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Today we are going to learn expressions to say someone can do something.
1. [Person] wa [Action Noun] ga Dekimasu.
This sentence seems to be a Wa-ga construction. Although I wanted to use [Subject] for the part of [Person], but in the realm of Japanese teaching, wa-ga construction is thought to be understood by the following format;
2. [Topic] wa [Subject] ga [ Predicate].
I don’t think 2 is applicable to a sentence that describes “Someone can do something”. Let me say as follows; The subject of the sentence is [Person wa], and in order to identify what the person can do, particle “ga” is used just behind the action noun.
Examples of this construction are shown below;
3. Satou-san wa Eigo ga Dekimasu. (Sato-san can speak English.)
4. Suzuki-san wa Kuruma no Unten ga Dekimasu. (Suzuki-san can drive a car.)
“Eigo” in 3 may not be an action noun, but the word “Eigo” seems to have meanings of action like speaking English and listening to it. “Unten” in 4 apparently describes the action of driving, although it is a noun.
The construction 1 to say someone can do something uses an action noun. But, when it comes to an “action”, don’t you think it is better to use a verb? Yes, a verb can be used when saying someone can do something. In order to do this, you need to pay attention that Japanese is a language for which you have to distinguish nouns or verbs strictly. Therefore, the following is WRONG:
<WRONG> [Person] wa [Verb] ga Dekimasu.
The right expression should be as below, with a little simplification of 1;
1’. [Person] wa [Noun] ga Dekimasu.
In order to make “WRONG” right, you need to convert a verb to a noun. But how???
<This post is incomplete. I will add further explanation tomorrow.>
This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section 18 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Have you noticed that I use both dictionary form and masu-form when introducing a verb?
It’s like “Taberu/Tabemasu”. I think it depends on each Japanese teacher’s belief as to which form to be used, dictionary form or masu-form. I myself put on priority to Masu-form, because Masu-form can be used in conversation. If you use Dictionary form for sentence endings in your conversation, you would sound too much casual, friendly, or childish, sometimes even rude. But if it’s not conversation, especially you are learning grammar, you would feel the Dictionary form is better because verbs in dictionary form are concise. That’s the reason I use both forms in this blog when showing a verb.
In Minnano Nihongo, dictionary forms are introduced at Exercise A1 in Section 18. You will find that all the dictionary forms end by the vowel “u”. And Group2 and Group3 verbs end with the letter “ru”. In the following, verb examples are shown in the order of Masu-form and Dictionary form;
Group2
Mimasu => Miru (look at, watch, see)
(Fuku o ) Kimasu => Kiru (wear a cloth, not “come”)
Demasu => Deru (get out of)
Oshiemasu => Oshieru (teach/tell some information)
Group3
Kimasu => Kuru (come, not “wear a cloth”)
Shimasu => Suru (do)
Unten shimasu => Unten suru (drive a car)
Group1
Gr1-W : Kaimasu => Kau (buy)
Gr1-K : Hatarakimasu => Hataraku (work)
Gr1-G : Isogimasu => Isogu (hurry, hasten)
Gr1-S : Dashimasu => Dasu (take something out)
Gr1-T : Machimasu => Matsu (wait)
Gr1-B : Tobimasu => Tobu (fly)
Gr1-M : Yomimasu => Yomu (read)
Gr1-R : Norimasu => Noru (Get on (a train/car))
What is the purpose of introducing Dictionary at this stage of Japanese learning? It is important to know Dictionary form, because when you are checking the meaning of a verb in dictionary, you need to know the dictionary form of the verb. Although the sentence endings with dictionary forms can save your time and space in notebook, such short endings are not suitable to conversation with other people. Then, why dictionary form now?
At this stage of Japanese learning, you need to know that a verb in Dictionary form can be connected to a noun behind. Dictionary form is not the only form to connect to a noun, Nai-form and Ta-form are also connected to a noun. But let us concentrate on Dictionary form today. Do you remember that, if there is a Te-form, there is also another conjugation word behind? Sometimes a verb in Te-form is directly connected to another verb, for example, “Motte Kimasu”, “Hanashite imasu”, and so on.
Simply put;
– Te-form is to be followed by another verb. (example; Tabete imasu)
– Dictionary form is to be connected to a noun behind. (example: Taberu koto*)
You need to apply different forms of verb whether the following word is a noun or a verb. The important thing is, a noun and a verb must be strictly distinguished in Japanese.
*The noun “koto” in the example above will be explained tomorrow.
This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section 18 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Now it’s a dream-like illusion that I had been there.
Do you remember the construction of a transitive verb predicate sentence? That was;
1. [Subject] wa/ga [Object] o [Transitive Verb] masu/masen/mashita/masendeshita.
Example; Watashi wa Repo’oto o mou Kakimashita. (I have already written a report.)
In the construction 1, you see that the subject is followed by “wa” or “ga”.
– wa : particle to indicate the topic of the sentence
– ga : particle to indicate the subject of the sentence
However, since a subject is so important in a sentence, it could be the topic at the same time, and vice versa (the topic can also be the subject). Sometimes you need to choose one of “wa” or “ga” for the subject marker.
2. [Subject] wa/ga [predicate].
– “wa” is used when you explain the nature/condition/action of the known subject.
– “ga” is used when the sentence is to identify what the subject is.
Above mentioned are basics. Then let us learn things that are a bit beyond the basics. Suppose you are going to say a transitive verb predicate sentence. Usually, you want to make the subject the topic. But you want to make the object the topic, given that the subject is not so important that the subject can be omitted.
1. [Subject] wa/ga [Object] o [Transitive Verb Predicate].
Example; Watashi wa Repo’oto o mou Kakimashita. (I have already written a report.)
– The subject that is the operator of the verb “Kakimashita” is “Watashi”
– The topic of the sentence is also “Watashi”
– Therefore, the topic marker “wa” also indicates the subject that is the operator of the verb.
– The object marker “o” is attached to “Repo’oto (report)” that is the object of transitive verb “Kakimashita”.
2. [Topic = Object] wa [Transitive Verb Predicate].
Example; Repo’oto wa mou Kakimashita. (As to the report, I have already written it.)
– The subject that is the operator of the verb “Kakimashita” is probably “Watashi”. But it is not the important information in the situation.
– The topic of the sentence is “Repo’oto” that is not the subject but the object of the verb “Kakimashita”.
– Since the object has become the topic, the particle “o” is replaced by “wa”, and no longer seen in the sentence even though the sentence uses transitive verb “Kakimashita (have written)”.
By making the object the topic, the particle “o” will disappear. “wa” takes place of “o” and the word with “wa” moves to the head of the sentence where is the better place for topic. But I tell you again, this is a little beyond the basics. The basics is that a sentence with transitive verb predicate has the following construction;
* [Subject] wa/ga [Object] o [Transitive verb predicate].
Therefore, only a Japanese learner who have really learned this basic construction* should proceed to learn today’s construction. Actually, some Japanese learners and even teachers don’t like to learn nor use the particle “o”. They tend to make error by applying Wa-ga construction. And today’s construction is also used to avoid the particle “o”. Furthermore, those people use passive sentences to eliminate “o” from the sentence. This kind of “Avoidance strategy” is quite often observed in utterance of second language learners. But the particle “o” to indicate the object of action is so important and the basic of Japanese language. It is better to learn the particle “o”, instead of avoiding it.
This post was written with reference to the exercise A5 on Section 17 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Today’s construction also uses Nai-form of verbs. And, like yesterday’s, Nai-form gets a little change in “nai” part of Nai-form. The following construction is used to describe an action is unnecessary.
1. [V-na] kutemo Iidesu.
– Suppose you are coming to a festival, and have found an attraction looks fun to you. You want to get in the space of attraction, thinking you need to pay some money. You say hello to the person at the entrance. And then she tells you;
2. Okane o Harawanakutemo Iidesu.
What does she mean by saying this? “You don’t have to pay.” In 2, “Harawanaku” comes from “Harawanai” which is the Nai-form of verb “Harau/Hatraimasu”.
– Suppose you need to remove all the stuffs in the warehouse of your company. The deadline is coming Monday. You thought it takes many hours and perhaps you need to work on Saturday or even Sunday. But thanks to the efforts by you and your co-workers, you have finished the task in the Friday evening. Your boss tells you;
3. Ashita, Konakutemo Iidesu.
This means that “You don’t need to come tomorrow.” In 3, “Konaku” comes from “Konai” which is the Nai-form of verb “Kuru/Kimasu”.
Since we learned expression for necessity, with today’s lack of necessity, practice and remember the following conversation;
A : Koko de Kutsu o Nuganakereba Narimasenka. (Do I need to put off shoes?)
B : Iie, Kutu o Nuganakutemo Iidesu. (No, you don’t need to put off your shoes.)
This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 17 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
There are some constructions that use Nai-form of verbs. But some of them use Nai-form with a little bit of changes. In today’s construction, “Nai” of Nai-form changes to be “Nakereba”. This “nai” is an auxiliary-adjective which ends with letter “i”. Therefore, “nai” conjugates in the same way as I-adjectives. But the conjugation from “i” to “kereba” will be taught in last half in beginners’ level. At this time, simply remember that “V-nakereba naranai” desecribes obligation and/or necessity.
Learn the following sentences and try to remember them;
1. Ashita, Sensei ni Awanakereba Narimasen. (I have to meet my teacher tomorrow.)
2. Kuukou de Pasupo’oto o Misenakereba Narimasen. (I have to show my passport in the airport.)
3. Shiken Benkyou o Shinakereba Narimasen. (I need to study for examination. )
This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section 17 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
We have already learned one of conjugation pattern, Nai-form of verbs. Nai-form is useful when distinguishing between Group2 and Group1 verbs. If a vowel before “nai” is “i” or “e”, the verb is of Gourp2. If a vowel before “nai” is “a”, the verb is of Group1. Of course, you need to know that “Kuru/Kimasu” and “Suru/Shimasu” are the Group3 verbs.
Today, let us learn a construction that uses Nai-forms of a verb.
1. [V-nai] de Kudasai.
This construction is basically to prohibit an action that a listener may be going to do. There is a strong expression when you need to stop someone to do something. It’s “Dictionary form + na!”. “[V-nai] de Kudasai.” is more moderate and polite than “[V(dictionary)]+na!”. However, even “[V-nai] de Kudasai.” may sometimes sound like an order. So, please be careful for the situation and whom you are going to say this expression.
Example of “[V-nai] de Kudasai.”
The followings are to forbid an Action;
– Osake o Nomanai*de Kudasai. (Please do not drink alcohol.)
*Nomanai = Nai-form of the verb “Nomu/Nomimasu(drink)”
– Koko ni Hairanai*de Kudasai. (Please do not enter here.)
*Hairanai = Nai-form of the verb “Hairu/Hairimasu (enter/get in)”
Sometimes this construction is used for not only forbidding an action but, by saying so, for expressing your feeling of care about a listener. The followings are to express your caring;
– Sumaho o Wasurenai* de Kudasai. (Please do not leave your smartphone behind.)
*Wasurenai = Nai-form of the verb “Wasureru/Wasuremasu (forget)”
– Amari Shimpaishinai* de Kudasai. (Please do not worry about it so much)
*Shimpaishinai = Nai-form of the verb “Shimpaisuru/Shimpaishimasu (worry)”
This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section 17 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Now it’s already 9p.m. I don’t have time to write a post about Japanese Learning tonight.
I found them on the shelves of a local grocery store today. 220 means that two hundred and twenty Japanese Yen.
I think that those two were disappeared into my stomach within three minutes.
Quiz answers have to come first:
Yesterday’s quiz was to ask which of to or de fits in the sentences.
Q1 : Satou-san wa Nihonjin { to or de } Daigakusei desu.
Q2 : Asoko ni Satou-san { to or de } Suzuki-san ga Imasu.
A1=de, A2=to
Let’s start for today’s leaning. Nai-form of a verb functions to negate the verb. For example, “Taberu (eat)” is the dictionary form, and the Nai-form of “Taberu” is “Tabenai” which means “not eat”. Therefore, you need to use Nai-forms of verb when you want to negate an action.
In addition, Nai-form can be a useful tool in order to learn conjugation patterns of verbs, because Nai-form tells you what group a verb belongs to. When you want to know which group a verb belongs to Group1 or Group2, first make Nai-form of the verb. And then check the vowel just in front of “nai”.
Group2 = the vowel is “i” or “e”
Group1= the vowel is “a”
Examples(Group2)
– Miru(look, watch, see)
=> Nai-form:Minai => Vowel before “nai” : i => Group2
– Taberu(eat)
=> Nai-form:Tabenai => Vowel before “nai”:e => Group2
Examples (Group1)
– Kau (buy)
=> Nai-form:Kawanai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-W
– Kiku (hear, listen)
=> Nai-form:Kikanai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-K
– Isogu (hurry, hasten)
=> Nai-form:Isoganai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-G
– Hanasu (talk, speak)
=> Nai-form:Hanasanai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-S
– Matsu (wait)
=> Nai-form:Matanai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-T
– Asobu (play to have a fun)
=> Nai-form:Asobanai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-B
– Nomu (drink)
=> Nai-form:Nomanai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-M
– Kaeru (go home)
=> Nai-form:Kaeranai=> Vowel before “nai”:a=> Group1-R
As for Group3 verbs, there are only two. They are “Kuru/Kimasu” and “Suru/Shimasu”. Therefore, you don’t need to use Nai-form to distinguish Groups of verbs. Note that “Suru/Shimasu” has a lot of variations in the forms of [Action Noun]+Suru/Shimasu like “Benkyou-Shimasu”.
Nai-form is necessary to negate action. But this doesn’t you always use Nai-form to make negative sentences. In the case of a verb predicate sentence in present tense, sometimes Japanese would say;
– Watashi wa Osake o Nomanai desu.
You see that the Nai-form “Nomanai” is used in order to negate the verb “Nomu (drink)”. Actually, this sentence sounds a little casual. The following sounds polite and is much better than “Nomanai desu.
– Watashi wa Osake o Nomimasen. (I don’t drink alcohol.)
Furthermore, for the past tense, you need to know the followings;
<WRONG> Kinou, Watashi wa Osake o Nomanai deshita.
<RIGHT> Kinou, Watashi wa Osake o Nomimasen deshita.
(Yesterday, I didn’t drink alcohol.)
Anyway, Nai-form is one of the important conjugation patterns. Try so that you can make Nai-form of any Japanese verbs.
This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section 17 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Agony or Fun?! Second Language Learning 