Japanese sentences are classified in three by the type of predicates;
1. Noun predicate sentences
2. Adjective predicate sentences (I-adjectives and Na-adjectives)
3. Verb predicate sentences
So far, only Noun predicate sentences have been introduced. But we are going to learn Verb predicate sentences from today.
“Verb” is a word in most of the cases to express an action, although “naru(become)” is a verb to express change and “aru” and “iru” are verbs to express existence.
When a verb is used for a predicate, there is the clear difference from “noun predicate”
“Verb predicate” => [verb] masu.
“Noun predicate” => [noun] desu.
Where;
masu and desu is the sentence endings for present-positive with some politeness
As to verbs, the following two things are also important;
– A verb conjugates, in other words, the ending part of verb changes.
– Need to have a clear image of intransitive verb or transitive verb.
But these two points will be explained later. Today, you just note that a verb is a word to express action.
Along with introduction of verbs, the particle “ni” is also introduced. Particle “ni” has many functions actually, but only the function of “time of action” is introduced today.
Note that it is not a coincidence that verbs and particle “ni” are introduced at the same time. Do you remember that a segment in Japanese sentence is usually in the form of?;
[meaningful word] [functional word]
A word segment “[word][ni]” works as a modifier for a verb behind. Although there is sometimes an exception, you need to expect there is a verb behind if you find a segment using “ni”.
And new words are as below;
– Maiasa : adverb ; every morning
– Okimasu : verb ; get up
Practice and remember the following conversation;
A : Satou-san wa Maiasa Nan-ji ni okimasuka. (Ms. Sato, what time do you get up every morning?)
B : Watashi wa Maiasa Shichi-ji ni okimasu. (I get up at seven every morning.)
<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4課A4”の内容を参照しています。>
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