During emergencies

-During emergencies

General Emergency Phrases:

 * Tasukete! (Help!)

 * Tasukete kudasai! (Please help me!)

 * Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai! (Please call an ambulance!)

 * Keisatsu o yonde kudasai! (Please call the police!)

 * Jiko desu! (Accident!)

 * Kiken desu! (Danger!)

Asking for Help:

 * Eigo o hanaseru hito wa imasu ka? (Is there anyone who speaks English?)

 * Watashi wa [country] kara kimashita. (I am from [country].)

 * Watashi wa [problem] desu. (I have a [problem].)

 * Doko ga itai desu ka? (Where does it hurt?)

 * Mizu o motte kite kudasai. (Please bring me water.)

Understanding Emergency Situations:

 * Nan desu ka? (What is it?)

 * Doko de nan desuka? (Where is it happening?)

 * Nani ga okotta no desu ka? (What happened?)

 * Daijōbu desu ka? (Are you okay?)

-Today's news

Tokyo’s Shibuya and Shinjuku on high alert at Halloween

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15491125

Janken: Rock-Paper-Scissors

Janken is a popular hand game played in Japan. It's a simple game of chance where two or more players simultaneously form one of three hand shapes: rock, paper, or scissors.

 * Rock (グー, guu): A closed fist.

 * Paper (パー, pā): A flat hand.

 * Scissors (チョキ, choki): Two fingers extended to form a V.

Rules:

 * Rock crushes scissors.

 * Scissors cuts paper.

 * Paper covers rock.

If both players show the same hand shape, it's a tie and they play again.

Example:

 * If Player A shows rock and Player B shows scissors, Player A wins.

 * If both players show paper, it's a tie.

To start a game of Janken, you and your opponent should:

 * Say "Saisho wa guu" (最初はグー): This means "First is rock" and is said while making a fist.

 * Chant "Janken pon!" (じゃんけんぽん!) together.

 * On "pon," both of you should simultaneously reveal your hand gesture: rock, paper, or scissors.

"Aiko" is a Japanese phrase that means "Rock-paper-scissors, it's a tie." It's used when both players show the same hand gesture during a game of Janken (rock-paper-scissors).

When this happens, the players typically say "Aiko desho?" (あいこでしょ？), which means "It's a tie, right?" and then proceed to play another round.

https://youtu.be/caPu1D5zVGA?si=UtJKVv355HjaR5L9

The difference between Japanese and Other Languages

-The difference between Japanese and Other Languages

The Japanese language, while beautiful and unique, presents a significant challenge for beginners due to its distinct characteristics compared to many other languages. Here are some key differences to be aware of:

1. Writing Systems:

 * Three Systems: Japanese uses three primary writing systems:

   * Kanji: Chinese characters adopted into Japanese, representing words and concepts.

   * Hiragana: Syllabic script used for native Japanese words, grammatical particles, and loanwords.

   * Katakana: Syllabic script used for foreign words, onomatopoeia, and emphasis.

 * Learning Curve: Mastering these systems requires substantial time and effort, as each character has its own unique stroke order and meaning.

2. Grammar:

 * Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Order: Japanese sentences follow an SOV structure, which can be confusing for speakers of languages like English (SVO).

 * Politeness Levels: Japanese has a complex system of politeness levels, determining the appropriate way to address others based on their social status and relationship.

 * Particles: Grammatical particles are essential in Japanese, indicating the role of words in a sentence and expressing nuances of meaning.

3. Pronunciation:

 * Vowel Length: Japanese vowels can be long or short, affecting the meaning of words.

 * Pitch Accent: Some Japanese words have pitch accent, meaning the pitch of a syllable can change the meaning of a word.

 * Consonant Clusters: Japanese does not allow consonant clusters at the beginning or end of words, which can be challenging for speakers of languages with such clusters.

4. Cultural Nuances:

 * Indirect Communication: Japanese culture often emphasizes indirect communication and avoiding direct confrontation, which can be difficult for speakers of more direct languages.

 * Group Harmony: Japanese society values group harmony and avoiding embarrassment, which influences language use and social interactions.

5. Resources:

 * Limited Resources: Compared to more widely spoken languages, there may be fewer resources available for Japanese learners, especially in specific regions.

Despite these challenges, learning Japanese can be a rewarding experience, opening doors to a rich culture and language. With dedication, patience, and effective learning strategies, beginners can overcome these obstacles and achieve proficiency in Japanese.

-Today's news

10 tips for your 1st trip to Tokyo

https://www.ksl.com/article/51142188/10-tips-for-your-1st-trip-to-tokyo

Japan's Lower House dissolved

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3596/