Willamette University

Language Learning Center

Resources for Japanese Students

These are very brief descriptions and do not take into consideration the specific attributes of each resource; please stop by the Language Learning Center where our staff will be able to assist, or email us at llc@willamette.edu.

Online Dictionaries

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Online Dictionaries

gogen-allguide.com - A dictionary that provides the etymology, or origin, of Japanese words.

wwwjdic.com: An excellent dictionary that also provides pronunciation audio and example sentences.
 
Denshi Jisho -  jisho.org: Three dictionaries in one! Traditional En-Jp/Jp-En dictionary plus a kanji dictionary that lets you look up characters by radical or stroke count AND an example sentence dictionary to help you learn words or phrases in context.
 
tangorin.com: Comprehensive example sentence dictionary. Make a free account and you can create and save vocabulary lists of words you study.
  
オンライン辞書・辞書リンク一覧 :  For intermediate/advanced students.  A collection of Online Japanese-Japanese Dictionaries
三省堂 Web Dictionary Japanese-Japanese Dictionary
The Counting Dictionary, a Dictionary of Japanese Counters Useful for studying how to count in a language without plurals.
 

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Reading

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Reading

Wordchamp.com - Have you ever gotten frustrated by vocabulary in your reading assignments? With Wordchamp’s Webreader, you can upload any text or view any webpage with mouse-over translation. This tool is also great for reading Japanese newspapers or magazines online. You can even download a Webreader toolbar directly to your computer, so you can use it without opening WordChamp. You can access WordChamp through a tab on WISE via My Japanese Space or you can go directly to wordchamp.com.

Check out the Video tutorial for Wordchamp.

Reading Tutorial Toolbox - Copy and paste Japanese text and the site will dissect and explain the text to you.

POPjisyo.com and Rikai.com - Surf Japanese web pages with a study tool that will translate the text you put the mouse over into Hiragana (if it is Kanji) and then give English explanations.
 

Rikaichan:  Browser Add-on for Firefox users.  Similar topopjisyo.com andrikai.com, this add-on gives you a quick and easy way to find out the reading or definition of Japanese text.  There is also a names dictionary available.  Download at:www.polarcloud.com/rikaichan

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Vocabulary

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Vocabulary

Wordchamp.com - WordChamp’s flashcard function can help you study for tests and learn new words. And the best part is: you don’t have to spend all that time and paper writing them down! Create flashcards or search Wordchamp’s flashcard database. You can practice them online or download them to your personal computer. Studying just got way easier.

Kantango.com - Easily make customizable vocabulary lists to help with your studying!

Kanji by Topic , Shape , Grade , and Frequency .

Kanji Learn-Online Kanji Flashcards

Kanji Worksheet

Kanji Radicals

Kanji Clinic

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Writing

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Writing

In the LLC - The computers in the lab have been equipped with a keyboard layout with different input options for Katakana and Hiragana that is helpful for word processing when you are writing a paper, class presentation, or researching on the Japanese web.

Nakama 1 and 2

Nakama 1 Learning Tools

Nakama 1 and 2 Kanji Learning Modules

Friends of Nakama (Nakama 1 and 2)

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Speaking

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Speaking

Tutoring - Get essay help, ask grammar questions and practice your language skills with native Japanese speakers! Click “Sign-up” on the left side of WISE to schedule an appointment with your language assistant.

****Online Japanese Language Study Materials

****Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese - Probably THE most comprehensive guide to learning Japanese you can find online. If you're an intermediate learner or a complete beginner and don't have the cash to buy a textbook, start here!

****NIHONGO eな - Portal for Learning Japanese - A collection of online resources for Japanese Learners. LOTS of stuff here!  Covers all levels of study and a wide range of areas. http://nihongo-e-na.com/jpn/

Mixxer - Through Skype, you can be matched up with a native speaker, who is also interested in learning English. Don’t stress, you’re both sharing and learning!
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Keyboard