Choosing the Right Japanese Alphabet

This video tutorial by Hiroko answers common questions about the Japanese writing system. It explains when to use different Japanese alphabets, including kanji, hiragana, and katakana. The video covers four writing patterns: only kanji, kanji with hiragana, only hiragana, and only katakana. It also discusses how to write the word 'kokoro' using different scripts and the importance of context in understanding meaning. Additionally, it explains how Japanese sentences typically mix kanji and kana. The tutorial concludes with an invitation for viewers to ask further questions.

What is the main question addressed in this lesson?

• How to pronounce Japanese words

• When to use different Japanese alphabets

• How to translate Japanese to English

• How to write in English

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What are the two character types in the Japanese writing system?

• Romaji and Kanji

• Hiragana and Katakana

• Hiragana and Romaji

• Kanji and Kana

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

Which pattern is used for many nouns and words of Chinese origin?

• Kanji and Hiragana

• Only Kanji

• Only Katakana

• Only Hiragana

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What is 'okurigana'?

• Hiragana that follows kanji stems

• Romaji used for pronunciation

• Katakana used for foreign words

• Kanji used for verbs

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

When is only hiragana used?

• For emphasis

• For imported words

• When a person forgets kanji or words don't have kanji

• For scientific names

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

How are imported words from other languages primarily written in Japanese?

• In Kanji

• In Hiragana

• In Katakana

• In Romaji

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What is the advantage of writing 'kokoro' in kanji?

• It looks more beautiful

• The meaning is immediately understood

• It is easier to write

• It is more traditional

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What is a common feature of almost all Japanese sentences?

• They use only hiragana

• They contain only kanji

• They contain a mixture of kanji and kana

• They are written in romaji

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What is the use of katakana in Japanese sentences?

• For native Japanese words

• For grammatical elements

• For verbs and adjectives

• For imported words and foreign names

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What is an example of a word written in kanji plus hiragana?

• Sakka

• Taberu

• Watashi

• Piano