Customer Reviews

Japanese Verbs at a Glance (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although Chino adds a lot of information and forms about how to approach in Japanese with verbs but with some issues she's totally different comparing to other books. For example she claims that the conditional form "ba" cannot be used to express suggestions, commands or orders, and you should use "tara" instead while other writers in books published by Kodansha claim it can and "tara" is the colloquial form. Just check "A dictionary of Japanese particles" and "The handbook of Japanese adjectives and adverbs". Plus she makes mistakes by dropping out the Copula "da" in certain important subjects while it is important to mention it and to mention for example that in the formal past tense the ending "su" changes into "shi", like she mention it with ending "tsu" and does with both in the present tense. She also leaves in certain subjects the past tenses such as the progressive past tense while it's so important to know that as well.

This book is good at some point but can also be very confussing, especially for beginners in studing Japanese language.

I like this book, and it does a good job of what it sets out to do, but there are a few little things that bother me. I dislike roma-ji, and I'd prefer to see Kana in their place. This book has examples sentences in Japanese(using Kanji) follow by roma-ji, and then an English translation. I am assuming it is this way because the book is geared towards beginners, but it is still very useful for intermediate level students. The only other problem is that it doesn't teach you about compound verbs.

I think most people will be happy with this book. The power Japanese series is a good series, even if they do use roma-ji.

Before describing the book, a word or two has to be mentioned regarding the publisher, Kodansha International. I don't know if it's because of the policy within Kodansha, or the Japanese culture in general, but you can feel the tidiness, accuracy, and meticulous nature of each author, and the effort expended in order to convey information to the reader the best possible way.

When first starting to learn Japanese on my own, I had tried grammar texts and dictionaries from two other publishers. I found out after a couple of months, that they only cause the reader great confusion, lack a lot of important concepts, the print is often ineligible, and the sentences are in Romaji and not in the native alphabet (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji), which is so necessary in order to learn the language properly. Other Kodansha publications which I found useful for learning Japanese are Kodanshas Essential Kanji Dictionary (Japanese for Busy People)The Kodansha Kanji Learners Dictionary (Japanese for Busy People)Kodansha's Furigana Japanese Dictionary: Japanese-English English-JapaneseAll About Particles: A Handbook of Japanese Function Words (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)The Handbook of Japanese Adjectives and Adverbs (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

The text is divided into four chapters. The first chapter gives a general outline of verbs. The second chapter discusses the way verbs are used. For example, there are three polite ways to ask someone to do something, three formal ways, seven informal ways, and three ways to say it in a blunt manner. The third chapter discusses verb conjugates. For example, when the verb "owaru" is added to "yomi" (reading), the resulting connotation is "the end of reading". The third chapter discusses common expressions and phrases. For example when "shika nai" is added to "iku" (to go), the resulting connotation is "the only way to go".

Each case starts with a general form of the verb in each type of expression (polite, formal, and informal), and an example with a verb in each type, all in a block which makes it easy to locate it. Then it follows with an explanation of that case, and three sections for each type of expression. For each type of expression, two or three sentences are given, each in Japanese, Romaji, and English. The stem of the verb is given to the right of each sentence.

The appendix includes two tables of different tenses of common verbs, one for each type of verbs. The index is organized in English, and includes Japanese text for each subject. Sometimes the English translation isn't the way it is spoken in the US, but I don't see it as a major drawback.

In short, I recommend it for every English speaking Japanese student learning on his or her own, or even as supplementary material at college.

Verbs are the most easily comprehensible element of Japanese sentence, and pose almost no hurdle in comprehension. Once the general structure is understood, which is in a simple manner divided into two major types, and a third restricted specialized one, which constitutes a handful of common verbs, and a few tenses and social status allusions, one is on her way, together with proper knowledge of particles and adjectives, to understand Japanese statements. Each variation is restricted to a specific circle, and once a reader enters a specific one, she shouldn't have to worry about the various other ones, and a general knowledge of the few prevalent ones, does the job. The verb structure is greatly invariable across all domains, and circumstances, which makes it all the much easier to read Japanese text. In this textbook one finds only a handful verbs. For definitions, one should resort to a reliable taxonomical source, to satisfy the specific need of the user. This is a general guideline, only showing the various structures, and a very comprehensive one, above that, describing in a consice, distinct, to-the-point, plausable, complete manner, readily amenable to definite distinction with other ones.

A reference book for those who know basic Japanese and would like to have a more solid understanding on Japanese verbs (including different forms of verbs and their usage). A must for self-learner.

seeing as japanese verbs are so totally different to english ones, naoko chino's book was a saving grace. everything is cleary laid out and explained, with useful everyday verb phrases included, and a verb endings index at the back, this truly is a must for students of japanese.

I found out that one of the most important things in learning the Japanese language is vocabulary and proper verb conjugation! This book helps so much with the verb conjucgation, that it will easily become one of your more useful reference books. Another plus is the use of both Japanese text and romanji. However, I would rather see NO romanji...since in learning Japanese, romanji does nothing in helping you advance. Again, Naoko has outdone herself with this book, and I look forward to all her new Japanese learning books!

I read this a few years ago (4 years, maybe?) The one problem i remember having with this book was that it didn't tell me the negative form of some conjugations. At the time i was hopeless unable to figure it out, for example, how to say "I don't want to go". So i asked a Japanese friend.

I put this as a comment in response to someone but i'll reiterate here.

The forms are 100% predictable, but the reason you need a book on them is so you can learn the predictable forms. In addition you learn the passive and causative forms which are used a LOT in written Japanese. You also learn how to say things like "I want to do", "started to do," "finished doing", "was about to do", "just did", etc. You learn the difference between "I'm *doing the dishes*" and "I like *doing the dishes*" these are things that are used often.


Admittedly, after a while you don't reference the book, but there is a while when you do. I found it to be valuable.

Someone mentioned Ms. Chino's rule about using -eba, and -tara with suggestions. I followed that rule for 4 years and was not in error. It wasn't until a few days ago, that i heard -tara used with a suggestion (by a Japanese friend). I don't say that this discounts her rule, because as English speakers, we use double negatives, and "ain't" all the time, though it's not technically correct.

Also, I enjoy looking at this book too. It is delightful. I always wanted to read it.

I've been reading this book for a few weeks now and I've got to say that it has increased my general knowledge of japanese. The first 2 chapters you really have to study. It throws alot of information out their for you as far as " Formal & Informal" methods of japanese speech as well as past and present tense of verbs of formal and informal speech. Trying to learn both Formal & Informal methods is a headache, but it's good to have an understanding of both.

Compared to other Japanese books that i've bought this one is better then all of them. I've had books that only used the formal methods of japanese speech and other books that some professor wrote which was written in ways that you could only understand if you were another professor or a college student with a perfect ACT score.

I'm still reading the book but this is good study material and you can learn alot from this book, i'd recommend this book for everyone. However please note that you have to at least know how to make small japanese sentences. Ex: (I ran to the store) before you start reading the book which isn't hard.

Naoko Chino has made some great books for learning Japanese. This is one of those books~

If you have trouble with verb conjugation, this book will get you on the right track.

This book is not for COMPLETE beginners; you do have to know, for example, how to pronounce Japanese, and since the verbs are used in example sentances with varying vocabulary, it would get a little overwhelming unless you have some basics down. But if you know basics such as greetings and around 20 adjectives, then this book sets forth a wonderful foundation.
Not to be rude: Don't get this book if you're stupid!
"Japanese verbs conjugate according to the suffixes that attach to the verb stem. These suffixes express a wide range of meanings, including tense, negation, passive mood, and causation." The book reads this way all the way through, and while it's not overly complex, it's also probably not the sort of stuff the average "otaku" (anime fan) would want to get into.
The book will surely be a little over your head if you're a fairly fresh beginner, but only at the start. Naoko first explains and describes the section, then gives examples in English, romaji, and Japanese, and often charts to go along with it. Thus, even if you don't understand right off, simply reading it all the way through will end you with an advanced understanding of Japanese verbs, and a strong place to build from--in a couple of hours, if you absorb info. quickly!
There is a glossary in the back which includes many verbs with their conjugations, making it a cinch to find the right one quickly.
There are a couple of typos in English, such as "teberu" on page 18 instead of "taberu," but the Japanese is always accurate and anyways the correct printings outnumber the incorrect one. ;)
And finally: this is one of the most beautiful little books I own! It may be a paperback, but it has a lovely plastic bookjacket that makes it flexible and durable. What you get out of this will be well worth what you put in!