Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 24

Lesson 24

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

427 lines

Asking the day of week · Dialogue 1 of 4

The seven days

One speaker asks *今日は 何曜日ですか*, "What day of the week is it today?" Another offers to recite the weekday names.

Each weekday has a long and short name. *NICHIYOOBI* or *NICHIYOO* is "Sunday." *GETSUYOOBI* or *GETSUYOO* is "Monday."

Days near today

The question begins with *今日*, "today." *昨日* means "yesterday," and *明日* means "tomorrow."

The speaker says *私は まだ 一しゅう間の 日の なまえを 知りません*, "I don't know the names of the days of the week yet." *まだ* says "yet" here.

Kanji: 曜

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 日, 今

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 1

    きょうはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is it today?

    今日today
    はtopic
    何曜what day
    日what day
    ですis
    か。question
  2. 2

    わたくしはまだいっしゅうかんのひのなまえをしりません。

    I don’t know the names of the days of the week yet.

  3. 3

    そうですか。だれかしっていますか。

    Is that right? Does anyone know them?

  4. 4

    わたくしがしっています。

    I know them.

  5. 5

    では、いってごらんなさい。

    Then, try saying them.

NAI, informal form of ARIMASEN ’is not’

An informal or abrupt form of ARIMASEN, ’is not,’ is NAI, e.g.,

Formal | Informal
ISU GA ARIMASEN. | ISU GA NAI.
"There is no chair." | 
NIPPONGO WA MUZUKASHIKU (WA) ARIMASEN. | NIPPONGO WA MUZUKASHIKU (WA) NAI.
"Japanese is not difficult" | 
KORE WA JIBIKI DEWA ARIMASEN. | KORE WA JIBIKI DEWA NAI
"This is not a dictionary." |
-NAI, informal form of -MASEN

For every polite or formal negative verb form ending in -MASEN, there is an informal or abrupt equivalent ending in -NAI. The two words mean exactly the same thing except for the difference in the formality level and the verb endings to which they are attached.

As was described under "1" above, the informal negative form of ARIMASU is NAI. The informal negative form of every other verb is formed by adding -NAI to its negative endings.

Consonant verbs

Basic Ending | Negative Ending | Examples: Non-past informal affirmative | Examples: Non-past informal negative
- KU | - KA - | KAKU | KAKANAI
- SU | - SA - | HANASU | HANASANAI
- TSU | - TA - | TATSU | TATANAI
- RU* | - RA - | TORU | TORANAI
- U | - WA - | NARAU | NARAWANAI
- BU | - BA - | TOBU | TOBANAI
- MU | - MA - | YOMU | YOMANAI
- NU | - NU - | SHINU | SHINANAI
- GU | - GA - | KAGU | KAGANAI

* The informal negative form of ARU is NAI.

Vowel verbs

Basic Ending | Negative Ending | Examples: Non-past informal affirmative | Examples: Non-past informal negative
-ERU | - E - | TABERU | TABENAI
-IRU | - I - | MIRU | MINAI

Irregular verbs

Non-past informal affirmative | Negative ending | Non-past informal negative
KURU | KO - | KONAI
SURU | SHI - | SHINAI

NAI, the informal negative equivalent of ARU, and -NAI, the suffix added to the negative ending of every other verb, have the same inflection as I-adjectives and occur generally in the same position, e.g.,

| 
DEKINAI. "I can't do it." (informal equivalent of DEKIMASEN.) | NAGAI. "It's long." (Informal equivalent of NAGAI DESU.)

| 
DEKINAI DESU. "I can't do it." (Formal, same level as DEKIMASEN but less polite.) | NAGAI DESU. "It's long." (Formal)
DEKINAI KARA -- "Because I can't do it ---." (informal equivalent of DEKIMASEN KARA.) | NAGAI KARA -- "Because it's long ---." (informal equivalent of NAGAI DESU KARA.)
DEKINAKU NARIMASHITA. "I've become unable to do it." | NAGAKU NARIMASHITA. "It's become long."
Subject of an adjectival clause

In Lesson 23 the construction of a complex sentence in which an adjectival clause occurs without its subject was introduced. In this lesson a construction of a complex sentence in which the subject of its adjectival clause occurs is introduced, e.g.,

WATAKUSHI GA YONDE IRU HON WA TAIHEN II DESU.

or

WATAKUSHI NO YONDE IRU HON WA TAIHEN II DESU. "The book I am reading is very good."

Note that the subject of a sentence occurring as an adjectival clause to modify a substantive (noun or pronoun) is always followed by GA or NO, without any significant difference in meaning. WA never occurs following the subject of an adjectival clause, and NO never appears after the subject of an independent sentence.

Note also that an adjectival clause is usually in the abrupt or informal style (and not in any form of -MASU or DESU).

Examples:

Word to be Modified | Adjectival Clause | Adjectival Clause plus the Word Modified
MONO / ’thing’ | WATAKUSHI GA TABETE IRU / "I am eating." | WATAKUSHI GA TABETE IRU MONO or / WATAKUSHI NO TABETE IRU MONO. / "The thing I am eating."
TOKORO / ’place’ | ANATA GA HATARAITE IRU. / "You are working." | ANATA GA HATARAITE IRU TOKORO or / ANATA NO HATARAITE IRU TOKORO / "The place where you are working."
HI | SEITO GA GAKKOO NI KURU. | SEITO GA GAKKOO NI KURU HI or / SEITO NO GAKKOO NI KURU HI

Word to be Modified | Adjectival Clause | Adjectival Clause plus the Word Modified
’days, dates’ | "Students come to school." | "The days when students come to school."
ISU / ’chair’ | SENSEI GA KOSHIKAKETE IRU / "The teacher is sitting." | SENSEI GA KOSHIKAKETE IRU ISU or / SENSEI NO KOSHIKAKETE IRU ISU / "The chair on which the teacher is sitting."
NO / ’one, ones’ / used in place / of any specific / noun , such as: / MONO ’thing,’ / HITO ’person,’ / TOKI ’time,’ / TOKORO ’place,’ / etc. | MINASAN GA YONDE IRU. / "You are reading." | MINASAN GA YONDE IRU NO or / MINASAN NO YONDE IRU NO / "The thing you are reading" or "That which you are reading."
HITO / ’person’ | TE GA NAGAI / "Arms are long." | TE GA NAGAI HITO or / TE NO NAGAI HITO / "The person whose arms are long."

| | 
SEITO / ’student’ | HON GA NAI. / "There is no book." / "One doesn't have the book." | HON GA NAI SEITO or / HON NO NAI SEITO / "The student who doesn't have the book."

The construction of an adjectival clause which ends in the abrupt or informal past and that of an adjectival clause in which a NA-adjective occurs will be dealt with later in the course.
Adverbial use of TE-ending

When a verb, whether by itself or at the end of a phrase, modifies another verb, it occurs in its TE-ending. Thus, when KOSHIKAKEMASU, "I sit down," describes YASUNDE IMASU, "I am resting," the Japanese say KOSHIKAKETE YASUNDE IMASU, "I am resting by sitting down," of which KOSHIKAKETE tells how I am resting or in what condition I am resting. The action of the TE-ending may precede or occur at the same time as that of the verb it modifies.

Examples:

ITSUMO TATTE OSHIEMASU. "I teach always by standing."

ARUITE KIMASHITA. "I walked."

(Lit. I came by walking.)

KAITE OBOEMASU. "I memorize by writing."

MADO O AKETE YASUMIMASU. "I go to bed with the windows open."

HON O MOTTE KIMASHITA. "I brought the book."

or

"I came with the book."

(Lit. I came by holding the book.)

JIBIKI O MOTTE IKIMASHITA. "I took the dictionary."

or

"I went with the dictionary."

(Lit. I went by holding the dictionary.)
DESHITA

DESHITA is the past tense of DESU.

Examples:

Non-past | Past
WATAKUSHI WA SENSEI DESU. | WATAKUSHI WA SENSEI DESHITA.
"I am a teacher." | "I was a teacher."
OOKII DESU. | OOKII DESHITA.
"It's big." | "It was big."

| 
SOO DESU. | SOO DESHITA.
"It's that way." | "It was that way."

DESHITA added to formal non-past negative forms of verbs ending with -MASEN to produce formal past negative forms has already been introduced.

Examples:

Non past | Past
MADO O AKEMASEN. | MADO O AKEMASEN DESHITA.
" I don't open the window." | "I didn't open the window."
WAKARIMASEN. | WAKARIMASEN DESHITA.
"I don't understand." | "I didn't understand."
NANNI MO ARIMASEN. | NANNI MO ARIMASEN DESHITA.
"There is nothing." | "There was nothing."
SOO JA ARIMASEN. | SOO JA ARIMASEN DESHITA.
"It isn't that way." | "It wasn't that way."
OOKIKU WA ARIMASEN. | OOKIKU WA ARIMASEN DESHITA.
"It isn't big." | "It wasn't big."
MOO ’already’ and MADA ’yet’

MOO plus an affirmative means ’already.’

MADA occurs in the IIE answer to a MOO question, and MOO occurs in the IIE answer to a MADA question.

Examples:

MOO TABEMASHITA KA? "Have you eaten (lunch) already?"

HAI, MOO TABEMASHITA. "Yes, I've eaten already."

IIE, MADA TABEMASEN. "No, I haven't eaten yet."

MADA TABEMASEN KA. "Haven't you eaten yet?"

HAI, MADA TABEMASEN. "No, I haven't eaten yet."

IIE, MOO TABEMASHITA. "Yes, I've eaten already."

MADA DESU means ’it is yet to happen’ or ’it hasn’t happened yet’ or ’not yet,’ e.g.,

MOO ISSHUUKAN NO HI NO NAMAE O IU KOTO GA DEKIMASU KA? "Can you say the names of the days of the week already?"

IIE, MADA DESU. "No, not yet."

Do not confuse this MOO ’already’ with MOO ’more’ occurring in front of numerals and quantity words.

MOO FUTARI two more persons

MOO SUKOSHI a little more
-BAN and -ME

In Japanese there are two classes of words that correspond to English number words: numerals and numbers. A number is a compound word consisting of a numeral (like ICHI, NI, SAN) and a numerical classifier (like -MAI, -SATSU, -NIN). The Japanese use simple numerals when they are not counting anything in particular; they use numbers when they are counting something more definite like a certain number of sheets of paper, books, or people.

Examples:

ICHI-MAI NO KAMI 1 sheet of paper

NI-SATSU NO HON two books

SAN-NIN NO SEITO three students

The word BAN means ’turn’ as in WATAKUSHI NO BAN ’my turn.’ It is also used as a numerical classifier to change a numeral to its corresponding cardinal number like:

ICHI-BAN number 1

NI-BAN number 2

SAN-BAN number 3

The addition of the suffix -ME to a number changes a cardinal number to its corresponding ordinal.

Cardinal Numbers | Ordinal Numbers
NI-BAN ’number 2’ | NI-BAN-ME ’second in a series’
SAN-BAN ’number 3’ | SAN-BAN-ME ’third in a series’
YO-BAN ’number 4’ | YO-BAN-ME ’fourth in a series’
GO-BAN ’number 5’ | GO-BAN-ME ’fifth in a series’
FUTA-TSU ’2 things’ | FUTA-TSU-ME ’the second thing’
NI-JIKAN ’2 hours’ | NI-JIKAN-ME ’the 2nd hour’
SAN-NIN ’3 people’ | SAN-NIN-ME or SAN-BAN-ME NO HITO ’the 3rd person’

Generally, -ME is suffixed to numbers above number 1. The words SAISHO and SAIGO are used to mean ’first’ and ’last,’ respectively.
Days of the week

NICHIYOOBI or NICHIYOO Sunday

GETSUYOOBI or GETSUYOO Monday

KAYOOBI or KAYOO Tuesday

SUIYOOBI or SUIYOO Wednesday

MOKUYOOBI or MOKUYOO Thursday

KIN-YOOBI or KIN-YOO Friday

DOYOOBI or DOYOO Saturday
Time words

SAKIOTOTOI two days before yesterday

OTOTOI or ISSAKUJITSU the day before yesterday

KINOO or SAKUJITSU yesterday

KYOO or KONNICHI today

ASHITA or MYOONICHI or ASU tomorrow

ASATTE or MYOOGONICHI the day after tomorrow

SHIASATTE two days after tomorrow
今日
today
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
まだ
yet, still
一
one
しゅう
state
の
See Grammar Notes
なまえ
name
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
だれ
who?
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)

School days and weekends · Dialogue 2 of 4

First through last

The speaker recites the week from Sunday through Saturday. *さいしょの日* is "the first day," and *さい後の日* is "the last day."

*二番目の 日* is "the second day." *ME* after a number makes its place in a series.

School days and days off

*私たちの がっこうに 来る日は 月曜 から 金曜 まで です* says school days run from Monday through Friday.

In *みなさんが がっこうに 来る日*, *が* marks the subject inside the clause that describes *日*.

*がっこうに 来ない日* means "the days that you don't come to school." *来ない* is the informal negative in this clause.

Kanji: 月, 火, 水, 金

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 土, 木

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 6

    はい、さいしょのひはにちようびです。にばんめのひはげつようび、さんばんめのひはかようび、よんばんめのひはすいようび、ごばんめのひはもくようび、ろくばんめのひはきんようび、そしてさいごのひはどようびです。

    Yes, the first day is Sunday. The second day is Monday, the third day is Tuesday, the fourth day is Wednesday, the fifth day is Thursday, the sixth day is Friday, and the last day is Saturday.

  2. 7

    よくできました。みなさんががっこうにくるひはなんようびですか。

    You did well. What days of the week are the days that you come to school?

  3. 8

    わたくしたちのがっこうにくるひはげつようからきんようまでです。

    The days that we come to school are from Monday through Friday.

  4. 9

    では、がっこうにこないひはどようびとにちようびですね。

    Then, the days that you don’t come to school are Saturday and Sunday, aren’t they?

  5. 10

    はい、そうです。

    Yes, that’s right.

さいしょ
first
二
two
三
three
四
four
五
five
六
six
さい後
last
よく
well, skillfully
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)

Today, tomorrow and yesterday · Dialogue 3 of 4

Three days and their weekdays

*今日は 水曜日です* means "Today is Wednesday." *明日は 木曜日です* means "Tomorrow is Thursday."

Yesterday takes a past ending. *昨日は 何曜日でしたか* means "What day of the week was yesterday?"

Kanji: 明, 昨

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 11

    きょうはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is today?

  2. 12

    きょうはすいようびです。

    Today is Wednesday.

  3. 13

    あしたはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is tomorrow?

  4. 14

    あしたはもくようびです。

    Tomorrow is Thursday.

  5. 15

    きのうはなんようびでしたか。

    What day of the week was yesterday?

明日
tomorrow
昨日
yesterday

Memorising weekdays at home · Dialogue 4 of 4

Writing as the method

The teacher says *一しゅう間の 日の なまえを かみに 書いて おぼえなさい*, "memorize the names of the days of the week by writing them on paper."

In *書いて おぼえなさい*, the first action tells how the memorizing happens.

Bringing the paper

*その かみを 明日 がっこうへ もって 来て ください* means "bring that paper to school tomorrow."

The linked forms express holding the paper and coming with it.

  1. 16

    きのうはかようびでした。

    Yesterday was Tuesday.

  2. 17

    きょううちへかえってから、いっしゅうかんのひのなまえをかみにかいておぼえなさい。

    After you go home today, memorize the names of the days of the week by writing them on paper.

  3. 18

    はい、そうしておぼえます。

    Yes, I will memorize them that way.

  4. 19

    そして、そのかみをあしたがっこうへもってきてください。

    And bring that paper to school tomorrow.

  5. 20

    はい、そうします。

    Yes, I’ll do that.

うち
home, house
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)

Informal negative descriptions · Perception drill, Block 1

There is not

*つくえの上に 何も ない* means "There is nothing on the desk." *ない* is the informal form of *ARIMASEN*, "is not."

The same form completes other negative predicates. *これは ぼうしでは ない* means "This is not a hat."

A negative adjective predicate

*日本語は やさしくは ない* means "Japanese is not easy." The I-adjective changes from *やさしい* to *やさしく* before *ない*.

  1. 21

    つくえのうえになにがありますか。

    What is on the desk?

  2. 22

    つくえのうえになにもない。

    There is nothing on the desk.

  3. 23

    あかいえんぴつがありますか。

    Is there a red pencil?

  4. 24

    あかいえんぴつはない。

    There is no red pencil.

  5. 25

    にほんごはやさしいですか。

    Is Japanese easy?

  6. 26

    にほんごはやさしくはない。

    Japanese is not easy.

  7. 27

    それはぼうしですか。

    Is that a hat?

  8. 28

    これはぼうしではない。

    This is not a hat.

あかい
red
やさしい
easy

Describing what people do · Perception drill, Block 2

A subject inside the clause

*あなた が 読んでいるのは 何ですか* means "What are you reading?" *あなた* is the subject inside *読んでいる*, and it takes *が*.

A subject in an adjectival clause takes *が* or *の*, with no significant difference in meaning. *私の 読んでいるの* means "what I am reading."

The clause before its noun

*あの人の かぶっている ぼうし* means "the hat that person is wearing." The clause comes before *ぼうし*.

The verb that ends such a clause is usually informal.

  1. 29

    あなたがよんでいるのはなんですか。

    What are you reading?

  2. 30

    わたくしのよんでいるのはにほんごのざっしです。

    What I am reading is a Japanese magazine.

  3. 31

    あのひとのかぶっているぼうしはどんないろですか。

    What color is the hat that person is wearing?

  4. 32

    あのひとのかぶっているぼうしはちゃいろです。

    The hat that person is wearing is brown.

  5. 33

    あのひとがはなしているのはなにごですか。

    What language is that person speaking?

  6. 34

    あのひとのはなしているのはフランスごです。

    The language that person is speaking is French.

  7. 35

    おくさんのはたらいているところはどこですか。

    Where does your wife work?

  8. 36

    かないのはたらいているところはメイシーです。

    My wife works at Macy’s.

人
people
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
いろ
color
ちゃいろ
brown
何語
what language
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
かない
wife (self)

People who skip things · Perception drill, Block 3

Informal negative verbs

*日本語を はなさない人* means "a person who does not speak Japanese." A polite negative ending in *MASEN* has an informal equivalent ending in *NAI*.

For a consonant verb, the final syllable changes to its A syllable before *NAI*. Thus *HANASU* becomes *HANASANAI*.

The negative clause before a person

*朝めしを たべない人* means "people who do not eat breakfast." For a vowel verb, *RU* drops before *NAI*.

The informal negative clause comes before *人*, the noun it describes.

  1. 37

    このきょうしつににほんごをはなさないひとがいますか。

    Is there anyone in this classroom who does not speak Japanese?

  2. 38

    いいえ、ひとりもいません。

    No, there is not even one person.

  3. 39

    あさめしをたべないひとがいますか。

    Is there anyone who does not eat breakfast?

  4. 40

    はい、あさめしをたべないひとはたくさんいます。

    Yes, there are many people who do not eat breakfast.

  5. 41

    たくさんたべないこどもはおおきくなりませんか。

    Don’t children who do not eat a lot grow?

  6. 42

    はい、そうです。

    Yes, that’s right.

一人
one person
朝めし
breakfast
たくさん
many

Ways of learning · Perception drill, Block 4

An action that tells how

*先生は 大てい たって はなします* means "the teacher usually stands to speak." The form *たって* states the condition for speaking.

A verb ending in *て* can describe how another action happens. The actions can occur in sequence or at the same time.

Methods of learning

*大てい きいて おぼえます* means "I usually memorize it by listening to it." *きいて* states the method of memorizing.

*この本を 使って べんきょうします* means "I study using this book."

  1. 43

    せんせいはこしかけてはなしますか。

    Does the teacher sit down to speak?

  2. 44

    いいえ、せんせいはたいていたってはなします。

    No, the teacher usually stands to speak.

  3. 45

    あなたはかんじをかいてならいますか。

    Do you learn kanji by writing them?

  4. 46

    いいえ、さいしょにみてならいます。それから、かきます。

    No, first I learn them by looking at them. Then I write them.

  5. 47

    あなたはダイアログをよんでおぼえますか。

    Do you memorize the dialogue by reading it?

  6. 48

    いいえ、たいていきいておぼえます。

    No, I usually memorize it by listening to it.

  7. 49

    あなたはそのほんをつかってべんきょうしますか。

    Do you study using that book?

  8. 50

    はい、ときどきこのほんをつかってべんきょうします。

    Yes, I sometimes study using this book.

ダイアログ
dialogue
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
時々
sometimes, occasionally

Asking what things were · Perception drill, Block 5

Saying was

*私は りくぐんの しょうこうでした* means "I was an Army officer." *DESHITA* is the past of *DESU*.

*この本は いくらでしたか* means "How much was this book?" *三百六十円でした* answers "It was 360 yen."

A past negative

*私は ぐん人では ありませんでした* means "I was not in the military." *DESHITA* also follows the formal negative form.

  1. 51

    あなたはくうぐんのしょうこうでしたか。

    Were you an Air Force officer?

  2. 52

    いいえ、わたくしはりくぐんのしょうこうでした。

    No, I was an Army officer.

  3. 53

    せんせい、あなたはぐんじんでしたか。

    Teacher, were you in the military?

  4. 54

    いいえ、わたくしはぐんじんではありませんでした。

    No, I was not in the military.

  5. 55

    このがっこうはちいさいがっこうでしたか。

    Was this school a small school?

  6. 56

    はい、ちいさいがっこうでした。

    Yes, it was a small school.

  7. 57

    このほんはいくらでしたか。

    How much was this book?

  8. 58

    さんびゃくろくじゅうえんでした。

    It was 360 yen.

いくら
how much? how many?
三百
300
六十
60
円
yen (unit of money)

Already and not yet · Perception drill, Block 6

Already and not yet

*もう たべましたか* means "Have you eaten yet?" *もう* with an affirmative verb says the action happened before now.

The negative answer uses *まだ*: *いいえ、 まだ たべません*, "No, I haven't eaten yet."

The same question with other actions

*山本さんは もう 来ましたか* asks whether Mr. Yamamoto has come yet. *まだ 来ません* says he has not come yet.

  1. 59

    あのひとはもうおきました。

    Has he gotten up already?

  2. 60

    いいえ、まだおきません。

    No, he hasn't gotten up yet.

  3. 61

    もうたべましたか。

    Have you eaten yet?

  4. 62

    いいえ、まだたべません。

    No, I haven’t eaten yet.

  5. 63

    たむらさんはもういきましたか。

    Has Mr. Tamura left yet?

  6. 64

    いいえ、まだいきません。

    No, he hasn’t left yet.

  7. 65

    やまもとさんはもうきましたか。

    Has Mr. Yamamoto come yet?

  8. 66

    いいえ、まだきません。

    No, he hasn’t come yet.

  9. 67

    もうべんきょうしましたか。

    Have you studied yet?

  10. 68

    いいえ、まだべんきょうしません。

    No, I haven’t studied yet.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)

Describing people’s activities · Pattern 1 1 of 2

A clause identifies the thing

*私の ならっているのは 日本語です* means "What I am learning is Japanese." The clause ends in the informal form and *の* replaces its noun.

The subject inside the clause is *私*, followed by *の*.

A negative clause before a noun

*私たちの 知らない かん字* describes kanji unknown to the speakers. The informal negative clause comes before *かん字*.

  1. 69

    わたくしがよんでいます。(ほん)

    I am reading it. (book)

  2. 70

    わたくしのならっているのはにほんごです。

    What I am learning is Japanese.

  3. 71

    わたくしたちのしらないかんじがたくさんあります。

    There are many kanji that we do not know.

  4. 72

    スミスさんのはいているくつはくろいです。

    The shoes Mr. Smith is wearing are black.

  5. 73

    あのひとのよんでいるのはにほんしんぶんです。

    What that person is reading is a Japanese newspaper.

  6. 74

    あのひとのみているのはざっしです。

    What that person is looking at is a magazine.

  7. 75

    このがっこうであなたがたのべんきょうしているのはなにごですか。

    What language are you studying at this school?

  8. 76

    わたくしたちのべんきょうしているのはにほんごです。

    What we are studying is Japanese.

  9. 77

    それはあなたのかいたほんですか。

    Is that a book you wrote?

(本)
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
くつ
shoes
くろい
black

Identifying people and possessions · Pattern 1 2 of 2

The person named by a clause

*今 あなたの はなしていた 人* means "the person you were talking with moments ago." The clause comes before *人*.

Its subject takes *の*. A clause subject can also take *が*.

The thing and its owner

*私の 読んでいる 本は あなたのです* means "The book I am reading is yours." The first *の* marks the clause subject.

  1. 78

    そうです。これはわたくしのかいたほんです。

    That’s right. This is a book I wrote.

  2. 79

    いまあなたのはなしていたひとはどなたですか。

    Who was the person you were just talking with?

  3. 80

    いまわたくしのはなしていたひとはやまもとさんのおくさんです。

    The person I was just talking with is Mr. Yamamoto’s wife.

  4. 81

    わたくしのよんでいるほんはあなたのです。

    The book I am reading is yours.

  5. 82

    あのかたがもっています。(えんぴつ)

    That person has it. (pencil)

  6. 83

    スミスさんがかぶっています。(ぼうし)

    Mr. Smith is wearing it. (hat)

  7. 84

    わたくしがこしかけています。(いす)

    This is the chair I am sitting on.

  8. 85

    めがおおきいです。(おんなのこ)

    This is the girl with big eyes.

  9. 86

    まどがたくさんあります。(いえ)

    This is the house with many windows.

(女の子)
girl
(家)
house, home

Consequences of not acting · Pattern 2 1 of 3

A condition stated negatively

*夜 はやく やすまないと、 朝 はやく おきる ことは できません* means early rising is impossible without going to bed early.

The informal negative *やすまない* stands before *と* in the condition.

A negative reason and description

*まだ ならわないから、 読む ことは できません* gives not having learned the kanji yet as the reason it cannot be read.

*うちで べんきょうしない 日* means "days when you do not study at home."

  1. 87

    わたくしがいかないから、あのひともいきません。

    Since I don't go, he doesn't go either.

  2. 88

    よるはやくやすまないと、あさはやくおきることはできません。

    If you do not go to bed early at night, you cannot get up early in the morning.

  3. 89

    ひるめしをたべないひとがたくさんいます。

    There are many people who do not eat lunch.

  4. 90

    まいにちべんきょうしないせいとはよくできません。

    Students who do not study every day do not do well.

  5. 91

    わたくしはこのかんじをまだならわないから、よむことはできません。

    I have not learned this kanji yet, so I cannot read it.

  6. 92

    わたくしはかんじをかかないと、おぼえることはできません。

    If I do not write kanji, I cannot remember them.

  7. 93

    あなたはうちでべんきょうしないひがありますか。

    Are there days when you do not study at home?

  8. 94

    はい。きんようびのばんにはべんきょうしません。

    Yes. I do not study on Friday evenings.

夜
night, evening
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
朝
morning
おきる
to rise, get up (v.i.)
ひるめし
lunch, noon meal
まい日
everyday
おぼえる
to memorize, remember (v.t.)
ばん
evening, night

People who omit actions · Pattern 2 2 of 3

A negative clause identifies a person

*ダイアログを おぼえない 生徒* means "students who do not memorize the dialogue." The informal negative clause comes before *生徒*.

*朝めしを たべない 人* identifies people by an action they do not perform.

The same pattern with things and days

*知らない かん字* means "kanji I do not know." *四時に おわりません* supplies the action for a day when class does not end at four.

  1. 95

    ダイアログをおぼえないせいとがいますか。

    Are there any students who do not memorize the dialogue?

  2. 96

    いいえ、おぼえないせいとはいません。

    No, there are no students who do not memorize it.

  3. 97

    あさめしをたべないひとがいますか。

    Are there any people who do not eat breakfast?

  4. 98

    はい、あさめしをたべないひとはたくさんいます。

    Yes, there are many people who do not eat breakfast.

  5. 99

    しりません。(かんじ)

    This is a kanji I do not know.

  6. 100

    しらないかんじがたくさんあります。

    There are many KANJI that I don't know.

  7. 101

    ほんをもってきません。(せいと)

    This is a student who does not bring a book.

  8. 102

    よじにおわりません。(ひ)

    This is a day when class does not end at four.

時
time

Describing what people lack · Pattern 2 3 of 3

What a person lacks

*手が ありません* means "a person who has no hands" when it becomes a clause before *人*.

The subject inside the clause takes *が*, as in *手が ありません*.

A negative quality

*あんまり 小さく ありません* describes a car as "not very small." The negative predicate becomes a clause before *じどうしゃ*.

  1. 103

    はちじにはじまりません。(ひ)

    This is a day when class does not begin at eight.

  2. 104

    ちっともやすみません。(ばん)

    This is an evening when I do not rest at all.

  3. 105

    すこしもあそびません。(こども)

    This is a child who does not play at all.

  4. 106

    えいごがよくできません。(ひと)

    This is a person who is not very good at English.

  5. 107

    てがありません。(ひと)

    This is a person who has no hands.

  6. 108

    あんまりちいさくありません。(じどうしゃ)

    This is a car that is not very small.

八
eight
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
(ばん)
evening, night
少し
little (quantity)
(人)
people

Actions done another way · Pattern 3 1 of 2

The action that gives the manner

*あの人は こしかけて やすんでいます* says he rests while seated. The form *こしかけて* states his condition while resting.

The same pattern appears in *先生は たって おしえます*, "The teacher teaches standing up."

A method for memorizing

*私は かん字を 書いて おぼえます* means "I learn kanji by writing them." *書いて* states the method.

  1. 109

    あのひとはこしかけてやすんでいます。

    He is resting by sitting.

  2. 110

    わたくしはかんじをかいておぼえます。

    I learn kanji by writing them.

  3. 111

    あのひとはたってそとをみています。

    That person is standing and looking outside.

  4. 112

    せんせいはたっておしえます。

    The teacher teaches standing up.

  5. 113

    せいとはダイアログをよんでおぼえます。

    The students memorize the dialogue by reading it.

  6. 114

    あのかたはことばをきいておぼえます。

    That person learns words by listening to them.

そと
outside
ことば
word; language

Asking how actions happen · Pattern 3 2 of 2

Coming by walking

*私は あるいて 来ます* means "I walk here." The form *あるいて* states how the coming happens.

This contrasts with *じどうしゃで がっこうに 来ます*, coming to school by car.

Two possible methods

*かん字を 書いて ならいますか、 見て ならいますか* contrasts learning kanji by writing with learning by looking.

The answer *書いて ならいます* chooses writing as the method.

  1. 115

    あなたはじどうしゃでがっこうにきますか。

    Do you come to school by car?

  2. 116

    いいえ、わたくしはあるいてきます。

    No, I walk here.

  3. 117

    せんせいはたっておしえますか、こしかけておしえますか。

    Does the teacher teach standing up or sitting down?

  4. 118

    たいていのせんせいはこしかけておしえます。

    Most teachers teach sitting down.

  5. 119

    あなたはかんじをかいてならいますか、みてならいますか。

    Do you learn kanji by writing them or by looking at them?

  6. 120

    わたくしはかんじをかいてならいます。

    I learn kanji by writing them.

Plain and polite past · Pattern 4 1 of 3

Past identities and descriptions

*私は この がっこうの 生徒でした* means "I was a student at this school." The ending *でした* marks the past.

*この はなは きれい でした* means "This flower was beautiful."

Past negative forms

*私は ぐん人では ありませんでした* means "I was not a serviceman." *私は 行きませんでした* means "I did not go."

  1. 121

    わたくしはぐんじんでした。

    I was a soldier.

  2. 122

    あのかたはくうぐんのしょうこうでした。

    That person was an Air Force officer.

  3. 123

    わたくしはこのがっこうのせいとでした。

    I was a student at this school.

  4. 124

    きのうはげつようびでした。

    Yesterday was Monday.

  5. 125

    このほんはにひゃくえんでした。

    This book was two hundred yen.

  6. 126

    このはなはきれいでした。

    This flower was beautiful.

  7. 127

    わたくしはぐんじんではありませんでした。

    I was not a serviceman.

  8. 128

    わたくしはいきませんでした。

    I did not go.

二百
200
はな
flower

Asking about past facts · Pattern 4 2 of 3

Past questions and answers

*あなたは しょうこうでしたか* means "Were you an officer?" The negative answer ends in *ありませんでした*.

*その本は いくらでしたか* asks the former price. *千五百円でした* answers "It was fifteen hundred yen."

A past fact as the reason

*昨日は 土曜日でしたから、 行きません でした* means "I did not go because yesterday was Saturday." The past fact comes before *から*.

  1. 129

    あなたはしょうこうでしたか。

    Were you an officer?

  2. 130

    いいえ、わたくしはしょうこうではありませんでした。

    No, I was not an officer.

  3. 131

    そのほんはいくらでしたか。

    How much was that book?

  4. 132

    せんごひゃくえんでした。

    It was fifteen hundred yen.

  5. 133

    あなたはなぜきのうがっこうへいきませんでしたか。

    Why did you not go to school yesterday?

  6. 134

    きのうはどようびでしたから、いきませんでした。

    I did not go because yesterday was Saturday.

  7. 135

    あのかたはいいひとです。

    That person is a good person.

  8. 136

    これはあかいはなです。

    This is a red flower.

千
1,000
五百
500
なぜ
why?
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Positive and negative descriptions · Pattern 4 3 of 3

Present descriptions

*あの町は きれいです* means "That town is beautiful." *山本さんは 先生です* means "Mr. Yamamoto is a teacher."

These present forms contrast with past predicates ending in *DESHITA*.

Present negatives

*あんまり おそくは ありません* means "It is not very late." *まどを あけません* means "I will not open the window."

  1. 137

    あのまちはきれいです。

    That town is beautiful.

  2. 138

    きょうはなにもたべません。

    I will not eat anything today.

  3. 139

    ちっともしりません。

    I do not know at all.

  4. 140

    あんまりおそくはありません。

    It is not very late.

  5. 141

    まどをあけません。

    I will not open the window.

  6. 142

    やまもとさんはせんせいです。

    Mr. Yamamoto is a teacher.

町
town
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)

Ordering the weekdays · Reading Selection 1 of 3

The week in order

The passage orders the week from Sunday through Saturday. *一シュウ間ノ、 サイショノ日ハ 日曜日デ* begins "The first day of the week is Sunday."

*二番目ノ日ハ 月曜日デ* means "The second day is Monday." The ending *番目* marks its place in the week.

  1. 143

    いちシュウかんノ、サイショノひハにちようびデ、

    The first day of the week is Sunday.

  2. 144

    サイごノひハどようびデス。

    The last day is Saturday.

  3. 145

    にばんめノひハげつようびデ、

    The second day is Monday.

  4. 146

    さんばんめノひハかようびデス。

    The third day is Tuesday.

  5. 147

    すいようびハよんばんめノひ

    Wednesday is the fourth day.

  6. 148

    デス。

    It is.

  7. 149

    もくようびハきんようびノまえノひデス。

    Thursday is the day before Friday.

前
before, front

Weekends at home and town · Reading Selection 2 of 3

Days away from school

The passage describes Saturdays and Sundays at home and in town. *ガッコウヘ 行カナイ日ハ、 土曜日ト 日曜日デス* names the days without school.

The informal negative clause *ガッコウヘ 行カナイ* comes before *日*.

Linked weekend actions

*アル時ハ 町ニ行ッテ、イロイロノモノヲ カイマス* means "Sometimes I go into town and buy various things." The form ending in *テ* links going with buying.

  1. 150

    わたくしタチノ

    Our

  2. 151

    ガッコウヘいカナイひハ、どようびトにちようびデス。

    The days we do not go to school are Saturday and Sunday.

  3. 152

    わたくしハどようびニハウチニいテ、ハタラキマス。

    On Saturdays, I stay home and work.

  4. 153

    アルときハまちニいッテ、イロイロノモノヲカイマス。

    Sometimes I go into town and buy various things.

  5. 154

    にちようびニハあさすこシオソクオキマス。

    On Sundays, I get up a little late in the morning.

  6. 155

    きテイマス。

    I am here.

  7. 156

    あしたハもくようびデスカラ、ワヤクノ

    Since tomorrow is Thursday, the Japanese translation

Homework and character review · Reading Selection 3 of 3

Writing, bringing, and correcting

The passage describes written exercises brought for correction. *レンシュウモンダイヲ カミニ書イテ モッテ来マス* means "I will write the practice exercises on paper and bring them."

The form *書イテ* links writing with bringing.

Work on the previous day

*昨日ハ 火曜日デシタ* means "Yesterday was Tuesday." The ending *デシタ* marks the past.

*昨日ハ カン字ヲ タクサン ナライマシタ* means "Yesterday, I learned a lot of kanji." *今 ソレヲ フクシュウシテ イマス* means "I am reviewing them now."

  1. 157

    レンシュウモンダイヲカミニかイテモッテきマス。

    I will write the practice exercises on paper and bring them.

  2. 158

    せんせいハソレヲよンデナオシマス。

    The teacher will read them and correct them.

  3. 159

    きのうハかようびデシタ。

    Yesterday was Tuesday.

  4. 160

    きのうハカンじヲタクサンナライマシタ。

    Yesterday, I learned a lot of kanji.

  5. 161

    いまソレヲフクシュウシテイマス。

    I am reviewing them now.

Weekday and school questions · Questions 1 of 2

Week order and days off

The questions ask for the first, last, and fourth weekdays, then for school days and days off.

*一しゅう間の 四番目の日は 何曜日ですか* means "What day of the week is the fourth day of the week?" An answer names the weekday.

  1. 162

    きょうハすいようびデス。

    Today is Wednesday.

  2. 163

    いまガッコウニ

    At school now

  3. 164

    いっしゅうかんのさいしょのひはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is the first day of the week?

  4. 165

    いっしゅうかんのさいごのひはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is the last day of the week?

  5. 166

    いっしゅうかんのよんばんめのひはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is the fourth day of the week?

  6. 167

    きんようびはもくようびのまえのひですか。

    Is Friday the day before Thursday?

  7. 168

    わたくしたちはげつようからきんようまで、がっこうにいきますか。

    Do we go to school from Monday through Friday?

  8. 169

    わたくしたちががっこうへいかないのはなんようびですか。

    What days of the week do we not go to school?

まで、
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)

Weekend and homework questions · Questions 2 of 2

Weekend work and relative days

The questions ask about Saturday and Sunday actions, tomorrow's paper, Tuesday's study, and yesterday's weekday.

*昨日は 何曜日でしたか* means "What day of the week was yesterday?" An answer gives a weekday with the past ending.

  1. 170

    わたくしはどようびにはうちでなにをしますか。

    What do I do at home on Saturdays?

  2. 171

    わたくしがまちへいって、いろいろのものをかうのはにちようびですか。

    Is Sunday the day when I go into town and buy various things?

  3. 172

    わたくしはにちようびにはなにをしますか。

    What do I do on Sundays?

  4. 173

    きょうはなんようびですか。

    What day of the week is it today?

  5. 174

    あしたはがっこうへなにをもってきますか。

    What will I bring to school tomorrow?

  6. 175

    かようびにはなにをたくさんならいましたか。

    What did I learn a lot of on Tuesday?

  7. 176

    きのうはなんようびでしたか。

    What day of the week was yesterday?

もの
things (tangible)
買う
to buy

Relative days and week order · Word list 1 of 21

Days around today

These words place days around today and within the week. *一昨日* means "day before yesterday," while *明後日* means "day after tomorrow."

*さいしょ* means "first," *さい後* means "last," and *日曜日* means "Sunday."

  1. 177

    きょう

    today

  2. 178

    きのう

    yesterday

  3. 179

    おととい

    day before yesterday

  4. 180

    あした

    tomorrow

  5. 181

    あさって

    day after tomorrow

  6. 182

    しあさって

    two days after tomorrow

  7. 183

    さきおととい

    two days before yesterday

  8. 184

    いっしゅうかん

    one week

  9. 185

    さいしょ

    first

  10. 186

    さいご

    last

  11. 187

    なんようび

    what day of the week

  12. 188

    にちようび

    Sunday

一昨日
day before yesterday
明後日
day after tomorrow
しあさって
two days after tomorrow
さきおととい
two days before yesterday
一しゅう間
one week
何曜日
what day of the week
日曜日
Sunday

Weekdays, speech and carrying · Word list 2 of 21

Weekdays and actions

The weekday names continue from Monday through Saturday. *月曜日* means "Monday," and *土曜日* means "Saturday."

The action words include *言う*, "to say," and *もって来る*, "to bring." *来ない* is the informal negative "do not come."

  1. 189

    げつようび

    Monday

  2. 190

    かようび

    Tuesday

  3. 191

    すいようび

    Wednesday

  4. 192

    もくようび

    Thursday

  5. 193

    きんようび

    Friday

  6. 194

    どようび

    Saturday

  7. 195

    にばんめ

    second (See Gram. Notes)

  8. 196

    いう

    to say

  9. 197

    もってくる

    to bring (inanimate things only)

  10. 198

    もっていく

    to take along (inanimate things only)

  11. 199

    できません

    can’t do, is unable

  12. 200

    こない

    do not come (See Gram. Notes)

月曜日
Monday
火曜日
Tuesday
水曜日
Wednesday
木曜日
Thursday
金曜日
Friday
土曜日
Saturday
二番目
second (See Gram. Notes)
言う
to say
もって来る
to bring (inanimate things only)
もって行く
to take along (inanimate things only)
できません
can’t do, is unable
来ない
do not come (See Gram. Notes)

Requests, giving and timing · Word list 3 of 21

Requests and time

These words cover requests, giving, and time. *もって来て ください* means "please bring things," and *いつ* means "when?"

*もう* says an action happened before now. *朝* means "morning."

  1. 201

    いってごらんなさい

    say please, see if you can say

  2. 202

    いけません

    it is no good, it is bad

  3. 203

    もってきてください

    please bring (things)

  4. 204

    もっていってください

    please take along (things)

  5. 205

    いつ

    when?

  6. 206

    もう

    already (See Gram. Notes)

  7. 207

    あげます

    I’ll give you or him

  8. 208

    あげる

    to give

  9. 209

    アラスカ

    Alaska

  10. 210

    ある

    certain,some

  11. 211

    あさ

    morning

  12. 212

    あさはん

    breakfast

言ってごらんなさい
say please, see if you can say
いけません
it is no good, it is bad
もって来てください
please bring (things)
もって行ってください
please take along (things)
いつ
when?
あげます
I'll give you or him (See Gram. Notes)
あげる
to give
アラスカ
Alaska
ある
certain, some
朝はん
breakfast

Meals, play and study · Word list 4 of 21

Meals and plans

These words cover meals, play, study, and days ahead. *朝めし* means "breakfast," and *明日* means "tomorrow."

*あそぶ* means "to play." *べんきょう する* means "to study." *明後日* means "day after tomorrow."

  1. 213

    あさめし

    breakfast

  2. 214

    あさって

    day after tomorrow

  3. 215

    あした

    tomorrow

  4. 216

    あそびます

    I’ll play

  5. 217

    あそぶ

    to play

  6. 218

    あたらしい

    new

  7. 219

    あとで

    after, afterwards

  8. 220

    ばん

    evening, night

  9. 221

    バス

    bus

  10. 222

    べんきょうします

    I’ll study

  11. 223

    べんきょうする

    to study

  12. 224

    ちかい

    near, close

あそびます
I’ll play
あそぶ
to play (v.i.)
あたらしい
new
後で
after, afterwards
バス
bus
べんきょうします
I’ll study
べんきょうする
to study (v.t.)
近い
near, close

Transport, ability and choices · Word list 5 of 21

Transport and choices

These words cover vehicles, ability, and choosing. *でんしゃ* means "electric train, streetcar," and *できません* means "can't do, is unable."

*どの* means "which." *でる* means "to go out," and *でて* is the form that ends in *て*.

  1. 225

    だい

    counter for vehicles and machinery

  2. 226

    ダイアログ

    dialogue

  3. 227

    だれか

    somebody

  4. 228

    だれもーん

    nobody

  5. 229

    で

    in, within

  6. 230

    できません

    can’t do, is unable

  7. 231

    でんしゃ

    electric train, streetcar

  8. 232

    でる

    to go out

  9. 233

    でて

    TE-ending of DERU

  10. 234

    どの

    which

  11. 235

    どのぐらい

    how much, how far

  12. 236

    どうし

    verbs

だい
counter for counting vehicles and machineries (See Notes)
だれか
somebody, someone
だれもーん
nobody
でんしゃ
electric train, streetcar
でる
to go out (v.i.)
でて
TE-ending of DERU
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
どのぐらい
how much, how far, how many (See Grammar Notes)
どうし
verbs

Money, afternoons and used books · Word list 6 of 21

Money and used books

These words cover money, study, and used books. *円* means "yen," while *ふくしゅう* means "review."

*古本* means "used book," and *古本屋* means "used bookstore." *げた* means "wooden clogs."

  1. 237

    どれ

    which one

  2. 238

    ドル

    dollar

  3. 239

    どようび

    Saturday

  4. 240

    えいやく

    translation into English

  5. 241

    えん

    yen

  6. 242

    ふくしゅう

    review

  7. 243

    ふん

    minute

  8. 244

    ふるほん

    used book

  9. 245

    ふるほんや

    used bookstore

  10. 246

    ふるい

    old, antique

  11. 247

    げた

    wooden clogs

  12. 248

    げつようび

    Monday

どれ
which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)
ドル
dollar
えいやく
translation into English
ふくしゅう
review
分
minute
古本
secondhand book, used book
古本屋
secondhand (used) bookshop
古い
old, antique
げた
wooden clogs

Mornings, clothing and beginnings · Word list 7 of 21

Time and beginnings

These words cover time, footwear, beginnings, and payment. *午前* means "A. M., morning," and *午後* means "P. M., afternoon."

*はく* means "to wear on feet or legs." *はじまる* means "begins, starts," while *はじめる* means "to begin, start."

  1. 249

    ごご

    P. M., afternoon

  2. 250

    ごろ

    about

  3. 251

    ごぜん

    A. M., morning

  4. 252

    ぐらい

    about

  5. 253

    はいています

    is wearing--; has -- on

  6. 254

    はじまります

    begins

  7. 255

    はじまる

    begins, starts

  8. 256

    はじめます

    I’ll begin

  9. 257

    はじめる

    to begin, start

  10. 258

    はく

    to wear (on feet or legs)

  11. 259

    はらいます

    I’ll pay

  12. 260

    はらう

    to pay

午後
p.m., afternoon
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
午前
a.m., morning
ぐらい
about
はいています
is wearing--; has -- on
はじまります
begins
はじまる
begins, starts (v.i.)
はじめます
I’ll begin
はじめる
to begin, to start (v.t)
はく
to wear (on feet or legs)
はらいます
I'll pay.
はらう
to pay

Work, lunch and long objects · Word list 8 of 21

Work and counted objects

These words cover work, transport, meals, and objects. *はたらく* means "to work," and *はたらいて* is its linked form.

*ひこうき* means "airplane." *本* is the counter for long, slender objects, while *本屋* means "bookstore."

  1. 261

    はたらいて

    TE-ending of HATARAKU

  2. 262

    はたらく

    to work

  3. 263

    はつおん

    pronunciation

  4. 264

    はやい

    first, quick, early

  5. 265

    ひこうき

    airplane

  6. 266

    ひるはん

    lunch, noon meal

  7. 267

    ひるめし

    lunch, noon meal

  8. 268

    ほかの

    other

  9. 269

    ほん

    counter for long, slender objects

  10. 270

    ほんや

    bookstore

  11. 271

    いちばん

    number one, the most

  12. 272

    いえ

    house, home

はたらいて
TE-ending of HATARAKU
はたらく
to work (v.i.)
はつおん
pronunciation
はやい
fast, quick, early
ひこうき
airplane
ひるはん
lunch, noon meal
ほかの
other
本屋
bookshop
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
家
house, home

Quantity, time and vehicles · Word list 9 of 21

Quantity and time

These words cover quantities, transport, and time. *一き* means "one plane," and *いくら* means "how much, how many."

*一昨日* means "day before yesterday." *時間* means "hour, time," and *じしゅう* means "self-study."

  1. 273

    いけません

    it is not good

  2. 274

    いっき

    one plane

  3. 275

    いくら

    how much, how many

  4. 276

    おととい

    day before yesterday

  5. 277

    いちしゅうかん

    one week

  6. 278

    いつ

    when?

  7. 279

    いつも

    always, at all times

  8. 280

    いってごらんなさい

    say please; see if you can say

  9. 281

    いう

    to say

  10. 282

    じどうしゃ

    car, automobile

  11. 283

    じかん

    hour, time

  12. 284

    じしゅう

    self-study

一き
one plane
いつも
always, at all times
じどうしゃ
car, automobile
時間
hour, time
じしゅう
self-study

Clothing, study and conversation · Word list 10 of 21

Study, clothing, and buying

These words cover self-study, clothing, buying, conversation, and cost. *じしゅうする* means "to study by oneself," and *かぶる* means "to wear on the head."

*買います* means "I'll buy." The two entries for *から* mean "because, since" and "after."

  1. 285

    じしゅうする

    to study by oneself

  2. 286

    じょし

    particles

  3. 287

    カーメル

    Carmel

  4. 288

    かぶる

    to wear (on head)

  5. 289

    かぶっています

    is wearing, has -- on

  6. 290

    かいます

    I’ll buy

  7. 291

    かいわ

    conversation

  8. 292

    かかります

    to cost, take

  9. 293

    かきかた

    writing, method of writing, how to write

  10. 294

    から

    because, since

  11. 295

    から

    after

  12. 296

    かう

    to buy

じしゅうする
to study by oneself
じょし
particle
カーメル
Carmel
かぶる
to wear (on head)
かぶっています
is wearing, has -- on
買います
I'll buy.
かいわ
conversation
かかります
polite form of KAKARU (v.i.), to take, to cost
書き方
writing, how to write; method of writing (See Grammar Notes)

Family, practice and houses · Word list 11 of 21

Family and practice

These words cover family, practice, and counting. *家ぞく* means "family," and *けいこする* means "to practice."

*けん* is the counter for houses, and *き* is the counter for airplanes. *金曜日* means "Friday."

  1. 297

    かようび

    Tuesday

  2. 298

    かぞく

    family

  3. 299

    けいこ

    practice

  4. 300

    けいこする

    to practice

  5. 301

    けん

    counter for houses

  6. 302

    けれども

    however

  7. 303

    き

    tree, wood

  8. 304

    き

    counter for airplanes

  9. 305

    きもの

    kimono

  10. 306

    きのう

    yesterday

  11. 307

    きんようび

    Friday

  12. 308

    キロ

    kilometer

家ぞく
family
けいこ
practice
けいこする
to practice
けん
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
けれども
however
木
tree, wood
き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)
きもの
KIMONO
キロ
kilometer

Clothing, answers and shoes · Word list 12 of 21

Clothing and answers

These words cover clothing, answers, and ability. *きる* means "to wear," and *くつ* means "shoes."

*こたえる* means "to answer." *--ことが できます* means "can --." *来ない* means "do not come."

  1. 309

    きる

    to wear

  2. 310

    きしゃ

    train

  3. 311

    きています

    is wearing, has -- on

  4. 312

    こない

    do not come

  5. 313

    きょう

    today

  6. 314

    こたえる

    to answer

  7. 315

    --ことができます

    can --

  8. 316

    ください

    please give me

  9. 317

    くつ

    shoes

  10. 318

    きょう

    today

  11. 319

    まち

    town

  12. 320

    まちがい

    error, mistake

きる
to wear (v.t.)
きしゃ
train
きています
is wearing, has -- on
こたえる
to answer (v.i.)
--ことができます
can --
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
間ちがい
mistake, error

Distance, roads and showing · Word list 13 of 21

Roads and showing

These words cover distance, roads, and showing. *道* means "road," and *道ばた* means "roadside, by the road."

*見せる* means "to show." *--も--も します* means "do both -- and," while its negative means "do neither--nor."

  1. 321

    まえ

    before, in front of

  2. 322

    まいあさ

    every morning

  3. 323

    マイル

    mile

  4. 324

    メートル

    meter

  5. 325

    みち

    road

  6. 326

    みちばた

    roadside, by the road

  7. 327

    みせる

    to show

  8. 328

    みせてください

    please show me

  9. 329

    もくようび

    Thursday

  10. 330

    --も--もしません

    do neither--nor

  11. 331

    --も--もします

    do both -- and

  12. 332

    もんどう

    question and answer

まい朝
every morning
マイル
mile
メートル
meter
道
road, street
道ばた
by the road, roadside
見せる
to show (v.t.)
見せてください
please show me (See Grammar Notes)
--も--もしません
do neither--nor
--も--もします
do both -- and
もんどう
question and answer, dialogue

Bringing, quantities and objects · Word list 14 of 21

Carrying and counting

These words cover carrying and future days. *もって行く* means "to take," and *もって来る* means "to bring."

*何本* asks how many long objects, while *何だい* asks how many vehicles or machines. *明日* means "tomorrow."

  1. 333

    もう

    already

  2. 334

    もっていく

    to take

  3. 335

    もっていってください

    please take along

  4. 336

    もってきてください

    please bring it

  5. 337

    もってくる

    to bring

  6. 338

    あさって

    day after tomorrow

  7. 339

    あした

    tomorrow

  8. 340

    なんほん

    how many (long objects)

  9. 341

    なんだい

    how many (vehicles and machinery)

  10. 342

    なんか

    something

  11. 343

    なんじ

    what time

  12. 344

    なんさつ

    how many (volumes)

何本
how many (long objects)?
何だい
how many(vehicles, machineries)?
何か
something (See Gram. Notes)
何時
what time
何さつ
how many (volumes)?

Weekdays, reasons and corrections · Word list 15 of 21

Weekdays and reasons

These words cover weekdays, reasons, and correction. *何曜日* means "what day of the week," and *日曜日* means "Sunday."

*なぜ* means "why." *なおす* covers correcting and repairing. *おぼえる* means "to memorize, remember."

  1. 345

    なんようび

    what day of the week

  2. 346

    なおす

    to correct; repair

  3. 347

    なぜ

    why

  4. 348

    に

    at

  5. 349

    にばんめ

    second

  6. 350

    にちようび

    Sunday

  7. 351

    ニューヨーク

    New York

  8. 352

    を

    place of locomotive action

  9. 353

    おぼえる

    to memorize, remember

  10. 354

    おきます

    I’ll get up

  11. 355

    おきる

    to get up, rise

  12. 356

    おこさん

    child, children

なおす
to correct, mend, repair (v.t.)
ニューヨーク
New York
おきます
polite form of OKU (v.t.) to put
お子さん
child, children

Endings, practice and order · Word list 16 of 21

Practice and sequence

These words cover endings, practice, and order. *おわる* means "to end," and *れんしゅう する* means "to practice."

*さいしょ* means "first," and *さい後* means "last." *さきおととい* means "two days before yesterday."

  1. 357

    おもう

    to think

  2. 358

    おそく

    late

  3. 359

    おととい

    day before yesterday

  4. 360

    おわります

    ends

  5. 361

    おわる

    to end (v.i.)

  6. 362

    れんしゅう

    practice, drill

  7. 363

    れんしゅうもんだい

    drill problems

  8. 364

    れんしゅうする

    to practice

  9. 365

    さいご

    last

  10. 366

    さいしょ

    first

  11. 367

    さきおととい

    2 days before yesterday

  12. 368

    きのう

    yesterday

思う
to think
おわります
ends
おわる
ends (v.i.)
れんしゅう
practice, drill
れんしゅうもんだい
drill problems (See Grammar Notes)
れんしゅうする
to practice

Counters, strolling and knowledge · Word list 17 of 21

Counting and asking

These words cover counters, strolling, and questions. *三ば* means "three birds," and *三げん* means "three houses."

*さんぽする* means "to stroll." *しつもんする* means "to ask questions," while *知る* means "to know."

  1. 369

    さんば

    three birds

  2. 370

    さんげん

    three houses

  3. 371

    さんぽ

    stroll

  4. 372

    さんぽする

    to stroll

  5. 373

    サンタクルーズ

    Santa Cruz

  6. 374

    さつ

    counter for books

  7. 375

    しあさって

    2 days after tomorrow

  8. 376

    しちじすぎ

    past seven o’clock

  9. 377

    しる

    to know

  10. 378

    しています

    is doing

  11. 379

    しつもん

    question

  12. 380

    しつもんする

    to ask questions

三ば
three birds
三げん
three houses
さんぽ
strolling
さんぽする
to stroll (v.i.)
サンタクルーズ
Santa Cruz
さつ
numerical counter for counting books (See Grammar Notes)
七時すぎ
past seven o'clock
知る
to know (v.t.)
しています
is doing
しつもん
question
しつもんする
to ask questions

Knowledge, sequence and sitting · Word list 18 of 21

Knowledge and position

These words cover knowledge, sequence, and position. *知っています* means "I know," and *そうすると* means "then, if you do that."

*すわる* means "to squat down." *すわって* is the form that ends in *て*. *そと* means "outside."

  1. 381

    しっています

    I know

  2. 382

    そうすると

    then, if you do that

  3. 383

    そら

    sky

  4. 384

    そと

    outside

  5. 385

    そっち

    that one

  6. 386

    すぎ

    past, after

  7. 387

    すぐ

    right away, immediately

  8. 388

    すいようび

    Wednesday

  9. 389

    すわる

    to squat down, sit

  10. 390

    すわって

    TE-ending of SUWARU

  11. 391

    たまに

    rarely, once in a while

  12. 392

    たります

    is enough

知っています
know (See Gram. Notes)
そうすると
then, if you do that
そら
sky
そっち
than one
すぎ
past, after
すぐ
right away, immediately
すわる
to sit with legs crossed or folded
すわって
TE-ending of SUWARU
たまに
rarely, once in a while
たります
polite form of TARU

Buildings, flight and tool use · Word list 19 of 21

Flight and tool use

These words cover buildings, flight, and time. *たてもの* means "building," and *とぶ* means "to fly."

*使い方* means "usage, method of using," while *使う* means "to use, employ." *うでどけい* means "wristwatch."

  1. 393

    たる

    to suffice

  2. 394

    たてもの

    building

  3. 395

    とぶ

    to fly

  4. 396

    とき

    time

  5. 397

    ときどき

    sometimes, occasionally

  6. 398

    とんでいます

    is flying

  7. 399

    とおい

    far

  8. 400

    つかいかた

    usage, method of using

  9. 401

    つかう

    to use, employ

  10. 402

    うち

    home, house

  11. 403

    うでどけい

    wristwatch

  12. 404

    わ

    counter for birds

たる
to suffice (v.i.) to be sufficient
たてもの
building
とぶ
to fly (v.i.)
とんでいます
is flying
遠い
far
使い方
usage, how to use, method of using
使う
to use, employ
うでどけい
wristwatch
わ
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)

Translation, rest and reading · Word list 20 of 21

Translation and reading

These words cover translation, rest, and reading. *わやく* means "translation into Japanese," and *やくす* means "to translate."

*やすむ* means "to rest, retire." *読み方* means "reading, how to read," while *よく* means "well, often, thoroughly."

  1. 405

    わやく

    translation into Japanese

  2. 406

    やく

    about

  3. 407

    やくす

    to translate

  4. 408

    やま

    mountain

  5. 409

    やすみます

    I’ll retire; I go to bed

  6. 410

    やすむ

    to rest, retire

  7. 411

    よびます

    I’ll call

  8. 412

    よぶ

    to call

  9. 413

    よく

    well, often, thoroughly

  10. 414

    よみかた

    reading, how to read

  11. 415

    ようふく

    suit, western-style clothes

  12. 416

    ようかん

    western-style building

わやく
translation into Japanese
やく
approximately (See Grammar Notes)
やくす
to translate (v.t.)
山
mountain
やすみます
I’ll retire; I go to bed
やすむ
to rest, to retire (v.i.)
よびます
I’ll call
よぶ
to call (v.t.)
読み方
reading, how to read, method of reading (See Grammar Notes)
ようふく
suit, western-style clothes
ようかん
western-style building

Evening study and relative days · Word list 21 of 21

Evening study and relative days

These words cover evening study, meals, footwear, carrying, and relative days. *よしゅうする* means "to prepare the lesson."

*ゆうはん* means "supper, evening meal." *ぞうり* means "sandal, slipper."

*明後日は 金曜日です* places the day after tomorrow on Friday. *一昨日は 日曜日でした* places the day before yesterday on Sunday.

The future-day line uses *です*. The past-day line uses *でした*.

  1. 417

    よる

    night, evening

  2. 418

    よしゅう

    preparation, study in advance

  3. 419

    よしゅうする

    to prepare the lesson

  4. 420

    ゆうはん

    supper, evening meal

  5. 421

    ぞうり

    sandal, slipper

  6. 422

    あさってはきんようびです。

    day after tomorrow

  7. 423

    しあさってはどようびです。

    2 days after tomorrow

  8. 424

    おとといはにちようびでした。

    day before yesterday

  9. 425

    さきおとといはどようびでした。

    2 days before yesterday

  10. 426

    もってくる

    to bring

  11. 427

    もっていく

    to take

よしゅう
preparation, study in advance
よしゅうする
to prepare the lesson
ゆうはん
supper, evening meal
ぞうり
sandal, slipper
明後日は金曜日です。
day after tomorrow
しあさっては土曜日です。
2 days after tomorrow
一昨日は日曜日でした。
day before yesterday
さきおとといは土曜日でした。
2 days before yesterday

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
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.