0.0 Interrogative.
1 Hopes, needs, feelings 1.1 Expressing what you/somebody know, hope or want 1.2 Personal feelings 2 Future and past 2.1 Future plans, try to, purpose (.. ni iku) 2.2 Having done, tried to, decided to 3 Adverbial phrases 3.1 Way of doing things 3.2 Time, before, while, after, whenever 3.3 Almost 3.4 Never and always 3.5 Ordinal numbers 3.6 Possibility 3.7 Skills 3.8 Easy/difficult, advantageous, substantial 3.9 Start and finish doing, completion 3.10 Movement (te kuru, te iku) 3.11 From now on, begin to (te iku, te kuru) 3.12 Considering or comparing something (same, different), in point of, unlike 3.13 Depending on 3.14 Directions 3.15 Facts, things generally accepted as 4 Conjunctional phrases 4.1 Reason and cause 4.2 In order to, for, to, so that 4.3 And, also, either, only (verbs and nouns/adjectives) 4.4 Even, even though, although 4.5 Limiting (Without, because not, not...but, but, instead of) 4.6 Whether 4.7 Than 4.8 Misc conjunctional 5 Adjectival phrases and pronouns 5.1 One 5.2 Some, something 5.3 Misc adjectives 5.4 Misc pronouns 6 Interacting with another person 6.1 Doing services for soneone, having services done 6.2 Allowance (No need to, don't have to, it's ok to) 6.3 Prohibitions 6.4 Obligations (must, have to) 6.5 Suggesting (ought to) 6.6 Asking permission 6.7 Asking favours 6.8 Imperative (Do...) 6.9 Let's, should we 6.10 Asking questions (ka, why) 6.11 Passive & causative 7 Insecure 7.1 Conditional (If, when, even if) 7.2 Assumptions 7.3 Like: looks like, seems like, sort of, such as 7.4 Hearsay and quoting 7.5 Checking (Was it ?) 7.6 Approximating 8 Changing the weight of the sentence 8.1 Emphasizing 8.2 Expressing gratitude 8.3 Especially humble forms 8.4 Especially polite/honorific forms 8.5 Habitual action 9 Slang 9.1 Abbreviations 9.2 Negative 9.3 Adverbial prefixes 10 Grammatical 10.1 Referencing 10.2 Strange particles 10.3 Nominalizing (no, koto, tokoro) and abstraction (koto: the fact that…) 10.4 Continuative and resultative 10.5 Other grammatical 11 Handy phrases 12 Special subjects 12.1 Verbs that take "o" as "about" 12.2 The many meaning of "nante" 12.3 The strange meaning og "natte iru" 12.4 Sonna ni / sore hodo 12.5 Yo and ne 12.6 The many usages of mo 12.7 The "ki" words 13 Unsorted 14 Comments Verb forms
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0.0 Interrogatives:
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GENERAL LIST
Integrative are about unknown items.
If you can ask a question properly you can probably answer it properly.
English has who, what, where, when, why, how as he basic questions.
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SUFFICES: added to interrogatives; + mo + demo + ka + mo...nai
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EXAMPLE WITH ITSUMO itsumo = alway; He is always busy // itsumo isogashii desu itsudemo = anytime; Anytime is good. // itsudemo ii dsu itsuka = some time; Let's meet sometime. // itsuka aimashou. itsumo ... nai = never; kare wa itsumo ie ni inai desu. // he is never (always not) home.
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| when? // itsu |
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when (a specific point in time) // itsu Don't know when // itsuka shiranai
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| some time (vague future time) // itsuka. |
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| All time; always // itsumo |
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| Any time // itsudemo |
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| where? // doko ni, doko e, |
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| where (a specific place) // dokoka ni, dokoka e |
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somewhere (potential place) dokoka
____ or somewhere // ___ka dokoka |
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Other: everywhere // dokomo anywhere // dokodemo
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| no where; not anywhere // dokonimo...nai |
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| "no where else" / hokanidokomo....nai |
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| Who |
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| HOW (condition, assessment) |
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| HOW (method) |
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TAME NI AND NIWA
NI WA (particle) for (in regard to); in order to
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| 00. DON"T KNOW // DIDN'T KNOW | |
| Don't know et el
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Basic
Location
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1.1.1 Expressing gratitudeBE CAREFUL ABOUT DIRECTIONS.
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Thank you for giving an object
---- wo (kurete) arigatou ..... wo kurete arigatou ...... wo kudasatte arigatou ... wo
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Thank you for ...
Verbing
...Vte kute arigatou
gozaimasu. (basic form)
...Vte kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu. (humble form) OPTION: insert "hontou ni"; doumo
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It is the practice that..., it is customary
that...
koto ni
natteiru
koto to
natteiru
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It is customary that I go to my sister's
every Sunday.
Mainichiyou ane no uchi ni iku koto
ni natteimasu.
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koto ni
shiteiru
koto to
shiteiru
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I make it a practice to take a short walk
every day.
Mainichi sukoshi sanpo suru koto ni
shiteimasu.
I make it a practice to socialize only with
rich people.
Kanemochi igai to wa tsukiawanai koto
ni shiteiru.
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It is so that, it is a rule that, it is
generally accepted that
ni naru
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This one is a wedding
dress.
Kotchi ga wedding dress ni narimasu
nee.
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In fact
jitsu wa...
... jitsu wa
...
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As a matter of fact I have never tried to
take (that train) either.
Watashi mo jitu wa notta koto ga nai
no da.
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Almost
V2-sou ni
naru
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This morning I almost drowned in the
pool.
Kesa puuru de oboresou ni
narimashita.
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Almost only
hotondo
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Almost all
hotondo no
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On TV almost all rock singers are wearing
make-up.
Terebi de hotondo no “rock
singer” wa okeshou shiteiru.
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Almost no...
hontondo ...
nai
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Always
itsumo
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The children always want to eat
candy.
Kodomo wa itsumo okashi o
tabetagarimasu.
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Have never...
-ta tameshi ga (/wa)
nai
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He has never been mad.
Ano hito wa okotta tameshi ga
arimasen.
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Most / best
Ichiban
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What surprised me most
was,...
Ichiban odoroita koto wa...
What is the best thing about such a
job?
The best thing is the money I obtain, but really there are not many good things about it Konna shigoto o shiteite, ichiban ii koto to wa nan desu
ka?
O-kane ga hairu tte iu no ga ichiban ii koto desu kedo, amari ii koto wa nai desu. |
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Next to most / second to
nibanme ni
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It is the second to largest bridge in the
world.
Sekai de nibanme ni ooki hashi nan da.
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become one of the ... (e.g.
best)
ichiban ... no hitotsu ni
naru
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I hope that the city will become one of the
safest cities in the world.
Watashi wa machi wa sekai-juu de
ichiban anzen na toshi no hitotsu ni naru darou to kitai
shiteimasu.
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As much as possible
Vpot dake V
dekiru dake
V
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Please speak as slowly as
possible.
Dekiru dake yukkuri hanashite
kudasai.
Please eat as much as you can
eat.
Taberareru dake tabete
kudasai.
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Be possible to
V2-uru
(?)
Negative of -uru is
–enai
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Such a thing cannot possibly
occur.
Sonna koto ga ariuru hazu ga
nai.
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Is not possible
V2-enai
The positive of -enai is
-uru
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Such a thing can't be
possible.
Sonna koto wa
arienai.
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Can't very well do
something
V wake ni (wa/mo)
ikanai
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Just because I am tired, I can't very well
sleep all the time.
Tsukareta kara to itte nete bakari
iru wake ni mo ikimasen.
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Be good at
jouzu
umai
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Be poor/bad at
nigate
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I am no good at English.
Eigo wa nigate
da.
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Poor / unskillful / clumsy
heta
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A badly painted picture.
Heta na e.
Make a mess.
Heta o yaru.
I am a terrible cook.
Watashi wa o-ryouri ga totemo heta
desu.
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It is possible to..., can
ga V4 -ru
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Can you speak Japanese?
Nihongo ga hanasemasu
ka?
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It is possible to..., can
Vlex koto ga
dekiru
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Can you speak Japanese.
Nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu
ka.
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I can't V anything
nanimo Vlex koto ga
dekinai
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I said, "I've just arrived and I can't say
anything."
Watashi wa iimashita. "Watashi wa
choudo tsuita tokoro de, nanimo iu koto ga dekimasen."
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Difficult to
V2-nikui
V2-gatai
V2-zurai
Opposite of
yasui
Only nikui can be used with
intransitive verbs.
Gatai is only used in
writing
Zurai describes only
undesirable situations.
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This book is hard to read. // Kono hon wa yominikui
desu.
a difficult to read book // Yominikui
hon
Its difficult to understand. // wakarinikui desu.
Its difficult to pronounce. // hatsuon shinikui desu.
Its difficult to say but... // iinikui desu ga....;
moshiagenikui desu ga....
His behavior is hard to
understand // Kare no koui ga rikai
shigatai.
It’s hard to say that this project
was a success. // Kono purojekuto wa seikou shita to wa
iigatai.
This trip will be an unforgettable memory
for me. // Kono ryokou wa watashi ni totte
wasuregatai omide ni naru darou.
This door doesn’t open
easily. // Kono to wa
hirakinikui.
In this copy the letters are weak and hard
to read. // Kono kopii wa ji ga usukute yomi
zurai.
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Be hard to... // V2-kaneru
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It's hard to say, but... // Moushikanemasu
ga...
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Easy to...
V2-yasui
Opposite of
nikui
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I think Danish is a place where it is very
easy to live. A country that treats old people good.
Denmaaku wa totemo sumiyasui tokoro
da to omotteru. Toshiyori ni mo yasashii kuni.
This pen is easy to write
with.
Kono pen wa kakiyasui
desu.
A pen which is easy to write
with.
Kakiyasui
pen.
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Shown (heard) to advantage
V2-bae
limited usage
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That exhibition was much to look
at.
Ano tenrankai wa mibae ga
shita.
Music not pleasing to
hear.
Kikibae no shinai
ongaku.
Music pleasing to hear.
Kikibae no aru
ongaku
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Worth doing
V2-gai
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Because that child can learn everything
well, it is worth teaching him.
Ano ko wa nandemo yoku oboeru kara,
oshiegai ga aru.
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Be substantial
V2-de ga aru
??? Er dette korrekt???
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It takes one a long time to read this book
through.
Kono hon wa yomide ga
arimasu.
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Start doing
V2-hajimeru
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It is late so we have to start
studying.
Mou osoi desu kara, benkyou
shihajimenakute wa ikemasen.
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Start doing [but soon
interrupted]
V2-kakeru
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When I started studying, my friend
came.
Benkyou shikaketa tokoro e tomodachi
ga kimashita.
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Finish doing
V2-ageru
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I finished doing that
work.
Sono shigoto o
shiagemashita.
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finish / ... up
V2-hatasu
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I used up all my money.
Okane o sukkari
tsukaihatashita.
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end up / be finished
V2-hateru
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I was so busy that I was
exhausted.
Kyou wa isogashikute tsukarehatete
shimaimashita.
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Finish doing / end
V2-owaru
Opposite of
V2-hajimeru
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I finally finished reading The Tale of
Genji.
Genjimonogatari o yatto
yomiowatta.
I have just finished eating my
meal.
Choudo gohan o tabeowatta tokoro
desu.
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Start doing (with some
effort)
V2 ni kakaru
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He started comforting his mother right
away.
Kare wa sassoku hahaoya o nagusame ni
kakatta.
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Completion or finality of an action /
unfortunately did
Vte shimau
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I completely forgot about
it.
Wasurete
shimaimashita.
Cut through/over.
Kichatta.
I finished typing all the necessary
documents.
Hitsuyou na shorui o minna taipu
shite shimaimashita.
I finished writing the homework
composition.
Sakubun no shukudai o kaite
shimatta.
I went and drank too much again
yesterday.
Kinou mata nomisugite
shimatta.
When I turn it into Japanese (mode), it
freezes completely.
Nihongo ni shitara freeze shite
shimau.
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Iirrevocably / can't be undone / went and
did without thinking / mistakenly did
Vte shimatta
V-chatta /
V-jatta
The last is a contraction used in informal
speech. The first is from “te wa” the other from
“dewa”
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Even though it was mother's apple, I went and ate
it!
Okaasan no ringo datta no ni, mo
tabechatta!
I mistook it for being
English.
Eigo ka to omochatta yo.
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Finish up
V2-tsukusu
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I sold everything that I
had.
Motte iru mono o zenbu
uritsukushimashita.
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Be through, completely
V2-kiru
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I was so busy all day today that I am now
all tired out.
Kyou wa ichinichi-juu isogashikute
tsukarekitte shimaimashita.
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Do before you go / do while you are
going
Vte iku
Tsurete iku is used to take a
person or pet along, while motte iku is used to carry some object
along.
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Let's talk with the teacher and then
go.
Sensei to hanashite ikimashou.
Bring (something)
Motte iku.
My parents will come and visit
me.
Ryoushin ga tazunete
ikimasu.
Saying that, he went out of the
room.
Sou iinagara heya o dete
ikimashita.
I took my child to school
today.
Kyou kodomo o gakkou ni tsurete
ikimashita.
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Come...
Vte kuru
The verb should be a verb of
motion.
The construct indicates an action towards
the speaker.
See also: Vte
iku
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He came into the room.
Heya ni haitte
kimashita.
Go and do...
...ni Itte
kimasu.
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Refers to the performance of an action
from the present or some future point in time onwards
Vte iku
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I'll do it that way from now
on.
Kore kara sou shite
ikimasu.
The language has changed (been
transformed).
Kotoba wa kawatte
iku.
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Begin to
Vte kuru
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It has begun to rain.
Ame ga futte
kimashita.
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One as compared with or opposed to
another
hou
Literally "direction", “side”.
Note: It is convenient to remember that
when hou is used, adjectives should be translated as
comparative.
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This is better.
Kono hoo ga ii
desu.
It is much faster to go by subway than to
go by bus.
Chikatetsu de iku hoo ga basu de iku
yori zutto hayai desu yo.
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Considering / in comparison
to
Vlex wariai
ni
Vlex wari ni
N no wariai
ni
N no wari ni
See also the adverbial wari
ni
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For (considering) one’s
age...
Toshi no wariai
ni...
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the same
onaji
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The same person has made that
music.
Onaji hito ga ano ongaku o tsukutte
iru yo.
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different
chigau N
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I went to three different karate
clubs.
Mittsu no chigau karate no kurabu ni
itteita n’ da.
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When it comes to / in the matter of / in
point of
N ni kakete
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In learning he is superior to
me.
Gakumon ni kakete wa kare wa boku yori ue
da.
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Unlike
to chigatte
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Unlike flying fish mermaids are not
fish.
Tobiou to chigatte ningyo wa sakana
dewa nai.
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Depending on
ni yotte
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I depends on the sentence and the
person.
Bun ya hito ni yotte chigau
yo.
I will decide, depending on whether or not
he goes.
Ano hito ga iku ka ikanai ka ni yotte
kimemasu.
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Depend on, differ depending
on
ni yotte chigau
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It depends on the type of job I
think.
Shokugyou ni yotte chigau to omou.
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up
V2-agaru
(intrans.)
V2-ageru
(trans.)
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Tachiagarimashita.
I stood up.
Booto o mizusoko kara
hikiagemashita.
We pulled the boat up out of the
water.
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Do in/into
V2-komu
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I wrote in the book.
Hon ni
kakikomimashita.
I look up a word and write down its meaning
for future reference.
Tango wo shirabete imi wo kakikonde oku
no!
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To settle firmly in the state of
preceding
V2-komu
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He sat down (and did not
move).
Kare wa soko ni
suwarikonda.
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As, in order to, that, because,
therefore
Vte
i-adjctives get –kute
added.
na-adjectives are followed by
de.
See also: -te
This usage is somewhat similar to the
English participal phrase, "Being warm, it is an easy place for people to
live".
See also:
4.3
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I am happy that the war is
over.
Sensou ga owatte ureshii
desu
Mr. Yamada won't come because he is
sick.
Yamada-san wa byooki de,
kimasen.
I feel fine cause the room is
bright.
Kono heya wa akarukute, kimochi ga ii
desu.
The doctor gives the patient medicin in
order to cure the disease.
Isha wa byounin ni nusuri o yatte
byouki o naoshimasu.
He is Japanese and therefore doesn't speak
English.
Ano hito wa nihonjin de, eigo ga
dekimasen.
Because this place is warm all year, it is
very easy to live here.
Koko wa ichinen-juu atatakakute
totemo sumiyasui desu.
I was really glad to hear what you told
me!
Kiite yokatta yo, hontou
ni.
!!!!!!!!!MORE
HERE!!!!!!!!!!
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And, and therefore
V2
This usage is more formal than using
–te.
Desu -> deari
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I read your letter and immediately wrote a
reply.
O-tegami o yomi, sugu ni henji o
kakimashita.
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because, therefore, since
kara
Vinf kara
Kara is typically the
speaker’s opinion, whereas node is a general
reason.
Also it places emphasis more on the result,
cf. node
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I like you, so don't worry about
it.
Kimi no koto wa suki dakara, ki ni
suru na.
Please wait for me, because I will come
(go) very soon.
Mou sugu iku kara matteite
kudasai.
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(implicit reason)
kara
Sometimes kara is an implicit reason, not
translated with any words.
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In Japan December is busy too. First of all
you have to write New Year’s cards...
Nihon demo 12 gatu wa isogashii yo. Mazu nengajou o
kakanakutewa ikenai kara ne...
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and
kara
node
If there is an implicit reason,
kara or node can be used for
“and”
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Before you wrote them in the hand, but
today we use computer, which is very convenient.
Mukashi wa "hand writing" tte de kaite ita
keredo, ima wa pasokon de kaku kara raku ni natta
yo.
He married a girl from a poor home, and
kept on being poor.
Binbou na ie no musume-san o
moraimashita node, aikawarazu binbou no mama deshita,
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node
Kara is typically the
speaker’s opinion, whereas node is a general
reason
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Because an important friend is dead, I'm
sad.
Taisetsu na tomodachi wa shinjatta
node, kanashinde iru.
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Precisely because
kara koso
Emphatic
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Precisely because I go, he goes
too.
Watakushi ga iku kara koso, kare mo
iku n desu.
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Now that, since, if
kara ni wa
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If you do it at all, do a good
job.
Yaru kara ni wa ii shigoto o
shinasai.
If you say so, it must be
true.
Kimi ga iu kara ni wa hontou ni
chigainai.
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Just because
kara to itte
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Just because I am tired, I can't very well
sleep all the time.
Tsukareta kara to itte nete bakari
iru wake ni mo ikimasen.
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It’s not so that
wake dewa
nai
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It is not so that everybody each
day ?? at a conbini
Minna ga mainichi conbini de sumasu
wake dewa nai
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There is no reason not
to...
...V1-nai wake wa/ga
nai.
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There is no reason for him not to go, you
know.
Ano hito ga ikanai wake wa nai desu
yo.
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It is so that / To... /
When...
koto
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“oosouji” is when you clean up places you do not
normally clean.
“oosouji” tte wa itumo wa souji o shinai
tokoro made souji o suru koto.
In Japan it is so that prostitution is illegal. But in Denmark
it is not.
Nihon dewa baishun wa ikenai koto. Demo Denmaaku dewa
chigaun da ne.
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It is so that / because
mono
mon
Explains reason
Mono indicating a reason like
this, is only used in informal speech. Mon is yet more
informal
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I am impressed.
Erai mon da
naa.
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It's not that I don't...
-nai koto wa
nai
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It's not that I don't see movies; I don't
see them very often.
Eiga o minai koto wa arimasen ga
amari minai no desu.
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It doesn't mean that I
don't...
-nai wake dewa
nai
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It doesn't mean that I can't speak
Japanese; but I can't speak it too well.
Nihongo ga hanasenai wake dewa nai
ga, amari umaku wa hanasemasen.
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Only because
Vta bakari
ni
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Only because I was ill, I couldn't attend
my good friend's wedding.
Byouki datta bakari ni nakayoshi no
tomodachi no kekkonshiki ni deraremasen deshita.
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It is that...
...no? (a)
...no. (b)
The declarative sentence (b) is used by
women and children only.
Also used for emotinal
emphasis
See also no da
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Why are you crying? Cause mommy's
gone-
Doushite naiteiru no? O-kaasan ga
inai no.
He is so gentle you know.
Ano hito wa yasashii
no.
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It is that...
...no da
...n’ da
This makes the sentence more emphatic too.
The speaker is more interested in the answer, it is more than just a declarative
sentence.
da + n’ -> nan
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What are you doing?
Nani o shiteiru n’ desu
ka?
I am studying Japanese.
Nihongo o benkyou shiteiru n’
desu.
It was quiet.
Shizuka datta n’
da.
He was a teacher.
Sensei nan
da.
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..., that's how it is.
...,sou desu
ne.
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I live in that red building over
there.
Watashi wa ano akai tatemono ni
sundeimasu, sou desu ne. (??)
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Due to the fact that...
kankei jou
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Due to the fact that it is cold here even
in summer, plants do not grow well.
Koko wa natsu de mo kikou ga samui
kankei jou, shokubutsu ga yoku sodachimasen.
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For / to
no ni
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Pencils are used to write kanji with
Enpitsu wa ji o kaku no ni
tsukaimasu.
I think it will help you learn about how it
is to goto Japan and live.
Nihon de seikatsu shiteiku no ni yaku
ni tatsu to omou.
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In order to / for / because
of
tame ni
(can be used only if the two subjects are
the same, else use you ni)
|
Haruko ran outside to meet her
father.
Haruko wa kanojo no chichi ni au tame
ni soto ni mukatte hashiri-demashita.
Watashi wa kazoku no tame ni
hatarakimasu.
I work for my
family.
I was late because of the snow.
Yuki no tame ni okuremashita
(?)
|
|
So that / in order to
you ni
|
I am taking care of my self so that I don't
catch a cold.
Kaze o hikanai you ni ki o tsukete
imasu.
Mr. Smith speaks English slowly so that I
can understand.
Boku ga wakaru you ni Sumisu-san wa
yukkuri eigo o hanashite kureta.
At exams I pray to the Gods in order to
pass my exam.
Juken no tomi kamisama ni pass suru
you ni inoru.
|
|
For
you (no)
|
There are many dictionaries. The one for
the computer is expensive.
Jisho ga takusan ne. Pasokon you no
wa takai yo.
|
|
In order not to
V1-nai you
ni
|
I get up early in order not to be late for
school.
Gakkou ni okurenai you ni hayaku
okimasu.
|
|
For
to shite wa
|
Johnson is good at Japanese for a first
year student.
Jonson-san wa nihongo no ichinensei
to shite wa nihongo ga jouzu da.
For a Japanese apartment, this is on of the
bigger ones.
Kore wa Nihon no apaato to shite wa
ookii hou desu.
|
|
To (someone)
(someone) ni
totte
|
Today will be an unforgettable day for
me.
Kyou wa watashi ni totte
wasurerarenai hi ni naru deshou.
It is difficult for me to write
letters.
Tegami o kaku koto wa watashi ni
totte muz ukashii desu.
It is a treasure to me.
Watashi ni totte takaramono da yo!
|
|
For
ni wa
|
This apartment is too expensive for
us.
Kono apaato wa watashitachi ni wa
takasugiru.
This desk is too big for my
room
Kono tsukue wa watashi no heya ni wa
ookisugiru.
|
|
Intended for
muke
|
A book intended for kids.
Kodomo muke no
hon.
|
|
To the extent that, so ... as, so ...
that
Vinf kurai
N gurai
N kurai
|
There is nobody as nice as
him.
Ano hito kurai shinsetsuna hito wa
imasen.
I wish I spoke as well English as Mr.
Smiley....
Sumairi-san kurai eigo ga jouzu ni
hanasereba ii no desu ga...
|
|
To such a degree that / so (much)
that
Vlex hodo
|
It is so easy that even a child can do
it.
Kodomo demo dekiru hodo kantan
desu.
The bird is so scared that it isn't able to
eat anything.
Kotori wa taberu koto ga dekinai hodo
kowai desu.
He has so much money that he can afford to
throw it away (He has money to the extent that he throws it
away).
Ano hito wa suteru hodo okane ga
arimasu.
|
|
And
to
And between two or more
nouns
|
|
|
And (amongst other)
ya
And between two or more
nouns
|
|
|
And their
to no
|
First telle me about Mr. Yamada, Mr. Katou
and how they met.
Mazu, yamada-san to katou-san to no
deai o oshiete kudasai.
|
|
And, then, after
Vte
Vte wa
Conjunction for sequence of
actions
See also uner cause
See also:
4.1
|
I went home and made
dinner.
Uchi e kaette, shokuji o
shimashita.
I ate and then came.
Tabete
kimashita.
Sephiroth robbed the Sando of his life, and
returned to his castle.
Sephiroth wa Sando no inochi o
ubatte, shiro ni kaetta.
(ubau = snatch)
We went to the library, and
studied.
Toshokan ni itte, benkyou
shimashita.
Even during the vacation I am busy, because
we'll have exams right after the Christmas vacation is over.
Kurisumasu no yasumi ga owatte sugu
shiken ga aru kara yasumi-chuu mo isogashii.
Everyday he went gathering firewood in the
woods, bundled it on his 3 donkeys and went to sell it.
Mainichi, mori no naka de takigi o
atsumete wa, kore o 3tou no roba ni tsunde uri ni
ikimashita.
|
|
Do... and
Vte ori
Vte ite
Vte ori is more format than
Vte ite. It can only be used in writing. Here it does not express
special politeness.
|
Father is travelling in Tokyo now, and
Mother remains in Kyoto.
Chichi wa ima Toukyou ni ryokou shite
ori, haha wa Kyouto ni nokotte orimasu.
This entrance is for employees only and
other (ordinary) people cannot enter here.
Kono iriguchi wa juugyouin senyou ni
natte ori, ippan no hito wa koko kara wa hairenai.
|
|
While / doing
Vte
Conjunction for simultaneous
actions
|
He is laughing while
reading.
Hon o yonde waratte
imasu.
Pass the time reading a
magazine
Zasshi o yonde hima o
tsubusu
|
|
Explaining
Vte
How the action of the main verbs is
performed
|
I went by (riding a)
train.
Densha ni notte
ikimashita.
Me and my brother competed in
running
Oniisan to watashi ga hashitte
kyousou o shimashita.
Another one is when you describe the
ordering in a competition. (description of the counter
-chaku)
Hoka ni mo kyousou o shite junban o
iu
toki ni tukau koto wa
aru.
I could feel calmed down hearing the sounds
of the street.
Michi no oto ga kikoete
ochitsuketa.
|
|
and, and what is more
ga
In this case ga has loset its
adversative (contrastive) implication, in which case it is best to translate it
as "and".
The first sentence is a preliminary to the
second or the second is supplementing the first.
|
Excuse me, but how could I get to the
station?
Sumimasen ga, eki wa dou ikeba ii n
deshou ka?
She is good-looking and what is more,
clever.
Kanojo wa kiryou mo ii ga, atama mo
ii.
Kyoto is pretty and Nikko too is very
nice.
Kyouto mo kirei da ga, nikkou mo
nakanaka ii.
|
|
about, considering, and
da kedo
desu ga
It servers as a link functioning to
introduce a topic, and does not mean “but” or
“however” in this case.
The last is more formal
|
About what we were talking about the other
day... I think it's a good opportuniy and I definately want to give it a
try.
Sakki no hanashi da kedo, chansu da
kara yappari yatte miyou to omou no.
About your kid's school, what do you
(parents) have in mind?
Okosan no shingaku mondai desu ga,
goryoushin wa dou iu okangae desu ka?
|
|
not only ... but / as well as /
furthermore
nominarazu
|
Moreover he told me I was a
fool.
Nominarazu kare wa boku o baka to
itta.
He is both (at once) a poet and a
painter.
Kare wa shijin-taru no nominarazu
gaka de mo aru.
|
|
Both... and... /
Neither...nor...
...mo ...mo
... V2 mo ... V2 mo
suru
|
Both Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Katou works in the
department store.
Tanaka-san mo Katou-san mo depaato ni
tsutometeimasu.
The house is neither big nor
small.
Uchi wa hiroku mo semaku mo
nai.
He reads Japanese and writes it as
well.
Ano hito wa Nihongo o yomi mo kaki mo
shimasu.
|
|
Do both ... and ... / not only ... but also
...
V2-mo sureba V2 mo
suru
|
He not only eats a lot, but drinks a lot,
too.
Ano hito wa yoku tabe mo sureba nomi
mo shimasu.
|
|
Not only... //
Multiple Object of Same Verb
O dakedenaku O mo V.
Multiple Adj. Describing same Noun
Not just ADJ but also ADJ. // ADJ dekenakute
ADJ de mo aru.
|
Multiple Objects of Same Verb.
kanojo wa eigo dakedenaku SUPEINgo mo hanashimasu. // She
not only speaks English, she also speaks SUPEINgo.
He went not just to Japan, he also went to Taiwan, //
Nihon e itta bakari dewa naku Taiwan
e mo ikimashita.
Multiple Adj. Describing same Noun
She is not just strong but also smart. // Kanojo
wa tsuyoi dakedenaku kashikoi mo desu.
|
| V bakari dewa nai | |
|
Not only... but not ...
either.
... V1-nai dake dewa naku ... mo
V1-nai.
... V1-nai bakari dewa naku ... mo
V1-nai.
|
The child not only does not eat rice, he
does not drink water either. // Kono kodomo wa gohan o tabenai dake
dewa naku, mizu mo nomimasen. Not only does he not smoke cigarettes, he
doesn't drink sake either. // Ano hito wa tabako o nomanai bakari
dewa naku, osake mo nomimasen.He not only doesn't work, he doesn't look to work.
// kare wa hatarakanai dake dewa naku shigoto wo sagashi masen.
|
|
Far from... but, not at all...
but
dokoro ka
|
I was so busy today that not only I was
unable to read (far from having time to read), but I didn't even have time to
eat.
Kyou wa amari isogashikute hon o yomu
dokoro ka, gohan o taberu hima mo arimasendeshita.
|
|
not too..., and not too... / neither too...
, nor too...
... suginai shi, ...
suginai
... suginakute, ...
suginai
... sugiru wake demo naku, ... sugiru
wake demo nai.
... sugimo shinai shi, ... sugi mo
shinai.
|
It’s not too hot and it’s not
too cold.
Atsukusuginai shi,
samusuginai.
It’s not too hot and it’s not
too cold.
Atsukusuginakute,
samukusuginai.
It’s not that it is too hot and
it’s not that it is too cold either.
Atsukusugiru wake demo naku,
samusugiru wake demo nai.
It’s neither too hot, nor is it too
cold.
Atsusugimo shinai shi, samusugi mo
shi nai.
|
|
Only, can only do
shika ...
nai
|
Tomorrow morning I think I will only be
able to talk until 7 o’clock
Ashita no asa wa 7ji made shika
hanasenai to omou.
They are lending it at the library too, but
there are only few.
Toshokan demo karirareru kedo,
sukoshi shika nai.
I can only read your messages and
history.
Anata no message mo history de shika yomenai
wa.
|
|
Only / just / simply
dake
Vlex dake
See also: shika,
bakari
|
I am just looking.
Miru dake
desu.
This car isn't fast, it is only
pretty.
Ano kuruma wa hayakunakute, kirei
dake desu.
I only dated Yukiko, that's
all.
Yukiko-san to wa deeto shita dake
desu.
|
|
Only
Vlex bakari
|
He only eats, and doesn't do the
work.
Taberu bakari de shigoto wa
shimasen.
|
|
And / furthermore
shi
|
I also gonna do jogging.
Jogging mo aru
shi
|
|
And... and...
...shi
...shi
Used for emphasis
|
It gets plenty of sun, it's close to the
station – you've really found yourself a nice place!
Hiatarai mo ii shi, eki kara chikai
shi, ii heya o mitsuketa ne.
My head hurts and I've got the chills. I
think I may be coming down with a cold.
Atama wa itai shi, samuke wa suru
shi, doumo kaze o hiita mitai nan desu.
|
|
...you know., ...and all, ...and
everything., ...and stuff.
...shi
Implies that there is more which is not
being siad, or that there are numerous other reasons that would support your
claim.
|
It was really fun getting to talk to you
and stuff.
Iroiro na hanashi mo dekita shi, kyou
wa hontou ni tanoshikatta.
Shall we begin the meeting now? We are
already behind schedule and all.
Sorosoro kaigi o hajimemashou ka?
Teikoku mo sugite iru koto desu shi.
|
|
Not only does (somebody) not..., (somebody
(else)) does not... either
-nai
shi...nai
|
Not only is Mr. Yamamoto not coming, Mr.
Kimura isn't coming either.
Yamamoto-san mo konai shi Kimura-san
mo konai desu.
|
|
Amongst other things / and so on / such
things as / typical action
Vta-ri
(suru)
(Vtari)
|
“Oshougatsu” is that you
prepare to meet the New Year and so on...
“Oshougatu” tte wa New Year o mukaeru junbi
o shitari...
I was waiting for my friend to come, doing
things like reading the newspaper.
Shinbun o yondari shite tomodachi ga
kuru no o matteita.
During the summer we do such things as go
to the seashore to swim.
Natsu wa umi ni oyogi ni ittari
shimasu.
|
|
Action in alternation,
Now doing this, now doing that / doing both
this and that
Vta-ri ... Vta-ri
suru
|
Yesterday I played and
studied.
Kinou asondari benkyou shitari
shimashita.
|
|
Does not always...
Vta-ri
Vnakatta-ri
Same verb
|
Tom does not always come. (sometimes he
comes wometimes he doesn’t).
Tomu wa kitari konakattari
suru.
|
|
Soshite
|
|
|
And
V2
|
He read a book and ate.
Hon o yomi, gohan o
tabeta.
|
|
And
V1-zu
Used in written language.
kuru –>
kezu
suru –>
sezu
|
|
|
Or maybe, or
aruiwa
matawa
|
From the following or the next to the
following month...
Moushikomi no yokugetsu mata wa
yokuyokugetsu kara...
|
|
As well as, furthermore
sorekara
|
To all of you, teachers as well as fellow
students...
Senseigata sorekara doukyuusei no
minna-san ni...
|
|
Besides, moreover, also, and, as well
as
katsu
|
Necessary and sufficient
conditions.
Hitsuyou katsu juubun na
jouken.
Be both interesting as well as
instructive.
Omoshiroku katsu yuueki
dearu.
|
|
Besides
ue
|
Besides learning the language, this is an
important thing.
Gogaku o manabu ue demo taisetsu na
koto desu ne.
|
|
And, or, what with... and
-yara
|
|
|
Only when...
Vte koso
|
Only when he can play such difficult music
beautifully, can we say he is a great musician.
Sonna muzukashii kyoku ga utsukushiku
hikete koso, idai na ongakuka to ieru.
|
|
That of doing only, doing nothing
but
V2-ppanashi
|
I was nothing but trouble to
you.
Gomeiwaku no kakeppanashi
deshita.
|
|
|
|
|
Even
sae
|
Even in Japanese it is
difficult.
Nihongo de sae
muzukashii.
He cannot even write his own
name.
Namae sae
kakenai
|
|
Even
made
|
“oosouji” is when you clean up
even at the places you don’t normally clean.
“oosouji” tte wa itumowa souji o shinai
tokoro made souji o suru koto...
|
|
To such an extent that / even / at
least
Vlex gurai
Vlex kurai
|
There are even more expensive books.
Motto takai hon ga aru kurai
desu.
When you move into an apartment ot
something I think you should at least give greetings to your nieghbors.
(?)
Apaato nado ni hikkoshitara tonari no hito gurai ni wa
aisatu o shite oku beki kamo ne.
At new year we at least go to the shinto shrine.
Shinen ni jinja ni iku gurai da yo.
|
|
To the extent that..., practically,
almost
V3 bakari
|
It was so sad that my heart almost
broke.
Kanashikute mune ga sakeru bakari
deshita.
|
|
Even
demo
|
|
|
Don't even do
V2 mo shinai
|
She didn't even look at
it.
Mi mo
shinakatta.
|
|
Even / even if
Vte mo
V7-tte
(-tatte)
The tatte-form is typical for
spoken language.
|
And they even have heated
box-lunch.
Obentou o atatamete mo kureru shi ne.
Even if you go, I won't go
Anata ga itte mo watakushi wa
ikimasen.
Even you have different roles, you can
create an equal relationship.
Yakuwaribuntan shitatte taitou na
kankei wa kizukeru yo.
|
|
As much as / Even
mo
|
There were two cards?
Nimai mo kaado ga atta. (?)
|
|
Even though / Even if
Vta tokoro
de
|
Yonda tokoro de wakaranai
deshou.
Even if he reads it, he will not understand
it.
|
|
Although / since / despite (the fact that)
/ but
no ni
Often the corresponding English is left
blank.
|
Even though I study kanji every day, I
cannot memorize them very well. (or: I study kanji everyday, but I obviously
cannnot memorize them)
Mainichi kanji o benkyou shiteiru no ni yoku
oboerarenai.
Now it is summer, aren't those clothes more for
winter?
Ima natsu na no ni chotto kono fuku fuyuppoku
nai?
|
|
...you know
no ni
This usage of no ni is the
same as the one above. But the clause normally coming after no ni is left
out. For instance because it is obvious.
|
I am saying I will give it to you. (Lit.
Although I am saying that I will give it to you)
Sekkaku ageru to iu no
ni.
Sorry for (our talks) always getting so
long. You must have become tired.
Itumo nagaku natte shimatte gomen nasai. Anata nemui no
ni.
|
|
Even going to the extent
of...
Vte made
|
Do you want to do such a thing, even at the
expense of other people (even going to the extent of using other people's
money)?
Hito no okane o tsukatte made sonna
koto ga shitai desu ka?
|
|
Although
V2-nagara
|
Although he knew, he didn't tell me
anything.
Shitteinagara nani mo
iimasendeshita.
|
|
I know I have said it before but... /
Though I have said it before...
Mae ni mo hanashita you
ni
|
I have said it before, that currently the
unemployment rate is very high.
Mae ni mo hanashita you ni... Ima
shitugyou-ritu ga totemo takai desu.
|
|
Without, instead of doing
V1-naide
V1-zu ni
zu ni can only be used when
naide has the implications of "and". That is not for naide
kudasai for instance.
zu ni is used in written jp
and formal speech.
suru -> se zu
ni
See also:
nakute
|
Yesterday I went to the university without
eating breakfast.
Kinou asagohan o tabenaide daigaku e
ikimashita.
Instead of going to school, I stayed home
today.
Kyou gakkou ni ikanaide uchi ni
imashita.
Mr. Katou didn't go to Osaka; he went to
Kyoto.
Katou-san wa Oosaka ni ikanaide
Kyouto ni ikimashita.
Please read it without usng the
dictionary.
Jisho o tsukawazu ni yonde
kudasai
|
|
Not being able to...
V4-zu
This is the potential verb in its nai form.
But this is the same as the potential form because the potential form is a
vowel-stem verb. Ex. Taberu -> taberareru -> taberarenai ->
taberare-zu
|
Unable to defeat Brock, all the pokemon
fainted.
Brock o taosezu, zen pokemon ga
taorechatta.
(taosu = defeat, taoreru =
faint/collapse)
|
|
because not
V1-nakute
Can only be used if it indicates a cause
for human emotion.
|
Lately I haven't been able to eat, and I am
having trouble (because of it).
Chikagoro gohan ga taberarenakute
komatte imasu.
I felt ashamed because I couldn't speak
English.
Boku wa eigo ga hanasenakute
hazukashikatta.
|
|
not ... but ...
... nakute ...
desu.
Here naide cannot be
used.
|
I am not a student but a
teacher.
Watashi wa gakusei dewa nakute sensei
desu.
|
|
Get by without doing
something
V1-nai de
sumu.
|
Because our teacher was absent today, we
got by without studying.
Kyou sensei ga yasunda node benkyou
shinaide sumimashita.
|
|
Instead of ...
... Vlex kawari
ni...
...V1-nai. Sono kawari
ni...
Sim. to : ...V1-nai
kara...
Maybe V1-nai kawari ni can be
used with similar (not opposite) meaning.
|
I am not going to Japan. Instead I am going
to France.
Nihon e ikimasen. Sono kawari ni
Furansu e ikimasu.
Instead of going to Japan, I'll go to
France.
Nihon e iku kawari ni Furansu e
iku.
|
|
In place of, replacing, on behalf
of
...ni
kawatte
...ni
kawarimashite
For immediate, on-the-spot substitution use
no kawari ni.
|
In place of Prof. Yamada, who was ill,
Prof. Suzuki taught us.
Byouki no Yamada-sensei ni kawatte
Suzuki-sensei ga oshietekudasatta.
After the war plastic became available
replacing glass.
Sengo garasu ni kawatte purasuchikku
ga dete kita.
On behalf of everyone present here, let me
say word of greeting.
Goshusseki no mina-sama ni
kawarimashite, hitokoto go-aisatso o nobesasete
itadakimasu.
(noberu = to state /
express)
|
|
In stead of...
...no kawari
ni
For replacement use instead ni
kawatte
|
In economy class they use plastic wares
instead of glass wares.
Ekonomi kurasu dewa garasu no shokki
no kawari ni purasuchikku no shokki ga deru.
|
|
But in fact...
Shikashi jitsu
wa...
|
|
|
But, however
ga
|
|
|
But, however
kedo
keredo
keredomo
More colloquial than
ga
|
He has money, but he is stingy and
doesn’t spend it all.
Ano hito wa okane ga aru keredemo
kechi de chittomo tsukaimasen.
|
|
but / because
datte
|
But, do you want to know
everything?
Datte, subete o shiraitai desu
ka?
You will find a girlfriend soon enough,
cause you are a very nice person.
Anata dattara sugu ni kobito ga
mitsukaru. Datte anata wa totemo ii hito da mono.
|
|
Except / other than / besides / as well as
/ but
Vlex/N igai
(ni/wa)
Na bedore igai
becomes de aru
Igai and hoka
are sometimes used the same way. But igai is a dependent noun,
which means it must be preceeded by another noun/verb.
|
Everybody except Tanaka knows
it.
Tanaka-san igai no hito wa minna sono
koto o shitteimasu.
Do you speak any other foreign languages
besides Japanese?
Nihongo igai (ni) nanika gaikokugo ga
hanasemasu ka?
I have nothing to enjoy other than
drinking.
Watashi ni wa sake o nomu igai (ni)
nanimo tanoshimi ga nai.
There is nothing to do but wait
here.
Koko de motteiru igai
nai.
This sentence contain a few kanji errors,
but other than that it is perfect.
Kono bun wa sukoshi kanji no machigai
ga aru ga, sore igai wa kanzen da.
Besides the fact that it is
convenient...
Benri de aru igai
ni...
As well as taking a walk I take (other)
light exercises every day.
Watashi wa sanpo igai ni mo mainichi
karui undou o shiteiru.
I will lend you anything but
money.
O-kane igai nara (/dattara/de areba)
nandemo kashite agerou.
I make it a practice to socialize only with
rich people.
Kanemochi igai to wa tsukiawanai koto
ni shiteiru.
Except for Mr. Tanaka (Except that Mr.
Tanaka comes), perhaps nobody will come.
Tanaka-san ga kuru igai wa dare mo konai
deshou.
|
| 4.6 Whether (or not) / If | |
"whether or not" totemo benri!.
|
|
|
Whether ... or not / If
V3 ka dou
ka .......
"ka dou ka" generally added to positive
verbs
Reference: MNG#2 Ch 40.
Vta no ka dou ka..................
ORIGINAL "Long" FORM
V3 ka Vnai
ka
|
|
|
ka
|
|
|
wheter or er or no you V -- It doesn't don't matter
Vte mo V1-nakute
mo
|
|
|
till
made
|
I could not drink till I got a hangover
because the party was in Jylland and I had to bring my car.
Paati wa Jylland de atte, kuruma o
motte ikanakucha ikenakattakara futsukayoi ni narumade
nomenakatta.
|
|
one // hitotsu
|
I too have one thing I would like to
ask... // Watashi mo hitotsu kikitai koto ga
atta....
|
|
Some, one, a certain // aru
This has nothing to do with the
aru/arimasu verb.
|
One day he suddenly called on
me. // Aru hi kare ga totsuzen tazunete
kita.
I have an appointment to meet a certain
person. // Watashi wa aru hito to au yakusoku ga
arimasu.
In some/one sense... // Aru imi
de...
In one sense, your decision is
right. // Aru imi de kimi no handan wa
tadashii.
|
|
Some
ikuraka no
ikutsuka no
|
Some kanji are difficult.
Ikutsuka no kanji wa muzukashii
yo
|
|
Some, a part
Ichibu no
|
It is only some people I think, but it is
still a problem!
Ichibu no hito dake dato omou keredo, korewa mondai da
yo!
|
|
Some people
nanninka
|
|
|
Some
-ka (no)
|
About some mails.
Nantsuu-ka no mail no
koto.
Some bread.
Ikuraka no
pan.
Now I will try to write some
sentences.
Kore kara ikutsuka kotoba o
kaitemimasu.
|
|
Something
nanika
|
I think you can learn something by
observing the differences in customs.
Shuukan no chigai o mitomete sono chigai kara nanika o
manabu koto ga dekiru to omoimasu.
|
|
(something) is important
...juuyou
da.
|
It is important for us to read
newspapers.
Shinbun o yomu koto wa watashitachi
ni totte juuyou desu.
|
|
Is important
... ga
ichiban
... ga daiji
|
(Taking care of your) Health is
important.
Kenkou ga ichiban da
yo.
When you are busy it is important to “heal”
(relax).
Isogashii toki iyashi ga daiji da wa.
|
|
plenty of
-kkusu
|
Plenty of free time today and
tomorrow
Kyou mo ashita mo
himakkusu
|
|
The first
hajimete no
|
“Hatsuhinode” is the first sun
of the year.
“Hatsuhinode“
wa sono toshi no hajimete no taiyou
|
|
these ...
korera no
...
|
Different languages are spoken by the
people living in these buildings.
Kotonatta gengo ga korera no tatemono
ni sundeiru hitobito ni yotte hanasareteimasu.
|
|
Do for someone
Vte
sashiageru
Vte ageru
Vte yaru
The politeness is
decreasing.
|
Shall I draw you a map?
Chizu o kaite agemashou
ka?
I will teach you Japanese.
Anata ni nihongo o oshiete
agemasu.
I think I will show it to my
friend.
Tomodachi ni misete yarou to
omoimasu.
I read a book (did a favor in reading a
book) to my friend.
Tomodachi ni hon o yonde
agemashita.
I did a favor in buying a book for my
child.
Kodomo ni hon o katte
yarimashita.
|
|
Having (something) done by someone /
receiving someone’s favor
Vte morau
Vte itadaku
Morau is less
formal
|
Tomorrow I will have the teacher tell
me.
Ashita sensei ni oshiete itadakimasu.
Could I have you call back
tonight?
Konban denwa o shite itadakimasu
ka?
At the barbershop people have their hair
cut, and their beard trimmed amongst other things.
Rihatsuten dewa hito wa kami o katte
morattari, hige o sotte morattari shimasu.
(I am fortunate that) my teacher taught me
English.
Sensei ni eigo o oshiete
itadakimashita.
(I am fortunate that) my sister made a
dress for me.
Ane ni youfuku o tsukutte
moraimashita.
|
|
Someone does something (for you) / be
given a favor
Vte kureru
Vte kudasaru
Kudasaru is the most
polite
|
My teacher was kind enough to lend me a
book.
Sensei ga watakushi ni hon o kashite
kudasaimashita.
My younger sister made a dress for
me.
Imouto ga youfuku o tsukutte
kuremashita.
|
|
-te (-de) kureru = -te (-de)
kudasaru
|
|
|
You may... / you can..
Vte mo ii
|
You may eat this alright.
Sore o tabete mo ii desu
yo.
|
|
No need to / don't have to
...made mo
nai
|
I guess I don't have to explain
then.
Setsumei suru made mo nai ka
na.
It is so obvious that no explanation is
necessary.
Sore wa setsumei suru made mo naku
akiraka na koto da.
|
|
Needless to say,
Iu made mo
nai...
|
Needless to say, George Washington was the
first president of America.
Iu made mo naku, George Washington wa
Amerika no shodai daitouryou da.
It goes without saying that he was
respected by everybody.
Kare ga minna ni sonkei sareta no wa
iu made mo nai.
|
|
Need not, do not have to
V1-nakute mo
ii
|
You don't have to read that
book.
Sono hon wa yomanakute mo ii
desu.
|
|
Is it ok?
ii ka na?
|
Now I think I will go out shopping.. is it
ok with you?
Kore kara shopping ni iku yo... ii ka
na
|
|
Ok
ii desu.
kamawanai
yo.
|
|
|
It doesn't matter even if
you...
Vte mo
kamawanai
|
Even if you quit, it doesn't
matter.
Yamete mo
kamaimasen.
|
|
Is ok / will do
de mo (ii)
|
As long as it has white meat any fish will
do.
Shiromi sakana de ari sae sureba
donna mono de mo yoroshii.
|
|
There is no need to
Vinf ga mono wa
nai
|
There is no need to think it
out.
Kufuu suru ga mono wa
nai.
|
|
There is no need to, it's not
worth...
Vinf hodo no koto wa
nai
|
It's not worth being so mad about, is
it?
Sonna ni okoru hodo no koto wa nai
deshou.
|
|
Don't ...
(emphatic)
...-nai you
ni.
|
Don't worry. I'll help
you.
Shinpai shinai you ni. Watashi wa
anata o tetsudaimashou.
Don't be afraid.
Osorenai you
ni.
Don't be scared.
Obienai you ni.
|
|
Please don't...
V1-nai de
kudasai.
|
Please don't eat it.
Tabenai de
kudasai.
|
|
Must not / is not good
dame
|
In Japan it is ok to make a sound when you
eat noodles. But in foreign countries it is not.
Nihon dewa raamen o taberu toki ni
oto o dashite mo ii, demo gaikoku dewa dame.
|
|
May not / must not
Vte wa
ikenai
Vte wa
naranai
|
You may not look.
Mite wa
ikemasen.
We must not use English in our Japanese
class.
Nihongo no kurasu dewa eigo o
tsukatte wa naranai no desu.
|
|
A thing that should not
be...
Vinf bekarazaru
N
|
It's a thing which should not be
permitted.
Sore wa yurusubekarazaru koto
da.
|
|
You must not
V2 (?)
bekarazu
Negative of bekari (beshi), prohibition in
bungotai (literary form) don't, must not
|
Don't enter!
Hairi
bekarazu.
|
|
(I) must...
V1-nakereba
naranai
Often used with the first and third
person
|
Because you have a test tomorrow, I have to
study hard today.
Ashita shiken ga aru kara, kyou
benkyou shinakereba narimasen.
|
|
Must, have to, should
V1-neba naranai
Similar to -nakereba
naranai
Note that when used on adjectives the
second form differs slightly from nakereba
naranai.
The second form is used in written Japanese
or formal speech.
suru ->
se
|
To know Japan one has to go to Japan at
least once.
Nihon o shitu tame ni wa ichido wa
nihon e ikaneba naranai.
We should get rid of racial
prejudice.
Jinshuhenken o naku seneba
naranai.
From now on Japan has to lead the
world.
Nihon wa korekara sekai o riido
seneba naranai.
One's ideals should be
high.
Risou wa takaku araneba
naranai.
We have to be cautious about this
issue.
Kono mondai ni kanshite wareware wa
shinchou dearaneba naranai.
(kan suru = to concern, ni kanshite =
concerning)
|
|
(You) must...
V1-nakereba
ikenai
Often used with the second
person
|
You must study hard!
Yoku benkyou shinakereba ikemasen
yo.
|
|
Have to...
Vnai to ikenai
|
Cause I have to make a lunch
box
Obentou o tsukuranai to ikenai no
da.
|
|
Have to / will
V1-nakucha
Astm-nakucha (ja
nakucha)
Informal form
|
Tomorrow I have to get up
early.
Ashita wa "hayaoki"
shinakucha.
The futon have to be big
too.
Futon mo ookiku
nakucha.
|
|
You ought to... / it's better to / you
should
...Vta hou ga
ii
|
You'd better go home
early.
Hayaku kaetta hou ga ii desu.
You should study every
day.
Mainichi benkyou suru hou ga ii
desu.
Normally it is better the cheaper,
right?
Futsuu wa yasui hou ga ii desu,
ne.
It is probably best if the bottle is
empty.
Bin wa kara no hou ga ii
deshou.
When you get ill you should contact your
doctor
Byouki no toki ni wa o-isha ni kakeru hou
ga ii desu.
You'd better not... / You'd better
stop...
...yameta hou ga
ii
|
|
It's better not to...
...V1-nai hou ga
ii
|
It's better not to go
today.
Kyou wa ikanai hou ga ii desu
yo.
|
|
Can't very well not do
something
V1-nai wake ni (wa)
ikanai
|
I couldn't very well not help
them.
Tetsudawanai wake ni wa ikimasen
deshita.
|
|
You should just... / Why don’t
you
V4-ba ii
|
All you have to do (in order to be cured)
is eat your medicin.
Kusuri o yomeba ii n’
desu.
If you don't want to die, why don't you go
back?
Shinitaku nakattara, kaereba ii ja
nai ka?
|
|
I must...
V4-ba ii
(Strong) suggestion to one
self
|
Reciting history is pretty difficult I think. I must take care
not letting out any characters when sending it to you.
Rekishi wo kataru no wa kanari muzukashii to omoimasu.
Ji ga zurenaide okuru koto ga dekireba ii no dakedo.
|
|
You should just
V2 sae sureba
ii
|
You just have to press the
button.
Botan o oshi sae sureba
ii.
All you have to do is work
hard.
Kimi wa tada isshoukenmei benkyou shi
sae sureba ii no da.
|
|
I should have / It would
have been better if (I) had...
V4-ba
yokatta
|
I should have eaten
earlier.
Hayaku tabereba yokatta
desu.
|
|
(You) should / ought to /
must
Vif beki N
Vif beki da
Attributive form of beshi of
bungotai (literary form)
Suru -> suru beki or
subeki
Kuru -> kuru beki or
kubeki
|
You should study some
more.
Motto benkyou suru beki
desu.
I guess it’s something you ought to
welcome.
Kangei suru beki mono
darou.
This is a book you ought to
read.
Kore wa yomu beki hon
da.
You should go tomorrow.
Ashita iku beki
desu.
This kind of thing should not be done
now.
Konna koto wa ima subeki koto dewa
nai.
|
|
V4-ba ii
|
|
|
Should
Vtara ii
|
|
|
Is to be
V1-setara ii
V1-sasetara ii (for vowel stem
verbs)
sasetara ii
|
But which one is to be
prefered?
Dochira o yuusen sasetara ii no
kashira.
|
|
What about.. ? / Have you thought
of...?
... Vtara dou ka
na?
... Vtara
dou?
... Vte wa dou ka
na?
|
What about cleaning up?
Souji o shitara dou?
Foreigners can receive a Japanese test.
Have you thought about trying to take it?
Gaikokujin ga nihongo no test wo ukerareru no. Tameshite
mitara dou ka shira?
What about trying to recommend her
jogging?
Jogging o susumete mite wa dou
kana?
|
|
...what to do about...
...ni tsuite nani o suru beki
ka...
|
The government discussed what to do about
it.
Seihu wa sore ni tsuite nani o suru
beki ka o giron shimashita.
|
|
Vte ii
Informal
|
Can I taste your pizza?
Anata no piza no aji o mite ii desu
ka?
|
|
May I...?. (I'd like to...) -nai you ni
: in order not to
Gakkou ni okurenai you ni hayaku
okimasu.
I get up early in order not to be late for
school.
o-V2 ga shitai no desu
ga?
|
Hello. May I speak to
Junichi?
Konnichi wa. Junichi to o-hanashi ga
shitai no desu ga?
|
|
Tell somebody to...
... Vlex you ni to
iu.
|
They often tell us to work
harder.
Karera wa shibashiba yori nesshin ni
hataraku you ni to watashitachi ni iimasu.
|
|
ask (someone) to (do something) for
(someone else)
(someone) ni (someone else) no tame
ni Vlex you ni tanomu.
|
They asked me to sing a Japanese song for
them.
Karera wa watashi ni karera no tame
ni Nihon no uta o utau you ni tanomimashita.
|
|
|
|
|
Do...
V4
Kuru ->
koi
Suru -> seyo (in
connection with other verb)
Suru -> yare
(from yaru, which is more colloquial)
|
Let loose!
Hanase!
Stop it!
Yame!
Shut up!
Damare!
Study!
Benkyou seyo!
|
|
Mild imperative
Vte kudasai
Vte
Using just Vte is informal
language
|
Please eat.
Tabete
kudasai.
Wait a moment.
Chotto
matte.
(May you) Have sweet
dreams!
Suteki na yume o mite
ne!
Come tomorrow, OK?
Ashita kite
ne.
|
|
Polite imperative
o-V2 kudasai
|
Please drink.
O-nomi
kudasai.
|
|
More polite imperative than
o-kudasai
o-V2
kudasaimase
|
Would you please sit down.
O-kake
kudasaimase.
|
|
Polite imperative
V2-nasai
O-V2-nasai
Polite imperative used by superiors to
their inferiors, like mother to child or teacher to student
|
Eat more!
Motto takusan
tabenasai.
Read!
Oyominasai.
Don’t play, study.
Asobanaide, benkyou
shinasai.
Come home early, ok?
Hayaku uchi ni kaette kinasai
yo.
|
|
An imperative suffix used by men on a
friendly level in modern Japanese
V2-tamae
|
Read that book.
Ano hon o
yomitamae.
|
|
Imperative
V2 na
Derived from
-nasai
|
Think about it.
Kangaete
mina.
|
|
Negative imperative
Do
V3 na
|
Don’t think about
it.
Kangaete miru
na.
|
|
Abrupt imperative used by men
Vte kure
|
Kore o shite
kure.
Do this (for me).
|
|
|
|
|
Let's
Vou...
suru->shiyou
|
As it is already late, let's go
home.
Mou osoi kara,
kaerou.
There is a test tomorrow so let's
study.
Ashita shiken desu kara, benkyou
shiyou yo.
|
|
Should we
Vou ka
|
Should we meet at 2
o'clock?
Niji ni aimashou
ka?
|
|
|
|
|
Normal question
ka?
Note: Traditionally there was no question
mark in Japanese, but around 1887 it made its first appearance, and in
contemporary Japanese it is quite frequently used.
|
Who is coming?
Dare ga kimasu
ka?
Do you go to school
tomorrow?
Ashita gakkoo ni ikimasu
ka.
|
|
Informal question
-kke
|
At what time?
Nanji dakke?
What is this?
Kore nan
dakke?
|
|
Equal to ka
kai
Somewhat dialectic
|
Is it you Dee? It is open.
Dee kai? Aiteru
yo.
|
|
Equak to desu ka
dai
Somewhat dialectic
|
Why do you feel sorry for
Dee?
Doushite Dee ga kawaisou nan
dai?
|
|
...isn't it? , isn’t it so that?, It
is so that... isn’t it?, might (dk: mon ikke, nok)
... no dewa nai (ka)
?
... no ja nai
(ka)?
... n' ja nai (ka)
?
... ja nai
(ka)?
Espresses your unreserved
meaning.
Formal form: no ja nai desu
ka?
|
Isn't it going the long way around, taking
this route?
Kono michi, toumawari nan ja
nai?
I thought you might be cold so I brought
you this cardigan.
Samui n’ ja nai ka to omotte,
kaadegan o motte kita.
I think it is ok like this, right? This
ought to be ok, right.
Kore de ii ja nai
ka?
|
|
Dubitative form
no ja nai darou
ka?
Espresses your reserved
meaning.
|
|
|
Why is X Y ?
X wa naze Y desu
ka?
|
Why is the sun yellow in your
picture?
Anata no shashin no naka dewa taiyou
wa naze kiiroi desu ka?
|
|
rhetorical question
ka
|
Do you think he would do such a thing. (No,
he wouldn't!)
Ano hito ga sonna koto o suru mono
desu ka.
|
|
(something) is (done) by
(someone).
(something) ga (someone) ni yotte
Vpassive.
|
Different languages are spoken by the
people living in these buildings.
Kotonatta gengo ga korera no tatemono
ni sundeiru hitobito ni yotte hanasareteimasu.
|
|
(something done) by
(someone)
(someone) ni yotte Vpassive (object)
o....
|
Please eat the apple cooked by
Junichi.
Junichi ni yotte ryouri sareta ringo
o tabete kudasai.
|
|
Using passive
|
The man who had had his car
stolen
Kuruma o nusumareta
hito
The car that I have had
stolen
Watashi ga nusumareta
kuruma
The car that was stolen by a
thief
Dorobou ni nusumareta
kuruma
I have had my car stolen by a
thief.
Watashi wa dorobou ni kuruma o
nusumarete shimaimashita.
I don't want to be eaten by that
monster!
Ano bakemono ni taberaretaku nai
yo!
Right now they are selling them with all
sorts of scents. (talking about incense)
Ima wa iroirona kaori no mono ga
urarete iru no.
Before you can be loved by another man you
must first love yourself.
Hoka no dansei ni aisareru mae ni
jibun no koto o suki ni naranakereba naranai.
|
|
passive +
-teiru
|
I read a book where there was written
something about the life in Denmark.
Denmaaku no seikatsu ni tsuite
kakareteiru hon o yonda yo.
|
|
Causative
Make some one do V1-seru
(saseru)
Saseru for the vowel-stem
verbs.
|
Please let me know (tell me) your
address.
Go-juusho o shirasete
kudasai.
|
|
Causative
Let someone do V1-seru
(saseru)
Saseru for the vowel-stem
verbs.
|
Won’t you (or: please) let me do it
this time?
Konkai, ore ni yarasete kurenai
ka?
|
|
being...
sarete
|
The salary is being cut
too.
"Salary" mo "cut" sarete iru
shi.
|
|
If
nara
Vlex to iu (no)
nara
|
If you don't go, I won't go
either.
Anata ga ikanai nara watakushi mo
ikimasen.
If you insist on studying more (harder) I
won’t stop you
Motto benkyou o suru to iu no nara
tome wa shinai.
|
|
And in case of... / If it
is...
nara
|
And in case of simple English, everybody
knows it
(Everybody knows simple
English)
Kantan na eigo nara daredemo shitte
iru shi.
|
|
When, as
Vlex to
A to (/ da
to)
|
When you see this movie, you will
understand how things were in Japan 40 or 50 years ago.
Kono eiga o miru to, nihon no 40 ka 50 nen mae no koto
ga wakaru yo.
As I read your mail, (I see that) you seem
so busy.
Anata no mail o yomu to, totemo isogashisou da
ne.
If it is close to the station it is much
more expensive I guess.
Eki ni chikai tokoro dato motto takai ka mo
ne.
When you are young you learn
fast.
Wakai to oboeru no ga hayai
yo.
When I study I don’t get
tired.
Benkyou shiteiru to nemuku
naranai
When I think about the Japanese meaning, I
don’t think you say it like this.
Nihongo no imi wo kangaeru to, kono
you ni wa iwanai ne.
When you are young you learn
fast.
Wakai to oboeru no ga hayai
yo
|
|
When, if
V4-ba
Kuru ->
kureba.
Desu ->
naraba.
With i-adjectives –kereba
is added to the stem
-eba is used to say "if
something were to happen”.
|
If you hurry you will be in
time.
Isogeba
maniaimasu.
If you only eat a little ice cream it is
ok.
Aisukuriimu wa sukoshi dake tabereba
ii desu.
If it is with him, it is ok to
go.
Ano hito naraba issho ni itte mo ii
desu.
I will stop when I want to
stop.
Watashi wa yameyou to omoeba
yamemasu.
If it is cheap then buy
it.
Yasukereba
kaimasu.
|
|
If / when
Vtara
moshi ...
Vtara
Vtara is used to say "if a
certain condition occurs".
Note that “it would be x if y”
/ “I will be x if y” is just written x Vtara
y
|
If you don't want to die, why don't you go
back? // Shinitakunakattara, kaereba ii ja nai
ka?
If he shows up, we'll all be
eaten! // Aitsu ga kitara, minna ga taberareru
n’ desu!
I think it would be interesting if Pikachu
became a human. // Pikachu wa ningen ni nattara,
omoshiroi da to omou yo!
If you win, I'll be happy! // Anata ga kattara, ureshii
desu!
If you come to Japan, I wish to meet
you. // Moshi anata ga nihon e kitara watashi
wa kare to au deshou.
If you want to learn English in Japan, it
is very expensive. // Nihon de eigo o narattara totemo
takai no yo.
Remember when I asked you for some pizza, and you said "no
way"?
Anata ni pizza wo choudai to ittara “dame”
to itta no o oboete iru?
|
|
if (it is/were so that),
maybe
moshi ...
Vtara
|
If it were so that you smelled of sweat, I
wouldn't like you.
Moshi anata ga ase no nioi ga
shitara, kirai ni naru.
Maybe I should use "ga" not
"ni".
Moshi "ni " dewa naku "ga" o tukatta
ra....
What if say your family found out, what
would happen them you think?
Moshi sono kazoku ga shittara, donna
koto naru to omoimasu ka? (?)
|
|
If not...
V1-nakattara
|
If you don't finish it today, it will be
too late.
Kyou owaranakattara mou ososugimasu
yo.
|
|
If not...
V1-nakereba
|
|
|
Unless..., if not...
V1-nai to
|
Unless you get up early tomorrow morning,
you won't be on time for the seven-o'clock train.
Ashita no asa hayaku okinai to
shichi-ji no kisha ni maniaimasen yo.
|
|
Even if you don't...
V1-nakute mo
(V1-naku to
mo)
|
I heard that cats won't die, even if they
don't eat for many days.
Neko wa nannichikan mo tabenakute mo
shinanai sou desu.
|
|
If only..., as long as...
V2 sae
sureba
Emphatic.
See also V2 sae sureba
ii
|
If only I had money, I would go to Japan
this year, but...
Okane ga ari sae sureba kotoshi Nihon
e iku n’ desu ga...
As long as it has white meat any fish will
do.
Shiromi sakana de ari sae sureba
donna mono de mo yoroshii.
|
|
So long as...
Vinf ijou
(wa)
|
So long as we live we have to do
something.
Ikiteiru ijou wa nani ka shinakereba
naranai.
|
|
If I were to..., then...
to
shitara...
moshi ... to
shitara...
Conjunctive
|
If you were to buy a car, what color would
you like?
Kuruma o kau to shitara, donna iro ga
ichiban desu ka?
If I were to start writing mails only in
English, (I would need to)...
Moshi eigo dake de mail o kakanakute wa ikenai to
shitara...
|
|
Every time, whenever / in case,
when
Vinf baai
N no baai
The event that precedes baai cannot be a
real (alredy happened) event. Only a suppostitional one.
baai means "case". sono
baai means "in that case".
See also:
toki
|
Why do you bring an umbrella everyrime we
go out together?
Doushite, issho ni dekakeru baai,
kasa o mitte kimasu ka?
If it rains the hiking will be
cancelled.
Ame ga futta baai wa hainkingu wa
chuushi desu.
In case of fire don't use the
elevator.
Kasai no baai wa erebeetaa o
tsukawanaide kudsai.
When we go to Japan, we'll go by
airplane.
Nihon ni iku baai, hikooki de
ikimasu.
|
|
Conditional, if, in
case...
Vta baai
(wa)
Similar to
-tara
|
If it rains, we won't go.
Ame ga futta baai wa
ikimasen.
|
|
When
Vta tokoro ga
Vta ga
Often the following clause expresses
something contrary to normal expectations
|
When I ate raw fish, it tasted good –
to my surprise.
Osashimi o tabeta tokoro ga oishii
deshita.
|
|
If, even if, though,
although
tatoe...
|
Even as a joke...
Tatoe joudan
demo..
Even so..
Tatoe sou de atte
mo...
No matter what may
happen...
Tatoe donna koto ga atte
mo...
Even if it were true, what would it
matter?
Tatoe sore ga jijitsu to shite tokoro
de, dou da to iu no da.
|
|
Should, supposed to expected to, assume
hazu
|
When do you expect your guests to
arrive?
O-kyakusan wa nanji ni kuru hazu desu
ka?
They should have left yesterday
night.
Yuube shuppatsu shita hazu
desu.
Spanish should be easy.
Supeingo wa kantan na hazu desu.
The bus isn't supposed to arrive
yet.
Mada basu ga kuru hazu wa nai desu.
The flowers shouldn't be
white.
Kono hana wa shiroi hazu wa arimasen.
|
|
It is expected that...
Vlex koto ni
natteiru
|
|
|
Unexpected
yoteigai
|
Unexpected expenses
Yoteigai no shuppi
Something unexpected happened
Yoteigai no dekigoto
This was a rather unexpected
picture.
Kore wa nanka yoteigai shashin da.
(?)
|
|
There is no reason not to..., it's likely
that...
V1-nai hazu wa
nai.
|
There is no reason for him not to
understand this. (It is likely that he understands this)
Ano hito ni kore ga wakaranai hazu wa
arimasen.
|
|
It is not likely that..., there is no
reason to expect that...
Vinf hazu ga (/wa)
nai
|
There is no reason to expect that he would
say such a thing.
Ano hito ga sonna koto o iu hazu ga
nai.
|
|
(Somebody/thing) is/will probably, presume
/ wonder
Vinf darou
Vou
|
John will probably come.
Jon-san ga kuru
deshou.
Jon-san ga kimashou. It will probably rain
tomorrow.
Ashita ame ga furu
deshou.
He has probably already gone
home.
Mou kaetta
deshou.
I presume Mr. Kawaguchi got
tired.
Kawaguchi-san wa tsukareta
deshou.
I wonder if he spoke any
Japanese.
Nihongo o hanashita deshou
ka.
He is probably home now.
Ima kare wa uchi ni iru
darou.
|
|
Will you ... ?
Vinf darou
Indicates a light question, when the
statement ends with a rising tone.
|
You are going tomorrow, aren't
you?
Ashita irassharu
deshoo.
|
|
I think that
to omou
koto to omou
|
I think Mr. Yamada comes
today.
Kyou yamada-san ga kuru koto to
omoimasu.
|
|
(I) will probably do...
Vou to omou
|
I think I will probably go to sleep early
tonight.
Konban hayaku neyou to
omoimasu.
|
|
Certainly
tashika ni
|
see adverbs.
|
|
Will probably, I think, I may, maybe, I
guess
ka mo
shirenai
ka mo
no ka mo
ka shira
Used to express something you think but are
not sure of.
Ka shira is used by
women.
|
I may go tomorrow.
Ashita iku ka mo
shiremasen.
It will probably clear up
tomorrow.
Ashita wa hareru ka mo shirenai.
I think he already went
home.
Mou kaetta ka mo
shiremasen.
I don't know yet, but I it is probably
cheap.
Mada wakaranai keredomo, yasui ka mo
shiremasen.
I think he might have been a teacher
before.
Mae wa sensei datta ka mo
shirenai.
I guess I can’t do
it.
Dekinai ka
mo...
The Japanese buildings are not built well,
I guess...
Nihon no tatemono no tsukurikata wa
warui no ka mo...
|
|
I wonder if, do you think
ka na
ka naa
ka shira
ka shiran
Ka shira(n) is used by women
only
|
I wonder if his wife is coming
too.
Okusan mo kuru ka shira.
I wonder if it is finished
already.
Mou owatta ka na.
Maybe your friend wants to come too, what
do you think?
O-tomodachi mo ikitai ka na.
Do you think it would be ok to drop by
now?
Kore kara sotchi e itte mo ii ka
naa?
I wonder if he can speak Japanese well?
(Used by women)
Ano hito wa Nihongo ga yoku hanaseru
ka shiran.
|
|
It is not impossible, it may
be...
V1-nai to wa
kagiranai
|
It may be that such a thing could happen
too.
Sonna koto mo okoranai to wa
kagiranai.
|
|
To the extent, as long as, as far as, as
... as, while
Vlex kagiri
Adjectives cannot be used in front of
kagiri. Use instead uchi wa.
See also: aida wa, uchi
wa
|
I will run as fast as I can possibly
do.
Dekiru kagiri, hayaku hashirimasu.
I will try my best.
Dekiru kagiri,
yattemimasu.
As far as I know he is a nice enough
person.
Watashi ga shitteiru kagiri, yasashii
hito desu.
As long as I am here you don't have to
worry.
Watashi ga koko ni iru kagiri shinpai
wa muyou desu.
While you are an educator, you shouldn't
say things like that.
Kyouiku-sha dearu kagiri sonna koto
wa kuchi ni subeki dewa nai.
As far as I can remember he is not married
yet.
Watashi ga oboeteiru kagiri kare wa
mada kekkon shiteimasen yo.
As long as you tell no one, I don’t
mind.
Dare ni mo iwanai kagiri
kamaimasen.
|
|
Assume
Vta koto ni
suru
|
Let's assume that we were
here.
Koko ni ita koto ni
shimashou.
|
|
I am under the impression
that...
Vta tsumori
(da)
|
I am under the impression that I mailed the
letter, but...
Tegami o dashita tsumori desu
ga...
|
|
Speaker's conjecture
(tentative)
V1 no
V1-n'
(??)
|
I hope it will turn out to be
so.
Sou naran to
negau.
|
|
Problem, doubt, question
gimon
|
There is no doubt about that .
Sono ten wa gimon wa nai.
Be in doubt (?)
Gimon ni omou
There is some doubt ...
... gimon da, ...gimon ga aru
There is some doubt wether he will succeed or not
Kare wa seikou suru ka dou ka wa gimon
da
Doubtful, questionable
Gimon no
|
|
Look as if it will / it seems (imminent) /
I am afraid I
V2-sou da/na
Astm-sou
da/na
ii ->
yosa da
nai ->
nasa da
NOTE: sou desu is involved in both "seams as
if it will" "and hea
|
Adj It looks like rain. // Ame ga furisou
desu. That car looks expensive.// Ano kuruma wa takasou desu. Sounds cool! Looks interesting // Omoshiro sou desu ne! genki sou desu // you look good.! Verb I am afraid I will have to save (not eat) this cake. // Boku wa kono keeki o nokoshi sou da.
Irregular - ii > yoi
> yosasou This apartment looks good. // Kono apaato wa yosa sou da. Irregular
negative - aru > nai > nasasou It looks like there is no problem. // Mondai wa nasa sou da. Irregular negative Neg ii ADJ: Doesn't look tasty - does it. // oishiku nasa sou da ne. Neg Verb: Seams like they are not here. // ina sasou da.
Nouns: Not used with nouns
EXTRA
It looks like this house will fall down if
there’s a strong wind. // Kono ie wa tsuyoi kaze ga fuitara
taore sou desu.
|
||||||||||||
|
(seems) it is
sou da
You cannot express how others feel or are,
so you use sou or similar expreesions (garu)
|
You are writing mails, and christmas
preparations, you are really busy.
Mail o kaitari, kurisumasu no junbi, chou isogashisou
dane.
|
||||||||||||
|
Doesn’t seem to / doesn’t look
as if / I am afraid I ... not
sou ni mo
nai
sou mo nai
The V2-verb before sou da
cannot be negative. Instead this construction is used.
|
It doesn’t seem that the students can
solve this problem.
Kono mondai wa gakusei ni wa dekisou
ni mo nai.
I am afraid I cannot understand
it.
Watashi ni wa rikai dekisou ni mo
nai.
|
||||||||||||
|
you ni
you no
|
|
||||||||||||
|
It seems (like)...
... you
desu.
|
It seems the teacher explained it to you
very detailed.
Sensei wa daibu kuwashiku oshiete
kureta you desu ne!!
|
||||||||||||
|
So ...
.. sou desu
ne
|
So you are reading a book about Japanese
culture.
Nihon no bunka ni tsuite kakareteiru
hon o yondeiru sou desu ne.
|
||||||||||||
|
mitai
|
|
||||||||||||
|
mitai
You can use mitai like sou to express how
others feel or are.
|
My friend’s son only just
started at karate. Therefore he does not know so much yet.
Tomodocahi no musuko ga karate o
hajimeta BAKARI da. Dakara mada yoku shiranai mitai.
|
||||||||||||
|
rashii
|
|
||||||||||||
|
It looks as if one won't even
do...
V2-sou mo nai
V2-sou ni
nai
|
It looks as if he won't even come
today.
Ano hito wa kyou kisou mo
arimasen.
|
||||||||||||
|
Seem to / feel
Astm-garu
Is used for adjectives that normally
express what the other person feels/thinks. A verb is been created that
expresses what one presumes that the other person feels/thinks.
Cannot be used to people of higher
status.
Ofteb the –te iru form
is used.
|
The children seem to be
freezing.
Kodomo ga
samugatteimasu.
My little sister (seem to) want a
doll.
Imouto wa ningyou o
hoshigatteiru.
|
||||||||||||
|
seem
V2-ge
Seeming condition of
others
|
He looked at me with a face that seemed to
hold some meaning.
Totemo imi arige na kao o shite
watakushi o mimashita.
|
||||||||||||
|
Appears as if
Vte mieru
|
When I wear this dress, I look fat (it
appears as if I were fat).
Kono youfuku o kiru to futotte
miemasu.
|
||||||||||||
|
Give the impression of
kanji ga
suru
|
You give the impression of being more
grown-up. (You seem much more mature)
Motto otona no kanji ga
suru
|
||||||||||||
|
...and such, like
nado
|
As I expected it seems they had a lot of
troubles as they rented their house and such. (?)
Yahari ie o kariru toki nado totemo kurou shita you
dayo.
Also the working situation for women in
(okeru) Japan, like for instance that the number of women that work until
pension age gradually has increased, is changing.
Teinen made tsutomeru josei no kazu
ga shidai ni fuetekiteiru nado, Nihon ni okeru josei no roudoujoukyou mo
kawaritsutsu aru.
|
||||||||||||
|
Such as, like
nante
nante + to iu ->
nante iu
|
A role division such as “man is out,
women is home” is feudalistic!
Otoko wa soto, onna wa uchi nante iu
yakuwaribuntan, houken-teki da yo.
|
||||||||||||
|
Like..., as...
|
As I promoised you yesterday, I
will...
Kinou yakusoku shita touri,
...
|
||||||||||||
|
Like / and such / and so
on
toka
|
Have you tried wagashi (Japanese candy)?
Like sweet bean paste.
Wagashi (nihon no okashi) tabeta koto
ga aru? An toka.
In Japan you wear it at parties and such too.
Nihon dewa party toka ni mo kiru yo
|
||||||||||||
|
sort of
you na
|
I think A and B has the same sort of
meaning.
A to B to, onaji you na imi da to
omou.
|
||||||||||||
|
a little, kind of, somewhat, on the ...
side
Astm-me
|
When I bought these trousers, I thought
they were a little (too) loose, but now they're just right.
Kono zubon, katta toki ni wa yurume
da to omtta kedo, choudo yoku natchatta yo.
There are some things I need to do, so
could I go home a little early today?
Kyou wa youji ga aru node hayame ni
kaerasete kudasai.
|
||||||||||||
|
(somebody) says that...
Vlex to iu koto o
iimasu.
|
Our government leaders say that the
Japanese are hard workers.
Watashitachi no seihu no riidaa wa
nihonjin ga doryokuka dearu to iu koto o iimasu.
|
|
I have heard that...
to iu koto o
kiita.
|
I have heard that Japan is very
beautiful.
Watashi wa Nihon ga totemo utsukushii
to iu koto o kikimashita.
|
|
Being told, is said
to iwarete
|
They are unstoppable, even though they are
being told to stop.
Yamerarenai, yamero to iwarete
mo.
No matter what is said now, I feel like it
will hurt.
Ima wa nani iwarete mo, kizutsukeru
sonna ki ga suru.
That time, if you had told me "I hate
you",...
Ano toki "kirai da" to iwarete
itara,...
|
|
??
Iwarete
|
Just saying it isn't
proof!
Iwarete mirya (mireba) shouko nai yo
na.
|
|
I hear that / I heard that / People say
that
Vinf sou da
A sou da
|
I heard that Mr. Yamakawa is studying
French. // Yamakawa-san wa furansugo o benkyou
shiteiru sou da.
I hear that meat in Japan is very
expensive. // Nihon no niku wa totemo takai sou
da.
I heard that Toshiko speaks very good
English. // Toshiko-san wa eigo ga totemo jouzu
da sou desu.
I heard that Tora is a teacher of
English. // Tora-san wa eigo no sensei da sou
da.
|
|
I hear that / heard that / understand
that
-tte
|
I heard that she has already gone to
Osaka.
Ano kata mou Oosaka e irasshatta n'
desu tte.
|
|
It seems...
...to
omowareru
|
On the other hand it seems that among Japanese, esepecially the younger people, Western and Chinese is the most popular, doesn't it.
Ippou nihonjin, toku ni wakai hito ni
wa seiyouryouri ya chuugokuryouri no hou ga ninki ga aru no dewa nai ka to
omowareru.
|
|
Was it ... ? / I just wanted to be sure
that it was ...
de ii no?
|
Was it 5 o’clock japanese time? Or
was it when it was 5 in Denmark?
5ji wa nihon jikan de ii no ka na?
Soretomo denmaku de 5ji na no ka na?
|
|
|
|
|
About / approximate
Vta/N bakari
da
|
|
|
gurai
|
|
|
Ca.
yaku
|
|
|
For sure / on the other
hand
koso
Emphasizes the previous
word
|
To heal (recover), for sure this is important at busy
times.
Iyashi, isogashii toki koso kore ga daiji da
wa.
(No) I on the other hand says thank
you!
Kochira koso
arigatou.
|
|
... you ni
|
Don’t catch a cold or anything!
Kaze nado hikanai you ni ne!
|
|
Emphatic negative
V2 wa shinai
|
There isn't any such
thing.
Sonna mono wa ari wa (arya)
shinai.
|
|
How...!
...koto
|
How that man eats.
Ano hito wa yoku taberu
koto.
|
|
Thank you for ...
–ing
...Vte kudasatte arigatou
gozaimasu.
|
Thank you for calling.
Denwa shite kudasatte arigatou
gozaimasu.
|
|
humble form
o-V2 desu
|
The company chief is calling for
you.
Shachou ga o-yobi
desu.
|
|
humble form
o-V2 itasu
|
I will bring it
immediatley.
Sugu o-mochi itashimasu.
Shall I lend you an
umbrella?
Kasa o o-kashi itashimashou ka?
I called you.
O-denwa o o-kake
itashimashita.
|
|
|
|
|
High form of honorific
o-asobasu
|
She sat down.
Osuwari
asobashimashita.
|
|
Honorific
o-V2 ni naru
|
The teacher wrote some words on the
blackboard.
Sensei ga kokuban ni ikutsuka no
kotoba o o-kaki ni narimashita. (?)
Dad, have you read this
book?
Otousan, kono hon o o-yomi ni
narimashita ka?
|
|
Colloquial honorific
o-V2 da
Similar to o-V2 ni
naru
|
Perhaps you are busy, since you not only
have your schoolwork, but you have children, too.
Anata wa gakkou no oshigoto mo oari
da shi, kodomo-san mo oari da kara oisogashii deshou.
|
|
to do
nasaru
|
Should it be with milk?
(?)
Milk wa dou nasaimasu ka?
|
|
Irassharu = kuru, iku,
suru
The te-form can be either: irasshatte
or irashite
|
Where are you going?
Doko e irassharun desu
ka ?
Please come to my country
too.
Watashi no kuni ni mo irashite
kudasai.
|
|
no hou
Used for polite indirectness to avoid
precision and bluntness in a context where politeness is asked
for.
|
How are things at work?
O-shigoto no hou wa ikaga desu
ka?
Do you take milk in your
coffee?
Koohii ni miruku no hou wa o-ire
shimasu ka?
|
|
Used to
Vta mono da
Habitual occurrence in the
past
|
I often used to fight with my little
brother when I was little.
Chiisai toki watakushi wa yoku otouto
to kenka shita mono desu.
|
|
|
|
|
ssu
A less formal version for
desu
Used typically in the sports
world.
|
You always welcome a party, don't
you.
Paati wa itudemo ureshiissu
nee.
|
|
Negative
V1-n'
|
Sou wa ikan.
It won't work out that
way.
|
|
(negative suffix) frequently contracted to
-n as in arimasen.
-nu
Example: -ka mo shirenu = -ka mo
shirenai
|
|
|
Extra, more, deep, (etc.)
mono-
Adds a meaning o
|
Really fantastic...
Monosugoku...
Immensed in deep thoughts.
Mono-omoi ni
fuketteiru.
|
|
to
|
|
|
tte
|
|
|
so called
to iu no
|
We do so called shrine
visit
“O-miyamairi” to iu no o
suru
|
|
to iu no wa
|
|
|
about
ni tsuite
|
It is interesting to learn about foreign
cultures.
Gaikoku no bunka ni tsuite manabu
koto wa omoshiroi desu.
|
|
about
no koto
Note that no koto no does not
exist.
|
|
|
About (that)...
to iu koto
|
I read in a book, about you not rinsing
your plates.
Kon o yonda... O-sara o susuganai to
iu koto.
|
|
ni tsuite no
|
|
|
about...
...tte
|
|
|
talk about something (N) at a place
(P)
N no hanashi o P de
shita
|
We talked about yakitori over ICQ.
Yakitori no hanashi wo ICQ de shita.
|
|
Concerning, with regard to, about,
on
ni kanshite
ni kanshite
wa
ni kanshi
ni
kanshimashite
ni
kanshimashi
ni kanshimashite is more
formal than ni kanshite
Formal equivalent of e.g. ni
tsuite.
See also: no koto
|
With regard to that issue, we are not yet
at the stage where we can announce anything.
Sono ken ni kanshimashite wa, mada
happyou dekiru dankai dewa arimasen.
(happyou suru = announce, dankai =
stage)
There was a lot of criticism concerning Mr.
Yoshioka's presentation at the conference.
Sono gakkai de Yoshioka-shi no
happyou ni kanshite ooku no hihan ga nasareta.
(hihan =
criticism)
|
|
(Something) Concerning, with regard to,
about, on (something)
...ni kansuru
N
Formal equivalent of ni tsuite
no.
|
Last week a conference on litterature was
held in Tokyo.
Senshuu, Toukyou de bungaku ni
kansuru gakkai ga hirakareta.
(hiraku = to open (a festival
etc.))
|
|
ne used as
wa
|
I was supposed to come here with fiancé,
but...
Atashi ne, koko ni wa kare to issho ni kuru hazu datta
n’ da kedo...
|
|
Emphasizing thoughts or
opinions
sa
Casual usage
|
If I can’t do it today, I will do it
tomorrow.
Kyou dekinakereba, ashita suru sa.
There is nothing left to do but give
up.
Akirameru tori shikata ga nai
sa.
|
|
Indicates a strong
reaction
sa
|
What nonsense you are
saying!
Nani o baka na koto o itteiru no sa.
I’ll have nothing to do with such a
guy.
Nani sa, anna
yatsu.
|
|
Used to hold the attention of the
listener
sa
|
The book I borrowed the other day, I
finished it.
Kono aida karita hon sa, mou yonjatta.
With mr. Tanaka, at the ginza, we went to
see a movie.
Tanaka-san to sa, ginza de sa, eiga
michatta.
|
|
Emphatic
(za), ze, zo as male endings
similar to yo
Somewhat dialectic male ending. Should only
be used to close friends. ze is softer than
zo.
Be carefult with zo it might
be rude.
zo is not used for
invitations or requests.
|
-We are not supposed to go here.
-It's ok.
-Koko wa tachi de kinshi da ze
(?)
-Daijoubu za
Well let’s go now.
Sorosoro dekakeyou
ze.
Well let’s be off
now.
Sorosoro dekakeru
zo.
You can be sure I will be back
tomorrow.
Ashita mata kuru
ze.
If you do such things you will
fail.
Sonna koto o suru to shippai suru
zo.
This is difficult, I tell
you.
Kore wa muzukashii
zo.
|
|
By, at
nite
|
Eating dinner, at a restaurant in a small
town.
Shokuji toaru, chiisana machi no
resutoran nite.
|
|
koto
Changes an action into a
noun.
Is largely interchangeable with
no but not in a certain number of set phrases.
|
I like to swim (lit.
swimming).
Oyogu koto ga
suki.
|
|
no
|
|
|
The fact
no koto
|
Since the fact that you are so bright, I guess you probably
already know it.
Atama no ii Nafai no koto dakara kitto shitte iru to
omou.
|
|
Is it this ... ?
no koto da
ka?
|
You mean this star basketball player of
ours?
Watashitachi no basuketto booru no
hanagata senshu no koto desu ka?
|
|
(making things a bit abstract)
Like
to iu
|
Rather than doing something like just
translating the English version...
Eigoban kara yakusu to iu yori
mo...
|
|
Times, places, things,
when
tokoro
|
If you use only a dictionary, you
won’t be able to understand the details. (.. understand when it comes to
details)
Jisho dake dewa komakai tokoro made wa rikai
dekinai.
If there are other things you don’t
understand...
Mata wakaranai tokoro ga attara mail
de....
|
|
to find that...
...to iu koto ni ki ga
tsuku.
|
They found that their dog was not
around.
Karera wa inu ga shuui ni inai to iu
koto ni ki ga tsukimashita.
|
|
To do ... is ...
... to wa
...
|
That find Hayama's house, isn't that a miracle?
Hayama no ie o mitsukeru to wa kiseki
ka?
|
|
Be doing
Vte iru
Continuative or resultative
The standard usage is for continuing
action.
With verbs of movement it means: "Has/is
done"
|
Daddy is reading the
newspaper.
Otousan wa ima shinbun o yonde
imasu.
What are you doing?
Nani o shite imasu
ka?
He is currently in (gone to)
Denmark.
Kare wa ima Denmaaku e itte imasu.
I am wearing glasses.
Megane o kakete iru.
The window is closed.
Mado ga shimatte
imasu.
The door was open.
Doa ga aite
imashita.
I wasn't tired.
Tsukarete
imasendeshita.
|
|
Continuative
V2-tsutsu
aru
|
A typhoon is approaching
Kyuushuu.
Taifuu ga kyuushuu ni sekkin
shitsutsu aru.
The working situation for women is
changing. (Ref.: The working situation for women has changed)
Josei no roudoujoukyou wa
kawaritsutsu aru.
(ref.: Josei no roudoujoukyou wa
kawatteiru)
|
|
Is done / have done
Vte aru
Describes an action which has occurred and
is still in force
noget med
transitive/intranstitive
|
The window is open (The window has been
opened and is still open).
Mado ga akete
arimasu.
I already wrote the
letter.
Tegami wa mou kaite
arimasu.
There is painted various things on the
picture.
E ni wa iroiro no mono ga kaite
arimasu.
In the furniture-shop bookcases and chests
of drawers are lined up.
Kageya ni wa tansu ya honbako nado ga
narabete arimasu.
|
|
Is done
mou
|
It is finished.
Mou owatta
Now it is past 12 so I guess better go to sleep.
Mou 12ji o sugite iru kara neta hou ga ii ka
na.
|
|
?? (you can almost ignore this I
think)
(noun)-taru
|
|
|
|
|
|
...don't you?
...sou
deshou?
|
You like this music, don't
you?
Anata wa kono ongaku ga suki desu,
sou deshou?
|
|
How...!
Nante ...
na!
|
How pretty!
Nante kirei
na!
|
|
What a... !
Nante...
deshou!
|
What a beautiful day!
Nante uraraka na hi
deshou!
What a wonderful son!
Nante subarashii musuko
deshou!
|
|
Why not?
|
Mochiron iinja arimasen
ka?
|
|
..., isn't it?
..., sou
darou?
|
It's your cow, isn't it?
Sore wa anata no meushi desu, sou
deshou?
|
|
Anyway,
Nani mo ka
mo
|
Anyway, it's all her
fault.
Nani mo kamo aitsu ga warui n’
da.
|
|
|
|
|
At that point...
Soko de...
|
|
|
(So) then...
Sore de...
|
|
|
That being the case...
Sou iu wake
de...
|
|
|
Then..., So...
De...
Contraction of either: soko de, sore
de or sou iu wake de etc.
Can either be an encouragement to your
conversational partner to continue speaking or it can be used to
explain.
|
So, how was she doing?
De, kanojo, genki
datta?
Train service has been
stopped.
So when is it going to start up again? Densha ga tomatte
orimasu.
De, itsu ugoku n’ desu ka? I come home, see, and the door is locked.
So I had no choice but to wait outside.
Kaette kitara doa ni kagi ga kakatte
iru no yo. De, shikata ga nai kara soto de matteta no.
|
|
...or something like that.
...toka ne.
|
|
|
What on earth, really, in fact
Ittai
|
Dear, what are you telling him
now?!
Anata, ittai ima kare ni nani o
itteru no?!
|
|
Oh,...
Nanda,...
|
A fire?! ... Oh, in the
fireplace.
Hi datte?! ...Nanda, danro ni
ka.
|
|
Yes indeed, oh my
Iya / iyaa
iya normally means
“no” or “disgusting” or similar.
|
Yes indeed, bonsai is a fine
pursuit.
Iyaa, bonsai mo ii desu
na.
|
|
Funny you should mention
it,...
Tokoro de
dokkoi,...
|
|
|
How goes with... ?
... wa dou?
|
How goes with karate
practice?
Karate no renshuu wa
dou?
|
|
I was thinking...
Kangaete mite...
|
|
|
And..
..shi ne.
|
And the apartment prices are
high...
Apaato dai wa takai shi
ne...
|
|
|
|
|
with all that...
... no sei
de
|
I can't do anything with all that noisy
music.
Watashi wa ano souzoushii ongaku no
sei de nanimo suru koto ga dekimasen."
|
|
I have known you for ...
Shiriai ni natte ... ni
naru.
|
We have known each other for a month
now.
Watashitachi wa shiriai ni natte
ikkagetsu ni
narimasu.
|
|
Become more and more...
masumasu ... Vte
kita.
|
Tonight it has become even more
colder.
Konban wa masumasu samuku natte
kimashita ne.
|
|
Remember that...
Vta oboe ga
aru
|
I don't remember if I read about such a
thing.
Sonna koto o yonda oboe wa
arimasen.
|
|
Don't know (what, etc.) to
do...
interrogative Vtara ii ka
wakaranai
interrogative Veba ii ka wakaranai
|
I don't know what to do.
Dou shitara ii ka
wakaranai.
I don't know where to go.
Doko e ittara ii ka
wakaranai.
|
|
You do that too?
Anata mo
sou?
Colloquial
|
|
|
Draw attention
hito no me o
hiku
|
An eye-catching poster
me o hiku posutaa
|
|
You wouldn’t...
Vpot-negative
|
I hadn’t thought you were (just) 20
years. You give the impression of being much older.
20sai ni wa omoenai. Motto otona no
kanji ga suru.
|
|
It makes me sick to
Vlex to
iyaninaru
|
It makes me sick to think about
it.
Sore o omoidasu to
iyaninaru.
|
|
Through all / In all
N juu
|
In all of Japan
Nihon-juu
Through the whole year
Ichinen-juu
|
|
Don't give up...
... o
akiramenaide
|
Don't give up your dreams.
Yume o
akiramenaide...
|
|
There is something...
... tokoro ga
aru
|
There is something cute about
her.
Kawaii tokoro ga aru n’ da
ze.
|
|
enthusiasm
nesshin
|
You are really entusiastic in
studying!
Sugoku benkyou nesshin
ne!
|
|
Fall, drop
ochiru
|
All the apples have fallen off the tree
Ringo wa zenbu ki kara
ochita
The trees outside are loosing their leaves
Soto no ki wa ha ga
ochiteimasu
|
|
Run out of
V2-kireru
|
Although they just started selling it
yesterday, it is already sold out.
Kinou uridashita no ni, mou urikirete
shimaimashita.
|
|
Survival of the fittest
Jakuniku
kyoushoku
|
|
|
Kill time
hima o
tsubusu
|
|
|
Useful ...
yaku ni tatsu
N
|
This is a very useful
commodity.
Sore wa totemo yaku ni tatsu mono
desu
|
|
To differ
sa ga/wa aru
chigau
|
There is not really much difference I think
Amari sa wa nai to omou
kedo
|
|
Experience
keiken
keiken suru
keiken ga
aru
keiken ni
naru
|
I want to experience many different
things.
Takusan iroiro na koto o keiken
shitai.
This is the coldest weather I have ever
experienced (I have never experienced anything like this cold)
Konna samusa wa koremade ni keiken
shita koto ga nai.
I know what it is like to lose a
child.
Watashi wa kodomo o nakushita tsurai
keiken ga aru.
I am new to this kind of
work.
Watashi was kou iu shigoto ni wa
keiken ga nai.
It is almost impossible, I know from my own
experience.
Boku no keiken kara suru to sore wa
hotondo fukanou da ne.
I think this will be a very good experience
(for you).
Totemo ii keiken ni naru to omou yo.
People that haven’t experienced it
don’t know I think, how truly hard it is to study while having a part time
job.
Keiken no nai hito wa wakaranai ka mo shiremasen ga
arubaito o shi nagara benkyou suru no wa hontou ni taihen
desu.
|
|
younger + older
|
He is two years younger than me.
Watashi yori futatsu shita. (shita = “under”
I think)
|
|
Put together / collected
matomete
|
Dishes and bowls for instance are collected
under the term “tableware”
Sara toka bowl o matomete
“shokki” to iu no da.
|
|
Don't know how (what,
etc.)
(interrogative word) Vte ii (no) ka
wakaranai
|
I don't know how to find difficult
characters.
Muzukashii ji o dou shite mitsukete
ii ka wakaranai.
|
|
I don’t know...
...wa yoku
wakaranai
|
|
|
Cannot help
Vte shiyou ga
nai
Vte shou ga nai
(?)
|
I couldn't help crying
hard.
Nakete shiyou ga
nakatta.
|
|
Manage to do
Vte nokeru
|
Hidoku muzukashii shigoto o umaku
shite noketa.
I managed to do a very difficult job
well.
|
|
Part (of), portion
bubun
|
“Toro” is that part of the
tuna’s meat that is rich on fat.
“Toro” wa maguro no niku no abura no ooi
bubun no koto.
|
|
Pretend
furi o suru
|
He always pretends no to see me, even if he
does see me.
Kare wa watakushi o mite mo itsumo
minai furi o shimasu.
|
|
Personally
kojinteki ni
|
To know personally
Kojinteki ni
shiru
Personal opinion
Kojinteki
iken
|
|
Endure, tolerate / have
patience
gaman suru
|
I endured the pain
Itai no o gaman
shita
I cannot tolerate the
noise
Souon ga gaman (limit)
dekinai
I have come to the end of my
patience
Mou gaman no genkai
desu
|
|
Imagine
souzou suru
|
The scenery there was different from what I
had imagined.
Soko no keshiki wa souzou shite ita
mono to chigatte ita.
I cannot imagine life without
water.
Mizu no nai seikatsu nado souzou
dekinai.
|
|
Irritate / be nercous
iraira suru
|
His rude manners irritates
me.
Ano hito no burei na taido ni wa
iraira suru.
|
|
|
If you want to do that, you may do
it.
Anata ni sore o suru ki ga areba shite mo ii
desu.
|
|
what / how // nante
|
I wonder how it is said in English. // Eigo dewa nante iu no kana
|
|
Like // nante
|
It’s not like I am
lying! // Uso nante
ittenai!
|
|
How...! // Nante ...
na!
|
How pretty! // Nante kirei
na!
|
|
What a... ! // Nante...
(deshou)!
|
What a nice person she is // Nante ii hito nan deshou.
What a beautiful day! // Nante uraraka na hi
deshou!
What a wonderful son! // Nante subarashii musuko
deshou!
What a fantastic person you
are! // Nante sugoi
hito!
|
|
There is no such thing as... / there is
no.. or anything
...nante nai
yo
"nante" as used here is a colloquial contraction.
Used when the degree of incorporation of information is low. The
degree is considered low if the speaker (i) has acquired information from an
outside source, (ii) is not strongly convinced of the truth or credibility
of information, and/or (iii) is emotionally detached from information.
In addition, the lexical meaning of nante (‘the likes of’), which
signifies repeatability and thus devaluation (If it is repeatable, it must
not be so special).
|
There is no password or
anything. // Password nante nai
yo.
There is no such things as
ghosts. // Yuurei nante inai yo!
There no such thing as god // kamisama nante inai.
|
|
is
natte iru
|
Now I will try and write som
“palindromes”. To read them is interesting (this is (became) a
palindrome too!)
Korekara ikutsuka "kaibun" o aitemiru
kara.
Yo mu no ta no mu yo (koremo kaibun
ni natte iru no yo)
|
|
really
sonna ni
|
Is Pikachu's energy really that
low?
Pikachu no kiryoku wa sonna ni hikui
desu ka?
|
|
really not
sonna ni ...
Vnai
|
xxx and yyy are really not that different.
(almost the same)
xxx to yyy... sonna ni
kawaranai.
|
|
sore hodo ...
Vnai
|
The quality isn’t that much
different.
Hinshitsu wa sorehodo
kawaranai.
|
|
It is.. / It is like... / ...you
see
... yo.
|
|
|
Yeah,...
... ne.
|
|
|
Yeah, it is / Yeah, ... you
see
... yo ne.
|
|
|
too
mo
|
|
|
In place of ga as “is
both”
mo
|
There are at least both a low fat and a normal milk.
Milk mo low fat milk to futsuu no milk gurai
dayo.
|
|
As much as / even
mo
|
There were two cards?
Nimai mo kaado ga atta. (?)
|
|
mo with the word
motto
motto ... mo
|
|
|
mo used in negated
sentences
mo ... Vnai
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be interested in
... no ki ga
aru
|
|
|
Want to / be in the mood to / feel inclined
toward doing
ki ga aru
ki ga muku
|
If you want to do that, you may do
it.
Anata ni sore o suru ki ga areba shite mo ii
desu.
|
|
Not be interested in
... no ki ga
nai
|
|
|
To get along with
ki ga au
|
|
|
Be timid / be afraid
ki ga
chiisai
|
|
|
Become distracted
ki ga chiru
|
|
|
Have little patience /
quick-tempered
ki ga
mijikai
|
|
|
Hot-headed, hot-tempered
ki ga hayai
|
|
|
To have a hunch (that) / have a feeling
that, feel like
N no ki ga
suru
A ki ga suru
V3 ki ga
suru
|
You have a hunch that this is not true. (a description of
“usoppoi”)
Hontou dewa nai you na ki ga suru.
I don’t feel like going to school
today.
Kyou wa gakkou e iku ki ga
shimasen.
|
|
To mind / To care about / To
worry
ki ni suru
|
I have never really given much thought to such
things.
Sonna koto o amari ki ni shita koto ga nai
kara.
|
|
Don’t mind / be indifferent
to
ki ni shinai
|
|
|
Like / be pleased with
... ga ki ni
iru
Ki ni iteiru sounds like
ki niteru
|
Cindy likes Randy you
know.
Shindi wa ki ni iteiru n’ desu yo, Randi no
koto!
Well, that’s why I like him.
Ma, sonna tokoro mo ki ni iteiru n’ dakedo iu.
(?)
|
|
Be worried over, feel anxious / to be on
one’s mind / be bothered by
... ga ki ni
naru
... ga ki ni
kakaru
|
Do you mind it
Ki ni naru n’ desu yo?
I am somehow worried.
Nanka, ki ni natteiru
za
|
|
To change one’s mind
ki ga kawaru
|
|
|
thoughtful, care for, tactful / smart /
sensible
ki ga kiku
‹C‚ª—˜‚-
|
|
|
Come to feel like doing, by time feel like
doing
V3 ki ni natte
kuru
|
Since it is getting warm, I am beginning to feel like working
in the garden.
Atatakaku natte kita node, niwa de hataraku ki ni natte
kimashita.
|
|
To hurt one’s feelings / be
offended
ki ni sawaru
|
|
|
Be dissatisfied
ki ga
sumanai
|
|
|
Be reluctant to do
ki ga
susumanai
|
|
|
Pay attention (to) / take care, be
careful
(... ni) ki o
tsukeru
|
|
|
Notice that
...ni ki ga
tsuku
|
|
|
Faint
ki o ushinau
|
|
|
Irresolute / hesitating / have a weak
personality
ki ga yowai
|
|
|
Care for
ki ni
shiteiru
|
He must care for you too.
Kare, anata no koto ki ni shiteiru.
|
|
Don’t care
ki ni
shiteinai
ki ni
shinaide
Not as cold as betsu ni ..
nai
|
|
|
Don't worry about...
... ki ni shinaide
ii.
|
Don't worry about
replying.
Henji wa ki ni shinaide ii
desu.
|
|
In your/my imagination
ki no sei
|
It is just in your imagination.
Ki no sei da yo.
|
|
Pretentious
kidori
|
Pretentious person
Kidori-ya
|
|
As might be expected
Vinf dake ni
Vinf dake
atte
|
That he is somewhat weak in the head might
be expected from the fact that he is always bragging about strange
things.
Ano otoko wa itsumo okashina koto o
jiman suru dake ni doko ka tarinai.
|
|
Far from, no time to
dokoro dewa
nai
dokoro no hanashi dewa
nai
dokoro no sewagi dewa
nai
|
I was so busy that I couldn't go shopping
(far from having time to go shopping).
Isogashikute kaimono ni iku dokoro
dewa nakatta.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
|
Eksempel
|
Beskrivelse
|
|
V1
|
a (kawa-nai)
|
Negative base
|
|
V2
|
i (kai-masu)
|
Infinitiv / masu-form / ”Continuative
base”
|
|
V3 / Vlex
|
u (kau)
|
Dictionary form / Informal
non-past
|
|
V4
|
e (kae-ba)
|
Conditional base
|
|
V5 / Vou
|
ou (kaou)
|
Conjectural base
|
|
V6 / Vte
|
te (katte-iru)
|
te-form
|
|
V7 / Vta
|
ta (katta)
|
Informal past
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vinf
|
|
A verb in its informal form (fx kuru, kita,
konai, konakatta,
but not the V5-form)
|
|
Vpot
|
|
Potential form, V2-(ra)reru (korareru,
dekiru, kawareru, taberareu)
|
|
Astm
|
|
Adjective stem (hoshi, aka,
kirei)
|
|
N
|
|
Noun
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vtara
|
|
Equal to Vta + ra
|
|
Vnai
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Equal to V1 + nai
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Veba
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Equal to V4 + ba
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| At breakfast, clergyman asked me , "How do you like this country?" // Bokushi ga choushoku no toki ni watashi ni tazunemashita, "Kono kuni o dou omoimasu ka?" | ||
http://www.nafai.org/japanese/