Easy Japanese

Easy Japanese

Yasashii Nihongo

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Summary:

1. The writing system

2. Japanese verbs and adjectives

3. The Japanese phrase: the particles

4. Useful structures

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1. The writing system

The Japanese way of speaking is quite simple: you can only find vowels alone and syllables. N can also be alone.

Nowadays, 4 writing systems are in use in Japan: Hiragana, Katakana, the terrible Kanjis and our well-known rômaji.

Hiragana and Katakana must be known by every Japanese learner. They both come from a simplification of chinese ideogramms. You can write every Japanese word by means of Hiragana. With Katakana you can write foreign words and Japanese interjections.

The order of Hiragana and Katana is:

A I U E O

KA KI KU KE KO ~ GA GI GU GE GO

SA SHI SU SE SO ~ ZA JI ZU ZE ZO

TA CHI TSU TE TO ~ DA (JI) (ZU) DE DO

NA NI NU NE NO

HA HI FU HE HO ~ BA BI BU BE BO ~ PA PI PU PE PO

MA MI MU ME MO

YA YU YO

WA WO

N

How to write Japanese words? How to write foreign names in Japanese? Click HERE

NB: the Japanese sounds are pronounced as in the following words (Hiragana order):

a: but, i: fill, u: tool (shorter; at the end, not pronounced), e: get, o: roll

k: keep, g: get (never like george)

s: sit, sh: shirt, z: zoo, j: John

t: tower, ch: chinese, d: David

n: never

h: hat, f: fire (between f and h, very smooth), b: bar, p: papa

m: mother

y: yes

r: between a rolled r (Spanish r) and an l

w: what

Rômaji is a way of writing Japanese words by means of our alphabet. It literally means 'Roman writing system'.

A consonnant can be doubled and you have to pronounce it strongly. Eg: Kissaten (café bar) will be pronounced Kis+saten. In rômaji we write the consonnant twice.

A vowel can be short or long. If it is long we put an accent on it: roma is different from rôma.

Kanji means 'Chinese ideogramms'. The use of Kanjis is very complex and a student who wants to read a Japanese newspaper will have to know at least 1945 of the ideogramms...Don't forget that you can write every Japanese word by means of Hiragana, but in the newspapers, in the books or in the streets you won't have this joker! In the comics you'll find the text written with Kanjis, Hiragana and Katana but the 'translation' into Hiragana is given above the chinese ideogramms.

In general, the root of a verb is written in Kanji and the ending with Hiragana.

Example of the use of Kanjis, Katakana & Hiragana

How to write Japanese words? How to write foreign names in Japanese? Click HERE

2. Japanese verbs and adjectives

a. The verb

It has, as in indo-european languages, several forms. But the difficulty is not exactly at the same level. In French for instance you have a huge number of forms for every verbs, depending of number, person, tense, mode...

In Japanese, no. You have few forms but the main difficulty is that you have several degrees of way of speaking: you'll conjugate a verb differently if you speak to a child (-), a friend(- or =), a colleague(=), or your Director(+)! Here you will learn the - and the = form.

You have only one form for all the persons (I, you, he, she,...).

The use of I, you,... is not necessary in Japanese. But the words exist:

I=Watashi(polite), Watakushi(very polite), Atashi(females), Boku(males), Are (rude, males).

You (singular)=Anata(polite), Kimi(males), Anta, Omae(familiar, for intimity...).

He=Kare.

She=Kanojo.

For the plural forms, add tachi. Nevertheless, They=Karera!

Be careful, it is often better to use X San (Mr or Mrs X) rather than Anata , Kare or Kanojo.

The dictionnary form of a verb is the - form.

The 3 classes of verbs are: Consonantical base (ending by KU, GU, SU, TSU, NU, BU, MU, RU and U), Vocalical base (ending by RU), Irregular verbs (only 2: kuru and suru).

NB: you see that verbs ending by RU can belong to the C class or the V one. Only practice can help you to differenciate the two classes for RU verbs.

Basic tenses are: positive present & future; negative present & future; positive past; negative past.

Here is the - form conjugation of verbs of each category
C Class

Present&Future >0	Present&Future <0	Past >0	Past <0
kaKU (to write)	kaKANAI	kaITA	kaKANAKATTA
oyoGU (to swim)	oyoGANAI	oyoIDA	oyoGANAKATTA
hanaSU (to speak)	hanaSANAI	hanaSHITA	hanaSANAKATTA
maTSU (to wait)	maTANAI	maTTA	maTANAKATTA
shiNU (to die)	shiNAI	shiNDA	shiNAKATTA
asoBU (to play)	asoBANAI	asoNDA	asoBANAKATTA
noMU (to drink)	noMANAI	noNDA	noMANAKATTA
tsukuRU (to make)	tsukuRANAI	tsukuTTA	tsukuRANAKATTA
kaU (to buy)	kaWANAI	kaTTA	kaWANAKATTA

V Class

Present&Future >0	Present&Future <0	Past >0	Past <0
miRU (to see)	miNAI	miTA	miNAKATTA
tabeRU (to eat)	tabeNAI	tabeTA	tabeNAKATTA

Irregular verbs

Present&Future >0	Present&Future <0	Past >0	Past <0
kuru (to come)	konai	kita	konakatta
suru (to do)	shinai	shita	shinakatta

According to these tables you see that the Japanese conjugation is quite simple (you can now conjugate every Japanese verb!):

-Present&Future >0 always end by U.

-Present&Future <0: for C Class, drop U and add ANAI (be careful, an U verb gives WANAI); for V class, drop RU and add NAI.

-Past <0 is formed by means of Present&Future <0: drop I and add KATTA.

-Past >0 is particular and very important. The rules are:

C class:

KU -> ITA

GU -> IDA

U, TSU, RU -> TTA

NU, MU, BU -> NDA

SU -> SHITA
V class:
RU -> TA

NB: this form is important because if you change final A by E you have the suspensive form of the verb (explained after).

The = form of verbs:

This form is even easier to build. We use for it the I form of the verbs (built with - form). No exceptions.

C class:

Present&Future >0	Present&Future <0	Past >0	Past <0
Drop U add IMASU	drop U add IMASEN	drop U add IMASHITA	drop U add IMASEN DESHITA
eg: kakU->kakIMASU	eg: matsU->machIMASEN	eg: asobU->asobIMASHITA	eg: kaU->kaIMASEN DESHITA

V class:

Present&Future >0	Present&Future <0	Past >0	Past <0
Drop RU add MASU	drop RU add MASEN	drop RU add MASHITA	drop RU add MASEN DESHITA
eg: tabeRU->tabeMASU	eg: miRU->miMASEN	eg: ageRU->ageMASHITA	eg: sugiRU->sugiMASEN DESHITA

Irregular verbs:

Present&Future >0	Present&Future <0	Past >0	Past <0
kimasu (to come)	kimasen	kimashita	kimasen deshita
shimasu (to do)	shimasen	shimashita	shimasen deshita

Other tenses and verb forms:

Take the - Past>0 form of a verb, drop the A and add E. You get the Gerund and the suspensive form of the verb. Eg: kau (to buy)-> kaita (bought)-> kaite (buying). Miru (to see)-> mita (saw, seen)-> mite (seeing).

Take the gerund form of a verb, add the verb IRU (V class!), you build the progressive form of the verb. Eg: nomu (to drink)-> nonde (drinking)-> nondeiru (I'm drinking, you're drinking,...)-> nondeita (I was drinking), ...

Translation of "let's": C class: drop U and add Ô. Eg: kaku-> kakô (let's write). V class: drop RU and add YÔ. Eg: miru-> miyô (let's see). Note that the equivalent = form is simply constructed by reemplacing MASU (present>0) by MASHÔ. Eg: machimasu (to wait)-> machimashô (let's wait).

You can easily build an imperative mode by taking the gerung form of a verb and adding KUDASAI. Eg: hairu (to come in, a C verb)-> haitte kudasai (please come in).

Translation of "can do X": C class: drop U and add ERU (which becomes V class verb!). Eg: oyogu-> oyogeru (I can swin). V class: drop RU and add RARERU (V class verb). Eg: taberu-> taberareru (I, you,.. can eat).

b. Desu

This is an important word you'll use very oftenly. It means 'It's" or "This is" (French "C'est", Spanish 'Eso es'). It can also be considered as the verb to be.

It's conjugation is:

Present&Future >0: Da (-), Desu (=)

Present&Future <0: Janai or Dewanai (-), Dewa arimasen (=)

Past >0: Datta (-), Deshita (=)

Past <0: Janakatta or Dewanakatta (-), Dewa arimasen deshita (=).

It's suspensive form (into a phrae) is De.

Eg:

Ringo desu= this is an apple.

Smith San wa furansujin dewa arimasen deshita= Mr Smith wasn't French.

Kinô wa getsuyôbi deshita= yesterday was Monday.

c. Adjectives

Japanese has mainly 2 kinds of adjectives. The 'I' adjectives (acting quite like verbs) and 'NA' adjectives (invariable).

I adjectives:

They end by I (quite logical!) and must be conjugated. Let's take the example of KARUI (light):

Predicative adjective (eg: the car is light)

	- form	= form
Present&Future >0	karuI	karuI DESU
Present&Future <0	karuKUNAI	karuKU ARIMASEN karuKUNAI DESU
Past >0	karuKATTA	karuKATTA DESU
Past <0	karuKUNAKATTA	karuKU ARIMASEN DESHITA karuKUNAKATTA DESU

Attributive adjective (eg: light car)

	- and = form
Present&Future >0	karuI + name
Present&Future <0	karuKUNAI + name
Past >0	karuKATTA + name
Past <0	karuKUNAKATTA + name

NA adjectives:

They have only one form; thus, to be conjugated, they need the use od Desu. They are called NA adjectives because of the Present&Future >0 form when the adjective is attributive. Let's take the adjective BENRI (practical).

Predicative adjective (eg: the car is practical)

	- form	= form
Present&Future >0	benri DA	benri DESU
Present&Future <0	benri DEWA NAI benri JA NAI	benri DEWA ARIMASEN benri JA ARIMASEN
Past >0	benri DATTA	benri DESHITA
Past <0	benri DEWA NAKATTA benri JA NAKATTA	benri DEWA ARIMASEN DESHITA benri JA ARIMASEN DESHITA

Attributive adjective (eg: practical car)

	- and = form
Present&Future >0	benri *+ NA* + name
Present&Future <0	benri DEWA NAI + name benri JA NAI + name
Past >0	benri DATTA + name
Past <0	benri DEWA NAKATTA + name benri JA NAKATTA + name

3. The Japanese phrase: the particle

A Japanese phrase is strongly different from an indo-european one.

Let's take the phrase "The mother is watching a boy who is running after a dog".

Japanese translation: Kodomo ga inu o oikaketeiru no o okaasan ga miteimasu.

(Children GA dog O running after NO O mother GA is looking).

In this example we see that the words are linked by means of particles. Let's see their meaning.

HA (pronounced 'wa'): means something like 'let's talk about'.

Eg: Watashi wa furansujin desu = I'm French (litt. I, let's talk about, French, is).

GA: indicates and introduces the subject.

Eg: Hon ga arimasu = there's a book (litt. book, subject, there's). Note the verb 'arimasu' (aru) which means there is(are) for things. The verb for beings is imasu (iru).

O (written wo but pronounced o): indicates and introduces an object.

Eg: Anata wa pan o tabeteimasu = you're eating bread (litt. you, let's talk about, bread, object, are eating).

KA: at the end of phrase, transform it into an interrogation.

Eg: Ringo desu ka = is this an apple? (litt. apple, it's, question?)

TO: means 'and' (limited list) , can make an association (with) and also introduces a quotation.

Eg1: Sumisu san to Gurei san wa americajin desu = Mr Smith and Grey are American (litt. Smith , and, Grey, let's talk about, American, are)

Eg2: Watashi wa kodomo to asobimasu = I play with the children (litt. I, let's talk about, children, with, to play).

Eg3: Isha wa nan to itteimashita ka = What did the doctor say? (litt. doctor, let's talk about, what, quotation, said, question).

NI: introduces where is situated sthg or introduces a ponctual time.

Eg1: Tôkyô ni tawâ ga arimasu = There's a tower in Tôkyô (litt. Tôkyô, situation, tower, subject, there's).

Eg2: Ichi ji ni daigaku ni kimashita = I arrived at 1 o'clock at the university (1 o'clock, time, university, situation, arrived).

HE (pronounced e like in get): introduces the direction.

Eg: Pari he iku = I go to Paris (litt. Paris, direction, to go).

DE: introduces where takes place an action. Also indicates a means (transport,...).

Eg1: Bâ de hataraiteimasu = I work in a bar (litt. bar, situation of an action, I'm working).

Eg2: Anata wa daigaku he basu de ikimasu = you go to the university by bus (you, let's talk about, university, direction, bus, means, to go).

MADE: means to, as far as (arrival point).

KARA: means from, since (departure point).

Eg: Meguro eki kara Shibuya eki made densha de ikimasu = you go from Meguro station to Shibuya station by train (litt. Meguro station, from, Shibuya station, to, train, means, to go).

YA: means an opened 'and' (different from TO which means 'and' in a limited list).

Eg: Pâti ni Dyupon san ya dyuran san ga imashita = at the party there were Mr Dupont, Mr Durand, etc...(litt. Party, situation, Mr Dupont, and, Mr Durand, subject, there were).

NO: indicates the relation between 2 words.

Eg1: jidôsha no naka ni dare ga imasu ka = Who is inside the car? (litt. car, relation, inside, situation, who, subject, there's, question).

NB: you use no to create possessive adjectives. Eg: watashi no neko = my cat (litt. I, relation, cat).

NE: at the end of a sentence indicates an agreement or that we think the others agree with me.

Eg: -atsui desu ne! -Sô desu ne! = -Isn't it hot? -Sure it is!

NB: Here you can learn the very useful expression 'Sô desu ne' (or 'Sô ne') which means 'sure it is'.

YO: at the end of a sentence indicates that I express my own opinion.

Eg: Kono ten wa ii desu yo = this exhibition was great (I think).

There's al lot of other uses of these particles but these one are very sufficient.

4. Useful structures

a. Useful everyday expressions

Hai = yes

Iie = no

Konnichi wa = good afternoon

Konban wa = good evening

Ohayô (gozaimasu) = good morning

Jâ ato de = see U

Sayônara, bai bai = good bye

O genki desu ka = are you well? How are you?

O kage sama de = thanks, I'm fine

Arigatô (gozaimasu) = thank you

Dô itashimashite = You're welcome

Dôzo = please (when inviting a person to do sthg...see Japanese films, you'll understand!!)

Dôzo ohairikudasai = please come in

Kekkô desu = that's fine

Chotto matte kudasai = please, wait just a moment

Moshi moshi = hello (on the phone)

Dôzo yoroshiku = greeting when being introduced to someone

O namae wa = what's your name?

N to môshimasu = my names's N

Mata aimashô = let's meet again

Tsuma o goshôkaishimasu = let me introduce my wife

Denwa bangô o oshietekudasai= please tell me your phone number

Itadakimasu = used when you accept anything from someone (before eating or drinking)

Kyô wa ii o tenki desu ne = it's a nice day, isn't it?

Ikemasen yo = don't do it

Ii o sumai desu ne = what a nice house you have!

O jôzu desu ne = how skillful you are!

kokoro bakari desu ga = said when handing someone a present (litt. it's merely a token, but)

Kekkô nashina o itadaite = (thanks) for this fine present

Zannen desu ne = that's too bad

Gomen nasai = pardon me, excuse me

Ee, chotto = yes, just a little...(to admit some inconvenience like you're too hot in someone's house)

Chotto yukkuri ittekudasai = please, say it more slowly

Mô ichido ittekudasai = please say it once more

Yôkoso irasshaimashita = welcome

O doroita = what a surprise

O tesû desu ga = I'm sorry to bother you (but...)

Dame desu = out of question

Goran kudasai = look please

Mô shiwake arimasen = I have no excuse, I'm sorry

Dô shimashita ka = what's the matter?

O daiji ni = take care

Suteki desu ne = that's fine, it's just great!

Sugoi desu ne = super!

Hajimemashite = how do u do?

Motto hakkiri ittekudasai = please speak more clearly

Oitomashimasu = I have to go, I must take leave of you

Damare = shut up ! (very rough)

Kanpai = a toast ! (never use 'tchin tchin' like in France or Spain, it has a sexual meaning...!)

Ôkina osewa da = none of your business

Kirei desu ne = (she, he) is pretty, isn't (she, he)

Ganbatte kudasai = keep trying, hang in ther, chin up (courage!)

Shimatta = damn!

Omedetô (gozaimasu) = congratulations

Dô iu imi desu ka = what does it mean?

X sai desu = I'm X years old

b. Interrogations: (do not forget to add KA at the end of the sentence)

Dare = who

Doko = where

Nan, nani = what

Ikura = how much (price...)

Ikutsu = how many

Nan ji = what time

Nan nin = how many persons

Dô, ikaga = how

Dore = which

Donna = which, what kind of

Itsu = when

Egs:

Kono utsukushii hito wa dare desu ka (this-charming-person-let's talk about-who-is-question)

Tôkyô wa doko desu ka (Tôkyô-let's talk about-where-is-question)

Kore wa nan desu ka (that-let's talk about-what-is-question)

Kono nihon no hon wa ikura desu ka (this-Japan-relation-book-let's talk about-how much-is-question)

Pâti wa ikaga deshita ka (Party-let's talk about-how-was-question)

Kyô wa donna otenki desu ka (today-let's talk about-what kind of-weather-is-question)

c. Numbers:

1 Ichi	11 Jû ichi		100 Hyaku	1000 Sen
2 Ni	12 Jû ni	20 Ni jû	200 Ni hyaku	2000 Ni sen
3 San	13 Jû san	30 San jû	300 San byaku	3000 San zen
4 Yon / Shi	14 Jû yon / shi	40 Yon / Shi jû	400 Yon hyaku	4000 Yon sen
5 Go	15 Jû go	50 Go jû	500 Go hyaku	5000 Go sen
6 Roku	16 Jû roku	60 Roku jû	600 Roppyaku	6000 Roku sen
7 Nana / Shichi	17 Jû nana / shichi	70 Nana / Shichi jû	700 Nana hyaku	7000 Nana sen
8 Hachi	18 Jû hachi	80 Hachi jû	800 Happyaku	8000 Hassen
9 Kyû / Ku	19 Jû kyû / ku	90 Kyû jû	900 Kyû hyaku	9000 Kyû sen
10 Jû

Eg: 1997= Sen kyû hyaku kyû jû nana (1000+9x100+9x10+7).

NB: 10 000 = ichi man (change of base); 100 000 = Jû man (10x10 000); 1 000 000 = Hyaku man (100x10 000).

d. Dates, time:

Shû = week

Getsu yô bi = monday

Ka yô bi = tuesday

Sui yô bi = wednesday

Moku yô bi = thursday

Kin yô bi = friday

Do yô bi = saturday

Nichi yô bi = sunday

Konshû = this week; Senshû = last week; Raishû = next week

Toshi = year; Kotoshi = this year; Kyonen = last year; Rainen = next year

... nen mae = ...years ago.

Ichi gatsu = january

Ni gatsu = february

San gatsu = march

Shi gatsu = april

Go gatsu = may

Roku gatsu = june

Shichi gatsu = july

Hachi gatsu = august

Ku gatsu = september

Jû gatsu = october

Jû ichi gatsu = november

Jû ni gatsu = december

Be careful: number of the day in the month: we don't use the classical number (like for months) but the real Japanese ones...

The 1st = Tsuitachi

The 2nd = Futsuka

The 3rd = Mikka

The 4th = Yokka

The 5th = Itsuka

The 6th = Muika

The 7th = Nanoka

The 8th = Yôka

The 9th = Kokonoka

The 10th = Tôka

After that, you use the classical numbers + Nichi(day) : The 11th = Jû ichi nichi; The 30th = San jû nichi.

BUT: exceptions: The 14th = Jû yokka; The 20th = Hatsuka; The 24th = Ni jû yokka.

Ji= hour (o'clock). Be careful! 4 o'clock = yo ji (and not yon ji or shi ji); 7 o'clock = shichi ji (and not nana ji); 9 o'clock = ku ji (and not kyû ji).

Ji kan = an hour (duration, Stunde in German).

Fun = minute. Eg: 2 min = ni fun. Be careful:

1 min = ippun; 3 min = san pun; 4 min = yon pun; 6 min = roppun; 8 min = happun; 10 min = jippun

Byô = second

Kyô = today; Kinô = yesterday; Ashita = tomorrow

Asa = morning; Hiru = noon; Ban / Yoru = evening, night; Yonaka = very night

Kesa = this morning; Ashita no asa = tomorrow morning; Konban = tonight; Ashita no ban = tomorrow night

Mai asa = every morning; Mai ban = every night; Mai nichi = every day; Mai shû = every week; Mai toshi = every year

Itsumo = always

Taitei = generally

Yoku = often

Tokidoki = sometimes

Tameni = rarely

Zenzen = never

e. Family (Kazoku):

Grand father = O jîsan / Sofu

Grand mother = O bâsan / Soba

Father = O tôsan / Chichi

Mother = O kâsan / Haha

Elder brother = O nîsan / Ani

Elder sister = O nêsan / Ane

Younger brother = O tôtosan / O tôto

Younger sister = Imôtosan / Imôto

Husband = Go shujin / Shujin

Wife = O kusan / Kanai

Child = O kosan / Kodomo

Son = Musuko san / Musuko

Daughter = O jô san / Musume

NB: Remark you have two translations for one English word...you have to use the first word to talk about someone else's family (respect) and the second word for your family (humility).

Dokushin desu = I'm unmarried.

Kekkon shiteimasu = married

Kodomo ga imasu = I have children.

f. Useful expressions:

Someone ni something o ageru = to give something to somebody

Someone kara something o morau = to receive something from someone

...Verb(- form) sô desu = I've heard that...

I-adjective ku narimasu = to become adjective

Na-adjective ni narimasu = to become adjective

Noun ni narimasu = to become noun

Verb1-te kara, ...Verb2-masu = after doing Verb1, ...Verb2

Verb (- form) tsumori desu = to have the intention of Verb

N1 wa N2 ga suki desu = N1 likes N2

N1 wa N2 ga kirai desu = N1 doesn't like N2

N1 wa N2 ga jôzu desu = N1 does well N2

N1 wa N2 ga heta desu = N1 does N2 badly

N1 wa N2 ga dekimasu = N1 can do N2

Verb nai to ikemasen = one must do verb

Verb (- form) to ii desu = To hope that Verb

Watashi wa Noun ga hoshii desu = I want Noun

Someone wa Noun o hoshigatteimasu = Someone wants Noun

Watashi wa something to omoimasu = I think that something

Verb (minus masu) hajimeru = to begin to Verb

Someone wa something to itteimasu = someone says that something

N1 wa N2 yori Adjective desu = N1 is more adjective than N2

g. Names of countries: (not in a special order...)

France = Furansu

Spain = Supein

Italy = Itaria

The USA = Amerika

England = Igirisu

Greece = Girisha

Portugal = Porutogaru

Japan = Nihon

China = Chûgoku

Australia = Osutoraria

Note: to form the name of the inhabitants of a country, simply add JIN (person) to the name of the country. The name of the national language of a country is formed by adding GO to its name.

Eg: Furansujin wa furansugo de hanashimasu (French speak french).

h. Things to eat:

Tabemono = food (litt: thing to eat)

Ringo = apple

Suika = watermelon

Budô = grapes

Momo = peach

Banana = banana

Ichigo = strawberry

Sakuranbo = cherry

Jagaimo = potato

Tamanegi = onion

Ninjin = carrot

Tomato = tomato

Niku = meat

Sakana = fish

Shio= salt

Goshô = pepper

Satô = sugar

Abura = oil

Su = vinegar

Komugiko = flour

Tamago =egg

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