11 comments

1. I have a question about the JLPT test and what level I should be at when applying. Mostly looking for advice. Also had a question if anyone knows anything or has had any experience with disability accommodations during the test?

   So, I plan to take the JLPT test in December, that’s when it is at the closest place to me I don’t know if it’s the same time everywhere. I’m told the intake period starts in August. So, if I plan to take the N5 test, should I already be at that level when applying for the test. Or, If I’m already at, or just above, the N5 level by the time the intake period starts, can I sign up for the N4 test maybe and aim to be at that level by the time the test starts? Or is that a bad idea?

   I’m neurodivergent and the pressure of a time limit like that is sometimes really good motivation to study more so I’m tempted to aim to be at or above N5 by the test intake time, then sign up for N4 and try to get there before the test but that feels like a bit risky. Kinda just asking for advice and peoples opinions and personal experiences with similar stuff if that’s okay?

   Similarly, I’m just wondering if anyone knows what sorts of disability support is possible for during the test? I can’t ask them until the intake period starts cus there’s no links or anything posted yet that I can find. My biggest concern is that I need noise cancelling headphones but the website says they’ve updated the rules to ban all technology for the duration of the test including breaks. I found that they do allow extra time for disabilities like mine but I couldn’t find anything about whether or not I may be allowed my headphones.

2. I saw a couple of questions on typing in Japanese, so I wanted to share some tips. I don’t know if this is saved anywhere on this Reddit, but it might be a good resource.

   1. You can type si for し and tu for つ. It’s probably faster than typing shi, and tsu like I normally do, coming from an English background.
   1. You can use both x and l before a vowel or tu to get the small version 　
   1. You can double type n to get ん
   1. Function keys, use the following function keys instead of trying to 変換 through
   – Use F6 to get hiragana
   – Use F7 to get full-width katakana
   – Use F8 to get half-width katakana
   – Use F9 to get full-width alphabet
   – Use F10 to get half half-width alphabet

3. How long did it take for you guys to accurately, or strongly(?), be able perceive pitch accent?

   I can tell the rise and drops sound different and I can kinda pick up in a sentence if it starts with 頭高 or if it’s 平板 but it’s not easy rn.

4. I’m trying to gain an understanding of は and am reading a light novel where a chapter begins like this:

   やけに早く梅雨が終わって、七月。二年生の夏も去年と同じように、本屋には夏らしい格好をしたアイドルやモデルが表紙を飾る本がずらりと並んでいる。私はその中から、キラキラした文字が躍る雑誌を手に取る。

   So, this is the beginning of the chapter. There has been no further context. The previous chapter didn’t end in a bookshop, and it’s the second chapter of the novel as well as the first time a bookshop was mentioned. So, based on the understanding that this is the complete context of the situation, my questions are:

   1. I’m confused about what the は after 私 is contrasting with and why it’s used instead of が. Is は contrasting with the other patrons of the bookstore, despite not being explicitly mentioned? As in, while other patrons may be doing other things, *I* pick out one of those books with sparkly text? Or is it simply establishing 私 as the focus of the narrative, contrasting with anything or anyone else that may also be at the location?

   2. Does the は after 本屋 in には imply that, while other stores may not carry those kinds of books, within the *bookstore specifically*, 「夏らしい格好をしたアイドルやモデルが表紙を飾る本がずらりと並んでいる」?

5. A: 駅までどうやって行ったら、一番早いかな？

   B: うーん、どのルートを選んでも、あまり変わらないと思うよ。

   1. what does どうやって mean/do in the 1st sentence? If the どうやって wasnt there id understand the sentence like: “i wonder what would be the fastest way if i was going to the station?”, but i dont understand what どうやって means here

6. I heard that if I don’t always refer to myself as 俺様, I will come across as feminine and weak. Is this true?

7. [deleted]

8. 気になることがあるのですが、
   英語を母語としない人は一、二年間ぐらい英語を習得してまもなく（特にインターネット上で）ある程度すらすらと英語で書ける一方で、英語話者は同じぐらいの期間で日本語を習得してもすらすらと日本語で書けないケースが多そうです。
   この謎の現象をどう説明すればいいでしょう? もしかして[生存者バイアス](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias)のせいんじゃない?

9. I’ve downloaded Yomitan and it’s recommended dictionaries on Android firefox.

   Kanji for nouns and verbs was being read as proper names or it was showing me stroke order instead of the dictionary entry so I left only Jitendex on which leads to common words like 英語 not being recognized.

   Any help?

10. https://preview.redd.it/zes8hbq79ddf1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=60c89724ae0fdc3394cfa98abea14d73cadfe850

    What does “と” mean in “ベンチのトリミアンと交代”?
    From what I know と can mean something like “and” or “if” neither of which apply here as I think he is trying to say “I switch in furfrou from the bench” but switch is a noun here so I am unsure of that being the meaning.

11. Hello, I was trying to learn the difference between 真似をする and 振りをする when I encountered this line

    > また、「真似をする」がふつう状態を目的語にとれないのに対して、「ふりをする」はとれます。

    But I am not able to parse the grammar of this sentence

    * I know that ふつう means “ordinarily”, but how does that connect to 状態 (condition?) and the particle を?

    * My Dictionary read とれない as being a form of 摂る, but is this correct, or is it 取る?

    * Why is に used and not を?

    * Is のに対して supposed to be 「の、に対して」 or 「のに、対して」