Japanese · Lesson 20
Lesson 20
Sounds, kana, and the first conversations
Counting and requesting dictionaries · Dialogue 1 of 4
Counters for objects
*ここに 字しょが 何さつ ありますか* means "How many volumes of dictionaries are there?" The counter *さつ* counts books.
Counters such as *さつ* and *本* count certain kinds of objects. A noun usually names the object being counted.
Requesting a dictionary
*その 字しょを 一さつ ください* means "Please give me one dictionary." The humble word *ください* applies when the speaker receives a tangible object.
Kanji: 少, 本
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
ここにじしょがなんさつありますか。
How many volumes of dictionaries are there?
ここhereにat字dictionaryしょdictionaryがsubject何how manyさつvolumesありbeますpoliteか。question - 2
にさつあります。
There are two.
二twoさつvolumesありbeます。polite - 3
じしょのそばにえんぴつがなんぼんありますか。
How many pencils are there beside the dictionaries?
字dictionaryしょdictionaryのofそばbesideにatえんぴつpencilsがsubject何how many本long objectsありbeますpoliteか。question - 4
さんぼんあります。
There are three.
三three本long objectsありbeます。polite - 5
そのじしょをいっさつください。
Please give me one dictionary.
そのthat字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobject一oneさつvolumeください。please give me
---KOTO GA DEKIMASU 'is able to,' 'can'
There are several ways in which most Japanese verbs can be made into potential verbs with the meaning of 'is possible to,' 'can,' or 'is able to.' One of these ways, perhaps the simplest way, is to use KOTO GA DEKIMASU immediately after the basic ending of verbs, e.g.,
HANASU KOTO GA DEKIMASU '--can speak'
KIKU KOTO GA DEKIMASU '--can hear'
MIRU KOTO GA DEKIMASU '--can see'
SURU KOTO GA DEKIMASU '--can do'
In Japanese some intransitive verbs that refer to natural action or an act of God are not made potential, e.g.,
FURU 'to fall, to rain, or to snow'
HAERU 'to sprout, to grow'
OCHIRU 'to fall'
Some Japanese verbs have the potential meaning in themselves, and therefore, they are not followed by KOTO GA DEKIMASU, e.g.,
WAKARU (v.i.) 'is understandable'
DEKIRU (v.i.) 'is possible, is able'
MIERU (v.i.) 'is visible, can be seen'
KIKOERU (v.i.) 'is audible, can be heard'
The negative of KOTO GA DEKIRU is KOTO GA DEKIMASEN. The particle GA in front of DEKIMASEN may be replaced with the particle WA to emphasize the negative.KARA 'because, since, so'
Following the basic ending of verbs, inflected suffixes, I-adjectives, and the copulative DESU, KARA indicates that the clause in which it occurs is the cause or reason for the statement that follows. Accordingly, this particle means 'because' or 'since,' e.g.,
AMMARI TAKUSAN ARIMASU KARA, KAZOERU KOTO GA DEKIMASEN. "Because there are too many, I can't count them."
MUZUKASHII KARA WAKARIMASEN. "Because it's difficult, I can't understand it."
ANO KATA WA NIPPONGO NO SENSEI DESU KARA, NIPPONGO GA YOKU DEKIMASU. "Since he is a teacher of the Japanese language, he can speak Japanese well."
It is sometimes convenient to translate this KARA as 'so,' because the words 'so' or 'therefore' appear in
English syntax at about the same point that KARA does in Japanese syntax. The main difference is that the Japanese pause after KARA, as Americans often pause before 'so' or 'therefore.'DARE KA 'someone,' 'somebody'
NANI KA 'something'
Following an interrogative pronoun, the particle KA converts into a corresponding indefinite pronoun, e.g.,
DARE KA someone, somebody
DONATA KA someone, somebody
NANI KA something
DOTCHI KA either (one)
DOCHIRA KA either (one)
Here are some expressions with KA:
DARE KA KIMASHITA. "Someone came."
NANI KA TABEMASHITA "I ate something."
Expressions with KA are often used also with other particles, namely with WA, GA, and O. The meaning of WA, GA, or O is determined by its position in the sentence and by the context. In a phrase ending in KA, additional particles normally come after the particle KA, e.g.,
DARE KA NI IIMASHITA. "I told someone."
DARE KA KARA KIMASHITA. "It came from someone."DARE MO--N 'nobody'
NANI MO--N 'nothing'
Immediately after many of the interrogative pronouns, the particle MO usually converts the question words into the corresponding negative indefinite pronouns.
DARE MO -- N nobody
DONATA MO -- N nobody
NANI MO -- N nothing
DOTCHI MO -- N neither
DOCHIRA MO -- N neither
Here are some expressions with this MO:
DARE MO KIMASENDESHITA. "Nobody came."
NANI MO TABEMASENDESHITA. "I ate nothing."
DOTCHI MO TORIMASENDESHITA. "I took neither."
Phrases with MO are often used with additional particles, but, again, the particles WA, GA, and O normally do not occur with them. Just as in the expressions with KA, the meaning of WA, GA, or O is determined by the position of the phrase in the sentence and by the context. For the expressions with MO, the additional particles normally come before the particle MO, e.g.,
DARE NI MO IIMASENDESHITA. "I told nobody."
DARE KARA MO KIMASENDESHITA. "I came from nobody."KUDASAI and AGEMASU
Both KUDASAI and AGEMASU mean 'give,' but they cannot be used interchangeably. The word KUDASAI is a humble word, and it is normally used when the recipient is the speaker or the first person, 'we,' 'us,' e.g.,
SONO HON O KUDASAI. "Please give me that book."
ANATA NO TOKEI O KUDASAI. "Please give me your watch."
KUDASAI or AGEMASU is used when giving only tangible objects.
the word AGEMASU is an exalted word, and it is used only when the recipient is either the second person 'you' or the third person 'him, her, them, etc.,' e.g.,
KONO HON O ANATA NI AGEMASU. "I'll give you this book" or "I'll give this book to you."
KONO HON O (ANO KATA NI) AGEMASU. "I'll give this book to him."Note on numerical counters
Numerical counters like MAIRU, JIKAN, and EN that refer to particular units of distance, time, money, and the like usually do not need other nouns to tell what one is counting, but numerical counters like SATSU, HON, and DAI that refer to certain kinds of objects usually accompany other nouns that name the particular objects one is talking about, e.g.,
KOKO NI ENPITSU GA NIHON ARIMASU. "There are two pencils here."
HON O SANSATSU KAIMASHITA. "I bought three books."
JIDOOSHA GA ICHIDAI ARIMASU. "There is one car."
KOKO KARA KAAMERU MADE NI-MAIRU DESU. "It is two miles from here to Carmel."- ここ
- here
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- さつ
- numerical counter for counting books (See Grammar Notes)
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- 二
- two
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- そば
- vicinity
- 本
- numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
- 三
- three
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- 一
- one
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
Buying a used dictionary · Dialogue 2 of 4
Giving and buying a used dictionary
One speaker agrees to give the listener an old dictionary, then says where it was bought and how much it cost.
*はい、 あげます* means "Yes, I'll give it to you." The recipient is the listener.
A price in yen
*千円 はらいました* means "I paid one thousand yen." The unit counter *円* names the money without another noun.
Kanji: 円, 古
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 町, 屋, 買
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 6
はい、あげます。
Yes, I'll give it to you.
はい、yesあげgiveます。polite - 7
このふるいじしょをどこでかいましたか。
Where did you buy this old dictionary?
このthis古いold字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobjectどこwhereでat買いbuyましpoliteたpastか。question - 8
まちのふるほんやでかいました。
I bought it in a secondhand bookstore in town.
町townのof古本secondhand bookstore屋secondhand bookstoreでat買いbuyましpoliteた。past - 9
いくらはらいましたか。
How much did you pay?
いくらhow muchはらいpayましpoliteたpastか。question - 10
せんえんはらいました。
I paid one thousand yen.
千one thousand円yenはらいpayましpoliteた。past
- 古い
- old, antique
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 町
- town
- 古本
- secondhand book, used book
- いくら
- how much? how many?
- 千
- 1,000
- 円
- yen (unit of money)
Using new books and dictionaries · Dialogue 3 of 4
Books and a dictionary
One speaker asks about buying used books at the school bookshop. The reply says used books cannot be bought there, but new books can.
The conversation then turns to how often an English-Japanese dictionary is used.
An action that is possible
*あたらしい 本は 買うことが できます* means "But, you can buy new books."
In *買うことが できます*, the basic form *買う* names the action. *ことが できます* says that buying is possible.
- 11
このがっこうのほんやでふるほんをかうことができますか。
Can you buy a used book at the bookshop in this school?
このthisがっこうschoolのof本屋bookstoreでat古本used bookをobject買うbuyことdoingがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 12
いいえ、できません。でも、あたらしいほんはかうことができます。
No, you can't. But, you can buy new books.
いいえ、noできcanませnot, politeん。not, politeでbutも、butあたらしいnew本bookはtopic買うbuyことdoingがsubjectできcanます。polite - 13
あなたはえいわじてんをつかいますか。
Do you use an E-J dictionary?
あなたyouはtopicえEnglish-Japanese dictionaryいわEnglish-Japanese dictionary字English-Japanese dictionaryてんEnglish-Japanese dictionaryをobjectつかいuseますpoliteか。question - 14
はい、ときどきつかいます。
Yes, I use it sometimes.
はい、yesときどきsometimesつかいuseます。polite - 15
なぜいつもつかいませんか。
Why don't you use it all the time?
なぜwhyいつalwaysもalwaysつかいuseませnot, politeんnot, politeか。question
- 本屋
- bookshop
- 買う
- to buy
- あたらしい
- new
- ときどき
- sometimes, occasionally
- なぜ
- why?
Cars, someone, and nobody · Dialogue 4 of 4
A reason for not using it
The speaker does not always use a dictionary because its kanji are difficult.
In *かん字が むずかしいから、 いつもは つかいません*, *から* marks the difficult kanji as the reason.
Someone and nobody
*あの あかい じどうしゃの 中に だれか 居ますか* means "Is there someone in that red car?" *だれか* refers to someone unspecified.
*いいえ、 だれも 居ません* means "No, there is nobody." *だれも* combines with the negative *居ません*.
Kanji: 前, 中
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 16
かんじがむずかしいから、いつもはつかいません。
I don't use it all the time because KANJI are difficult.
かん字kanjiがsubjectむずかしいdifficultから、becauseいつalwaysもalwaysはtopicつかいuseませnot, politeん。not, polite - 17
このたてもののまえにじどうしゃがなんだいぐらいありますか。
About how many cars are there in front of this building?
このthisたてものbuildingのof前frontにinじどうcarしゃcarがsubject何how many vehiclesだhow many vehiclesいhow many vehiclesぐらいaboutありexistますpoliteか。question - 18
さあ、わかりません。
Well, I can't tell.
さあ、wellわかりknowませnot, politeん。not, polite - 19
あのあかいじどうしゃのなかにだれかいますか。
Is there someone in that red car?
あのthatあかいredじどうcarしゃcarのof中insideにinだれsomeoneかsomeone居is thereますpoliteか。question - 20
いいえ、だれもいません。
No, there is nobody.
いいえ、noだれno oneもno one居is thereませnot, politeん。not, polite
- むずかしい
- difficult
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- たてもの
- building
- ぐらい
- about
- あかい
- red
- だれ
- who?
Saying what you can do · Perception drill, Block 1
An action someone can do
*ここから サンフランシスコ まで、 三じかんで 行くことが できますか* means "Can you get from here to San Francisco in three hours?"
The basic form *行く* names the action. *ことが できます* after it says that the action is possible.
The negative form
Put *ことが できます* immediately after a verb's basic ending to mean "can" or "is able to." The negative is *ことが できません*.
In *フランス語を はなすことは できません*, *は* replaces *が* to emphasize the negative. The line means "I cannot speak French."
- 21
ここからサンフランシスコまで、さんじかんでいくことができますか。
Can you get from here to San Francisco in three hours?
ここhereからfromサンフランシスコSan Franciscoまで、to三threeじかんhoursでin行くgoことdoingがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 22
はい、さんじかんでいくことができます。
Yes, I can get there in three hours.
はい、yes三threeじかんhoursでin行くgoことdoingがsubjectできcanます。polite - 23
あなたはフランスごができますか。
Do you know French?
あなたyouはtopicフランスFrench語Frenchがsubjectできknowますpoliteか。question - 24
いいえ、フランスごをはなすことはできません。
No, I cannot speak French.
いいえ、noフランスFrench語Frenchをobjectはなすspeakことdoingはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 25
あなたはまいにちかんじをいくつぐらいならうことができますか。
About how many kanji can you learn each day?
あなたyouはtopicまい日each dayかん字kanjiをobjectいくhow manyつhow manyぐらいaboutならうlearnことdoingがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 26
まいにちななつぐらいならうことができます。
I can learn about seven each day.
まい日each day七sevenつsevenぐらいaboutならうlearnことdoingがsubjectできcanます。polite - 27
あなたはかたかなであなたのなまえをかくことができますか。
Can you write your name in katakana?
あなたyouはtopicかたかなkatakanaでinあなたyourの'sなまえnameをobjectかくwriteことdoingがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 28
はい、かたかなでかくことができます。
Yes, I can write it in katakana.
はい、yesかたかなkatakanaでinかくwriteことdoingがsubjectできcanます。polite - 29
とうきょうからよこはままであるくことができます。
You can walk from Tokyo to Yokohama.
とうきょうTokyoからfromよこはまYokohamaまでtoあるくwalkことdoingがsubjectできcanます。polite - 30
はい、できますが、じゅうにじかんぐらいかかります。
Yes, you can, but it takes about twelve hours.
はい、yesできcanますpoliteが、but十twelve二twelveじかんhoursぐらいaboutかかりtakeます。polite
- から
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- サンフランシスコ
- San Francisco
- まで、
- as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
- じかん
- hour, time
- まい日
- everyday
- 七
- seven
- かたかな
- KATAKANA syllabary
- なまえ
- name
- 十
- ten
Giving reasons for inability · Perception drill, Block 2
A reason before the result
*いいえ、 まだ ならいませんから、 読む ことは できません* means "No, I have not learned it yet, so I cannot read it."
The clause before *から* gives the reason. The statement after it gives the result.
Because and so
*から* follows a verb's basic ending, an inflected suffix, an I-adjective, or *DESU*. It marks that clause as the cause or reason.
*まずいから、 たべません* means "I do not eat it because it tastes bad." *から* can mean "because," "since," or "so."
- 31
このかんじをよむことができますか。
Can you read this kanji?
このthisかん字kanjiをobject読むreadことdoingがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 32
いいえ、まだならいませんから、よむことはできません。
No, I have not learned it yet, so I cannot read it.
いいえ、noまだyetならいlearnませnot, politeんnot, politeから、because読むreadことdoingはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 33
あなたはこのえいわじてんをつかうことができますか。
Can you use this English-Japanese dictionary?
あなたyouはtopicこのthisえEnglish-Japanese dictionaryいわEnglish-Japanese dictionary字English-Japanese dictionaryてんEnglish-Japanese dictionaryをobjectつかうuseことdoingがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 34
いいえ、かんじがたくさんありますから、つかうことはできません。
No, there are many kanji in it, so I cannot use it.
いいえ、noかん字kanjiがsubjectたくさんmanyありexistますpoliteから、becauseつかうuseことdoingはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 35
なぜおおきいじしょをかいませんでしたか。
Why did you not buy a large dictionary?
なぜwhy大きいlarge字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobject買いbuyませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteたpastか。question - 36
あまりたかいから、かいませんでした。
I did not buy one because it was too expensive.
あまりtooたかいexpensiveから、because買いbuyませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 37
ナイフはどこにありますか。
Where is the knife?
ナイフknifeはtopicどこwhereにatありisますpoliteか。question - 38
あそこにありますから、おっかいなさい。
It is over there, so please use it.
あそこover thereにatありisますpoliteから、becauseおっplease useかいplease useなさい。please use - 39
なぜそれをたべませんか。
Why do you not eat that?
なぜwhyそれthatをobjectたべeatませnot, politeんnot, politeか。question - 40
まずいから、たべません。
I do not eat it because it tastes bad.
まずいtastes badから、becauseたべeatませnot, politeん。not, polite
- まだ
- yet, still
- つかう
- to use, employ (v.t.)
- たくさん
- many
- たかい
- expensive
- ナイフ
- knife
- あそこ
- over there
- まずい
- poor, tasteless
Someone and something · Perception drill, Block 3
Someone unspecified
*だれか 来ましたか* means "Did anyone come?" The question asks whether an unspecified person came.
The answer can then identify that person, as in *スミスさんが 来ました*.
A question word with ka
The particle *か* after an interrogative pronoun makes a corresponding indefinite pronoun. *だれか* means "someone," and *何か* means "something."
*そのはこの 中に 何か ありますか* means "Is there anything in that box?"
- 41
だれかきましたか。
Did anyone come?
だれanyoneかanyone来comeましpoliteたpastか。question - 42
はい、スミスさんがきました。
Yes, Mr. Smith came.
はい、yesスミスSmithさんMr.がsubject来comeましpoliteた。past - 43
あのきょうしつのなかにだれかいますか。
Is anyone in that classroom?
あのthatきょうしつclassroomのof中insideにinだれanyoneかanyone居is thereますpoliteか。question - 44
はい、せいとがいます。
Yes, there is a student there.
はい、yesせいstudentとstudentがsubject居is thereます。polite - 45
そのはこのなかになにかありますか。
Is there anything in that box?
そのthatはboxこのbox中insideにin何anythingかanythingありis thereますpoliteか。question - 46
はい、なにかちいさいものがあります。
Yes, there is something small in it.
はい、yes何somethingかsomething小さいsmallものthingがsubjectありis thereます。polite - 47
わたくしはいまなにかとりました。なにをとりましたか。
I just picked something up. What did I pick up?
私Iはtopicいまjust now何somethingかsomethingとりpick upましpoliteた。past何whatをobjectとりpick upましpoliteたpastか。question - 48
ペンをとりました。
You picked up a pen.
ペンpenをobjectとりpick upましpoliteた。past - 49
そのかみになにかおかきなさい。
Please write something on that paper.
そのthatかみpaperにon何somethingかsomethingおplease writeかきplease writeなさい。please write - 50
はい、なにかかきます。
Yes, I will write something.
はい、yes何somethingかsomethingかきwriteます。polite - 51
なにをかきましたか。
What did you write?
何whatをobjectかきwriteましpoliteたpastか。question - 52
わたくしのなまえをかきました。
I wrote my name.
私myの'sなまえnameをobjectかきwriteましpoliteた。past
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- もの
- things (tangible)
- いま
- now, just now
- ペン
- pen
Nobody and nothing · Perception drill, Block 4
Nobody with a negative
*いいえ、 だれも 居ません* means "No, no one is there." *だれも* works with the negative verb *居ません*.
The *だれか* questions ask whether someone is present. The *だれも* answers deny that anyone is present.
Nothing with a negative
The particle *も* after many interrogative pronouns makes a negative indefinite when the predicate is negative. *だれも* means "nobody," and *何も* means "nothing."
*いいえ、 何も ありません* means "No, there is nothing there."
- 53
そのきょうしつにだれかいますか。
Is anyone in that classroom?
そのthatきょうしつclassroomにinだれanyoneかanyone居is thereますpoliteか。question - 54
いいえ、だれもいません。
No, no one is there.
いいえ、noだれno oneもno one居is thereませnot, politeん。not, polite - 55
だれかここへきましたか。
Did anyone come here?
だれanyoneかanyoneここhereへtoward来comeましpoliteたpastか。question - 56
いいえ、だれもきませんでした。
No, no one came.
いいえ、noだれno oneもno one来comeませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 57
だれかサンフランシスコへいきますか。
Is anyone going to San Francisco?
だれanyoneかanyoneサンフランシスコSan Franciscoへtoward行きgoますpoliteか。question - 58
いいえ、だれもいきません。
No, no one is going.
いいえ、noだれno oneもno one行きgoませnot, politeん。not, polite - 59
あなたのうしろにだれかいますか。
Is anyone behind you?
あなたyouの'sうしろbehindにatだれanyoneかanyone居be thereますpoliteか。question - 60
いいえ、だれもいません。
No, no one is there.
いいえ、noだれno oneもno one居be thereませnot, politeん。not, polite - 61
あなたのいすのしたになにかありますか。
Is there anything under your chair?
あなたyouの'sいすchairの's下underにat何anythingかanythingありbe thereますpoliteか。question - 62
いいえ、なにもありません。
No, there is nothing there.
いいえ、no何nothingもnothingありbe thereませnot, politeん。not, polite
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
- うしろ
- back, behind, rear
Abilities with languages and books · Pattern 1 1 of 3
Abilities with languages
*私は 日本語の本を 読むことが できます* means "I can read books in Japanese."
The ability pattern follows the basic form *読む*. The same pattern states abilities to speak, teach, and learn.
An emphasized negative
*あしで ものを もつことはできません* means "You cannot hold things with your feet."
The *は* in *ことはできません* emphasizes what cannot be done.
- 63
このじしょをつかうことができます。
I can use this dictionary.
このthis字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobjectつかうuseことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 64
わたくしはにほんごのほんをよむことができます。
I can read books in Japanese.
私Iはtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseのin本booksをobject読むreadことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 65
わたくしはフランスごではなすことができます。
I can speak in French.
私IはtopicフランスFrench語Frenchでinはspeakなすspeakことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 66
わたくしはえいごをおしえることができます。
I can teach English.
私Iはtopicえい語Englishをobjectおしえるteachことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 67
わたくしはまいにちかんじをじゅうぐらいならうことができます。
I can learn about ten kanji each day.
私Iはtopicまい日each dayかん字kanjiをobject十tenぐらいaboutならうlearnことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 68
あしでものをもつことはできません。
You cannot hold things with your feet.
あしfeetでwithものthingsをobjectもつholdことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 69
あなたはフランスごがよくできますが、おしえることもできますか。
You know French well, but can you also teach it?
あなたyouはtopicフランスFrench語Frenchがsubjectよくwellできknowますpoliteが、butおしえるteachことdoing soもalsoできcanますpoliteか。question - 70
はい、できます。
Yes, I can.
はい、yesできcanます。polite
- よく
- well, skillfully
Writing, adding, and using things · Pattern 1 2 of 3
Writing is possible
*あなたは かん字を 二十ぐらい かくことが できますか* means "Can you write about twenty kanji?"
The basic form of the action comes before the ability pattern. Here the action is writing kanji.
Using chopsticks is not possible
*いいえ、 はしを つかうことは できません* means "No, I cannot use chopsticks."
- 71
あなたはかんじをにじゅうぐらいかくことができますか。
Can you write about twenty kanji?
あなたyouはtopicかん字kanjiをobject二十twentyぐらいaboutかくwriteことdoing soがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 72
はい、にじゅうぐらいかくことができます。
Yes, I can write about twenty.
はい、yes二十twentyぐらいaboutかくwriteことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 73
あなたははしをつかうことができますか。
Can you use chopsticks?
あなたyouはtopicはしchopsticksをobjectつかうuseことdoing soがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question - 74
いいえ、はしをつかうことはできません。
No, I cannot use chopsticks.
いいえ、noはしchopsticksをobjectつかうuseことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 75
たします
to add
たしaddますpolite - 76
ならいます
to learn
ならいlearnますpolite - 77
つかいます
to use
つかいuseますpolite - 78
おしえます
to teach
おしえteachますpolite
- 二十
- 20
Everyday action verbs · Pattern 1 3 of 3
Everyday actions
*見ます* means "to see," *たべます* means "to eat," and *ききます* means "to listen."
*もちます* means "carry," *はなします* means "speak," and *かきます* means "write."
Explaining why things cannot happen · Pattern 2 1 of 2
A reason for inability
*あんまり たくさん ありますから、 かぞえる ことは できません* means "I can't count because there are too many."
The reason ends in *から*. The negative ability pattern states the result.
A reason for another action
*私が 行きますから、 あなたは ここに 居なさい* means "I will go, so you stay here."
The clause before *から* gives the reason for the action in the next clause.
- 85
あんまりたくさんありますから、かぞえることはできません。
I can't count because there are too many.
あんまりtooたくさんmanyありbe thereますpoliteから、becauseかぞえるcountことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 86
かんじがむずかしいから、よむことはできません。
I can't read it because KANJI are too difficult.
かん字kanjiがsubjectむずかしいtoo difficultから、because読むreadことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 87
そのかんじをならいませんでしたから、かくことはできません。
I did not learn that kanji, so I cannot write it.
そのthatかん字kanjiをobjectならいlearnませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpast, politeたpast, politeから、soかくwriteことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 88
このこどもはみっつですから、まだじをかくことはできません。
This child is three years old, so he cannot write yet.
このthis子どもchildはtopic三three years oldつthree years oldですisから、soまだyet字charactersをobjectかくwriteことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 89
わたくしがいきますから、あなたはここにいなさい。
I will go, so you stay here.
私Iがsubject行きgoますpoliteから、soあなたyouはtopicここhereにat居stayなさい。please - 90
このほんはあんまりむずかしいから、わかりません。
This book is too difficult, so I do not understand it.
このthis本bookはtopicあんまりtooむずかしいdifficultから、soわかりunderstandませnot, politeん。not, polite
- 子ども
- child, children
Asking and giving reasons · Pattern 2 2 of 2
A question and its reason
*なぜ じどうしゃで がっこうへ 行きますか* means "Why do you go to school by car?" *なぜ* asks for a reason.
*がっこうが 遠いから、 じどうしゃで 行きます* means "The school is far away, so I go by car." *から* marks the reason.
- 91
なぜじどうしゃでがっこうへいきますか。
Why do you go to school by car?
なぜwhyじどうcarしゃcarでbyがっこうschoolへtoward行きgoますpoliteか。question - 92
がっこうがとおいから、じどうしゃでいきます。
The school is far away, so I go by car.
がっこうschoolがsubject遠いfar awayから、soじどうcarしゃcarでby行きgoます。polite - 93
なぜそのほんをかいませんか。
Why do you not buy that book?
なぜwhyそのthat本bookをobject買いbuyませnot, politeんnot, politeか。question - 94
あまりたかいから、かいません。
It is too expensive, so I will not buy it.
あまりtooたかいexpensiveから、so買いbuyませnot, politeん。not, polite - 95
なぜこのさかなをたべませんか。
Why do you not eat this fish?
なぜwhyこのthisさかなfishをobjectたべeatませnot, politeんnot, politeか。question - 96
においがわるいから、たべません。
It smells bad, so I will not eat it.
においsmellがsubjectわるいbadから、soたべeatませnot, politeん。not, polite
- 遠い
- far
- におい
- smell, scent
- わるい
- bad
Someone and something in statements · Pattern 3 1 of 2
An unspecified person
*だれか 私の本を とりました* means "Somebody took my book." *だれか* names a person without identifying that person.
In *だれか ドイツ語が できますか*, the same form asks whether anyone can speak German.
An unspecified thing
*つくえの 上に 何か ありますね* means "There is something on the desk, isn't there?"
*何か* refers to a thing without identifying it.
Kanji: 上
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 97
だれかわたくしのほんをとりました。
Somebody took my book.
だれsomebodyかsomebody私Iの's本bookをobjectとりtakeましdid, politeた。did, polite - 98
このかみににほんごでなにかおかきなさい。
Please write something on this paper in Japanese.
このthisかみpaperにon日本Japanese語Japaneseでin何somethingかsomethingおpleaseかきwriteなさい。please - 99
だれかドイツごができますか。
Can anyone speak German?
だれanyoneかanyoneドイツGerman語Germanがsubjectできspeakますpoliteか。question - 100
きょうしつにだれかいますか。
Is anyone in the classroom?
きょうしつclassroomにinだれanyoneかanyone居be thereますpoliteか。question - 101
だれかにほんへいきましたか。
Did anyone go to Japan?
だれanyoneかanyone日本Japanへtoward行きgoましdid, politeたdid, politeか。question - 102
つくえのうえになにかありますね。
There is something on the desk, isn’t there?
つくえdeskの's上topにon何somethingかsomethingありbe thereますpoliteね。right? - 103
あなたはそのかみになにかかきましたね。
You wrote something on that paper, didn’t you?
あなたyouはtopicそのthatかみpaperにon何somethingかsomethingかきwriteましdid, politeたdid, politeね。right?
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
Asking about people and objects · Pattern 3 2 of 2
From anyone to one person
*だれか スミスさんのところへ 行きましたか* means "Did anyone go to Mr. Smith's place?"
*はい、 パーカーさんが 行きました* identifies Mr. Parker as the person who went.
From anything to one object
*そのはこの 中に 何か ありますか* means "Is there anything in that box?"
*はい、 このはこの 中に とけいが あります* identifies a watch as the object in the box.
- 104
だれかスミスさんのところへいきましたか。
Did anyone go to Mr. Smith’s place?
だれanyoneかanyoneスミスSmithさんMr.の'sところplaceへtoward行きgoましdid, politeたdid, politeか。question - 105
はい、パーカーさんがいきました。
Yes, Mr. Parker went.
はい、yesパーカーParkerさんMr.がsubject行きgoましdid, politeた。did, polite - 106
そのはこのなかになにかありますか。
Is there anything in that box?
そのthatはboxこのbox中insideにin何anythingかanythingありbe thereますpoliteか。question - 107
はい、このはこのなかにとけいがあります。
Yes, there is a watch in this box.
はい、yesこのthisはboxこのbox中insideにinとけいwatchがsubjectありbe thereます。polite - 108
だれかそのとけいをみましたか。
Did anyone see that watch?
だれsomeoneかsomeoneそのthatとけいwatchをobject見seeましpoliteたpastか。question - 109
はい、ジョンズさんがみました。
Yes, Mr. Jones saw it.
はい、yesジョンズJonesさんMr.がsubject見seeましpoliteた。past
- ところ
- place (See Gram. Notes)
Negative statements about anyone and anything · Pattern 4 1 of 2
No person acts
*そこには だれも 居ません* means "There is nobody there." The negative predicate completes the meaning of *だれも*.
*だれも それを たべませんでした* means "No one ate it."
No thing is involved
*何も たべることは できません* means "I cannot eat anything." *何も* works with the negative ability pattern.
The *だれか* and *何か* questions ask about an unspecified person or thing. Negative answers use *だれも* or *何も*.
- 110
そこにはだれもいません。
There is nobody there.
そこthereにatはtopicだれanyoneもalso居be presentませnot, politeん。not, polite - 111
そこにはなにもありません。
There is nothing there.
そこthereにatはtopic何anythingもalsoありexistませnot, politeん。not, polite - 112
だれもそれをたべませんでした。
No one ate it.
だれanyoneもalsoそれitをobjectたべeatませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 113
だれもわたくしたちにそれをおしえませんでした。
No one taught it to us.
だれanyoneもalso私weたちweにtoそれitをobjectおしえteachませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 114
なにもたべることはできません。
I cannot eat anything.
何anythingもalsoたべるeatことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 115
こどもはなにもわかりません。
The child does not understand anything.
子どもchildはtopic何anythingもalsoわかりunderstandませnot, politeん。not, polite - 116
だれもそのおとをききませんでした。
No one heard that sound.
だれanyoneもalsoそのthatおとsoundをobjectききhearませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 117
わたくしのうしろにだれかいますか。
Is anyone behind me?
私meの'sうしろbehindにatだれanyoneかanyone居be presentますpoliteか。question - 118
いいえ、あなたのうしろにだれもいません。
No, no one is behind you.
いいえ、noあなたyouの'sうしろbehindにatだれanyoneもalso居be presentませnot, politeん。not, polite - 119
あなたのつくえのそばになにかありますか。
Is there anything beside your desk?
あなたyouの'sつくえdeskのofそばbesideにat何anythingかanythingありexistますpoliteか。question
- そこ
- there
- おと
- sound
Saying nobody or nothing is there · Pattern 4 2 of 2
Nothing is there
*いいえ、 何も ありません* means "No, there is nothing." The negative predicate *ありません* completes *何も*.
Nobody is there
*私の みぎに だれも 居ません* means "No one is to my right." The negative predicate *居ません* completes *だれも*.
Other negative verbs can complete the same pattern for actions such as eating, hearing, coming, and knowing.
- 120
いいえ、なにもありません。
No, there is nothing.
いいえ、no何anythingもalsoありexistませnot, politeん。not, polite - 121
あなたのみぎにだれがいますか。
Who is to your right?
あなたyouの'sみぎrightにatだれwhoがsubject居be presentますpoliteか。question - 122
わたくしのみぎにだれもいません。
No one is to my right.
私meの'sみぎrightにatだれanyoneもalso居be presentませnot, politeん。not, polite - 123
このきょうしつには、
In this classroom,
このthisきょうしつclassroomにinは、topic - 124
たべませんでした。
did not eat.
たべeatませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 125
ききませんでした。
did not hear.
ききhearませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 126
じどうしゃのなかには、
Inside the car,
じどうcarしゃcarのof中insideにinは、topic - 127
きませんでした。
did not come.
来comeませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 128
わたくしのひだりには、
To my left,
私meの'sひだりleftにatは、topic - 129
しりません。
do not know.
しりknowませnot, politeん。not, polite
- みぎ
- right
- ひだり
- left
Driving to school and buying dictionaries · Reading Selection 1 of 2
Cars at the school
The passage describes a school with about fifty cars in front of its building.
*せいとたちは 遠いところから 来ますから、 たいてい じどうしゃで 来ます* means "The students come from far away, so they usually come by car." *から* marks the reason.
Two dictionaries
The narrator goes from the school to a bookshop and buys two kinds of dictionary.
In *一さつずつ*, the counter *さつ* counts one dictionary of each kind.
- 130
ここはがっこうです。
This is a school.
ここhereはtopicがっこうschoolです。is - 131
がっこうのたてもののまえに、じどうしゃがごじゅうだいぐらいあります。
There are about fifty cars in front of the school building.
がっこうschoolのofたてものbuildingのof前frontに、inじどうcarしゃcarがsubject五十fiftyだcar counterいcar counterぐらいaboutありexistます。polite - 132
せいとたちはとおいところからきますから、たいていじどうしゃできます。
The students come from far away, so they usually come by car.
せいstudentとstudentたちstudentsはtopic遠いfarところplaceからfrom来comeますpoliteから、soたいていusuallyじどうcarしゃcarでby来comeます。polite - 133
わたくしはがっこうからまちのほんやへいきました。
I went from the school to a bookstore in town.
私Iはtopicがっこうschoolからfrom町townのof本屋bookstoreへtoward行きgoましpoliteた。past - 134
そこでふるいわえいじてんとえいわじてんをいっさつずつかいました。
There I bought one old Japanese-English dictionary and one English-Japanese dictionary.
そこthereでat古いoldわJapanese-English dictionaryえJapanese-English dictionaryいJapanese-English dictionary字Japanese-English dictionaryてんJapanese-English dictionaryとandえEnglish-Japanese dictionaryいわEnglish-Japanese dictionary字English-Japanese dictionaryてんEnglish-Japanese dictionaryをobject一oneさつbook counterずつeach買いbuyましpoliteた。past
- に、
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- 五十
- 50
- たいてい
- usually
- ずつ
- each (See Gram. Notes)
Buying pencils and difficult dictionaries · Reading Selection 2 of 2
Pencils available to use
The narrator buys no pencils. About three are always in the teacher's desk.
*三本ぐらい ありますから* gives the reason for *それを つかうことが できます*, "I can use them."
Dictionaries nobody can use
*この 字しょには かん字が たくさん ありますから、 まだ だれも つかうことは できません* means "There are many kanji in these dictionaries, so no one can use them yet."
The negative *ことは できません* completes *だれも*. The passage then says the dictionaries were bought because they were inexpensive.
- 135
えんぴつはいっぽんもかいませんでした。
I did not buy even one pencil.
えんぴつpencilはtopic一one本long-object counterもalso買いbuyませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteた。past - 136
えんぴつはせんせいのつくえのなかにいつもさんぼんぐらいありますから、それをつかうことができます。
There are always about three pencils in the teacher’s desk, so I can use them.
えんぴつpencilはtopicせんせいteacherの'sつくえdeskのof中insideにinいつalwaysもalways三three本long-object counterぐらいaboutありexistますpoliteから、soそれthemをobjectつかうuseことdoing soがsubjectできcanます。polite - 137
このじしょにはかんじがたくさんありますから、まだだれもつかうことはできません。
There are many kanji in these dictionaries, so no one can use them yet.
このthese字dictionaryしょdictionaryにinはtopicかん字kanjiがsubjectたくさんmanyありexistますpoliteから、soまだyetだれanyoneもalsoつかうuseことdoing soはtopicできcanませnot, politeん。not, polite - 138
でも、やすいから、かいました。
But I bought them because they were inexpensive.
でbutも、butやすいinexpensiveから、because買いbuyましpoliteた。past - 139
わたくしはほんやへいくと、いつもなにかかいます。
Whenever I go to a bookstore, I always buy something.
私Iはtopic本屋bookstoreへtoward行くgoと、wheneverいつalwaysもalways何somethingかsomething買いbuyます。polite
- やすい
- cheap
- と、
- and (See Gram. Notes)
Asking about cars and books · Questions 1 of 2
Cars, travel, and books
The questions ask where the cars and bookshop are, how many cars there are, and how many dictionaries the narrator bought.
*なぜ せいとたちは じどうしゃで がっこうへ 来ますか* means "Why do the students come to school by car?" An answer gives the reason with *から*.
- 140
じどうしゃはどこにありますか。
Where are the cars?
じどうcarしゃcarはtopicどこwhereにatありexistますpoliteか。question - 141
なんだいぐらいありますか。
About how many cars are there?
何how many carsだhow many carsいhow many carsぐらいaboutありexistますpoliteか。question - 142
なぜせいとたちはじどうしゃでがっこうへきますか。
Why do the students come to school by car?
なぜwhyせいstudentとstudentたちstudentsはtopicじどうcarしゃcarでbyがっこうschoolへtoward来comeますpoliteか。question - 143
わたくしはがっこうからどこへいきましたか。
Where did I go from the school?
私Iはtopicがっこうschoolからfromどこwhereへtoward行きgoましpoliteたpastか。question - 144
ほんやはどこにありますか。
Where is the bookstore?
本屋bookstoreはtopicどこwhereにatありexistますpoliteか。question - 145
じしょをなんさつかいましたか。
How many dictionaries did I buy?
字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobject何how many booksさつbook counter買いbuyましpoliteたpastか。question
Asking why purchases were made · Questions 2 of 2
Purchases and ability
The questions ask whether pencils and a new dictionary were bought, then ask for the reasons.
*なぜ えんぴつを 買いませんでしたか* means "Why did I not buy pencils?" An answer supplies the reason.
The final answer states whether all students can use dictionaries with *ことが できます* or its negative.
- 146
えんぴつもかいましたか。
Did I buy pencils too?
えんぴつpencilもtoo買いbuyましpoliteたpastか。question - 147
なぜえんぴつをかいませんでしたか。
Why did I not buy pencils?
なぜwhyえんぴつpencilをobject買いbuyませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpoliteたpastか。question - 148
あたらしいじしょをかいましたか。
Did you buy a new dictionary?
あたらしいnew字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobject買いbuyましpoliteたpastか。question - 149
なぜそのじしょをかいましたか。
Why did you buy that dictionary?
なぜwhyそのthat字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobject買いbuyましpoliteたpastか。question - 150
せいとたちはみんなじしょをつかうことができますか。
Can all the students use dictionaries?
せいstudentとstudentたちstudentsはtopicみんなall字dictionaryしょdictionaryをobjectつかうuseことdoing soがsubjectできcanますpoliteか。question
- みんな
- all
Words for books and shops · Word list 1 of 3
Books, shops, and counters
The words cover books, shops, money, buildings, and counters.
Three counters separate object types. *さつ* counts books, *本* counts long slender objects, and *だい* counts vehicles and machinery.
- 151
まち
town
町town - 152
ふるほん
secondhand book, used book
古本used book - 153
ほんや
bookshop
本屋bookstore - 154
ふるほんや
secondhand (used) bookshop
古本屋used bookstore - 155
たてもの
building
たてものbuilding - 156
さつ
numerical counter for counting books (See Grammar Notes)
さつbook counter - 157
なんさつ
how many (volumes)?
何さつhow many books - 158
ほん
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
本long-object counter - 159
なんぼん
how many (long objects)?
何本how many long objects? - 160
ドル
dollar
ドルdollar - 161
えん
yen (unit of money)
円yen - 162
だい
counter for counting vehicles and machineries (See Notes)
だいvehicle counter
- 古本屋
- secondhand (used) bookshop
- 何さつ
- how many (volumes)?
- 何本
- how many (long objects)?
- ドル
- dollar
- だい
- counter for counting vehicles and machineries (See Notes)
Words for buying and giving · Word list 2 of 3
Buying, paying, and giving
The words cover buying, paying, giving, prices, descriptions, and frequency.
*ください* means "please give me." The speaker receives the object. *あげます* means "I'll give you or him."
*いくら* asks how much.
- 163
なんだい
how many(vehicles, machineries)?
何だいhow many vehicles? - 164
はらう
to pay
はらうpay - 165
はらいます
I'll pay.
はらいますwill pay - 166
かう
to buy
買うbuy - 167
かいます
I'll buy.
買いますwill buy - 168
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
くださいplease give me - 169
あげます
I'll give you or him (See Gram. Notes)
あげますwill give - 170
ふるい
old, antique
古いold - 171
あたらしい
new
あたらしいnew - 172
いくら
how much? how many?
いくらhow much? - 173
ときどき
sometimes, occasionally
ときどきsometimes - 174
なぜ
why?
なぜwhy?
- 何だい
- how many(vehicles, machineries)?
- はらう
- to pay
- はらいます
- I'll pay.
- 買います
- I'll buy.
- ください
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
- あげます
- I'll give you or him (See Gram. Notes)
Ability, reasons, and indefinite pronouns · Word list 3 of 3
Ability, reasons, and indefinites
The words cover ability, reasons, and indefinite people or things.
*ことが できます* means "can," and *から* means "because."
*いいえ、 何も ありません* means "No, there is nothing."
- 175
いつも
always, at all times
いつもalways - 176
から
because (See Gram. Notes)
からbecause - 177
だれか
somebody, someone
だれかsomeone - 178
なにか
something (See Gram. Notes)
何かsomething - 179
だれも---せん
nobody (See Gram. Notes)
だれも---せんnobody - 180
なにも---せん
nothing (See Gram. Notes)
何も---せんnothing - 181
ことができます
can, is able to (See Gram. Notes)
ことができますcan - 182
けれども
however
けれどもhowever - 183
いくらはらいましたか。
How much did you pay?
いくらはらいましたか。how much paid? - 184
なにかありますか。
Is there something?
何かありますか。is there something? - 185
いいえ、なにもありません。
No, there is nothing.
いいえ、何もありません。no, there is nothing
- いつも
- always, at all times
- だれか
- somebody, someone
- 何か
- something (See Gram. Notes)
- だれも---せん
- nobody (See Gram. Notes)
- 何も---せん
- nothing (See Gram. Notes)
- ことができます
- can, is able to (See Gram. Notes)
- けれども
- however
- いくらはらいましたか。
- "How much did you pay?"
- 何かありますか。
- "Is there something?"
- いいえ、何もありません。
- "No, there is nothing."
The particulars
- The course
- Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
- Reading aloud
- Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
- The book
- Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
- Data
- JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents