When you are learning a new language, phrase books and text books will certainly get you far. However, learning the phrases that truly make you sound fluent (the “ums” and “what was that again…”) aren’t necessarily touched on. Bring in the Speak Japanese Series of books.
Speak Japanese Series
The great thing about these books is they have English translations for everything. More over, they are perfect for self teaching. Each Speak Japanese book comes with its own CD so that you can hear the proper pronunciation. A key to speaking like a local. What I will discuss below are the books I’ve used personally but it is not the entirety of the series. You can visit J Research directly and see the treasure trove they have to offer.
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88 Basic Patterns for Japanese Conversation
The goal of 88 Basic Patterns for Japanese Conversation is to improve your rhetoric in every day speech of Japanese. It gives the meaning, background and usage in form of conversation examples. It’s a beginner – intermediate level and broken into two sections. Start with the “essential” sentence patterns which help you join together larger concepts. The second is 80 examples that are broken into further parts so you know when to use them. The CD allows you to hear a native speaker say each sentence.
200 Quick and Easy Phrases for Japanese Conversation
Consider 200 Quick and Easy Phrases for Japanese Conversation a phrase book on the next plane for beginning to intermediate level. The goal is to not just remember a fixed phrase but to know in which situations to use them in. This is for quick and to the point things you hear all the time. Again, broken into two parts with further break down in sections like “Surprise and Questioning”, “Explanation”, “Advice and Worries” and culminating in “Cliché of everyday phrases”. There are a total of 10. Each gives at least three different example. Including when to use them and sometimes related phrases or words you would commonly hear with it.
125 Extended Patterns for Japanese Conversation
Once you’ve mastered the above, you can move on to the intermediate to advanced levels. 125 Extended Patterns for Japanese Conversation goal is to allow you to continue the conversation on. Split into three different parts, Part 1 contains more of the basic sentence patterns. Part 2 is sentences based on a purpose. Finally, part 3 is for conveying nuances. Helps extensively with the rhythm and flow of Japanese conversation and will have you speak Japanese in no time.
210 Additional Super-Miniature Phrases for Immediate Use in Japanese Conversation
The goal of 210 Additional Super-Miniature Phrases for Immediate Use in Japanese Conversation is to expand and deepen the content of a conversation for intermediate level and up. A well collected example of easy and commonly used phrases. These are used in every day speech by native Japanese speakers.
Study Methodology for Speak Japanese Series
When to study?! Read on the train or when you have a free moment with these perfect sized books. You can start using what you learn right away and they have more “real conversation” Japanese than you’ll find with a textbook like the Minna no Nihongo series.
Oh, and while a lot of the kanji in the Speak Japanese books have furigana (the little letters that help you with the pronunciation), I highly recommend WaniKani as a way to learn kanji. (Link to my post on the subject, not an affiliate, though I wish they had a program!)
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Hi,
Glad I saw your blog. How was your progress so far in learning Nihongo? 😀
My reading and listening still take the cake. Are you learning as well?
Very useful and interesting. Thank you! Keep it coming
I’m glad you found it useful! And will do :).
Did you use a textbook like minna no nihongo or genki before these books? Or did you just use these?
Hello May!
I started with textbooks before finding these at my local bookstore but they definitely are helpful for every day phrases! You can find my review of the Minna series here: https://www.kristenabroad.com/japan-savvy/minna-no-nihongo-japanese-text-review/ it’s definitely my favorite for a “traditional” learning progression but I love this series as well! Lots of tools in the toolbox!