タグ: V-te Iru

Japanese learning (A2 S29): Applications of “V-te iru” that expresses “A Result is Persisting” with Subject Marker “-wa”; [Subject] wa [Vi-te] imasu.

There are not much differences from yesterday’s sentences. Both in yesterday’s and today’s, “V-te iru” works to express a result that happened in one time in the past has still been persisting. This kind of “V-te iru” sometimes is dealt with a part of “V-te iru for “Action Continues””, but when an intransitive verb is used for “V-te iru”, it is categorized as “A Result is Persisting”. The only difference between yesterday and today is the subject markers. Yesterday’s sentences use “ga” and today’s “wa”. And today’s sentences use one-series of Ko-so-a words,

1. Kono Denki wa Kiete imasu. (This light is turned off.)

2. Sono Ko’ohi’i Sa’aba’a wa Koshou Shite imasu. (That coffee server broke.)

3. Ano Ki wa Taorete imasu. (That tree has fallen over.)

The sentence 1 indicates that the light turned off in some point in past. After that, the light has been off until now. This explanation was repeated in yesterday’s post. So for today, let us just look at two issues; comparison between intransitive and transitive verbs, and comparison between “wa” and “ga”.

[ 1 ] Intransitive verbs and Transitive verbs

1. Int: Kieru/Kiemasu : Denki ga Kiemashita. (The light turned off.)

  Tra: Kesu/Keshimasu : Watashi wa Denki o Keshimashita. (I turned the light off.)

2. Int: Koshoushuru/Koshoushimasu : Ko’ohi’i Sa’aba’a ga Koshou shimasita. (The coffee server has broken.)

 Interestingly, there isn’t the transitive version of “Koshousuru/Koshoushimasu”. One of group3 verb “Suru/Shimasu” is very often used as transitive verbs. Although “Suru/Shimasu” sometimes works as intransitive verbs, but not many times. Likewise, compound group 3 verbs with active noun and “Suru/Shimasu” are usually transitive.

<examples — transitive>

– Benkyou-suru (study) : Nihongo o Benkyou-shimasu (study Japanese)

– Ryouri-suru (cook) : Suigyouza o Ryouri-shimasu (cook boiled dumplings)

– Yoyaku-suru (reserve) : Hoteru o Yoyaku-shimasu (reserve a hotel room)

<examples — intransitive>

But there are some compound Gr3 verbs that is a combination of active noun and “Suru/Shimasu”

– Sanka-suru (participate) : Boranthia ni Sanka-shimasu (participate a volunteer activity)

– Goukaku-suru (pass a exam) : Kiken ni Goukaku-shimasu (pass the examination)

– Shuushoku-suru (start working) : Kaisha ni Shuushoku-shimasu (start working in a company)

– Koshou-suru (break) : Kopi’iki ga Koshou-shimasita (Photocopy machine has broken.)

So, group3 verbs “Naninani-suru” are usually transitive verbs, but you need to be careful that some of them are intransitive verbs.

3. Int: Taoreru/Taoremasu : Ki ga Taore mashita. (The tree fell down.)

  Tra: Taosu/Taoshimasu : Furui Ie o Taoshi mashita. (We tore down the old house.)

As is the case in 1 and 3, There are pairs of intransitive verb and transitive verb. It is like rise-raise, lie-lay, and sit-seat in English. The problem is that there are so many such pairs in Japanese. On the other, sometimes like 2, there is only intransitive verb and no transitive verb that can be a pair with intransitive verb. Actually, there is a way to have such intransitive verb work as transitive verb. The way will be explained in the section 48.

[ 2 ] “wa” or “ga” for Subject Marker

All the three sentences of today use “wa” for the subject marker.

1. Kono Denki <wa> Kiete imasu. (This light is turned off.)

2. Sono Ko’ohi’i Sa’aba’a <wa> Koshou Shite imasu. (That coffee server broke.)

3. Ano Ki <wa> Taorete imasu. (That tree has fallen over.)

In these situations, the speaker and the listener share what the subject is. Two persons are looking the same light in the sentence 1, the same coffee server in 2, and the same tree in 3. But if you want to use “ga” instead of “wa”, what kind of situation necessitates use of “ga” for subject marker?

1’. A : I have heard that a light bulb is off. Which one is turned off?

B : Kono Denki <ga> Kiete imasu. (This the light that is turned off.)

2’. A : I have heard that one of coffee servers had got problem and didn’t work well. Do you know which one is broken?

B : Sono Ko’ohi’i Sa’aba’a <ga> Koshou Shite imasu. (That coffee server is the one that has broken.)

3’. A : There are many trees in the park. Do you know if there is a tree that fell down by the strong wind yesterday?

B : Ano Ki <ga> Taorete imasu. (That tree has fallen over.)

As you can see, if we think of situation in which “ga” is used for the subject markers, we need to make up settings. On the other, the sentences 1, 2, and 3 using “wa” are simply mentioning the situation. It is really a difficult problem as to which of “wa” or “ga” is to be used. If you don’t know which is better, using “wa” may be a good choice. “wa” is broadly being used for topic marker and subject marker. This is the reason that you learn “wa” in the first day of Japanese learning, but “ga” comes later.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section29 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese learning (A1 S29): One of Functions of “V-te iru”, “A Result is Persisting”, and Subject Marker “-ga” for New Information; [Subject] ga [Vi-te] imasu.

[ 1 ] “V-te iru” for “A Result is Persisting”

As explained in A2 S28, the functions of “V-te iru” are shown below;

<1> Action is Ongoing

– Satou-san wa Ima Denwa de Hanashite imasu. (Sato-san is now talking on a phone.)

<2-1> Action Continues

– Satou-san wa Suzuki-san o Shitte imasu. (Sato-san knows Suzuki-san.)

<2-2> Result of Action is Persisting

– Doa ga Aite imasu. (The door is left open.)

<3> Action is Repetitive

– Maiban Ku-ji no Nyu’usu o Mite imasu. (I watch the news program at 9 p.m. every night.)

What we are learning is <2-2>. Although <2-2> is sometime included in “<2-1> Action Continues”, if a verb for “V-te” is an intransitive verb that expresses action in short period of time (instantaneous verbs) *. Let us look at some examples of <2-2>.

1. Mado ga Aite imasu. (A window has kept opening.)

In some time in the past, it happened that a window opened. When that window was opening, the action didn’t take much long. Action “open” itself was short lasting. However, the consequence of the action has lasted since it happened. This “V-te iru” ‘Aite imasu’ expresses that the result of action is sustained until now.

“Aite” is the Te-form of intransitive verb “Aku”. If you want to say “open” as transitive verb, it is “Akeru”. check the difference between intransitive verb “Aku” and transitive verb “Akeru”.

– Intransitive verb sentence : Mado ga Akimashita. (The window opened.)

– Transitive verb sentence : Watashi wa Mado o Akemashita. (I opened the window.)

2. Taxi ga Tomatte imasu. (A taxi is stopping.)

A taxi stopped in some moment in past, and it keeps stopping until now. “Tomatte” is the Te-form of intransitive verb “Tomaru”. If you want to say “stop” as transitive verb, it is “Tomeru”. check the difference between intransitive verb “Tomaru” and transitive verb “Tomeru”.

– Intransitive verb sentence : Takushii ga Tomarimashita. (The taxi stopped.)

– Transitive verb sentence : Watashi wa Takushii o Tomemashita. (I stopped the taxi.)

3. Garasu no Koppu ga Warete imasu. (A glass cup is broken.)

A glass cup broke. Breaking was instantaneous. Since then, the cup is left broken until now. “Warete” is the Te-form of intransitive verb “Wareru”. If you want to say “break glass into pieces” as transitive verb, it is “Waru”.

– Intransitive verb sentence : Osara ga Waremashita. (The dish was broken.)

– Transitive verb sentence : Watashi wa Osara o Warimashita. (I broke the dish.)

The verbs for Te-form are all intransitive verbs in the example 1 to 3; Aku, Tomaru, and Wareru. These actions take very short period of time. But making “V-te iru”, you can express that the result of action is still sustained. This is one of functions of “V-te iru”, but we can learn as important aspect of “V-te iru”. It is that “V-te iru” can make an instantaneous action a stative situation.

* : Most of Verbs express actions that can be done in short period of time (instantaneous verbs). Therefore, this caveat after “that expresses” may be unnecessary. Stative intransitive verbs are not many. Knowing Aru(有る), Iru(居る), Iru(要る), is okay. There are no “V-te iru” for these. If you think you have heard “V-te iru” for these Aru and Iru, they are not, instead;

– Atte iru => 会っている(be meeting), or 合っている(be fitting, be adjusting)

– Itte itu => 言っている(be saying), or 行っている(being there)

[ 2 ] Subject Marker “-ga” for New Information

Here is another important issue for today’s sentence construction. Compare the following two;

1. Mado ga Aite imasu. (A window has kept open.)

4. Ano Mado wa Aite imasu. (That window has been kept open.)

Today we learn the sentence 1, and tomorrow, 4. What is the subject marker for 1 and 2? The subject marker is “ga” in the sentence 1, while it is “wa” in the sentence 2. Selecting “wa” or “ga” for subject marker is difficult for learners, and even for native Japanese speakers for sometimes. There are some criteria for decision making about “wa” or “ga”;

Explanation1:

“wa” : The purpose of the sentence is to explain of Known subject’s name, condition, or action.

“ga” : The purpose of the sentence is to specify what the subject is.

Explanation2:

“wa” : [Subject] wa [Important Information].

“ga” : [Important Information] ga [Predicate].

So far, I have used these two explanations when it comes to choice of “wa” or “ga” as subject marker. But when you look at today’s sentence 1;

1. Mado ga Aite imasu. (A window has kept opening.)

Which of the subject or the predicate is important in this sentence, “Mado (a window)” or “Aite imasu(has kept opening)”? You may answer both are important. Yes, probably the subject “Mado” and the predicate “Aite imasu” are both important information. And depending on a situation, “Mado wa Aite imasu” is also okay. Then, how we correctly choose “wa” or “ga”?

Case for “wa”

A : Mado wa Aite imasuka. (Is the window open?)

B : Hai, Mado wa Aite imasu.(Yes, the window is open.)

 In this case, the word “window” is shared between persons A and B.

Case for “ga”

Suppose a burglar broke into a house. The next morning, a police officer arrived. He called his boss from the scene.

Boss : Anything wrong with the house?

PO: A window is open. => Mado ga Aite imasu.

The boss must have thought the house had got something unusual. But at the time of asking, the boss didn’t have a concrete idea about what was wrong. Then the police officer told him a new information. A window that should be closed during the night was left open in the morning. As this example indicates, when you say new information, “ga” is usually used as the subject marker. Window’s being left open is not surprising to police officer, but sometimes a thing happens suddenly, and it is a bit surprising, “ga” is used like below;

5. Att! Mukou kara Basu ga Kimasu. (Ah! a bus is coming from there!)

6. Hora! Shingou ga Kawarimasu. (Look at that! Trafiic light is changing!)

Therefore, another “wa” or “ga” criteria would be as follows;

“wa”; when talking about already known information

“ga”; when talking about a new information.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section29 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese learning (A2 S28): Repetitive Action that is expressed using one of usages of “[V-te] imasu.”

The main item to learn in the Section 28 is the conjunctive particle “-shi,” that is for mentioning two things parallelly. In addition, another conjunctive particle “-nagara,” is introduced in A1 yesterday. “-nagara,” is to express that two actions are ongoing simultaneously. Today’s A2 is also about conjunctive particle, which is “-te(de),”, but it would be better to think A2 is introducing one of usages of “[V-te] imasu.” For Japanese learners at beginner’s level, “[V-te] imasu.” is explained to have three or four usages.

<Functions of “[V-te] imasu.”>

<1> Ongoing Action

– Satou-san wa Ima Denwa de Hanashite imasu. (Sato-san is now talking on a phone.)

This is introduced in the section 14 of Minna no Nihongo. In a sentence of present tense, the adverb “Ima” is usually used in order to say the action is ongoing “Now”. In a sentence of past tense, usually it is specified when the action was ongoing like below;

– Kinou Ie ni Kaetta toki, Chichi wa Nete imashita. (When I came back home yesterday, my dad was sleeping.)

<2-1> Continuous Action

– Satou-san wa Suzuki-san o Shitte imasu. (Sato-san knows Suzuki-san.)

Probably English translation would be better if it’s “Sato-san has known Suzuki-san for long.”. This usage of “[V-te] imasu.”, being introduced in the section 15, expresses that a subject keeps on doing action for a while. Some textbooks introduce another (forth) usage that is part of “Continuous action”.

<2-2> Persistence of Result

– Doa ga Aite imasu. (The door is left open.)

This usage of “[V-te] imasu.”, introduced in the section 29. When the verb in Te-form is an intransitive verb describing instantaneous action, “[V-te] imasu.” means the result of action remains until the time of talking.

<3> Repetitive Action

– Maiban Ku-ji no Nyu’usu o Mite imasu. (I watch the news program at 9 p.m. every night.)

This is what we learn today. This is at A2 in the Section 28. A sentence means that a subject repeats action by this usage of “[V-te] imasu.” It is usually with an adverb having meaning of always and/or every, like; Itsumo (always), Taitei (usually), Mainichi (every day), Doyoubi wa Itsumo (every Saturday) and so on.

Here are some example sentences for this usage “Repetitive Action” of “[V-te] imasu.”

1. Yasumi no Hi wa Taitei Ie de Piano o Hite imasu. (I usually play piano on holiday.)

Note that “wa” is not a subject marker but a topic marker. The subject in this sentence is “Watashi”.

2. San-nen mae Kyouto ni Sunde itatoki, Maishuu Otera o Mini Itte imashita. (When I lived in Kyoto three years ago, I visited temples every week.)

The sentence 2 is of past tense. “Sunde ita” is “V-te iru” of <2-1> Continuous Action, and “Mini Itte imashita” is “V-te iru” of <3> Repetitive Action

3. Maishuu Nichiyoubi, Sentaku o Shitari, Souji o Shitari Shite imasu. (Every Sunday, I wash clothes and clean the room.)

 There is a complicated sentence in A2 S28 of Minna no Nihongo. That is the third sentence which uses “Tari-tari construction”. My example sentence uses different words, but the construction is basically the same. “Shitati Shite” seems a double use of the same verb, but this is quite often used. The English translation in the parentheses may not convey the nuance of “Tari-tari construction”. Though “I” wash clothes and clean the room, there is no order about which to be done first. Also, these two are not done simultaneously because if washing and cleaning are simultaneous, “-nagara, ” would be used.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section28 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese learning (A1 S22): Modifying a Noun by a Verb Clause: [Concise Ending of Verb Clause] + [Noun]

At first, let us review ways to modify a noun. Putting aside adverbs and adverbials to modify a verb, we are just focusing on modification for a noun. The basic thing is that a modifying word is placed in front of a modified word as below;

[Modifying Word] + [Modified Word]

1. I-adjective modifies a noun

– [ Stem of I-adj ] + I + [ Noun ]

example: Aoi Sora (bule sky), Sabishii Kimochi (sad feeling)

2. Na-adjective modifies a noun

– [ Stem of Na-adj ] + na + [ Noun ]

example: Kireina Hana (beautiful flower), Shizukana Toshokan (quiet library)

3. Noun modifies another Noun

– [ Noun1 ] + no + [Noun2]

example: Nihon no Kuruma (Japanese cars), Watashi no Neko (my cat)

Then, is there a way to modify a noun with a verb? It is what we are learning today.

Recently we have learned “concise endings” in the section 20. They are a kind of writing style*, because they are used for sentence endings in a writing such as newspaper, technical report, and contract document.  But the same patterns of verb predicates can also be used for a middle of a sentence, that is to be placed in front of a noun, in order to modify the noun.

The followings are examples of noun-modification with verb clause;

<1> Modified Noun is the object (-o) of a verb

– Present/future-positive:

Example: Kodomo ga Taberu Okashi (snack that kids eat)

The verb “Taberu” is in dictionary form, modifying the noun “Okashi”. “Okashi” is a noun usually being an object of the transitive verb “Taberu/Tabemasu” as “Okashi o Tabemasu”

– Present/future-negative:

Example: Kodomo ga Tabenai Okashi (snack that kids don’t eat)

– Past-positive:

Example: Kinou Tabeta Okashi (snack that I ate yesterday)

– Past-negative:

Example: Kinou Tabenakatta Okashi (snack that I didn’t eat yesterday)

<2> Modified Noun is the subject (-ga) of a verb

– Present/future-positive:

Example: Shukudai o Suru Gakusei (a student who does homework)

The verb “Suru” is in dictionary form, modifying the noun “Gakusei”. “Gakusei” is a noun usually being a subject of the verb “Suru/Shimasu” as “Gakusei ga Shukudai o Shimasu.”

– Present/future-negative:

Example: Shukudai o Shinai Gakusei (a student who doesn’t do homework)

– Past-positive:

Example: Shukudai o Shita Gakusei (a student who did homework)

– Past-negative:

Example: Shukudai o Shinakatta Gakusei (a student who didn’t do homework)

<3> Application of “V-te Iru” to Modification of a Noun

– Present-positive:

Example: Ima Aruite iru Michi (a path that I am walking on now)

“Atuite” is the Te-form of “Aruku/Arukimasu”.

– Present-negative:

Example: Dare mo Aruite inai Michi (a path that no one is walking on.)

– Past-positive:

Example: Tomodachi ga Aruite ita Michi (a path that my friend was walking on.)

– Past-negative:

Example: Dare mo Aruite inakatta Michi (a path that no one was walking on.)

*: Concise ending can also be speech style by putting ending particle like “-yo.”, “-ne”, and “-yone.” I omit mentioning this just for sake of simplicity.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section22 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A4 S15): Expression for What is Your Occupation using “[ V-te ] iru”.

The major four functions of “[V-te] iru” are as shown below;

– Action ongoing

– Repetitive action

– Lasting action

– Sustained result of an action

We have already learned “Action ongoing” and “Lasting action”. Today’s expression is a kind of mix of these four.

– Watashi wa Shiyakusho de Hataraite imasu. (I work in the city-hall.)

– Watashi wa Daigaku de Nihongo o Oshiete imasu. (I teach Japanese in a University.)

These “[V-te] iru”(s) are basically “Lasting action”. However, these actions are repeated periodically, for example, everyday as an occupation. And it’s not an action right now, but it is also an action ongoing currently from long term perspective. Therefore, today’s expression is, rather than to be classified in one of the four functions, but better to be simply put “expression for what you are doing as occupation”.

Practice and remember the following conversation;

A : Satou-san wa Don’na Shigoto o Shite Imasuka. (Sato-san, what do you do?)

B : Watashi wa Kojou de Sagyouin o Shite imasu. (I am a worker in a factory.)

This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 15 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A3 S15): Expression to say that Action is Lasting ; “[ V-te ] iru”

The functions of “[V-te] iru” are not limited to the following, but major four functions are;

– Action ongoing

– Repetitive action

– Lasting action

– Sustained result of an action

The top one “Action ongoing” was already explained. Today’s expression is “Lasting action”. First take a look at sentences that do not use “[V-te] iru”;

– Watashi wa Koube ni Sumimasu. (I will live in Kobe.)

– Watashi wa Miller-san o Shirimasu. (I will get to know Mr. Miller.)

– Watashi wa Kekkon Shimasu. (I will marry.)

Looking at these three, you will find that English translations are all in future tense. And note that the second one sounds a little funny because it is unusual to expect to know in the future someone you have already known the name. In order to make these future-tense expressions lasting situation in present, “[V-te] iru” needs to be used.

1. Watashi wa Koube ni Sunde imasu. (I live in Kobe.)

2. Watashi wa Miller-san o Shitte imasu. (I know Mr.Miller.)

3. Watashi wa Kekkon Shite imasu. (I am married.)

It is unclear if the verb “Sumu/Sumimasu(live)” for 1. is momentary or stative, but “Shiru/Shirimasu(get to know)” for 2. and “Kekkonsuru/Kekkonshimasu(get married)” are momentary verbs whose action can be done in a moment or very short period of time. Therefore, it is important to know that actions of momentary verbs can be described as lasting situations by using “[V-te] iru”.

For those who are unfamiliar with Te-form of verbs;

Sentence 1’s “Sunde” is the Te-form of “Sumu/Sumimasu”, whose Nai-form is “Sumanai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “a”, the verb “Sumu/Sumimasu” is of Group1. Therefore, the following is applied to get Te-form.

“i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte is for Ikimasu”

Since the letter before “masu” of “Su<mi>masu” is “mi”, “mimasu” turns to be “nde”.

Then you get “Sunde” as the Te-form of “Sumu/Sumimasu”.

Sentence 2’s “Shitte” is the Te-form of “Shiru/Shirimasu”, whose Nai-form is “Shiranai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “a”, the verb “Shiru/Shirimasu” is of Group1. Therefore, the following is applied to get Te-form.

“i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte is for Ikimasu”

Since the letter before “masu” of “Shi<ri>masu” is “ri”, “rimasu” turns to be “tte”.

Then you get “Shitte” as the Te-form of “Shiru/Shirimasu”.

Sentence 3’s “KekkonShite” is the Te-form of “KekkonSuru/KekkonShimasu”. Since “Suru/Shimasu” is one of two Group3 verbs. You just need to remember that its Te-form is “Shite”. Then you get “KekkonShite” as the Te-form of “KekkonSuru/KekkonShimasu”.

Note that what is symbolized to be “[V-te] iru” become “Sunde imasu”, “Shitte imasu”, and “KekkonShite imasu”. “iru” is in dictionary form that can also be the short-ending style of a sentence. But the short-ending style using dictionary form is not good for conversation with people. For the sake of shortness, concise expression “iru” is being used in explanation of grammar. In a conversation, “iru” must be “imasu” for politeness. Note that different speech style (speech level) is used when talking about grammar and when talking to people as a real conversation.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section 15 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese Learning (A4 S14): Action Ongoing : “[ V-te ] iru”

Today’s expression does use Te-form of verbs. And it is one of most important applications of Te-form of verbs. Most of Japanese verb in original form expresses action in future. There is, of course, a verb form of past tense. So, two major tenses are past and future as shown below;

– Concise style : Taberu (= future tense) / Tabeta (= past tense)

– Polite style : Tabemasu (= future tense) / Tabemashita (= past tense)

where, Taberu means “eat”

Therefore, when expressing action in present, simple conjugation of a verb cannot make it. it needs to add something to a verb. An action that is related to present in terms of tense is expressed by “V-te Iru”. The expression “V-te Iru” has several types such as;

– Action ongoing

– Repetitive action

– Lasting action

– Sustained result of an action

Today, we are learning the first one, “Action ongoing” as an application of “V-te Iru”.

Examples of declarative sentences;

1. Satou-san wa Ima Ban-Gohan o Tsukutte Imasu. (Sato-san is now cooking supper.)

2. Suzuki-san wa Ima Shimbun o Yonde Imasu. (Suzuki-san is now reading a newspaper.)

3. Takahashi-san wa Ima Eigo o Benkyoushite Imasu. (Takahashi-san is now studying English.)

Examples of interrogative sentences;

4. Satou-san wa Ima Nani o Shite Imasuka. (What is Sato-san doing now?)

This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 14 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”