GRAMMAR JLPT 3 POINTS

8/7/2019 GRAMMAR JLPT 3 POINTS

1/26

GRAMMAR JLPT 3 POINTS

Base 1 + seru / saseru [L22][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson22.htm]

These are used when you want to let/have/make someone do something. InEnglish we fortunately have three different words which allow us to easily adjustthe meaning to the one we want to convey. Accordingly, "I'll lethim go to thestore," "I'll have him go to the store," and "I'll make him go to the store" all havedifferent nuances. In Japanese, however, seru, foryodan verbs, and saseru,for the others, are used for all of these. By the overall context and by usingother "helper" words the different meanings, or feelings, as in "let him" vs."make him," can be conveyed.

The important thing to remember is that yodan verbs use seru, like this:

Obaa-san wa kodomotachi ni soto de asobaseru.

(Grandma lets the children play outside.)

Okaa-chan wa Kimiko ni kasa o kawaseru.

(Mom will have Kimiko buy an umbrella.)

Sensei wa gakusei ni mainichi shimbun o yomaseru.

(The teacher makes the students read the newspaper every day.)

And ichidan verbs and the irregularkuruuse saseru:

Roku ji ni kodomotachi ni yuushoku o tabesaseru.

(I'll have the kids eat dinner at 6:00.)

John ni raishuu made nikimesaseru.

(I'll have John decide by next week.)

Kare ni ashita kosaseru.

(I'll have him come tomorrow.)

With suruverbs, suruis simply replaced with saseru:

Otou-san wa Bob nibenkyou saseru.

(Dad will make Bob study.)

Kanojo nisaseru.

(I'll have her do it.)

1


2/26

As you can see, in these constructions the person being let or made to dosomething becomes the indirect object, which is signified by adding niafter it.

One tricky thing is that there are some verbs which already have a "set form"

to convey this meaning, and do not follow the above rules. A good example ismiseru, which means "to show" or "to let see," as in:

Kare wa karera ni mainichi terebi o miseru.

(He lets them watch TV every day.)

So, although miru is an ichidan verb, you won't hear or see "misaseru." Asyou get used to more and more natural Japanese expressions, you will knowwhich verbs are conjugated as outlined above and which have their own setforms which are used instead.

Now for the easy part: Since seru and saseru end in eru, they can beconjugated further like any other ichidan verb, making it easy to apply what hasbeen learned in the previous lessons in order to make them negative, pasttense, polite, and etc. For example:

Ritsuko wa Kumi ni pen o kawasemashita.(Ritsuko had Kumi buy a pen.)

Ojii-san wa kodomotachi ni ame o tabesasemasen.(Grandpa won't let the children eat candy.)

Watashi wa Kenji ni eigo o benkyou sasetaidesu.(I want to have Kenji study English.)

John ni mise niikasemashou.(Let's have John go to the store.)

Kodomotachi ni terebi o misemashou ka.(Shall we let the kids watch TV?)

These examples all use Base 2 final endings. Please review any you mayhave forgotten.

Base 3 + tsumori [L46]

[http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson46.htm]

Base 3 plus tsumoriis used to express an intention:

Watashi wa sanji made nikaeru tsumori.

(I plan to be back by three o'clock.)

Steve wa Canada niiku tsumorida to omou.

(I think Steve plans to go to Canada.)

2


3/26

Keiko wa Kyoto Daigaku nihairu tsumoridesu.

(Keiko intends to go to Kyoto University.)

In case you're wondering, yes, technically speaking, tsumori is the Base 2

form of its plain form tsumoru, but you will never heartsumoru(to intend) used.You will, however, hear the other verb tsumoru, which means "to accumulate,build up," used a lot, especially in the winter when people talk about snow pilingup: yuki ga tsumoru. While sounding alike, their meanings are completelydifferent, so please be careful not to confuse them.

Base 3 + made [L33][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson33.htm]

This one is very easy. Made means "until," and is added after the plain formof a verb:

Yukiko ga kuru made taberu koto wa dekimasen.

(We can't eat until Yukiko comes.)

Bob ga denwa suru made matanakereba narimasen.

(We have to wait until Bob calls.)

Shukudai ga owaru made terebi o misemasen.(I won't let you watch TV until your homework is finished.)

As in English, made may be used with nouns which refer to times, periods,or seasons:

Yuushoku made machinasai.

(Wait until dinner.)

Natsu yasumi made, ato ni shuu kan desu.

(It's two weeks until summer vacation.)

Haru made matsu hou ga ii deshou.

(It'll probably be best to wait until spring.)

3


4/26

Usingandwith verbs[http://www.guidetojapanese.org/surunaru.html#part4]

You may be wondering how to use and with verbs sincethere's no way to directly modify a verb with another verb. The simple solution is

to add a generic noun such as a generic event: or anappearance/manner: . These nouns don't refer to anything specificand are used to describe something else. In this case, they allow us to describeverbs in the same manner as nouns. Here are some examples of how to usethese generic nouns withand.

1.

It's been decided that I will go abroad.

(lit: It became the event of going abroad.)

2.

It seems like I started eating meat everyday.

(lit: It became the appearance of eating meat everyday.)

3.

I decided I will go abroad.

(lit: I did toward the event of going abroad.)

4.

I will try to eat meat everyday.

(lit: I will do toward the manner of eating meat everyday.)

You can modify a verb with or by first making it into anoun clause and then treating it just like a regular noun. Pretty clever, huh? Ihope the literal translations give you a sense of why the example sentencesmean what they do. For example, in () translates into "to

make an effort toward..." but in Japanese, it's really only a target towards actingin a certain manner.

Since potential verbs describe a state of feasibility rather than an action(remember, that's why the particle couldn't be used), it is often used inconjunction with to describe a change in manner to a stateof feasibility. Let's take this opportunity to get some potential conjugationpractice in.

1.After coming to Japan, I became able to eat sushi.

4


5/26

2.Because I practiced for one year, I became able to play the piano.

3.After going underground, Fuji-san became not visible.

Base 3 + (any noun) [L36][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson36.htm]

In English we have what are officially called relative pronouns: words thatconnect a noun to an action. For a quick review, they are like which in "This isthe dictionary which I'll buy for my brother's birthday present," where in "Kobe iswhere she will take the exam," and who in "There's the man who I saw in thestation yesterday."

In Japanese, there are no "relative pronouns." (This is why teaching aboutthese pesky words and the grammar related to them is so difficult in Japan.And, to make matters worse, the way English grammar books used in theschools here are written gives the impression that mastering all aspects andusages of relative pronouns is the most important thing one needs to learnabout English. But, that's another story...) All you do is simply add the noun inquestion to the plain form of the verb in question. Let's look at these simplephrases:

watashi ga noru densha (the train I'll take) kare ga iku tokoro (the place he'll go)

kanojo no deru jikan (the time she'll leave) watashitachi ga au kyaku(the customer we'll meet)

Now, as I sit here and look at these four phrases, which are examplesinvolving a thing, a place, a time, and a person, respectively, I can see severalthings which need to be explained things I'd like to explain, but can't withoutgoing off on a tangent which would require a completely new and lengthy page.For example, a new learner may well ask: why ga after the subjects above,instead of the usual wa? Why no afterkanojo instead ofga? Well, to offer verygeneral, but hopefully sufficient for the present, explanations, we'll go off on justa tiny tangent here:

WA indicates the main subject or topic of the whole sentence, and ishandled by the final verb. For example, the entire phrase watashiga noru densha above could be the subject in Watashi ga norudensha wa hachi ji ni demasu. (My train leaves at eight o'clock.) Inthis sentence, densha (train) is the main subject, and deru (toleave) tells us what it will do; watashi ga noru just gives us moreinformation about the train watashi ga noru densha simplypinning it down as the "train I will take" or "my train."

GA indicates a subject within a phrase, a "sub-subject," you might say,

or a noun which needs emphasis. Continuing with the aboveexample, ga tells us who will take the train.

5


6/26

NO is often used in place ofga, especially in informal spoken Japanese,which is why I decided to leave it as it is in the example above. Gaorno could be used here, so I feel that the learner may as well getused to both, since he or she will surely be hearing both. Pleaseremember that no also has another job as the indicator for

possessives, like our ['s], as in Sore wa Kimiko no kasa desu. (Thatis Kimiko's umbrella.) 1

Now, to get back to the lesson, let's translate one of the examples used atthe beginning of the lesson:

Kore wa watashi no otouto no tanjoubi purezento nikau jisho desu.

(This is the dictionary I'll buy for my little brother's birthday present.)

Since this is natural Japanese, the watashi (I) telling who will buy the

dictionary is obviously understood as the speaker, and therefore omitted. Thewatashiin the sentence is actually a part of the possessive pronoun watashi no(my). If you can keep these things straight now it will really be a big help later.

Now let's do another example:

Kobe wa kanojo ga shiken o ukeru tokoro desu.

(Kobe is where she'll take the exam.)

In this one, the English "where," as a relative pronoun, automatically

designates a place, but since Japanese has no equivalent, a substitute nounmust be used. Kobe is a place, so tokoro is used after the verb. As you mayhave noticed, a truer English translation would be, "Kobe is the place whereshe'll take the exam," but "the place" is redundant and unnecessary in English,and so it would most likely be omitted. Tokoro and where are roughlyequivalent here in only a grammatical sense; they do not mean the same thing.

As you can see, both English and Japanese have their own set of rulesconcerning what and when something unnecessary can be omitted. Theproblem is that the rules are totally different for each language. As a general,semi-accurate rule, English and Japanese are on opposite ends from eachother on the "language spectrum"; what applies to one doesn't necessarily applyto the other, and vice versa; and when trying to make sense of one, you mustforget all the rules of the other.

Finally, here is one last example:

Haru wa atarashii inochi o motarasu kisetsu desu.(Spring is the season that brings new life.)

This one is pretty straightforward, and should not be too difficult.

6


7/26

I hope this lesson was clear enough. These "relative pronoun substitution"sentences can be difficult, and are in the realm of mid- to high-intermediateJapanese. Please come back regularly to review as necessary. Practice makesperfect!

Adjective modifiers [L10][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpadj/lesson10.htm]

In this last lesson we will look at the bits and pieces needed to adjust themeaning of adjectives so they convey exactly what we want. Everything hereapplies to both true and quasi-adjectives.

A. Comparatives

In sentences where an adjective is used to compare two things, use yoriafter the object which is used for comparison. Note how the compared object(underlined) sits between the subject and adjective of the main idea:

Ken no inu wa Shizuka no inuyoriookii.

(Ken's dog is bigger than Shizuka's dog.)

Kyou no shiken wa kinou no yorikantan datta.

(Today's exam was easier than yesterday's.)

...but how it comes before other objects which are not a part of the subject:

Watashi wa yakisoba yoriyakimeshi ga suki.(I like fried rice more than fried noodles.)

Alternately, yori can be placed after the subject in structures that followother finalized statements:

Shizuka no inu wa ookii desu ga, Ken no inu wa yoriookii.(Shizuka's dog is big, but Ken's dog is bigger.)

Kyou wa atsukatta kedo, ashita wa yoriatsukunaru sou desu.(Today was hot, but they say it's going to be hottertomorrow.)

Note:

Mo is sometimes added to yori yorimo. It's completely optional anddoes not change the meaning of the sentence.

7


8/26

Another popular way to compare things is to use motto, which is roughly theequivalent of "more" in English. It is placed directly before the adjective itmodifies, and could be used to replace yoriin the last set of examples above:

Shizuka no inu wa ookii desu ga, Ken no inu wa motto ookii.

(Shizuka's dog is big, but Ken's dog is bigger.) Kyou wa atsukatta kedo, ashita wa motto atsukunaru sou desu.

(Today was hot, but they say it's going to be hottertomorrow.)

B. Superlatives

Mottomo or the well-known ichiban (number one) can be placed beforeadjectives to make them superlative. Ichiban without an adjective can be usedto simply mean "the best":

Kore wa kono mise no mottomo yasui pasokon desu.(This is the cheapest computer in this store.)

Sore wa boku no ichiban suki na hon desu.(That's my favorite book.)

Nakajima-san no ramen wa ichiban!(The ramen Ms. Nakajima makes is the best!)

C. Negative Comparatives and Superlatives

Negative comparatives and superlatives are not used that much inJapanese. In fact, there is no equivalent to the least. To convey something in anegative superlative way, just use an adjective with that meaning, or make theadjective negative, as in:

Kore wa mottomo warui. (This is the worst.)

Kore wa ichiban oishikunai. (This is the least delicious.)

For negative comparatives where "less" is implied, you can put hodo, whichmeans "to the extent of," after the object of comparison. You must also makethe adjective negative. Let's do this to the first two examples used in the

Comparatives section above. Note how the subject and compared objectchange places in order to convey the same meaning:

Shizuka no inu wa Ken no inuhodo ookikunai.(Shizuka's dog isn't as big as Ken's dog.)

Kinou no shiken wa kyou no hodo kantan dewa nakatta.(Yesterday's exam wasn't as easy as today's.)

D. Two More

There are two other handy modifiers I'll mention here because they're used

a lot: toku niand amari. Toku nimeans "especially" and amarimeans aboutthe opposite of that. Here's how they're used:

8


9/26

Kyou wa toku niisogashikatta.(Today was especially busy.)

Ano eiga wa amariomoshirokunai.(That movie is not really that interesting.)

Kenji no seiseki wa toku niwarui.

(Kenji's grades are particularly bad.) Kyou wa amariatsukunai ne.

(Today's not that hot, is it. [with dropping intonation])

Te form + itadaku/morau [L61][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson61.htm]

Please forget that itadakuis shown in its plain form in the title of this lesson.Because itadaku is a very polite word, meaning something like "I humbly

partake," it will almost always be used with one of the masuendings. The TeForm + itadaku ending can be used like Te Form + kudasaito ask favors, ascovered in Lesson 55, and it can also be used to show appreciation for favorsreceived. Itadakimasu!by itself is the standard salutation used in Japan beforeeating a meal, and can be used when receiving or taking something fromsomeone.

When asking for something in the workplace or other "non-familiar" settings,itadaku is often converted to Base 4 and masu ka added. (Please reviewLesson 51 if necessary.) This creates a very nice "may I humbly partake of your

doing (something) for me" request. Here are some examples. The literal"humbly partake" nonsense will be replaced with a more natural Englishtranslation:

Johnson-san ni denwa shite itadakemasu ka. (Would you please callMr. Johnson?)

O-namae o oshiete itadakemasu ka. (May I please have your name?) Niji nikite itadakemasu ka. (Would you please come at two o'clock?)

And here are a few more variations that are often used:

Ashita watashi nidenwa shite itadakemasen ka. (Won't you please callme tomorrow?)

Kono shorui o kinyuu shite itadakemasen deshou ka. (Could I possiblyget you to fill out these forms?)

Murai-san ni senshuu ginkou ni itte itadakimashita. Oboete imasen ka.(I had you [Murai-san] go to the bank for me last week. Don't you remember?)

(Concerning name use and suffixes, please see About You and NameSuffixes.)

As in English, the rule of thumb is to make the request more polite as its

level of difficulty or ridiculousness increases.

9
http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson55.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson55.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson51.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson55.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson51.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htm


10/26

I have always considered itadaku to be a "true Japanese" word, one thatconveys certain traditional cultural points. While "I humbly partake" serves as ageneral translation and starting point, it's not easy to define the full "essence" ofitadakuin English. It can, however, be gradually understood by osmosis as onegets accustomed to the culture of Japan, particularly giving and receiving and

the levels occupied by giver and receiver.

While kudasai and itadakimasu and their various forms are ofteninterchangeable, the important difference has to do with subject emphasis. Withkudasai, youautomatically becomes the understood subject and you're asking"please give down to me." With itadakimasu, I automatically becomes theunderstood subject and you're saying "I humbly receive from you."

When there's no need to be very polite, use morau instead of itadaku.Make no mistake: morau is not impolite, it's just plain. As usual, adding a masuending makes it polite, but not quite as polite not as "respectful" as

itadakimasu. Also, morau is the one to use when talking about a third party.However, itadakimasu is always used with food, even when the giver is notpresent. Morau is okay when referring to other things.

I realize that all of this sounds complicated, and it can be at times. Actuallybeing present in a situation where this stuff is being used helps a lot, but sincewe can't do that here, we'll look at some more examples:

Mom: Kimiko ni mise niitte moraitai.(I want you [Kimiko] to go to the store for me.)

Kimiko: Ima shukudai o shite iru. Ken niitte moratte.(I'm doing homework now. Get Ken to go.)

As you can see, this is a family situation, so all the plain forms are perfectlynormal. No particular reservations are needed here. Let's look at a slightlydifferent conversation:

Mom: Kimiko ni mise niitte moraitai.(I want you [Kimiko] to go to the store for me.)

Kimiko: Ima shukudai o shite iru. Ojii-chan ni ittemoraimashou ka.

(I'm doing homework now. Shall I get Grandpato go?)

Mom: (not wanting to bother Grandpa)Ken niitte moraou ka naa.

(I wonder if I should get Ken to go.)

Kimiko: (thinking that Grandpa needs to get out more)Ken wa ima inai. Ojii-chan ni itte moraimasu.

(Ken's not here now. I'll get Grandpa to go.)

This is the same family, but note how verbs connected with Grandpa are

made polite with masu. Traditionally, if Grandpa deserves respect and is inearshot, this would be the best way to go.

10


11/26

Mom: Gohan yo! Tabemashou!(Dinner's ready! Let's eat!)

Everyone: Itadakimasu!(Let's eat! [Literally, I/we humbly receive this.])

Itadakimasu is always used with food, even if all you're taking is a potatochip.

Suzuki-san: Ginkou ni ikimashou ka. (Shall I go to the bank?)

Tanaka-san: Murai-san niitte moraimashita.(I had Ms. Murai go.)

This is at the office, and these two are being courteous. They probably don'tsee each other every day, or they may be in an area where customers or clientsare and want to make a good impression with their polite speech. If they

belonged to a close-knit group that worked together every day by themselvesthey would probably use plain forms.

Suzuki-san: O-namae o oshiete itadakemasu ka.(May I please have your name?)

Customer: Hai. (Sure.)

Customers are always treated like royalty and get the most polite forms.

Here's another good example situation: Kimiko and her grandfather are at ashopping center where they are handing out free pens. The salesclerks would

say agemasuas they give the pens out (and up) to their customers. As thecustomers take the pens they might say arigatou(thank you) or itadakimasu(Ihumbly receive).

If Grandpa wants to ask Kimiko if she got one, he'd probably use moratta ka(Did you get one?) or maybe moraimashita ka, which would be more polite.Kimiko, being in the same situation as her grandfather as a receiver, wouldnaturally use the same verb and say hai, morattaormoraimashita(Yes, I gotone).

Now, if a different salesclerk offers another pen to Kimiko and she wanted tosay that she already got one, she would say itadakimashita (I already receivedone), which would be the most polite and adult thing to say since the salesclerkrepresents the giver (the store) here. To say moratta could sound rude orjuvenile.

It would be impossible to cover all the subtle language possibilities andnuances here regarding giving and receiving in Japan. The words and wordingwill change according to your position as giver or receiver, your age andrelationship with the other(s), and other variables. However, this should coverthe main questions and suffice as a guide. Keep in mind that, just like anywhere

else, each home, office, company, and region will have its own "atmosphere"and certain unwritten rules pertaining to language use.

11


12/26

Adjectives with sou and sugiru [L9][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpadj/lesson9.htm]

This lesson should clarify sou (I hear that [something] is [adjective]) andsou ([something] looks/sounds/seems [adjective]).

Here's how they work: Sou (I hear that [something] is [adjective]) is basicallyused to report hearsay or the reports of others without the involvement of yourpersonal senses or opinion. It is added after both true and quasi-adjectives withno change to the adjective itself:

Ano daigaku no nyuugaku shiken wa muzukashii sou desu.

(I hear that that university's entrance exam is difficult.)

Sono hon wa takai sou desu.(I hear that book's expensive.)

Ano atarashii mise no basho wa fuben sou desu.

(I hear that the new store is in an inconvenient location.)

The other sou ([something] looks/sounds/seems [adjective]) is used toexpress your own impression of something based on hearsay, seeing a picture,etc. This one takes the place of the final iin true adjectives, and is added afterquasis, just like the othersou:

Oishisou!(Sounds delicious!) Sono jitensha wa takasou. (That bicycle looks expensive.) Kare wa ganko sou na ojii-san desu ne.

(He seems like a hard-headed old man, doesn't he?)

Thanks to various unwritten rules, these two sous are fairly easy to keepstraight. In the first sou outlined above, sou is said without stress, in a matter-of-fact kind of way. Also, I've noticed that native speakers will usually add desuorda after it. (That's why I added desu in the examples.) The second sou isstressed and drawn out, and said with at least a little excitement if it's describing

something good. It doesn't need desu or da, and is often used as a simpleexclamation:

12


13/26

Tanoshisou! (Sounds fun!)

Samusou! (Looks cold! [as one might say while watching a

program about Alaska])

Mazusou! (Sounds nasty! [not good to eat])

Kantan sou! (Looks easy!)

Raku sou! (Looks comfortable!)

Note :

The adjective yoi is an exception with this sou. You need to add sa

first: yosasou (sounds good). This, by the way, is how you add sou

to the negative naias well, for example: yoi(good) + nai= yokunai

(not good) + sou = yokunasasou(doesn't sound good).

Sugiru means "too (much of something)," and is also used a lot. It workslike the second sou above, meaning it replaces the final iof true adjectives:

Kono o-cha wa atsusugiru! (This tea is too hot!)

Ano hako wa omosugiru! (That box is too heavy!)

Kyou no shiken wa muzukashisugita.

(Today's test was too difficult.)

Kore wa kantan sugiru! (This is too easy!)

Kanojo wa kechi sugiru kara, tomodachi ga inai.

(She doesn't have any friends because she's too stingy.)

Base 3 + no wa [L39][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson39.htm]

Do you rememberkoto, which was introduced back in Lesson 31? The no inno wa plays the same role, and is the easiest way to make a noun out of a

verb: yomu (to read) + no (wa) (the thing of) = yomu nowa ([the thing of]reading [is]). Wa is the subject indicator. Look at these examples:

13
http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson31.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson31.htm


14/26

Yomu no wa tanoshii desu.

(Reading is enjoyable.)

Nihongo o hanasu no wa kantan desu.

(Speaking Japanese is easy.)

Hayakuokiru no wa tokidoki muzukashii desu.

(Getting up early is sometimes difficult.)

Kasei nisumu no wa mada fukanou desu.

(Living on Mars is not yet possible.)

Hawaii niiku no wa saikou desu!

(Going to Hawaii is great!)

Please remember that there are other no's, mainly the one used forpossessives, like our ['s], as in:

Jim no jisho wa ao de, boku no wa aka desu.(Jim's dictionary is blue; mine is red.)

and the one used with aru ornaito show the existence or non-existence ofsomething, as in:

Hontou nimondai no naitabi deshita. (It really was a problem-freetrip.)

Adverbial forms [L5][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpadj/lesson5.htm]

Making adverbs from adjectives is quite easy. With true adjectives, justreplace the final iwith ku before adding the verb. With quasis, just add ni:

Ojii-san wa itsumo osoku taberu. (Grampa always eats slowly.)

Hayaku shinasai! (Do it quickly!)

Kazuya wa e o jouzu nikakeru. (Kazuya can draw pictures well.)

Kono shigoto wa kantan nidekiru yo.

(You'll be able to do this job easily.)

The verb naru (to become) is often used with adverbs:

Shinpai shinaide! Dandan jouzu ni naru yo.

(Don't worry! You'll gradually become better at it.)

14


15/26

Mai toshi boku no shigoto wa muzukashiku narimasu.

(My job gets more difficult every year.)

Lisa wa kaigai kara kaeru to, itsumo byouki ni naru.

(Lisa always gets sick after returning from overseas.)

Use suru with descriptive adverbs for "to make":

Ookiku shite kureru? (Would you make it bigger?)

Atatakaku shite agemashou. (I'll make it warmer for you.)

Watashitachi wa anzen ni shinakereba naranai.

(We must make it safe.)

Base 1 + zu ni[L23][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson23.htm]

Use zu ni with Base 1 to say that someone did something without doingsomething else which was expected. Yes, that's a tad confusing, but theseexamples should make it clear:

Kare wa yuushoku o tabezu ninemashita.

(He went to bed without eating dinner.)

Kyou Shizuka wa kyoukasho o motazu nigakkou ni kimashita.

(Today Shizuka came to school without her textbook.)

Bob wa maemotte denwa sezu niJohn no ie ni ikimashita.

(Bob went to John's house without calling first.)

Please note that in some cases the ni after the zu may be omitted,especially when no particular emphasis needs to be applied.

Base 4 + ba [L48][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson48.htm]

After a long hike through many Base 3 verb forms, I think it's about time tostart on Base 4. Remember that Bases 1 through 5 basically follow theJapanese vowels in their alphabetical order:

1. AH, a as in father2. EE, e as in see

15


16/26

3. OO, uas in mule4. EH, e as in red5. OH, o as in mode

and that the verb changes to end with the vowel sound of the "base" it's in

before anything is added to it. (There are some exceptions among the ichidanand irregular verbs, however.) Think of Base 3 as the "root," or "dictionaryform," since that's the form you'll see when looking words up. Base 3 is the plainform of the verb; it's where you start. You change it into the other "bases" andadd the endings or other add-ons as necessary.

Now, let's borrow the tables from Lesson 17 and add a Base 4 column.Notice how the verbs change from their plain (Base 3) form. Also notice that thistime the "bases" are in numerical order, and that the last letter, or vowel sound,of each verb corresponds in orderwith the vowels outlined above, except thosepesky troublemakers in Bases 1 and 2 of the ichidans and Base 1 of the

irregulars.

Yodan verbs:

Base 1 Base 2 Base 3 (plain form) Base 4

kawa kai kau kae

aruka aruki aruku aruke

isoga isogi isogu isoge

kasa kashi kasu kase

mata machi matsu mate

shina shini shinu shineasoba asobi asobu asobe

yoma yomi yomu yome

kaera kaeri kaeru kaere

Ichidan verbs:


tabe tabe taberu tabere

oboe oboe oboeru oboere

kime kime kimeru kimerede de deru dere

kari kari kariru karire

mi mi miru mire

Irregular verbs:


ko ki kuru kure

shi shi suru sure

16


17/26

Now that we know how to make Base 4, let's do a simple and usefulconjugation. Do you remember Base 3 + nara, covered in Lesson 35? Well,Base 4 + ba gives you similar results while being shorter and simpler.

Here are example sentences from Lesson 35, converted to Base 4 + ba:

Isogeba, tsugi no densha ni noru koto ga dekiru yo.(If we hurry we'll be able to make the next train.)

Ame ga fureba, shiai o enki shinakereba naranai.(If it rains we'll have to put off the game.)

Kodomotachi wa ima sunakku o tabereba, yuushoku o tabenaideshou.

(If the kids eat a snack now, they probably won't eat dinner.)

Very handy.

Another use for this is to suggest doing something. Here, it's the equivalentof "Why don't you...?":

Kyoto niikeba? (Why don't you go to Kyoto?) Shichiji han nidereba? (Why don't you leave at 7:30?)

A: Obaa-chan ni denwa shitai. (I want to call Grandma.)B: Sureba? (Why don't you [go ahead and callher]?)

This form of suggestion does not include the speaker, however. If youwanted to say "Why don't we go to Kyoto?" you would use mashou orsomething similar: Kyoto ni ikimashou ka?

Base 1 + nai deshou [L18][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson18.htm]

Here's an easy one. Adding deshou afternaimeans that somebody is probablynot going to do something, or that something is not likely to happen:

John wa kasa o kawanai deshou.

(John probably isn't going to buy an umbrella.)

Jim wa manga o yomanai deshou.

(Jim probably doesn't read comic books.)

Yuki wa furanai deshou.

(It probably won't snow.)

17


18/26

Actually, deshou is a handy add-on that also works with plain positive (Base 3)verbs, as in:

Ojii-san wa sugukaeru deshou.

(Grandpa will probably return soon.)

Sachiko wa kuru deshou.

(Sachiko will probably come.)

Bill wa ika o taberu deshou.

(Bill will probably eat the squid.)

Base 2 + mashou [L9][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson9.htm]

Sometimes it is written masho with a line above the o, but either way thisone is easy to remember. It simply means "let's (do something)." For example:

Ikimashou. (Let's go.) Tabemashou. (Let's eat.) Yasumimashou. (Let's take a break.)

As in English, this is also used to mean "I'll do (something) for you / Letme do (something) for you," as in:

Watashi ga hakobimashou.

(I'll carry this / these [for you].) 1

(to a pet) Esa o agemashou.

(Let's get you some food.)

Anata no jitensha o naoshimashou.

(I'll fix your bicycle. / I'll help you fix your bicycle.)

Base 3 + no desu [L37][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson37.htm]

There are two ways to look at this ending: one is simply another way tocreate polite sentences, and the other is a way to make emphatic ones. We

have already learned how to use Base 2 + masu to make polite sentencesback in Lessons 2 and 3. Here are the examples used in Lesson 2:

18


19/26

Mama wa mise de banana o kaimasu.

(Mom buys/will buy bananas at the store.)

Jim wa manga o yomimasu.

(Jim will read a comic book.)

Ojii-san wa sugukaerimasu.

(Grandpa will return soon.)

Remember these? I hope so. If not, please review them. Now we will endthese same sentences by using Base 3 with no desu:

Mama wa mise de banana o kau no desu.

(Mom buys/will buy bananas at the store.)

Jim wa manga o yomu no desu.

(Jim will read a comic book.)

Ojii-san wa sugukaeru no desu.

(Grandpa will return soon.)

The meanings are the same as Base 2 + masu as long as they're said in aregular, bland tone. However, if you want to emphasize something, especiallysomething you're sure of (or think you're sure of), you put stress on the verbbefore no desu, as in:

Ashita watashi wa Kyoto niIKU no desu!(I AM going to Kyoto tomorrow!)

Anta wa kono sashimi o TABERU no desu!(You WILL eat this raw fish!)

Bokutachi no chiimu wa KATSU no desu!(Our team WILL win!)

A variant of this is to leave out the no and instead attach an "n" sound ontothe stressed verb, like this:

Watashi wa IKUN desu! (I AM going!)

Ashita wa ame ga FURUN desu.

(I tell you, it IS going to rain tomorrow.)

As in any other language, the level of emphasis can vary greatly dependingon the situation, need, or habits of the speaker, and may be fine-tuned by usingcertain voice inflections and facial expressions, as well as supporting bodylanguage like hand waving, fist pounding, stomping around, writhing, and etc.

19


20/26

Base 3 + no ni[L38][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson38.htm]

No ni is added to plain verb forms to mean "in order to" (do whatever).There is nothing really tricky about it, except that instead of being found at theend of a sentence, it's usually found somewhere near the middle, where it helpsto establish certain conditions concerning the verb in question. As usual, a lookat some examples would probably be the best way to see how it works:

Kono tegami o okuru no niikura desu ka?

(How much will it cost to send this letter?)

Tokyo yuki no densha ni noru no ni asu hayaku okinakereba

narimasen.

(We'll have to get up early tomorrow in order to make the train for

Tokyo.)

Hitsuyou na kanji o subete oboeru no ni daibun jikan ga kakaru.

(It takes quite a long time to learn all of the necessary kanji.)

Please keep in mind that there is also a noni, meaning "in spite of," whichwe will cover later on. These are easy to keep straight when used in context.

Ta form + rashii [L77][http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson77.htm]

Just as mitai is often used colloquially as the informal substitute for youdesu(Lesson 47), rashii is often used as the informal substitute forsou desu(Lesson 42), meaning "It seems that...," "I hear that...," etc. Rashii was notintroduced in the Base 3 group, but it does essentially the same thing as Base 3+ sou desu:

Takada-san wa yameru sou desu.

(I heard that Mr. Takada's quitting.)

20
http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson47.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson42.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson47.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/lesson42.htm


21/26

Tanaka-san wa yameru rashii.

(I heard that Mr. Takada's quitting.)

Desu is usually used aftersou, making it more formal than rashii. Yes, you

can make it plain by using da instead ofdesu, but most native speakers will justuse rashiiif they want to be informal. According to the books, desu can addedafterrashiito make it polite, but I personally have never heard it.

Now that all the explaining is out of the way, let's get back to the Ta Formand make some plain past examples:

Sachiko wa Canada niitta rashii.

(I hear that Sachiko went to Canada.)

Bob wa daibun futotta rashii.

(I hear that Bob has gained a lot of weight.)

Ken wa atarashii PC o katta rashii.

(I hear that Ken bought a new PC.)

That's all there is to it.

21


22/26

VOCABULARY ON GRAMMAR

Base 1 + seru / saseru [L22]

sensei: teacher

gakusei: student(s)

mainichi: every day

shinbun: newspaper

yuushoku: dinner

taberu: to eat

raishuu: next week

kuru: to come

made ni: by

(a time or date, to set a deadline:

by 5:00, by tomorrow, etc.)

kimeru: to decide

kare: he, him

ashita: tomorrow

benkyou suru: to study

kanojo: she, her

karera: they, them

ame: candy, sweets 1

mise: a store, a shop

iku: to go

eigo: the Englishlanguage

Base 3 + tsumori [L46]

sanji: three o'clock

made ni: by

daigaku: university 2

hairu: to go inside (a room, etc.);

to enter or enroll in (a school); to

join (a club, church, etc.)

Notes

1. Yes, "rain" is also ame, but it uses a different kanji. The word ame for sweets is usuallywritten in hiragana.

2. Unlike in the U. S. and other countries where the word college is used loosely, in Japan it isnever used when referring to a traditional four-year university. College (karejjiin romanizedJapanese) is only used for junior colleges and vocational schools. Always use daigakuforuniversity.

22


23/26

Base 3 + made [L33]

matsu: to wait

shukudai: homework

owaru: to end

miseru: to show; to let

(someone) see, watch

(something)

yuushoku: dinner

natsu yasumi: summer vacation

ato: after, in

(as in "It'll be spring in 2 months.")

ni: two

shuu kan: a week; a week-long

period

haru: spring

Base 3 + (any noun) [L36]

tokoro: a place

deru: to leave, depart

jikan: time

au: to meet

kyaku: customer, guest

otouto: younger brother

tanjoubi: birthday

purezento: a present 2

shiken: examination

ukeru: to receive;

to take a test

haru: (the season of)

spring

atarashii: new

inochi: lifemotarasu: to bring about,

produce; to cause to happen

kisetsu: season

Notes

1. For more seeJapanese Particles

2. Purezento is yet another example ofwasei eigo: words borrowed from English.

23
http://www.timwerx.net/language/particles.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/particles.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/particles.htm


24/26

Te form + itadaku / morau [L61]

o-namae: name

(The honorific o- prefix is used

with strangers, customers, etc.)

oshieru: to teach, tell

shorui: forms,

documents, paperwork

kinyuu suru: to fill out (forms)

senshuu: last week

ginkou: bank

oboeru: remember

mise: store

shukudai: homework

ima: now

Base 3 + no wa [L39]

tanoshii: fun, enjoyablehanasu: to speak, talk

kantan: easy

tokidoki: sometimes

muzukashii: hard, difficult

kasei: Mars

sumu: to live

mada: not yet; still notfukanou: not possible,

impossible

saikou: great; the greatest; thebest

jisho: dictionary

ao: the color blue

aka: red

hontou (ni): real(ly)

mondai: problem, question

nai: to not be; to not existtabi: trip

Base 1 + zu ni [L23]

neru: to sleep

kyoukasho: textbook

motsu: to hold; to have

gakkou: school

maemotte: beforehand; in

advance

denwa suru: to telephone (sn)

ie: house; home

Base 2 + mashou [L9]

24


25/26

kau: to buy

yuki: snow

furu: to fall from the sky 1

ika: squid

Notes

1. Furumeans "to fall down from the sky," like rain, snow, or hail. For falling objects, use ochiru.

Base 2 + mashou [L9]

iku: to go

yasumu: to rest; to take a

break; to take or have a day off

hakobu: to carry

esa: pet food

ageru: to give

anata: you 2

jitensha: bicycle

naosu: to repair

Notes

1. In Japanese, the object (as well as the subect) can be omitted when it is known or obvious. Inthis example, even hakobimashoualone would be both natural and grammatically sufficient.

2. Please seeAbout You and Name Suffixes.

Base 3 + no desu [L37]

anta: familiar form of

"you"1

sashimi: specially

prepared raw fish

katsu: to win

bokutachi: masculine familiar

form meaning "we" or

"us (boku + tachi)

chiimu: team (wasei eigo)

Notes

1. Care must be taken with anta because it is used when talking down to someone and will beconsidered rude in most non-familiar situations.

Base 3 + no ni[L38]

25
http://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htmhttp://www.timwerx.net/language/namesuffixes.htm


26/26

kono: this

tegami: letter

okuru: to send

ikura: how much?

-yuki: bound for (This is added

after the destination: Osaka-

yuki, Takamatsu-yuki, etc.)

densha: train

noru: to ride; to board (a mode

of transportation)

asu: tomorrow

hayaku: early (quickly)

okiru: to get up

hitsuyou (na): necessary,

essential

kanji: Chinese characters;

specifically, the characters

which were adopted from the

Chinese then modified to be

used in modern Japanese

subete: all

oboeru: to learn, remember

daibun (or daibu): quite, rather,

considerably

jikan: time

kakaru: to take (time); to cost

(money) 1

Notes

1. Kakaruactually has many meanings and uses. Please consult a dictionary for more.

Ta form + rashii [L77]

daibun: considerably;

to a great degree

futoru: to gain weight

atarashii: new

Documents

GRAMMAR JLPT 3 POINTS