why is it that some words are different in Kanji than in Katakana when read. For example �� (ki) and ���� (moku) mean tree yet its not like both are read ki or moku
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shiroi_tora wrote:

why is it that some words are different in Kanji than in Katakana when read. For example �� (ki) and ���� (moku) mean tree yet its not like both are read ki or moku

Because there are up to three ways to read certain kanji:

onyomi: aka "Chinese reading". You usually read certain kanji this way when you see them use as compounds with other kanji.

kunyomi: aka "Japanese reading". Used when you see the kanji and some hiragana written after it.

nanori: aka "name reading". On top of the two other readings, there are special ways to read certain kanji when it pertains to people's names.

I would have posted some examples but I don't have access to a Japanese IME right now.

Until the cavalry (kokuou) arrives I'll try and provide an example:

The character for "new" �V�@as used in this sentence: ���́@�V�����@�V���@�� �������낢�@�ł� (sono atarashii shinbun wa omoshiroi desu) That new newspaper is interesting.

The first time the character appears it's pronounced the kunyomi way, atarashii, which means "new". The character is by itself so it's pronounced the kunyomi way.

The second time it comes with another kanji character ���@(bun) which means "to hear" Shin=new, bun= to hear, together they form "shinbun" or newspaper. These two characters are together, so they're pronounced the onyomi way. I hope this explanation helps

Edit: Just as a follow up, this rule works MOST of the time, but like all languages, there are exceptions, that's where the hard part comes in!

gaijinmark wrote:

Until the cavalry (kokuou) arrives I'll try and provide an example: The character for "new" �V�@as used in this sentence: ���́@�V�����@�V���@�� �������낢�@�ł� (sono atarashii shinbun wa omoshiroi desu) That newspaper is interesting. The first time the character appears it's pronounced the kunyomi way, atarashii, which means "new". The character is by itself so it's pronounced the kunyomi way. The second time it comes with another kanji character ���@(bun) which means "to hear" Shin=new, bun= to hear, together they form "shinbun" or newspaper. These two characters are together, so they're pronounced the onyomi way. I hope this explanation helps

cavalry not needed.
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kenjilina wrote:

cavalry not needed.

Awww...
I suppose I'm not needed anymore






PSCYH!
You think you guys are gonna get rid of me that easily? THINK AGAIN! lol

������
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"I like the word 'indolence'. It makes my laziness seem classy."
-Bern Williams

kokuou wrote:

Awww... I suppose I'm not needed anymore

You will ALWAYS be our Senpai!!!

kokuou wrote:

Awww... I suppose I'm not needed anymore PSCYH! You think you guys are gonna get rid of me that easily? THINK AGAIN! lol ������

of course you're needed. you're a great help to us all.
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What does "sai" mean....for example 18sai (nightmare track)
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shiroi_tora wrote:

What does "sai" mean....for example 18sai (nightmare track)

I learnt that sai - age. For example Nan sai desuka? How old are you. And 18sai should mean 18 years old. But since you put (nightmare track) Im not sure

*waiting for senpais*
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chiba wrote:

I learnt that sai - age. For example Nan sai desuka? How old are you. And 18sai should mean 18 years old. But since you put (nightmare track) Im not sure *waiting for senpais*

Yeah, it means "18 years old."
I have know idea what 'nightmare track' is referring to, though.

������
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"I like the word 'indolence'. It makes my laziness seem classy."
-Bern Williams

Nightmare is a visual kei band
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a-nesuto wrote:

Nightmare is a visual kei band

correct...on their latest cd theWORLD ruler there is a song called 18sai
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what does kizuna mean??

celeron wrote:

what does kizuna mean??

'tie' as in a 'bond' between friends.
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chiba wrote:

For example Nan sai desuka? How old are you.

In my japanese class that i took, my sensei taught us to how to ask someone how old they are differently

"Ikura desu ka?"

hopefully my memory is working right for me.


Kokuou san, is this right?
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KT-kun, that would normally be used to ask how much something cost, for example... but I guess it could be used for age as well...

Anime Dad wrote:

KT-kun, that would normally be used to ask how much something cost, for example... but I guess it could be used for age as well...

Ya i remember that.

Its just funny how i don't hear anyone using Nan sai desu ka when ask someone for their age.....
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K.T.Tran wrote:

Ya i remember that. Its just funny how i don't hear anyone using Nan sai desu ka when ask someone for their age.....

you can also say 'toshi wa nan desu ka?' to ask about age.
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Didn't know that one

Damn, I wish my Japanese was better. I'm getting near the end of my Pimsleur course, and it's getting curly I have trouble remembering things i've learnt if I don't get the chance to use them

K.T.Tran wrote:

In my japanese class that i took, my sensei taught us to how to ask someone how old they are differently "Ikura desu ka?" hopefully my memory is working right for me. Kokuou san, is this right?

Almost

It's actually:

(��)�����‚ł����H
[(O)-ikutsu desu ka?]

It literally means "How much (is your age)?"
If you're talking to someone older (or higher in rank) than you, you need the "o" at the beginning.

HTH,
������
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"I like the word 'indolence'. It makes my laziness seem classy."
-Bern Williams