タグ: V-te Iru

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”