Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃12 べきです

べきです – predicative phrase meaning: Should, ought to (do)

 1.       After dictionary form of verb

一生懸命働くべきです。

You should work hard.

そんなものを買うべきではない。

You shouldn’t buy such a thing.

もっと早く来るべきでした。

I should have come much earlier.

あなたはもっと勉強す（る）べきです。

You should study more.

(する＋べき may be abbreviated to すべき)

2.       Used as adjective

それは注目すべき点だ。

That’s the point you should pay attention to.

(dictionary form of verb + べき directly precedes the noun and だ/です follows).

Words that were used:

Let’s Learn Japanese! Through Sentences #8

Key Word: 口　－it represents the shape of a mouth

     ① 口内炎ができて痛い。

    I have a cold sore and it hurts.

口内炎（こうないえん）＝mouth ulcer; stomatitis 痛（いた）い＝painful; sore

    ② 非常口はあそこです。

    Emergency exits are located over there.

非常口（ひじょうぐち）＝Emergency exit

あそこ＝there (place physically distant from both speaker and listener); over there; that place;

    ③ 三時に改札口で待っています。

    I’ll be waiting at the ticket gate at 3:00.

三時（さいじ）＝3 o'clock

改札口（さいさつぐち）＝ticket barrier; ticket gate;

待（ま）つ＝to wait

    ④ 彼女は早口で話す。

    She’s fast talker.

彼女（かのじょ）＝she; her; girlfriend

早口（はやくち）＝fast-talking; rapid talking

Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃11   ば。。。ほど

ば。。。ほど  - Phrase meaning: the more… the more…

It follows the stem of ば-form of verb/adjective. The dictionary form of the same verb/adjective is repeated before ほど.

 1.       Used with verb

Group 1 (Consonant-stem verbs): Replace the last vowel with –え, and add ば： 行く➞行けば

Group 2 (いるandえる-verbs): Replace the final -る with –れ, and add ば：食べる➞食べれば

Group 3 (Irregular verbs): する➞すれば、くる➞くれば

練習すればするほどうまくなります。

The more you practice, the better you can do.

2.       Used with adjective

ば-form of adjective is made by replacing the final -い with-ければ. The negative of the ば-form is made by adding –なければ　(ば-form of ない) to the く-form. A future condition is expressed by the く-form +　なれば。

Dict. Form                      ば-form                    Neg. of ば-form.

わるい　　　　　　　　わるければ　　　　わるくなければ

いそがしい　　　　　　いそがしければ　　いそがしくなければ

早ければ早いほどいい。

The sooner, the better.

Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃10    ば

ばーForm is used for Verb and い-Adjective while なら is used for な-Adjective and Noun.

This form is made as follows:

Group 1 (Consonant-stem verbs): Replace the last vowel with –え, and add ば： 行く➞行けば

Group 2 (いるandえる-verbs): Replace the final -る with –れ, and add ば：食べる➞食べれば

Group 3 (Irregular verbs): する➞すれば、くる➞くれば

  ば particle meaning: if, when;

  1.       Used in ば–form of verb

          あそこに行けば山田さんに会えます。

           If you go over there, you can see Mr. Yamada.

          もっと早く来ればよかった。

           If I had come much earlier, it would have been better. (I should have come much earlier.)

           彼女が来れば教えてください。

            When she comes, please tell me.

Let’s Learn Japanese! Through Sentences #7

Key Word: 人

人 represents a side view of a person

①   あの人の手は小さいです。

        That person’s hands are small.

あの＝that

人（ひと）＝man; person

手（て）＝hand; arm​

小（ちい）さい＝small; little; tiny

②    男性であれ、女性であれ、人間としての権利は同じはずだ。

         Whether one is a man or a woman, one’s rights as a human being should be the same.

男性（だんせい）＝man; male

女性（じょせい）＝woman; female

人間（にんげん）＝human being; person; man;

として＝as (i.e. in the role of); for (i.e. from the viewpoint of)

権利（けんり）＝right; privilege

同（おな）じ＝same; identical; equal; 

はずです＝be supposed or expected to (do); be sure to (do); ought to (do)

③     キムさんは韓国人だ。　

           Mr. Kim is Korean.

キム＝Kim (surname)

さん＝Mr.; Mrs.; Miss; Ms.; -san​

韓国人（かんこくじん）＝South Korean person.

④      蚊がこの病気をうつす。

           Mosquitoes transmit this disease to people.

蚊（か）＝mosquito

この＝this​

病気（びょうき）＝illness

うつす＝to infect​;

Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃9    ばかり

ばかり - Particle meaning: only, just, always, be ready to (do), have just (done), about

 1.       After てーform of verb followed by  いる・います

彼は遊んでばかりいる。

He is always playing.

2.       After dictionary form of verb, followed by だ・です

彼はいつも食べるばかりです。

He is always ready to eat.

3.       After たーform of verb, followed by だ・です

今ここに着いたばかりです。

I’ve just arrived here.

4.       After noun

彼は勉強ばかりしている。

He is always studying.

5.       After particle

彼女は図書館にばかり行きます。

She always goes to the library.

6.       After noun expressing length/quantity

一週間ばかり留守にします。

I’ll be away about a week.

一か月で２キロばかり体重が増えました。

I gained about two kilograms in one month.

Learn Japanese Through Folktales 2　－　けちと黄金

Let’s learn it by breaking down the sentences. Please memorize the words:

けちと黄金

The Miser and the Gold

 けち＝miser; miserliness; penny-pinching; 

 黄金（おうごん）＝gold (Au)

昔ある老人がいました。

There was once an old man.

昔（むかし）＝olden days; former

ある＝a certain ...; Some...​

老人（ろうじん）＝old person; senior citizen; the aged; the elderly

いる＝to be (of animate objects); to exist​

 老人は決してお金を使いません。

He never spent his money.

 決（けっ）して＝never; by no means; not in the least; in no way;

お金（かね）＝money​

使（つか）う＝to use; to spend; to make use of; to put to use

Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃8   あう

あう　Verb (added to other verbs) meaning: each other, reciprocally

1.       After conjunctive form of verb

助けあうことが大切です。

It is important to help each other.

 その問題について話しあえば解決できると思います。

If you talk with each other about the problem, I think you can solve it.

Words that were used:

助（たす）け＝assistance; help; aid; support; reinforcement

大切（たいせつ）＝important; necessary; indispensable

その＝that; the

問題（もんだい）＝question (e.g. on a test); problem

ついて＝about; concerning; as to; regarding

話（はな）し＝talk; speech; chat; conversation

解決（かいけつ）＝solution; resolution; settlement;

できる＝to be able (in a position) to do; to be up to the task

思（おも）う＝to think; to consider; to believe

Handbook of Japanese Grammar

Book by Masahiro Tanimori

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Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃7  あとで

後（あと）で        Phrase meaning: after, later

 1.       After noun + の

いつも食事の後でコーヒーを飲みます。

I usually drink coffee after meals.

2.       After た–form of verb

仕事が終わった後で話したいことがあります。

There is something I want to talk to you about after I finish work.

3.       Used as adverb

後で電話しましょうか。

Shall I call you later?

Words that were used:

 いつも＝always; usually; every time

食事（しょくじ）＝meal; dinner

コーヒー＝Coffee

飲（の）む＝to drink; to gulp; to swallow; 

仕事（しごと）＝work; job; business; occupation; employment; vocation; task

終（お）わる＝to finish; to end; to close

話（はな）す＝to talk; to speak; to converse; to chat

電話（でんわ）＝telephone call; phone call

Handbook of Japanese Grammar

Book by Masahiro Tanimori

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Learn Japanese - Grammar  ＃6 ある

ある verb meaning: to be, there be, exist, have

 1.       After inanimate subject

銀行は駅の向こうにあります。

The bank is on the other side of the station.

2.       After (object) noun + が

「部屋にはシャワーがありますか。」

「はい、あります。」

“Does the room have a shower?”

“Yes, it does.”

3.       After た–form of verb +こと +が

(Used for expressing experiences)

東京に３回行ったことがあります。

I’ve been to Tokyo three times.

4.       After て–form of verb

(Used for expressing some continuing state caused by an action)

ドアは閉めてあります。

The door is shut (because I shut it)

 Words that were used:

銀行（ぎんこう）＝bank

駅（えき）＝railway station; train station

向（む）こう＝opposite side; other side; opposite direction

部屋（へや）＝room; chamber

シャワー＝shower

はい＝yes; that is correct

東京（とうきょう）＝Tokyo

３回（さんかい）＝three times

回（かい）＝counter for occurrences

行（い）く＝to go; to move 

ドア＝door 

閉（し）める＝to close; to shut

Handbook of Japanese Grammar

Book by Masahiro Tanimori

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Learn Japanese Through Folktales 1 亀の笛 Turtle’s Flute - part 3

Part 3

Let’s learn it by breaking down the sentences. Please memorize the words:

亀の笛 Turtle’s Flute

亀（かめ）＝tortoise; turtle

笛（ふえ）＝ flute;

ところが．亀は踊るのを止めてしまいました。「止めないで！」と子供達はせがみました。

Then Turtle stopped dancing. “Don’t stop!” the children begged.

ところが＝even so; however; still; whereupon; even though;

踊（おど）る＝to dance (orig. a hopping dance)​

止（や）める＝to stop (an activity); to cease; to discontinue; to end; to quit​

子供達（こどもたち）＝children

せがむ＝to badger; to pester; to beg

 亀は苦しそうに「ああもう駄目、足がうまく動かないわ。もうほんの少しだけ歩かせてもらうれば治るんだけれど．．．」と言いました。

“Oh, I can’t more, my legs are stiff. If I could just walk a little bit to loosen them ...” Turtle groaned.

苦（くる）しい＝painful; difficult; tough; hard

駄目（だめ）＝no good; cannot; must not;

足（あし）＝leg​

うまく＝well; successfully; skillfully; skillfully;

動（うご）く＝to move; 

もう＝already; now; further; more;

ほんの＝mere; only; just; slight

少（すこ）し＝small quantity; little; few; short distance

だけ＝only; just; merely; simply;

歩（ある）く＝to walk

治（なお）る＝to be cured; to get well; to be healed​

だけれど＝though; much as

言（い）う＝to say;

Learn Japanese Through Folktales 1 亀の笛 Turtle’s Flute - part 2

Part 2 

Let’s learn it by breaking down the sentences. Please memorize the words:

亀の笛 Turtle’s Flute

亀（かめ）＝tortoise; turtle

笛（ふえ）＝ flute;

 男は家に着くと亀をかごに入れて、入口をふさぎました。

When the man reached his house, he put Turtle into a cage and shut it.

男（おとこ）＝man; male​

家（いえ）＝house;

着（つ）く＝to arrive at; to reach

かご＝basket (shopping, etc.); Cage​

入（い）れる＝to put in; to let in; to take in; to bring in;

入口（いりぐち）＝entrance; entry; gate

ふさぐ＝ to close up; to block (up); to plug up; to shut up; to cover (ears, eyes, etc.); to close (eyes, mouth)

 そして自分の子供達に「絶対に亀を かご から出してはいけないぞ」と言い含めて、畑へ出かけて行きました。

Then he turned to his children: “Don’t let Turtle out of her cage.” And he went　 off to the fields.

そして＝and; and then; thus; and now; and finally​

自分（じぶん）＝oneself

子供達（こどもたち）＝children

絶対（ぜったい）＝definitely; absolutely; unconditionally

出（だ）す＝to take out; to put out

いけない＝must not do​

言（い）い含（ふく）めてる＝to explain clearly; to give detailed instructions

畑（はたけ）＝field (for fruits, vegetables, etc.); Cultivated land;

出（で）かける＝to go out 

行（い）く＝to go; to move

Learn Japanese Through Folktales 1 亀の笛 Turtle’s Flute - part 1

Let’s learn it by breaking down the sentences. Please memorize the words:

亀の笛 Turtle’s Flute

ブラジルの民話

A Brazilian folktale

 亀（かめ）＝tortoise; turtle

笛（ふえ）＝ flute;

ブラジル=Brazil

民話（みんわ）＝ folktale; folk story; folklore

昔々、川の土手で笛を吹く亀がいました。

Once upon a time, on the banks of a river, Turtle played her flute.

昔々（むかしむかし）＝long ago; once upon a time

川（かわ）＝river; stream​

土手（どて）＝embankment; bank of a river

吹（ふ）く＝to play (a wind instrument); to blow (a whistle, trumpet, etc.); To whistle (a tune);

 亀が笛を吹くと、動物達は皆うっとりとして聞きました。ライオン．象．ちょうちょう．蛇や猿達は亀の笛の音に合わせて踊りました。

When Turtle played, all the animals listened with rapt attention.  Lions, elephants, butterflies, snakes and monkeys danced to Turtle’s music.

動物達（どうぶつたち）＝animals

皆（みんな）＝all; everyone; everybody

うっとり＝spellbound; with rapt attention

聞（き）く＝to listen

ライオン＝Lion​

象（ぞう）＝elephant

ちょうちょう＝butterfly

蛇（へび）＝snake

猿（さる）＝monkey

達（たち）＝pluralizing suffix (esp. for people and animals; formerly honorific)​

音（ね）＝sound; ( ね is another reading of 音（おと）)

合（あ）わせて＝in all; in total; collectively

踊（おど）る＝to dance

Learn Japanese - Grammar #5 ありません

ありません – negative verb used for making the negative form of です, ある and adjectives.

 Note that the plain form is ない

 ①     After (adjectival) noun + では

        　　これは私の鞄ではありません。

        This is not my bag.

　　その問題はあまり重要ではありません。

　　That problem is not very important.

②     After く-form of adjective

　　この機械はどこも悪くありません。

　　Nothing is wrong with this machine.

　　外は寒くありませんでした。

　　It wasn’t cold outside.

 ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ 

Words that were used: 

これ＝this (indicating an item near the speaker, the action of the speaker, or the current topic)​

私（わたし）＝ I; me

鞄（かばん）＝bag; satchel; briefcase; basket​

その＝that; the

問題（もんだい）＝question (e.g. on a test); problem

重要（じゅうよう）＝important; momentous; essential; principal; major

この＝this

機械（きかい）＝machine; mechanism

どこも＝nowhere (with neg. verb); nothing; everywhere; wherever​

悪（わる）い＝bad; poor; undesirable; at fault; to blame; in the wrong

外（そと）＝outside; exterior

寒（さむ）い＝cold (e.g. Weather)

   Handbook of Japanese Grammar

Book by Masahiro Tanimori 

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Learn Japanese - Grammar #4 あれ

あれ – Demonstrative noun meaning: that, those, it.

It refers to an object or objects far from both the speaker and the listener.

The polite form is あちら, which also means “that person” or “that direction.” あれ becomes あの before a noun it modifies. Moreover, it becomes あそこ when expressing “that place over there.”

 Followed by particle

 ⓵   「あれは何ですか？」　　           “What’s that?”

　　「あれは日本の祭りです。」       “It’s Japanese festival.”

⓶　  あちらに着いたら電話を下さい。

　　　Please call me when you get there.

⓷　 「あちらはどなたですか？」         “Who is that person?”

　　  「山本さんです。」                      “She is Ms. Yamamoto.”

⓸　　銀行はあの建物の隣です。

　　　The bank is next to the building over there.

　　　(あれ becomesあの when used as an adjective.)

⓹　　トイレはあそこにあります。

　　　The restroom is over there.

           (あれ becomesあそこ when meaning “that place over there.”)

⓺　　私の家はあそこです。

　　　My house is over there.

 ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ 

Words that were used: 

何（なん）＝what

日本（にほん）＝Japan

祭り（まつ）り＝festival

着（つ）く＝to arrive at; to reach

電話（でんわ）＝telephone call; phone call

下（くだ）さい＝please give me​/do for me

どなた＝who

山本（やまもと）＝Yamamoto (surname)

銀行（ぎんこう）＝bank

建物（たてもの）＝building

隣（となり）＝next (to); adjoining; adjacent; house next door; neighbouring house

トイレ＝toilet; restroom; bathroom;

私（わたし）＝ I; me

家（いえ）＝ house;

Handbook of Japanese Grammar

Book by Masahiro Tanimori 

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Learn Japanese - Grammar #3 あまり

あまり Adverb (used with a negative) meaning: not much, not many, not enough, not well, not very.

⓵　Used with negative verb

　　私はあまり食べません。

　　I don’t eat much.

　　彼のことはあまり知りません。

　　I don’t know much about him.

　　今あまりお金を持っていません。

　　 I don’t have much money now.

⓶　Used with negative adjective.

        天気はあまりよくありません。

　　The weather is not very good.

　　会社は家からあまり遠くありません。

　　The company is not very far from our house.

＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ ＝ 

Words that were used:

私（わたし）＝I; me

食（た）べる＝to eat

彼（かれ）＝he; him​

知（し）る＝to be aware of; to know; to be conscious of;

今（いま）＝now; the present time; just now; soon; immediately

お金（かね）＝money

持（も）つ＝ to have; to own; to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry; to possess; 

天気（てんき）＝weather

よい＝good; excellent; fine

会社（かいしゃ）＝company

家（いえ）＝house

から＝from (e.g. time, place, numerical quantity); since

遠（とお）く＝far away; distant; at a distance; distant place; by far

Handbook of Japanese Grammar

Book by Masahiro Tanimori

                   「頑張ってください」

Learn Japanese - Grammar #2  あいだ

間（あいだ）＝　Noun meaning: in between, between, during, from… through, among, while

1.       Followed by に

間に立ってください。

Please stand in between.

2.       After noun + の, followed by に

留守の間に田中さんが訪ねてきました。

Mr. Tanaka came to see you during your absence.

3.       After noun + と + noun + の, followed by に

郵便局は駅と学校の間にあります。

The post office is between the station and the school.

4.       After noun + から + noun + まで　の

１０日から１５日までの間休みます。

I’ll take holidays from the 10th through the 15th.

5.       After verb in the progressive tense, followed by に

本を読んでいる間に眠ってしまった。

I fell asleep while I was reading a book.

6.       After dictionary form of the adjective, followed by に

若い間にもっと勉強しなさい。

Study more while you are young.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Words that were used:

立（た）つ＝to stand; to rise; to stand up

留守（るす）＝absence; being away from home

田中（たなか）＝Tanaka (surname)

訪（たず）ねる＝to visit; to call on; to pay a visit to

郵便局（ゆうびんきょく）＝post office

駅（えき）＝railway station; train station

学校（がっこう）＝school

１０日（とおか）＝the tenth day of the month; ten days

１５日（じゅうごにち）＝fifteenth day of the month; fifteen days;

休（やす）む＝to be absent; to take a day off; to rest; to have a break

本（ほん）＝book;

読（よ）む＝to read

眠（ねむ）る＝to sleep (not necessarily lying down)​

若（わか）い＝young; youthful

もっと＝(some) more; even more; longer; further

勉強（べんきょう）＝study

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