Japanese Step by Step: An Innovative Approach to Speaking and Reading Japanese [1 ed.] 0658014900, 9780658014901

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Symbols in this book

N

noun

A-i

i-adjective

e.g. taka-i, naga-i

A-(i)

i-adjective without -i

e.g. taka, naga

A-na

na-adjective

e.g. kirei-na

A-(na)

na-adjective without -na

e.g. kirei

vx

the verb form to which -nai can be attached

e.g. yoma

V2

the verb form to which -masu can be attached

e.g. yomi

V3

the root form (dictionary form) of a verb

e.g. yomu

V4

the verb form to which -ba can be attached

e.g. yome

V5

the verb form to which -yo/-o can be attached

e.g. yomo

V2’

the verb form to which -te/-de can be attached

e.g. yon

Accent Symbols In this book, the English alphabet used to express Japanese words in romaji are written in bold letters, e.g. I visited Kiyomizu-no-butai in Kyoto. The English alphabet used to express accent symbols are written in gothic (sans-serif) let¬ ters. e.g. kiYOmizu-no-BUtai, KYOoto. Accent symbols are as follows: Small letters represent low pitch accent, and capital letters represent high pitch accent. Syllables with a prolonged vowel are underlined.

Examples Arne aME

rain

HAshi

chopsticks

candy

haSHI

bridge

oBASAN

aunt

byoOIN

hospital

oBAasan

grandmother

biYOoin

beauty shop

Klru kiRU

to cut to wear

KAeru

to return

kaERU

to change

Japanese Step by Step AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SPEAKING AND READING JAPANESE

GENE NISHI

McGraw-Hill New York Milan

Chicago

New Delhi

San Francisco San Juan

Seoul

Lisbon

London

Singapore

Madrid

Sydney

Mexico City

Toronto

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data II,

UBI 1C.

, _

Japanese step by step : an innovative approach to speaking and reading Japanese / Gene N s p. cm. Originally published: Systematic Japanese : a simple, effective method for self-study. Tokyo, Japan : Shufu no Tomo, 2000. ISBN 0-658-01490-0 1. Japanese language—Textbooks for English speakers. 2. Japanese language Self-instruction. I. Nishi, Gene. Systematic Japanese. II. Title. PL539.5.E5 N56 2001 495.6'83421—dc21

2001022318

McGraw-Hill A Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies

Copyright © 2000 by Gene Nishi. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

34567890

HPC/HPC

0 9 8 7 6 5 4

ISBN 0-658-01490-0 Printed and bound by Hamilton Printing Cover design by Jennifer Locke Cover and interior, illustrations by Toshiaki Suzuki First published in Japan by Shufunotomo Co., Ltd. McGraw-Hill books are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs. For more information, please write to the Director of Special Sales, Professional Publishing, McGraw-Hill, Two Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121-2298. Or contact your local bookstore.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

About the author After graduating from the Engineering Department of Waseda University, the author worked as a technical advisor and as an instructor in Telecommunications Systems at the U.S. Military Headquarters in Zama, Japan, until he joined IBM. Starting as an instructor in the Education Department, he later became the manager of ComputerCommunications, later working in IBM’s Zurich Laboratory and at the Head Office in New York. He has also worked as a part-time lecturer in Communications Theory at Keio University. After retiring from IBM, the author established the Nishi Institute of Language Education for extensive research and practice in Japanese and English education.

Acknowledgements I gratefully record my obligation to Mr. Shunichi Kamiya, Executive General Manager, International Department, Shufunotomo Co., Ltd. who has contributed to the publication of this book with suggestions, criticism, technical assistance and encouragement. I am deeply indebted to Ms. Kimberly A. Scott, Ms. Kate Gorringe-Smith and Ms. Yumi Nakada, Editors, International Department, Shufunotomo Co., Ltd. for their capable editing, suggestions, guidance, and thoughtful cooperation. f t

I am grateful to Mr. Don Sayre, Mr. Jag Rao, Mrs. Peggy Rao and many other IBM colleagues who were enthusiastic students of the Japanese language and helped me establish the new study method. I have found the following books to be particularly informative:

(I), (II) (SJH*J£)

(1). (2). (3)

(I would recommend these books to the advanced learners who want to make a profound study of the language.)

. ■

"



. -

Introduction This book is designed to enable the reader to teach him or herself how to speak and read lormal or refined Japanese, such as is used between adults and in business transactions, in the most effective way. First, let me explain how this book became a reality.

Requirements



When 1 was asked to teach the Japanese language to IBM employees who were stationed in Japan, I pondered over their requirements and conditions. »

My students had been assigned to work in Japan for between three and five years. In preparation for their work, they all had to start learning Japanese from the absolute beginning, and yet they had to be able to speak the language as soon as possible. However, they were so busy in their work that they could spare only two to three hours a week for the study of Japanese. With so little time available, the study method had to be extremely effective. Although their native language might be English, French, German, or Chinese, the “IBM language” is fundamentally English, so at work my students always spoke in English with their colleagues, including the Japanese employees. Then, when they went home in the evening, they spoke with their family members in their mother tongues. So they didn’t have much chance to use colloquial Japanese. Instead, their immediate requirement was to learn formal Japanese, such as is spoken by educated adults both socially and in the business environment when talking with customers and traders. Currently, the “direct method” of language teaching (using only Japanese to teach Japanese, not using the student’s mother tongue) is in fashion. However, I thought this was rather ineffective when time was limited. Since all my students knew English, I decided to use English to explain the meaning and usage of Japanese, and to prompt understanding by comparing Japanese with English. In order to meet these requirements and conditions, I embarked on the development of a new, logical, and systematic study method of the Japanese language, making the most of my computer engineer’s mind. v /

Desu and masu The first, and most important, step toward speaking refined Japanese is to master the formal sentence structure that ends with the polite word desu or masu. Desu is attached to nouns and adjectives, and masu is attached to verbs. I therefore discuss desu and masu in separate chapters.

INTRODUCTION

Next, I express desu-ending sentences in two basic sentence patterns and masu-ending sentences in three basic sentence patterns. As these sentence patterns are merely skeletons, I then describe how you can modify and flesh out these skeletons to compose the most appropriate and sensible expressions as various needs arise. Honorifics Another important aspect of refined Japanese is understanding when and how to use respectful and humble words. Depending on who you are speaking to, you will need to know whether to make your speech respectful or humble before them (e.g. when speaking to an important client, or your superior at work), or whether to treat them as an equal (e.g. when speaking to a friend), or you may find yourself being rude quite unintentionally. I categorized these honorific words by nouns, adjectives, and verbs. In the case of verbs, I have given formulas for the honorific expressions, using symbols for simplicity and accuracy. Accent symbols In every English dictionary, pronunciation symbols are given with each entry. It is strange that although the accent in Japanese is just as important, most Japanese dictionaries do not provide such guidelines for pronunciation. In order to find out the correct accent, we have to consult a special dictionary such as the Pronunciation Accent Dictionary produced by NHK (the Japanese government broadcasting station). In this book I have designed and used accent symbols which should enable the reader to reproduce a satisfactory pronunciation without reference to a special dictionary. If'-

r\y

lJ > (baiorin) and

7 T -f 7

Vs 7 >

V

>

(vaiorin) can be used for

(dizain) can be used for “design,” and

both Of X A — (uisukii) and 7 -f 7 A — (wisukii) can be used for “whisky.”

Katakana Syllabary

32

J\

77

X

na

ha

fa

ma

"J T



£

7T

"v

tsi

ni

hi

fi

mi

b7

7

7

A

tu

nu

fu

mu

7i

T'

A,

7i

y

te

tse

ne

he

fe

me

V

h

7*

y

so

to

tso

no

7

ii

7

7

77

a

ka

sa

ta

tsa




tiXX

aMERIKA

KAnada

iGlRISU

America

Canada

U.K.

7^>7

* - 7 b =7 U 7

K-f "J

fuRANSU

oOSUTORAria

DOitsu

France

Australia

Germany

-x-3-7

P> K>

suPEin

nvuUYOoku

ROndon

Spain

New York

London

/\°i J

A.' — b — ^ x >

J

7'J 7

a-P -y/\°

SHOpan

Ajia

yoOROppa

Chopin

Asia

Europe

7 U-A

Jr—A

Enjeru

kuRlimu

KEeki

angel

cream

cake

>

I>y'i

34

;u

CHAPTER 2* Section 2» Katakana

T

l)Z

S

N

\

it 7 7"

^ V^

V — -tz — y

SArada

Mishin

soOSEeji

salad

machine

sausage

v* p-

7- K

7 3?' — X

maKARONI

NUudo

maYONEezu

macaroni

nude

mayonnaise

yi~7

T7 —^ > K

7° U - 7 -

JUusu

aAMOndo

puREevaa

juice

almond

player

77t *

7 x 7 U "V

7*-7

Ofisu

kaFETEriya

FOoku

office

cafeteria

fork

ityvi

tfx y7i

suPAGEtti

KYAsshu

BYUffe

spaghetti

cash

buffet

if> 7 y

P > tf x - 7 -

MYUujikku

GYAppu

koNPYUutaa

music

gap

computer

3^x7 7

Vi-3^t7

tfJUx Y >7'

CHEkku

sheEKUSUPIa

biRUDIngu

check

Shakespeare

building

XxI 7 h

f -f -

7 ix < >7

DYUetto

Ill

WEdingu

duet

tea

wedding

-r-f

$

•y
7 if x —

I'S—'T

-f —

Vlinasu

iNTAvyuu

PAatii

venus

interview

party

Trt- b

T77'tz> h

a; 7 K

aPAato

Akusento

BEddo

apartment

accent

bed /\°>

boORUPEN

Bliru

PAn

ballpoint pen

beer

bread

CHAPTER 2*Section 2*Katakana

35

tf Jl'

/

JiX~

±) X X

boTAN

BAtaa

KAmera

button

butter

camera

X - h Jl'

36

?r*-

b

meETORU

SEnchi

dePAato

meter

centimeter

department

Xx

XXX

XX A

GAsu

gaRASU

GUramu

gas

glass

gram

XXX

OX

haNKACHI

HOteru

iNKU

handkerchief

hotel

ink

XU

xx x

hXU

Klro

NAifu

TOire

kilo

knife

toilet

v-y X

$ V

\J\sX

MAtchi

Mlri

Mlruku

match

millimeter

milk

XX X


/\ >

\dT X

zuBOn

PEn

piANO

trousers

pen

piano

7 XX

XuXXA

XX- b

RAjio

puROGUramu

suKAato

radio

program

skirt

XX->

XX-X

X-'XX-X

suPUun

suPOotsu

suUTSUKEesu

spoon

sport

suitcase

CHAPTER 2»Section 2»Katakana

i— 7 Jl

fl/t:

71 — 7,

teEBURU

TErebi

TEnisu

table

television

tennis

y+7

7 < '> y 7

-tzP

SHAtsu

walSHATSU

ZEro

shirt

white shirt

zero

T7

7^-7

t> > "J * — T'

Ivu

KWOotsu

kaNTSOone

eve

quartz

canzone

L/7"a-



tuNAito

REvyuu

CHUuba

tonight

revue

tuba

CHAPTER 2 SECTION 3

■ Kanji

English Words There are many meaningful components (called “roots,” “prefixes,” “suffixes,” etc.) in English words. For example: acrophobia

aero = highest, phobia == fear

ambivalence

ambi = on both sides, bi = two, valence = value

reimburse

re = again, im = in, burse = purse

philanthropist

philo = loving, anthropo = mankind, -ist = person

Knowledge of these meaningful components helps you to comprehend words and enables you to understand hundreds of new words even if you have never seen them before. Some words are combined to form a compound word. For example:

*

fountain-pen

schoolboy

salesman

laughingstock

outlook

pickpocket

homesick

out-of-date

good-for-nothing

CHAPTER 2* Section 3»Kanji

37

Meaningful components and compound words are also the fundamentals of constructing kanji characters and Japanese words as you see in the following discussions. Kanji characters are comprised of pictographs (characters that evolved from pictures) and ideograms (meaningful characters). Look at the following examples: 7k

a character meaning tree or wood (as a material)

^

two trees meaning woods

H

three trees meaning forest

7k

a mark at the foot of a tree meaning origin or book

^

a string around woods meaning bundle

H

a bird nest in a tree meaning nest a fruit in a tree meaning fruit

{k

a person by a tree meaning to rest or holiday

til

wood and a pedestal meaning desk

On-readings and Kun-readings The character 7k, when it was developed in China from the shape of flowing water, meant “water” and was read as sui in Chinese. When this character was introduced to Japan, it was given another reading, mizu, which was the word for “water” in yamato-kotoba. the native Japanese language at that time which was spoken only. (Yamato is the ancient name for Japan and kotoba means “a word” or “language.”) Almost all kanji characters have two different readings, an on-reading and a kun-reading. The on-reading is the reading adapted from the ancient Chinese pronunciation, comparable with Greek or Latin. For example, the reading sui, for 7k, is equivalent to hydro or aqua. In general, the on-reading is used to read sophisticated compound words of two or more kanji characters combined. The kun-reading is the reading of the character’s meaning in native Japanese, and is comparable with Anglo-Saxon. Mizu, for 7k, is equivalent to “water.” In general, the kunreading is the reading of a single character, and the first reading that children learn. Now observe the following:

38

CHAPTER 2» Section 3« Kanji

7k ~h

The second character means “power,” and is chikara in kun-reading. The correct reading ot the compound word, however, is sui-ryoku in onreading, and it is equivalent to “hydraulic power.” It is interesting to note that Japanese children, whose knowledge level is of kun-readings only, could still tell (although they cannot read correctly) that 7k t) means “water power" by reading it mizu-no chikara. On the other hand, Englishspeaking children would be completely lost when they saw the words "hydraulic power” for the first time, because it is impossible to associate hydro with'“water.”

7ki£tt

Here the second character means “family” or “race” and the third character means "large building.” So this compound word is pronounced sui-zokukan, and means “aquarium.”

Superb Features (and Advantages) of Kanji Knowledge of these meaningful kanji and kanji components helps you to comprehend words, and enables you to understand hundreds of new words even if you have no knowledge of their on-readings, or have never seen them before. In addition, because of their visually comprehensible nature, the power of kanji, unlike kana or romaji, is that it can convey information more quickly to the reader. An understanding of kanji can therefore increase your reading speed, and enhance your comprehension of written matter tremendously. Remember in CHAPTER 1 when I said that, as there are only 101 syllables to compose several hundred thousand Japanese words, we encounter quite a number of homonyms and heteronyms? Let us examine an example: li U

if

tetitco

Hashi

ga

oreta.

This sentence could have any of these three meanings: (a) The chopstick was broken. (b) The bridge was broken. (c) The edge was broken. If the sentence is written in hiragana only, or in the conventional way of writing in romaji characters, as shown above, or if the sentence is spoken with no accent, we cannot distinguish between these three. Now carefully observe the difference in kanji and accent symbols in the following.

CHAPTER 2*Section 3*Kanji

39

mwii iii|i.iiin—wniTur'

W

(a) The chopstick was broken.

(b) The bridge was broken.

(c) The edge was broken.

'i 1

Tii'~ii i ..

if

HAshi-ga

oreta.

m

4b

if

/L o

haSHI-ga

oreta.

m

4b

if

haSHI-GA

Now you can see that the usage of kanji characters, H,

is tlfco

or

/i, o

Oreta.

and the correct accent

clearly eliminate any ambiguity that exists among the three sentences. Now I know what you want to ask next— “How many kanji characters do I have to memorize?” Well, my father, who was a newspaper editor, probably knew more than 20,000 characters. But this was before World War II. At the present time, daily use of kanji characters is limited to 1,945. During the six years in which Japanese students attend elementary school, kanji characters are taught as follows 1 st year:

80

2nd year:

160

3rd year:

200

4th year:

200

5th year:

185

6th year:

181

Total:

1,006

1,006 characters would cover more than 90% of kanji characters that appeal* in presentday newspapers. In this book, all kanji characters are aligned vertically with the romaji accent symbols (as shown above) so that you will memorize kanji spontaneously while you are reading the romanized version of Japanese. You can test your kanji reading ability by covering up the line of accent symbols with a piece of paper. Also refer to the List of Kanji Radicals (Appendix 2) for further study. (A radical is the key part of a kanji which is used when you want to look up a character in a kanji dictionary.)

40

CHAPTER 2* Section 3» Kanji

Chapter 3 *

-Desu English “to be” The English verb “to be” (am, are, is, etc.), when it is used as a principal verb in a sentence, has two major usages, namely as a copula and to mean “existence.”

Copula A copula (coupler) is the form of the verb “to be” that links the subject of a sentence with a complementary noun or an adjective.

Example: I

am

a doctor.

(subject) (copula) (complementary noun) He

is

tall.

(subject) (copula) (adjective) A “to be” verb used as a copula is translated into Japanese as -desu, which will be discussed in this chapter.

Existence In this usage, the “to be” verb means “to exist in a specified place.” For example: I am in Japan. (exist) *

The park is in New York. (exists)

A “to be” verb used to mean “existence” is translated into Japanese as either i-masu or arimasu, which will be discussed in CHAPTER 4.

CHAPTER 3* Desu

41

MHBNHHHMNMMMHMSSSnMIMMMHBBHHHMMMHMNMMMM

CHAPTER 3 SECTION 1

Nouns A noun is a word used to denote or name a person, place, thing, quality, or act. Below are some nouns to memorize. Pronouns (words that function as substitutes for nouns) are also included.

Nouns to Memorize i

&

waTASHI

you

fofttc

aNAta

he

'

PAn

meat

1^1

niKU

fish

&

saKANA taMAgo

*egg apple

U /uX

riNGO BAnana

banana confectionery

4b mx

o-KAshi

coffee

=i-b-

koOHli heYA

room

HOn

pen

* /n:>

pencil

mm

eNPITSU

book

CHAPTER 3« Section 1* Nouns

PEn

43

■■H

■OHM

watch

toKEI

glasses

MEgane

camera

±) * -7

KAmera

television

rub

TErebi

M mw

kuRUMA

car automobile

jiDOosha jiTEnsha

bicycle /U

bus

BAsu chiKATETSU

subway airplane

mnm

hiKOoki

mountain

04

yaMA

river

jii

kaWA

tree

*

Kl

water

7k

. miZU o-YU

hot water dog

*

iNU

cat

m

NEko

flower

TE

haNA

cherry tree

saKURA

rose

baRA

Noun and/or Noun In order to conjoin two or more nouns, the conjunctions to, ya, and ka are used. However their usage is somewhat different from “and” and “or” in English. “A and B” in English is expressed A to B in Japanese. Examples: coffee and tea

kohii to kocha

you and I

anata to watashi

a dog and a cat

inu to neko

Note the difference in the position of “and” and to when three or more nouns are involved.

English

A, B, C, D and E

Japanese

A to B, C, D, E

IMMlittMMIMMMMMMWMMMSMMMMMMMMMi

44

CHAPTER 3*Section 1* Nouns

Example:

Bill, Charlie, George, and Tom

Biru to Charii, Joji, Tomu

Ya also means “and,” but it also implies “et cetera” or “among others.” In other words, A ya B in Japanese means “A, B, and some others.” Examples: /

coffee, tea, etc.

kohii ya kocha

/

a dog, a cat, etc.

inu ya neko

“A or B” in English is expressed A ka B in Japanese. Examples: coffee or tea

kohii ka kocha

you or I

anata ka watashi

a dog or a cat

inu ka neko

CHAPTER 3 SECTION 2

Noun Modifiers (1): Adjectives A noun modifier js a word, a phrase, or a clause, used to describe or qualify a noun. Important In Japanese, unlike English, a noun modifier is always placed before the noun. Examples: a red pen

akai pen

the pen in my pocket

poketto-no-naka-no pen

the pen which I bought yesterday

kino katta pen

In this book, noun modifiers are discussed in the following sections: CHAPTER 3 Section 2 Noun Modifiers (1): Adjectives CHAPTER 3 Section 3 Noun Modifiers (2): (Noun)-no CHAPTER 13 Section 3 Noun Modifiers (3): Adjectival Clause

CHAPTER 3* Section 2* Noun Modifiers (1)«Adjectives

45

Adjectives An adjective is a word used to modify a noun by limiting, qualifying, or specifying. Examples: young men something nice my right hand There are two kinds of adjectives in Japanese: i-adjectives and na-adjectives, named after their last syllables. Examples: i-adjectives (symbolized as A-i) aka-i

red

furu-i

old

haya-i

fast

na-adjectives (symbolized as A-na) kirei-na

pretty

shizuka-na

quiet

yumei-na

famous

Adjectives “big” and “small” can be expressed in both i-adjective

46

big:

ooki-i

ooki-na

small:

chiisa-i

chiisa-na

CHAPTER 3*Section 2«Noun Modifiers (1)» Adjectives

Some Adjectives to Memorize a high mountain

i' uu

ra

taKAi yaMA a low tree hiKUi Kl an expensive camera

iii \j't) * 7

f

taKAi KAmera

a

an inexpensive watch

£

yaSUi toKEI a new hotel

U ' d' 7~ J u

Hr

aTARASHli HOteru an old temple

*

fuRUi oTERA a long river

m

t'iii

naGAi kaWA a short pencil miJIKAi eNPITSU

Jai' H

a distant country

toOl

ifi

a nearby station

kuNI

l' IR

chiKAi Eki

il I'g

a quick fox

O

te

haYAi kiTSUNE

I i' 1

a slow elephant

oSOI ZOo V

a wide (spacious) room

£

I'SBM

hiROi heYA a narrow street

»

l' it

seMAi miCHI

CHAPTER 3* Section 2* Noun Modifiers (1)*Adjectives

47

an interesting book

oMOSHIROi HOn a boring movie

o J6 4i' BA® tsuMARAnai Eiga

a delicious banana

olSHII

A BAnana u/cz:

an unsavory apple

maZUi riNGO hot tea

&

I'-fc ^

aTSUi o-CHA cold water

l' *

tsuMETAI miZU an adorable child

kaWAIi koDOMO a white dog

S l/'^C shiROi iNU

a black cat

H

i' 3S

kuROi NEko blue sky

aOi SOra a yellow flower

Hfei' 7t

kilROI haNA a red rose

i'

ko-NO PEn

this watch

7k 3

kaWARU

to do (H)

4

to drag

?

to draw near

ifi^3

to drop in

3? 3

to eat (H)

to remove

M3

TOru

hiPPAru

to ride

^3

noRU

chiKAYOru

to ring

Hi 3

naRU

yoRU

to rise

±3

noBORU

SL±4"3 meSHIAGARU

to rot

IS3

kuSAru

to end

^fr3

to rub

ztz

to exist (H)

4b'3

to say (H)

4b o L

to scold

Bfc3

shiKARU

to scrape off

iJ3

keZURU

to sell

7C

3

uRU

1

£

3

naSAru

O *7^

3

oWARU oRU L^3 iRASSHAru

to exist (H)

koSURU ^

3

oSSHAru

to exist (inanimate)

h3

Aru

to fall

P£3

FUru

to fatten

±3

fuTOru

to send

3^3

oKURU

to freeze

/ft 3

koORU

to shake

113

fuRU

to gather

■ ?

aTSUMAru

to shave

-t 3

SOru

to get angry

&3

oKOru

to shine

ft3

hiKAru

to get back

M3

moDOru

to sit

^3

suWARU

to get well

3

naOru

to sleep

IS 3

neMURU

to spread

Ja43

hiROGARU

to squeeze

LI? 3

shiBOru

3

toMARU

%

3 ,

kuDASAru

to give (H)

Ir 3

waTARU

to stay overnight

CHAPTER 4*Section 1* Verbs

81

-ru Ending (cont.) toMARU

to stop

ih?£ 3

to stretch

mz

haRU

to tear

®3

yaBUru

to touch

£fr3

saWARU

to understand

t>1i' 3

waKAru

The following are “sham” -iru/- eru ending verbs. Treat them as -ru ending verbs. to cut

VJZ

Klru

to enter

A3

HAiru

to fall (flowers)

@$3

chiRU

to get mixed

/to 1/ 3

maJIru

to run

3:3

to chat

is

haSHIru ^'3

shaBEru

to decrease

M3

heRU

to grow thick

m3

shiGEru

to kick

It 3

KEru

to go/to come (H) #3

MAiru

to grasp

S3

niGIRU

to return

!l#3

KAeru

to know

*03

shiRU

to shine

PS3

TEru

to limit

KH3

kaGIru

to slide

'/it 3

suBEru

■u Ending (u of wa column in the Syllabary Chart) to buy

ft 9

kaU

to act

!t9

to ask/to visit (H) 1SI9

to follow suit

4' 6> 9

naRAu

oKONAU

to get drunk

1+9

yoU

uKAGAU

to give off a smell

^9

niOu KAu

to be at a loss

j* 9

maYOu

to keep (a dog, etc.) Hr] 9

to be complete

*39

soROu

to learn

W9

naRAu

to be in time

PbH-^9

maNIAu

to meet

#9

Au

to breathe in

BS 9

sull

to chase

J&9

oU

to commute to

jft 9

kaYOU

to congratulate

ft 9

iWAu

to deal with

®9

aTSUKAU

to differ

it 9

to dispute

to mistake

maCHIGAu

to pay

tA9

haRAu

to pick up

*$9

hiROU

to put away

US 9

shiMAU

to receive

& 3 9

moRAU

chiGAU

to say

i=3 *9

iU

#•9

aRASOu

to sew

It

NUu

to doubt

H9

uTAGAU

to sing

uTAU

to employ

li 9

yaTOU

to think

1? B3 -o

oMOu

to face

[o]** 9

muKAU

to use

9

tsuKAU

to fight

K9

taTAKAU

to wash

&9

aRAU

to fit

ca 9

Au

to wish

it

neGAu

to follow

&9

shiTAGAu

-nu Ending to die

82

shiNU

CHAPTER 4*Section 1*Verbs

-mu Ending to read

YOmu

to give birth to

uMU

to advance

mti

suSUMU

to be completed

tt

SUmu

to grieve

m u t?

to be crowded

>Sfc

KOmu

to live (dwell)

fit;

SUmu

to bite

A‘t»'

KAmu

to pile up

mt

tsuMU

yaMU

to put between

/

to cease to contain to desire

Mt'

to enjoy

mut'

to feel a pain

fit;

to fold

tz tz t?

kaNASHImu

haSAmu

to sink

Sfct;

shiZUMU

noZOMU

to steal

&€

nuSUmu

to step on

M t>

fuMU

to suffer

^ut;

to take a rest

fit;

yaSUmu

to wrap

'EltS

tsuTSUmu

to fall down

$tX

koROBU

to float

}$ ft X

NOmu Hfc

tsuKAmu

fuKUmu

to drink to enclose

to grab up

kaKOMU taNOSHImu iTAmu

kuRUSHImu

taTAMU

-bu Ending to fly

fU'S'

toBU

to be glad

mx

yoROKObu

to call

WX

yoBU

to carry

MX MX

haKOBU

to choose

eRAbu

to line up

uKABU naRABU

to play (game)

MX

aSOBU

to tie

itn'i'

muSUBU

%z

KUru

Special Verbs to do

tz

suRU | to come

Do-verbs The special verb suru (to do) can be attached to hundreds of sophisticated kanji-compound action nouns in order to convert them into verbs. For example: kyoso is a noun meaning “competition” kyoso-suru (competition + to do) means “to compete” ✓

Some of these nouns are listed below: absence

keSSEKI

attendance

tBE

shuSSEKI

anxiety

'L'Sfi

shiNPAI

attention

a*

CHUui

approval

Stl&

sanSEI

broadcasting

fflil£

hoOSOO

arrival

mm

toOCHAKU

cleaning

CHAPTER 4* Section 1* Verbs

soOJI

83

Do-verbs (cont.) command

melREI

opposition

confidence

mm

shiN’YOO

order

consent

7? 9

£ U tz 0

koDOMO-tachi-wa MOo ne-MAshita.

CHAPTER 4*Section 7«Time Definition

97

li ti 9 t" C

J\ 7s

The bus will come soon.

T To

BAsu-wa moOSUqu ki-MAsu. He always drinks beer.

®

fcf I'O & t:

T To

KAre-wa Itsumo Bliru-o noMI-MAsu. I often forget my umbrella.

fA

(ict
'£' A T l' ft If' ®

If

MOshi DEnki-ga kiE-TE-iRE-ba KAre-wa

£ tz !)§o Ti'4'i'AT'To MAda KAet-te i-NAi-n-desu. If he is not there, I will leave

t) b W.

a message.

MOshi KAre-ga i-NAkere-ba MEsseeji-o

if l'4 It tl If' Jk y-tz-v £ £to

ol-TE-ki-MAsu. Examples (Group 2): If that person over there is Mr. Tanaka, £> X Z. I must say hello to him.

Hi'3 A

£A

46

aSOKO-NI-iRU-HITO-ga taNAKA-SAN-NAra ^I'cfoL

4 IftiIf' 4U £ -tf Ac

Aisatsu-shi-NAkereba-naRI-MASEn. If you feel so anxious, you’d better

•£ A4 H /b

call him up.

soNNA-NI shiNPAI-NAra deNWA-SHI-TE-MI-ta-

IS

4' 6 H IS

b

X

tz

(f 9 if\'\,'XTo hoo-ga li-desu. If you are hot, take off your coat.

H

i'A4'6±

4 £i'0

aTSUi-n-nara uWAGI-0 nuGI-NASAi. If you are going, I am going too.

M

if fr< A 4 b if

& 'ii % £ To

kiMI-GA iKU-n-nara BOku-mo-iKI-MAsu.

CHAPTER 13*Section 4*Adverbial Clauses

219

ffc

If you know, please tell me.

X. T

if

MOotsuaruto-o kii-TE-IRU-TO kiMOCHI-GA

31^ to oCHITSUKI-MAsu.

220

CHAPTER 13»Section 4* Adverbial Clauses

If you do not show them your ID card, $( ft you cannot enter.

HE

RE

It

£.!,■£

miBUN-shoOMEI-SHO-o miSE-nai-to halRES -tt A0 MASEn.

(2-c) Unrealistic condition: -ta-ra In this form, the condition stated in the subordinate clause, and upon which the action depends, is either contrary to the facts or the probability of the condition is zero or nearly *

zero. Subordinate clauses which have any of the various ending forms of the past tense (-ta ending) shown below can be used as adverbial clauses of unrealistic condition by attaching the suffix -ra. N-datta A-(na)-datta A-(i)-katta

• -ra

V2’-te-ita V2’-ta V,-nakatta

i

Examples: If I were a bird, I would fly to you.

%L

if t) U M tz o

b

waTASHI-GA MOshi toRI-DAtta-ra & 4' tz (7) p/r

^ Mh ~C ff < t I' «t 0 o

aNAta-no-toKORO-e toN-DE-iKU-DESHQo. MU

tz-otzb,-ttW ^

If I were healthy, I would travel

& U

around the world.

MOshi keNKOO-DAtta-ra, seKAI-JUU-0

ffi ft

£

t U T't ifo

ryoKQO-suRU-n-desu-qa. If I were a little younger,

£> 9

I would study abroad.

moO suKOshi waKA-katta-ra KAigai-ni

S

'p

¥

US

ft'otzb M

!>-

tZ A Ttifo

rvuUGAKU-suRU-n-desu-ga.

.

If I win the first prize in the lottery,

m

I will buy you a diamond ring.

taKARA-kuji-de iTTOO-NI aTAT-TA-ra, Y "V7 'E ^ H (7)

II

Mo T

If tt 9 o

dalYAMOndo-no yuBIWA-0 kaT-TE-aGE-YOo.

CHAPTER 13* Section 4« Adverbial Clauses

221

If I had studied Japanese earlier,

bot^

< 0*

I would have been a fluent speaker

MOtto HAyaku niHON-GO-O naRAt-te-i-

by now.

tz 6> l'$ Z' 5

&

Tl' /s?'7

^ "7

T' b f: 9 o

TA-ra, iMA-GORO-WA peRA-PERA DESHOo. If she does not say “yes,”

b L

®

"4: j?\f JLZ>\ k. lift 4 A' o 4 6

what will I do?

MOshi KAnojo-ga “iEsu” to iWA-NAkat-ta-ra, £ 0 U

9o

DOo-shi-yoo.

(3) Comparative Condition — ba —hodo In this construction, the increase or decrease in the condition described in one half of the sentence affects the increase or decrease in that described in the other half. Let’s look at an example: The sooner, the better. The part “the sooner” is an adverbial clause of comparable condition. In Japanese, it is expressed in the following forms. A-na-ra-ba A-na-hodo A-(i)-kere-ba A-i-hodo V4-ba Vj-hodo Examples:

■¥■

The sooner, the better.

ltft.15'^-

dfi'i'T'To

HAya-kere-ba haYA-i-hodo li-desu. The more intricate it is, the more likely it will be to break down.

4' b

m

m

4 « £

m.

fuKUZATSU-NAra fuKUZATSU-NA-hoDO IJ!

ft

koWARE-YASUi-desu. The higher we climbed,

M

the colder it became.

TAkaku noBORE-ba noBORU-HODO SAmu-ku

< H

ft ITU

5

15 £

g


1- N

afternoon to meet a customer.

o-KYAKU-SAMA-o deMUKAERU-taME-ni,

& it ictr-#s-r0 goGO kuUKQO-NI iKI-MAsu. Do you live to eat, or do you eat

&4

Id

-5 £ #) IZ^E c? Tlf

to live?

aNAta-wa taBEru-taME-ni Iki-te-i-MAsu-KA,

[z

-tti £

T

soRETOmo iKIru-taME-ni TAbe-te-i-MAsu-KA?

(6) Cause -ta-tame In this instance, the adverbial clause describes the cause, and the principal clause describes the resulting condition. Subordinate clauses with various ending forms in the past tense (“-ta” ending), as shown below, can be used as adverbial clauses of cause by attaching the suffix -tame.

A-(na)-datta A-(i)-katta V2’-te-ita

>

-tame

V,-ta V,-nakatta

224

CHAPTER 13*Section 4*Adverbial Clauses

Examples: Because there was a scanty

7R

rice harvest, we had to depend

koME-ga fuSAKU-DAt-ta-tame, vuNYUU-MAI-

on imported rice.

13 $1

if

tz-otztcfo s ft A

e>

tit A,

4'lttuf

tR

T'L/Co

Nl taYORA-nakereba-naRI-MASEn-deshita. Because I was fast asleepdast night,

^9^' &

I did not feel the earthquake.

yuUBE-wa guSSUri ne-TE-l-TA-TAME,

i-te®

T I'/c tz

13

if O

# t it/v T’ B to

jiSHIN-NI ki-GA-TSUKI-MASEn-deshita. Because there was a traffic accident,

X

il

^tfrif

I was late for school.

koOTSUU-JIko-ga At-ta-tame, gaKKOO-NI

mm

-o tztzd)13

b t b to

chiKOKU-SHI-MAshita

(7) Concession -keredo(mo) In this form, the matter stated in the principal clause is true despite the perhaps contradictory information described in the subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses with the endings shown below can be used as adverbial clauses of concession when either the suffix -keredo or -keredomo (meaning “although”) is attached. N-da A-(na)-da A-i

v3

>

-keredo(mo)

V2’-te-iru V2’-ta Vi-nai

i

Examples^ 12

Although he is a doctor,

[£=£ tz

ft

M

£

he can live on his earnings

KAre-wa iSHA-DA-keredomo, saKKA-TO-

as a writer.

V X b % ^ Ti'lt £ to shi-TE-mo TAbe-te iKE-MAsu.

Although he is young,

®

ti S

he is a sound-thinking person.

KAre-wa waKAi-keredo, kaNGAe-no shiKKAri-

B tz A

I' It ti

#

A B -o if U

V to

shi-ta-hiTO-desu.

CHAPTER 13» Section 4«Adverbial Clauses

225

2^

0 *

IS £

5$

1/

Although I have been studying

bo

Japanese for almost two years,

MOo Nl-nen-mo niHON-GO-O beNKYQO-SHI-

b

I still can’t read kanji.

M

ttcm

TE-iRU-keredo, MAda kaNJI-GA yoME-MASEn.

If fc

Although I can’t write kanji,

m ¥lt 9 if

li

I can read them.

KAnji-wa kaKE-nai-keredo, YOmu-koTO-wa deKI-MAsu.

(8) Manner -yo-ni, -tori-ni Adverbial clauses of manner describe the way in which something is done.

Subordinate clauses with the ending forms shown below can be used as adverbial clauses of manner by adding either the suffix -yO-ni or -tori-ni (meaning “as” or “like”).

v> V2’-te-iru V2’-ta

] J

-yo-ni -tOri-ni

Examples: Try to do just as I do.

if f 3

9 1Z ^ o T fr X

waTASHI-GA suRU-YOo-ni yaT-TE-MI-tekudasai. She was entranced, as if in a dream.

®

^ li|

Y5 b

JL Tl'-Scfc 9 tZ

KAnojo-wa yuME-demo MI-te-iru-YOo-ni O-ztVt

1/

Ti'S

U

tz0

uTTOri-to shi-te-i-MAshita. She arranged the flowers

flfc

iz & %

like her teacher did.

KAnojo-wa seNSEI-ga Ike-ta-TOori-ni haNA-o

1

/

£ **

tZo

iKE-MAshita.

226

CHAPTER 13*Section 4*Adverbial Clauses

fcfcWZ ft

$

MMMMMIM

CHAPTER 13 SECTION 5

Predicate Clauses Let us compare the following two sentences: (1) Zd-wa okii-desu.

An elephant is big.

(2) Zd-wa hana-ga nagai-desu.

An elephant has a long trunk.

Note that hana-ga nagai-desu in (2) (literally meaning “the trunk is long”) is a subordinate clause, and it performs the same function as okii-desu (predicate) in (1). This grammatical form, in which the subordinate clause functions as a predicate, is unique to the Japanese language. I refer to this usage of a clause as the predicate clause.

Theme-wa (predicate clause). More Examples The literal English translation of the Japanese is provided in parentheses.

Z. (D X %

This doll has blue eyes.

&

§

W'*'? to

koNO-niNGYOO-WA ME-aa aOi-desu. (As for this doll, its eyes are blue)

This robot’s mouth moves.

z. M101 f n——i m iM—!l1W WWWMW.WBWWiWWW'i llOIWBli»WWWWl!lilWHIi(Wi.fl).IIWMWl!ir!II)MllliMiiWf

236

APPENDIX 2»Kanji Radicals

3Q

Radical

Meaning

/r

* T

V

arrow

Examples £

*n

M

YA

shiRU

miJIKAi

(arrow)

(know)

(short)

stone/ by a Cliff '

0 iSHI

suNA

yaBUru

(stone)

(sand)

(break) tt

JL

altar T

x

f

Jf

crops

shiMESU

KAmi

yaSHIRO

(indicate)

(god)

(shrine)

« Aki

TAne

ZEi

(autumn)

(seed)

(tax)

$

four

*

rice

koME

koNA

TOo

grains

(rice)

(flour)

(sugar)

Ito

hoSOi

Klnu

(thread)

(thin)

(silk)

15

m

miMI

TOru

kiKU

(ear)

(take)

(hear)

* cocoon

I TT

ear

J&A 7UP

A

#

ship

i

FUne

KOo

(ship)

(voyage)

neck band

#

ft

of

koROMO

fuKU

tn SEi

kimono

(clothes)

(layers)

(make)

horn

n

»

of an

tsuNO

TOku

animal

(horn)

(solve)

/J

* 1

M—

/J

NMN

APPENDIX 2*Kanji Radicals

237

mmmmmmmMmmmmmmmmmmm

Radical

n H

P

Meaning sharp

1=1

IS

QP

knife

iU

haNAsu

kaTAru

and mouth

(say)

(speak)

(talk)

high-legged

a

m

m

dish

maME

aTAMA

YUtaka

(bean)

(head)

(abundant)

M

M

KAi

ZAi

kaU

(shell)

(assets)

(buy)

£

sr

aSHI

miCHI

(leg)

(street)

n

a

shellfish

/\

£ M

leg

m cart

ffl

l

±

St

B

Ira

kuRUMA

koROGARU

WA

(car)

(roll)

(wheel)

E

M

>i

kuBAru

SAn

saKE

(distribute)

(acid)

(wine)

rice

S

I?

paddy

saTO

NO

and soil

(hamlet)

(field)

grains

£

m

&

contained

Kin

Gin

teTSU

in soil

(gold)

(silver)

(iron)

3E

i

Examples

pot

grass and

1#

spring

aOi

SHIzuka

water

(blue)

(quiet)

cereals

ft

on

taBEru

NOmu

HAn

a plate

(eat)

(drink)

(meal)

m

....—\m\m APPENDIX 2*Kanji Radicals

■MNMMMM wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Radical

Meaning

Examples HI

If?

I#

uMA

Eki

KEn

(horse)

(station)

(examine)

7J

V)

ft

kaTANA

Klru

waKEru

(sword)

(cut)

(separate)

Stf

m

SIJ

waKAREru

kiZAMU

waRU

(part)

(carve)

(break)

flexed

t\

Si

fii)

arm

chiKARA

uGOku

taSUKEru

muscles

(power)

(move)

(help)

sitting

ft



5E

person

baKEru

kuRABERU

shiNU

(disguise)

(compare)

(die)

17

JR

S

TOru

oSAMEru

uKEru

(take)

(obtain)

(receive)

S

§

naTSU

Onoono

toKORO

(summer)

(each)

(place)

heaped

115

£15

115

soil

miYAKO

BU

YUu

(capital)

(part)

(post)

&

n

horse

u

/ sword /

■■

J i

jj

✓J

k

R

sword

hand

two legs

RlJ

halberd

£ A

A

(a type of

taTAKAI

NAru

WAre

spear)

(war)

(complete)

(I)

17

Sc

oSHIERU

kaZOEru

aRATAMEru

(teach)

(count)

(revise)

do

APPENDIX 2* Kanji Radicals

239

Radical

4

n

n

KA

haKAru

(distinguish)

(measure)

fr

Pfj

m

aTARASHli

toKORO

TAtsu

(new)

(place)

(disconnect)

n

m

tsuKI

aKARUI

aOi

(moon)

(bright)

(blue)

'X.

W

kaKERU

uTAU

hoSSURU

(lack)

(sing)

(desire)

n

IS

IS

koROSU

DAn

koKU

(kill)

(step)

(grain)

eyes

m

*1

ts

and

Mlru

Mlru

KAn

person

(see)

(stare)

(observe)

streaming

naGAi

CHOo

haRU

in wind

(long)

(curtain)

(spread)

bird

toRI

naKU

(bird)

(chirp)

m

it

ZAtsu

NAn

aTSUMAru

(mixed)

(mishap)

(gather)

aTAMA

kaO

iTADAKI

(head)

(face)

(summit)

measure

i

r~

It

ax

/1



R

new moon

/J

1— bent body A

/L V

1

Examples

Meaning

do

long hair

/W*J

t

bird

head

240

APPENDIX 2* Kanji Radicals

Radical

Meaning

Examples £

£

Au

taBEru

kaNE

(meet)

(eat)

(money)

¥

m

uTSUsu

GUn

(copy)

(military)

TV roof

/

1-* cover

/

r±p

r-H roof

■I. pi l

mountain

-++grass

iE

shiTSU

yaDO

(house)

(room)

(inn)

UU

M-l

yaMA

iWA

suMI

(mountain)

(rock)

(charcoal)

M

ft

£

kuSA

haNA

cha

(grass)

(flower)

(tea)

old person

7V

#

leaning on

ROo

kaNGAEru

moNO

a cane

(old)

(think)

(person)

pair

.a.

of

HAtsu

noBORU

legs

(depart)

(climb) s*

ft

ZfU

hole

mn net

A-A-

M-4

JJX

/UN

aNA

kaRA

MAdo

(hole)

(empty)

(window)

ft

m

m

kaU

oKU

TSUmi

(buy)

(put)

(crime)

two

Yl

bamboo

taKE

fuE

KUda

canes

(bamboo)

(flute)

(pipe)

APPENDIX 2*Kanji Radicals

W

241

Radical

¥

n

m

hiTSUJI

uTSUKUSHli

muRE

(sheep)

(beautiful)

(group)

two

m

W

feathers

haNE

naRAu

yoKU

(feather)

(learn)

(next)

nose

i

m /liA

m ?¥

of

Mlzukara

Iki

haNA

a person

(myself)

(breath)

(nose)

rain drops

Pi

>H> .

from

Ame

KUmo

yuKI

sky

(rain)

(cloud)

(snow)

person’s

£

%

7L

body

Ani

ko

MOto

(brother)

(child)

(origin)

holding

it ✓\

n

A

with both

TOmo

soNAWAru

noRI

hands

(together)

(possess)

(rule book)

w

¥

sheep

i

>=!=i

J\~,

y n

Examples

Meaning

m

i TT J

rh

hand

cloth

heart /HA

n 242

SUn

Iru

miCHIBIku

(little)

(shoot)

(guide)

3*

*

nuNO

Obi

maKU

(cloth)

(belt)

(drapery)

tb

/IS*

&

koKORO

oMOu

Ai

(heart)

(think)

(love)

woman’s

m

breasts

HAha

MAi

doKU

(mother)

(every)

(poison)

HI

APPENDIX 2*Kanji Radicals

Radical

Meaning

Examples

m

fire /\W

neTSU

moERU

aKAI

(heat)

(burn)

(red)

saRA

maSU

MOru

(plate)

(increase)

(fill)

m

m

HAra

aTSUI

(field)

(thick)

m plate

JUL

f

r r r r

cliff

sitting

m

person.

iRU

YA

SOo

or roof

(exist)

(house)

(layer)

house

miSE

kuRA

niWA

(store)

(ware house)

(garden)

sick

M

fs

person

YAmai

iTAMI

in bed

(sickness)

(pain)

m

M

taTEru

noBAsu

(build)

(lengthen)

walk

m

m

m

forward

suSUMU

miCHI

haYAi

(advance)

(road)

(quick)

» advance

i.

n

m

&

person’s legs

haSHIru

oKIru

stretched

(run)*

(get up)

F*3

R

m

uCHI

En

SHUu

(inside)

(circle)

(around)

cover

APPENDIX 2*Kanji Radicals

243

Radical

1= □

storage

E

place

KU

i

(mark off)

(cure)

enclose

stick

t ✓

-

crossroad

1 T

n

244

Examples

Meaning

gate

m kaKOMU

kuNI

soNO

(surround)

(country)

(garden)

ft kaWARU

SHIki

(replace)

(method)

fr

m

«r

iKU

maCHI

maMOru

(go)

(downtown)

(guard)

PI

m

MOn

aKERU

shiMEru

(gate)

(open)

(close)

APPENDIX 2« Kanji Radicals

Appendix 3. Numbers Cardinal Numbers (a) 0 through 9,999 0

rei, zero

W

30

san-ju

H+

1

ichi



40

yon-ju

izg+

2

ni



50

go-ju

3

san

2Z1

60

roku-ju

/\+

4

yon, shi

70

nana-ju

5

go

S

80

hachi-ju

6

roku

/\

90

kyu-ju

-b+ A+ A~h

7

nana, shichi

-b

8

hachi

A

100

hyaku

9

kyu, ku

A

200

ni-hyaku

300

san-byaku

B -W =w

+

400

yon-hyaku

11

ju ju-ichi

+-

500

go-hyaku

rsb eb

12

ju-ni

+-

600

rop-pyaku

AW

13

ju-san

700

nana-hyaku

14

ju-shi, yon

800

hap-pyaku

-bB AB

15

ju-go

900

kyu-hyaku

^lB

16

ju-roku

17

ju-shichi, nana+-b

1000

sen

*

18

ju-hachi

2000

ni-sen

19

ju-ku, kyu

+A ~hA

3000

san-zen

4000

yon-sen

=* m=t

5000

go-sen

S31

10

+A

“+

20

ni-ju

21

ni-ju-ichi

6000

roku-sen

22

ni-ju-ni

7000

nana-sen

-b^b

23*

ni-ju-san

8000

has-sen

24

ni-ju-shi, yon

9000

kyu-sen

A^ A~F~

25

ni-ju-go

~+=

—+E

Examples: 365

san-byaku roku-ju go

1,481

sen yon-hyaku hachi-ju ichi

3,672

san-zen rop-pyaku nana-ju ni

9,848

kyu-sen hap-pyaku yon-ju hachi

APPENDIX 3*Numbers

245

(b) Numbers above 10,000 Observe carefully the difference between English and Japanese counting methods. trillion

million

thousand

7 8 9,

8 7 6,

543

hundred

hundred

hundred

hundred

-ty

-ty

-ty

-ty

billion

12 3, 4 5 6, hundred

-ty

In English, a large number is divided into three-digit groups (base group and subsequent groups of thousand, million, billion, trillion, and so on) as shown above. The counting method from 1 to 999 is repeatedly used for each group. So the number above reads: one hundred (and) twenty-three trillion, four hundred (and) fifty-six billion, seven hundred (and) eighty-nine million, eight hundred (and) seventy-six thousand, five hundred (and) forty-three

The Japanese counting method is like this.

% cho

ft

oku

75 man

123 4567 8987 6543 hyaku ju

M +

sen hyaku ju

sen hyaku ju

31

^

W +

W +

sen hyaku ju

31

H +

In Japanese, a large number is divided into four-digit groups (base group and subsequent groups of man, oku, cho and so on) as shown above. The counting method from 1 to 9,999, which has been discussed on the previous page, is repeatedly used for each group. So the number above reads: hyakuni-ju san cho yon-sen go-hyaku roku-ju nana oku has-sen kyu-hyaku hachi-ju nana man roku-sen go-hyaku yon-ju san

246

APPENDIX 3*Numbers

(c) Note the following special cases: I. Years 1998: sen kyu-hyaku kyu-ju hachi nen (nen = year) (Do not read as “nineteen ninetyeight”) II. Telephone Numbers

/

3275-6904: san-ni-nana-go-no roku-kyu-zero-yon (-no is attached to the exchange number.) III. In reading postal codes, room numbers, road numbers, machine type numbers, etc., maru (which means “circle”) is often used instead of zero, (just like “oh” in English). So “106” reads ichi-niaru-roku. Traditional Yamato-Kotoba counting A traditional Yamato-kotoba counting method (1 through 10 only) is also used in the casual language. (Yon and nana in normal counting [p.245] are derived from the traditional counting.) 1

hitotsu

6

muttsu

2

futatsu

7

nanatsu

3

mittsu

8

yattsu

4

yottsu

9

kokonotsu

5

itsutsu

10

too

Ordinal numbers Ordinal numbers are expressed by inserting a cardinal number in place of X in the following formula: dai-(X)-ban-me (dai, me or ban-me can be left out) Examples: ^ the 1st

dai-ichi-ban-me, ichi-ban-me, ichi-ban, dai-ichi

the 2nd

dai-ni-ban-me, ni-ban-me, ni-ban, dai-ni

the 3rd

dai-san-ban-me, san-ban-me, san-ban, dai-san

V

Also used are: saisho

(the first)

saigo

(the last)

APPENDIX 3* Numbers

247

Months of the year January February March April May June July August September October November December

-3

ichi-gatsu ni-gatsu san-gatsu shi-gatsu (not yon-gatsu) go-gatsu roku-gatsu shichi-gatsu (not nana-gatsu) hachi-gatsu ku-gatsu (not kyu-gatsu) ju-gatsu ju-ichi-gatsu ju-ni-gatsu

-ft

=-ft

iza3 S3 A3 Ar3

.

A3 A3 +3 H—3 +—3

Days of the month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

tsui-tachi futsu-ka mik-ka yok-ka itsu-ka mui-ka nano-ka yo-ka kokono-ka too-ka ju-ichi-nichi ju-ni-nichi ju-san-nichi ju-yok-ka ju-go-nichi ju-roku-nichi

-0 —0 £0 £9 0 S0 A0 -b 0 A0 A0 +0 +-0 +-0 +S0 +E9 0 +S0 +A0

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

ju-shichi-nichi ju-hachi-nichi ju-ku-nichi hatsu-ka ni-ju-ichi-nichi ni-ju-ni-nichi ni-ju-san-nichi ni-ju-yok-ka ni-ju-go-nichi ni-jO-roku-nichi ni-ju-shichi-nichi ni-ju-hachi-nichi ni-ju-ku-nichi san-ju-nichi san-ju-ichi-nichi

il names: January 1 the last day of each month December 31

248

gan-jitsu miso-ka oo-miso-ka

APPENDIX 3* Numbers

7C

0

+-fc0 +A0 +A 0 -+0 -+-0 -+-0 -+S0 -+£9 0 -+S0 —+A 0 —++ 0 -+A0 —+A 0 s+0 S+-0

Counting units Compared with the counting units used in English (mile, yard, metre, feet, gallon, litre, dollar, cent, etc.), Japanese counting units are much more extensive and complex, many having no English equivalent. I did my best in trying to group them, as shown below. Group 1: Plain counting units (a) Plain units with no exceptions (b) Plain but exceptional “4” (yo instead of yon) /

Group 2: Double consonants '(a) Double consonants “k” for 1, 6, and 10. (b) Double consonants “s” or “t” for 1, 8, and 10. (c) Double consonants “k” or “s” and voiced 3 (d) Double consonant “pp" to replace consonant “h” or “f ’ for 1,6, 10, and voiced 3 Group 3: Traditional counting

Examples: Group 1 (a): Plain counting units with no exceptions Examples: ichi-mai, ni-mai, san-mai, yon-mai, go-mai, roku-mai, nana-mai... ju-yonmai... ni-ju-yon-mai... mai

used to count flat objects like paper, bank notes, stamps, disks, shirts, etc.

dai

A n

machines like cars, bicycles, cameras, telephones, computers, etc.

wa

m

birds, rabbits

Group 1 (b): Plain but exceptional “4” (yo instead of yon) Examples: yo-en, ju-yo-en, ni-ju-yo-en, yo-ji, yo-nin en

P3

¥, Japanese currency

j* jikan

m mm

o’clock period of time in hours

nin

A

persons (exceptions: 1 person=hitori, 2 people=futari)

nen

years

nen-kan

period of time in years

mmm

APPENDIX 3«Numbers

249

Group 2 (a): Double consonants “k” for 1, 6, and 10 Examples: ik-ko, ni-ko, san-ko, yon-ko, go-ko, rok-ko, nana-ko, hachi-ko, kyu-ko, jjk ko, ju-ik-ko, and so on

m

ko

used to count something small and round, like balls, apples, eggs, stones, etc.

kai

0

number of times like “once,” “twice,”

ka-getsu

PH

Period of time in months

Group 2 (b): Double consonants “s” or “t” for 1, 8, and 10 Examples: is- sai. ni-sai. san-sai. von-sai. go-sai. roku-sai, nana-sai, has-sai, kyu-sai, jissai, iu-is-sai.,.. it-ten. hat-ten, iit-ten... age (exception: hatachi for 20 years old)

sai satsu

m

books, notebooks, dictionaries, etc.

shukan

iSfe]

period of time in weeks

sho

m

number of wins in games, sports, etc.

ten

/l»\

number of points in a test, game, etc.

tsu

11

letters

to

31

big animals like horses, cows, lions, elephants

Group 2 (c): Double consonants “k” (1,6, 10) or “s” (1, 8, 10) and voiced 3 Examples: ik-kai, ni- kai, san-gai, yon-kai, go-kai, rok-kai, nana-kai, hachi-kai, kyukai, iik-kai... is-soku , ni-soku, san-zoku, yon-soku, go-soku, roku-soku, nana-soku. has-soku, kyu-soku, jis-soku...

m

kai

floor of a building

ken

houses

soku

shoes, socks, stockings

Group 2 (d): Double consonant “pp” to replace consonant “h” or “f ’ for 1,6, 10, and voiced 3 Examples: ip-pon, ni-hon, san-bon, yon-hon, go-hon, rop-pon. nana-hon, hachi-hon, kyu-hon, jip-pon hon

*

something slender like pencils, trees, bottles

hiki

small animals like dogs, cats, fishes

hai

number of glasses of a drink

fun

&

hai haku

minutes number of losses in games, sports, etc.

>6

overnight stays in a hotel, etc.

IMNHHiPeMMi

250

APPENDIX 3* Numbers

Group 3: Traditional counting Small parts (one up to about four) of the traditional counting method are used to form prefixes with certain units. For example: hito-hako, futa-hako, mi-hako, yo-hako, gohako, rop-pako, nana-hako, hachi-hako, kyu-hako, jip-pako, ju-ichi-hako... ri

A

person (1: hito-ri, 2: futa-ri only)

hako

m

boxes, packs of cigarettes

kire

«Mx

slices of fish, bread, etc.

kumi

m

sets, pairs

toori

ilU

ways of doing something

tsuki

n

months

ban

0^

nights

K

mm

APPENDIX 3«Numbers

251

Appendix 4. Verb Conjugation Chart This chart shows V3 (root), V2-masu (polite), V2’-te (present participle), V,-nai (plain¬ negative), V4-ba (conditional), and V5-o (volitional) forms for the eleven representative verbs and two special verbs. V3

V2-masu

V2’-te

Vrnai

V4-ba

V5-0

Mlru

to see

mi-MAsu

Ml-te

Ml-nai

Mlre-ba

mi-YOo

neRU

to sleep

ne-MAsu

ne-TE

ne-NAI

neRE-ba

ne-YOo

kaSU

to lend

kaSHI-MAsu

kaSHI-TE

kaSA-NAI

kaSE-ba

kaSO-o

haKU

to put on

haKI-MAsu

hal-TE

haKA-NAI

haKE-ba

haKO-o

NUgu

to take off

nuGI-MAsu

NUi-de

nuGA-nai

NUge-ba

nuGO-o

MAtsu

to wait

maCHI-MAsu

MAt-te

maTA-nai

MAte-ba

maTO-o

TOru

to take

toRl-MAsu

TOt-te

toRA-nai

TOre-ba

toRO-o

kaU

to buy

kal-MAsu

kaT-TE

kaWA-NAI

kaE-ba

kaO-o

shiNU

to die

shiNI-MAsu

shiN-DE

shiNA-NAI

shiNE-ba

shiNO-o

YOmu

to read

yoMI-MAsu

YOn-de

yoMA-nai

YOme-ba

yoMO-o

toBU

to fly

toBI-MAsu

toN-DE

toBA-NAl

toBE-ba

toBO-o

suRU

to do

shi-MAsu

shi-TE

shi-NAI

suRE-ba

shi-YOo

KUru

to come

ki-MAsu

Kl-te

KO-nai

KUre-ba

ko-YOo

Note (1) V2’-te form of iKU (to go) is iT-TE. (2) V,-nai form of Aru (to exist) is simply NAi. V2-masen (polite-negative), V2-mashita (polite-past), V2-masen-deshita (polite-negativepast), V2’-ta (plain-past), and V,-nakatta (plain-negative-past) forms, which can easily be derived from the chart, are not shown.

252

APPENDIX 4»Verb Conjugation Chart

Index consonant

.16

contracted sound.16 A. A-i .

.46 copula .41,90,119 .46 counting units .249

A-(i) .

145, 153, 222

A-na

.

.46

A-(na).

.56

accent .

••••14, 18, 39 dakuten .25 .19 derivative verbs.186

accent symbols adjectival clause

.45 -desu .41 .210 -desu derivation .119

adverb .

.108 do-verbs .83

adverbial clause

.214

alphabet .

.13

attributive use • •

.55

adjective.

E eternal truth .124 existence .41, 99,118, 124, 126 explanatory -n-desu

.69, 135

be .41,90,118 bilateral approach.105 family members .72 flowchart 85, 161, 178, 182, 188, 192, 194, cardinal numbers .245 causative mode.186, 194 cause.107, 224 clause

.203

-ga. comparative condition .222 gerund comparative degree.66 greeting

206, 218

G 68, 90, 126, 146, 192, 203 .143,153 .229

comparison.65 complement

.90

complex sentence.196, 203 compound sentence .'•.196 hai .58 compound verb.152 han-dakuten .25 concession.225 Hepburn style.14 conditions.106, 217 heteronym.13, 39 conjugation.76, 252 hiragana .22, 23 conjunction.44, 201 homonym .13, 39

INDEX

253

••■

honorifics

humble words

71, 115, 118, 155, 172, 191 ordinal numbers

247

.72 original verbs

186

*

i-adjective .

.46 partial negation.125

iie

.58 passive moue



.

.ioc.

1 UU,

ioc

AUU,

ini

L

y

L

incomplete verb

.87, 91 pnenomenon.i^u

interrogatives ••

60, 112, 124, 126 phrase.16

intonation

.20 pitch accent.19

.

.yo i i q i in i'll. 'ifiA ID, 1 lo, IIV, 1 / j, ZU4 plain style. ,.i1 k

.87, 191 place ueiimuon

intransitive verb

polite style .

.22

kanji.

14, 37, 234

kanji radicals

.234

katakana ••••

.22, 32

known facts •

.124

kun-reading •

.38, 77

kana

.

polite words • • • — postposition..

ZO

potential mode • • • • .lot), predicate

. .jj,

lyZ

JO, 1Z4

.zz /

predicate clause predicative use

-

* ‘JJ

present participle • .1 oU principal clause • • • • .lyo, ZUj prolonged vowel • .17, 2U,

2/, 34

manner . .226 purpose . .104,224

-masu

. .41, /O

materials

. .lUo

.

means

1UJ

mode. .186

raw materials reason

.107

.104,223

relative adverb .210 relative pronoun na-adjective



.210

.46 representative verbs

.77, 252

.

.42 respectful words.72

noun clause ••

.208 result of change.104

noun modifiers

..45,50,210 roma-ji .14

N-P triangle

62, 63, 64, 65, 92, 205 romanized syllabary

noun

numbers

object

.



.14

.245 root form.76

.87,89,189 sentence pattern No. 1

52

on-reading.38, 77 sentence pattern No. 2

55

254

INDEX

sentence pattern No. 3

• .87 voiced sound.16, 24

sentence pattern ino. 4

.OO voiceless sound.16, 24

sentence pattern ino. j

.yO vowel .16

silent synaoie . .17, zo, 34

w

simple sentence.■.1 Vo sound snut source

..z4,

Zj

. ..1U /

special verbs

. .o3

stress accent

. .IV

-wa .53, 122 word

.16

subject . .lzz, izo subordinate clause

. .1 VO, ZU3 yamato-kotoba superlative degree . .OO

.38, 77, 247

14, Z3, 3z syllabary. .70

syllable. .1J, to symbols.

theme .

53, 122, 123

time definition

.93

tools .

.106

transitive verb

.87, 88

u unilateral approach

105

....

.181

X-nai

.181

v2.

••84, 143

V2-masu

.84

V2’.

.160

V2’-te•••■

.160

V2’-ta



.177

v3. v4 .

••77, 129

V4-ba ••*

.218

v5.

.204

V5-o

204, 206

Vi

-

.218

INDEX

255

Hiragana Syllabary &

it

a

mu

KP yu

3 ru

9 U

it

X e

ti re

X

me

U

b

hi

mi

t

it

su

o tsu

nu

'S' fu

-tf se

T te

ne

/\ he

* so

£ to

CD no

ho

t> mo

yo

tz

If ba

If pa

If bi

tf Pi

bu

✓S' pu

It ke —T C—

ko

tz

fe

ga

£ za

da

gi

i; ji

£ ji

^ chu

IE ^ nyu

tf hyu

myu

U *> ryu

# «t kyo

U £ hyo

ja

t» bya

t» pya

gyu

ju

ju

tf kt> byu

tf kD pyu

J: gyo

i; «fc jo

tf«fc byo

tf «t pyo

^ cfc

jo

•Exceptions in romaji spelling are marked in italics.

Katakana Syllabary T a

ti ka

vsa

-f i

* ki

'> shi

7 u

7 ku

X su

I e

0~ ke

-tz se

. * o

d ko

■v

x

ya

0 ta 7< si

< ti

* chi

7"

"J tsu

/

"J? tsa

7na

/\ ha

7x fa

7< tsi

-

ni

b hi

7< fi

nu

7 fu

h 7 tu

■7

ma "X

mi A mu

te

7i tse

* ne

he

7i fe

y me

V so

h to

tso

y no

ho

7t fo

mo

7 wa

jj

if

7

A

ga

za

da

7>

/\°

ra

ba

va

pa