Japanese Stories For Language Learners

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Japanese Stories for Language Learners

Anne McNulty,Eriko Sato
Japanese Stories for Language Learners Book PDF

Author : Anne McNulty,Eriko Sato
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
Page : 197 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2018-11-20
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781462920129

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Japanese Stories for Language Learners Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

A great story can lead a reader on a journey of discovery--especially if it's presented in two languages! Beautifully illustrated in a traditional style, Japanese Stories for Language Learners offers five compelling stories with English and Japanese language versions appearing on facing pages. Taking learners on an exciting cultural and linguistic journey, each story is followed by detailed translator's notes, Japanese vocabulary lists, and grammar points along with a set of discussion questions and exercises. The first two stories are very famous traditional Japanese folktales: Urashima Taro (Tale of a Fisherman) and Yuki Onna (The Snow Woman). These are followed by three short stories by notable 20th century authors: Kumo no Ito (The Spider's Thread) by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1892-1927) Oborekaketa Kyodai (The Siblings Who Almost Drowned) by Arishima Takeo (1878-1923) Serohiki no Goshu (Gauche the Cellist) by Miyazawa Kenji (1896-1933) Reading these stories in the original Japanese script--and hearing native-speakers read them aloud in the accompanying free audio recording--helps students at every level deepen their comprehension of the beauty and subtlety of the Japanese language. Learn Japanese the fun way--through the country's rich literary history.

Japanese Short Stories for Beginners

Lingo Mastery
Japanese Short Stories for Beginners Book PDF

Author : Lingo Mastery
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 222 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 2020-08-07
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 1951949226

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Japanese Short Stories for Beginners Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Do you know what the hardest thing for a Japanese learner is? Finding PROPER reading material that they can handle...which is precisely the reason we've written this book! You may have found the best teacher in town or the most incredible learning app around, but if you don't put all of that knowledge to practice, you'll soon forget everything you've obtained. This is why being engaged with interesting reading material can be so essential for somebody wishing to learn a new language. Therefore, in this book we have compiled 20 easy-to-read, compelling and fun stories that will allow you to expand your vocabulary and give you the tools to improve your grasp of the wonderful Japanese language. How Japanese Short Stories for Beginners works: - Each chapter possesses a funny, interesting and/or thought-provoking story based on real-life situations, allowing you to learn a bit more about the Japanese culture. - Having trouble understanding Japanese characters? No problem - we provide you with the English translation below each paragraph, allowing you to fully grasp what you're reading! - The summaries follow a synopsis in Japanese and in English of what you just read, both to review the lesson and for you to see if you understood what the tale was about. Use them if you're having trouble. - At the end of those summaries, you will be provided with a list of the most relevant vocabulary from that chapter, as well as slang and sayings that you may not have understood at first glance! Do not get lost trying to understand or pronounce it all, either, as all of the vocabulary words are Romanized for your ease of learning! - Finally, you'll be provided with a set of tricky questions in Japanese, allowing you the chance to prove that you learned something in the story. Whether it's true or false, or if you're doing the single answer questions, don't worry if you don't know the answer to any - we will provide them immediately after, but no cheating! We want you to feel comfortable while learning Japanese; after all, no language should be a barrier for you to travel around the world and expand your social circles! So look no further! Pick up your copy of Japanese Short Stories for Beginners and level up your Japanese language skills right now!

Intermediate Japanese Short Stories

Lingo Mastery
Intermediate Japanese Short Stories Book PDF

Author : Lingo Mastery
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 142 pages
File Size : 53,5 Mb
Release : 2021-05-14
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 195194934X

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Intermediate Japanese Short Stories Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Are you on your way towards learning Japanese and need a new challenge? We're constantly trying to improve and master new skills, and the Japanese language is no exception. We have created the next level of Japanese stories for the students who have already surpassed the beginner level: Intermediate Japanese Short Stories! In this book we have compiled 10 challenging, compelling and fun stories that will allow you to expand your vocabulary and give you the tools to boost your grasp of the wonderful Japanese tongue.How Intermediate Japanese Short Stories works:?Each chapter possesses a funny, interesting and/or thought-provoking story based on real-life situations, allowing you to learn about the Japanese culture.?Having trouble understanding Japanese characters? No problem - despite being Intermediate Japanese, we have still included a romanization to help guide you through your learning process, just like in the beginner stories!?The summaries follow the story: a synopsis in Japanese and in English of what you just read, both to review the lesson and for you to see if you understood what the tale was about. Use them if you're having trouble.?At the end of those summaries, you'll be provided with a list of the most relevant vocabulary involved in the lesson, as well as slang and sayings that you may not have understood at first glance! Don't get lost trying to understand or pronounce it all, either, as all of the vocabulary words are Romanized for your ease of learning!?Finally, you'll be provided with a set of tricky questions in Japanese, allowing you the chance to prove that you learned something in the story. Don't worry if you don't know the answer to any - we will provide them immediately after, but no cheating!We want you to feel comfortable while mastering the Japanese tongue; after all, no language should be a barrier for you to travel around the world and expand your social circles!So look no further! Pick up your copy of Intermediate Japanese Short Stories and level up your Japanese language learning right now!

20 Japanese Short Stories for Travelers and Learners

Christian Tamaka Pedersen,Christian Stahl,Yokahama English Japanese Language & Teachers Club
20 Japanese Short Stories for Travelers and Learners Book PDF

Author : Christian Tamaka Pedersen,Christian Stahl,Yokahama English Japanese Language & Teachers Club
Publisher : Midealuck Ltd
Page : 144 pages
File Size : 50,9 Mb
Release : 2020-04-15
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781916216563

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20 Japanese Short Stories for Travelers and Learners Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

20 Japanese Short Stories for Travelers and Learners - Read Japanese Mystery Stories for Beginners Learning Japanese is hard and everyone says so. But not with this book. Whether you're just starting out or are already familiar with the Japanese language, this book will help you with expanding your Japanese vocabulary and improve your reading skills while having fun. This book is a collection of 20 entertaining and culturally interesting Japanese short stories for beginners and intermediate Japanese learners. The book also includes many unique mystery stories that will stimulate your imagination. The stories are written in Hiragana, Katakana, and about 250 basic Kanji characters which correspond to the advanced beginner and low intermediate levels. The stories also come with Furigana. The stories are followed by a line-by-line English translation, which will certainly speed up the learning process quite a bit. This book also includes a reading guide that explains the basics of the language and its characters. You get many practical examples on how to read the characters and you can also use this book as a language learning tool or Japanese textbook to advance with your Japanese skills at your own pace. A book for Japanese-language practice that will improve your reading skills and will entertain yourself. ​​​​​A Special Cooking Course Nagano Gold The Ghost Cruise Liner A World of Silence The Cherry Blossom Stones A Japanese in Munich The Tokyo Fish Market Buddhism in Japan Lost in Tokyo Teaching in Japan Karaoke Japanese Style Saving Face Faux Pas in the restaurant Just a Couple of Drinks Humor is if you still laugh A Special Geisha A Happy Marriage Under the Lamp Post Group Learning The Legend of Princess Kaguya

Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners

Olly Richards
Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners Book PDF

Author : Olly Richards
Publisher : Teach Yourself
Page : 288 pages
File Size : 40,9 Mb
Release : 2022-04-26
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1529377161

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Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners of Japanese. "Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in Japanese for Beginners has been written especially for students from high-beginner to low-intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, a feeling of progress and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to A1-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories are designed to give you a sense of achievement and a feeling of progress when reading. What does this book give you? - Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary - Controlled language at your level to help you progress confidently - Realistic spoken dialogues to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability - Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way - Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!' Carefully curated to make learning a new language easy, these stories include key features that will support and consolidate your progress, including: - A glossary for bolded words in each chapter - Full plot summary - A bilingual word list - Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoyingreading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Japanese for Beginners will make learning Japanese easy and enjoyable.

50 Japanese Short Stories for Beginners Read Entertaining Japanese Stories to Improve your Vocabulary and Learn Japanese While Having Fun

Yokahama English Japanese Language & Teachers Club
50 Japanese Short Stories for Beginners Read Entertaining Japanese Stories to Improve your Vocabulary and Learn Japanese While Having Fun Book PDF

Author : Yokahama English Japanese Language & Teachers Club
Publisher : Yokahama English Japanese Language & Teachers Club
Page : 157 pages
File Size : 41,8 Mb
Release : 2018-06-28
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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50 Japanese Short Stories for Beginners Read Entertaining Japanese Stories to Improve your Vocabulary and Learn Japanese While Having Fun Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Learning Japanese is hard and everyone says so. But not with this Japanese book. Whether you're a just starting out or are already familiar with the Japanese language, this book will help you with expanding your Japanese vocabulary and improve your reading skills while having fun. Here you have 50 entertaining and culturally interesting Japanese short stories for beginners and intermediate Japanese learners. The Japanese stories are written in Hiragana, Katakana, and about 250 basic Kanji characters which correspond to the advanced beginner and low intermediate levels. The stories are followed by line-by-line English translation, which will certainly speed up the the learning process quite a bit. This book also includes a reading guide that explains the basics of the Japanese language and its characters. You get many practical examples on how to read the characters and you can also use this book as a language learning tool or Japanese text book to advance with your Japanese skills at your own pace. 1. The Tokyo Fish Market 2. Buddhism in Japan 3. Lost in Tokyo 4. Teaching in Japan 5. Karaoke Japanese Style 6. Saving Face 7. Faux Pas in the Restaurant 8. Just a Couple of Drinks 9. Humour Is if You Still Laugh 10. A Special Geisha 11. A Happy Marriage 12. Under the Lamp Post 13. Group Learning 14. I Marry My Office 15. Dialogue - Today We Have Rabbit 16. Dialogue - Dining European Style 17. The Tourist Guide 18. Inexpensive Shopping in Japan 19. Born in Michigan 20. Easter 21. Foreigners in Britain 22. Kindness 23. My Hobbies 24. Studying Abroad 25. A New Recipe 26. Social Media 27. Vegan Food 28. Bad Luck 29. Our Hotel 30. In the Theatre 31. Dialogue - Where is Our Cat? 32. A Special Public Swimming Pool 33. On Fridays We Go Swimming 35. Best Friends 36. The Order 37. Food Poisoning 38. New Year's Eve in Europe 39. The Circus 40. The Car Accident 41. A Japanese in Munich Japanese Short Stories for Intermediate Learners 42. The Polish Maid 43. Americans in Germany 44. The Treasure in the Forest 45. The Barbecue Evening 46. How to Find a Billionaire on a Cruise Trip 47. Crowdfunding for a New Kitchen 48. A very Catholic Irish Family 49. I Meet You in the Sauna 50. Classic Story: The Legend of Princess Kaguya There are many Japanese books out there, but this book will entertain and help you in many ways. Start your journey of active Japanese learning TODAY!

Japanese Phrases For Dummies

Eriko Sato
Japanese Phrases For Dummies Book PDF

Author : Eriko Sato
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 224 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2004-08-06
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9780764572050

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Japanese Phrases For Dummies Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

A quick easy reference to pick up and reinforce key Japanese phrases Japanese is the fifth most studied language in the U.S., with over 40,000 college students enrolled in Japanese courses every year, and Japan ranks as the eighth most popular international destination for American travelers. Focusing on real-world language skills that people can put to use right away-from asking directions to talking numbers-this phrasebook is a must for travelers and students. Eriko Sato, PhD, is a native Japanese speaker and Professor of Japanese at SUNY Stony Brook.

Essential Japanese Grammar

Masahiro Tanimori,Eriko Sato
Essential Japanese Grammar Book PDF

Author : Masahiro Tanimori,Eriko Sato
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
Page : 416 pages
File Size : 43,6 Mb
Release : 2013-02-08
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781462910090

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Essential Japanese Grammar Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Essential Japanese Grammar is an indispensable study guide for students of the Japanese language at all levels. Long the standard in Japanese language education, it provides clear, jargon-free explanations of how Japanese grammar works and offers hundreds of example sentences. It is an essential handbook for self-study or for the classroom and should be a valued resource for years to come. A strong foundation in grammar is vital to those wishing to learn Japanese as a whole. Essential Japanese Grammar presents a number of unique features. First, grammatical terminology has been kept to a minimum so that extensive prior knowledge of grammar is not required. Second, abundant example sentences written in Japanese characters (kana and kanji) followed by romanji and English translations. Third, the authors have tried to reveal aspects of grammar that may not be found in comparable grammar books such as rare Japanese verbs, adjectival nouns, clauses adverbs, etc. This Japanese grammar book contains: parts of speech. sentence constructions. conjugations forms. speech styles and tones. accentuation rules. essential words and functional elements. an appendix for referencing and cross-referencing Japanese words.

Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book Volume 1

Eriko Sato, Ph.D.
Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book Volume 1 Book PDF

Author : Eriko Sato, Ph.D.
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 55,6 Mb
Release : 2015-10-27
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781462917174

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Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book Volume 1 Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

This is an invaluable study guide and practice book for learning basic Japanese kanji. Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book is intended for beginning students, or experienced speakers who need to practice their written Japanese. Kanji are an essential part of the Japanese language and together with kana (hiragana and katakana) comprise written Japanese. This book presents the kanji characters that are most commonly used. All the kanji and related vocabulary words in this book are those that students are expected to know for Level 5 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. (JLPT). Characters that appear in the AP Japanese Language and Culture Exam are flagged. Readings, meanings, and common compounds are presented. The correct method of writing each character is clearly indicated and practice boxes with strokes that can be traced are provided, along with empty boxes for freehand writing practice. Lots of exercises are included to give students the opportunity to practice writing sentences containing the Kanji. Indexes at the back allow you to look up the characters by their readings and English meanings. This kanji book includes: Step-by-step stroke order diagrams for each character. Special boxes with grid lines to practice writing characters. Extra printable practice grids Words and phrases using each kanji. Romanizations (romanji) to help identify and pronounce every word.

Japanese Language

Haruhiko Kindaichi
Japanese Language Book PDF

Author : Haruhiko Kindaichi
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
Page : 256 pages
File Size : 55,7 Mb
Release : 2011-12-20
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781462902668

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Japanese Language Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

This is a book about the structure, history and evolution of the Japanese language. The Japanese Language is a classic study of one of the world's most widely used but least understood languages. Emphasizing the richness and complexity of Japanese as well as its limitations, this fine book provides a lively discussion about the uniqueness of the Japanese language. The relationship of Japanese to other languages is not well understood even by native speakers, and Professor Kindaichi sets out to define it. He concludes that Japanese is indeed only remotely related to other world languages although it shares many features in common with the languages of mainland Asia. Japanese shares with those languages a rich and detailed vocabulary for natural phenomena and an unusually complex and accurate way of expressing social relationships. Moreover, its capability to absorb innovations from abroad easily matches or exceeds that of English or German. The author, after briefly discussing the unique isolation of the Japanese language, moves on to consider the varieties of ordinary speech—dialects, jargon, sex—and role-based distinctions, and the difference between informal, formal, and literary language. He then examines the structure of Japanese pronunciations, its rhythm, and accent. The longest section of the book is devoted to the variety of the vocabulary, what can and cannot be said in Japanese. Readers who are just beginning their own study of Japanese will find this section especially fascinating, for each point is backed by examples from literature and everyday speech. Kindaichi also investigates the so-called vagueness of Japanese and traces it to its source–the unusual sentence order. This book includes: The highly debated origins of the Japanese language. Dialects, jargon, sex and role-based distinctions. Differences between informal, formal, and literary language. Structure, rhythm, and accent of pronunciation. What can and cannot be said in Japanese.

Japanese For Dummies

Eriko Sato
Japanese For Dummies Book PDF

Author : Eriko Sato
Publisher : For Dummies
Page : 412 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2002-06-07
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 0764554298

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Japanese For Dummies Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Japanese is a wonderful language, very different from European languages. It is also the gateway to the rich culture of the exciting and complex island nation of Japan. Some people get intimidated by the prospect of speaking Japanese—worried that it’s just too complex and different—but these fears are unfounded. While you can devote a lifetime to the study of this or any language, picking up the basics of Japanese doesn’t require any more than an interest and a willingness to try something new. Japanese For Dummies has everything you need to get off the ground with speaking the language. Author and Professor of Japanese Eriko Sato starts you off with the essentials of grammar and pronunciation, giving you a working sense of the language, before showing you Japanese in action. You’ll then explore vocabulary and expressions through dialogues taking place in situations such as: Introductions and greetings Eating and drink ing Shopping Exploring the town Talking on the telephone Asking directions Getting around Staying at a hotel You’ll also discover social customs, formalities, and manners, from how and when to bow to how to unwrap a present. Whether you simply want to introduce yourself to the Japanese language, say a few words to a neighbor or coworker, or you’re planning a major trip or study abroad in Japan, Japanese For Dummies will enable you to get the basics fast and work towards your own goal at your own pace. You’ll also find out about: How to use karaoke to help you learn Japanese Movies that will introduce you to Japanese culture and language Learning Japanese the “gourmet” way When ignoring “no, thank you” shows good manners Proper table manners Proper body language How to sound fluent And much more! With helpful vocabulary summaries, a mini-dictionary at the end, and an audio CD full of conversations and pronunciations, Japanese For Dummies assumes no prior knowledge of Japanese on your part—providing the perfect guide for a quick-but-thorough, lighthearted-but-not-lightweight introduction to the language.

Reading Japanese with a Smile

Tom Gally
Reading Japanese with a Smile Book PDF

Author : Tom Gally
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 43,7 Mb
Release : 2007
Category : Japanese language
ISBN : 499028481X

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Reading Japanese with a Smile Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Taken from the weekly magazine "Shukan Asahi," these stories are accompanied by an English translation, faithfully done and easy to follow. Included is a short glossary of each word and phrase, a reverse derivation of each declined verb and adjective, detailed notes on vocabulary and grammar, and information and commentary on the cultural background. (Foreign Language-Dictionaries/Phrase Books)

Making Out in Japanese

Todd Geers,Erika Geers
Making Out in Japanese Book PDF

Author : Todd Geers,Erika Geers
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2014-08-26
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781462910274

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Making Out in Japanese Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Making Out in Japanese is a fun, accessible and thorough Japanese phrase book and guide to the Japanese language as it's really spoken. Sugoku suki! Mata aeru?—(I'm crazy about you! Shall we meet again?) Answer this correctly in Japanese, and you may be going on a hot date. Incorrectly, and you could be hurting someone's feelings or getting a slap! Japanese classes and textbooks tend to spend a lot of time rehearsing for the same fictitious scenarios, but chances are while in Japan you will spend a lot more time trying to make new friends or start new romances—something you may not be prepared for. If you are a student, businessman or tourist traveling to Japan and would like to have an authentic and meaningful experience, the key is being able to speak like a local. This friendly and easy-to-use Japanese phrasebook makes this possible. Making Out in Japanese has been updated and expanded to be even more helpful as a guide to modern colloquial Japanese for use in everyday informal interactions—giving access to the sort of catchy Japanese expressions that aren't covered in traditional language materials. As well as the Romanized forms (romanji), each expression is now given in authentic Japanese script (kanji and kana with furigana pronunciation clues), so that in the case of difficulties the book can be shown to the person the user is trying to communicate with. This Japanese phrasebook includes: A guide to pronouncing Japanese words correctly. Explanations of basic Japanese grammar, such as intonation, word stress, and particles. A guide to male and female usage. Romanized forms of words and phrases (romanji). Complete Japanese translations including Japanese characters (kanji) and the Japanese alphabet (kana). Useful and interesting notes on Japanese language and culture. Lots of colorful, fun and useful expressions not covered in other phrasebooks. Titles in this unique series of bestselling phrase books include: Making Out in Chinese, Making Out in Indonesian, Making Out in Thai, Making Out in Korean, Making Out in Hindi, Making Out in Japanese, Making Out in Vietnamese, Making Out in Burmese, Making Out in Tagalog, Making Out in Hindi, Making Out in Arabic, Making Out in English, More Making Out in Korean, and More Making Out in Japanese.

Short Stories in Chinese

John Balcom
Short Stories in Chinese Book PDF

Author : John Balcom
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 272 pages
File Size : 49,6 Mb
Release : 2013-06-25
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781101666869

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Short Stories in Chinese Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

A dual-language edition of Chinese stories—many appearing in English for the first time This new volume of eight short stories offers students at all levels the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of contemporary literature from the world’s most spoken language, without having to constantly to refer back to a dictionary. The stories—many of which appear here in English for the first time—are by well-known writers as well as emerging voices. From a story by Li Rui about the honest simplicity of a Shanxi farmer to one by Ma Yuan exposing the seamy underside of contemporary urban society, they are infused with both rural dialect and urban slang and feature a wide range of styles and points of view. Complete with notes, the stories make excellent reading in either language. Note: For each short story in this eBook edition, the full English translation is followed by its original Chinese text.

Chinese Stories for Language Learners

Vivian Ling,Peng Wang
Chinese Stories for Language Learners Book PDF

Author : Vivian Ling,Peng Wang
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
Page : 256 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2021-03-23
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 9781462922277

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Chinese Stories for Language Learners Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

The highly anticipated next book in Tuttle's Stories for Language Learners series is here! This book presents 22 classic Chinese proverbs and the traditional tales behind them. The stories are bilingual, with the Chinese and English versions presented on facing pages. Each includes an explanation of how the proverb is used today, cultural notes, vocabulary and discussion questions. Online audio recordings of the tales by native speakers give students a chance to improve their pronunciation and comprehension. Some of the proverbs featured in this collection include: "Painting the Eyes on the Dragon" Based on the story of a famous court painter in 6th century China who painted dragons, this proverb refers to the finishing touches needed to bring a work of art or literature to life. In a discussion, it refers to the final statements used to clinch the argument. "Waiting for Rabbits by a Tree Stump" Based on an ancient folktale about a foolish farmer who sees a rabbit kill itself in front of him by running into a tree stump, then gives up tilling his field to wait for more rabbits by the stump. This saying is applied to people who wait passively for luck to strike again. It also refers to impractical people who stick to one way of doing things only because it has worked for them once in the past. "Pure Water Has No Fish; Perfect People Have No Friends" Many versions of this historical tale exist. The one told here is about a 2nd century AD official sent to govern a far-flung outpost on the Silk Road who is fastidious in applying strict rules and thereby causes the local people to rebel against him. In the professional world, it is used to refer to people who do not like to work with an overly strict supervisor or colleague. Whether being used in a classroom or for self-study, Chinese Stories for Language Learners provides an educational and entertaining way for intermediate Mandarin learners to expand their vocabulary and understanding of the language.