LESSON 15: Ii o-tenki desu ne = It's nice weather, isn't it?

Introduction
In this unit you will learn:
- how to describe people, objects and places
- two types of describing words
- how to make a comment and agree with someone
- how to talk about the weather and the seasons

You are going to be introduced to two types of describing words (or adjectives) in this lesson. Examples of English adjectives are: beautiful, small, expensive. Such words as used to describe items and people (as well as feelings, emotions, etc.).

There are of course many adjectives in Japanese (as there are in English), but this lesson will select just a few of the more useful ones which you can use in everyday life. Later lessons will introduce you to more, but in this lesson you will have the chance simply to understand how adjectives work in Japanese.

Let's talk
You have already come across some Japanese adjectives in previous lessons. Look back now at the conversations of the following lessons and answer the questions below.

a. How does Reiko say He looks young, doesn't he? (Lesson 7)


b. How does Emi say She's pretty, isn't she? (Lesson 7)


c. How does Emi say That watch is smart, isn't it? (Lesson 8)


d. How does the passer-by compliment Scott on his Japanese? (Lesson 10)


e. How does Scott comment on how early Mr Yamaguchi gets up? (Lesson 11)


f. How does Tani say That will be nice? (Lesson 12)


Vocabulary list
i adjectives
atsui (desu) = (it is) hot
atsukatta desu = it was hot
samui desu = it is cold
samukatta desu = it was cold
tanoshii desu = it is pleasant
tanoshikatta desu = it was pleasant
omoshiroi desu = it is interesting, funny
omoshirokatta desu = it was interesting
takai desu = it is expensive
takakatta desu = it was expensive
yasui desu = it is cheap
yasukatta desu = it was cheap
ōkii desu = it is big
ōkikatta desu = it was big
chiisai desu = it is small
chiisakatta desu = it was small
oishii desu = it is delicious
oishikatta desu = it was delicious
ii desu = it is good, nice
yokatta desu = it was good
warui desu = it is bad
warukatta desu = it was bad
kawaii desu = it is cute, pretty
kawaikatta desu = it was pretty
hayai desu = it is early/quick
hayakatta desu = it was early
wakai desu = he is young
wakakatta desu = he was young

Seasons
haru = spring
natsu = summer
aki = autumn
fuyu = winter

na adjectives
(o)genki = well, healthy, lively
benri = convenient
shizuka = quiet
shinsetsu = kind
suteki = smart, fashionable
jōzu = good at

(o)hisashiburi = long time, no see
kissaten = coffee shop
hontō ni = really, in truth very

Sample conversation
Reiko is meeting up with a friend, Haruko, whom she hasn't seen for a while.
Haruko: Ā! Reiko-san! O-genki desu ka.
Reiko: Ē, okagesama de. Haruko-san, o-hisashiburi desu ne.
Haruko: Sō desu ne. Kono kissaten de kōhī o nomimasen ka.

In the coffee shop:
Reiko: Kyō wa ii o-tenki desu ne.
Haruko: Sō desu ne. Mō haru desu.
Reiko: Kyonen no natsu wa atsukatta desu ne.
Haruko: Ē. Kotoshi no natsu mo atsui ka na?

As they are getting ready to leave:
Haruko: Kono kissaten no kēki wa oishii desu ne.
Reiko: Ē, chotto takai desu ga totemo oishii desu.
Haruko: Kyō wa hontō ni tanoshikatta desu. Arigatō gozaimashita.
Reiko: Dewa, mata aimashō. O-genki de!
Haruko: Sayōnara!

Extras
okagesama de = i'm fine, thanks (said in reply to o-genki desu ka. Lit. thanks to you)
mō = already
ka na? = i wonder
ga = but
o-genki de = take care

Explanations
1. O-genki desu ka Are you well?
As you learnt in the first few lessons, o is said in front of certain words to make them sound more polite or formal when addressing other people. It is sometimes translated as honorable, although this makes some words sound ridiculous in translation (for example, o-tearai, the honorable toilet!). Women in particular use o - it has the effect of making their speech sound more gentle. Here are some more examples of its use:

- o-tenki = the weather
- o-sushi = sushi
- o-hisashiburi = long time, no see
- o-hashi = chopsticks
- o-tanjōbi = birthday
- o-furo = the bath

2. Kyō wa ii o-tenki desu ne Today is nice weather, isn't it?
There are two types of adjectives or describing words in Japanese. These are usually referred to as i adjectives and na adjectives. This lesson will mostly use i adjectives.

i adjectives
There are two basic ways to use adjectives in a sentence:
- oishii kēki desu ne = it's a delicious cake, isn't it?
- kono kēki wa oishii desu ne = this cake is delicious, isn't it?

You should note that the English and Japanese order is the same. There are some more examples below. Use these as an activity by first looking at the i adjectives in the Vocabulary list section. When you feel familiar with the new words, try covering the Japanese phrases below and see if you can say them from memory, using the English translations as prompts.
- kyō wa atsui desu ne = it's hot today, isn't it?
- Nihon no fuyu wa samui desu ne = the Japanese winters are cold
- kono eiga wa omoshiroi desu ne = this film is interesting, isn't it?
- omoshiroi e desu ne = it's an interesting picture, isn't it?
- kono pātī wa tanoshii desu ne = this party is enjoyable, isn't it?
- sono sētā wa takai desu = that jumper is expensive
- yasui kōhī desu ne = it's cheap coffee, isn't it?
- natsu wa atsui desu = The summer is hot
- An-san wa kawaii desu ne = Anne is pretty, isn't she?

na adjectives
It will soon become clear why these adjectives are called na adjectives:
- kono kissaten wa shizuka desu ne = this coffee shop is quiet, isn't it?
- shizukana kissaten desu ne = it's a quiet coffee shop, isn't it?

When the describing word is followed immediately by the item/person it is describing, you put na between the two words. It may help you to think of na in a similar way to no. For example:
- watashi no tokei = my watch
- Reiko-san no tomodachi = Reiko's friend
- benrina sūpā = a useful supermarket

Here are some examples of phrases using na adjectives. (Note that na is not used if the adjective comes immediately before desu.)
- o-genki desu ka = are you well?
- genkina hito desu ne = she's a lively person, isn't she?
- kono resutoran wa shizuka desu = this restaurant is quiet
- shizukana tokoro desu ne = it's a quiet place, isn't it?
- Satō-sensei wa shinsetsuna hito desu = Mrs Sato is a kind person
- sore wa sutekina tokei desu = that's a fashionable watch

Agreeing with someone
To agree with someone you can say sō desu ne (yes, it is). For example:
- ii o-tenki desu ne. sō desu ne = it's nice weather isn't it. yes, it is.

Haruko uses this reply twice in the dialogue. Look back and see where she uses it.

3. Kyonen no natsu wa atsukatta desu ne Last summer was hot, wasn't it?
i adjectives
In Japanese, the i adjectives have their own past tense. In English for example, we change is to was:
- it is hot --> it was hot

In Japanese, hot itself changes:
- atsui desu --> atsukatta desu

To make this change, you drop the last i of the adjective and add katta. Now look back at the Vocabulary list section for more examples. (Note that ii (good) changes to yokatta).

na adjectives
The past tense of these adjectives is formed in the same way as English adjectives:
- shizuka desu --> shizuka deshita = it is quiet --> it was quiet
- shizukana kissaten desu --> shizukana kissaten deshita = it's a quiet coffee shop --> it was a quiet coffee shop

4. Mō haru desu It's spring already
To say that something has already happened, you use mō. For example:
- mō asagohan o tabemashita = i've already eaten breakfast
- mō aki desu = it's autumn now

To say that something hasn't happened yet, you use mada (not yet). For example:
- mō haru desu ka = is it spring yet?
- iie, mada desu = no, not yet

- mō asagohan o tabemashita ka = have you eaten breakfast already?
- iie, mada desu = no, not yet

5. Chotto takai desu ga totemo oishii desu It's a bit expensive but very delicious
Here ga means but and can be used between two phrases as in these examples:
- kyō wa chotto atsui desu ga ii otenki desu = today is a bit hot but it's nice weather
- asagohan o tabemasu ga hirugohan o tabemasen = i eat breafkast but i dont eat lunch
- kono sētā wa chotto takai desu ga suteki desu = this jumper is a bit expensive but it's fashionable

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LESSON 15 PRACTISE - Click me!

This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 22 2006, 05:37 PM

LESSON 15: PRACTISE

1. Can you make the present tense from the past tense of these adjectives?
a. Atsukatta desu.


b. Shizukana gakkō deshita.


c. Tanoshikatta desu.


d. Sono eiga wa yokatta desu.


e. Kono sandoitchi wa oishikatta desu.


f. Reiko-san wa shinsetsu deshita.


g. Sutekina sētā deshita.


h. Ano hito wa kawaikatta desu.


2. Can you say these sentences in Japanese, linking them with ga (but)?
a. She was a quiet person but she was interesting.


b. This ice-cream is delicious but it is a bit expensive.


c. I want to go to Japan but it's expensive.


d. Last year's spring was a little cold but this year's spring is a little hot.


e. This jumper is a bit big but that jumper is a bit small.


3. Choose the correct word in the brackets below.
a. An-san no otōsan wa (wakai/wakaina) desu.


b. Kinō no pātī wa (tanoshii/tanoshikatta) desu.


c. (Shizukana/shizuka) tokoro desu ne.


d. Kono sūpā wa (benri/benrina) desu ne.


e. Ano aisukurīmu wa oishikatta (desu/deshita).


4. Imagine you are talking with Anne and fill your part of the conversation.

You: Say you saw a Japanese language film last week.
Anne: Dō deshita ka.
You: Say that it was interesting.
Anne: Watashi mo nihongo no eiga o mitai desu.
You: Suggest that you go to the cinema together tomorrow night.
Anne: Kissaten ni mo ikimashō ka.
You: Say that you'd love to and suggest going to 'Luna' coffee shop.
Anne: Sono kissaten wa dō desu ka.
You: Say it is a bit expensive but the ice-cream is very delicious.

LESSON 16: Supōtsu wa tenisu ga suki desu = The sport I like is tennis.

Introduction
In this lesson you will learn:
- how to talk about things that you like
- how to say that you don't like something very much
- how to say what you or another person is good at
- the negative of masu words
- how to describe the location of a person or an object

This is the last lesson in which you will be introduced to new language and structures. Some of the lesson will already be familiar to you.

Previously, you were introduced briefly to how to say I/you/they do not ... . In other words, the negative of masu words. To do this, you learnt to change the masu ending to masen.

Also, you learnt how to describe where places are. For example, eki no mae means in front of the station. You will learn more about this in this lesson.

Let's talk
1. Change these verbs into the negative. The first one has been done for you. Can you remember what all these words mean?

a. Tabemasu (I eat) --> Tabemasen (I dont eat or I wont eat)
b. Nomimasu -->
c. Gorufu o shimasu -->
d. Okimasu -->
e. Nemasu -->
f. Yomimasu -->
g. Ikimasu -->



2. How do you say these phrases in Japanese? (Look back at Lesson 10, Explanation 3 if you need to remind yourself).
a. The bank is next to the post office.


b. The station is near to the cinema.


c. The department store is opposite the bank.


d. The flower shop is in front of the department store.


Vocabulary list
suki = like
amari suki dewa/ja arimasen = dont like very much
jōzu, tokui = good at, skillful
totemo = very (much)
amari = not very (much)
zenzen = never

Supōtsu Sports
hokkē = hockey
yakyū = baseball
kuriketto = cricket
hyaku mētoru = 100 meters (sprint)
kyōsō = a race

Ongaku Music
rokku = rock music
jazu = jazz
kurashikku = classical music
poppusu = pop music

Terebi bangumi TV programs
eiga = films
komedī = comedy
nyūsu = news
dorama = drama
hōmu dorama = soap opera
manga = comic books
anime = animation/cartoons
dokyumentarī = documentary
ryōri bangumi = cookery program

Location
naka = inside
ue = above
ushiro = behind/at the back
soto = outside
shita = below
kono chikaku ni = near here

Dōshi Verbs
mottekimasu = bring, get
owarimasu = end, finish
demasu = take part in

Objects
tēburu = table
isu = chair
tsukue = desk
honbako = bookcase
posuto = postbox

Sample conversation
Emi and Anne are watching Takeshi's school sports day and are talking to his teacher.
Sensei: An-san, supōtsu wa nani ga suki desu ka.
Anne: Sō desu ne. Gakusei no toki, hokkē ga suki deshita ga saikin amari supōtsu o shimasen.
Sensei: Tenisu wa dō desu ka.
Anne: Watashi wa amari suki dewa arimasen ga Emi-san wa tenisu ga suki desu. Totemo jōzu desu.
Emi: Iie, mada mada desu yo!
Anne: Takeshi-kun wa doko ni imasu ka.
Emi: Kyōgijō ni imasen ka.
Anne: A! Asoko desu. Takeshi!
Takeshi: An-san, konnichiwa. Onēsan, nomimono ga arimasu ka. Nodo ga kawaiteimasu.
Emi: Hai, jūsu o mottekimashita. Ano kaban no naka ni arimasu.
Takeshi: Itadakimasu ... Oishii!
Emi: Takeshi, kyō nani ni demasu ka.
Takeshi: Ano...hyaku mētoru kyōsō desu. Boku wa hyaku mētoru ga tokui desu.
Anne: (points over to sports field) Are wa hyaku mētoru dewa arimasen ka.
Takeshi: Are! Mō owarimashita. Hidoi desu.

Extras
gakusei no toki = when I was at school
saikin = recently
kyōgijō = playing field
onēsan = older sister (younger siblings use this)
nodo ga kawaiteimasu = I humbly receive (said before eating)
hidoi = terrible
imasu/imasen = is/is not

Explanations
1. Supōtsu wa nani ga suki desu ka What sports do you like?
When you want to ask somebody what they like, you use the word suki (like) in this pattern: category wa nani ga suki desu ka. For example:
- supōtsu wa nani ga suki desu ka = what sports do you like?

(The u of suki is hardly spoken - s(u)-ki.)

You can talk about other categories such as food (tabemono), drink (nomimono), music (ongaku) and TV programs (terebi bangumi) in the same way. For example:
- tabemono wa nani ga suki desu ka = what food do you like?

Emi-san wa tenisu ga suki desu Emi likes tennis
To answer the question you replace nani (what?) with the item that you like. For example:
- watashi wa tōsuto ga suki desu = I like toast
- Reiko-san wa kōhī ga suki desu = Reiko likes coffee
- Emi-san wa kurashikku ongaku ga suki desu = Emi likes classical music

You can also answer in this way (see the title of this lesson):
- supōtsu wa tenisu ga suki desu = the sport I like is tennis (or simply, I like tennis)
- tabemono wa sushi ga suki desu = the food I like is sushi (I like sushi)
- ongaku wa jazu ga suki desu = the music I like is jazz (I like jazz music)

If you really like or love something, you add the word totemo or say daisuki.
- Takeshi-kun a hyaku mētoru ga totemo suki desu = Takeshi loves the 100 meters
- terebi bangumi wa komedī ga totemo ga suki desu = I really like TV comedies.
- bīru ga daisuki desu = (I) love beer

If you dont really like something, use amari suki dewa/ja arimasen (dont like very much):
- watashi wa niku ga amari suki ja arimasen = I dont like meat very much
- Sukotto-san wa kuriketto ga amari suki dewa arimasen = Scott doesnt really like cricket.

2. Emi-san wa tenisu ga jōzu desu Emi is good at tennis
Jōzu means good at/skillful (also tokui), and you use the same pattern that you learnt with suki to compliment other people. For example: Person wa skill ga jōzu desu. (Someone is good at something.)
- An-san wa nihongo ga jōzu desu = Anne is good at Japanese
- Reiko-san wa ryōri ga jōzu desu = Reiko is good at cooking
- Takeshi-kun wa hyaku mētoru ga tokui desu = Takeshi is skillful at the 100 meters.

Add totemo for very:
- Emi-san wa tenisu ga totemo jōzu desu = Emi is very good at tennis

When you talk about your own skills, use tokui rather than jōzu. This gives the idea of your strengths rather than what you are good at and so sounds less big-headed! (The Japanese tend to be very modest about themselves.) For example:
- watashi wa supōtsu ga tokui desu = I'm good at (my strong point is) sports

On the same theme of modesty, if someone compliments you, a usual reply is to deny this:
- Nihongo go jōzu desu ne = You're good at Japanese, arent you?
- Iie, mada mada desu = No, I'm not good yet.

Alternatively, to say that you're not very good at something, you can use a similar pattern to the one you learnt for dont like very much:
- watashi wa tenisu ga amari jōzu ja arimasen = I'm not very good at tennis

3. Takeshi-kun wa doko ni imasu ka Where is Takeshi?
Imasu and arimasu are used to talk about where an object or person is located. Imasu is used to talk about people and animals (i.e. animate objects), and arimasu is used for inanimate objects. For example:
- Takeshi-kun wa kyōgijō ni imasu = Takeshi is on the sports field
- uchi ni imasen = he's not in the house
- jūsu wa kaban no naka ni arimasu = the juice is in the bag

(Note that you say ni after the location and before imasu/arimasu. This is a special use of ni with the words arimasu and imasu.)

You can often replace arimasu/imasu with desu, as you learnt in Lesson 10, Explanations 1 and 3:
- yūbinkyoku wa doko desu ka = where is the post office?

Using imasu/arimasu puts more emphasis on the location:
- yūbinkyoku wa doko ni arimasu ka = where is the post office located?

But look at the difference in meaning in these two sentences:
- uchi ni imasu = he's at home
- uchi desu = it's a house

You have already learnt a different meaning of arimasu - ... arimasu ka (do you have any ...):
- hagaki ga arimasu ka = do you have any postcards?

4. Nomimono wa kaban no naka ni arimasu The drinks are in the bag
In this lesson you are going to add a few more 'position words' to those you learnt in Lesson 10. The list below includes all the ones you have been introduced to so far:
ue = above, on top
mae = in front
naka = inside
tonari = next to
mukaigawa = opposite
shita = below, underneath
ushiro = behind, at the back
soto = outside
chikaku = near
kono chikaku ni = near here

Here are some examples of their use with imasu/arimasu. Try covering the Japanese words and work out how to say the phrases yourself.
- tokei wa honbako no ue ni arimasu = the clock is (located) on top of the bookcase
- inu wa beddo no shita ni imasu = the dog is under the bed
- posuto wa depāto no mae ni arimasu = the postbox is in front of the department store
- An-san wa sūpā no mukaigawa ni imasu = Anne is opposite the supermarket
- Furansu wa Igirisu no chikaku ni arimasu = France is near England
- Suzuki-san wa tonari no uchi ni imasu = Suzuki is next door
- Emi-san wa ginkō no soto ni imasu = Emi is outside the bank
- yūbinkyoku wa kono chikaku ni arimasu = the post office is near here

5. Saikin amari supōtsu o shimasen Recently I havent played sports very much
You've already practised saying the negative in the Let's Talk section of this lesson. To say I/you/he (etc.) didnt (the past tense), you add deshita to the negative. For example:
- Takeshi-kun wa kyōsō ni demasen deshita = Takeshi didnt take part in the race
- Yamaguchi-san wa undōkai ni ikimasen deshita = Mr Yamaguchi didnt go to the sports day
- An-san wa asagohan o tabemasen deshita = Anne didnt eat any breakfast

Amari (not very much/not often) and zenzen (never) are used only with the negative of the action words. For example:
- watashi wa zenzen kōhī o nomimasen = I never drink coffee
- Reiko-san wa amari terebi o mimasen = Reiko doesnt watch TV much
- Gakusei no toki amari shukudai o shimasen deshita = when I was at school, I didnt often do homework

You say amari and zenzen before the item and action word.

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LESSON 16 PRACTISE - click me!

This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 30 2006, 05:34 PM

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This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 22 2006, 08:25 PM

LESSON 16: PRACTISE

1. Read the three dialogues below and fill in the correct word: either imasu (for people and animals) or arimasu (for non-living/moving objects including plants).

Q: Emi-san wa doko ni __________ ka.
A: Ima tenisu kōto ni __________ .
Q: Tenisu kōto wa doko desu ka.
A: Takeshi-kun no gakkō no chikaku ni __________ .


-------------

Q: Sumimasen, posuto wa kono chikaku ni __________ ka.
A: Hai, __________ . Massugu itte kudasai. Posuto wa ano ginkō no mae ni __________ .


-------------

Q: Sumimasen, Yamaguchi-san wa ima uchi ni __________ ka.
A: Iie, __________ . Ima kaisha ni __________ .
Q: Nan ji made __________ ka.
A: Ano... hachi ji made __________ .



2. Say these sentences in Japanese.
a. Takeshi is good at the 100 meters.


b. Mr Yamaguchi is very good at golf.


c. No, I'm not good at it yet.


d. I'm good at French.


e. Yesterday I didn't watch TV at all.


f. I dont often read the newspaper.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm too busy running around during CNY. Just posting to let you guys know that this thread aint dead yet.

Shi nen omedeto gozaimasu!

LESSON 17a: Kaimono = Shopping.

Introduction
In this lesson you will learn:
- how to find out more about shops in Japan
- how to practise buying clothes and other goods
- about typical Japanese souvenirs and presents

From now on, the lessons will offer you the opportunity to put into practise the language you have learnt in the first 16 lessons, and to further your knowledge of Japanese in the context of situations you may find yourself in if you visit Japan or have contact with Japanese people. As such, each lessons from now on are more or less independent, and the practises are integrated together with the lesson.

Review
- numbers (Lesson 6)
- saying it's a bit (small, expensive) (Lesson 15, Explanation 5)
- asking for something (Lesson 8, Explanation 3)
- asking the price (Lesson 9, Explanation 3)
- have you got/do you have (Lesson 9, Explanation 4)
- counters for different objects (Lesson 9, Explanation 5)
- describing words (big, small, etc.) (Lesson 15)

Nihon no depāto Japanese department stores
To find out about Japanese department stores, read the passage below. Answering the questions to Practise 1 will help you to understand it.

Nihon no depāto wa daitai kuji kara shichiji made desu. Nichiyōbi demo aiteimasu. Iroirona mono o utteimasu. Tatoeba, nichiyōhin, tabemono, yōfuku to denki seihin o utteimasu. Ten'in no seifuku wa totemo suteki desu. Ten'in no nihongo mo totemo teinei desu. Kireina depāto wa Tōkyō no Ginza ni takusan arimasu ga totemo takai desu.

Word list
demo = even, also
aiteimasu = open
iroirona = various
utteimasu = sell
tatoeba = for example
nichiyōhin = everyday goods
yōfuku = clothes
denki seihin = electrical goods
seifuku = uniform
teinei = polite
kirei(na) = beautiful

Practise 1
a. What time do Japanese department stores open and close?

b. Do they open on Sundays?

c. What does the passage say about the shop assistants' uniforms? What else does it say about these assistants?

d. In which area of Tokyo would you find beautiful but very expensive department stores?


Vocabulary list
Useful questions and phrases
... arimasu ka = do you have ... ?
... uriba doko desu ka = where is the ... department?
chotto takai (chiisai/ōkii/yasui) desu = it's a bit expensive (small/big/cheap)
motto yasui (ōkii/chiisai/takai) no wa arimasu ka = do you have a cheaper (bigger/smaller/more expensive) one?
saizu wa? = what size is it?
ijō de yoroshii desu ka = is that all?
sore de kekkō desu = that's all, thank you
onegaishimasu = please
otsuri = change

Useful shop vocabulary
uriba = department, counter
kutsu uriba = shoe department
kamera uriba = camera department
tōki uriba = china/pottery department
fujinfuku uriba = women's clothes department

... wa nankai ni arimasu ka = what floor is the ... located on?
ikkai = 1st floor
nikai = 2nd floor
sankai = 3rd floor
yonkai = 4th floor
chikai = basement
chika ikkai = first floor of basement e.g. B1
okujō = rooftop
erebētā = elevator, lift
esukarētā = escalator
kaidan = stairs
reji = cash desk
annaijo = information desk
sutoa gaido = store guide
pāsento = percent
waribiki = discount

Phrases used by shop assistants
shōshō omachi kudasai = please wait a moment
arigatō gozaimashita = thank you
mata okoshi kudasai = please shop here again

Practise 2
a. Can you say these phrases in Japanese? Use the example to guide you, but replace the underlined words with the alternative words given in i-iii.

Example: It's a little expensive. Do you have a cheaper one? = Chotto takai desu. Motto yasui no wa arimasu ka.

i. small, bigger

ii. big, smaller

iii. cheap, more expensive


b. Imagine you are in a Japanese department store and practise asking for the places below, as in the example.

Example: Camera department: Sumimasen, kamera uriba wa doko desu ka.

i. china department

ii. women's clothes department

iii. shoe department

iv. elevator

v. lift

vi. stairs

vii. cash desk

viii. information desk


Depāto no kaimono Department store shopping
Items to buy
yōfuku = clothes
bōshi = hat
zubon = trousers
shatsu = shirt
wanpīsu = dress
burausu = blouse
sukāto = skirt
sētā = jumper
t. shatsu = t-shirt
kutsu = shoes
dansei gutsu = men's shoes

Color and sizes
akai = red
aoi = blue
shiroi = white
kuroi = black
eru (L) = large size
emu (M) = medium size
esu (S) = small size

Practise 3
Practise asking for the items a-g below using the example as your guide but replacing the underlined part with the alternative items. Then check your answers by looking back at the vocabulary above.

Example: Do you have any red jumpers? = Akai sētā ga arimasu ka.

a. red trousers

b. black shoes

c. white t-shirts

d. blue trousers

e. blue skirts

f. red dresses

g. white blouses


Sample conversation 1
Emi is going to England during her university holidays and she has gone with Anne to a department store in Shinjuku to buy some new clothes.

Annaijo de:
Emi: Sumimasen, fujinfuku uriba wa doko desu ka.
Ten'in: Hai. Nikai ni arimasu. Dōzo, sutoa gaido o otori kudasai.

Fujinfuku uriba de:
Ten'in: Irasshaimase.
Anne: Emi, mite! Kono akai sētā wa suteki desu ne.
Emi: Ē, kirei desu ne.
Ten'in: Sore wa hyaku pāsento ūru desu.
Emi: Sō desu ka. Ikura desu ka.
Ten'in: Nisen gohyaku-en desu.
Emi: Saizu wa?
Ten'in: Saizu wa emu desu.
Emi: Emu wa chotto ōkii desu. Motto chiisai no wa arimasu ka.
Ten'in: Hai. Shōshō omachi kudasai. Sō desu ne. Kore wa esu desu ga aoi desu.
Anne: Sore mo suteki desu yo.
Emi: Ja, chotto kitemimasu.

A little later:
Anne: Dō desu ka. Aa! Hontō ni niaimasu yo.
Emi: Sō desu ka. Ja kore o kaimasu.
Ten'in: Hai. Ijō de yoroshii desu ka.
Emi: Ē, sore de kekkō desu.
Ten'in: Nisen gohyaku-en de gozaimasu.
Emi: Ja, gosen-en de onegaishimasu.
Ten'in: Shōshō omachi kudasai. Nisen gohyaku-en no otsuri desu.
Emi: Domo arigatō.
Ten'in: Arigatō gozaimashita. Mata okoshi kudasai.

Extras
otori kudasai = please take (one)
mite = look
ūru = wool
kitemimasu = i'll try it on
niaimasu = it suits you
kaimasu = buy
de gozaimasu = very polite form of desu (is)
gosen-en de onegaishimasu = please take it out of 5,000 yen

Practise 4
Say the following phrases in Japanese:
a. Excuse me, where is the women's clothes department?

b. How much is it?

c. Do you have a smaller one?

d. Right, I'll just try it on.

e. Right, I'll buy this one.

f. That's all, thank you.

g. Please take it out of 5,000 yen.


Practise 5
Next imagine you are a customer in the department store and use the dialogue and the Vocabulary list to help you create the following scenario. Imagine the shop assistant's comments as well as your own and say the dialogue out loud.

You ask to see a pair of black trousers, you ask how much they are and are told they are 3,000 yen.

You then ask the size. When you are told the size is S, you ask if they have a larger size.

You then decide to buy them and pay out of a 10,000 yen note.


Continued in Lesson 17b...

LESSON 17b: Kaimono = Shopping.

Vocabulary list
denki seihin = electrical goods
rajio = radio
shī dī purēyā = cd player
sutereo = stereo
rajikase = radio cassette
tēpu rekōdā = tape recorder
pasokon = pc

Sample conversation 2
Scott is in an electrical store in Akihabara, looking for a CD player to take back to the States.
Ten'in: Irasshaimase!
Scott: (after a while) Ano, kono shī dī purēyā wa Nihon-sei desu ka.
Ten'in: Ē, sore wa Nashonaru desu. Sore wa totemo ii shī dī purēyā desu yo.
Scott: A, sō desu ka. Ikura desu ka.
Ten'in: Sore wa niman-en desu.
Scott: Chotto takai desu ne. (points to shelf) Ano shī dī purēyā wa ikura desu ka.
Ten'in: Are wa ichiman gosen-en desu. Are wa Sanyō desu.
Scott: Ja, are o misete kudasai.
Ten'in: Hai, shōshō omachi kudasai.

A little while later:
Scott: Disukaunto dekimasu ka.
Ten'in: Sō desu ne. Go-pāsento no waribiki ga dekimasu.
Scott: Mmm. Juppāsento wa?
Ten'in: E! Sore wa muri desu. Ja, nana-pāsento ni shimashō! Sābisu desu yo!
Scott: Arigatō.

Extras
sei = made in (Nihon-sei = made in Japan)
Nashonaru = National (Japanese electrical company)
dekimasu = (i) can
disukaunto dekimasu ka = can you do a discount?
muri = impossible
... ni shimashō = let's decide on ...
... ni shimasu = decide on ...
sābisu = service (also: on the house)

Practise 6
Answer the following questions by referring to the dialogue.
a. Nashonaru no shī dī purēyā wa ikura desu ka.

b. Nashonaru no shī dī purēyā wa doko-sei desu ka.

c. Chotto ________ desu ne. (fill in the missing Japanese word)

d. Sanyō no shī dī purēyā wa ikura desu ka.

e. Diskaunto wa nan pāsento ni shimashita ka.


Practise 7
Imagine that you are at a store in Akihabara. You want to buy a radio cassette (rajikase). Fill in the gaps in the dialogue below by referring to the sample conversation and the vocabulary list above.

Ten'in: Irasshaimase!
You: Ask to see that radio casette over there.
Ten'in: Hai!
You: Ask if it is made in Japan.
Ten'in: Iie, sore wa Amerika-sei desu.
You: Ask how much is it
Ten'in: Niman-en desu.
You: Say that it is a bit expensive and ask if they do a discount.
Ten'in: Sō desu ne. Go pāsento dekimasu.
You: Say that you will have it (use 'kore')



Omiyage-ya de At the souvenir shop
Vocabulary list
omiyage = souvenirs
kimono = Japanese kimono
ningyō = Japanese doll
sensu = fan
washi = Japanese paper
yukata = Japanese cotton dressing gown
chōchin = paper lantern
hashi = chopsticks

Practise 8
To do this exercise you first need to think back to Lesson 9 where you were introduced to some of the different words used for counting types of items. You learnt these in the form of two systems, A and B.

Using the vocabulary above, ask for each of the souvenirs below, using the correct counter/number and o kudasai (may i have?). Remember that you say the counter between o and kudasai.

Example: Kimono o hitotsu kudasai (or Kimono o ichimai kudasai).

a. 3 yukatas

b. 10 Japanese papers

c. 2 fans (use hon)

d. 4 Japanese lanterns (use System B)

esca_flo PM'ed me and notified me that the link to the Kana Workbook has expired. So here it is, all uploaded fresh for your enjoyment.

Japanese for Busy People: Kana Workbook : download here

thank you , u may want to reedit your 1st post to include this update as some ppl ( like me just now) will go straight to the 1st page and see whats there . when i click on the link to dl the ebook it gives me the old link which is expired ....

keep it up .... currently im playing ffxi with so many opportunity to test my romaji on some unsuspecting japanese player LOL sucks to be them now

LESSON 18: Bīru o ippon kudasai = A bottle of beer, please

Introduction
In this lesson you will learn:
- how to find out about eating in Japan
- how to practise ordering snacks and drinks
- how to practise ordering a meal
- how to read a coffee shop menu

Review
- ways of counting people (Lesson 5, Explanation 7) and items (Lesson 9, Explanation 5)
- saying May I have ... (Lesson 8, Explanation 3)
- asking to see something (Lesson 8, Explanation 3)
- asking and saying prices (Lesson 9, Explanation 3)
- asking Do you have any ...? (Lesson 9, Explanation 4)
- food and drink items (Lesson 11)
- making suggestions and accepting (Lesson 12)
- saying what you want to do (Lesson 14, Explanation 5)
- expressing likes and dislikes (Lesson 16, Explanation 1)

Famirī resutoran de At a family restaurant
Below is Reiko's account of eating out at a family restaurant. Before you read this account you need to understand the following phrase:

...ga taberaremasu = you (I, they, etc.) can eat ...

It works like the other masu words you have learnt except that instead of using o before the masu word, you use ga. For example:

gohan ga taberaremasu = i can eat rice
niku ga taberaremasen = i cant eat meat

Now read the passage below, then check your understanding by answering the questions (in English) in Practise 1.

Kīno kazoku to famirī resutoran ni ikimashita. Kono yōna resutoran de wa washoku kara yōshoku made iroirona tabemono ga taberaremasu. Watashi wa katsudon o tabemashita. Shujin wa bīfu sutēki o tabemashita. Sorekara bīru o nihon nomimashita. Takeshi, Emi to An-san wa mina, hambāgā o tabemashita. Gendai no wakamono wa yōshoku ga totemo suki desu. Washoku wa amari tabemasen.

Sorekara mina kōhī o nomimashita. Kono famirī resutoran wa 'wan kappu sābisu' ga arimashita. Shujin wa takusan kōhī o nomimashita.

Word list
famirī resutoran = family restaurant
kono yō (na) = this type of
washoku = Japanese cuisine
yōshoku = Western cuisine
iroirona = various sorts
katsudon = pork cutlets and egg on rice (a dish)
bīfu sutēki = beef steak
mina = all of them, everybody
hambāgā = hamburger
gendai = these days
wakamono = young people
wan kappu sābisu = one cup service (basically, free refills)

Practise 1
a. Fill in the gap, in English: Yesterday I went with __________ to a family restaurant.
b. What range of food can you eat at this type of restaurant?
c. What did each person have to eat?
d. How many bottles of beer did Mr. Yamaguchi drink?
e. What does Reiko say about young people these days?



Vocabulary list
Useful expressions
chūmon shimasu = make an order
... ni shimasu = i've decided on .../i'll have ... (when ordering)
kampai! = cheers!
oishisō! = it looks delicious!
oishikatta = it was delicious
mō kekkō desu = i'm fine/i've had enough, thank you

Vocabulary used in restaurants
nanmei-sama desu ka* = how many people?
kochira e, dōzo = over here, please
o-kimari desu ka = have you decided?

Yōshoku Western food
tabemono = food
chīzu sandoitchi = cheese sandwich
supagetti noporitan = spaghetti neapolitan
sarada = salad
piza = pizza
karē raisu = curry on rice
dezāto = dessert
chīzukēki = cheesecake

nomimono = drink
aisu kōhī = iced coffee
orenji jūsu = orange juice
miruku = milk
remon tī = lemon tea

*to answer, you can use the counter for people or say the number plus mei (nimei = two people).

Practise 2
Practise ordering the items below, using ... o kudasai (may i have ...?) and the correct counter or number (use hitotsu, futatsu, etc. except for bottle of beer).

Example: may I have one pizza = piza o hitotsu kudasai
a. 2 coffee

b. 3 salad

c. 4 hamburgers

d. 1 ice-cream + 2 cheesecake

e. 2 iced lemon tea + 1 bottle of beer


Practise 3
Read through the sentences a-p and try to put them in the right order.

An-san to Haidi-san wa issho ni kissaten de hiru gohan o tabemasu.
Anne and Heidi are going to eat lunch together at a coffee shop.

a. Futari desu.
b. Hai! Sandoitchi hitotsu, supagetti hitotsu to kōhī o futatsu desu ne.
c. E! Dōshite? Haidi-san wa dezāto ga totemo suki desu ne!
d. (A little later) O-kimari desu ka.
e. Hai, dōzo.
f. Irasshaimase! Nanmei-sama desu ka.
g. Hai, onegaishimasu.
h. Hai, chīzu sandoitchi o hitotsu kudasai.
i. Sō desu ne. Demo, saikin chotto futorimashita.
j. Watashi wa supagetti naporitan ni shimasu.
k. Watashi wa mō kekko desu.
l. Kōhī o futatsu kudasai.
m. Menyū o misete kudasai.
n. (After lunch) Watashi wa dezāto o tabetai desu. Haidi-san wa?
o. O-nomimono wa?
p. Hai, kochira e, dōzo.

Word list
dōshite = why?
demo = but
saikin = recently
futorimashita = i've put on weight



Practise 4
How do you say the following phrases in Japanese? Use the dialogue and new vocabulary above.

a. How many people? Three people.

b. May I see the menu, please?

c. Have you decided?

d. I'm going to decide on a cheese sandwich and salad.

e. I love spaghetti.

f. I want to eat cheesecake.

g. I've had enough, thank you.


Fāsuto fūdo Fast food
Vocabulary list
Phrases used by shop assistants (ten'in) and waitresses (uētoresu)
kochira o-meshiagari desu ka = to eat in?
o-mochikaeri desu ka = to take away?
esu, emu, eru = small, medium, large
kashikomarimashita = certainly, sir/madam
de gozaimasu = polite alternative to desu
gozaimasu = polite alternative to arimasu

Phrases used by the customer
koko de tabemasu = i'm going to eat here
mottekaerimasu = i'm going to take away
... o onegaishimasu = please (an alternative to o kudasai)
... no esu (emu/eru) = a small (medium/large) ...
kōra no esu o onegaishimasu = a small cola, please

Tabemono Food
furaido poteto = chips
chīzubāgā = cheeseburger
teriyakibāgā = teriyakiburger
chikinbāgā = chickenburger
appuru pai = apple pie

Nomimono Drink
miruku shēku = milk shake
-chokorēto = -chocolate
-banana = -banana
-sutoroberī = strawberry

Sample conversation 1
Takeshi-kun to tomodachi no Hiroshi-kun wa 'Happībāgā' no resutoran de tabemono o kaimasu. (Takeshi and his friend Hiroshi are going to buy some food at 'Happyburger' restaurant.)

Uētoresu: Irasshaimase! Kochira de o-meshiagari desu ka. O-mochikaeri desu ka.
Takeshi: Mottekaerimasu.
Uētoresu: Wakarimashita. Menyū o dōzo.
Takeshi: Zembu oishisō! Hiroshi-kun, nan ni shimasu ka.
Hiroshi: Boku wa chikinbāgā to furaido poteto ni shimasu.
Uētoresu: Esu to emu to eru ga gozaimasu ga ...
Hiroshi: Emu o onegaishimasu.
Uētoresu: O-nomimono wa?
Hiroshi: Sutoroberī miruku shēku no emu o onegaishimasu.
Takeshi: Boku wa chīzubāgā to furaido poteto no eru o onegaishimasu. Soshite, banana miruku shēku ni shimasu. Saizu esu o kudasai.
Uētoresu: Kashikomarimashita. Zembu de sen yonhyaku-en de gozaimasu.

Practise 5
Fill in the table below to indicate what each person ordered and what size (where appropriate). Use "T" for Takeshi and "H" for Hiroshi. Then choose the correct price that they paid.





Nihon-ryōri no resutoran Japanese-cuisine restaurants
Vocabulary list
washoku = Japanese food
sushi = vinegared rice with raw fish and other toppings
sashimi = raw fish
tempura = prawns and vegetables fried in light batter
yakitori = pieces of chicken and vegetables grilled on bamboo skewers
soba = buckwheat noodles
udon = thick white noodles
miso shiru = miso (beanpaste) soup
tsukemono = pickled vegetables
teishoku = set meal (the main dish plus rice, miso soup and pickles)

Sample conversation 2
Mr Yamaguchi is entertaining an American client at a Japanese restaurant.
Uētoresu: Irasshaimase! Nanmei-sama desu ka.
Yamaguchi: Nimei desu.
Uētoresu: Dōzo, kochira e. Menyū o dōzo.
Yamaguchi: Ēto, bīru o nihon kudasai.
Uētoresu: Hai, shōshō omachi kudasai. (she returns with the beer)
Yamaguchi: Bīru o dōzo. (he pours a drink for the client)
Client: Arigatō gozaimasu. Yamaguchi-san mo bīru o dōzo. (he pours a drink for Mr Yamaguchi)
Both men: (raising their glasses) Kampai!
Yamaguchi: Menyū ga wakarimasu ka.
Client: Sō desu ne. Sashimi teishoku wa nan desu ka.
Yamaguchi: 'Sashimi teishoku' wa sashimi to miso shiru, gohan to tsukemono desu.
Client: Ja, sashimi teishoku ni shimasu.
Yamaguchi: Watashi wa sushi teishoku ni shimasu.
Uētoresu: O-kimari desu ka.
Yamaguchi: Ē, sashimi teishoku o hitotsu to sushi teishoku o hitotsu onegaishimasu. Sore ni bīru mo nihon kudasai.
Uētoresu: Kashikomarimashita.

Practise 6
Put yourself in Mr Yamaguchi's place and answer the client's questions about the following dishes. Use the dialogue above as your model.

a. Client: 'Sushi teishoku' wa nan desu ka.

b. Client: 'Yakitori teishoku' wa nan desu ka.

Updated the link on the first page. Thanks for the reminder.

How do you say genius is Japanese? Tensai was it?

Yup, tensai is one word for genius.

Tensai = てんさい (hiragana) or 天才 in kanji.

ZOMG I found videos in youtube for Japanese lessons! I'll post them up tomorrow as soon as I get them sorted out. These lessons go hand in hand with some pdf e-books that I own. I'll try to upload the e-books as well.

i dont know whether you all already knew or not...but here are some materials for your listening ....(robot i think).

http://www.ajalt.org/rwj/

just for your information, Miyagi (in Slam Dunk) had used 1031 to define TENSAI.
Well, this is actually playing with numbers as normally practised in Japan.

10= TEN
3 = SAn
1 = Ichi

wow, so pro.. which level of japanese are you currently in? i am not quarter of level 3 still sucks alot

Woo, nice link. I'll add it to the first post. Thanks!

I dont even take Japanese lessons.

I adapted these lessons from books that I read.

lol, there is once i downloaded a 2gb japanese tutorial torrent.. with alot of stuff inside.. but never been thru it..

seems like your tutorial is more towards verbal communication right?
i can help abit if anyones needs too.. since at least i have learned for 2years plus..

but i cant read purely romanji.. need to write in kanji, cause it is the way i am used to