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Niigata West Port is located in the river mouth of Shinano River. There is a big ferry boat for Hokkaido.
That tall building also has an observatory on upper floor.
And the building with curved shape is owned by the local newspaper, which also has an observatory.
You can see Shinano River and Toyano Ragoon.
I wouldn’t like to live in a high place like that, although I don’t have money to buy an apartment in such a mansion.
Oh, please don’t hit each other!
Okay, I was relieved.
When making a passive sentence, the verb must be in the passive form. Please refer to yesterday’s post about verb conjugations for passive form.
Here is an active sentence;
1. Sensei wa Watashi o Home mashita. (The teacher praised me.)
The particle “-o” is usually used as the object marker of transitive verb. Therefore, you may be able to tell that the verb “Homeru/Homemasu” is a transitive verb, and “Watashi” followed by the particle “-o” is the object of the action of parising. The sentence 1 is grammatically okay. But when a teacher praised you, you may want to tell others by making “Watashi” the subject of the sentence.
2. Watashi wa Sensei ni Homerare mashita. (I was praised by the teacher.)
The sentence 2 is a passive sentence. In this passive sentence 2, “Watashi wa” is the subject which was the object “Watashi o” in the active sentece1, and “Sensei ni” is the word that the passive action came from. The particle “-ni” has a function to indicate where (who) the action came from in the sentences of giving-receiving, passive and causative.
And “Homerareru/Homeraremasu” is the passive form of the “Homeru/Homemasu”. Since the Nai-form of Homeru is “Hom<e>nai”, we can tell it is a Group2 verb. The passive form of Group2 verbs can be obtained with [Stem]+rareru/raremasu.
Then, another active sentence is below;
3. Haha wa Watashi ni Kaimono o Tanomi mashita. (My mother asked me to go shopping.)
This is an active sentence, and a transitive verb predicate sentence using not only “-o” but also “-ni”. In the case of the sentence 1, we converted that to be a passive sentence by turning the word with “-o” to be the subject; Watashi o => Watashi wa. But for this sentence3, do you make the word “Kaimono o(shopping)” the subject in a passive sentence? No. We turn the word with “-ni” to be the subject, which means “Watashi ni” in the active sentence needs to the subject “Watashi wa” in the passive sentence.
4. Watashi wa Haha ni Kaimono o Tanomare mashita. (I was asked by my mother to go shopping.)
Please compare moves of the words and changes of the particles in the conversion from sentence 3 to 4. It is interesting that the particle “-ni” has different functions in the sentence 3 and 4. In the sentence3, “-ni” of “Watashi ni” is to indicate the destination that the action is heading towards (to whom to ask). On the other, “-ni” of “Haha ni” in the sentence4 is to indicate who (where) the action came from in a passive sentence as well as in the sentence2. The particle “-o” hasn’t changed in the conversion from the sentence 3 to 4. Although “-o” changed in the case of sentence 1 and 2, after all, we need to take note that the object and the particle “-o” is strongly tightened each other in relationship with a transitive verb.
And “Tanomareru/Tanomaremasu” is the passive form of the “Tanomu/Tanomimasu”. Since the Nai-form of Tanomu is “Tanom<a>nai”, we can tell it is a Group1(-M) verb. The passive form of Group1 verbs can be obtained with [Stem]+areru/aremasu (Tanom+areru).
<This post is incomplete. It is natural to deal with passive sentences using transitive verb. However, there are some passive sentences using intransitive verbs in Japanese. I am not sure whether or not it is good to introduce the passive sentence of intransitive verbs at the beginners’ level. Personally, I am against it. I just want to add this argument.>
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section37 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
A new conjugation pattern is introduced in the section 37, which is the Passive form. Example sentences will be shown in A2 through A6. So for today, only patterns of the passive form of verbs are shown in this post. Plus, this post discusses the difference between passive and potential forms of Group1-R verbs.
PASSIVE FORM of VERBS
Dictionary Form / Masu Form — Passive Form with “-u” ending / Passive Form with “masu”
<Group 2 Verbs>
Miru / Mimasu (see, watch, look at) — Mirareru / Miraremasu
Homeru / Homemasu (praise) — Homerareru / Homeraremasu
Kuraberu / Kurabemasu (compare) — Kuraberareru / Kuraberaremasu
<Group 3 Verbs>
Kuru / Kimasu (come) — Korareru / Koraremasu
Suru / Shimasu (do) — Sareru / Saremasu
<Group1 Verbs>
Gr1-W : Tsukau / Tsukaimasu (use) — Tsukawareru / Tsukawaremasu
Gr-K : Kiku / Kikimasu (listen to, hear) — Kikareru / Kikaremasu
Gr1-G : Kagu / Kagimasu (smell(as transitive verb)) — Kagareru / Kagaremasu
Gr1-S : Osu / Oshimasu (push) — Osareru / Osaremasu
Gr1-T : Matsu / Machimasu (wait) — Matareru / Mataremasu
Gr1-B : Yobu / Yobimasu (call) — Yobareru / Yobaremasu
Gr1-M : Fumu / Fumimasu (tread on) — Fumareru / Fumaremasu
Gr1-R : Kiru / Kirimasu (cut) — Kirareru / Kiraremasu
When it comes to verb conjugation, it is always confusing as to difference between Group2 verbs and Group1-R verbs. In the case of passive form, it seems that both are just “stem plus raremasu”. But a difficult thing happens to Group1-R verbs. Take a look at the followings;
1. Mira’a-san wa Sashimi ga Taberaremasu. (Mr.Miller can eat Sashimi.)
“Taberaremasu” is the potential form of “Taberu/Tabemasu”.
2. Mushi wa Tori ni Taberaremasu. (An insect is eaten by a bird.)
“Taberaremasu” is the passive form. Therefore, in the case of “Taberu/Tabemasu” that is a Group2 verb, the potential form and the passive form are the same. Both are “[Stem]+raremasu”.
3. Sato-san nara, Tesuto de Kyuujuu-Go ten Toremasu. (When it comes to Sato-san, she can get 95points in the examination.)
“Toremasu” is the potential form of “Toru/Torimasu”.
4. Son’na Tokoro ni Saifu o Oitara, Toraremasu. (If you leave your wallet on such a place, you will be stolen it.)
“Toraremasu” is the passive form of “Toru/Torimasu”. Then you will find that the potential form and the passive form are not the same. Examining the verb “Toru/Torimasu” by making Nai-form, it is To<ra>nai. It indicates that “Toru/Torimasu” is a Group1-R verb. So, it is important to know that the potential form and the passive form of Group1-R verbs are not the same.
– Potential form of Gr1-R = [Stem]+ reru/remasu.
– Passive form of Gr1-R = [Stem]+ rareru/raremasu.
The following examples show you in the order of Dictionary form/Masu-form — Potential form — Passive form
– Uru/Urimasu (sell) — Ureru/Uremasu — Urareru/Uraremasu
– Okuru/Okurimasu (send) — Okureru/Okuremasu — Okurareru/Okuraremasu
– Kiru/Kirimasu (cut) — Kireru/Kiremasu — Kirareru/Kiraremasu
– Sawaru/Sawarimasu (touch) — Sawareru/Sawaremasu — Sawarareru/Sawararemasu
– Suwaru/Suwarimasu (sit) — Suwareru/Suwaremasu — Suwarareru/Suwararemasu
– Tsukuru/Tsukurimasu (make) — Tsukureru/Tsukuremasu — Tsukurareru/Tsukuraremasu
– Tomaru/Tomarimasu (stay at night) — Tomareru/Tomaremasu — Tomarareru/Tomararemasu
– Toru/Torimasu (take) — Toreru/Toremasu — Torareru/Toraremasu
– Noru/Norimasu (ride) — Noreru/Noremasu — Norareru/Noraremasu
– Hairu/Hairimasu (enter) — Haireru/Hairemasu — Hairareru/Hairaremasu
The above examples are all Group1-R verbs. I don’t want to confuse you, but the potential form and the passive form are the same for Group2 verbs, for example;
Karitu/Karimasu (borrow) — Karirareru/Kariraremasu — Karirareru/Kariraremasu
Wasureru/Wasuremasu (forget) — Wasurerareru/Wasureraremasu — Wasurerareru/Wasureraremasu
How to distinguish whether a verb is Group1-R or Group2 is as follows;
<1> Make Nai-form
<2> What is the letter(s) in front of “nai”?
<3> If it’s [ra]nai, the verb is Group1-R
If it’s [i]nai or [e]nai, the verb is Group2
Example;
Kiru/Kimasu (wear) => Nai-form is Kinai => Group2
Kiru/Kirimasu (cut) => Nai-form is Kiranai => Group1-R
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section37 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
We learned the following sentence constructions in the exercise A3;
(1) [V] + youni Shite imasu.
(2) [V-nai] + youni Shite imasu.
The example sentences of (1) and (2) are as below;
1. Dekirudake O’okuno Tango o Oboeru youni Shite imasu. (I try to memorize as many words as I can.)
2. Dekirudake Amai mono o Tabenai youni Shite imasu. (I try not to eat sweets as much as possible.)
These are just declarative sentences. On the other, today’s sentences have the functions to ask a listener to do something in conversation.
(3) [V] + youni Shite kudasai.
(4) [V-nai] + youni Shite kudasai.
Let’s look at one of example sentences of (3);
3. Natsu wa Mizu o Takusan Nomu youni Shite kudasai. (Please make sure to drink a lot of water in the summer.)
“Shite kudasai” is an expression to ask a listener to do something with the construction of “[V-te]+kudasai”. Then the sentence 3 can be shortened using another “[V-te]+kudasai” as shown below.
4. Natsu wa Mizu o Takusan Nonde kudasai. (Please a lot of water in the summer.)
What is the difference between the sentences 3 and 4? The sentence 4 is a direct command or request, which probably sounds forcefully. On the other, the sentence 3 is somewhat in direct, and sounds like prompting the listener’s effort. When asking someone to do something, “[V] + youni Shite kudasai.” is better than “[V-te]+kudasai” because it sounds moderately. The same kind of things could be said about “[V-nai] + youni Shite kudasai.” and “[V-nai]de kudasai”. The followings are more examples of the sentence (3) and (4).
(3) [V] + youni Shite kudasai.
5. Motto Undou-suru youni Shite kudasai. (Please make sure you exercise more.)
6. Kaisha ni Okureru toki wa Kanarazu Renraku-suru youni Shite kudasai.
(When you get late to come to the office, please make sure you tell us it.)
(4) [V-nai] + youni Shite kudasai.
7. Zettaini Pasupo’oto o Wasurenai youni Shite kudasai.
(Please make sure you absolutely do not forget your passport.)
8. Shuugou Basho o Machigaenai youni Shite kudasai.
(Please make sure you do not go to a wrong meeting point.)
Several adverbs appear in this post; Dekirudake, Takusan, Motto, Kanarazu, and Zettaini. Actually, there is less chance to learn adverbs because learning them is usually not planned in the curriculum of Japanese learning. When you find an adverb, it is the chance for you to learn it. (Fukushi o Mitsuketara, Sono Fukushi o Manabu youni Shite kudasai.)
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section36 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
It was late afternoon, and on the way from the airport to the campus. I took the photo through the taxi window.
We are learning how to use the word “youni” in the section 36. Since “youni” is in the conjugation form that can modify a verb, there is a verb behind a clause that ends with “youni”. In today’s sentence construction, the verb behind the “youni” is “Shite imasu”. “Shite imasu” is one of “V-te iru”. “V-te iru” usually expresses continuous action, ongoing action, and/or repetitive action. It is not easy to identify one of these three for “Site imasu” of today. Probably it depends on sentence by sentence. Sometimes it’s mixture of the three.
And there is an adverb in today’s sentence construction. That is;
– Dekirudake; adverb; As much as possible
The following is an example of use of “Dekirudake”;
1. Dekirudake, Roku-ji madeni Kaisha o Deru youni Shite imasu.
(I try to leave the office before 6 p.m. as long as I can.)
(1) [V] + youni Shite imasu.
Looking at the verbs in front of “youni”, there is a difference from those of the Exercise A1 and A2 (Set aside [V-nai]+youni. I am writing about [V]+youni).
A1 : [V] + youni, [Main clause with verb predicate]
– Example ; Ongaku ga Kikeru youni, Iyahon o Tsuke masu. (I put earphones so that I can listen to music.)
The verb in front of “youni” is “Kikeru” which is the potential form of “Kiku/Kikimasu”.
A2 : [V] + youni Nari mashita.
– Example ; Hyaku Me’eyoru Oyogetu youni Nari mashita. (I have become able to swim one hundred meters.)
The verb in front of “youni” is “Oyogeru” which is the potential form of “Oyogu/Oyogimasu”.
Therefore, the verb in front of “youni” is usually a verb in potential form or a verb having a meaning of potentiality. But in today’s sentence; in these sentences,
A3 : [V] + youni Shite imasu.
– Example ; Dekirudake, Mainichi Nihongo o Benkyou-suru youni Shite imasu. (I try to study Japanese everyday as far as possible.)
The verb “Benkyou-suru” is not in potential form.
Here are a little more examples of today’s “youni” sentences;
2. Dekirudake O’okuno Tango o Oboeru youni Shite imasu. (I try to memorize as many words as I can.)
3. Dekirudake Neko to Asobu youni Shite imasu. (I try to play with my cat as much as I can.)
(2) [V-nai] + youni Shite imasu.
4. Dekirudake Amai mono o Tabenai youni Shite imasu. (I try not to eat sweets as much as possible.)
5. Dekirudake Sa’abisu Zangyou o Shinai youni Shite imasu. (I try not to work over hour without payment as much as possible.)
The sentence 5 reflects the reality of work place environment in Japan.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section36 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Do you remember how to use the intransitive verb for change, “Naru/Narimasu”? When the situation after the change is described with an I-adjective, a Na-adjective, and a Noun, the following constructions can express that a change has happened;
– [Subject] wa [Stem of I-adjective] + ku Nari mashita.
– [Subject] wa [Stem of Na-adjective] + ni Nari mashita.
– [Subject] wa [Noun]+ ni Nari mashita.
Examples of these constructions are as below;
– Soto wa Kuraku Nari mashita. (The outside has got dark.) — I-adjective
– Machi wa Shizuka ni Nari mashita. (The town has turned to be quiet.) — Na-adjective
– Satou-san wa Kaishain ni Nari mashita. (Sato-san became a company employee.) — Noun
Then, can we make a sentence of “Nari mashita” with a verb? The answer is yes. Look at the following sentences;
1. Watashi wa Osashimi ga Taberareru youni Narimashita. (I have become able to eat raw fish.)
The sentence construction of this sentence will be;
– [Subject] wa [Verb clause]+ youni Nari mashita.
Look at the verbs in front of “youni” in the sentence 1. It is “Taberareu”, which is the potential form of “Taberu/Tabemasu”. Usually the verb in a such sentence of “youni Nari mashita” takes potential form, or the verb has already had a meaning of potentiality. It is just like yesterday’s V1.
2. Sensei ga Iu Nihongo ga Kanari Wakaru youni Nari mashita. (I have become able to understand quite a bit of the Japanese the teacher speaks.)
The verb “Wakaru” has already had a meaning of potentiality.
The example sentences 1 and 2 above have the subjects that are “Watashi(I)”. But things other than “Watashi(I)” can be subjects of today’s setences.
3. Sumaho de Nandemo Dekiru youni Nari mashita. (Anything has become able to be done on a smartphone.)
The subject is “Nandemo (Anything)”.
4. Basu de Koutsu’u Ka’ado ga Tsukaeru youni Nari mashita. (The public transport card has become able to be used in the bus.)
The subject is “Koutsu’u Ka’ado ga (The public transport card)”.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section36 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
There is a word that conjugates “youni”, “youda”, and “youna”.
– youni is to modify another conjugating word behind.
– youda is the form of short ending.
– youna is to modify a noun.
Therefore, the word “youda” conjugates in the same way as Na-adjective. In the section 36, only “youni is introduced. Since “youni” is to modify a verb, all the sentences of the exercise A1 through A4 have a verb behind the clause ending with “youni”. To begin with, let us look at sentences of “[V1] + youni, [V2].”
(1) [V1] + youni, [V2].
When this sentence is introduced, V1 is usually in potential form, or a verb which has the meaning of potentiality.
1. Kuji no Terebi Dorama ga Mirareru youni, Kyou wa Zangyou shimasen.
(I won’t work over hour today so that I can watch TV drama at 9p.m.)
It is likely that you cannot watch TV at 9 p.m. in your home if you work over hour. That is a reality in Japanese working environment. But anyway, V1 is “Mirareru” which is the potential form of the transitive verb “Miru/Mimasu”.
2. Soto ga Yoku Mieru youni, Madogawa no Seki ni Suwari masu.
(I take a window seat so that I can see outside well.)
“Madogawa” is a noun which means “window side”. In this sentence 2, “Mieru” is the verb for V1. “Mieru” is not potential form of the transitive verb “Miru” but an intransitive verb having nuance of potentiality.
The followings are examples that use a verb having nuance of potentiality.
3. Nihongo ga Wakaru youni, Takusan Benkyou-shite imasu.
(I study hard so that I can understand Japanese.)
“Wakaru” doesn’t have the potential form.
4. Densha ni Maniau youni, Eki made Hashiri masu.
(I run to the station so that I can catch the train.)
Don’t say “(WRONG) Maniaeru”.
(2) [V1-nai] + youni, [V2].
Action is expressed by V2, the purpose of action is expressed by V1. This is the same as (1). However, for this sentence (2), the purpose is not “to be able to do”, but “not to do”. So, Nai-form is used for V1 part. In the case of (1), V1 is often in the potential form, but in the case of (2), it’s just in Nai-form. It doesn’t have to be “Nai-form of Potential form”.
5. Taboko no Kemuri o Suwanai youni, Kin’en-seki ni Suwari masu.
(I am going to sit a No-smoking seat so that I will not breathe smoke from other people.)
where, Kemuri is smoke, and Kin’en-seki is a seat that is designated not to smoke.
In this sentence, “Suwanai” is the Nai-form of “Suu/Suimasu”. Its potential form is “Sueru”, and “Nai-form of Potential form” is “Suenai”. The following sentence is erroneous one.
(WRONG) Taboko no Kemuri o Suenai youni, Kin’en-seki ni Suwari masu.
So, just “Nai-form” is okay for this type of “youni” sentneces. “Nai-form of Potential form” may be used just in case, but it is not usual. For example,
6. Koukousei ga Tabako o Suenai youni, Jidouhanbaiki wa Yoru Juu-Ichi-ji de Tomari masu.
(Tabacco vending machine stops at 11p.m. so that a high school students will not be able to smoke cigarette.)
6’. Koukousei ga Tabako o Suwanai youni, Jidouhanbaiki wa Yoru Juu-Ichi-ji de Tomari masu.
(Tabacco vending machine stops at 11p.m. so that a high school students will not smoke cigarette.)
Either of 6 and 6’ are okay, but 6’ is better than 6 for simplicity.
One more example for “[V-nai] youni, V”;
7. Kodomo ga Nomanai youni, Osake o Tana no Naka ni Shimatte okimasu.
(I store Alcohols into inside the shelves so that kids will not drink them.)
The predicate verb in the main clause is “Shimatte okimasu.”. We have already learned “V-te okimasu” in the section 30. This “V-te okimasu” is a kind of A3 and A4 in terms of dealing with a matter.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section36 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Placing “[Noun]+nara,” you can bring a noun up and say your proposal about the noun.
1. Onsen nara, Beppu ga Ii desu. (When it comes to hot springs, Beppu is a good place.)
2. Suki’i nara, Hokkaidou ga Ii desu. (As for Skiing, Hokkaido is a good place.)
Actually, if “nara” is replaced with “wa” which is the topic marker, the sentence still makes sense.
1’. Onsen wa Beppu ga Ii desu. (When it comes to hot springs, Beppu is a good place.)
2’. Suki’i wa Hokkaidou ga Ii desu. (As for Skiing, Hokkaido is a good place.)
1’ and 2’ are so-called “wa-ga construction” which I don’t like. But anyway, using “nara” gives a nuance that you bring it up to present and specify what you are going to talk about.
And it is also important to note this is “[Noun]+nara”. In the section 35, we have been learning two conjunctive particles; “-ba,” and “-nara,” that can make a hypothetical subordinate clause. And at the level of beginners, it is better to think that “-ba,” is used for verbs and I-adjectives (-kereba,), and “-nara” is used for Na-adjectives and Nouns. But for Japanese learners of intermediate and advanced levels, the difference between “-ba” and “-nara” would be a matter to know more precisely.
3. (WRONG) Onsen e Ikeba, Beppu ga Ii desu.
1. Onsen nara, Beppu ga Ii desu. (When it comes to hot springs, Beppu is a good place.)
4. Onsen e Iku no nara, Beppu ga Ii desu. (If you want to go to a hot spring, Beppu is a good place.)
As shown in the sentence 3, “Ikeba” cannot be used in this context. In the sentence 1, “Onsen” is presented in the form of “[Noun]+nara”. “nana” should be attached to a noun, this is a basic. Therefore, you see “no” between the verb “Iku” and “nara” in the sentence 4. Although you need to use “no” as a segment in order to make a verb noun-equivalent, “nara” can also be used for a verb. If the choice of “ba” or “nara” is not depending on “Verbs and I-adejctives” or “Na-adjectives and Nouns”, how can we choose one of “ba” and “nara”? This is a tough question. For the sake of simplicity, let me say that “-ba,” is to indicate a condition, “-nara,” is to virtualize a hypothesis.
5. Beppu e Ikeba, Ii Onsen ni Hairu Koto ga Deki masu.
(If you go to Beppu. you will be able to bathe a good hot spring.)
Going to Beppu is a condition in order for you to bathe a good hot spring.
6. Nihon niwa Iroirona Kankouchi ga Arimasu. Moshi Onsen e Iku no nara, Beppu Onsen ga Ii desu. (There are many kinds of sightseeing spots in Japan. If you go to a hot spring, Beppu is a good one.)
Or more lengthy translation would be “I am not sure whether or not you are going to a hot spring in Japan, but if I hypothetically assume that you are going to a hot spring, I think Beppu could be a good choice for you.”
Probably the argument through the sentence 3 to 6 are difficult to understand. Let me say this, “nara” is for a noun and Na-adjective. I don’t want a textbook for beginners to show “Yasui nara”.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A6 on Section35 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Agony or Fun?! Second Language Learning 