Introduction 1
 
Part 1: Getting Started with Japanese 7
 
Chapter 1: Japanese in a Nutshell 9
 
Chapter 2: Checking Out the Japanese Sounds and Scripts 17
 
Chapter 3: Warming Up with Japanese Grammar Basics 33
 
Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight 63
 
Chapter 5: Speaking Japanese at Home 87
 
Part 2: Japanese in Action 107
 
Chapter 6: Icebreakers and Conversation Starters 109
 
Chapter 7: Getting to Know You 125
 
Chapter 8: Asking for Directions 145
 
Chapter 9: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land 161
 
Chapter 10: Shopping Made Easy 175
 
Chapter 11: Going Out on the Town 201
 
Chapter 12: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunications 229
 
Part 3: Japanese on the Go 251
 
Chapter 13: Planning a Trip 253
 
Chapter 14: Making Your Way Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More 267
 
Chapter 15: Finding a Place to Stay 287
 
Chapter 16: Handling Emergencies 303
 
Part 4: The Part of Tens 321
 
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Pick Up Japanese Quickly 323
 
Chapter 18: Ten Things Never to Say in Japanese 329
 
Chapter 19: Ten Favorite Japanese Expressions 335
 
Chapter 20: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Japanese 339
 
Part 5: Appendixes 345
 
Appendix A: Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary 347
 
Appendix B: Verb Tables 371
 
Appendix C: Answer Key 381
 
Index 385