Japanese Letter Templates - Train

Train is delayed because of trouble:

ジェイです。お疲れ様です。 横浜線が信号機トラブルで運転をみあわせている為、9時過ぎの出社になりそうです。 よろしくお願いします。

Train is delayed because of accident:

ジェイです。お疲れ様です。 電車事故ので運転をみあわせている為、9時過ぎの出社になりそうです。 よろしくお願いします。

Sending items

Useful phrases you can use when sending items by Takkyubin

Kuroneko is one of the famous takkyubin around Tokyo:

Phone: 0120-01-9625 (using mobile) 03-5564-3700

Here is the script:

I'm going to send a package, can you please pick it up.
荷物を発送したいので、家まで取りに来てください。
nimotsu wo hassou shitai node, ie made torini kite kudasai

Mode of payment is COD, please bring chakubarai slip.
着払いしたいのです。着払い用の伝票を下さい。

* Chakubarai is used to mean that the receiver will have to pay
for the shipping cost.

Otherwise, you don't have to mention anything.

Then give your name/address and mobile num if they haven't asked you yet

They might ask you about the package because they have limit like it should
not exceed 160cm./20kilos. And if you need a danbo-ru 段ボール (Cardboard).

It's good if you can measure the box beforehand so you have an idea if you were asked.

One more thing if they sense that you have difficulties speaking Japanese then they
will speak slowly and more clearly for you.

Ja ne! Don't be scared just use it. What is the worst thing that could happen??? nothing coz
you can call again and again and again.. and maybe ask a Japanese friend to help you. :)

Making your Japanese 106/109 keyboard to work on Windows 7 English Platform

Here is an easy step to make your Japanese keyboard work on an English environment (Windows 7).

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Click Keyboards
3. Click Properties.
4. Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
   
   The Upgrade Device Driver Wizard starts.
5. Click Next.
6. On the Install Hardware Device Drivers page, click Display a list of the known drivers for this device so that I can choose a specific driver, and then click Next.
7. On the Select a Device Driver page, disable Show all compatible hardware by clicking the checkbox.
8. On the Select a Device Driver page, specify a Japanese keyboard driver. To do so, follow these steps:
   1. Under Manufacturers, click the manufacturer of the keyboard. For example, click Fujitsu.
   2. Under Models, click the model that you want. For example, click Fujitsu 109 USB Keyboard.
   3. Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the remaining pages of the wizard to install the keyboard driver.
9. Note that sometimes the Standard type keyboard does not work and shows a code 10 error. I'm using an HP keyboard but installed Fujitsu 109 USB keyboard.
   
   
10. That's it!
    

My quest for Japanese Fluency

You learn to speak fluent Japanese only through speaking Japanese!

Actually fluency in speaking comes only through rigorous practice and understanding of the body languages and practical uses of the words in public. This again, can be achieved through mixing with the people and try speaking with them in their language in day to day life. Even someone who is never introduced to or nor having any idea of a foreign language, can guess, with some study, what others are trying to speak, just by watching them and studying their gestures when they speaking among themselves. Gradually, he will be able to pick up the words they are using and finally, he will end up using those words in public. The same process must be adopted to learn to speak fluent Japanese.

Don't worry about right or wrong. Just speak out to everyone you find around you. Make as many Japanese friends as you can and try speaking Japanese with them. Ask them to help you correcting the mistakes after you have finished. They may not be able to resist their laugh over the strange and funny words you speak in the beginning. But things will get on easy after some time. The more you speak, the more you get affluent.

A few more things which could help you learn to speak fluent Japanese. First, mimic the Japanese way of life. You will learn a lot of words handling those objects without your own notice. Second, watch Japanese cartoons or read Japanese comics and try understanding them. Finally, keep a scrap-book. Writing helps memorizing the words and places of their application.

Talking to your landlord

How to tell your landlord about the problems in the house over the phone.

Situation 1

Sink is clogged.
========

丘ハイツの202でお世話になっております。ジェイと申しますが、
I'm Jay and I'm staying at Oka Heights room 202.

鈴木さんのお宅でよろしかったですか。
Is this the house of Suzuki-san?

水道の件で相談したいのですが、水道の流れが悪くなって水が溢れてしまいますので、水道官を調べてほしいです。水がたまってしまって一時間ぐらい使えなくなってしまいます。
I want to consult about the sink. It seems that the water overflows. It takes about an hour for the water to subside. Can you please look into it.

よろしくお願いします。
Thank you very much.

I will add more scenario soon! Jya mata!

JLPT 2009

Well, yesterday I was of the hundreds who took the JLPT level 1 exam here in Japan.

The exam was not that difficult compared with 2008's exam. I only worry about the reading comprehension part because it's quite long so if you don't understand it the first time you read it then it tends to stress you up! :)

The listening was quite ok but some part was difficult. It's like all along you think that was the correct answer but then at the last second you heard something that ain't right. Ehhhhh...

Well, all in all I think 3 months of preparation was all worth it! In just 3 months, I have managed to cover all the 2000 kanji's, 2000 new words, all level 1 grammar and read a lot of short stories. Fail or pass, I would definitely take the exam again this December. Why? This thing gets me motivated!

Making a presentation

Useful phrases when making a presentation:

本日は～についてご説明します。 -> Today I'd like to explain about
弊社の～ -> Our company
製品 -> product
サービス -> service
企画 -> plan
まず -> first of all
次に -> next
最後に -> lastly
こちらの～をご覧ください -> please look at
表 -> chart
写真 -> picture
統計 -> statistics
以上で～についての説明を終わります -> With that, we come to the end of the presentation
何かご質問ありますか -> Do you have any questions?
ご清聴ありがとうございました -> Thank you for your attention

Mail Sample sentences

メールのはじめの挨拶 (salutation)
お世話になっております。 -> Thank you for your business with us.
いつもお世話になっております。 -> We always appreciate your business
お疲れ様です。 -> Thank you for you work
先日はお疲れ様でした。-> Thank you for your work the other day
先週はどうもありがとうございました。-> Thank you for your work last week.

自己紹介 (self introduction)
ITネット株司会者の山本です。-> I am Yamamoto of IT net Co. ltd.
私、さくら商事人事部の田中と申します。-> My name is Tanka from the personal department of Sakura Trading
あさひ出版編集部の鈴木と申します。-> I am Suzuki editor at Asahi publishing

メールの趣旨および用件 (stating one's business)
メールを送ります。-> Sending you an email
今日は～の件でメールいたしました。 -> sent an email regarding
～の件につき、ご報告いたします。 -> Report regarding ~
報告書を添付ファイルにて送信いたします。-> Attached a report.
メールを送ったのですが、届きましたか？-> Have you received my email?
メールの確認をお願いします。 -> Please check my email
企画書の内容をご確認ください。 -> Please check the planning paper.
見積書を送りいたします。-> I send you a bill of estimation

お礼の表現　（Expressing Association)
メールありがとうございます。 -> Thank you for your email
先日はありがとうございます。 -> Thank you for the other day
ご注文誠にありがとうございます。 -> Thank you very much for your order
～の件、ご配慮たまわりありがとうございました。 -> regarding ~
～の件、ご指摘ありがとうございました。-> Thank you for alerting us to ~
～の件、非常に助かりました。 -> It was a great help that ~
大変感謝しております。 -> We really appreciate ~

メールへの返答 (Replying)
メールを拝見致しました。 -> I have read your email
お見積書を拝受いたしました。 -> We acknowledge your quotation with thanks.
至急確認いたします。 -> I will check that ASAP
現在検討中です。 -> We are talking about that at the moment
今しばらくお待ちください。 -> Thank you for your patience.
現在対応を急いで降ります。-> We are working hard to respond to you as soon as possible
～の件、終了いたしました。 -> I understand you regarding

お願いの表現
添付ファイルにて送信してください。-> Please send the file as an attachment
確認のメールをよろしくお願いします。-> Please confirm by return
ご検討いただければ幸いです。 -> We will be happy if you can consider this
あらかじめご了承ください。 -> Please be forwarned
できるだけ早くご返信ください。-> Please reply ASAP
早急に対処して区下さるようお願い申し上げます。-> We hope you will handle this ASAP

謝罪の表現　(Apologizing)
返信が遅くなり申し訳ありません -> Sorry for the belated reply
ご挨拶が遅れ申し訳ございません -> Please excuse for the belated greetings
~件、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。-> We apologize for ~
～の件ですが、大変失礼いたしました。-> extend my personal apologies
先日送りした請求書の額が間違っておりましたことをおかけいたしました。-> apologize for the inconvience.
改めてお詫び申し上げます。-> Again please accept our apology.

メールの最後の決まり文句
お忙しいところ申し訳ございませんが、早急なご対応を宜しくお願いします。-> Please handle this ASAP
お忙しいところ恐縮ですが、お返事を待ちしております。-> I know you are busy but we are waiting for a reply
お手数ですが、ご意見をお聞かせください。 -> Sorry to inconvinience you but could you tell us your opinion
今後とも宜しくお願いいたします。-> looking forward for continued business
今後ともお引き立てのほど宜しくお願いいたします。-> looking forward to receive future orders

Sample japanese letter

さくら出版株式会社 <-- company name
代表取り締役　山田様 <-- recipient's name and position

いつもお世話になっております。 <-- standard introduction
日本語教育出版の山本と申します。 <-- sender's name and company

今回の日本語⇒英語の翻訳依頼に関しまして、見積書を添付ファイルにて送信します。 <--business: writing briefly

ご検討いただければ幸いです。

それでは、今後とも宜しくお願い申し上げます。 <-- standard closing

****************************
日本語教育出版社　編集部 <-- contact information (company, department, position, name, address, phone number, fax number, URL etc.

編集者：　山本隆
〒110-0011東京港区大井１－１
tel: 03-3000-111 fax: 03-3000-2222
http://www.nihongo-xxx.co.jp
****************************

Japanese Letter Templates (Series 3) - Meeting minutes

What if all of a sudden you were asked to write the minutes of the meeting? Of course in Japanese! I guess your hands are beginning to sweat and heart pumping like crazy huh?! Have no fear below is a template you can use for writing the minutes fast and easy.

Just know what they are doing and the status of each. Japanese enganged in a lot of non-important things and sometimes goes in a loop during meetings. Yup they love loopings.. so better watch out for this!

====================================================================
日時：2008/10/10(金) 10:00-10:30
場所：会議室 (Meeting room name)
目的：（Group name) +  定例会議
参加者：(Group Members)
欠席：なし (Who is not in the meeting)
司会：(Head)
議事録：(Who is taking the minutes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------

連絡事項
- 2/1部長会報告  <- Report from the chairman
【先行申請】
 ・Example 1

【外注申請】<- Outsourcing Projects
・(Names) (Project Names)
・Example Project 1 

プロジェクト報告 <- Project Reports
● Project Name （報告：[Name of the reporter])
Examples of the current project status 

・不具合対応 2/10件  <-  Defect (Bug fixed 2 of 10 remaining reported bugs)
・完了　<- Project Completed ・修正中　<- Making some adjustments / Fixing
・機材準備 <- Preparing the devices
・動作確認　<- Confirming the operation
・モック作成 <- Mock test creation
・プログラミング勉強 <- Study
・技術調査中 <- Technology investigation
 ・テストアプリ機能追加 <- Additional functionalities were added
・K機能試験 <- Function testing 　

⇒ 予定数/着手/完了/全体：30/30/25/100
　　→バグ:5 　　
   →未実装:70

 その他　　<- Others
● Other concerns

Japanese Letter Templates (Series 2) - Taking a day off

Taking a day off
==================================
Subject: [勤怠] ジェイ　3/1

（名前）です。おつかれさまです。
体調不良のため本日、有休取得します。
よろしくお願いいたします。
==================================
English Translation:

This is Jay.
I'm not feeling well today.  I'm going to have
to use my vacation leave.
Thank you.

==================================
This is a direct and a very simple way
to send to your boss when on that day you want to take
a day off.

What if you plan to take a day off?
=======================================
(名前）です。お疲れ様です。

下記日程で年休を取得します。
・5/02
・5/03

以上、よろしくお願いいたします。
=======================================
Explanation:

You just enumerate the dates on your planned leaves.
You can give or leave out the reason but if you have
a critical project it is best to state the reason.

Sample reasons:

入国管理局で手続きをします。
遅刻のため午前半休となります。
理由は自宅のガスの修理です。

Taking a half-day leave　
=======================================

お疲れ様です
ジェイです。

1.  午前休を取得します
  15分遅れで出社となります

2.  本日、体調不良のため午前休を取得させて下さい。

3.  本日、遅れたので午前半休とします。

以上、よろしくお願いします

==========================================

You want to take the halfday off but not
sure if you will return to work

ジェイです。
体調不良のため、午前休を取得します。
出社できるかは未定と思います。

Japanese Letter Templates (Series 1) - Presentation

Ok so this will be a series of actual letters written by Japanese in an office environment.  Just replace the ones in parenthesis and you are good to go.

Requesting everyone to attend a presentation
============================================
現在 (プロジェクト名）にて開発を進めている（アプリのタイプ）、
（アプリの名）の（版）が
ほぼ完成し、デモが行える状態になりました。

（提案の目的）
お客様先でこの（アプリ）の紹介をしていただいているかと思いますが、
現物のアプリケーションがどのように開発されているのかを一度ご確認
頂きたいと思います。

つきましては、（日付）の　（時間）から、
（場所）でデモをさせて頂きます。お時間になりましたらお集まりください。
======================================================================
English Translation:

The application we are currently developing has been completed and we want to give you a demonstration.

We will introduce this to our customers and we want to show it to you at least once to get your feedback.

In line with this, the demo will be on this date and time.  Everyone I hope you can come. Thank you.
=================================================================

Conquering Kanji!

Although this is not related to programming but I have to do this. My target now is to memorize all 2000++ kanji's in 4 weeks!

I have already passed level 2 four years ago and planning to take level 1 in July.

Here is my method. I'll be using Heisig and Stackz software for PocketPC. Everyday I'm planning to memorize at least 100 Kanji's. I will spend about 3 hours a day (Train, lunch time, and when I'm not programming...) This is WAR! No more Mercy!

After 2 weeks...

Ok now I have managed to gone through all the 2,050 kanji's in Heisig's book. One tip I can give you is not to spend so much time on a single Kanji. The maximum time to create associations or in other words to memorize is about 2mins. (I made sure that my pocketpc screen will turn black after 2 mins). Why??? Well spending so much time on a particular Kanji won' t really help you a lot. The main thing is repetition. Do your associations fast and go on to the next Kanji and repeat until you are tired of looking at that particular Kanji.

The thing with studying Japanese is you have to do it fast and be really aggressive about it. I know a lot of people who's living over 10 years in Japan and yet they are not fluent in Japanese. So don't think that you can be fluent by just asking a few questions, can read a couple of Kanji's or can communicate with your peers at work. Remember this! if they know you are a foreigner they will not use natural Japanese on you... Somehow they will use easy to understand Japanese because they know you are not a native. That for me sucks! You know I'm right! right???

If you want to be good in Japanese you got to sleep, eat nothing but Japanese. Study, study, study and apply it on every opportunity! That's the key! So why am I not doing that before? Because I thought I'll be good in Japanese because I'm in Japan. I bet you are too that's why you are reading this.

Ok now I'm psyched up! I'll bet level 1 is just a walk in the park. :)