JLPT N4 Resources – Study Update

Between going on vacation and hanging out with Domo-Kun, getting sick, and playing airsoft, we have been unfortunately neglecting the regular updates of this blog! We apologize!!!

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However, we have some good news! Both of us have registered for the JLPT N4 Exam. The exam is 3 months away, taking place on July 5th.

In order to mark this momentous occasion, I have compiled a list of Study Resources geared towards the JLPT N4 Exam.

1) JapanesePod101 Prep Course

JPod101 has a prep course geared directly towards preparing you for the JLPT N4 Exam.

It explains what to expect during the exam and how to prepare for it, it also discusses some of the most commonly used vocabulary in an innovative “meta” way.

2) The JLPT Level N4 Study Page

This page provides a comprehensive vocabulary, kanji, grammar, and idioms guide. It also gives examples of past tests and quizzes. All in all a great resource. However, beware that this page adheres to the previous format of the test so some of the information about the test itself may be a bit dated. There is also a link to a JLPT study forum.

3) JLPT Bootcamp N4 Official Workbook

An older article, but should still be quite useful.

4) Nihongo Ichiban JLPTN4 Study Material

A slick and stylish well compiled site. Some repeated material, but seems to be quite up to date.

5) Anki JLPT Decks

Good list of anki practice decks for all levels of jlpt.

I took an n5 practice test the other day and did well. I hope that n4 affords a considerable challenge. And after we pass it, it will be on to N2!

Registering for the exam has done wonders for my motivation. It has given me a renewed commitment to my Japanese learning.

Get Cheap Japanese Lessons Here!

Top 5 Funny Japanese Body Language Gestures

Japan is an interesting place and most foreigners will find things that they don’t understand. One of the most comically different things is Japanese body gestures and body language.

Check out these five funny gestures below! More Japanese Lessons!

Please! / I’m sorry!

You can ask please by putting your hands together and saying onegaishimasu. You can also use this gesture to say that you are sorry!

“Me?”

If you want to ask if someone is talking about you you can point to your nose and upturn your eyebrows. You can also ask “Watashi?” while doing this.

“Come here for a minute!” / “come here!”

By limp wristedly flapping your wrist up and down with a downturned palm, you can beckon for someone to come over to you! It is the equivalent of the curled finger motion, but with non sexually suggestive undertones.

“They’re arguing!”

By straightening your two index fingers and alternately crossing their paths (think itsy bitsy spider), you can let someone know that an argument is happening. You do not need to use words with this gesture.

“No Way!”

By waving your hand in front of your face as if you are batting away a cloud of noxious smell, you can signal that you are in complete disagreement! It is just like saying “no way!” in English!

Click here to get more Japanese Lessons!

Useful Chinese Bargaining Phrases – 5 Steps: How to Haggle in Mandarin

Four Useful Chinese Bargaining Phrases + Tips on How to Haggle in Mandarin.`

我不要 – Wo3 bu4 yao4 – I don”t want it / I would not like it. (Useful to tell hawkers that you aren’t interested.)

多少钱 – Duo1 shao3 qian1 – How much is it? How much money? – Useful for asking price.

一点贵 – Yi1Dian3 Gui4 – A little bit expensive. Great for telling the seller that you think it’s too expensive and that you would like to suggest them to lower their price. Yi Dian softens it and tells them that you are willing to negotiate.

便宜点 – Pian2Yi2 Dian3 – A little bit cheaper? Basically you can say this to convince the seller that they should lower their price.

5 Step Easy Haggle – Mainland Chinese hawkers will try to get as much as they possibly can from you. Here are a few simple tips that will help you lower the price.

1) Ask them to state a price. Once they name their price, immediately put it down and act embarrassed.

2) Once you put the item down, turn your body orientation away as if you”re uncomfortable and about to leave.

3) Tell them that you are embarassed (Bu4 hao3 yi4 si – 不好意思）

4) Begin to walk away.

5) They will chase you, reluctantly ask how much it is again. If you like the price that they restate, take it, if not, restate your price and continue the cycle.

These phrases are a great way to learn useful vocabulary for when you are shopping in china, haggling with street vendors, or bargaining at a fake market!

To sign up for more FREE chinese lessons like this one click HERE!