タグ: speculation

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

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

At a glance, you may feel that “-kamoshiremasen” is a long word in spelling. How can we learn this new expression? It is rare, but sometimes we would find a second language textbook that gives us explanations with subdividing expressions into minimum pieces. If I do it for “-kamoshiremasen”, 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 “-kamoshiremasen.” 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 cluster of words when learning a second language.

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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 (A2 S21): Expressing your Opinion uses the Same Construction as saying your Speculation; Watashi wa ([Subject]+[Predicate]) to Omoimasu.

We have recently learned the following construction;

1. Watashi wa Mousugu Ame ga Furu to Omoimasu. (I think it’s going to rain soon.)

Since the verb “Omou/Omoimasu” is usually translated to “think”, the above sentence 1 seems to express what you are thinking. But to be more exact, this sentence has a function to say your speculation. Actually, today’s sentence construction is identical to the sentence 1.

2. Watashi wa Risaikuru wa Chikyuu o Mamoru to Omoimasu. (I think Recycling saves our planet.)

Although the example 2 also sounds like a speculation, you can regard 2 as an opinion of the speaker. Let us look at some examples that are expressing opinions using “to Omoimasu”.

3. [V-dic] + to Omoimasu.

Watashi wa Kasa wa Kyou Yaku ni Tatsu to Omoimasu. (I think an umbrella will be useful today.)

– Yaku ni Tatsu: Gr1-T verb; can be useful

4. [V-nakereba naranai] + to Omoimasu.

Watashi wa Kodomo wa Tetsudai o Shinakereba naranai to Omoimasu. (I think kids should help with household chores)

– Nakereba naranai/Nakereba narimasen => Refer to A3 S17

5. [I-adj] + to Omoimasu.

Watashi wa Nihongo wa Muzukashii to Omoimasu. (I think Japanese is difficult.)

6. [Na-adj] + to Omoimasu.

Watashi wa Kuruma wa Benrida to Omoimasu. (I think a car is useful.)

7. [Noun] da + to Omoimasu.

Watashi wa Satou-san no Hanashi wa Hontou da to Omoimasu. (I think what we are talking about Sato-san is real.)

Now we have learned that “to Omoimasu.” can express two things; Speculation and Opinion. They are shown in A1 and A2, respectively. However, I think “to Omoimasu” has a common function to both A1 and A2. That is to avoid making definitive statements. Using “to Omoimasu”, you can make your speculation or opinion more moderate. For example, no one can say we are going to have rain tomorrow for 100 percent sure. Rather than to say “Ashita Ame ga Furimasu”, it is better to say “Ashita Ame ga Furu to Omoimasu”. Another example is; you think recycling is good for our earth, but someone may think recycling doesn’t facilitate new production. If you say “Risaikuru wa Chikyuu o Mamorimasu”, such people may yell at you. If you say “Risaikuru wa Chikyuu o Mamoru to Omoimasu”, your opinion would sound more moderate.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section21 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”