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A Touch of Japanese - A beginners' guide to the language

A cartoon of a Japanese couple in a traditional restaurant

Challenge

Try your hand at this quiz and see if you can avoid social embarrassment

Two smartly dressed Japanese people bow at each other, showing respect

Fifteen Phrases

How to greet, say thanks and ask for the toilet

The dramatic gate of Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions

Facts

What you need to know about Japanese, including one inappropriate word

Fortune tablets outside a temple in Tokyo. Visitors buy them to write their wishes.

Alphabets

Why Japanese has three different alphabets and how they are combined

Two people holding their laptops in a Japanese city street

Related Links

Where to find more information and take your Japanese further

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Audio Phrases

Two smartly dressed Japanese people bow at each other, showing respect

Japanese Essential Phrases

How to greet, say thanks and ask for the toilet

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