Formal to Superior
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
先生のようにはなかなか難しいですね。でも、とても楽しいです。また教えてください。 — It's quite difficult to do it like you do, but I'm really enjoying it. Please teach me again. (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Formal to Superior, JLPT N3)
You
先生のようにはなかなか難しいですね。でも、とても楽しいです。また教えてください。
せんせいのようにはなかなかむずかしいですね。でも、とてもたのしいです。またおしえてください。
It's quite difficult to do it like you do, but I'm really enjoying it. Please teach me again.
Romaji: Sensei no you ni wa nakanaka muzukashii desu ne. Demo, totemo tanoshii desu. Mata oshiete kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Saisho wa minna sou desu yo. Tsuzukeru koto ga taisetsu desu.
Reply
最初はみんなそうですよ。続けることが大切です。
さいしょはみんなそうですよ。つづけることがたいせつです。
Everyone is like that at first. The key is to keep practicing.
Gesture & etiquette
Hold the brush upright and use your whole arm, not just your wrist. When the instructor demonstrates, watch the rhythm of their strokes closely, not just the final shape. Bow before starting: 「よろしくお願いします。」
書道 (shodo, calligraphy) is considered a meditative practice — beginners should sit quietly and approach each stroke with full attention. Asking questions between exercises rather than during practice respects the concentration atmosphere. Bow and say 「ありがとうございました」clearly when the lesson ends.