Collins Dictionaries - Collins Gem

Copyright

HarperCollins Publishers

Westerhill Road

Bishopbriggs

Glasgow G64 2QT

Third Edition 2017

© HarperCollins Publishers 2007, 2010, 2017

Source ISBN: 9780008135928

Ebook Edition © March 2017 ISBN: 9780008230098

Version: 2017-02-01

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank those authors and publishers who kindly gave permission for copyright material to be used in the Collins Corpus. We would also like to thank Times Newspapers Ltd for providing valuable data.

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Editor

Holly Tarbet

Contributors

Tessa Carroll

Harumi Currie

Miyoko Yamashita

For the Publisher

Gerry Breslin

Janice McNeillie

Using your phrasebook

Whether you’re on holiday or on business, your Collins Gem Phrasebook and Dictionaryis designed to help you locate the exact phrase you need, when you need it. You’ll also gain the confidence to go beyond what is in the book, as you can adapt the phrases by using the dictionary section to substitute your own words.

The Gem Phrasebook and Dictionaryincludes:

•Over 60 topics arranged thematically, so that you can easily find an expression to suit the situation

•Simple pronunciation which accompanies each word and phrase, to make sure you are understood when speaking aloud

•Tips to safeguard against any cultural faux pas, providing the essential dos and don’ts of local customs or etiquette

•A basic grammar section which will help you to build on your phrases

• FACE TO FACEdialogue sections to give you a flavour of what to expect from a real conversation

• YOU MAY HEARsections for common announcements and messages, so that you don’t miss important information when out and about

•A dictionary with over 1,000 words and their translations, to ensure you’ll never be stuck for something to say

•A short chapter of LIFELINEphrases for quick reference. These basic words and phrases will be essential to your time abroad

Before you jet off, it’s worth spending time looking through the topics to see what is covered and becoming familiar with pronunciation.

Contents

Copyright

Acknowledgements

Using your phrasebook

Pronouncing Japanese

Top ten tips

Talking to people

Hello/goodbye, yes/no

Key phrases

Work

Weather

Getting around

Asking the way

Bus and coach

Metro

Train

Taxi

Boat and ferry

Air travel

Customs control

Car hire

Driving

Petrol

Breakdown

Car parts

Road signs

Staying somewhere

Hotel (booking)

Hotel desk

Camping

Self-catering

Shopping

Shopping phrases

Shops

Food (general)

Food (fruit and veg)

Clothes

Clothes (articles)

Maps and guides

Post office

Technology

Leisure

Sightseeing and tourist office

Entertainment

Nightlife

Leisure/interests

Hot springs/public baths

Music

Theatre/opera

Sport

Walking

Communications

Telephone and mobile

Messaging

Internet

Practicalities

Money

Paying

Luggage

Repairs

Laundry

Complaints

Problems

Emergencies

Health

Pharmacy

Body

Doctor

Dentist

Eating out

Food in Japan

In a bar/café

Menu reader

Reading the menu

In a restaurant

Dietary requirements

Wines

Reference

Measurements and quantities

Numbers

Days and months

Time

Time phrases

Public holidays

Signs and notices

Pronouncing place names

Grammar

Dictionary

English – Japanese

A– C

D– F

G– I

J– L

M– O

P– R

S– U

V– Z

LIFELINE words and phrases

About the Publisher

Pronouncing Japanese

Although the Japanese writing system is rather complicated, pronouncing Japanese is easy once you know the few basic rules. This book has been designed so that as you read the pronunciation of the phrases, you can follow the Japanese. This will help you to recognize the different sounds and give you a feeling for the rhythm of the language. Below are a few rules for you to note.

In Japanese the basic unit of speech is the syllable. Each syllable is pronounced approximately the same length and rather flatly. Japanese has a pitched accent (high and low) but syllables do not have tones as they do in Chinese. It is more important not to stress any one part of a word. For example, in English the word Paris is pronounced paris and in French pa ree. Japanese gives equal strength to both syllables: pa ri.

Japanese has relatively few sounds. Each vowel has only one sound.