月: 2026年7月

Japanese Learning (A5 S33): Conveying what I heard, Someone was saying Something;  [Subject ] wa [Clause] to Itte Imashita.

Again, the sentence construction of the day also uses the particle “-to”. The construction is;

1. [Subject ] wa [Clause] to Itte Imashita.

where, [Clause] is what the subject said. The end of the clause usually takes the short ending form.

The construction 1 ends with “Itte imashita.”. Not only this “Itte imashita.”, but “Itte imasu.” and “Iimashita” are also likely to be used. How these three are different each other? Let’s examine these three patterns of sentence ending.

2. Satou-san wa Ashita no Asa Ku-ji ni Kuru to Iimashita. (Sato-san said she would come (here) at 9 tomorrow morning.)

This is simply saying that Sato-san said something at one moment in the past. It is not sure that Sato-san really comes tomorrow, because what Sato-san said is valid at that moment only.

3. Satou-san wa Ashita no Asa Ku-ji ni Kuru to Itte imasu. (Sato-san is saying she will come at 9 tomorrow morning.)

The sentence 3 indicates what Sato-san said has been valid since she said it. Although it is not sure what time this sentence 3 is being said, her coming at 9a.m. tomorrow is valid at the time of utterance of the sentence 3. Actually, it sounds like the speaker is insisting what Sato-san said is valid.

4. Satou-san wa Ashita no Asa Ku-ji ni Kuru to Itte imashita. (I heard that Sato-san was saying she would come at 9 tomorrow morning.)

The sentence 4 sounds like a kind of hearsay. The speaker of the sentence 4 was there, and heard what Sato-san was saying. It is not sure how many hours later, but the speaker says what he/she heard from Sato-san. Probably what Sato-san said is still valid, but the speaker is not responsible for her really coming at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

The exercise A5 adopts “Itte Imashita.”.

<INCOMPLETE!>

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A5 on Section33 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A4 S33): Saying what it means using the Particle “to”; [Subject ] wa { what it means } to Iu Imi desu.

Today’s sentence construction also uses the particle “-to”, and in macro perspective, it is a noun predicate sentence.

1. [Subject] wa [Noun] desu.

The noun “Imi” is modified by a verb clause.

2. [Subject] wa [Verb clasue ] Imi desu.

And the verb is “Iu/Iimasu(say/tell)” in dictionary form. The particle “-to” is placed in front of “Iu” to indicate the end of the part of “what is means”.

3. [Subject] wa [ what it means ] to Iu Imi desu.

As we have learned in the section 21, just in front of “-to”, or in other words, the end of “what it means” part usually becomes “short ending form”. This “short ending form” includes Imperative form and Prohibitive form which we have just learned in A1 and A2.

1. Kono Ma’aku wa Tomare to Iu Imi desu. (This mark means “Stop”.)

“What it means” part of the sentence 1 is “Tomare” that is Imperative form of the intransitive verb “Tomaru/Tomarimasu”. And “Tomare” is directly connected to the particle “-to”.

2. Kono Ma’aku wa Puragomi da to Iu Imi desu. (This mark means “Plastic waste”.)

“What it means” part of the sentence 2 is “Puragomi da”. “Puragomi” is a noun which is shortened “Purasuchikku Gomi (Plastic waste)”, and “da” is a sentence ending for noun predicate in the case of present-positive. And an important thing is that “da” is for short ending. What is for polite ending? Is it applicable to the today’s sentence?

<WRONG> Kono Ma’aku wa Puragomi desu to Iu Imi desu.

You see “desu” is doubled. The right expression is 2,

<RIGHT> Kono Ma’aku wa Puragomi da to Iu Imi desu.

3. Kono Ma’aku wa Shintai-Shougaisha ga Kuruma o Tomerareru to Iu Imi desu.

(This mark means that disabled people can park their car here.)

“What it means” part of the sentence 3 is a long one, “Shintai-Shougaisha ga Kuruma o Tomerareru”. You see this one is like a sentence consisting of a subject, object, and verb in potential form. And the verb “Tomerareru” is also a short ending of a verb with the last alphabet “-u”.

Practice and remember the following conversation;

A : Kore wa Dou Iu Imi desuka? (What does this mean?)

B : Kore wa Abunai to Iu Imi desu. (This means dangerous.)

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section33 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A3 S33): Explaining using Quotation and “to” that is the end of Quotation; [Direct Quotation] to [Verb Predicate].

The exercises A3 through A6 in the section 33 have a common feature. That is being a complex sentence using the particle “-to”. The particle “-to” has several functions as shown below;

{As a case particle}

(1) Mentioning two nouns in parallel

– Ringo to Mikan (An apple and a mandarin orange)

(2) A person who acts together

 – Otouto to Kenka Shimashita. (I got into a fight with my younger brother.) — 1

 – Tomodachi to Ryokou Shimashita. (I traveled with my friend.) — 2

“[Person] to” is necessary for the sentence 1., but not always necessary for the sentence 2.

(3) Indicating the end of Quotation of Utterance or Thought.

 – Satou-san wa Osake o Nomanai to Iimashita. (Sato-san said that she didn’t drink Alcohol.)

{As a conjunctive particle}

 – Haru ni Naru to, Hana ga Sakimasu. (Come spring, the flowers get bloomed.)

In the A3 to A6, we are learning practical uses of “-to” that functions in the way of (3) Indicating the end of Quotation of Utterance or Thought. The sentence construction takes the following;

<1> [Utterance or Thought] to [Predicate].

In the case of today’s exercise A3, 1 can be as below;

<2> [Direct Quotation] to [Verb Predicate].

In the A3, only two predicates are used for [Verb Predicate]. They are “Kaite Arimasu. ((something has been) written.)” and “Yomimasu. (read.)”. Let’s look at the examples;

1. Asoko ni ｢Gomi o Suteruna｣ to Kaite Arimasu. (What is written over there is “Do not throw the garbage.”)

Note that not double quotations “” but parentheses (Kagi-Kakko) ｢ ｣ are used for direct quotation in Japanese. If you don’t use the Kagi-Kakko ｢ ｣, the sentence would have two meanings;

1’ Asoko ni Gomi o Suteruna to Kaite Arimasu.

=>? What is written over there is “Do not throw the garbage.”

=>? What is written is “Do not throw the garbage over there.”

2. Ano Kanji wa ｢Tachiiri-Kinshi｣ to Yomimasu. (That Kanjis read Tachiiri- Kinshi.)

“Tachiiri-Kinshi” means “No Entry”.

As to part of quotations, it is a verb clause in 1 and a noun in 2. But this difference does not come from the difference between “Kaite Arimasu” and “Yomimasu”. Of course it depends on the situation, you can say “Asoko ni ｢Tachiiri-Kinshi｣ to Kaite Arimasu.” to who couldn’t see ｢Tachiiri-Kinshi｣ is there, and you can say “Are wa ｢Gomi o Suteruna｣ to Yomimasu” to who couldn’t read the letters of ｢Gomi o Suteruna｣.

Practice and remember the following conversations;

A : Soko ni Nan to Kaite Arimasuka. (What is written there?)

B : Soko ni ｢Kin’en｣ to Kaite Arimasu. (What is written there is “No Smoking”.)

(｢Kin’en｣ is located at almost equal distance from both A and B.)

A : Koko ni Nan to Kaite Arimasuka. (What is written here?)

B : Koko ni ｢Okane o Irete Kudasai｣ to Kaite Arimasu.

 (What is written here is “Put in money here”.)

A : Sono Kanji wa Nan to Yomimasuka. (How do you read that Kanji?)

B : Kono Kanji wa ｢Hijouguchi｣ to Yomimasu. (That Kanji reads ｢Hijouguchi (emergency exit)｣.)

(That Kanji is closer to B.)

A : Kono Suuji wa Nan to Yomimasuka. (How do you read this number?)

B : Kono Suuji wa ｢Sen Happaku Kyuu-juu Go｣ to Yomimasu. (That Suuji reads “one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five (1895)”.)

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section33 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A2 S33): Commanding someone to Do something using Imperative Form and to Stop doing using Prohibitive Form

What we are learning today is not utterances to say in ordinary situations. These words sound rough to a listener because they are kinds of orders, warnings, and prohibitions. Probably it is rare for Japanese learners to say these words, but it is necessary to understand as preparation against emergency situations.

<1> Orders using Imperative form

1. Nigero. (Run away.)

The verb “Nigeru/Nigemasu” is of Group 2, whose Imperative form is “Nigero”

2. Nihon no Houritsu o Mamore. (Obey the Japanese law.)

Houritsu is a noun for “law”. The verb “Mamoru/Mamorimasu” is of Group1-R, whose Imperative form is “Mamore”. “Nihon no Houritsu ni Shitagae. (Follow the Japanese law)” is also okay.

3. Shizukani Shiro (Be quiet.)

The construction of this sentence is “[Stem of Na-adj] ni [V-imp]. “Shiro” is the Imperative form of Group2 verb “Suru/Shimasu”.

<2> Prohibitions using Prohibitive form

4. Ugokuna. (Don’t move.)

A Prohibitive form can be made just putting “na” behind a dictionary form. “Ugoku/Ugokimasu” is an intransitive verb to mean “move”. The English verb “move” can be both intransitive and transitive verbs, but in Japanese, intransitive and transitive verbs are different. Ugoku/Ugokimasu is intransitive, and Ugokasu/Ugokashimasu is transitive.

5. Combini no Chuushajou de Sawaguna. (Don’t make any noise in the convenience store parking lot.)  

“Sawagu/Sawagimasu” is a verb meaning making noise by laughing and shouting loudly.

6. Jugyou-chuu ni Shaberuna. (Don’t chat during the class.)

“Shaberu/Shaberimasu” is a verb meaning saying something. In the sentence 5, “de” of “Chuushajou de” is marking “a place”, while in this sentence 6, “ni” of “Jugyou-chuu ni” is marking “time”.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section33 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A1 S33): Verb Conjugation; Imperative Form and Prohibitive Form

Two new verb conjugations are introduced in the section 33. They are Imperative Form and Prohibitive Form. A verb in these conjugations is used when someone gives you a command to do or not to do something. It is important to know that a verb in Imperative form or in Prohibitive form sound rough because it is an order or a warning in most of the cases from superiors to subordinates. Therefore, it is better for a Japanese learner not to use but to know them in order for him/her to be able to understand a command or a warning that Japanese people give in a severe situation.

In the following, verbs are shown in the order of;

Dictionary-form/Masu-form — Imperative form — Prohibitive form.

<Group 2 verbs>

Miru/Mimasu (see, watch, look at) — Miro — Miruna

Yameru/Yamemasu (stop, quit a job) — Yamero — Yameruna

Suteru/Sutemasu (throw away, dump) — Sutero — Suteruna

<Group 3 verbs>

Kuru/Kimasu (come to this side) — Koi — Kuruna

Suru/Shimasu (do) — Shiro — Suruna

<Group 1 verbs>

– Gr1-W; Iu/Iimasu (say, tell) — Ie — Iuna

– Gr1-K; Iku/Ikimasu (go there) — Ike — Ikuna

– Gr1-G; Oyogu/Oyogimasu (swim) — Oyoge — Oyoguna

– Gr1-S; Dasu/Dashimasu (put out) — Dase — Dasuna

– Gr1-T; Tatsu/Tachimasu (stand up) — Tate — Tatsuna

– Gr1-B; Asobu/Asobimasu (play for fun) — Asobe — Asobuna

– Gr1-M; Nomu/Nomimasu (drink) — Nome — Nomuna

– Gr1-R; Toru/Torimasu (take) — Tore — Toruna

It is obvious that Prohibitive form can be made by putting “na” behind of dictionary form. As for Imperative form, Group1 verbs end with “-e”. And of the Group1 verbs, Gr1-R is always confusing with Group2 verbs for conjugations. Gr1-R verbs end with “-re”, while Group2 verbs end with “-ro”.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section33 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Got Stung on the Scalp by an “Iraga” Moth Larva.

Several days ago, I felt sting like aching on my head skin when I was walking under the persimmon tree. Then I found them on the back side of persimmon leaves.

I tried to find the leaves with larva as much. When I found, I cut the branch and threw them into the compost in which pesticide is poured into. Basically, the persimmon is a tree that is not affected much by pests and diseases. So, I didn’t expect such nuisance creatures were there. I don’t use pesticides for my vegetable, but occasionally use it for fruit trees. I haven’t used pesticide so far this year. Probably hand picking is the best way for an amateur like me. Anyway, I felt a numbness around my mouth and in my fingertips in the next morning, though I was not sure if the poison of “Iraga” moth larva was such strong or not.

When it comes to Tomato, it is only for fresh consumption in Japan. Tomato on the shelves of a supermarket and tomato seeds being sold in a “home center” are both tomatoes to be eaten fresh. You can’t find tomato for cooking. This year I got some seeds of tomato for cooking by mailing order. I made 30 seedlings and planted on my field. And then now it’s the time of harvest, I have got quite a lot of them. I boiled them and put them in freezer. I think I will have a lot of tomato soup in coming autumn rather than Miso-soup.

Japanese Learning (A3 S32): Saying a Speculation; [V-dic / V-nai / I-adj / Na-adj / Noun ] + kamo shiremasen.

Yesterday we learned one of expressions to say speculation, which was “-deshou.” Today we are going to learn another expression to say speculation, “-kamo shiremasen.” When it comes to differences between the two, “-kamoshiremasen” is a little bit less confident and/or less certain than “-deshou”. Sometimes “-kamo shiremasen” is used for the level of suspicion.

At a glance, you may feel the spelling of “-kamo shiremasen” is a little long. How do we understand this new expression? It is rare, but sometimes we would find a textbook of second language that gives us explanations with subdividing expressions into minimum pieces. If I do it for “-kamo shiremasen”, this expression could be subdivided like below;

-kamo : a compound particle with the ending particles “-ka.” and “-mo.”

  -ka. : question, being moved, exclamation

  -mo. : being moved, exclamation

-shire- : an intransitive verb that has to do with the transitive verb “Shiru/Shirimasu”

-masen : the sentence ending of present-negative in polite speech style.

I don’t think a subdivision like above would help a learner understand “-kamo shiremasen.” well. The following is just my personal view, but rather than to subdivide the expression like this into minimum segments, it is better to learn it as a kind of “cluster” when learning a second language. So, it is better to think simply that “-kamo shiremasen” is an expression to say “I guess that” with less certainty and probability than “-deshou.” Learn such nature of “-kamo shiremasen” through the following examples.

[V-dic] + deshou

1. Sato-san wa Shigoto o Yameru kamo shiremasen. (I guess that Sato-san might be quitting her job.)

[V-nai] + deshou

2. Suzuki-san wa Kyou Kaisha ni Konai kamo shiremasen. (I guess that Suzuki-san might not be coming to the company today.)

Note that the group3 verb “Kuru/Kimasu” becomes “konai” for its Nai-form. It’s neither “Kanai(WRONG)”, “Kinai(WRONG)”, nor “Kenai(WRONG)”. “Kunai” is the worst, because “-unai” happens only for I-adjective. “Kuru/Kimasu” is a verb.

[I-adjective] + deshou.

3. Ano Manga wa Tsumaranai kamo shiremasen. (I guess that the Manga might be boring.)

[Na-adjective] + deshou.

Note that the negative “nai” is included as part of the I-adjective “Tsumaranai”.

4. Kono Kasa wa Joubu kamo shiremasen. (I guess that this umbrella might be sturdy.)

[Noun] + deshou.

5. Takahashi-san wa Ashita Yasumi kamo shiremasen. (I guess that Takahashi-san might be taking day off tomorrow.)

Note that “Yasumi” is a noun, “Yasumu” is a verb.

Again, the followings are just about the difference between “deshou” and “kamoshiremasen.”

“deshou” is used broadly as speculation. When the speaker uses “deshou”, confidence and certainty are usually higher than “kamo shiremasen”. “kamo shiremasen” is sometimes used for speculation of the level of suspicions.

Suppose that a radio anchor said one of the followings in a weather forecast program.

(1) Ashita wa Ame deshou.

(2) Ashita wa Ame kamo shiremasen.

Which comment is appropriate for the weather forecast? It must be (1). If a radio anchor said (2), the listeners would feel like the forecast isn’t scientifically made.

There is an adverb that can make the difference clearer between “deshou” and “kamo shiremasen”. That is “Moshikashitara”. Because it is “perhaps” like adverb with less confidence and certainty, “Moshikashitara” is quite often used with “-kamo shiremasen.” as shown below;

1’. Moshikashitara, Sato-san wa Shigoto o Yameru kamo shiremasen. (Perhaps, Sato-san might be quitting her job.)

It is better to remember two words together as a combination “Moshikashitara, —kamo shiremasen.”

On the other, it is not often for a sentence ending “deshou.” to use “Moshikashitara”.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section32 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A2 S32): Saying a Speculation; [V-dic / V-nai / I-adj / Na-adj / Noun ] + deshou.

The section 32 introduces two major expressions to say speculation. In addition, yesterday’s expressions [V-ta] Hou ga Ii, and [V-nai] Hou ga Ii are also regarded as an expression for speculation because it is a way for the speaker to tell what he/she thinks is better.

Today’s expression for speculation uses “-deshou.” This “-deshou.” has already been introduced in A4 S21. There, “-deshou?” is an expression to make a confirmation with ascending intonation. Today’s “-deshou.” is spoken with descending intonation.

[V-dic] + deshou

1. Ashita wa Fujisan ga Mieru deshou. (I guess that we will be able to see Mountain Fuji tomorrow.)

As to the verb “Mieru/Miemasu”, refer to A3 S27.

[V-nai] + deshou.

2. Ashita wa Ame wa Furanai deshou. (I guess that it will not be rainy tomorrow.)

“wa” is used twice in this sentence. Note the difference from the sentence 1.

<sentence 1> [Topic] wa [Subject] ga [ Positive ] deshou.

<sentence 2> [Topic] wa [Subject] wa [Negative] deshou.

One of ways to choose “wa ” or “ga” is as follows;

[Known subject] wa [Important Information].

[Important Information] ga [Known predicate].

A negative information is usually important. If the predicate is negative, “wa” is often used for subject marker.

[I-adjective] + deshou.

3. Ashita wa Atsui deshou. (I guess that it will be hot tomorrow.)

[Na-adjective] + deshou.

4. Ashita wa Yuki-geshiki ga Kirei deshou. (I guess that snow landscape will be beautiful tomorrow.)

Yuki-geshiki is a compound word formed from Yuki (snow) and Keshiki(view, scenery). And be careful about “Kirei” which is not an I-adjective but a Na-adjective.

[Noun] + deshou.

5. Ashita wa Hare deshou. (I guess that tomorrow is a fine day.)

Note that “Hare” is a noun. For some verbs, Masu-form without “masu” can be a noun. In this case, the noun “Hare” comes from the verb “Hareru/Haremasu” whose “Masu-form without masu” is “Hare”. Likewise, “Kumori” is a noun that comes from “Masu-form without masu” of the verb “Kumoru/Kumorimasu”.

6. Ashita wa Kumori deshou. ; Kumori is a noun.

6’. Ashita wa Kumoru deshou. ; Kumoru is a verb.

Today’s “-deshou.” is broadly used for speculations. We will learn tomorrow another expression for speculation, which is “-kamo Shiremasen.” In comparison with “-kamo Shiremasen.”, “-deshou.” has slightly higher level of confidence and/or certainty than “-kamo Shiremasen.”

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section32 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A1 S32): Giving a REcommendation to Others; [V-ta]+ Hou ga Ii desu. / [V-nai] + Hou ga Ii desu.

Look at the sample of today’s sentence constructions;

1. Sukoshi Yasunda Hou ga Ii desu. (It’s better for you to take a rest.)

2. Amari Muri o Shinai Hou ga Ii desu. (It’s better for you not to try so hard.)

Both 1 and 2 are I-adjective predicate sentences in the form of the following.

– [Subject] ga Ii desu.

The subject is actually a clause of the verb modifying noun in today’s sentences.

[Subject] = [Clause of the Verb modifying Noun] = [ Verb ] + Hou

<Verb>

The verb must be in the form that can modify a noun. When a verb modifies a noun, its conjugation forms would be the followings; Dictionary form, Nai-form, Ta-form, or V-nakatta. Of the four, today’s sentence construction uses Ta-form and Nai-form. If using Dictionary form, the sentence will be not a suggestion to others but expression to say your preference*. And using V-nakatta is rare, and needs to make the entire sentence in past tense**.

A little about Ta-form; You can get Ta-form by replacing “e” of Te-form with “a”

– example; Te-form: Katte, Nonde => Katta, Nonda

Ta-form is obtained by (1) attaching “ta” after “Masu-form without ‘masu’”, (2) making a little change so that pronouncing it can be easier (euphonic change).

– Example of Ta-form making procedure;

(1) Shi-masu (do) => Shi-ta (Ta-form)

(1) Iki-masu (go) => Iki-ta (pronunciation not easy) => (2) Itta (Ta-form)

(1) Yasumi-masu => Yasumi-ta (pronunciation not easy) => (2) Yasunda (Ta-form)

If you find it difficult to pronounce what you think is Ta-form, then your Ta-form is incorrect.

<Hou>

“Hou” is a formal noun. The original meaning of “Hou” is “direction”, but that meaning has been weakened as a formal noun. Now the meaning is like “better one” and more than its meaning, the function as a nominalizer is important.

<ga>

There are two subject markers; “wa” and “ga”. Japanese speakers always need to choose which of “wa” or “ga” is better as subject marker. ”wa” is widely used to explain the known subject. “ga” is used to specify what(who) is the subject. The simplest way to choose one of the two is as below;

– [Known subject] wa [Important Information].

– [Important Information] ga [Known Predicate].

Look at the example;

3. Byouin e Itta Hou ga Iidesu. (It is better for you to go to a hospital.)

Of course, the predicate “Iidesu(is better)” is necessary, but the concrete information in the subject part is more important, which is “Byouin e Itta Hou”. Therefore, not “wa” but “ga” is used as the subject marker in the sentence construction of today.

Examples of today’s sentence construction;

<V-dic Hou ga>

Natsu, Atsui Toki, (When it’s hot in summer; )

4. Eakon o Tsuketa Hou ga Iidesu. (It is better to turn the air-conditioner on.)

5. Mizu o Takusan Nonda Hou ga Iidesu. (It is better to drink a lot of water.)

<V-nai Hou ga>

Kimatsu Shiken ga Chikai Toki, (When the final examination is coming;)

6. Sumaho de Asobanai Hou ga Iidesu. (It is better not to play with your smartphone.)

7. Amari Osoku made Benkyou-Shinai Hou ga Iidesu. (It is better not to study until that late at night.)

Today’s sentence construction “V-ta Hou ga Iidesu” and “V-nai Hou ga Iidesu” are expressions to say a recommendation to other people. If a matter is really serious, you need to use stronger expressions more than today’s;

<Not Good>

– Gaikoku e Iku toki, Pasupo’oto o Totta Hou ga Iidesu. (When going abroad, it is better to get a passport.)

This sentence is not good because getting the passport is a must to go to foreign countries.

<Good>

– Gaikoku e Iku toki, Pasupo’oto o Toranakereba narimasen. (When going abroad, you have to get a passport.) —– Refer to the exercise A2 in the Section 20

<Okay, but weak as a warning>

– Kiken desukara, Koko de Oyoganai Hou ga Iidesu. (Because it’s dangerous, so it’s better to not swim here.)

If the seashore is rugged and rocky, you need to stop your friend swimming there.

<Good>

– Kiken desukara, Koko de Oyoidewa Ikemasen. (Because it’s dangerous, don’t swim here.) —– Refer to the exercise A2 in the Section 15

* An example to use Dictionary form

A : Daigaku o Sotsugyou Shitara, Shuushoku to Daigakuinn to, Dochira ga Iidesuka. (Which do you think is better; getting a job or going to a graduate school?)

B : Daigakuin ni Shingaku <Suru> Hou ga Iidesu. (I prefer to go to a graduate school.)

** An example to use V-nakatta

<?> Kinou, Annani Osake o <Nomanakatta>Hou ga <Yokatta desu>.

The sentence end takes past tense. But the sentence below is better.

<better> Kinou, Annani Osake o Nomanai Hou ga Yokatta desu.

Therefore, using V-nakatta is rare in the construction of “Hou ga Iidesu”.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section32 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A6 S31): Saying publicly and officially Something is Scheduled, Not about your personal will; [Verb Clause]+ Yotei desu. / [Active Noun] no Yotei desu.

The main items to learn in the section 31 are expressions to say your will. Just review the sentence constructions that we have learned recently.

1. Watashi wa Nihon e Ikou to Omotte imasu.

(I have been thinking about going to Japan.)

2. Watashi wa Shourai Nihon ni Ryuugaku-shuru Tsumori desu.

(I intend to be an international student in Japan in the future.)

The sentence 1 of A3 expresses a will that a person is currently thinking and/or has been thinking for a while. The sentence 2 of A5 expresses a strong will of a person who has determined about it. The two sentences are both about a will. Is there any other thing common to the two? The subject is “Watashi(I)” for either sentence. And the will that is expressed is a personal one. Actually, the sentences like 1 and 2 are not suitable to a public statement, an official job schedules, and alike.

Today’s expressions;

[Verb Clause]+ Yotei desu. / [Active Noun] no Yotei desu.

are suitable to talk about something planned officially and/or publicly. Sometimes this “Yotei desu” can be used when the subject is “Watashi”, but for the clear distinction to personal willingness, it is better to deal only with the subjects other than “Watashi” for the time being.

The followings are examples of today’s sentence construction;

[Verb Clause]+ Yotei desu.

– Buchou wa Raishuu Honsha e Iku Yotei desu. (It is scheduled that the manager is going to the headquarter next week.)

– Shinkansen wa JuuSan-ji ni Toukyou ni Tsuku Yotei desu. (The high-speed train is arriving in Tokyo at 13 o’clock.)

Note that train times are often stated using the 24-hour clock. In this case, Tsuku is not 付くbut 着く in kanji.

[Active Noun] no Yotei desu.

– Raishuu wa Koujou-Kengaku no Yotei desu. (A factory tour is scheduled next week.)

Koujou: noun; factory   Kengaku: noun(-suru); tour to learn, observe and inspect.

Perhaps “Watashi” can be a subject of this sentence in the form below;

– Raishuu, Watashi wa Koujou-Kengaku no Yotei desu.

This sentence is not your personal willingness, but a kind of official statement about your job.

– Gogo wa Gemba-Kantoku no Yotei desu. (Supervising the site is scheduled in the afternoon.)

“Gemba-Kantoku” is not a word of beginner’s level vocabulary, sorry. But I have to be careful about wording in order to avoid copyright issue.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A6 on Section31 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”