Does anyone know where I can download a program where you type romaji and it converts to hiragana as you type, and then you can choose from a list of kanji. I know that there is a Mac program that does this, but I haven’t been able to find one for the PC.
If you’re using Windows you want an Input Method Editor (IME). Specifically, I think you want the Microsoft Japanese Language IME.
Actually, you probably already realize that even on a native Japanese OS, they are typing Romaji to get kanji and kana. As Omi no Kami points out, for Windows all you need to do is activate support for East Asian languages, and then add Japanese as a supported language. You can then choose the type of keyboard you have (for instance, Japanese or U.S.) and the input languages you want to use. A Japanese keyboard has dedicated toggle keys on it for switching input modes, but it’s almost as easy on a western keyboard as well.
Ah yes, that did it. ありがとうございもうす。
Because the question has been answered and this is the SDMB, I feel obligated to pick a nit: it’s ありがとうございます
And since this is the SDMB, I can continue the nitpicking. It’s ありがとうございました。
Well, it looks like you’ve figured out the IME but another helpful (free) program is the JWPCE. It’s got a lot of features that make learning Japanese easier such as dictionaries, multi-radical kanji look-up, etc. Plus, the Japanese Windows IME has this weird habit of disappearing which can be kinda annoying but you can always find the JWPCE.
As a word processor, it’s near useless but it’s true that the kanji lookup is very useful for learners. The dictionary is also not very good, especially for learners, as it lists a great many very obscure words. Nowadays, online tools such as http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/ are much better, imho. Also, your link was broken, this one works:
JWPce - Wikipedia
Sorry, I blame it on sleeping. And Tokyo, I thought that was just when you wanted to be extra polite? Or is it something like “thank you for what you did” when you put it in the past tense?
This doesn’t work for Windows 7. It did for earlier versions. Does anyone have other suggestions?
Haha, I guess since I started this thread when I needed it 5 years ago I’ll return the favor by trying to help now. I have Win7 and run MS IME no problem. What issues are you having with it specifically?
Otherwise I’ve seen Google IME (sorry, couldn’t find the page in English quickly) recommended, but haven’t tried it myself.