|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 11:22 pm
I sort of understand how the verbs have different meanings (formal, informal, past tense, present tense) depending on how they end, and there are three different categories of verbs, each with their own endings for each meaning... and the two irregular verbs (suru and.. kiru?).
Anyhow... how should I go about memorizing all of this? Should I learn a few verbs of each category first, then learn the rules that apply to them? Or learn the rules first? Or learn as many verbs as possible first?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 12:02 pm
I've also been wondering about this. Help? sad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 5:19 pm
I think it's good to learn them in context. I think it's good to learn most things in context and with a focus on speaking.
For example, memorize a snippet of a conversation (by listening and repeating) and learn the grammar in that conversation. Then do oral drills practicing the conjugation and what not.
Some books will have this sort of set up (Japanese: The Spoken Language being a good example), and I think it's very effective.
Don't try memorizing everything at once and by just reading it, because you won't remember things as easily/effectively and if you don't practice speaking drills, you probably won't be able to use it very well in actual speech. Those kinds of drills are good for making things automatic/natural in your speech, so you don't have to think about it too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:50 pm
I'd say learn the verbs first as their dictionary form - for example, "to eat" = 食べる (taberu). Then, slowly introduce yourself to the other forms and what they're used for. There's a definite formula for creating the endings, so it would help to know that instead of just memorizing a bajillion different forms of a verb. 3nodding
I don't know how verbs are normally taught, but the book I'm using classifies verbs into 3 classes (the third consisting solely of する (suru) and 来る (kuru)). 食べる (taberu) up there is a class 2, but I'm not going to get into class distinctions for the time being. For class 2s, to get the polite form, you drop the る (ru) and add -ます (-masu). It's pretty simple like that for most of it, really.
Oh, uh, to answer your question more directly, I'd say focus more on rules, but do add to your verb repertoire at the same time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:15 am
I use the Genki 1 textbooks, and the way they teach verbs are, they introduce a few verbs from each category. You learn the dictionary form first, then it teaches you how you would go about conjugating those verbs. Learning them in context by reading and hearing is a very good way to go about it. What I do is: I read them in context, listen to them on audio tapes, write them in sentences, and use flashcards if needed. It isn't enough just to memorize the dictionary form, you must understand how to use the verbs. It's best to get a textbook. You won't be able to learn Japanese fully without a textbook or formal classes, online sources are extremely limited and in many cases, not always correct.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:50 pm
Whoops, sorry for the late reply. As far as my knowledge of Japanese verbs goes, I've read through this: http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa031101a.htmSo I know about the rules regarding how the verb ends... I just haven't memorized that stuff yet, so that brings me to my opening post. And though online resources are limited in how much they can teach, I don't think purchasing books or taking classes is necessary razz I could probably get a pretty good idea about Japanese from the website I posted (it teaches quite a lot!), plus there's this guild full of Japanese students who can help me along the way! I think I'd consider myself more the type to learn the rules before going at it, but I think it would be easier if I had some words to use as examples/practice... but I'm unsure of this, so back to my original question(s) in the first post...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:28 pm
I suggest using Tae Kim's guide instead of about.com for the simple fact that he uses kanji instead of roumaji. You can also hover over the kanji to see it's reading and I think meanings.
I agree with HarajukuxBoy on memorizing. I also use Genki and the only thing they really make you try to remember is going from the dictionary form to the -te form since it's used so often. Or, actually that was our teacher...she wouldn't let us move on until all of us made 100% so it's definately important, but the format it's put in in the Genki textbooks makes them easy to remember. 3nodding
Also, it's wise to get some sort of textbook that way you have an idea of what you'll actually be able to understand on your level.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:00 am
Agreed. I believe no internet site can substitute a good, hardy textbook.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
