PandaPassport.com – China Blog

I came across these lists on tanos.co.uk, and I tweaked ‘em a little so you can import them to Anki flash card software (i.e. I inserted a shitload of semi-colons). There’s only a month left before the test, and if you’re anything like me you’re scrambling for review. I this is of use to someone out there.

Anyway, here are the files. (**Note: If you view them in your browser, be sure to change to UTF-8 encoding)

JLPT 3 Vocab List (txt file)
JLPT 4 Vocab List (txt file)

On a bit of a side note, I’ll be shifting my CNet China blog to give it a Japan focus (Ryan’s taking over the China beat). It will now be called Tokyo Shift. I’ve also been working on another Japan-related website recently, and it’s now online. Check out 2JPN.com, and let me know what you think. See neato logo below:

I’ve been using Genius software on my macbook for some time now. For studying Japanese Kanji, this looks like the way to go. I recently came across a yahoo group which provides some pre-made genius vocab lists which correspond to James Heisig’s book Remembering the Kanji:

Download Remembering the Kanji Genius word list (357kb)

The yahoo group has a bunch of other files as well, including Anki files if you’re on windows. I have about 2 months left in China, but I’m grateful that I’m not going to have to struggle with kanji as much as other students of Japanese.

I’ve started using this Genius program on my Mac (download it here), and I really recommend it for anyone who’s studying vocab in any language. In addition to the Katakana flash card set (I can’t remember where I downloaded that from…), I’ve put together some beginner vocab sets for Japanese vocabulary. Currently, I’ve categorized all vocab into 3 groups: Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives. Though that may change later.

Note: As I learn more vocab, I’ll add it to these sets and provide the new updated files below the current August 3 revision.

Download them here:

Japanese Genius Files – August 3

Related Reading: Hiragana & Katakana Memorization Tables

For anyone out there who is trying to master Japanese characters, here is a table in image format of the hiragana and katakana tables that you can use for your study.

But personally, I prefer something that challenges my memory a little more.

So I used this character annotation method that I spoke of before to make better hiragana and katakana tables, so you can test your progress. If you haven’t mastered the character yet, just hover your mouse over it and the romaji (or phoenetic spelling) will pop up.

If you are beginning to study Japanese as I am, it might come in handy if you’re trying to test yourself.

Give it a try below. And be sure to bookmark it so you have it on hand in the future!

Hirigana Memorization Table

Katakana Memorization Table

Note: I threw this together pretty fast. If anyone noticed any mistakes, be sure to let me know.

JapanesePod 101 is another useful resource, if you’re trying to improve you’re listening and speaking. It’s basically a Japanified Chinesepod.

I posted a while back that I was gonna spend all this month studying Japanese like a mad bastard. While I have studied quite a bit, I haven’t stuck to my ambitious schedule as I’d hoped. Who’dha thunk it?

But it seems I have more things to worry about besides my Japanese language proficiency. My girlfriend is of the opinion that I simply can’t go to Tokyo dressed in the same clothes that I wear here in China everyday:
“Nobody wears pants like those in Japan!”
“We need to get you new shoes.”
etc, etc…

Tokyo just doesn’t seem to be a t-shirt and jeans kinda city, apparently.

Fashion aside, my main concern going there is that I’m gonna get run over by cars driving on the wrong side of the road. Not only because they’re driving on the wrong side of the road, but because I’ve picked up the habit of wandering out into 4 lane highways Chinese style, with total disregard for traffic signals.

From what I hear, that just won’t fly in Japan:

It is OK to cross the street against street lights at night but not during the day. The nearest car could be miles away, but as long as that cross walk sign says “don’t walk” you should stay put. If you cross, you risk confirming every horrible stereotype Japanese hold about foreigners. I’m sure this is a regular conversation in Japan:

Wife: You know what I saw today?
Husband: No, what?
Wife: I saw a foreigner cross the street against the cross walk sign, in broad day light in front of at least three other people including myself.
Husband: Jesus! are you OK?
Wife: I told you this was a bad neighborhood! Why oh why did I ever let you move us here? I want a divorce! Source: illogical operation

Well, I’m only gonna be there for 4 or 5 days, so as long as I come back in one piece I’ll be alright. I’ll be picking up some books for sure while I’m there. There are still a few Murakami novels I need to read.

This trip will hopefully also be marked by my long-awaited re-union with Leo. For those of you who don’t know, Leo is a 3-inch tall action figure who’s been travelling the globe, and is just getting back from Croatia (via Tokyo). Next on his travel itinerary is either a dart to the Amazon, or possibly Madagascar.

China Stolen-Video-of-the-Day: Tokyo Drift

My brother Jeff will like this one. Check out the 3rd installment of The Fast and the Furious, Tokyo Drift, all here in streaming youtube-like video.
The Fast and the Furious, Tokyo Drift
(Note, if the above link doesn’t stream continuously, try these: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

And here’s why:

Now that we’re into April, those of us here in China are looking ahead to the upcoming May holiday. While I did not have any particular plans on going anywhere, my significant other wants to head back to her hometown – Tokyo, Japan.

Now, I’ve never been to Japan. We met here in Dalian. And since Chinese study has been a priority for me here (and playing around building this website), I’ve been putting Japanese study on the backburner for the past little while.

Why is learning Japanese in 30 days so urgent, you ask? Why can’t I just have my girlfriend translate for me when we arrive?

Well, one of the purposes of this trip is to Meet the Parents. And the last thing I want is a Japanese version of Robert DeNiro staring down at me saying “I got nipples, could ya milk me?” Personally I think it’s a little disrespectful if I show up at my girlfriend’s home 30 days from now, not being able to speak a few sentence of semi-respectable nihon go to her parents.

So basically, I’m gonna learn using Pimsleur mp3s, not only because they’re good, but also because I can’t seem to find anything else. They have Japanese I, II and III – each level consisting of about 30 mp3s. I’m hoping to speed through each level in about 10 days. Thus finishing all 3 levels by May 1, which is 30 days from today. Of course, having studied Chinese puts me at a bit of an advantage, since Japanese does use Chinese characters also.

Can I stick to this somewhat lofty target?

Well, anyone who knows me will likely say “fuck no.” But now that I’ve stated it publicly for everyone to hear/read – maybe I’ll be a little more motivated to stick with it.

By the way, if anyone knows of any useful study tools for Japanese, please let me know as soon as you can. The clock is ticking!

Stay tuned…

And fittingly,

China Stolen-Media-of-the-Day: Meet the Parents 2

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a continuous playlist, like most of the other movies/shows that I’ve found on the Chinese net. But I did find this one in 6 parts:

Meet the Parents 2 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6.