Which of these books do you recommend to use?

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Zivak
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Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby Zivak » 2015-10-07, 20:34

皆さん、こんにちは!

I was looking for ''the best book'' to start learning Japanese, and I found many of them. But I've seen some complains about some books. So that's why I want to know, What book do you recommend to buy first? And if you can tell me why, It would be great! :)

I have some options:

    Genki
    Assimil Japanese with Ease
    Teach Yourself Japanese
    Living Language Japanese (complete edition)
    Japanese for busy people
    Japanese from Zero 1, 2 and 3
    Minna no nihongo
    ***********************
    A dictionary of basic Japanese Grammar

(I'm looking for a cheap book, but ''good'' to start learning)

If you have other recommendations, would be really appreciated! :D
Last edited by Zivak on 2015-10-11, 22:18, edited 2 times in total.
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księżycowy

Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby księżycowy » 2015-10-10, 14:40

After reading your post last night, I did some research on Minna no Nihongo, and it seems that might be a bit hard for self-study (which is what I assume you'll be doing, if not please correct me), as it is all in Japanese. My personal recommendation is, if your focus is the largely the spoken language, go with Living Language. If you want to learn the spoken and written language, I like Genki. It is quite user friendly, and self contained. All the material you need is in the textbook, unlike Minna no Nihongo, which seems to have the kanji and English/Spanish notes and translations in two separate books from the textbook itself. Which of course means added cost.

I by no means am saying "don't go with Minna no Nihongo" though, just putting a few thoughts and alternatives out there. My research on Minna no Nihongo did prompt me to buy the first book, just to more accurately compare it to Genki, and to see what the fuss was about. :P

The best recommendation I can give cost wise is, if you choose Genki or Minna no Nihongo, compare the prices (including shipping) from any place you're considering buying it with Amazon.co.jp (they have the option to translate the website into English on the top of the product page usually, if not other places too). I personally find I can usually same a few bucks by buying it from Japan directly. I'm not sure if it would be the same for you though.

I largely have no recommendations about the other two titles, as I've never used or seen them.

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Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby Zivak » 2015-10-10, 21:05

Thanks for answering, it helps me a lot. :)
I found a good site where I can buy international books, and the shipping is cheap. I've never bought in Amazon before (and it looks like I need a credit card or a verified paypal to buy something there, but I'll check it out later). I've bought before in the other site, and it's known in Mexico so I can trust that everything is legal.
btw, I forgot to mention Genki in my last post, I heard it's a good book, so I'll look for it later. Mixup doesn't sell Minna no Nihongo but it sells Living Language, it has a good price, which is great for me. I also found Assimil series but they are expensive. :(
Thanks to your advice I think I'll buy Living Language. I already know kana (and some basic kanji), so I can learn kanji later.
I'll start with grammar and I think online dictionaries can help with kanji.

Thanks again! :D
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Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby Meera » 2015-10-11, 15:53

I really like the Genki series, it is really the best book for Japanese. However from your list I would go with Living Language Japanese. But if you can get Genki that is the best option!
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Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby md0 » 2015-10-11, 15:55

A dictionary of basic Japanese Grammar

I have this one, and while I think it's a very solid resource, the dictionary approach makes it less useful as self-teaching material.
"If you like your clause structure, you can keep your clause structure"
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księżycowy

Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby księżycowy » 2015-10-11, 18:00

You would need a card for Amazon, but it needn't be a credit card. It can be a debt/bank card or prepaid "credit" card.

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Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby Zivak » 2015-10-11, 22:04

Thanks guys! :)
I found Living Language and Genki in Amazon Mexico, the shipping is free and they both have a good price, which is great.
Sadly, Genki isn't available now :(
Amazon mx only accept credit or debit cards, and gift cards. I can get gift cards, so I think I could get the books there.
I also found them in Mixup, a good site to buy online, both books are available there, but in this site Genki is expensive and I have to pay the shipping, which means more money :?
Now I'll see where to buy them.

Thanks again for all the help.
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Intermediate [flag=]en-us[/flag]
Beginner [flag=]ja[/flag] [flag=]it[/flag]
Completely Beginner [flag=]he[/flag] [flag=]hi[/flag]

księżycowy

Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby księżycowy » 2015-10-11, 23:19

Oh yeah, I forgot all about gift cards. :P

Well, I'm glad you found a good price!
Good luck on your studies! And feel free to drop by if you have any questions.

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Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby Meera » 2015-10-11, 23:37

What about Barnes and noble? I think they ship to Mexico.
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Re: Which of these books do you recommend to use?

Postby Zivak » 2015-10-12, 4:19

księżycowy wrote:Oh yeah, I forgot all about gift cards. :P

Well, I'm glad you found a good price!
Good luck on your studies! And feel free to drop by if you have any questions.

I will.
Thank you. :)


Meera wrote:What about Barnes and noble? I think they ship to Mexico.

I didn't know that site, I'll check it out later.
Thank you :)
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Completely Beginner [flag=]he[/flag] [flag=]hi[/flag]


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