Day 17: February 26, 2015

Today we reviewed the use of "no." We then reviewed words that point. After that, we reviewed foods. After that, we reviewed places and countries. Then we reviewed some majors, family words, phrases with money, and other various day-to-day expressions. Then we reviewed how to say languages. Then we reviewed the use of "wa." When asking for someone's name, one must use the "o namae," as opposed to simply, "namae," in order to be polite. Then we reviewed how to say the numbers over 100. I think learnng the number system will be difficult. However, having a challenge makes things worthwhile.

-Time logged: 1.50 hours
-Total time logged: 29.45 hours

Day 16: February 19, 2015

Today, since it is the day of Chinese New Year, we learned that shinen omedatoo means happy new year. We use gozaimasu after omedatoo to be more polite. We can also say akemashite omedatoo, ake meaning open or start. We can also say shinen akemashite omedatoo.We also learned that oomisoka and is the first day of the month. The new year is celebrated on January 1 to January 3 and this time period is called san ga nichi. Also, like the Chinese tradition, adults give children otoshi dama, a white envelope filled with money for the New Year. These envelopes are for luck and congratulations in general, however. The envelopes should be new except when giving them to someone who got sick recently. Doing otherwise would make you look bad. We also reviewed the use of "no." This term signifies possession. After that, we learned that shinbun means newspaper. We also covered the existence of various counters as opposed to saying simple numbers.

-Time logged: 1.50 hours
-Total time logged: 27.95 hours

Day 15: February 12, 2015

Today, we reviewed how to say the time in Japanese. We also learned that, "maa maa desu" means, "so-so," in Japanese. We also learned that Emperor Hirohito had a habit of saying, "aaaaa so desu ka."   This means, " aaaah is that so?" We then reviewed how to say he days of week. We learned that, on Valentine's Day, only girls give chocolates to boys. We learned about the various chocolates for various occasions. There is giri choko, an obligation all chocolate for co-workers. Ther is also tomo choko, chocolates for friends and lovers. There is also fami choko, for the males of a family. There is also sewa choko, chocolate for those who take care of you. Finally, there is honemei choko, homemade chocolate for those you have a crush on. A month after Valentine's Day, the boys return the favor by giving the girls  more expensive chocolate. This is day is called White Day. We also learned that the Japanese word for cuisine is, "ryoori ."

-Time logged: 1.50 hours
-Total time logged: 26.45 hours

Day 14: February 5, 2015

Today, we reviewed Japanese greetings again. We also reviewed the Japanese number system. For example, in Japanese 12 would be 10 and 2. 4 and 9 are special cases in regards to time. Shiji, 4 o'clock is formal and is usually not used in everyday life. Yonji is how 4 o'clock is said. For 9, however, the only way to say 9 o'clock is said as kuji.  When using am and pm, gozen and gogo respectively, they go before the number. So, for example, 9 o'clock pm is "gogo kuji." To indicate the half-hour, we say, for example, "nanajihan," with han meaning half. I'm still anticipating the learning of katakana. Perhaps I might study it myself and get ahead!

-Time logged: 1.50 hours
-Total time logged: 24.95 hours