Japanese verbs
October 21, 2018
Showing posts with label - Japanese grammar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label - Japanese grammar. Show all posts
Oct 21, 2018
Oct 12, 2018
Japanese particles
October 12, 2018
Asking questions in Japanese - ka : interrogative word
Hello. I'm Kosuke!
Today, let's learn how to ask questions in Japanese!
The most important word in this article is "か(ka)"!
Let's learn how to use it!
Index:
1. Summary
2. Particle "ka"
3. How to use "ka"
3-1. "desu" and "masu"
3-2. "desu-ka" and "masu-ka"
4. How to answer
5. Conclusion
1. Summary
2. Particle "ka"
3. How to use "ka"
3-1. "desu" and "masu"
3-2. "desu-ka" and "masu-ka"
4. How to answer
5. Conclusion
Oct 6, 2018
Japanese particles
October 06, 2018
Nagara - How to say "while" in Japanese
Today, let's learn about the word, nagara (ながら).
Nagara means "while" or "during".
Let's check how to use it with this article!
Aug 18, 2018
- Japanese grammar
August 18, 2018
Sama (さま) - polite way to call someone's name in Japanese
Hello. I'm Kosuke!
In the previous article, I explained about Japanese particle "を(wo)"!
を(wo) >>
In this article, let's learn how to use "さま (sama)"!
Please remember only one thing from this article:
"さま (sama)" is a very polite way to call someone's name.
In the past article, I have already explained about "さん (san)".
～さん (-san) >>
"さま (sama)" is very similar to "さん (san)".
However, "さま (sama)" is much more polite than "さん (san)".
How to use "～さま (-sama)" is like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' in English.
Examples:
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Kanji |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Sasuke | さすけさま | Sasuke-sama | さすけ様 |
| Ms. Smith | すみすさま | Sumisu-sama | すみす様 |
Like the examples above, "-sama" can be used for both male and female.
"さま (sama)" is put right after someone's name.
It can be used for both first name and last name.
If you don't remember about Romaji, please check this:
If you still don't remember basic Hiragana characters, please check this:
If you don't know what Kanji is, please check this:
Actually, "さん (san)" is a more common way to call someone in Japanese.
But if the person is very high ranked, we use "さま (sama)".
Also, you can use "さま (sama)" for your client.
When we first meet our client, we often use "さま (sama)".
When we can be frank with them, we start to use "さん (san)".
"さま (sama)" is very polite.
Sometimes, it is even too polite.
So sometimes even clients feel uncomfortable to be called with "さま (sama)".
Of course, you don't need to use "さま (sama)" for your friends.
However, when your girlfriend gets angry with you, you can use "～さま(-sama)" for your girlfriend. hehe
Also, "さま (sama)" is not only used for someone's name.
Please see the examples below:
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Kanji |
|---|---|---|---|
| God | かみさま | kami-sama | 神様 |
| King | おうさま | ou-sama | 王様 |
"かみ (kami) " means "God", and "おう (ou)" means "King" in Japanese.
Usually, we put "さま (sama)" right after these words to show our respect.
Also, "さま (sama)" is included in some greetings in Japanese.
"おつかれさまです" has many meanings.
But generally, we use "おつかれさまです" when we say good bye in the office.
It includes "さま" and "です".
As I explained in the past article, "つかれ (tsu ka re)" means "tiredness".
They put "さま (sama)" right after "tiredness" to show respect to their tiredness.
Also, Japanese people says "ごちそうさま (go chi so u sa ma)" after eating their food.
Actually, there is no "ごちそうさま" in English.
Japanese people always say this greeting after eating.
"ごちそう" means "meal".
They put "さま" right after "meal" to show their respect to the food and animals eaten by them.
Anyway!
Please remember only one thing from this article:
"さま (sama)" is a very polite way to call someone's name.
I hope this article helps you study Japanese!
Thank you for reading!
Related articles:
～さん (-san) >>
Greetings when you say good bye >>
Greetings when you meet someone >>
Hiragana chart >>
Romaji >>
～さん (-san) >>
Greetings when you say good bye >>
Greetings when you meet someone >>
Hiragana chart >>
Romaji >>
Aug 17, 2018
Japanese particles
August 17, 2018
Japanese particle "を(wo)" - Make nouns Object
Hello. I'm Kosuke!
In the previous article, we studied about "の(no)"!
～の(no) >>
As I explained in that article, "の(no)" is a post-positional particle.
(It can be replaced by ['s] or [of] in English!)
In this article, I would like to talk about another post-positional particle, "を(wo)"!
Aug 16, 2018
Japanese particles
August 16, 2018
Japanese particle "の(no)" - Make words possessive
Hello. I am Kosuke!
In the previous article, I talked about です and ます!
です and ます >>
In this article, I would like to talk about "の(no)"!
"の" is one of the "post-positional particles".
Japanese "post-positional particles" are "preposition" or "conjunction" of English.
However, you don't need to remember the name, "post-positional particle" here!
We have already studied some post-positional particles, like は.
～は(wa) >>
は and が >>
Like the articles above, は and が make a noun the subject of the sentence.
But の isn't a marker for the subject of a sentence.
Actually, we have already seen の in the past article about I, my, me and mine.
First person representation >>
In the article, we learned "わたし の(wa ta shi no)".
"わたし" means "I", and "わたしの" means "my".
Basically, の adds a meaning of "possession", even though there are other ways to use の.
Maybe, when you hear の, it means "possession" 80% of the time!
This "の" means ['s] or [of].
So, what about the remaining 25%?
In that cause, you should get angry with the Japanese speaker, and please say:
"Hey! Why are you using such difficult Japanese!? I always use very easy English for you! Also, I always bear with your inept English! Why do you use that difficult Japanese with me!? You are an awful person! I don't like you!!!!!!!".
.....OK!
Let's check the examples!
| 1. | に | ん | じゃ | の | む | ら | ||||
| ni | n | ja | no | mu | ra |
Meaning : "village of ninja"
| にんじゃ | ： | ninja | |||||||
| むら | ： | village |
If you still don't remember Hiragana chart, please check this:
If you don't know the Hiragana character "じゃ", please check this:
| 2. | む | ら | の | ど | う | じょ | う | ||||
| mu | ra | no | do | u | jo | u |
Meaning : "training hall of the village"
| どうじょう | ： | training hall |
If you don't remember the Hiragana character "ど", please check this:
| 3. | に | ん | じゃ | の | く | ん | れ | ん | ||||
| ni | n | ja | no | ku | n | re | n |
Meaning : "ninja's training"
| くんれん | ： | training |
| 4. | せ | ん | せ | い | の | し | ど | う | ||||
| se | n | se | i | no | shi | do | u |
Meaning : "teacher's coaching"
| せんせい | ： | teacher | |||||||
| しどう | ： | coaching, guidance |
| 5. | さ | す | け | の | ど | りょ | く | ||||
| sa | su | ke | no | do | ryo | ku |
Meaning : "Sasuke's effort"
| さすけ | ： | Sasuke (name of person) |
|||||||
| どりょく | ： | effort |
| 6. | あ | い | の | む | ち | ||||
| a | i | no | mu | chi |
Meaning : "whip of love"
| あい | ： | love | |||||||
| むち | ： | whip |
| 7. | た | い | りょ | く | の | げ | ん | か | い | ||||
| ta | i | ryo | ku | no | ge | n | ka | i |
Meaning : "limit of physical strength"
| たいりょく | ： | physical strength | |||||||
| げんかい | ： | limit |
| 8. | や | る | き | の | そ | う | し | つ | ||||
| ya | ru | ki | no | so | u | shi | tsu |
Meaning : "loss of motivation"
| やるき | ： | motivation | |||||||
| そうしつ | ： | loss, failure |
| 9. | さ | す | け | の | り | しょ | く | ||||
| sa | su | ke | no | ri | syo | ku |
Meaning : "Sasuke's resignation"
| りしょく | ： | resignation, turnover |
Like the examples above, の can be changed to ['s] or [of].
I think this conversion helps you understand the meaning of Japanese sentences.
This is the most common usage of "の"!
Just in case, let's see the examples of other ways to use の...
But you don't need to remember the sentences below!
さむらい と にんじゃ の どちら が すきですか？
Which do you like, samurai or ninja?
-> When we give an option, we use の like this...
げんき の ない にんじゃ
dispirited ninja
-> This sentence has the same meaning as "げんき が ない にんじゃ".
Sometimes, の and が have the same meanings...
But!!!!!!!
For now, please don't care about exceptions!
"の" has too many meanings!
Please just remember:
"の" means ['s] or [of].
I hope this article helps you study basic Japanese!
Related articles:
Aug 14, 2018
- Japanese grammar
August 14, 2018
です(desu) and ます(masu)
Hello. I'm Kosuke!
Have you already remembered many Japanese words?
Also, have you improved your skills in the art of the Ninja?
In the previous article, I talked about Japanese seasons!
Seasons of Japan >>
In this article, I would like to talk about "です (de su)" and "ます (ma su)"!
Have you ever heard these words?
When you listen to a Japanese conversation, you will listen to these words often.
Grammatically, these two words are called "auxiliary verb".
However, you don't need to care about the name here!
This blog is for Japanese beginners.
So I would like to explain a very basic part of grammar.
I will omit the complex topics as much as possible.
The purpose of this article is to allow you to form basic sentences in Japanese!
At first, the most important thing is...
'です(desu)' and 'ます(masu)' are put at the end of sentences when you speak politely.
Also, please see the table below to check the difference between "です(desu)" and "ます(masu)".
| Predicate of the sentence | Which should we use? |
|---|---|
| Noun | です |
| Adjective or Adjective verb | です |
| Verb | ます |
If you can't understand the table above right now, it is OK.
We will discuss the details in this article!
Also, maybe, the past article about 'は and が' will help you understand the table above:
If you don't remember all Hiragana characters, please check this:
First, please let me talk about 'です' here.
If you put 'です(desu)' at the end of the sentence, it makes the sentence polite.
Basic forms are like below:
・ [Subject] は [Noun] です。
・ [Subject] は [Adjective] です。
・ [Subject] は [Adjective verb] です。
は : wa
です : de su
-> 'A wa B desu' means 'A is B'.
Actually, there is no "adjective verb" in English.
So you can think the "adjective verb" is one kind of adjective.
Sometimes, "adjective verb" is called "na-adjective".
"Adjective verb" includes the word "verb" in its name, but it is not a verb.
You are reading this blog.
So I think you already know English well (probably, better than me hehe).
Basically, English adjective is corresponding to Japanese "adjective" or "adjective verb".
So you can think Japanese "adjective verb" is one kind of adjective!
When I explained about "～は(wa)" before, I used the two examples using 'です(desu)' below:
Examples:
| 1. | わ | た | し | は | が | く | せ | い | で | す | 。 | ||||
| wa | ta | shi | wa | ga | ku | se | i | de | su |
Meaning : "I am a student."
| わたし (wa ta shi) | ： | I | |||||||
| がくせい (ga ku se i) | ： | student |
| 2. | あ | な | た | は | し | ん | せ | つ | で | す | 。 | ||||
| a | na | ta | wa | shi | n | se | tsu | de | su |
Meaning : "You are kind."
| あなた (a na ta) | ： | you | |||||||
| しんせつ (shi n se tsu) | ： | kind |
If you don't know the resason why 'は' makes the sound 'wa' instead of 'ha', please check this:
The two examples above are polite sentences because 'です(desu)' is at the end of the sentences.
If you don't need to speak politely, you can use 'だ (da)' instead of 'です (de su)'.
1. わたし は がくせい だ。
(I am a student.)
2. あなた は しんせつ だ。
(You are kind.)
However, I think you don't need to use 'だ' for now.
It is OK for you to use only 'です(desu)' at first.
Using 'だ' is kind of difficult because it is not so polite.
For example, 'だ' is used when you want to say your opinion strongly.
Also, 'だ' is used when you write a research report to inform readers of facts directly.
In addition to that, there are some cases 'です' can't be replaced by 'だ'.
(when adjective is used)
So please don't care about 'だ' so much now, and let's use 'です(desu)' instead.
When you read or listen to 'だ', please just remember it is the same as 'です(desu)'.
So for now, let's focus on 'です(desu)'.
As I wrote above, basically, 'です(desu)' is used at the end of the sentence.
Basic forms are like below:
・ [Subject] は [Noun] です。
・ [Subject] は [Adjective] です。
・ [Subject] は [Adjective verb] です。
-> 'A wa B desu' means 'A is B'.
Please remember the three basic forms above!
Regarding 'ます(masu)', please just remember the form below:
[Subject] が [Verb] ます。
Like the form above, 'ます(masu)' is used after a verb.
Basically, [verb + ます] is the last part of the sentence in Japanese.
You can put some special words after [verb + ます], like 'ね(ne)', 'よね(yone)' or 'か(ka)'.
However, please don't care about these here.
Please check the examples to understand it!
Example:
Example:
| さ | す | け | が | あ | る | き | ま | す | 。 | |||||
| sa | su | ke | ga | a | ru | ki | ma | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke walks."
| さすけ | ： | Sasuke (name of person) |
|||||||
| あるき （あるく） |
： | walk |
Like the example above, if the predicate is a verb, you should put 'ます(masu)' at the end of the sentence!
However, you need to be careful about one thing when you use 'ます(masu)'.
It is related to あるき and あるく written above.
When you put 'ます(masu)' after the verb, it changes the form.
It's called "Verb conjugation".
There are many types of verb conjugation in Japanese.
Actually, I don't think you need to learn all of them for now.
Even Japanese children learn it in junior high school.
They use it before learning it or understanding the grammar.
You will get used to the patterns by listening to many Japanese conversations.
There are too many verbs and verb conjugations to remember one by one!
I wrote how I got used to studying a language in this:
Listening or Reading >>
Summary
In this article, it is enough if you remember the table below!
| Predicate of the sentence | Which should we use? |
|---|---|
| Noun | です |
| Adjective or Adjective verb | です |
| Verb | ます |
Also, please get used to the forms below!
・ [Subject] は [Noun] です。
・ [Subject] は [Adjective] です。
・ [Subject] は [Adjective verb] です。
・ [Subject] が [Verb] ます。Examples of the forms above are below!
・ わたし は がくせい です。
->(I am a student.)
->(I am a student.)
・ わたし は うつくしい です。
->(I am beautiful.)
->(Sasuke walks.)
Do you understand how to use です(desu) and ます(masu)?
In the next article, let's study about Japanese particle "の (no)":
I hope this article helps you study Japanese!
Thank you for reading!
Related article
Related article
Aug 10, 2018
- Japanese grammar
August 10, 2018
～さん (-san)
In the previous article, I wrote about the difference between 'は' and 'が'.
'は' and 'が' >>
In this article, let's study about '-san'!
I think how to use '-san' is important if you work with Japanese clients!
'～さん (-san)' is like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' in English.
Example:
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Sasuke | さすけさん | Sasuke-san |
| Ms. Yoshida | よしださん | Yoshida-san |
If you don't remember about Romaji, please check this:
Romaji >>
If you still don't remember basic Hiragana characters, please check this:
If you still don't remember basic Hiragana characters, please check this:
Hiragana >>
You answered the phone.
"Hello."
In the next article, let's talk about seasons of Japan!
Like the examples above, '-san' can be used for both male and female.
If you want to call someone politely, '-san' is very useful.
When you meet someone, I think '-san' is best to use at first.
You can even use '-san' for your clients.
However, in Japan, there is one common manner regarding '-san'.
That rule is...
In front of your clients, you can't use '-san' for people working in the same company as you.
When you are talking with clients, you should not use '-san' for your coworkers, your boss, or your executive.
Example:
When you are working in the office, a client calls your company.
You answered the phone.
"Hello."
The client said, "May I speak with Yoshida-san?".
Ms. Yoshida is your company's president.
However, she took a day off, and she was not in the office then.
So, you answered to the client, "Yoshida-san is not in the office now"....
-> Stop!!!!
You can't use '-san' for a person who is a member of your company even if she is a president!
You should answer to the client, "Yoshida is not in the office now".
When I first started to work in a Japanese company, I felt guilty to do this because I used my president's name without '-san'.
My company's president is a much higher ranking person than me.
I wanted to use '-san', like 'Ms.'.
However, this is Japanese manners, and if you don't do this, it is a little rude for your clients.
The reason why I need to do this is to show clients that I am thinking that the clients are higher ranked than members of my company.
Is this troublesome for you?
I think so too! hehe
However, old people say, "Do in Rome as the Romans do."
At first, maybe it is uncomfortable for you.
However, you will get used to doing it soon, like I did before.
Also, I think this is the only one point to be careful regarding '-san'.
Besides this, you can always use '-san' instead of 'Mr.' or 'Ms.', and it is so useful!
In the next article, let's talk about seasons of Japan!
I hope this article helps you study Japanese.
Aug 6, 2018
Japanese particles
August 06, 2018
は and が 2
Hello! I am Kosuke!
In the previous article, I wrote about the difference between 'は' and 'が'!
'は' and 'が' 1 >>
Today, I will explain in further detail about it!
In the previous article, I said:
- If the predicate is a verb, we use 'が'.
- If the predicate is not a verb, we use 'は'.
Do you remember?
But actually, it is not impossible to use 'が' for the sentence whose predicate is not a verb. And vice versa!
Let's check the basic sentences we studied yesterday.
Examples of normal sentences:
| 1. | さ | す | け | は | に | ん | じゃ | で | す | 。 | ||||
| Sa | su | ke | wa | ni | n | ja | de | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke is a Ninja."
| 2. | さ | す | け | は | ぶ | き | よ | う | で | す | 。 | ||||
| sa | su | ke | wa | bu | ki | yo | u | de | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke is clumsy."
| 3. | さ | す | け | が | お | ち | た | 。 | |||
| sa | su | ke | ga | o | chi | ta |
Meaning : "Sasuke fell."
Three sentences above are the ones we checked in the previous article.
Let's see what will happen if we exchange 'は' and 'が' in the sentences!
Examples of exchanging 'は' and 'が':
Three sentences above are the ones we checked in the previous article.
Let's see what will happen if we exchange 'は' and 'が' in the sentences!
Examples of exchanging 'は' and 'が':
| 1. | さ | す | け | が | に | ん | じゃ | で | す | 。 | ||||
| Sa | su | ke | ga | ni | n | ja | de | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke is a Ninja. (and other people are not Ninjas.)"
If you don't know the word 'です(desu)', please check the article below:
です(desu) and ます(masu) >>
Because 'は' was changed to 'が' in this sentence, it means that only Sasuke is a Ninja.
Regarding all three examples above, when 'は' and 'が' are exchanged, it includes the meaning that 'the others are not'.
Probably this sentence is used when someone asks:
"Who is a Ninja?"
If you know Sasuke is a Ninja, you can reply:
"さすけ が にんじゃ です!"
However, even if you know who is a Ninja, I don't recommend you to reveal it.
Probably he is on a secret mission.
You shouldn't reveal it to someone even if you do meet a Ninja in Japan.
If you don't know the word 'です(desu)', please check the article below:
です(desu) and ます(masu) >>
Because 'は' was changed to 'が' in this sentence, it means that only Sasuke is a Ninja.
Regarding all three examples above, when 'は' and 'が' are exchanged, it includes the meaning that 'the others are not'.
Probably this sentence is used when someone asks:
"Who is a Ninja?"
If you know Sasuke is a Ninja, you can reply:
"さすけ が にんじゃ です!"
However, even if you know who is a Ninja, I don't recommend you to reveal it.
Probably he is on a secret mission.
You shouldn't reveal it to someone even if you do meet a Ninja in Japan.
| 2. | さ | す | け | が | ぶ | き | よ | う | で | す | 。 | ||||
| sa | su | ke | ga | bu | ki | yo | u | de | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke is clumsy. (and the other people are not clumsy.)"
Because 'は' was changed to 'が' in this sentence, it means that only Sasuke is clumsy.
Probably this sentence is replying to the question, 'Who is clumsy?'
Or, if your friend says, "You are clumsy" to you, you can say "あなた が ぶきよう です".
It means: "You are clumsy, and I am not."
Because 'は' was changed to 'が' in this sentence, it means that only Sasuke is clumsy.
Probably this sentence is replying to the question, 'Who is clumsy?'
Or, if your friend says, "You are clumsy" to you, you can say "あなた が ぶきよう です".
It means: "You are clumsy, and I am not."
| 3. | さ | す | け | は | お | ち | た | 。 | |||
| sa | su | ke | wa | o | chi | ta |
Meaning : "Sasuke fell. (and the other people didn't fall.)"
This sentence is opposite from the two examples above because the predicate is a verb.
Because 'が' was changed to 'は' in this sentence, it sounds like "Sasuke fell, but others did not".
Especially, if you pronounce 'は' strongly, it emphasize "only" Sasuke fell.
Like the examples above, if you exchange 'は' and 'が', those sentences include the meaning of exclusion.
'わたし は にんじゃ です' just means 'I am a Ninja'.
However, 'わたし が にんじゃ です' means 'I am a Ninja, but others are not a Ninja'.
This sentence is opposite from the two examples above because the predicate is a verb.
Because 'が' was changed to 'は' in this sentence, it sounds like "Sasuke fell, but others did not".
Especially, if you pronounce 'は' strongly, it emphasize "only" Sasuke fell.
Like the examples above, if you exchange 'は' and 'が', those sentences include the meaning of exclusion.
'わたし は にんじゃ です' just means 'I am a Ninja'.
However, 'わたし が にんじゃ です' means 'I am a Ninja, but others are not a Ninja'.
'さすけ が おちた' just means 'Sasuke fell'.
However, 'さすけ は おちた' means 'Sasuke fell, and other people didn't fall'.
Did you understand?
Like we studied in the previous article, the basic rule is:
- If the predicate is a verb, we use 'が'.
- If the predicate is not a verb, we use 'は'.
However, if we exchange 'は' and 'が', it includes the meaning of exclusion!
Actually, maybe native Japanese people don't know this grammar.
They use these sentences without thinking.
If you think about grammar too much, it will disturb natural speech.
I wrote how to get used to a foreign language from my experience:Listening or Reading >>
Also, even Japanese language experts are still discussing the topic about 'は' and 'が'.
So I wrote the basic part of this topic in this blog.
I hope this article helps you study Japanese!
Thank you!
Aug 5, 2018
Japanese particles
August 05, 2018
は and が 1
Hello! I am Kosuke!
How is your Japanese study going?
Also, is your practice to become a Ninja going well?
In the previous article, we studied about the first person representation!
First person representation >>
In this article, let's study about the difference between 'は(wa)' and 'が(ga)'!
I have already talked about 'は(wa)' in this blog.
It is called "postpositional particle", and used right after the Subject of the sentence.
If you still don't remember 'は(wa)', please check this:
～は (wa) >>
'が' is almost same as 'は'.
If you see 'が' in a sentence, it means there is the Subject in front of 'が'.
So, what is the difference?
Actually, even Japanese language experts are still discussing this topic.
The detailed difference is very difficult to understand.
Therefore, I would like to talk about the basic difference of them in this article.
If you want to know which word you should use in a normal sentence, please check the predicate of the sentence!
Please remember the rule below:
| Predicate of the sentence | Which should we use? |
|---|---|
| Noun | は |
| Adjective or Adjective verb | は |
| Verb | が |
Is that too complex?
I think it's OK for you to remember:
- If the predicate is a verb, we use 'が'.
- If the predicate is not a verb, we use 'は'.
Let's check the example sentences!
Examples:
| 1. | さ | す | け | は | に | ん | じゃ | で | す | 。 | ||||
| Sa | su | ke | wa | ni | n | ja | de | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke is a Ninja."
| さすけ | ： | Sasuke (person's name) | |||||||
| にんじゃ | ： | Ninja |
In this sentence, "Sasuke" is the subject, and "Ninja" is the predicate.
Because "Ninja" is a noun, we use 'は' right after the subject, instead of 'が'.
です(desu) and ます(masu) >>
| 2. | さ | す | け | は | ぶ | き | よ | う | で | す | 。 | ||||
| sa | su | ke | wa | bu | ki | yo | u | de | su |
Meaning : "Sasuke is clumsy."
| ぶきよう | ： | clumsy |
"Clumsy" is "ぶきよう" in Japanese, and it is an adjective verb (na-adjective).
In this sentence, "Sasuke" is the subject, and "clumsy" is the predicate.
Because "clumsy" is not a verb, we use 'は' right after the subject, instead of 'が'.
| 3. | さ | す | け | が | お | ち | た | 。 | |||
| sa | su | ke | ga | o | chi | ta |
Meaning : "Sasuke fell."
| おちた | ： | fell, dropped |
'おちた' is the past tense of the verb 'おちる'.
In this sentence, "Sasuke" is the subject, and "fell" is the predicate.
Because "fell" is a verb, we use 'が' right after the subject, instead of 'は'.
If you know this information, you can communicate in a normal conversation!
So please remember the information in this article as a basic knowledge!
- If the predicate is a verb, we use 'が'.
- If the predicate is not a verb, we use 'は'.
- If the predicate is not a verb, we use 'は'.
However, actually, it is not impossible to use 'が' for the sentence whose predicate is not a verb. And vice versa.
But it changes the meaning of the sentence a little.
I will explain about it in the next article:
'は' and 'が' 2 >>
I hope this blog helps you study English!
Thank you for reading!
Jul 31, 2018
- Japanese grammar
July 31, 2018
Time of the day
In the previous article, I explained how to say the days of the week.
Days of the week >>
In this article, let's study how to explain the time of the day!
At first, let's check the keywords below!
| English | Hiragana | Romaji | Kanji |
|---|---|---|---|
| hour | じ | ji | 時 |
| minute | ふん | fu n | 分 |
| second | びょう | byo | 秒 |
| A.M. | ごぜん | go ze n | 午前 |
| P.M. | ごご | go go | 午後 |
| half-hour | はん | ha n | 半 |
| around | ごろ | go ro | 頃 |
Let's look at examples using the keywords above!
| English | Hiragana | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| 3 o'clock | さん じ | san ji |
| 03:24 | さん じ にじゅうよん ふん | san ji ni jyu yon fun |
| 10 A.M. | ごぜん じゅう じ | gozen jyu ji |
| around 3 P.M. | ごご さん じ ごろ | gogo san ji goro |
| 02:14:37 | に じ じゅうよん ふん さんじゅうなな びょう | ni ji jyu yon fun san jyu nana byo |
| 5:30 | ご じ はん | go ji han |
| 5:30 | ご じ さんじっぷん | san jippun |
| around 5:30 A.M. | ごぜん ご じ はん ごろ | gozen go ji han goro |
If you still don't remember the numbers in Japanese, please check the article below:
If you still don't remember all Hiragana characters, please check the article below:
If you don't remember the characters, じ or ご, please check the article below:
If you don't remember the Hiragana character, びょ or じゅ, please check the article below:
If you don't know what Romaji is, please check the article below:
Regarding the table above, you can say either 'ごじはん' or 'ごじさんじっぷん' for '5:30'.
But if you have already remembered how to count numbers in Japanese, you might feel uncoｍfortable.
Isn't it 'ごじさんじゅうふん'?
There are two reasons for this:
1. Sometimes, 'ふん' becomes 'ぷん'.
2. Officially, 'じっぷん' is correct, instead of 'じゅっぷん'.
1. Sometimes, 'ふん' becomes 'ぷん'.
This depends on the number in front of 'ふん'.
Please check how to say 'ふん' below:
1分 -> ippunn (instead of 'ichi fun')
2分 -> ni fun
3分 -> san pun (instead of 'san fun')
4分 -> yon pun (instead of 'yon fun')
5分 -> go fun
6分 -> roppun (instead of 'roku fun')
7分 -> nana fun
8分 -> happun (instead of 'hachi fun')
9分 -> kyu fun
10分 -> jippun (instead of 'jyu fun')
Like above, they sometimes changes how to say 'fun'.
It is just because of habit or to make pronunciation easier.
2. Officially, 'じっぷん' is correct, instead of 'じゅっぷん'.
Actually, sometimes native Japanese speakers also say 'jyuppun' instead of 'jippun'.
However, oficially, 'jippun' is correct.
So when you just talk with someone, maybe you can use whichever you want.
Like ふん and ぷん, Japanese language sometimes changes depending on the case.
So I would like to recommend you to listen to many Japanese sentences to get used to the changes.
I wrote about the way to get used to languages, this is recommended by me in the article below:
In the next article, let's study how we can say morning, daytime, evening, and night!
Time of the day 2 >>
I hope this article helps you study Japanese!
Thank you for reading!
Jul 30, 2018
- Japanese grammar
July 30, 2018
Months
In previous article, we learned how to count numbers in Japanese!
Numbers >>
In this article, I would like to show one example how to use the numbers.
It is "Months"!
In English, we just say the name of the months, like January, June, October, and so on.
However, in Japanese, months don't have names!
So they just use numbers to say the months!
What to call months in Japanese is below:
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| January | １がつ | ichi gatsu |
| February | ２がつ | ni gatsu |
| March | ３がつ | san gatsu |
| April | ４がつ | shi gatsu |
| May | ５がつ | go gatsu |
| June | ６がつ | roku gatsu |
| July | ７がつ | shichi gatsu |
| August | ８がつ | hachi gatsu |
| September | ９がつ | ku gatsu |
| October | １０がつ | jyu gatsu |
| November | １１がつ | jyu ichi gatsu |
| December | １２がつ | jyu ni gatsu |
'がつ (gatsu)' means 'month'.
If you have already remembered how to count numbers in Japanese from the previous article, this is not so difficult, isn't it?
However, there are still some items you need to consider...
Why is April 'SHI GATSU' instead of 'YON GATSU'!?
Why is July 'SHICHI GATSU' instead of 'NANA GATSU'!?
Why is September 'KU GATSU' instead of 'KYU GATSU'!?
I am sorry, this is just a Japanese habit.
It is just because it is easier to pronounce.
When you practice months, please just remember:
- '4 (yon)' becomes 'shi'.
- '7 (nana)' becomes 'shichi'.
- '9 (kyu)' becomes 'ku'.
Actually, there are more cases where the name of the numbers changes.
But in most cases, it is just because of habit or to make pronunciation easier.
For example, '40' is 'yon-jyu' normally.
However, if the number '40' is the age of someone, Japanese people sometimes say 'shi-jyu'.
In this case, both '40 (yon-jyu)' and '40 (shi-jyu)' can be used for saying '40 years old'.
(though 'yon-jyu' sounds more common)
I am sorry that it was not explained logically.
After you listen to many Japanese phrases, you will get used to those changes.
I would like to recommend you to listen to a lot of Japanese, not only just remembering grammar or words.
The reason I think so is written in the article below:
If you want to learn Japanese vocabulary about food, please check this video!
If you want to know how to say the seasons in Japanese, please check this:
Also, in the next article, I will explain about the days of the week!
Days of the week >>
I hope this article helps you remember the months!
Thank you for reading!
