Gestaltzerfall of Kanji

Gestaltzerfall refers to a psychological phenomenon where delays in recognition are observed when a kanji character is stared at for a while. A study has shown that delays are most significant when the characters are of the same size. When characters to recognize are of different sizes, delays are observed only when they are of different patterns

 Extracted from Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestaltzerfall

I was talking to my friend over msn when he give me this term along with the meaning on this website: koohi forum topic. In short, this is actually a form of recongised mental blockage due to excessive expourse to a particular kanji. It is quite common among people who is learning Japanese and Chinese. Have you ever suffer from this before? Care to share?

Introducing my editor/fellow author for article contribution.

I just realised that I'm a pretty ungrateful person as I have totally left credits for my cousin's handiwork for editing out my stuff and inputing her ideas for this blog. ^^,)//

So let's welcome Jiali san! \(^-^)/

List of numbers without counters

0　     -　零 (ぜろ・れい)・〇(まる)
1　     -　一 (いち・ひと[つ])
2　     -　二 (に・ふた[つ])
3　     -　三 (さん・み[っつ])
4　     -　四 (よん・よ[っつ]・し)
5　     -　五 (ご・いつ[つ])
6　     -　六 (ろく・む[っつ])
7　     -　七 (なな[つ]・しち)
8　     -　八 (はち・や[っつ])
9　     -　九 (きゅう・く・ここの[つ]）
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
10　   -　十 (じゅう・とお）  
20　   -　二十 (にじゅう)
30　   -　三十 (さんじゅう)
40　   -　四十 (よんじゅう)
50　   -　五十 (ごじゅう)
60　   -　六十 (ろくじゅう)
70　   -　七十 (ななじゅう)
80　   -　八十 (はちじゅう)
90　   -　九十 (きゅうじゅう)
 ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
100　  -　百 (ひゃく)
300*　 -　三百 (さんびゃく)
600*　 -　六百 (ろっぴゃく)
800*　 -　八百 (はっぴゃく)
1,000 　-　千 (せん)
3,000*　-　三千 (さんぜん)
8,000*　-　八千 (はっせん)
10,000　-　一万 (いちまん)
100,000,000　-　億 (おく)
*Special pronunciation.
 ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
So how to I read numeric value?
For numbers 1-10, just read the 1st hiragana pronunciation in the bracket - ichi,ni,san,yon,go,roku,nana,hachi,kyuu,jyuu....

For numbers that is in between 1-999,999,999, you just need to read according to their value.
For example
341,758,629 - 三億四千百七十五万八千六百二十九
(さんおく　よんせん　ひゃく　ななじゅう　ごまん　はっせん　ろっぴゃく　にじゅう　きゅう)

Special Pronunciation
1) 百、千、億
 For 100, 1,000 and 100,000,000, we will omit out 1(ichi) digit in front.
However, one should take note that for 10,000, it is pronounced as 一万(いちまん).


2) 四、七、九
Usually, one would just pronounce 4,7,9 as よん、なな、きゅう as modern Japanese way of reading. This is to avoid using the pronunciation of し、しち and they can also mean death (死、死地) and pronunciation of く also means suffering(苦).
However, one would use the old reading style for calender date and time.
For example, April, July and September are pronounced as 四月(しがつ)、七月(しちがつ)、九月(くがつ).


3) 三、六、八
This is perhaps some of the most confusing numerical that most non native Japanese learners will have problem memorising. The changing of sounds in 3,6,8 are due to rendaku. It's pretty hard to explain at elementary level by itself.
Sad to say, I can only offer one advise: forced memorisation.


4) 零 or 〇
Both are accepted in modern Japanese speaking. But sometimes, in quick pronunciation by native Japanese for numerical terms, one may use 〇 instead of 零.
However, in written context, only 零 is used.


What is つ?
That's a counter usage. However, there's quite a few counters in Japanese so we will touch on this topic in another post soon :)

Inner Elbow

Once during our elementary lesson where we are learning body parts, one of my classmate ask Sensei on the proper term of inner elbow. Sensei could not give a proper term for this (>.<)|||

Interesting enough, I search Yahoo answers and post the question there.

And soon enough someone managed to fill me up with an answer  :

While, 肘(ひじ) hiji means elbow. There was an old term for inner elbow call 肘窩(ちゅか) chuka. Modern way of say inner elbow will be 肘の内側(ひじのうちがわ) hiji no uchigawa.

Interesting, isn't it?

JLPT - Japanese Language Proficiency Test! 日本語能力試験 !

Hi Folks! Its been an interesting and wearying week for me!

Just 2 days ago, I had taken my JLPT N3 @ Singapore exam centre hosted at Singapore Management University (SMU).

So what is JLPT and what does its certification means? 
JLPT means Japanese Language Proficiency Test or 日本語能力試験(にほんごのうりょくしけん). It is to assess non Japanese native speakers on their level of proficiency in Japanese.

How hard is JLPT?
Currently, there's 5 levels as compared to 4 levels in 2010. Beginners will take N5 and slowly progress to N1. Which is considered harder than native level. An extra level N3 was inserted in 2010 ( the level that I took 2 days ago) to form the bridge between N4 and N2. JLPT2 (N2) also had the highest failure rates.

As for me, to pass JLPT N1 has been my personal goal. So far, I can say learning Japanese isn't easy as it takes tonnes of practice along with appreciation of Japanese culture to understand the beauty of the language.

How many papers are there in JLPT?
Generally, all JLPTs have 1 listening paper. Lower levels JLPT N5-N3 have 1 vocabulary  and 1 grammar paper while higher level JLPT N2-N1 have only 1 paper which combines both vocabulary and grammar together.

How frequent is JLPT examinations conducted?
Generally, it is conducted twice a year - early July and early Dec. However, some overseas exam centres might only conduct it annually.

So it is compulsory to take JLPT?
Nope, it is purely optional but one can take the test at a nominal fees (around SGD50 per level in Singapore but I heard that it is around SGD200 in Japan!). It is highly encouraged for one to take up at least JLPT if they are enrolled in Japanese language school so as to assess their language proficiency.

Is JLPT qualification recognisable?
Yes! Most Japanese companies and some universities accept JLPT certifications. However, some stricter Japanese universities require students to pass EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission) which are written based tests which is much harder as compared to JLPT (multiple choice questions test)

Beside JLPT and EJU, is there other test that assess Japanese language ability?
Yes, there's another Japanese test which is recognised by Japanese companies and universities known as BJT (Business Japanese Test) or BJTビジネス日本語能力テスト(BJTびじねすにほんごのうりょくてすと). However, it is a pity that Singapore does not conduct this test.

Hope that this mini explanation of JLPT helps in clarifying your doubts on Japanese language international test. I also enclosed links for JLPT, EJU and BJT for anyone who is interested in reading for more information ie exams structures, fees and application procedures.

For more information on JLPT:
JLPT Official Site
JLPT - Singapore based centre for registration
Wikipedia - JLPT
Other site on JLPT and information
EJU Official Site
BJT Official Site

Basic Job Title

Japanese Emperor -　天皇 (てんのう)


Japanese Empress -　皇后 (こうごう)


Japanese Crown Prince -　皇太子 (こうたいし）


Japanese Prince/Princess -　親王 (しんのう）


Japanese Prime Minister -　内閣総理大臣 (ないかくそうりだいじん）


King -　国王 (こくおう)・王様 (おうさま)


Queen -　女王 (じょおう)・王后 (おうこう)


Prince -　王子・皇子 (おうじ)


Princess -　王女・皇女 (おうじょ)・妃 (ひ)・妃殿下 (ひでんか)・姫 (ひめ)


President (State) -　大統領(だいとうりょう)


Prime Minister -　首相 (しゅしょう)


President (Co) -　社長 (しゃちょう)


President (Society) -　会長 (かいちょう)


Head of Department -　部長 (ぶちょう)


Office Worker -　会社員 (かいしゃいん)


Shop Manager -　店長 (てんちょう)


Shopkeeper/Shop Attendant -　店員(てんいん)


Doctor -　医者 (いしゃ)


Nurse -　看護士 (かんごし)・看護婦 (かんごふ) 
- 看護婦 is used for female nurse only.


Singer -　歌手 (かしゅ)


Actor -　役者 (やくしゃ)・芸人 (げいにん)・女優 (じょゆう)・男優 (だんゆう) 
- 女優 is used for actress only while 男優 is used for male actor only


Writer -　作家 (さっか)


Manga Writer -　漫画家 (まんがか)


Designer -　デザイナー (でざいなー)


Lifeguard -　監視員 (かんしいん)


Farmer -　農家 (のうか)


Gardener -　庭師 (にわし)・園丁(えんてい)


Maid -　メイド (めいど)


Butler -　執事 (シツジ)


Housewife -　主婦 (しゅふ)


Teacher -　教師 (きょうし)


Student -　学生 (がくせい)


PS : Sensei - 先生(せんせい) are used to address people that is considered skilled in a particular field as a form of respect. For example, doctors and politicians are also addressed as Sensei as a form of respect so don't get confused when a doctor is called Sensei instead!

When visiting a Japanese Shrine/temple...

When one visits a Japanese Shrine/Temple, there's a few things to keep in mind.
Temples are generally for Buddhism while Shinto Shrines enshrine Kami-sama (deities) from various elements.

• When walking up the stairs, try to avoid walking up on the main flight of staircase (Seichuu), as they are meant for the Buddha/Kami-sama's use.

• Before entering the main hall, cleanse your hands/mouth with the purification fountain nearby the entrance starting with your right hand then left hand. Do not touch the ladle with your mouth. Pour the water from the ladle onto your hand before cleansing your mouth. However, this is purely optional.

• When praying for basic respect, the procedure is call 二礼二拍手一礼:

1. Bow twice
2. Clap twice
3. Final bow

• For coin offering to the Buddha/Kami-sama, the procedure is:

1. Ring the gong (if available) so that Kami-sama can hear you.
2. Toss in the coin offering into the donation box
3. Bow twice
4. Clap twice
5. Praying your wish
6. Final bow.

Do you know that Japanese welcome the fumes from the incense pot as a form of blessing from Buddha? 
You may want to do the same while at a temple but do not use 2 hands!


How much value should I throw into the donation box?
Generally, the more the better. Nevertheless, Japanese believe that throwing 5yen or 5円 is the best as it means good fate in Japanese - 御縁(ごえん) 
However, avoid throwing 10yen or 10円 as Japanese believes it means end of fate in Japanese - 死縁 (しえん). If you do not have 5yen and only have 10yen, throw 2pcs of 10yen instead to avoid the loss of fate.


How to differentiate a Temple and a Shrine in Japan?

A typical Shinto Shrine:

1) One always enter a Shinto shrine through a Torii gate. 

2) A pair of guardian dogs or lions or foxes, called shisa or komainu or kitsune , often sit on each side of the entrance to a Shinto Shrine.

3) Usually a Shinto Shrine usually have suffix of the following:

・神宮 (じんぐう)
・神社 (じんじゃ)

・社 (やしろ)

Example: Fushimi Inari Shrine @ Kyoto

A typical Buddhist Temple:
1) A Buddhist temple always houses an image of the Buddha.

2) A large incense burner is usually that the front of a temple.

3) There is often a pagoda on the premises of a Buddhist temple.

Usually a Temple usually have suffix of the following:

・寺 (じ)
・寺 ( てら )
・寺院 ( じいん )

Example: Kiyomizu-dera @ Kyoto

It is interesting to note that some of the temples and shrines co-exist side by side. Kiyomizu-dera is a fine example, by itself, house a lot of smaller Shinto Shrines within its temple grounds.