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Learning how to write and read Japanese is very important. So I recommend you should learn how to write and read Japanese first before going any further . IMPORTANT (too): While learning how to speak the Japanese language, do not rely too heavily on Romanized Japanese or romaji (Japanese written in English letters). It is not used in Japan nor is it widely known in Japan. It is very important to learn kana (the Japanese alphabets - hiragana and katakana) to avoid many issues that can come from using romaji as a crutch . The modern Japanese writing system uses three main scripts: ひらがな (Hiragana): Hiragana is used to write native words for which there are no kanji, including particles such as から kara "from", and suffixes such as さん ~san "Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms." Likewise, hiragana is used in words for which the kanji form is obscure, not known to the writer or readers, or too formal for the writing purpose. Verb and adjective inflections, as, for example, be-ma-shi-ta (べました) in tabemashita (食べました, "ate"), are written in hiragana, often following a verb or adjective root (here 食) that is written in kanji. Hiragana is also used to give the pronunciation of kanji in a reading aid called furigana. The article Japanese writing system discusses in detail how the various systems of writing are used. カタカナ (Katakana): In modern Japanese, katakana is most often used for transcription of words from foreign languages except Chinese (called gairaigo). For example, "television" is written terebi (テレビ). Similarly, katakana is usually used for country names, foreign places, and foreign personal names. For example, America is written アメリカ Amerika (America also has its own kanji (ateji) Amerika (亜米利加) or for short, Beikoku (米国), which literally means "Rice Country" – though the connection with the "rice" character, 米, is purely a phonetic one). 漢字 (Kanji): Kanji is a Chinese character and has been adopted by the Japanese as their own. HIRAGANA - ひらがな So first, we are going to learn Hiragana. Hiragana has 48 characters with different styles and number of strokes (it's much more easier than Katakana [which will be introduced later]). Hiragana Chart: Introduction to Japanese Characters - #1 Hiragana: Lesson 1 - 'あ' [a] あ in hiragana or ア in katakana (romanised a) is one of the Japanese kana that each represent one mora. あ is based on the sōsho style of kanji 安, and ア is from the radical of kanji 阿. In the modern Japanese system of alphabetical order, it occupies the first position of the alphabet, before い. Additionally, it is the 36th letter in Iroha, after て, before さ. Its hiragana resembles the kana no combined with a cross. Pronunciation: 'あ' = 'a' is pronounced as 'ah' as in 'add'. Word beginning with 'あ': 1. ありがとう (arigatou = Thank you) 2. あたし (atashi = me) 3. あし (ashi = feet; leg) 4. あなた (anata = you; dear) Strokes order: The Hiragana あ is made with three strokes:[1] At the top, a horizontal stroke from left to right. A downward vertical stroke starting above and in the center of the last stroke. At the bottom, a loop like the Hiragana の. So all who hasn't yet learn the alphabets, I recommend you to write 'あ' and repeat it for at least 50 - 100 times in your textbook (that if you don't have anything to do ). That's your homework for today . Note: This is how I learnt the characters; by writing it numerous times in the textbook. There's much to it... but I think I'd discuss it later till you tell me what you all think . Jaa na! Next lesson -> Hiragana: Lesson 2 - 'い' Source: Wkipedia

Atari!! You are right on the mark, Cheesus-kun . Ex. Watashi wa tabete imasu (I'm eating). The plain form of the following 'tabete = to eat' is 'taberu'... you'd have to change the verb to Te Form if you want to add 'imasu' (for the present tense) . In Japanese almost all verbs comes at the end of sentences (also, I think there's exception). (I'd try to get into letting you know about Japanese verbs in a short time [hopefully]) But I do hope what I said makes sense . PS. You can install Japanese fonts on following link now .

They're called characters. There 48 of them (in the most modern order). But the order (and number of characters in the order) have changed since they were first introduced.

You've pretty much got most of it. Here's my translation: While soaking up the morning sun, the bamboo leaves in the bamboo forest (were whispering,) "It was very cold wasn't it?" "Yes, very cold." There was a little snow left, Everywhere around them was silent. I fused the 5th line of the original Japanese story with the 2nd line so it'd make sense in english. Hope this helps Kaoko. Nice job with the hiragana lesson BTW.

If ranks are decided on how many (well-used) onions are used in posts, then that would be too hard to count. Probably...maybe the most onions used in a post today would be a better idea. (see edit for new idea) If anyone likes the idea of an Onion Counter, I'll do it. Leader - This is going to remain O.K (officer kaoko) Co-leader - This should be blueberry. Anyone else agree? Onion Hyperactive --> Onion Fanatic (anyone who has used over 100 onions...) Onion Agent (nominative by the club) Onion Spy (nominative by the club) Soldier - Isn't there anything better? My idea is: Onion Fanatic (100+ onions) Onion-Crazed (80+ onions) Onion Fan (40+ onions) Add more...cause I can't think of much.... EDIT: Onion Agent (50+ onions) Onion User (5+ onions) How about these two... EDIT 2: How about every member tells me the address of the post (with onions) that they want to count for the day. I tally it up, tell it to blueberry, and she edits it.

Mrs. Glow-in-the-Dark

Do tell who is your favorite character Kakashi-sensei? Naruto? Gaara of the dessert? These top three are my favorite, there are Iruka-sensei who I like too! Sasuke is a traitor so...Konohamuru, a little to kiddie, Pervy Sage is too Pervy... Tell me yours! ^^

I'm a fan of Naruto too... I would like to file an application form...to join this club.

I'm a big fan of Naruto too! Can I join? Naruto always has it moments! Gaara is like my favorite character

The little Box under their face which write their name when they being introduce. Vermouth in 174 or 175 (She's 29)and Jodie in 226 (She's 28). Of Cause the Vermouth one was a lie. But I assume this is the age that is know to public. The one Christ give to media but actually she has Sharon's age which is at least 50 (You have to be 50 to have a 29 yeas old daughter). About Jodie is 4-5 at the time I assume by how she look.

This is a great thread. The only problem for me is that my favorite movies change every ten minutes. This is not ranked at all, just five of my current favorite movies as of this writing: 1. Network (1976) 2. Airplane! (1980) 3. Chinatown (1974) 4. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) 5. The Thing (1982)

The man in black you're referring to is Snake, and you're comparing him to Tequila, who is dead by the way. Also, Gosho once said in an interview that the Magic Kaito Organization and the Black Organization are not related... but at the same time, Vermouth could have had some sort of situation involving something like the Pandora Gem, the gem in Magic Kaito said to give immortality... it would be an interesting twist, since then Kaito would get involved in all this Black Organization stuff, and then... Conan and Kaito might have to work together if that were to happen! :-D This is a good idea though, about the idea maybe Vermouth had the Pandora Gem at one point!