After learning the basics, how do you go about acquiring the specialized vocabulary (most of which consists of kanji compounds) that allows you to discuss more complex subjects? This book is an attempt to shorten the lengthy and often tedious learning process by collecting many of the more commonly used key words from crucial areas of human endeavor, including business, the humanities, philosophy, religion, politics, science, economics, and law. Now, without spending years mastering the written language, you can come up with the right word at the right moment in a conversation. For every student, a time eventually comes when basic grammar is no longer the problem. You can say a few words about the weather, or the fact that, yes, you are feeling hungry, or explain that you are going out for the day - and actually be understood. Beyond that, however, the going gets tough. You cannot make pertinent comments about philosophy, politics, art, science, law, or business - simply because you
