Welcome to the Japanese for Bakas section of Hiro's Page of Randomness! By now, you've probably noticed some words on this site which you may or may not know the meaning of. That is because I like to mix in a little Japanese when I speak. So, for all the non-Japanese speaking people out there, I have decided to make this section. Here you will find some basic vocabulary that will help you to understand what I'm saying at times. (BTW, the word "baka" means idiot or dummy; thus, "Japanese for Dummies") Anyway, on to the words:
-chan = suffix used after the names of little kids, also used to show affection
-jin = race (e.g. Amerika-jin, Nihon-jin, Saiya-jin)
-sama = suffix used to show great respect, usually used with people in high positions
-san = suffix used to show respect
-tachi = and the others, and friends (e.g. Rufus-tachi = Rufus and the others)
Amerika = America (duh)
baka = stupid; idiot, dummy, moron
bi- = prefix used to show beauty (e.g. bishoujo="pretty girl" or "beautiful girl")
gomen (nasai) = I'm (very) sorry.
ja ne/ja na = informal way of saying goodbye (can be shortened to ja)
kawaii = cute
konnichiwa = good afternoon; good day
miko = priestess
minna(-san) = everyone; all of you
, ne? = , eh?; , no?
Nihon = Japan
Nihongo = Japanese
no = of, 's
otaku = obsessive fan
ouji = prince
shimatta = damn!
shoujo = girl
shounen = boy
sugoi = cool, awesome
yatta = Yes! All right!
a as in father, palm
e as in pen, red
i as in ink, machine
o as in open, ocean
u as in true, cruel
ei = e + i sounded as in day
ai = a + i sounded as in alive
ou = o + u sounded as in float
au = a + u sounded as in out
One last note: The r is pronounced with the tip of the tongue; a sound midway between l and r, never rolled. Oh, and if you know anything about Spanish, the vowel pronunciation is exactly the same in Japanese (although I'm not sure if it's the same for the vowel combinations...).