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Absolute Beginner's Guide to Hiragana (With an Introduction to Grammar and Kanji)
Table of Contents
The Hiragana Chart 8
Introduction 9
Row 1: Lessons 1-5 (a i u e o) 17
Grammar Corner: Describing Things (It's/It's a...) 25
Grammar Corner: Basic Features of a Japanese Sentence 27
First Kanji: Introduction Part I 28
Row 2: Lessons 6-10 (ka ki ku ke ko) 29
Grammar Corner: Describing Things (Question Form) 36
Grammar Corner: Describing Things (A is B) 36
First Kanji: Introduction Part II 41
Row 3: Lessons 11-15 (sa shi su se so) 43
Grammar Corner: Here, There, and Over There 48
Grammar Corner: This, That, and That Over There 50
First Kanji: Introduction Part III 55
Row 4: Lessons 16-20 (ta chi tsu te to) 57
Grammar Corner: More Question Forms (Where is...) 63
Grammar Corner: More Question Forms (What's that?) 65
First Kanji (ichi) 68
Row 5: Lessons 21-25 (na ni nu ne no) 71
Grammar Corner: Use of Names 73
Grammar Corner: Adjectives (i Form) 79
First Kanji: (shichi) 82
Midway Review 85
Long Vowel Recap 88
Row 6: Lessons 26-30 (ha hi fu he ho) 89
Grammar Corner: Adjectives (na Form) 95
Grammar Corner: Yes and No 99
First Kanji: (cho) 102
Row 7: Lessons 31-35 (ma mi mu me mo) 105
Grammar Corner: Nouns as Adjectives 107
Grammar Corner: Practice with Adjectives 111
First Kanji (kyu) 116
Row 8: Lessons 36-38 (ya yu yo) 119
Grammar Corner: Some Everyday Verbs 123
Grammar Corner: Verbs, Objects, and the Particle o 125
First Kanji: (ni) 126
Row 9: Lessons 39-43 (ra ri ru re ro) 129
Grammar Corner: Verbs, Objects, and Subjects 131
Grammar Corner: Desintations (The Particle e) 135
First Kanji: (jin) 140
Row 10: Lessons 44-45 (wa wo) 143
Grammar Corner: Useful Phrases 145
Row 11: Lessons 46 (n) 149
Final Review 153
Answers 160
Appendix A: Hiragana Flashcards 163
Appendix B: Vocabulary Flashcards 171
Perfect for the Absolute Beginner!
- Writing practice
- Integrated, communicative approach
- Step-by-step explanations
- Flashcards and quizzes
Each lesson includes:
- Identification of chart position
- Introduction of derivative characters in context
- Stroke order diagrams with directional arrows
- Shaded and blank squares for writing practice
- Character illustrations in multiple fonts, to help with recognition
- Vocabulary and 10-point matching quiz
- Pronunciation tips in everyday language
