Sounding Fluent

If you want to sound like a native Japanese speaker, you need to imitate the intonations, rhythms, and accents of Japanese. These almost musical aspects of the language make a big difference, and they're not that difficult to achieve.

Don't stress

English sentences sound like they're full of punches because they contain words that have stressed syllables followed by unstressed syllables. Japanese sentences sound flat because Japanese words and phrases don't have stressed syllables. So unless you're angry or excited, suppress your desire to stress syllables when you speak Japanese.

Get in rhythm

English sentences sound smooth and connected, but Japanese sentences sound choppy because each syllable is pronounced separately. You can sound like a native speaker by pronouncing each syllable separately, not connecting them as you do in English.

Pitch perfectly

Although Japanese speakers don't stress syllables, they may raise or lower the pitch on a specific syllable in a certain word. A raised pitch may sound like a stress, but if you think in terms of music, the high notes aren't necessarily stressed more than the low notes.

Pitch differences in Japanese are a lot subtler than the differences between musical notes. Sometimes a slight pitch difference changes the meaning of a word.

CULTURAL WISDOM

The pitch also depends on what part of Japan you're in. For example, in eastern Japan, the word hashi (hah-shee) means "chopsticks" when said with high-to-low pitch, but when said low-to-high, it means "a bridge." In western Japan, it's the opposite: High-to-low pitch means "a bridge," and low-to-high pitch means "chopsticks."

How can you tell what anyone means? For one thing, the eastern dialect is standard because that's where Tokyo, Japan's capital, is located. In any event, the context usually makes the meaning clear. If you're in a restaurant and you ask for hashi, you can safely assume that, no matter how you pitch this word, no one will bring you a bridge.

CULTURAL WISDOM

Here's another interesting fact about pitch: The Japanese raise their overall pitch when speaking to their superiors. This pitch change is most noticeable among women. Female workers raise their pitch quite a bit when dealing with customers. Women also raise their pitch when speaking to young children.

You Already Know a Little Japanese

Believe it or not, you already know many Japanese words: Some are Japanese words that English borrowed and incorporated, and others are English words used in Japan.

Japanese words in English

Do you love sushi? Do you practice karate? Do you hang out at karaoke bars? Even if you answered no to every question, you probably know what these words mean and know that they come from Japanese.

Check out these other words that traveled from Japan to become part of the English language:

[cehck] kimono (kee-moh-noh; a robe with wide sleeves and a sash; traditional Japanese clothing for women)

[cehck] origami (oh-ree-gah-mee; the art of paper folding)

English words used in Japanese

Many English words have crossed the ocean to Japan, and that number is increasing quickly. You can use many English words in Japan - if you pronounce them with a heavy Japanese accent:

Picking Up Some Basic Phrases

Start using the following short Japanese phrases at home. You may need your family's cooperation, but if you make it a habit, you'll be amazed at how quickly you pick up a bit of Japanese.

Used when you agree with someone's statement. This phrase is similar to what you mean when you say "yeah" in the middle of an English conversation just to let the other person know that you're listening.

Used when you want to stop someone from doing something or when you want to say that something is bad or impermissible. You'd never say this phrase to a superior or to someone older than you. You can say it to children, siblings, or very close friends.

[cehck] Gambatte (gahm-baht-teh; Go for it! or Try your best!)

Puzzling English words in Japan

Some English words changed their meanings after being assimilated into the Japanese language. Don't be puzzled when you hear these words:

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