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AP Japanese

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตAP Japanese AP Cram Sessions 2021

Japanese language mastery requires understanding key concepts like honorific language, verb types, and onomatopoeia. These elements form the foundation for effective communication in various social contexts, reflecting the nuances of Japanese culture and social hierarchy. Grammar points, such as conditional clauses and expressing obligation, are crucial for constructing complex sentences. Kanji study, listening comprehension strategies, and speaking practice tips help students develop well-rounded language skills necessary for success in AP Japanese exams and real-world interactions.

Key Concepts and Vocabulary

  • Honorific language (keigo) consists of respectful (sonkeigo), humble (kenjougo), and polite (teineigo) forms used to show respect and maintain social hierarchy
  • Transitive and intransitive verbs (tadoushi and jidoushi) differ in their grammatical usage and meaning
    • Transitive verbs (tadoushi) take a direct object and indicate an action performed on something or someone (korosu, to kill)
    • Intransitive verbs (jidoushi) do not take a direct object and express a change in state or condition (shinu, to die)
  • Onomatopoeia (gitaigo and giseigo) are words that imitate or suggest sounds, actions, or states
    • Gitaigo represents non-auditory senses or states (nuru-nuru, slimy)
    • Giseigo represents actual sounds (wan-wan, a dog's bark)
  • Passive form (ukemi) indicates that the subject is affected by the action of the verb, often used to express undesirable or uncontrollable situations
  • Causative form (shieki) expresses the idea of making or allowing someone to do something
  • Giving and receiving verbs (kureru, ageru, morau) are used to express the direction of an action or favor between the giver and receiver, depending on the speaker's perspective
  • Particles (joshi) are essential grammatical markers that indicate the relationship between words in a sentence (ga, wo, ni, de, he)

Grammar Points

  • Conditional clauses express hypothetical situations or events that depend on a certain condition being met
    • To form a conditional clause, use the pattern: [Verb in plain form] + to + [main clause]
    • For example, "Nihon ni ikitai to omoimasu" (If I want to go to Japan)
  • Expressing obligation or necessity using "nakereba naranai" or "nakute wa ikenai" to indicate that something must be done
  • Forming compound sentences using conjunctions such as "kara" (because), "node" (since), and "noni" (although) to connect clauses and express complex ideas
  • Using the te-form of verbs to connect actions in a sequence or to provide reasons (Kaimono ni itte, sorekara eiga wo mimashita)
  • Expressing uncertainty or probability using "kamoshirenai" (might), "deshou" (probably), or "hazu" (should)
  • Nominalizing verbs and adjectives using "koto" or "no" to transform them into noun phrases (Nihongo wo benkyou suru koto wa taisetsu desu)
  • Forming relative clauses to modify nouns by placing the modifying clause directly before the noun (Kinoo katta hon wa omoshirokatta desu)

Kanji Review

  • Focus on common kanji radicals (bushu) and their meanings to aid in character recognition and understanding (ไบบ, ๆœจ, ๆฐด, ็ซ, ๅœŸ)
  • Practice reading and writing kanji compounds (jukugo) that combine two or more characters to form new words (ๆ—ฅๆœฌ, ๅญฆ็”Ÿ, ๆ–ฐ่ž, ไผ‘ๆ†ฉ)
  • Differentiate between on'yomi (Chinese reading) and kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of kanji characters
    • On'yomi is typically used in compound words (jukugo) and is derived from the original Chinese pronunciation
    • Kun'yomi is used for standalone kanji or in combination with hiragana, representing the native Japanese pronunciation
  • Recognize and understand kanji with multiple meanings and readings based on context (็”Ÿ: nama, sei, shou; ่กŒ: i(ku), kou, gyou, okona(u))
  • Study kanji stroke order rules to ensure proper writing technique and character balance
  • Identify and learn common kanji used in AP Japanese exam passages and questions
  • Practice reading and comprehending kanji in context through short passages and authentic materials (news articles, advertisements, signs)

Listening Comprehension Strategies

  • Familiarize yourself with various accents, dialects, and speaking styles to better understand a wide range of native speakers
  • Focus on key vocabulary, transitions, and main ideas to grasp the overall meaning of the listening passage
  • Take notes using keywords and abbreviations to help you remember important details and answer questions accurately
  • Practice active listening by anticipating what the speaker might say next based on context and prior knowledge
  • Listen for tone, intonation, and stress to infer the speaker's emotions, attitudes, or intentions
  • Utilize visual cues, such as gestures or facial expressions, in audio-visual materials to aid in comprehension
  • Develop strategies for dealing with unknown words or phrases, such as using context clues or recognizing word families
  • Regularly expose yourself to authentic Japanese materials (podcasts, news broadcasts, interviews) to improve your listening skills and cultural understanding

Speaking Practice Tips

  • Focus on proper pronunciation, intonation, and stress to convey meaning and sound more natural
    • Practice minimal pairs to distinguish between similar sounds (ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ† vs. ใ‚ˆใ†, ใ˜ใ‚…ใ† vs. ใกใ‚…ใ†)
    • Pay attention to pitch accent patterns in words and phrases to avoid misunderstandings
  • Use appropriate register and style depending on the context and the person you are speaking to (formal vs. informal, polite vs. casual)
  • Incorporate fillers and interjections to buy time and sound more native-like (ใˆใˆใจ, ใ‚ใฎ, ใใ†ใงใ™ใญ)
  • Practice common phrases and expressions for various situations (self-introduction, asking for directions, ordering food)
  • Engage in role-play activities and simulated conversations to build confidence and fluency
  • Participate in language exchange programs or find a native Japanese speaker to practice with regularly
  • Attend cultural events or join Japanese language clubs to immerse yourself in the language and interact with others
  • Set specific goals and track your progress to stay motivated and identify areas for improvement

Reading Passage Techniques

  • Preview the passage by skimming the title, headings, and first few sentences to get an idea of the main topic and structure
  • Identify key vocabulary and kanji to help you understand the main ideas and details of the passage
  • Use context clues, such as surrounding words or sentences, to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases
  • Break down complex sentences into smaller parts (clauses, phrases) to better understand the structure and meaning
  • Look for transitional words and phrases (ใ—ใ‹ใ—, ใใ—ใฆ, ใใฎใ†ใˆ) to follow the logical flow of the passage and understand relationships between ideas
  • Summarize each paragraph or section in your own words to check your comprehension and retain important information
  • Practice active reading by asking questions, making predictions, and connecting the passage to your own knowledge or experiences
  • Read a variety of authentic Japanese texts (news articles, short stories, essays) to expose yourself to different styles, genres, and levels of difficulty

Writing Exercise Focus

  • Understand the prompt and task requirements, including the purpose, audience, and format of the writing assignment
  • Brainstorm and organize your ideas using mind maps, outlines, or other pre-writing strategies to ensure a clear and logical structure
  • Use appropriate grammar structures, vocabulary, and kanji based on the level of formality and the topic of the writing task
  • Incorporate transitional words and phrases to connect ideas and create coherence within and between paragraphs
  • Provide specific examples, details, and explanations to support your main points and make your writing more engaging and persuasive
  • Pay attention to common writing conventions, such as indentation, punctuation, and spacing, to ensure a polished and readable final product
  • Review and revise your writing for content, organization, and language use, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness
  • Seek feedback from peers, teachers, or native Japanese speakers to identify areas for improvement and refine your writing skills

Exam Format and Strategies

  • Familiarize yourself with the structure and timing of the AP Japanese exam, including the number and types of questions in each section
  • Understand the scoring rubrics and criteria for each section to know what skills and knowledge are being assessed
  • Manage your time effectively by allocating specific amounts of time for each question or task based on its complexity and point value
  • Read all instructions and questions carefully to ensure you understand what is being asked and to avoid making careless errors
  • Eliminate obviously incorrect answer choices in multiple-choice questions to increase your chances of selecting the correct answer
  • Provide clear and concise responses in the writing section, directly addressing the prompt and including relevant details and examples
  • Use the appropriate register, style, and tone in the speaking section based on the context and the role you are playing in the conversation
  • Stay calm and focused throughout the exam, taking short breaks between sections to recharge and refocus your attention
  • Review your answers, if time permits, to catch any mistakes or add any missing information before submitting your exam


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ยฉ 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
APยฎ and SATยฎ are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.