never do, though, it’s an interesting read, and would make a good present for a student who’s studying it.
It does a number of things right: 1.) Good categorization (after reading it once, finding the thing you’re thinking of is easier, 2.) it has the Japanese text, a pronunciation guide, and an English translation (so you can understand it better, and 3.) an explanation behind the thinking and mindset (so you can understand how it came about.
Plus, there are pictures. You can’t beat a book with pictures.
5 Stars This book is as clean as split bamboo
“101 Japanese Idioms” is a nice break from formal Japanese study. It is both fun and insightful. The layout of the book makes for easy reading, and the pictures are amusing and informative.
Idioms are an important part of any language. Without them, you will not be able to understand most conversations, and people will need to adopt an unnatural speech pattern to communicate with you. It is interesting how many idioms are shared between languages, just using different examples. (Such as: Japanese - Three people together have the wisdom of Buddha. English - Two heads are better than one.)
Along with the useful conversational phrases, “101 Japanese Idioms” also provides a valuable insight into Japanese culture and values. What do Japanese people thing is important? What do they mock?
A small warning. Like most idioms, these are somewhat advanced Japanese and not suitable for beginners. A learner should have a pretty solid foundation in basics before attempting to use any of these idioms. However, a beginner should enjoy the book for it’s cultural insights. All around, a good addition to any Japanese curriculum.
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