what is the best way to remember kanji - Page 3

Miyavifan · (#21 (**permalink**))

Yes, only when writing.

I still don't understand it. I just take it as one of the things I will only ever know, but just not understand.

ThaDuke · (#22 (**permalink**))

Hey, I'm here to learn!

KyleGoetz · (#23 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaDuke

I just associate the kanji in some way that reminds me of something else.

Easy

When you get past a couple hundred kanji, this technique will become decreasingly useful at a dramatic rate.

Miyavifan · (#24 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaDuke

Hey, I'm here to learn!

oh. I'm not sure if you are meaning I should be more helpful?

KyleGoetz · (#25 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miyavifan

oh. I'm not sure if you are meaning I should be more helpful?

No. "I'm here to learn" is a popular English phrase meaning "Don't worry if you are not being very helpful; I'm here to learn, not to judge others." Sort of.

Seanus · (#26 (**permalink**))

I think the best that most foreigners can hope for is association. Use techniques of Tony Buzan or Lazarov. I remembered hayashi (forest) because it looked like a forest. Some are logical that way. Link a given kanji to a place. Otherwise, most kanji will always appear as indecipherable bushes.

Miyavifan · (#27 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleGoetz

No. "I'm here to learn" is a popular English phrase meaning "Don't worry if you are not being very helpful; I'm here to learn, not to judge others." Sort of.

ah, ok.

well, I know English phrases, I've just not heard that one.

ThaDuke · (#28 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miyavifan

oh. I'm not sure if you are meaning I should be more helpful?

No. No. You are most helpful, Miyavifan. I didn't mean that in any other way than, I actually AM here to learn Japanese! Any help I can get is most useful!

The problem I have with the English language is that it is very easy to misunderstand someone from being serious or being sarcastic. This is a very common mishap that can turn a good conversation sour. Especially is you are from a different region of the country.

I'm originally from North Dakota, which is in itself, a big difference from Alabama. There are some things that I say that, down here, people take as sarcasm. Like when I reply, "Sure" to someone. A lot of people here, take as sarcasm. Like what I really meant was, "Sure, WHATEVER". Most people here prefer to hear, "Yes" or "No".

It's weird I know.

plizman · (#29 (**permalink**))

GTJ is right, learning the roots and meanings will help you out a lot. Even if you encounter a kanji that you haven't studied, you'll be a able to pick up on a meaning if you know the character's root or the characters that make it up.

Something that helps me to remember kanji is to read short articles or paragraphs and then rewrite them over and over.

Another thing that has helped is studying Chinese, but that takes a bit of time.

Seanus · (#30 (**permalink**))

Learning Chinese helps but it can also mislead. I had the good luck of having one Chinese guy in my free conversation class with Japanese people. They drew the kanji on the board and he gave the Chinese equivalent. Sometimes they were the same but often not.

Often, you just have to use the identification patterns that God blessed you with