I am a native Japanese speaker who used to teach Japanese in a university somewhere on this planet. Currently I don't work but stayed in my house in Northern part of JAPAN. I hope that you could enjoy reading my posts and know what life in Japan is like.
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Yesterday’s quizzes was as follows;
Think about how the particle “o” and “ni” fit in the following sentences.
Q1 : Watashi wa Gakusei<ni> Nihongo<o> Oshiemasu.
(I teach Japanese to my students.)
Q2 : Watashi wa Tomodachi<ni> Messeeji<o> Okurimasu.
(I send a message to my friends.)
Q3 : Watashi wa Denwa<o> Sensei<ni> Kakemasu.
(I make a phone call to my teacher.)
“[Person] ni [Thing] o [Verb] masu.”— this is applicable to Q1 and Q2. But for Q3, how do we use two particles “o” and “ni”?
“Denwa” in Q3 means a phone call that is not a person.
“Sensei” means a teacher who can be thought as a person.
So, in the case of Q3, functions of particles are prioritized rather than the order of words.
Particle “o” has the function to indicate an object on which action of a transitive verb exerts directly.
Particle “ni” has a function to indicate a direction to the reaching point where action a verb is heading to.
Although word order “[Person] ni [Thing] o [Verb] masu.” is often used, sometimes the order changes to be “[Thing] o [Person] ni [Verb] masu.”. So, look at the followings about Q3;
Wrong: Watashi wa Denwa<ni> Sensei<o> Kakemasu.
Right: Watashi wa Denwa<o> Sensei<ni> Kakemasu.
Now we are learning verbs that use two particles “o” and “ni”. “Giving/receiving verbs” are also verbs of this type. Look at the following two sentences 1 and 2, then think about relation between these two sentences.
1. Watashi wa Satou-san ni Choko o Moraimashita. (I received a chocolate from Ms. Sato.)
2. Satou-san wa Watashi ni Choko o Kuremashita. (Ms. Sato gave me a chocolate.)
(Be careful about difference between Agemasu and Kuremasu. Both can be “give” in English, but they need to be used properly according to the subject. I will explain this matter another time (not today).)
Although the subjects and verbs are different, sentences 1 and 2 have almost the same meaning in respect that a chocolate moved from Ms. Sato to “Watashi”. Likewise, some “giving/receiving verbs” have a verb that counteracts as below;
3. Watashi wa Kurasumeeto ni Nohto o Kashimasu.
(I lend my notebook to a friend.)
4. Kurasumeeto wa Watashi kara Nohto o Karimasu.
(A classmate borrows the notebook from me)
5. Watashi wa Gakusei ni Nihongo o Oshiemasu.
(I teach Japanese to my students.)
6. Gakusei wa Watashi kara Nihongo o Naraimasu.
(My students learn Japanese from me.)
7. Watashi wa Tomodachi ni Messeeji o Okurimasu.
(I send a message to my friends.)
8. Tomodachi wa Watashi kara Messeeji o Uketorimasu.
(My friend receives a message from me.)
There are large numbers of verbs. Some have a counterpart like the above, but some not. Build up your vocabulary about verbs.
Yesterday, we learned the verb “Agemasu” that is one of “Giving/Receiving verbs”. An example is as below;
1. Watashi wa Satou-san ni Hana o Agemasu. (I give Ms. Sato flowers.)
The sentence 1 is a verb predicate sentence, and its verb is “Agemasu” which is a transitive verb and also one of “Giving/Receiving verbs”. Usually in a sentence of “Giving/Receiving verbs”, two particles “o” and “ni” are used. The particle “o” is for direct object, and “ni” for indirect object. And sentence construction is as below;
2. [Subject] wa [Indirect Object] ni [Direct object] o [Giving/Receiving verb] masu.
And most of the time 2 can be;
2’. [Subject] wa [Person] ni [Thing] o [Giving/Receiving verb] masu.
So, in the case of 1, [Person] is Satou-san, and [Thing] is Hana.
Not only “Giving/Receiving verbs”, some other transitive verbs also become a sentence like 2’. Let’s expand the concept of “[Person] ni [Thing] o” to some verbs.
The following words are used in today’s sentences;
– Kurasumeeto: noun; classmate
– Nohto: noun; notebook
– Gakusei: noun; student
– Tomodachi: noun; friend
– Messeeji: noun; message
– Denwa: noun; telephone
– kashimasu: transitive verb; lend
– oshiemasu: tranisitive verb; teach
– okurimasu: transitive verb; send
– kakemasu: transitive verb; (“Denwa o kakemasu” = make a phone call)
Example: Watashi wa Kurasumeeto ni Nohto o Kashimasu.
(I lend my notebook to a classmate.)
Think about how the particle “o” and “ni” fit in the following sentences.
Q1 : Watashi wa Gakusei__ Nihongo __ Oshiemasu.
Q2 : Watashi wa Tomodachi__ Messeeji__ Okurimasu.
Q3 : Watashi wa Denwa__ Sensei__ Kakemasu.
Answers for Q1 to Q3 will be shown tomorrow.
We have already learned that a sentence using a transitive verb is as follows;
1. [Subject] wa [Object] o [Transitive verb] masu.
By the definition, a transitive has an object on which action of the transitive verb exerts. Such objects are indicated by particle “o” and placed in front of the transitive verb.
What we are going to learn is that some verbs need to have more information by adding “ni” segment to the sentence construction 1.
2. [Watashi] wa [Person] ni [Object] o [Transitive Verb*] masu.
Where, [Transitive Verb*] is a verb that uses “o-segment” and “ni-segment”.
example: Watashi wa Satou-san ni Purezento o Agemasu. (I give Ms. Sato a present.)
There are two things to think about this example of a verb predicate sentence.
– There are some verbs using both particle “ni” and “o”. “Agemasu” is this type.
– The verb “Agemasu” is one of “Giving/Receiving verbs”.
Practice the following conversation;
A : Satou-san wa Dare ni Hon o Agemasuka.
B : Watashi wa Suzuki-san ni Hon o Agemasu.
A : Ja, Takahasi-san ni Nani o Agemasuka.
B : Takahasi-san ni Hana o Agemasu
Where;
– Hon: noun; a book
– Agemasu: transitive verb; give
– Hana: noun; flowers
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第7課A3”の内容を参照しています。>
We have already learned several functions of particle “de”.
Like yesterday, today’s new function of “de” is also a kind of “what to use for your action”.
1. What language you use for language activity; [language] de [Verb] masu.
example: Watashi wa Nihongo de Tegami o Kakimasu. (I write a letter in Japanese.)
This function of “de” is used when the verb is of a language activity. Let us review verbs for language activities (they are for four language skills).
– Yomimasu: transitive verb; read
– Kikimasu: transitive verb; hear, listen
– Hanashimasu: transitive verb; speak, tell, say
– Kakimasu: transitive verb; write
In order to use in examples, let me introduce some new words.
– Eigo: noun; English
– Repohto: noun; report
– Nanigo: interrogative word coming from “Nani” and “go” in which “go” means language; what language
Practice and remember the following conversation;
A: Satou-san wa Nanigo de Repohto o Kakimasuka. (Ms. Sato, what language are you going to use for writing your report?)
B: Watashi wa Eigo de Repohto o Kaimasu. (I am going to write my report in English.)
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第7課A2”の内容を参照しています。>
We have already learned two functions of particle “de”.
1. What means of transportation is used when making movement.
example;
A: Sato-san wa Nani de Kaisha e Ikimasuka. (Ms.Sato, how do you get to the company?)
B: Watashi wa Chikatetsu de Kaisha e Ikimasu. (I go to the company by subway.)
2. Where the action is taking place; [Place] de [Verb] masu.
example;
A: Satou-san wa Doko de Kasa o Kaimashitaka. (Ms.Sato, where did you buy the umbrella?)
B: Watashi wa Kombini de Kasa o Kaimashita. (I bought the umbrella at a convenience store.)
Today’s new function of “de” is similar to “1.” in respect of “what to use for your action”.
3. What you use when making action; [tool] de [Verb] masu.
In order to show examples for sentences of this type, let me introduce several new words.
– Empitsu: noun; pencil,
– Bohrupen: noun; ballpoint pen
– Saimpen: noun; felt-tip pen
– Shaapupenshiru: nouns, mechanical pencils
– Ji: noun; character
– Kakimasu: transitive verb; write
Practice the following two conversations;
A: Satou-san wa Empitsu de Ji o Kakimasuka, Shaapupenshiru de kakimasuka.
(Ms. Sato, do you write a character by a pencil or a mechanical pencil?)
B: Watashi wa Shaapupenshiru de Ji o Kakimasu.
(I write a character by a mechanical pencil.)
A: Suzuki-san wa Nani de Ji o Kakimasuka.
(Mr. Suzuki, by what do you write a character?)
B: Watashi wa Bohrupen to Saimpen de Ji o Kakimasu.
(I write a character by a ballpoint pen and felt-tip pen.)
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第7課A1”の内容を参照しています。>
We learned yesterday sentences that make a suggestion to do something together.
1. Isshoni [Verb phrase] masenka.
Example; Isshoni Koube e Ikimasenka. (Shall we go to Kobe together?)
When someone said a suggestion like this, how do you answer to it?
<1> Yes, let’s do that.
2. Iidesune, sou shimashou. (That sounds good. Let’s do that.)
<2> I don’t want to do that right now”
3. Sore wa chotto･･･. (It is a little….)
First of all, you need to be thankful to the person who invited you for doing something together. Even if you are busy, reluctant, or having any negative thought about the invitation, it is better not to say “I won’t do that”. The answer “Sore wa chotto･･･” is an incomplete sentence in grammar because the ending of the sentence is untold and hidden. Actually, the most important part of a Japanese sentence is its ending; positive or negative, tense, feelings of the speaker, and so on, all these things are concentrated on the ending of a sentence. Such an important part is untold when Japanese decline a suggestion from others. Probably this is a funny Japanese psyche. Not saying a negative thing directly, but expecting the listener could understand what that missing words could be, the person tries to reject the suggestion without making the suggesting person’s feeling worse. If two persons are both Japanese, this style of communication would not cause a trouble. But if one of two is not Japanese, this could be problematic.
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第6課A4とA5”の内容を参照しています。>
We have learned so far declarative sentences only. They are “A is B.” and “C does D.” kinds of sentences. Today, we are going to learn one of imperative sentences. There are several types of imperative sentences such as order, request, suggestion, and so on. Today’s sentence is to make a suggestion to do something together.
1. Isshoni [Verb phrase] masenka.
Example; Isshoni Koube e Ikimasenka. (Shall we go to Kobe together?)
Where;
– Isshoni: adverb; together
– Koube: noun; name of the city of Kobe
“Ikimasenka” seems to be just an interrogative expression of negative form. But with adverb “Isshoni”, this is to make a suggestion to the listener. When it comes to suggestion using negative form, there is an expression “Why don’t we do it” in English. However, a suggestion using “V+masenka” is polite expression.
Practice the followings that are using “V+masenka.” to make a suggestion to do something together.
2. Isshoni Yuugohan o Tabemasenka.
(Let’s eat dinner together.)
3. Isshoni Sakkaa o Shimasenka. (Let’s play soccer.)
4. Isshoni Depaato e Ikimasenka. (Shall we go to a department store together?)
When someone said a suggestion to you with “Isshoni V+masenka.”, there would be two types of answer; “Yes, let’s do that.” or “I don’t want to do that right now”. Let us learn these two answers tomorrow.
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第6課A4”の内容を参照しています。>
We have already learned one of functions of particle “de”. That function was to indicate what means of transportation is used when making movement. An example of conversation using “de” is as follows;
A: Satou-san wa Nani de Kaisha e Ikimasuka. (Ms. Sato, how do you get to the company?)
B: Watashi wa Chikatetsu de Kaisha e Ikimasu. (I go to the company by subway.)
Another function of “de” is introduced today.
1. [Subject] wa [Place] de [Object] o [Transitive Verb] masu.
Example : Watashi wa Depaato de Kasa o Kaimashita.
Where;
Depaato: noun; a department store
Kasa: noun; umbrella
Kaimasu: transitive verb; buy
In this sentence, the sentence ending “masu” turned to be “mashita”. Let’s have a quick review for sentence ending of a verb predicate sentence:
– Present-Positive ; masu.
– Present-Negative ; masen.
– Past-Positive ; mashita.
– Past-Negative ; masendeshita.
Therefore, “Kaimashita” means “bought”.
Practice and remember the following conversation;
A: Satou-san wa Doko de Kasa o Kaimashitaka. (Ms.Sato, where did you buy the umbrella?)
B: Watashi wa Kombini de Kasa o Kaimashita. (I bought the umbrella at a convenience store.)
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第6課A3”の内容を参照しています。>
Yesterday, we learned verb predicate sentences that use transitive verbs and the particle “o”. A transitive verb expresses an action that exerts its effect onto an object directly. And the particle “o”, as the object marker, is attached to just behind the object. So, the sentence construction is as below;
1. [Subject] wa [Object] o [Transitive verb] masu.
example; Watashi wa Ocha o Nomi masu.
Where;
– Ocha: noun; tea
– Nomimasu: transitive verb; drink
Note that the order of words is different from transitive verb sentence of English.
English: [Subject] [Transitive Verb] [Object] — SVO
Japanese: [Subject wa] [Object o] [Transitive Verb] — SOV
How can we make a transitive verb sentence an interrogative sentence?
(1) Yes-No question
Put “ka” at the end of the sentence;
A : Satou-san wa Ocha o Nomi masuka. (Ms. Sato, do you drink tea?)
B : Hai, watashi wa Ocha o Nomi masu. (Yes, I drink tea.)
(2) Asking what the object is;
A : Satou-san wa Nani o Nomi masuka. (Ms. Sato, what do you drink?)
B : Watashi wa Mizu o Nomi masu. (I drink water.)
(3) Asking what the action is;
A : Satou-san wa Nani o Shimasuka. (Ms. Sato, what are you going to do?)
B : Watashi wa Koh’hii o Nomi masu. (I am going to drink a cup of coffee.)
In (3), the question uses verb “Shimasu”. Shimasu is a verb similar to the verb “do” in English. And most of the time “Shimasu” functions as a transitive verb, although occasionally it can be an intransitive verb (such a case will be explained later). It is interesting that even if the answer could use an intransitive verb, the question is “Nani o Shimasuka” which is obviously phrase of object and transitive verb. An example is as below
A : Satou-san wa Nani o Shimasuka. (Ms. Sato, what are you going to do?)
B : Watashi wa Gakko e Ikimasu. (I am going to the school.)
The verb “Ikimasu” is an intransitive verb.
<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第6課A1とA2”の内容を参照しています。>
First of all, quiz answers come first.
Q1: “Ni” should not be used for “senshuu”;
Senshuu, Hataraki mashita. (Last week, I worked.)
Q2: “Ni” should be used for “hachi-ji Juugo-fun”;
Hachi-ji Juu go-fun ni, Gakkou e Ikimasu. (I go to the school at eight fifteen.)
These days, we are studying “verb predicate sentences”. When you use a verb for the predicate, you need to choose the ending correctly. The ending is not “desu-type” but “masu-type”. The masu-type sentence ending has four variations;
– Present-positive => [verb] masu.
– Present-negative => [verb] masen.
– Past-positive => [verb] mashita.
– Past-negative => [verb] masen deshita.
The above four patterns are for predicate with politeness. Actually, verbs have more patterns not only for predicate but also for other usages for passive, hypothetical, modifying phrases, and so on. In other words, a verb conjugates. We won’t learn conjugations of verbs today, but I want you to know that verb conjugations are big issues in Japanese language.
Today’s main theme is introductions of transitive verbs and particle “o”. When an action works directly onto something (an object), the action is described by a transitive verb. And the object of the transitive verb needs to be marked with particle “o”.
The construction of a transitive verb sentence is as follows;
[Subject] wa [Object] o [Transitive verb] masu.
example: Watashi wa Yuugohan o Tabemasu. (I eat supper.)
Where;
– Yuugohan: noun; supper
– Tabemasu: transitive verb; eat
When you learn Japanese, you need to have a clear image of intransitive verb or transitive verb. Refer to the illustration below about the difference between intransitive verbs and transitive verbs.
Example:
Intransitive verb sentence; Watashi wa Gakkou e Ikimasu. (I go to the school.)
Transitive verb sentence; Watashi wa Yuugohan o Tabemasu. (I eat supper.)
Agony or Fun?! Second Language Learning 