Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 3

Lesson 3

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

223 lines

Morning greetings and well-being · Dialogue 1 of 3

A morning greeting

Two people exchange *Ohayoo gozaimasu*, meaning "Good morning." One asks *Ogenki desu ka*, meaning "Are you well?"

The answer is *Hai, okagesama de genki desu*, meaning "Yes, I am fine, thank you."

A bridge with a higher second syllable

In *Kore wa hashí desu ka*, *hashí* has a higher second syllable and means "bridge." The line asks "Is this a bridge?"

*Ogenki* is the polite word for another person's well-being. *Genki* in the answer refers to the speaker.

In *Hai, okagesama de genki desu*, *okagesama de* expresses appreciation for the concern.

Hiragana: は to ぽ

Each kana is one syllable. Read the kana, then its sound in romaji.

  1. 1

    Ohayoo gozaimasu.

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

  2. 2

    Ohayoo gozaimasu.

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

  3. 3

    Ogenki desu ka?

    おげんきですか

    Are you well (fine)?

  4. 4

    Hai, okagesama de genki desu.

    はいおかげさまでげんきです

    Yes, I am fine, thank you.

  5. 5

    Kore wa hashí desu ka?

    これわはしですか

    Is this a bridge?

Pitch

The rhythm of Japanese, unlike that of English, is regular and even. Each syllable is given moderate, approximately equal stress and has approximately equal length. However, some syllables seem more prominent than others. This prominence--or accent--is primarily a matter of pitch in Japanese. To describe Japanese words, we need to distinguish only a higher and a lower tone (pitch), but no difference in stress (loudness). Hashi with higher pitch on the first syllable means 'chopsticks' and with a higher pitch on the second syllable, 'bridge.'

The word and phrase pitch patterns of standard or Tokyo Japanese are shown in the following table.

In the Tokyo pitch accent patterns, a high pitch accent occurs on one syllable or on a series of two or more syllables in each word or phrase and once the pitch drops from high to low, it never rises to a high pitch in the same word or phrase again.

Pitches on the first and second syllables of any word or phrase are always different. If a high pitch occurs on the first syllable, a low pitch occurs on the second syllable, and if a low pitch occurs on the first syllable, a high pitch occurs on the second syllable in any word or phrase.

However, there is one special pitch accent pattern. Although a high pitch is expected to occur on the second syllable in all patterns except in pattern 1, if that syllable is a silent syllable (like the first consonant k, s, t, or p of double consonants) or if it contains a voiceless vowel like i or u between voiceless consonants, a low pitch occurs on both the first and the second syllables as in the following examples:

a shi ta

ni p po n

Examples of Pitch Patterns:

ko re wa ná n de su ka? this what is

hó n de su book is

Dó na ta no hó n de su ka? Whose book is

A na ta no de su. yours is

hó n wa do ko ni a ri má su ka? book where at (there) is

tsu ku e no u e ni a ri má su. desk's top (there) is
Particle MO

The particle MO is used to single out an additional item that is similar to something already stated, and it puts over the idea 'also,' 'too.' Note that the particle MO is used in place of the particle WA.

KORE WA HON DESU.

KORE MO HON DESU.

ANATA WA SEITO DESU.

ANO-KATA MO SEITO DESU.
Alternate questions

Alternate questions are common in Japanese. The particle KA is used after each of two clauses to show that the state, the action, or the identity is restricted to one or the other of the two, and the meaning of 'or' is implied in the first KA. The answer to the alternate questions is one or the other. For example:

KORE WA HON DESU KA, ENPITSU DESU KA?

SORE WA HON DESU.
OGENKI is the honorific equivalent of genki. Only the latter may be used in reference to oneself. In referring to others, genki is familiar and ogenki is polite. Ogenki desu ka? is used as the equivalent of "How are you?", "How is she?", "How is he?", or "How are they?" depending upon the context.
OKAGESAMA DE indicates the speaker's appreciation for interest in his personal affairs (thanks for asking) and/or appreciation for assistance (thanks to you). It always accompanies, or itself implies, favorable or pleasant information.

Bridges, chopsticks and pencils · Dialogue 2 of 3

From a bridge to chopsticks

One speaker rejects *hashí*, meaning "bridge," and asks what the object is. The answer is *Sore wa háshi desu*, meaning "These are chopsticks."

A final object is not *háshi*. It is *enpitsu*, meaning "pencil."

Another object of the same kind

*Kore mo háshi desu ka* asks "Are these chopsticks, too?" The particle *mo* marks this object as an additional possible pair of chopsticks.

  1. 6

    Iie, sore wa hashí dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわはしでわありません

    No, that's not a bridge.

  2. 7

    Dewa kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then, what are these?

  3. 8

    Sore wa háshi desu.

    それわはしです

    These are chopsticks.

  4. 9

    Kore mo háshi desu ka?

    これもはしですか

    Are these chopsticks, too?

  5. 10

    Iie, sore wa háshi dewa arimasen. Sore wa enpitsu desu.

    いいえそれわはしでわありませんそれわえんぴつです

    No, those are not chopsticks. That's a pencil.

Choosing between salmon and rice wine · Dialogue 3 of 3

A choice followed by praise

*Kore wa sáke desu ka, sake desu ka* asks whether an object is salmon or Japanese rice-wine. *Sore wa sáke desu* selects salmon.

Praise follows the answer. *Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu* means "Thank you very much," and *Doo itashimashite* means "Not at all."

Two choices in one question

In *Kore wa sáke desu ka, sake desu ka*, each choice ends in *ka*. The higher first syllable distinguishes *sáke* in this exchange.

  1. 11

    Kore wa sáke desu ka, sake desu ka?

    これわさけですかさけですか

    Is this a salmon or is it Japanese rice-wine?

  2. 12

    Sore wa sáke desu.

    それわさけです

    That's a salmon.

  3. 13

    Hai, yoku dekimashita.

    はいよくできました

    Yes, you did well.

  4. 14

    Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu.

    どおもありがとおございます

    Thank you very much.

  5. 15

    Doo itashimashite.

    どおいたしまして

    Not at all.

Pitch for fire, sun and salmon · Perception Drill 1

The height of a syllable

*hí* means "fire," while *hi* means "sun." Pitch is the high or low tone of a syllable.

Japanese syllables have about equal length and stress. A higher pitch makes one syllable more prominent.

Pitch changes meaning

*sáke* means "salmon," while *saké* means "Japanese SAKE wine." The high pitch falls on a different syllable.

In most words, the first two syllables differ in pitch. After pitch drops from high to low, it does not rise again.

  1. 16

    hí

    ひ

    fire

  2. 17

    hí desu ka?

    ひですか

    Is it fire?

  3. 18

    hai, hí desu

    はいひです

    Yes, it is fire.

  4. 19

    hi

    ひ

    sun

  5. 20

    hi desu ka?

    ひですか

    Is it the sun?

  6. 21

    hai, hi desu

    はいひです

    Yes, it is the sun.

  7. 22

    sáke

    さけ

    salmon

  8. 23

    sáke desu ka?

    さけですか

    Is it salmon?

  9. 24

    hai, sáke desu

    はいさけです

    Yes, it is salmon.

  10. 25

    saké

    さけ

    Japanese SAKE wine

Pitch for wine, chopsticks and bridges · Perception Drill 2

Chopsticks and a bridge

*háshi* means "chopsticks," while *hashí* means "bridge." The high pitch falls on the first or second syllable.

*háshi desu ka* asks "Are they chopsticks?" *hashí desu ka* asks "Is it a bridge?"

*saké* means "Japanese SAKE wine," and *tsúchi* means "hammer."

  1. 26

    saké desu ka?

    さけですか

    Is it sake?

  2. 27

    hai, saké desu

    はいさけです

    Yes, it is sake.

  3. 28

    háshi

    はし

    chopsticks

  4. 29

    háshi desu ka?

    はしですか

    Are they chopsticks?

  5. 30

    hai, háshi desu

    はいはしです

    Yes, they are chopsticks.

  6. 31

    hashí

    はし

    bridge

  7. 32

    hashí desu ka?

    はしですか

    Is it a bridge?

  8. 33

    hai, hashí desu

    はいはしです

    Yes, it is a bridge.

  9. 34

    tsúchi

    つち

    hammer

  10. 35

    tsúchi desu ka?

    つちですか

    Is it a mallet?

Pitch for soil, rain and candy · Perception Drill 3

Soil, rain, and candy

*áme* means "rain," while *amé* means "candy." The high pitch falls on the first or second syllable.

*tsuchí desu ka* asks "Is it soil?" The second syllable of *tsuchí* has the high pitch.

  1. 36

    hai, tsúchi desu

    はいつちです

    Yes, it is a mallet.

  2. 37

    tsuchí

    つち

    Soil.

  3. 38

    tsuchí desu ka?

    つちですか

    Is it soil?

  4. 39

    hai, tsuchí desu

    はいつちです

    Yes, it is soil.

  5. 40

    áme

    あめ

    rain

  6. 41

    áme desu ka?

    あめですか

    Is it rain?

  7. 42

    hai, áme desu

    はいあめです

    Yes, it is rain.

  8. 43

    amé

    あめ

    candy

  9. 44

    amé desu ka?

    あめですか

    Is it candy?

  10. 45

    hai, amé desu

    はいあめです

    Yes, it is candy.

Distinguishing sun, fire, wine and salmon · Perception Drill 4

Sun and fire in full answers

*Sore wa hi desu* identifies the sun. After that answer is rejected, *Sore wa hí desu* identifies fire.

Pitch distinguishes *hi* from *hí* inside the same sentence pattern.

Rice wine and salmon

*Kore wa sake desu ka* asks about rice wine. *Are wa sáke desu ka* asks about salmon.

The words differ through pitch, while the questions identify objects in the same way.

  1. 46

    Kore wa nan desu ka?

    これわなんですか

    What is this?

  2. 47

    Sore wa hi desu.

    それわひです

    That is the sun.

  3. 48

    Kore wa hi desu ka?

    これわひですか

    Is this the sun?

  4. 49

    Iie, sore wa hi dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわひでわありません

    No, that is not the sun.

  5. 50

    Dewa kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  6. 51

    Sore wa hí desu.

    それわひです

    That is fire.

  7. 52

    Kore wa sake desu ka?

    これわさけですか

    Is this sake?

  8. 53

    Hai, sore wa sake desu.

    はいそれわさけです

    Yes, that is sake.

  9. 54

    Are wa sáke desu ka?

    あれわさけですか

    Is that salmon?

  10. 55

    Hai, are wa sáke desu.

    はいあれわさけです

    Yes, that is salmon.

Distinguishing bridges, chopsticks, soil and mallets · Perception Drill 5

A denial followed by a correction

*Sore wa hashí desu* identifies a bridge. *Sore wa háshi desu* identifies chopsticks after a question and denial.

The final exchange denies *tsuchí*, meaning "soil," and answers with *tsúchi*, meaning "mallet." Pitch distinguishes each pair.

  1. 56

    Kore wa nan desu ka?

    これわなんですか

    What is this?

  2. 57

    Sore wa hashí desu.

    それわはしです

    That is a bridge.

  3. 58

    Kore wa háshi desu ka?

    これわはしですか

    Are these chopsticks?

  4. 59

    Iie, sore wa hashí dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわはしでわありません

    No, those are not chopsticks.

  5. 60

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  6. 61

    Sore wa háshi desu.

    それわはしです

    Those are chopsticks.

  7. 62

    Kore wa tsuchí desu ka?

    これわつちですか

    Is this soil?

  8. 63

    Hai, sore wa tsuchí desu.

    はいそれわつちです

    Yes, that is soil.

  9. 64

    Kore wa tsuchí desu ka?

    これわつちですか

    Is this soil?

  10. 65

    Iie, sore wa tsuchí dewa arimasen. Sore wa tsúchi desu.

    いいえそれわつちでわありませんそれわつちです

    No, that is not soil; it is a mallet.

Saying something is also true · Perception Drill 6

A second object of the same kind

*Kore wa hon desu* means "This is a book." *Are mo hon desu* means "That is also a book."

The particle *mo* adds an item like one stated earlier. It means "also" or "too" and takes the place of *wa*.

Also with a person

*Watakushi wa sensei desu* means "I am a teacher." *Ano-kata mo sensei desu* adds that the other person is also a teacher.

  1. 66

    Kore wa nan desu ka?

    これわなんですか

    What is this?

  2. 67

    Sore wa ame desu.

    それわあめです

    That is candy.

  3. 68

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  4. 69

    Sore wa áme desu.

    それわあめです

    That is rain.

  5. 70

    Kore wa hon desu.

    これわほんです

    This is a book.

  6. 71

    Are mo hon desu.

    あれもほんです

    That is also a book.

  7. 72

    Kore wa enpitsu desu.

    これわえんぴつです

    This is a pencil.

  8. 73

    Sore mo enpitsu desu.

    それもえんぴつです

    That is also a pencil.

  9. 74

    Watakushi wa sensei desu.

    わたくしわせんせいです

    I am a teacher.

  10. 75

    Ano-kata mo sensei desu.

    あのかたもせんせいです

    That person is also a teacher.

Also with people and objects · Perception Drill 7

Another student or soldier

*Sono-kata mo seito desu* means "That person is also a student." The particle *mo* adds another person with the same identity.

*xx-san mo gunjin desu* says that Mr. XX is also a soldier.

Another possible bridge

*Kore mo hashí desu ka* asks "Is this also a bridge?" The answer rejects that identity and names *háshi*, meaning "chopsticks."

  1. 76

    Anata wa seito desu.

    あなたわせいとです

    You are a student.

  2. 77

    Sono-kata mo seito desu.

    そのかたもせいとです

    That person is also a student.

  3. 78

    Anata wa gunjin desu.

    あなたわぐんじんです

    You are a soldier.

  4. 79

    xx-san mo gunjin desu.

    さんもぐんじんです

    Mr. XX is also a soldier.

  5. 80

    Kore wa hashí desu ka?

    これわはしですか

    Is this a bridge?

  6. 81

    Hai, sore wa hashí desu.

    はいそれわはしです

    Yes, that is a bridge.

  7. 82

    Kore mo hashí desu ka?

    これもはしですか

    Is this also a bridge?

  8. 83

    Iie, sore wa hashí dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわはしでわありません

    No, that is not a bridge.

  9. 84

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  10. 85

    Sore wa háshi desu.

    それわはしです

    That is a pair of chopsticks.

Contrasting soil, mallets, candy and rain · Perception Drill 8

Also before a correction

*Kore mo tsúchi desu ka* asks whether another item is also a mallet. The answer contrasts *tsuchí*, meaning "soil," with *tsúchi*, meaning "mallet."

*Kore mo ame desu ka* asks whether another item is also candy. The exchange rejects candy and identifies *áme*, meaning "rain."

  1. 86

    Kore wa nan desu ka?

    これわなんですか

    What is this?

  2. 87

    Sore wa tsuchí desu.

    それわつちです

    That is soil.

  3. 88

    Kore mo tsúchi desu ka?

    これもつちですか

    Is this also a mallet?

  4. 89

    Iie, sore wa tsuchí dewa arimasen. Sore wa tsúchi desu.

    いいえそれわつちでわありませんそれわつちです

    No, that is not soil. That is a mallet.

  5. 90

    Kore wa nan desu ka?

    これわなんですか

    What is this?

  6. 91

    Sore wa ame desu.

    それわあめです

    That is candy.

  7. 92

    Kore mo ame desu ka?

    これもあめですか

    Is this also candy?

  8. 93

    Iie, sore wa ame dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわあめでわありません

    No, that is not candy.

  9. 94

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  10. 95

    Sore wa áme desu.

    それわあめです

    That is rain.

Contrasting wine, salmon, fire and sun · Perception Drill 9

Rice wine or salmon

*Kore mo sake desu ka* asks whether another item is also rice wine. The answer rejects *sake* and identifies *sáke*, meaning "salmon."

The particle *mo* marks the additional item. Pitch distinguishes the two answers.

A second pitch contrast

*Kore mo hi desu ka* asks whether another item has the same identity. The answer rejects *hi* and identifies it as *hí*.

  1. 96

    Kore wa sake desu ka?

    これわさけですか

    Is this sake?

  2. 97

    Hai, sore wa sake desu.

    はいそれわさけです

    Yes, that is sake.

  3. 98

    Kore mo sake desu ka?

    これもさけですか

    Is this also sake?

  4. 99

    Iie, sore wa sake dewa arimasen. Sore wa sáke desu.

    いいえそれわさけでわありませんそれわさけです

    No, that is not sake. That is salmon.

  5. 100

    Kore wa hi desu ka?

    これわひですか

    Is this fire?

  6. 101

    Hai, sore wa hi desu.

    はいそれわひです

    Yes, that is fire.

  7. 102

    Kore mo hi desu ka?

    これもひですか

    Is this also fire?

  8. 103

    Iie, sore wa hi dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわひでわありません

    No, that is not fire.

  9. 104

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  10. 105

    Sore wa hí desu.

    それわひです

    That is the sun.

Asking between two alternatives · Perception Drill 10

Two alternatives marked with ka

*Kore wa hon desu ka, kami desu ka* asks "Is this a book or paper?" Each alternative ends in *ka*.

In an alternate question, *ka* follows each of two choices. The first *ka* also carries the meaning "or."

One choice answers the question

*Anata wa sensei desu ka, seito desu ka* asks "Are you a teacher or a student?" The answer states one of the two identities.

  1. 106

    Hon desu ka, kami desu ka?

    ほんですかかみですか

    Is it a book or paper?

  2. 107

    Kore wa hon desu ka, kami desu ka?

    これわほんですかかみですか

    Is this a book or paper?

  3. 108

    Sensei desu ka, seito desu ka?

    せんせいですかせいとですか

    Is it a teacher or a student?

  4. 109

    Anata wa sensei desu ka, seito desu ka?

    あなたわせんせいですかせいとですか

    Are you a teacher or a student?

  5. 110

    Háshi desu ka, hashí desu ka?

    はしですかはしですか

    Is it a pair of chopsticks or a bridge?

  6. 111

    Kore wa háshi desu ka, hashí desu ka?

    これわはしですかはしですか

    Is this a pair of chopsticks or a bridge?

  7. 112

    Hí desu ka, hi desu ka?

    ひですかひですか

    Is it the sun or fire?

  8. 113

    Kore wa hí desu ka, hi desu ka?

    これわひですかひですか

    Is this the sun or fire?

  9. 114

    Sáke desu ka, sake desu ka?

    さけですかさけですか

    Is it salmon or sake?

  10. 115

    Kore wa sáke desu ka, sake desu ka?

    これわさけですかさけですか

    Is this salmon or sake?

Choosing by pitch · Perception Drill 11

Alternatives distinguished by pitch

*Áme desu ka, ame desu ka* asks about rain or candy. The two choices have different pitch and each ends in *ka*.

*Tsúchi desu ka, tsuchí desu ka* asks about a mallet or soil.

Another item after one choice

After *Sore wa hi desu* selects one choice, *Kore mo hi desu ka* asks whether another item has the same identity.

The answer rejects that choice and uses the contrasting pitch in *hí*.

  1. 116

    Áme desu ka, ame desu ka?

    あめですかあめですか

    Is it rain or candy?

  2. 117

    Kore wa áme desu ka, ame desu ka?

    これわあめですかあめですか

    Is this rain or candy?

  3. 118

    Tsúchi desu ka, tsuchí desu ka?

    つちですかつちですか

    Is it a mallet or soil?

  4. 119

    Kore wa tsúchi desu ka, tsuchí desu ka?

    これわつちですかつちですか

    Is this a mallet or soil?

  5. 120

    Kore wa hí desu ka, hi desu ka?

    これわひですかひですか

    Is this the sun or fire?

  6. 121

    Sore wa hi desu.

    それわひです

    That is fire.

  7. 122

    Kore mo hi desu ka?

    これもひですか

    Is this also fire?

  8. 123

    Iie, sore wa hi dewa arimasen. Sore wa hí desu.

    いいえそれわひでわありませんそれわひです

    No, that is not fire. That is the sun.

  9. 124

    Kore wa háshi desu ka, hashí desu ka?

    これわはしですかはしですか

    Is this a pair of chopsticks or a bridge?

  10. 125

    Sore wa hashí desu.

    それわはしです

    That is a bridge.

Alternatives with also · Perception Drill 12

Salmon first, then another item

*Kore wa sáke desu ka, sake desu ka* asks whether an object is salmon or rice wine. *Sore wa sáke desu* selects salmon.

*Kore mo sáke desu ka* asks whether another object is also salmon. The answer rejects salmon and identifies rice wine.

The same pattern with people

*Anata wa sensei desu ka, seito desu ka* asks whether someone is a teacher or student. The answer selects student.

*Ano-kata mo seito desu ka* then asks whether another person is also a student.

  1. 126

    Kore mo hashí desu ka?

    これもはしですか

    Is this also a bridge?

  2. 127

    Iie sore wa hashí dewa arimasen. Sore wa háshi desu

    いいえそれわはしでわありませんそれわはしです

    No, that is not a bridge. That is a pair of chopsticks.

  3. 128

    Kore wa sáke desu ka, sake desu ka?

    これわさけですかさけですか

    Is this salmon or sake?

  4. 129

    Sore wa sáke desu.

    それわさけです

    That is salmon.

  5. 130

    Kore mo sáke desu ka?

    これもさけですか

    Is this also salmon?

  6. 131

    Iie, sore wa sáke dewa arimasen. Sore wa sake desu.

    いいえそれわさけでわありませんそれわさけです

    No, that is not salmon. That is sake.

  7. 132

    Anata wa sensei desu ka, seito desu ka?

    あなたわせんせいですかせいとですか

    Are you a teacher or a student?

  8. 133

    Watakushi wa seito desu.

    わたくしわせいとです

    I am a student.

  9. 134

    Ano-kata mo seito desu ka?

    あのかたもせいとですか

    Is that person also a student?

  10. 135

    Hai, ano-kata mo seito desu.

    はいあのかたもせいとです

    Yes, that person is also a student.

Ranks, alternatives and morning greetings · Perception Drill 13

Ranks as alternatives

*Anata wa shookoo desu ka, kashikan desu ka* asks whether someone is a commissioned or noncommissioned officer.

The answer selects *kashikan*. *Ano-kata mo kashikan desu ka* asks whether another person is also a noncommissioned officer.

A mallet or soil

*Kore wa tsúchi desu ka, tsuchí desu ka* asks whether something is a mallet or soil. *Sore wa tsúchi desu* selects mallet.

*Kore mo tsúchi desu ka* then asks whether another item is also a mallet.

A complete morning greeting

*Ohayoo* and *Gozaimasu* combine as *Ohayoo gozaimasu*. The complete expression means "Good morning."

  1. 136

    Anata wa shookoo desu ka, kashikan desu ka?

    あなたわしょおこおですかかしかんですか

    Are you a commissioned officer or a noncommissioned officer?

  2. 137

    Watakushi wa kashikan desu.

    わたくしわかしかんです

    I am a noncommissioned officer.

  3. 138

    Ano-kata mo kashikan desu ka?

    あのかたもかしかんですか

    Is that person also a noncommissioned officer?

  4. 139

    Kore wa tsúchi desu ka, tsuchí desu ka?

    これわつちですかつちですか

    Is this a mallet or soil?

  5. 140

    Sore wa tsúchi desu.

    それわつちです

    That is a mallet.

  6. 141

    Kore mo tsúchi desu ka?

    これもつちですか

    Is this also a mallet?

  7. 142

    Iie, sore wa tsuchí dewa arimasen sore wa tsuchí desu.

    いいえそれわつちでわありませんそれわつちです

    No, that is not soil. That is soil.

  8. 143

    Ohayoo

    おはよお

    Good morning.

  9. 144

    Gozaimasu

    ございます

    Good morning.

  10. 145

    Ohayoo gozaimasu.

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

Asking after someone's health · Perception Drill 14

Asking politely about health

*Ogenki desu ka* means "Are you fine?" An honorific marks respect when referring to another person.

*Ogenki* is the honorific equivalent of *genki*. Use *genki* for yourself.

Appreciation with a favorable answer

*Okagesama de genki desu* means "Thanks, I'm fine." *Okagesama de* expresses appreciation for concern or help.

It accompanies favorable or pleasant information.

  1. 146

    Ohayoo gozaimasu

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

  2. 147

    Ogenki

    おげんき

    How are you?

  3. 148

    Ogenki desu ka?

    おげんきですか

    Are you fine? (See notes)

  4. 149

    Okagesama de

    おかげさまで

    Thanks to you. (see notes)

  5. 150

    Genki desu

    げんきです

    I am fine.

  6. 151

    Okagesama de genki desu.

    おかげさまでげんきです

    Thanks, I'm fine.

  7. 152

    Yoku

    よく

    Well.

  8. 153

    Dekimashita

    できました

    Done.

  9. 154

    Yoku dekimashita

    よくできました

    You did well.

  10. 155

    Doomo

    どおも

    Very much.

Thanks and polite replies · Perception Drill 15

A polite morning exchange

Two speakers exchange *Ohayoo gozaimasu*, meaning "Good morning." *Ogenki desu ka* politely asks about the other person's health.

*Hai, okagesama de genki desu* gives favorable news with the appreciative *okagesama de*.

Thanks and its reply

*Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu* means "Thank you very much." *Doo itashimashite* replies "Don't mention it."

  1. 156

    Arigatoo

    ありがとお

    Thank you.

  2. 157

    Gozaimasu

    ございます

    It is.

  3. 158

    Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu.

    どおもありがとおございます

    Thank you very much.

  4. 159

    Doo

    どお

    How?

  5. 160

    Itashimashite

    いたしまして

    Not at all.

  6. 161

    Doo itashimashite

    どおいたしまして

    Don't mention it; not at all

  7. 162

    Ohayoo gozaimasu.

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

  8. 163

    Ohayoo gozaimasu.

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

  9. 164

    Ogenki desu ka?

    おげんきですか

    Are you fine? (See notes)

  10. 165

    Hai, okagesama de genki desu.

    はいおかげさまでげんきです

    Yes, thanks, I'm fine.

Praise, thanks and replies · Perception Drill 16

Praise, thanks, and a reply

*Yoku dekimashita* means "You did well." The response *Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu* means "Thank you very much."

*Doo itashimashite* completes the exchange with "Don't mention it."

  1. 166

    Yoku dekimashita.

    よくできました

    You did well.

  2. 167

    Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu.

    どおもありがとおございます

    Thank you very much.

  3. 168

    Doo itashimashite.

    どおいたしまして

    Don't mention it; not at all

  4. 169

    Yoku dekimashita.

    よくできました

    You did well.

  5. 170

    Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu.

    どおもありがとおございます

    Thank you very much.

  6. 171

    Doo itashimashite.

    どおいたしまして

    Don't mention it; not at all

Hearing pitch differences · Pronunciation drill 1

Preserve each pitch contrast

*hí desu* identifies fire, while *hi desu* identifies the sun. Keep the syllables even in length and stress while changing pitch.

The same contrast separates *sáke desu*, meaning "salmon," from *saké desu*, meaning "sake wine."

  1. 172

    hí desu

    ひです

    fire

  2. 173

    hi desu

    ひです

    sun

  3. 174

    Hai, sore wa hi desu.

    はいそれわひです

    Yes, that is fire.

  4. 175

    Kore mo hi desu ka?

    これもひですか

    Is this fire too?

  5. 176

    Iie, sore wa hi dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわひでわありません

    No, that is not fire.

  6. 177

    Sore, wa hí desu.

    それわひです

    That is the sun.

  7. 178

    sáke desu

    さけです

    salmon

  8. 179

    saké desu

    さけです

    sake wine

  9. 180

    Kore wa sake desu ka?

    これわさけですか

    Is this sake?

Salmon, sake, rain and candy · Pronunciation drill 2

Salmon and rain after a denial

*Kore mo sake desu ka* asks whether another item is also rice wine. After a denial, *Sore wa sáke desu* identifies salmon.

The same exchange contrasts *ame*, meaning "candy," with *áme*, meaning "rain." Preserve the pitch change while keeping syllable length and stress even.

  1. 181

    Hai, sore wa sake desu.

    はいそれわさけです

    Yes, that is sake.

  2. 182

    Kore mo sake desu ka?

    これもさけですか

    Is this sake too?

  3. 183

    Iie, sore wa sake dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわさけでわありません

    No, that is not sake.

  4. 184

    Sore wa sáke desu.

    それわさけです

    That is salmon.

  5. 185

    Hai, sore wa ame desu.

    はいそれわあめです

    Yes, that is candy.

  6. 186

    Kore mo ame desu ka?

    これもあめですか

    Is this candy too?

  7. 187

    Iie, sore wa ame dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわあめでわありません

    No, that is not candy.

  8. 188

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  9. 189

    Sore wa áme desu.

    それわあめです

    That is rain.

Chopsticks, bridges and hammers · Pronunciation drill 3

Chopsticks and a bridge

*háshi desu* identifies chopsticks, while *hashí desu* identifies a bridge. Preserve the different pitch while keeping each syllable even.

*Kore mo háshi desu ka* asks whether another object is also chopsticks. The exchange denies that identity and answers with *hashí*.

  1. 190

    háshi desu

    はしです

    chopsticks

  2. 191

    hashí desu

    はしです

    bridge

  3. 192

    Kore wa háshi desu ka?

    これわはしですか

    Are these chopsticks?

  4. 193

    Hai, sore wa háshi desu.

    はいそれわはしです

    Yes, those are chopsticks.

  5. 194

    Kore mo háshi desu ka?

    これもはしですか

    Are these chopsticks too?

  6. 195

    Iie, sore wa háshi dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわはしでわありません

    No, those are not chopsticks.

  7. 196

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  8. 197

    Sore wa hashí desu.

    それわはしです

    That is a bridge.

  9. 198

    tsúchi desu

    つちです

    hammer

Earth and mallets · Pronunciation drill 4

Earth and a mallet

*tsuchí desu* identifies earth, while *tsúchi* identifies a mallet. Preserve the pitch difference while keeping syllable length and stress even.

*Kore mo tsúchi desu ka* asks whether another object is also a mallet. The final answer identifies *tsuchí*, meaning "earth."

  1. 199

    tsuchí desu

    つちです

    earth

  2. 200

    Kore wa tsuchí desu ka?

    これわつちですか

    Is this earth?

  3. 201

    Hai, sore wa tsúchi desu.

    はいそれわつちです

    Yes, that is a mallet.

  4. 202

    Kore mo tsúchi desu ka?

    これもつちですか

    Is this a mallet too?

  5. 203

    Iie, sore wa tsúchi dewa arimasen.

    いいえそれわつちでわありません

    No, that is not a mallet.

  6. 204

    Dewa, kore wa nan desu ka?

    でわこれわなんですか

    Then what is this?

  7. 205

    Sore wa tsuchí desu.

    それわつちです

    That is earth.

Fire, sun and sound-alikes · Word list 1 of 2

Pitch separates meanings

These words name objects and natural things. *hí* means "fire," while *hi* means "sun."

*saké* means "Japanese SAKE wine." The entries show that pitch can distinguish meaning without changing the consonants and vowels.

  1. 206

    hí

    ひ

    fire

  2. 207

    hi

    ひ

    sun

  3. 208

    sáke

    さけ

    salmon

  4. 209

    saké

    さけ

    Japanese SAKE wine

  5. 210

    hashí

    はし

    bridge

  6. 211

    háshi

    はし

    chopsticks

  7. 212

    tsúchi

    つち

    hammer

  8. 213

    tuschí

    つsち

    earth, dirt

  9. 214

    áme

    あめ

    rain

Greetings, thanks and choices · Word list 2 of 2

Expressions for polite exchanges

These expressions cover greetings, health, choices, praise, thanks, and replies. *Ohayoo gozaimasu* means "Good morning."

*Ogenki desu ka* asks "Are you fine?" *Okagesama de* means "Thanks to you." The expressions support a complete polite exchange.

  1. 215

    amé

    あめ

    candy

  2. 216

    mo

    も

    also

  3. 217

    Ohayoo gozaimasu.

    おはよおございます

    Good morning.

  4. 218

    Ogenki desu ka?

    おげんきですか

    Are you fine? (See notes)

  5. 219

    Okagesama de

    おかげさまで

    Thanks to you. (see notes)

  6. 220

    ---ka---ka

    かか

    is --- or ---? (See notes)

  7. 221

    Yoku dekimashita.

    よくできました

    You did well.

  8. 222

    Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu.

    どおもありがとおございます

    Thank you very much.

  9. 223

    Doo itashimashite

    どおいたしまして

    Don't mention it; not at all

Homework Assignment

1 Memorize the Dialogue.

2 Memorize the vocabulary.

3 Listen to the tape and practice pronunciation.

4 Read the Explanatory Notes.

5 Practice writing and reading of HIRAGANA, pa to po.

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.