So I'm moving to Japan in a couple of months...

ta12121 Member

From: Canada Registered: 2009-06-02 Posts: 3190

There was so many times I got that same phrase said to me. When I knew I still suck horribly 日本語お上手ですね. This was in the initially stages of japanese.

Just recently I spoke to someone(written language) and they were actually shocked that I could type in Japanese. I was like are you serious? lol Guess some japanese people when they see foreign people writing in japanese they get surprised.

I was talking to one of my friends and he's like "You've gotten far in japanese" I'm like "yea, but I want all skills in this language not just 2" he's like "you don't really need to know how to write" but I said "lol I want to get good in this language, not do a half-a..... job of it"

Last edited by ta12121 (2010 May 18, 2:19 pm)

nalcomis Member

From: Yokohama Registered: 2010-03-02 Posts: 14

Zorlee,

My advice to you is to MAKE people speak to you in Japanese. Although you will be living in Japan, most Japanese people love speaking English and will take any opportunity to use whatever English they know. That has been my problem. When I go to the grocery store (or wherever) I will say something in Japanese and the clerk will reply in English (with a big smile on their face). It has been an incredible struggle to actually practice my Japanese. If you happen to date a Japanese national, communication always defaults to the path of least resistance - in my case, English. Try to stay away from "Gaijin" establishments and try to frequent places only Japanese people go. Being a female, this will be somewhat easier for you than a male. A lot of times foreign men will be charged a "Gaijin tax" at an establishment to discourage them from going there. It is also not uncommon for the person working the door to flat out tell me that I am not welcome there...haha. I work with many Americans who have lived in Japan for upwards of 15 years and don't speak any Japanese. gyuujuice is right - don't hold back. I have been here a year now and, up until recently, have been somewhat terrified to use my Japanese because I didn't want to sound like a douche bag and embarrass myself and the people I was with. Just do it!

Good luck

Evangelo Member

From: Osaka Registered: 2008-05-08 Posts: 55

nalcomis wrote:
Zorlee,

My advice to you is to MAKE people speak to you in Japanese.
...

Just do it!

This is awesome advice. I just started doing this about a week ago and wish I had done it sooner.

Besides personal friends and at work, I always respond to people in Japanese now, especially if they start the conversation in English. Part of my thinking is that if I'm making my living off of teaching English, I shouldn't be giving away my income for free.

Whether you're teaching or not, you came to Japan to speak Japanese, and if someone wants to practice with a foreigner, they can find someone who will teach them, or go to America.

Anyways, on lighter topics, Osaka is amazing. I've been for 8 months and, without a doubt, it has the best food in the world. Not once have I had a meal anything less than spectacular. If you want more specifics, shoot me an email.

Oh. And ミナミはホンマにおもろいやで～

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captal Member

From: San Jose Registered: 2008-03-22 Posts: 677

If people respond to you in English, just pretend you don't speak English and tell them in Japanese that you don't speak English. A guy I know there always says he's from somewhere in Eastern Europe, and that if they want to keep talking to him they're going to have to use Japanese. Not sure if that would work for you Nalcomis

I lived in Kyushu, so the amount of people that speak English is pretty small, especially compared to the Tokyo area. If someone's English was good enough to converse with me, I'd usually have a chat with them- if their English was bad enough that I didn't understand what they were saying, I'd keep speaking to them in Japanese. Most people take it quite well- be sure to put yourself in their shoes- imagine you've been studying Japanese hard day in and day out and all of the sudden a Japanese person comes by! Of course you're going to try and use your Japanese- if the Japanese person makes it clear that they speak English well- you'd revert to English.

captal Member

From: San Jose Registered: 2008-03-22 Posts: 677

Evangelo wrote:
Besides personal friends and at work, I always respond to people in Japanese now, especially if they start the conversation in English. Part of my thinking is that if I'm making my living off of teaching English, I shouldn't be giving away my income for free.

Whether you're teaching or not, you came to Japan to speak Japanese, and if someone wants to practice with a foreigner, they can find someone who will teach them, or go to America.

Not everyone who speaks to you in English is trying to get a free English lesson- they're probably just trying to make you feel comfortable given the vast majority of their experience is likely that foreigners = no Japanese. That's not their fault- it's all the foreigners who haven't bothered to learn Japanese- if there's a problem it's there.

It's also not their job to teach you Japanese, so if you can't communicate something in Japanese, and English is easier, I'd say it's within their right to switch to the easier language. If you make it clear that your Japanese is very good, I'm sure it won't be a problem.

Zorlee Member

From: Oslo / Kyoto Registered: 2009-04-22 Posts: 526

Thank you very much for your answers! (Man, it's confusing to write in English right now, currently got three languages going on at once... Please bear with me!)

I'll try my best at "Japanese only". I've been thinking about entering a martial arts club, a gym or whatever when I get there, to meet up with more than just one person at a time. I'm just thinking... It would've been pretty weird if everyone turned into English, just for me to understand it. On the other hand, if you're just one-on-one, the chances are that English might be used. I don't know... Just thinking out loud.

About my job. Well, it a volunteer thing for a church in the 南海-area. I'm going to work as an English teacher for kids and as a music teacher.
Hopefully it'll be fun! I really haven't got a clue, so we'll have to see... Haha!

Last edited by Zorlee (2010 May 24, 12:48 pm)

vileru Member

From: Cambridge, MA Registered: 2009-07-08 Posts: 750

Off-topic: is your avatar a pic of Hiromi Uehara, Zorlee? I just saw her the weekend before last in San Francisco. Despite her talent, she was very down to earth. She took pics with my girlfriend and me, and even made sure our names were spelled right when we got her autograph after the show. At any rate, it was one of the best shows I've experienced, and I highly recommend seeing her if she plays in Japan while you're there (which is very likely).

Zorlee Member

From: Oslo / Kyoto Registered: 2009-04-22 Posts: 526

It is!
My favorite artist of all time. I've been a fan since her first album, and was lucky enough to see her live two years ago. I had a long chat with her after the show (didn't know squat Japanese back then, but she was surprisingly good at English) and actually hung out with the band on the boat-trip back home (Norway is a small country - even the stars have to get on the ferry, baby!)

chochajin Member

From: Japan Registered: 2008-07-13 Posts: 520 Website

Hello!
I just wanted to wish you all the best
I was wondering with what kind of visa you'll go to Japan?

I've been living in Japan now for over 2 years and I think what other suggested (to join some kind of activity / club / community) will definitely help.
Also, if you live in a smaller city, people tend to know less English and it will be easier to "force" your Japanese on them
Don't worry too much, though, you'll get enough chances to practices your Japanese no matter what you do

If you're using 3 languages in your head (I'm German, teaching English in Japan, so I'm in the same boat as you), it can get confusing at times, 頑張ってください！❤

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nalcomis wrote:

Evangelo wrote: