Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #555496 in Books
• Published on: 1992-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 104 pages

Customer Reviews

An English to Japanese Phrasebook
This book contains approximately 87 pages of some of the Japanese Language's more colourful phrases.

It is arranged into seven sections ranging from 'Ridiculing Physical Appearance', through 'Threats, Taunts & Curses' and ending with 'Repugnant Personal Traits'. Each phrase is listed in Romaji with its corresponding English translation alongside. Many of the phrases are provided with example sentences (again in Romaji with English translations) which are then periodically interspersed with short notes on context, or brief anecdotes on where the author encountered the phrase.

Sadly, this otherwise excellent book is let down completely by two fundamental flaws.

First is that there is absolutely no kana or kanji used anywhere in these pages, limiting the usefulness for intermediate and advanced learners.

Secondly, and more importantly, is that there is a complete lack of any form of index, thus making any attempt at translating a Japanese phrase back into English difficult at best.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to increase their Japanese vocabulary, or those wanting to find an insult to use on somebody else. Anyone wanting a Japanese to English reference book on colloquial expressions would best look elsewhere.

English-Japanese slang phrasebook.
This book gives slang words and phrases. Its give the translation and the literal meaning to give you a deeper understanding of the language. Full of insults and threats, this book is funny, but could offend Japanese strangers.