LESSON 10 - PRACTISE

1. Give the following directions in Japanese:
a. please go straight ahead


b. please turn right


c. please turn left


d. please go straight at the traffic lights


e. please turn right at the traffic lights


f. please go straight ahead at the crossroads


g. please turn right at the second set of traffic lights


h. please turn left at the next crossroads


2. The following questions refer to the following map (sorry la if it's poorly done, lol). See if the directions given in underline are wrong. If they are wrong, correct them:


a. Eigakan wa Mitsukoshi depāto no chikaku desu.


b. Jusco sūpā wa hanaya no mae desu. (There is a mistake in the picture for this one. There's supposed to be a florist next to Jusco.)


c. Yūbinkyoku wa ginkō no mukaigawa desu.


d. Ginkō wa eki no mukaigawa desu.


e. Eki wa eigakan no chikaku desu.


3. Refer to the previous map. You are at the hotel (on the right, before the traffic light). Give directions to the following locations:
a. The train station. (Go straight a little way and turn right at the traffic lights. THe station is on the left-hand side.)


b. The bank. (Go straight ahead and turn right at the second set of traffic lights. The bank is next to the post office.)


4. Which phrase would you choose to ask someone where the post office is?
a. Kōhī o futatsu kudasai.
b. Yūbinkyoku wa doko desu ka.
c. Yūbinkyoku no mae desu.


This post has been edited by jhcj: Dec 26 2005, 10:08 AM

Wah, I dont understand!

>.<'''''

I cant read kanji. T_T

LESSON 11: Nichiyōbi ni nani o shimasu ka = What do you do on Sundays?

Introduction
In this lesson you will learn:
- ten useful doing words for describing your day
- how to say when you do something
- how to ask about someone's future schedule
- the days of the week
- some useful question words

Recap
1. Ima nanji desu ka
How well can you remember telling the time? Refresh your memory by saying the times below.
a. 6 o'clock


b. 4.30


c. 9pm


d. 7.30am


e. 12 o'clock


f. 11.30am


2. Say the times that these places open and close (start and finish) as in the example.
a. Wine shop, 10 - 8
Sakaya wa jūji kara hachiji made desu.

b. bank, 9 - 3


c. supermarket, 8 - 8


d. post office, 9 - 6


Vocabulary list
Action words
okimasu = wake up (get up)
nemasu = go to bed
tabemasu = eat
nomimasu = drink
yomimasu = read
shimasu = do, make, play
mimasu = see, watch, look
benkyō shimasu = study
gorufu o shimasu = play golf
kaimono o shimasu = do the shopping
The final u of these action words is very soft and hardly spoken

Time expressions
nanji ni = at what time
nanyōbi ni = on what day
asa = morning
hiru = midday
yoru = evening
asagohan = breakfast
hirugohan = lunch
yorugohan/bangohan = evening meal

Food and drink
tabemono = food
tōsuto = toast
pan = bread
tamago = eggs
niku = meat
yasai = vegetables
ringo = apples
gohan = rice
nomimono = a drink
ocha = green tea
kōcha = black tea
jūsu = juice
miruku = milk
kōra = cola
mizu = water

Useful objects
zasshi = magazine
manga = comic book
terebi = television
eiga = movie
soshite/sorekara/sore ni = and (then)
goro = about (used when saying times)
daitai = more or less, generally
tokidoki = sometimes

Sample conversation
Scott has come round to the Yamaguchi home to interview Mr. Yamaguchi about his typical day, as part of a Japanese homework project.
Scott: Asa, nanji ni okimasu ka.
Mr Yamaguchi: Daitai, rokuji han goro okimasu.
Scott: Hayai desu ne! Sorekara, asagohan ni nani o tabemasu ka.
Mr Yamaguchi: Sō desu ne. Tōsuto o tabemasu. Sore ni kōhī o nomimasu.
Anne: Shigoto wa nanji kara desu ka.
Mr Yamaguchi: Daitai, hachiji han kara rokuji made desu. Hirugohan wa ichiji kara desu.
Scott: Yoru nani o shimasu ka.
Mr Yamaguchi: Bangohan o tabemasu. Soshite terebi o mimasu. Jūichiji han goro nemasu.
Scott: Nichiyōbi ni nani o shimasu ka.
Mr Yamaguchi: Sō desu ne. Rirakkusu shimasu ne. Zasshi o yomimasu. Tokidoki gorufu o shimasu...
Anne: (laughing) Ē? Daitai ichinichi jū nemasu yo.

Extras
hayai = early
rirakkusu = relax
ē = what?
ichinichi jū = all day

Explanations
1. Action words (masu words)
Japanese "doing" words are very simple to use - you will notice that they all end in masu. This gives the meaning I do or I will do something. For example, the question nichiyōbi ni nani o shimasu ka could have the meaning what do you do on Sundays? or what are you going to do on Sunday? The context will tell you which one is intended.

Also, the masu ending does not change whether you say I/you/he/she/it/we/they do something. For example:
- nichiyōbi ni Sukotto-san wa terebi o mimasu = Scott watches TV on Sundays
- nichiyōbi ni terebi o mimasu = I watch TV on Sundays.

And you dont need to use the words you/I/he, etc. unless it's not clear who is being spoken about. It is then better to use a person's name rather than you. For example:
- nichiyōbi ni nani o shimasu ka = what do (you) do on Sundays?
- Yamaguchi-san, nichiyōbi ni nani o shimasu ka = Mr Yamaguchi, what do you do on Sundays?

- Tokidoki gorufu o shimasu = I sometimes play golf

Shimasu is a useful word meaning do, make or play. Here are some examples of its use:
- tenisu o shimasu = I play tennis
- sakkā o shimasu = I play football
- kaimono o shimasu = I do the shopping
- denwa o shimasu = I make a phone call
- kuji kara jūji made eigo o benkyō shimasu = I study English from nine until ten

When you add tokidoki you are talking about what you do sometimes. For example:
- tokidoki denwa o shimasu = I sometimes make phone calls
- tokidoki tenisu o shimasu = I sometimes play tennis

When you add daitai you are saying generally ... . For example:
- daitai rokuji ni okimasu = I generally get up at six

2. Tōsuto o tabemasu I eat some toast
There is no equivalent in English of the word o, but in Japanese you say it after the item you eat, drink, read, etc. (We call this the object of the sentence.) Here are some examples with the object in italics:
- gohan o tabemasu = I eat rice
- kōcha o nomimasu = I drink black tea
- kaimono o shimasu = I do the shopping

You should note that the masu word always comes at the end of the sentence.

3. Yamaguchi-san wa kōhī o nomimasu Mr Yamaguchi drinks coffee
When you mention the person who eats, drinks, etc., this word is followed by wa and is the subject of the sentence. Remember that wa acts like a highlighter and can be translated as as for... . Here are some examples with the subject in italics:
- An-san wa nihongo no hon o yomimasu = Anne reads a Japanese book
- watashi wa nihongo o benkyō shimasu = I study Japanese
- Sukotto-san wa kaimono o shimasu = Scott is going to do the shopping

You should note the order in which you say these sentences.
1 - you say the person who does the action, followed by wa.
2 - you say the item (or person) which has the action done to it, followed by o.
3 - you say the action word - the masu word.



4. Nichi yōbi ni nani o shimasu ka What do you do on Sundays?
When you say the day or time that you do something, it is followed by ni meaning on or at. For example:
- nichiyōbi ni terebi o mimasu = I watch TV on Sundays
- hachiji ni okimasu = I get up at 8 o'clock

You can replace ni with goro (about) if you want to give an approximate time. For example:
- hachiji goro okimasu = I get up at about 8 o'clock

The important point to remember is that ni and goro are said after the time/day.

The time expression is usually said at this point in a sentence:
- An-san wa hachiji kara terebi o mimasu = Anne watches TV from 8 o'clock
- Hachiji ni asagohan o tabemasu = I eat breakfast at 8 o'clock
- Rokuji ni okimasu = I get up at 6 o'clock

5. Nanji ni At what time
To ask when somebody does something you can use nanji ni (at what time):
- nanji ni okimasu ka = (at) what time do you get up?

Or nanyōbi ni (on what day):
- nanyōbi ni gorufu o shimasu ka = (on) what day/s do you play golf?

Or nannichi ni (on what date/days of the month):
- nannichi ni sakkā o shimasu ka = on what date are you going to play football?

Or the more general question itsu (when):
- itsu kaimono o shimasu ka = when do you do the shopping?

You do not need to say ni after itsu because you are not saying in, on or at:
- itsu sakkā o shimasu ka = when are you going to play football? (not: on when are you going to play football?)

6. Bangohan o tabemasu I eat dinner
The words for the three main meals in Japanese are interesting. THey are made up of the word for rice (gohan) and the words for morning (asa), midday (hiru) and evening (ban - as in konbanwa, good evening; also yoru). Therefore, asagohan (breakfast) literally means morning rice, hirugohan (lunch) is midday rice, and bangohan or yorugohan (dinner/evening meal) is evening rice.

7. Asa nanji ni okimasu ka What time do you get up in the morning?
In previous lessons we learnt gozen (a.m.) and gogo (p.m./afternoon). A more informal way of saying this is to use asa (morning) and yoru (evening). For example:
- asa shichiji ni okimasu = I get up at 8 o'clock in the morning
- yoru terebi o mimasu = I watch TV in the evenings

You should note that you dont need ni after asa and yoru. Ni is only used with exact times, days and dates. More of this will be learnt in the next lesson.

8. Asagohan ni nani o tabemasu ka What do you eat for breakfast?
To ask what someone eats at mealtimes, use ni (in this case meaning for) after the meal word. For example:
- bangohan ni nani o tabemasu ka = what do you eat for dinner?

To answer, just say the food that you eat.
- tamago o tabemasu = I eat eggs

If you want to include what you drink, use one of the and words (sore ni, soshite, sorekara). You say these at the beginning of a new sentence. For example:
- tamago o tabemasu. sore ni kōhī o nomimasu = I eat eggs. And I drink coffee

To make a statement about what you have for breakfast (etc.), start with: asagohan ni ... . For example:
- asagohan ni tamago o tabemasu = I eat eggs for breakfast

9. The days of the week
Note that all the days of the week end with yōbi, meaning day.

nichiyōbi = sunday
getsuyōbi = monday
kayōbi = tuesday
suiyōbi = wednesday
mokuyōbi = thursday
kinyōbi = friday
doyōbi = saturday

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LESSON 11 PRACTISE - click me!

This post has been edited by jhcj: Dec 28 2005, 09:38 AM

I'm not really sure if my translation is correct. Did you ask me if I made the lessons up myself or did I take it from an old textbook?

LESSON 11 - PRACTISE

1. Say what each of the people below have for their breakfast in Japanese. The first one is done for you as an example.
a. Mr. Yamaguchi = toast, coffee
Yamaguchi-san wa asagohan ni tōsuto o tabemasu. Sore ni kōhī o nomimasu.

b. Scott = toast, coffee


c. Anne = eggs, black tea


d. Reiko = rice, green tea


e. Heidi = fruit, juice


2. Anne has been writing up an interview with Emi. These are the answers to her questions. Can you write out the questions in full, in Japanese?
a. What time? Hachiji ni okimasu.


b. What? Asagohan ni tōsuto to tamago o tabemasu.


c. What day? Doyōbi ni kaimono o shimasu.


d. What? Yoru tokidoki eiga o mimasu.


e. When? Getsuyōbi kara kinyōbi made benkyō shimasu.


3. Say these days in Japanese.
a. Friday


b. Monday


c. Thursday


d. Tuesday


This post has been edited by jhcj: Dec 28 2005, 09:40 AM

Ah, close.

No, I didnt make the lessons up. I took them from a book, actually. One that I'm reading, in fact.

O.o'''

I thought persocom is something that was made up in Chobits.

Anyways, thanks for the info.

LESSON 12: Pāti o shimashō = Let's have a party!

Introduction
In this unit you will learn:
- how to say you are going to or returning from somewhere
- how to invite someone
- how to make suggestions and accept or refuse
- some useful time expressions

In the last lesson you learnt some useful action words for talking about daily activities. In this unit you are going to add three more important words to these: go, come and return. You will also learn how to use the action words in a new way: to invite someone to do something or to suggest doing something as in the title of this lesson: Pāti o shimashō (let's have a party!).

Let's talk
To suggest doing something you change the masu ending of the doing word to mashō (let's). Can you change the following sentences into suggestions, as in the example?

Example:
Kōhī o nomimasu (drink coffee) --> Kōhī o nomimashō (let's drink some coffee).

a. Tenisu o shimasu (play tennis)
b. Kaimono o shimasu (do some shopping)
c. Sushi o tabemasu (eat sushi)
d. Nihongo o benkyō shimasu (study Japanese)
On second thought, I think these are pretty easy if you've been following the lessons. Figure them out yourself.

Vocabulary list
ikimasu = go
kaerimasu = return, go back (used to express 'going back to where you live')
kimasu = come

Time expressions
mainichi = every day
kyō = today
ashita = tomorrow
maishū = every week
maitsuki = every month
konshū = this week
kongetsu = this month
konban = this evening
raishū = next week
raigetsu = next month

... dō desu ka = how about ... ?
ii desu ne = that's sounds nice
yorokonde = I'd love to
yorokonde ukagaimasu = I'd love to visit
zannen desu = it's a shame/pity

Sample conversation
Tani's stay in Japan is coming to an end.
Anne: Itsu Furansu ni kaerimasu ka.
Tani: Raishū no doyōbi ni kaerimasu.
Scott: Zannen desu ne. Ja, pāti o shimashō!
Tani: Ii desu ne.
Anne: Konshū no doyōbi wa dō desu ka.
Tani: Doyōbi wa chotto ... tomodachi to resutoran ni ikimasu.
Scott: Ja...nichiyōbi wa?
Tani: Nichiyōbi wa daijōbu desu.
Satō-sensei: Mina-san, watashi no uchi ni kimasen ka.
Everyone: Ii desu ne!
Tani: A! Yorokonde ukagaimasu.

Extras
chotto = a bit (in this case 'a bit inconvenient')
tomodachi = friend
uchi ni kimasen ka = would you like to come to my house?

Explanations
1. Ikimasu, go; kimasu, come; kaerimasu, return
You were introduced to masu words in the previous lesson. These three can be learnt together as a group. For example:
- Tani-san wa resutoran ni ikimasu = Tani is going to a restaurant
- ashita Furansu ni kaerimasu = I'm going back to France tomorrow
- An-san wa watashi no uchi ni ikimasu = Anne is coming to my house

Look at the sentence order. The person doing the action is followed by wa. Ni means to and comes after the place you are going to. For example:
- Furansu ni = to France
- resutoran ni = to a restaurant

As you saw in the previous lesson, the action word (or verb) always comes at the end of a Japanese sentence. Also note that ni carries a slightly different meaning here compared to the last lesson. You might want to re-read Explanation 4 of Lesson 11 to refresh your memory on this.

Kaerimasu is used when you return or go back to the place you come from, either your home, your town or your country. For example:
- watashi wa uchi ni kaerimasu = I return home/shall return home.
- Yamaguchi-san wa ashita Tōkyō ni kaerimasu = Mr Yamaguchi will return to Tokyo tomorrow.

2. Ashita doko ni ikimasu ka Where are you going tomorrow?
In lesson 10 you learnt the question word doko (where). You can now use it with these three new verbs. For example:
- ashita doko ni ikimasu ka = where are you going tomorrow?

You answer by replacing doko with the place, keeping the same sentence order. For example:
- ashita Tōkyō ni ikimasu = I'm going to Tokyo tomorrow.

- Yamaguchi-san wa manichi doko ni ikimasu ka = where does Mr Yamaguchi go every day?
- Yamaguchi-san wa manichi shigoto ni ikimasu = Mr Yamaguchi goes to work every day.

Or more simply:
- shigoto ni ikimasu = he goes to work.

3. Hachigatsu ni Igirisu ni kaerimasu I'm going back to England in August
In the previous lesson, Explanation 4, you learnt that ni is used after a day or time to mean on or at. In the same way, it is used when saying months or dates. For example:
- jūichi-nichi ni = on the 11th
- rokugatsu ni = in June

And you can make these question words using nan (what?):
- nannichi ni = on what date?
- nangatsu ni = in which month?

And dont forget the general question word itsu (when?).

When you use the general time expressions such as ashita (tomorrow), raishū (next week) and mainichi (every day), you dont need ni. (In the same way, you dont have to say on tomorrow or in next week in English). You have already learnt this with the words asa (morning) and yoru (evening) in previous lessons. For example:
- raishū Kyōto ni ikimasu = I'm going to Kyoto next week.
- Emi-san wa mainichi daigaku ni ikimasu = Emi goes to university every day.

You should note that you say the time expressions before the place and the action word.

4. Raishū no doyōbi ni kaerimasu I am going back next Saturday
You can combine time expressions with no to make the following:
- raishū no doyōbi = next Saturday
- ashita no ban = tomorrow evening
- kongetsu no hatsuka = the 20th of this month

5. Pāti o shimashō Let's have a party!
You have already practised making suggestions in the Let's Talk section of this lesson. Here are some more examples:
- doyōbi ni eigakan ni ikimashō = let's go to the cinema on Saturday
- ashita kaimono ni ikimashō = let's go shopping tomorrow

If you want to ask somebody to do something with you, turn the phrase into a question by adding ka. For example:
- doyōbi ni eigakan ni ikimashō ka = shall we go to the cinema on Saturday?
- raishū no nichiyōbi ni doraibu ni ikimashō ka = shall we go for a drive next Saturday?

To answer you can say:
- ii desu ne. sō shimashō = that sounds nice. let's do that!

Or:
- yorokonde = I'd love to

6. Watashi no uchi ni kimasen ka Would you like to come to my house?
This phrase literally means wont you come to my house? To express I dont ... (the negative) in Japanese you change the masu to masen. For example:
- kōhī o nomimasen = I dont drink coffee
- asagohan o tabemasen = I dont eat breakfast
- ashita shigoto ni ikimasen = I'm not going to work tomorrow

You can politely invite someone to do something by adding ka to the negative. For example:
- kōhī o nomimasen ka = would you like to (lit. wont you) drink some coffee?
- eigakan ni ikimasen ka = would you like to go to the cinema?
- watashi no uchi ni kimasen ka = would you like to come to my house?

(You will learn more about negatives in upcoming lessons)

7. Konshū no doyōbi wa dō desu ka How about this Saturday?
When suggesting dates or times to do an activity, you can use the phrase ... wa dō desu ka (how about ...?). For example:
- kayōbi wa dō desu ka = how about Tuesday?
- rokuji wa dō desu ka = how about 6 o'clock?
- ashita wa dō desu ka = how about tomorrow?

To accept, use ... wa daijōbu desu (... is fine). For example:
- kayōbi wa daijōbu desu = Tuesday is fine

Or simply say:
- ē, ii desu yo = yes, that will be fine

To refuse politely use ... wa chotto ... (it's a bit ...). For example:
- ashita wa chotto ... = tomorrow's a bit ... (implying 'inconvenient')

You can precede this with zannen desu ga ... (it's a pity but ...). For example:
- zannen desu ga ashita wa chotto ... = it's a shame but tomorrow's a bit ...

When you trail your sentence off at the end like this, the listener will understand that it's inconvenient without you having to say so.

8. Tomodachi to resutoran ni ikimasu I'm going with a friend to a restaurant
In earlier lessons you learnt that to means and when you link two objects. For example:
- kōhī to jūsu o kudasai = may I have a coffee and some juice please?
- Yamaguchi-san wa gorufu to tenisu o shimasu = Mr Yamaguchi plays golf and tennis

To can also have the meaning with. For example:
- tomodachi to = with my friend
- An-san to = with Anne

You should note that to comes after the person you do something with. For example:
- An-san to benkyō shimasu = I study with Anne

You say tomodachi to (etc.) after time expressions and before the place/item. For example:
- ashita tomodachi to Rondon ni ikimasu = I am going to London with a friend tomorrow
- Sukotto-san wa An-san to eiga o mimasu = Scott is going to watch a film with Anne

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

LESSON 12 PRACTISE - click me!

This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 5 2006, 07:04 PM

Well the lessons here aint exactly pro-level. I'm trying my best to provide a standardised romanji system so that my readers wont get confused. If I keep changing the way I spell things, it'll only confuse people in the long run. Besides, having kana and kanji will probably solve this problem, but I aint no pro in those areas (well, I only know hiragana) so what we have now is sufficient.

However, with that said and done, this thread always welcomes input from those who can speak Japanese.

Hmm, the spoiler tags are back, so the exercise for lesson 12 should be out tomorrow if all goes well.

BTW, just double checking, all the text I typed (and some of the kana and kanji contributed by others) require UNICODE to view. I hope everyone gets to see the text correctly.

LESSON 12: PRACTISE

1. Using the information below, make sentences saying where you are going and when.

Example: next week, cinema = (watashi wa) raishū eigakan ni ikimasu.

a. tomorrow, London


b. this evening, concert (konsāto)


c. today, France


d. every day, home (go back)


2. Now make sentences about Tani using the same information in 1 part a - d above.

Example: next week, cinema = Tani-san wa raishū eigakan ni ikimasu.



3. Finally, change these sentences into questions using doko (where?)

Example: where are you going next week? = raishū doko ni ikimasu ka.

a. where are you going tomorrow?


b. where are you going this evening?


c. where are you going today?


d. where do you go back to everyday?


4. The sentences below have gaps, and you have to decide whether or not to write ni (meaning on, in or at).
a. An-san wa jūji _______ nihongo no kurasu ni ikimasu.
b. Sukotto-san wa ashita _______ tenisu o shimasu.
c. Tani-san wa raishū _______ Furansu ni kaerimasu.
d. Mina-san wa konshū no doyōbi _______ watashi no uchi ni ikimasu.
e. Yamaguchi-san wa mainichi _______ kaisha ni ikimasu.
f. Takeshi-san wa shichigatsu _______ Kyōto ni ikimasu.



5. Say these sentences in Japanese.
a. I'm going to London with a friend tomorrow.


b. It's a shame but Sunday is a bit ...


c. Would you like to drink a beer?


d. How about Thursday?


e. Saturday is fine. I'd love to.


f. Where shall we go?

Thanks for the compliment paklan. It certainly feels nice when your efforts are appreciated by others.

As for rewards, I'm all ears!!

Nah, just kidding.

Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Looking back at some of the previous lessons, I realised that some words with the macron (-) sign have been corrupted - most likely a side-effect of the server upgrades on LYN. I've tried my best to fix those that I can find, but I miss anything out, please let me know ok?

Next lesson should be up sometime this evening.

Arigato gozaimasu! XD

Dont worry, there are many other senpais here who are more than able to help if you have any difficulty.

LESSON 13: Sūji - Numbers (Part 2)

Introduction
This will be a mini lesson in learning the dates 1st - 10th. Short, but sweet.

You learnt to say the dates from the 11th to 31st in Lesson 7 by adding nichi to the appropriate number e.g. 11th = jūichi-nichi. The exceptions to this were jūyokka (14th), nijūyokka (24th) and hatsuka (20th). The 1st - 10th are also slightly different.

Vocabulary list
1st = tsuitachi
2nd = futsuka
3rd = mikka
4th = yokka
5th = itsuka
6th = muika
7th = nanoka
8th = yōka
9th = kokonoka
10th = tōka

Learning tip
Try to find some word associations to help you remember these new numbers. You may already find these dates familiar. If you look back to Lesson 9 (Explanation 5), you will see that the System B method of counting (hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu, ...) is similar to these dates, apart from tsuitachi (1st). The main difference is that the dates end in ka, whereas the numbers end in tsu.

Perhaps some of the word associations will help you to remember these dates. Tōka (10th) sounds like the English word toe, and you have ten toes on your feet! Nanoka (7th) sounds very close to nana (7). Itsuka (5th) is like itsu (when). Kokonoka (9th) sounds like the word coconut!

These are a few ideas to help you, but dont feel you have to be able to remember every item of vocabulary in one go. It takes time and practise to master vocabulary and new phrases. The key word here is practise!

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

LESSON 13 PRACTISE - none!
Since this is a short lesson, I dont feel that a practise is necessary. However, try to incorporate these dates into your vocabulary now. Why not try stating your birthday now if it falls on one of the dates 1st - 10th?

This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 9 2006, 05:44 PM

LESSON 14: Senshū Kyōto ni ikimashita = Last week I went to Kyoto

Introduction
In this unit you will learn:
- how to talk about past events (the past tense)
- how to say where an activity took place
- about types of transport
- more time expressions
- how to say you want to do something

In previous lessons you learnt how to talk about daily and future activities. In this lesson you will learn how to talk about past events and activities. This is a simple process: you change the masu ending to mashita, as in the title of this lesson.

Pronounciation tip: the i sound in mashita is almost unspoken - ma-sh-ta.

Let's talk
Talk about activities that you did by changing these sentences into the past tense as in the example.

Example:
Asagohan o tabemasu. Asagohan o tabemashita. (I ate breakfast.)

a. Kōhī o nomimasu = ___________________ (I drank some coffee.)
b. Kaimono o shimasu = ___________________ (I did the shopping.)
c. Terebi o mimasu = ___________________ (I watched TV.)
d. Shimbun o yomimasu = ___________________ (I read the newspaper.)
e. Uchi ni kaerimasu = ___________________ (I went home.)

Vocabulary list
Transport
aruite = on foot
chikatetsu = underground
basu = bus
densha = train
fune = boat
jitensha = bicycle
shinkansen = bullet train
hikōki = plane
kuruma = car
takushī = taxi
nan de/dōyatte = how?

Time expressions
senshū = last week
kinō = yesterday
kesa = this morning
sengetsu = last month
yūbe = last night
gogo = afternoon
kotoshi = this year
kyonen = last year
rainen = next year
kakarimasu = it takes
jikan = hour
gofun = 5 minutes
juppun = 10 minutes
gurai = about
ryokō shimasu = travel
dono gurai = how long?

Sample conversation
Anne is talking to Takeshi about a recent school trip.
Takeshi: Senshū Kyōto ni ikimashita. Shūgaku ryokō deshita.
Anne: Ii desu ne! Nan de ikimashita ka.
Takeshi: Tōkyō eki kara shinkansen de ikimashita. Kyōto made san jikan gurai kakarimashita.
Anne: Hē! Hayai desu ne! Kyōto de nani o shimashita ka.
Takeshi: Kayōbi ni o-tera o takusan mimashita. Sorekara gekijō ni ikimashita. Kyōto no odori o mimashita.
Anne: Sō desu ka. Watashi mo odori o mitai desu. Suiyōbi ni nani o shimashita ka.
Takeshi: Mata o-tera o mimashita. Soshite Tōkyō ni kaerimashita.
Anne: Kyōto no ryōri wa dō deshita ka.
Takeshi: Wakarimasen. Mainichi kappu nūdoru o tabemashita.
Anne: Takeshi-kun! Yokunai desu yo!

Extras
shūgaku ryokō = school trip
hē! = hey, really!
hayai = quick, fast
o-tera = temples
takusan = many
gekijō = theatre
odori = dancing
mitai = want to see
mata = again
ryōri = cookery
kappu nūdoru = cup noodles
yokunai = no good

Explanations
1. Senshū Kyōto ni ikimashita Last week I went to Kyoto
You have already practised talking about past activities in the Let's talk section of this lesson. You have also been introduced to some more time expressions. Here are some more examples of sentences describing past activities. Practise them by covering the Japanese and using the English as a prompt to say the sentences:
- yesterday Anne studied Japanese = An-san wa kinō nihongo o benkyō shimashita.
- Tani went back to France last Saturday = Tani-san wa senshū no doyōbi ni Furansu ni kaerimashita.
- Scott came to Japan last year = Sukotto-san wa kyonen Nihon ni kimashita.
- Emi did some travelling last month with a friend = Emi-san wa sengetsu tomodachi to ryokō o shimashita.

2. Kyōto de nani o shimashita ka What did you do in Kyoto?
To say where an activity happens or happened you use de, meaning in or at. You say de after the place. For example:
- Kyōto de = in Kyoto
- uchi de = at home
- resutoran de = at a restaurant
- gekijō de = at the theatre
- Takeshi-kun wa gekijō de odori o mimashita = Takeshi watched dancing at the theatre
- Yamaguchi-san wa uchi de shimbun o yomimashita = Mr Yamaguchi read a newspaper at home
- Reiko-san wa mainichi sūpā de kaimono o shimasu = Reiko does the shopping every day at the supermarket

Notice the sentence order:
a. the person who does the action (subject)
b. the time expression
c. the place
d. the item followed by o (object and object marker)
e. the action word (verb)

3. Nan de ikimashita ka How did you get there?
This is the other use of de that you will learn in this lesson. When used with transport, de takes the meaning of by. For example:
- densha de = by train
- hikōki de = by plane
- Takeshi-kun wa basu de gakkō ni ikimasu = Takeshi goes by bus to school
- Reiko-san wa kuruma de sūpā ni ikimasu = Reiko goes by car to the supermarket
- Shinjuki kara Shibuya made chikatetsu de ikimashita = I went from Shinjuki to Shubuya by underground

However, you dont need to use de when saying aruite (on foot):
- aruite tomodachi no uchi ni ikimashita = I went to my friend's house on foot

The question word is nan de or dōyatte (how?):
- nan de kaisha ni ikimasu ka = how do you get to work?

Answer by replacing nan with the mode of transport:
- jitensha de ikimasu = I go by bicycle.

4. Kyōto made sanjikan gurai kakarimasu It takes about three hours to Kyoto
To say how long a journey takes, you use [B]kakarimasu. Lengths of time are expressed by adding kan to ji (o'clock), nichi/ka (day), shū (week), etc. For example:
- ichijikan = one hour
- futsukakan = two days
- nishūkan = two weeks
- gofun (kan) = five minutes

You can omit kan when saying minutes and days as long as the meaning is clear. For example:
- yonjuppun = 40 minutes
- mikka = three days (or the third day)

One day in Japanese is ichinichi.

Gurai means about, for example, gofun gurai (about five minutes). You have already learnt goro meaning about, but this is only used when actually saying the time, not a length of time. For example:
- hachiji goro okimasu = I get up at about 8 o'clock
- hachijikan gurai kakarimasu = it takes about 8 hours

To ask how long does it take?, you say dono gurai kakarimasu ka (or dono gurai desu ka). For example:
- Rondon kara Tōkyō made dono gurai kakarimasu ka = how long does it take from London to Tokyo?
- hikōki de jūnijikan gurai kakarimasu = it takes about 12 hours by plane
- yūbinkyoku made dono gurai desu ka = how far is it to the post office?
- aruite juppun gurai desu = it takes about 10 minutes on foot

5. Watashi wa odori o mitai desu I want to see some dancing
To say you want to do something, you replace masu with tai desu. For example:
- yomimasu = I read --> yomitai desu = I want to read
- nomimasu = I drink --> nomitai desu = I want to drink

Here are some examples:
- eigo no shimbun o yomitai desu = I want to read an English newspaper
- bīru o nomitai desu = I want to drink a beer
- Tōkyō ni ikitai desu = I want to go to Tokyo
- uchi ni kaeritai desu = I want to go home

6. More time expressions
In the last few lessons you have been learning a number of time expressions. In this lesson the focus has been on past time expressions as well as year expressions (this/last/next year). Below are some examples of how these phrases are used.

You may wish to practise these phrases in the following way. First familiarize yourself with the time expressions in the Vocabulary list section of this lesson. Then cover up the Japanese side of the phrases below and see if you can say these time expressions:
- last saturday = senshū no doyōbi
- this morning at 8 o'clock = kesa (no) hachiji ni
- yesterday afternoon = kinō no gogo
- last August = kyonen no hachigatsu
- next March = rainen no sangatsu
- this April = kotoshi no shigatsu
- the 9th of last month = sengetsu no kokonoka

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LESSON 14 PRACTISE - click me!

This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 11 2006, 08:11 PM

LESSON 14: PRACTISE

1. Sound out how long the journeys in the chart below take. The first one has been done for you as an example, but try saying it yourself first before referring to the answers. Keep the information in the same order as it is presented in the chart.



Example:
a. Rondon kara Tōkyō made hikōki de jūnijikan gurai kakarimasu (or desu)



2. Translate the English phrases into Japanese and vice-versa.
a. yesterday evening


b. tomorrow night


c. raishū no mokuyōbi


d. kotoshi no rokugatsu


e. last February


f. the 10th of last month


3. To solve the partially completed sentences, you need to work out how to say the English sentences below in Japanese. You then have to work out which sentence fits which line of spaces a - g below.

a. ____ made ____________ ___ gofun _____________
b. _______ __________ __ shitai _____
c. ________ ___ _________ ___ kaisha ___ __________
d. ______ no ____________ ___ tōsuto __ _____________
e. Kotoshi _________ ___ ______ _____
f. _______ ___ kugatsu ___ ________ ___ ikimasu
g. _______ ___ ban gekijō ___ ___________ ____

i. Next September I am going to Japan.
ii. Tomorrow I want to do some shopping.
iii. This morning I had toast for breakfast.
iv. Shall we go to the theatre on Tuesday evening?
v. This year I want to go to France.
vi. It takes five minutes to the station by bicycle.
vii. My father goes to work (company) by car.



This post has been edited by jhcj: Jan 11 2006, 08:10 PM

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

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

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