Is Japanese hard to learn or speak? (I need to now pronto)?

Question

I'm about to sign up for an extra college class and it's down to German or Japanese. I took some German classes in high school but I'm thinking Japanese would be cool. Is it very difficult for an english/spanish speaking person to learn? Or should I just stick to German?

I need to know now because I'm about to sign up for the class. I appreciate the help.

Answer 1

If you're truly that interested in Japanese, go for it, but it'll be very hard and frustrating when it comes to all the kanjis and differences in grammar.

German I think would be much easier considering all the similarities between it and English since they both hold the same roots.

Japanese has absolutely no similarities except for some borrowed words from English, but even then those words are pronounced rather differently.

Both languages are very good if you're thinking of getting involved in business since both countries have a pretty decent economy. (Japan being second and Germany being third when it comes to GDP) But a larger portion of German people know English compared to the Japanese (Despite English being a required course through middle school. I guess this would be another proof that the two languages are extremely different)

Answer 2

Japanese is definitely more difficult than German, but not so difficult that you won't be able to learn it. Especially in a classroom setting with proper instruction, you'll be fine if you work hard at it.

I think the main hang-up people have with Japanese is the written language. That and the fact that grammatically speaking, it's very different from English. It'll force you to think in a way different than you do when you speak English.

It's hard, but by no means is it impossible :D

Answer 3

German would be easier to learn. Japanese is a very hard language to learn, and I'm half Japanese! I have tried to learn Japanese so many times so that I can communicate with my family in Japan, but it's very difficult. You can't just take one Japanese class, you have to do it until you have mastered the language, otherwise it's worthless.

And to El Rey, you may think you're hilarious but for those of us with an education level higher than 3rd grade knows that that joke is intended to make fun of the CHINESE language (which sounds a lot like that). Japanese language sounds nothing like that which is why it isn't funny you're just stupid.

Answer 4

El Rey , you are wrong , this is not a japanese words , i don't know maybe you made them , but i started learn japanese and i'm really bumping when I saw what you type , because you made a wrong answer ,

it's not difficult like german&arabic&chinese language , but you must try your best to learn it , good luck

Answer 5

german is better for get credits.
or you really want to learn japanese?
japanese have 3 different type of characters and one of character have more than 60,000. you need to study atleast 1,850 characters.(which means hight school degree)
i dont know about level of japanese class. but very difficult.
if you just want to learn japanese because of anime or japanese frined or something... its ok. you can learn anytime
but college class is different story...
you need credit right?
im japanese and im very happy if lots of people can speak japanese. but kinda difficult to master

Answer 6

no it's not. I'm learning japanese and it's easy as pie

Answer 7

here try saying these word to see if it is hard or not to pronounce

1) Thats not right....................................... Sum Ting Wong

2) Are you harboring a fugitive................... Hu Yu Hai Ding

3) See me ASAP.......................................... Kum Hia Nao

4) Stupid Man............................................. Dum ***

5) Small horse............................................ Tai Ni Po Ni

6) Did you go to the beach?....................... Wai Yu So Tan

7) I bumped in to a coffee table................. Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni

8) I think you need a face lift...................... Chin Tu Fat

9) It's very dark in here.............................. Wao So Dim

10) I thought you were on a diet............... Wai Yu Mun Ching

11) This is a tow away zone....................... No Pah King

12) staying out of sight.............................. Lei Ying Lo

13) He's cleaning his automobile................ Wa Shing Ka

14) Your body odor is offensive.................. Yu Stin Ki Pu

15)Great..................................................... Fa Kin Su Pah