Page 24 - Basic Japanese

entire phrase literally means something like ‘I request

(you to act) in favor (of me)’ or ‘please be kind to me.’
You may wonder why Japanese people say something
that implies their helplessness at the very moment they

introduce themselves, but the phrase actually expresses
their modesty, their respect for the person they’re

speaking to, and their willingness to have a good
relationship with him or her. And while the literal

translation of the phrase is awkward, understanding the
culture, understanding the idea of the phrase, and

learning exactly when the phrase is used—by whom, to
whom, and for what purpose—is the key to success in
acquiring the language. Conventional English

translations may be useful for you at the outset, but in a
later context they will eventually confuse you. So, when

you learn Japanese, think in Japanese, not in English!

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Basic Vocabulary

FAMILIAR JAPANESE WORDS

origami origami

kimono kimono

karate karate
sushi sushi