08.09.10 to 08.09.16 Chapter2: Denwa de renraku suru, to contact by Phone

08.09.10 to 08.09.16 Chapter2: Denwa de renraku suru,
To contact by Phone

GRAMMAR POINT 1: Hodo for a more polite version of "gurai". With exact time , use "goro" instead.

FORMATION:

(inexact time interval/quantity)~hodo
approximately~(inexact time interval/quantity)

EXAMPLES:

(1)Densha no jiko ga atte, kaisah ni 30 pun hodo okure sou desu.
There was a train accident, and it looks like I will be about 30 minutes late in getting to the office.
(2)Kopi wo san mai hodo onegai shimasu ka?
Would you please make 3 copies?

NOTES:
(1) hodo cannot be used with exact time or dates
(2) hodo is more formal and polite than "gurai"

GRAMMAR POINT 2: (1)To make a prediction of the near future, or (2)to make a prediction or conclusion from something based on its appearance, you would use the following

FORMATION:

V(masu stem) sou da
Likely to V

EXAMPLEs:

(1)Densha no jiko ga atte, kaisah ni 30 pun hodo okure sou desu.
There was a train accident, and it looks like I will be about 30 minutes late in getting to the office.
VERB: Ori sou da / Ori sou mo nai / Ori sou datta / Ori sou mo nakatta
Ari sou da/ nasa sou da/ ari sou datta/ Nasa sou datta
i-ADJ: Oishi sou da / Oishiknasa sou da / Oishi sou datta / Oishikunasa sou datta
Yosa sou da/ Yokunasa sou da/ Yosa sou datta / Yokunasa sou datta
na-ADJ: Kantan sou da/ Kantan de wa nasa sou da/ Kantan sou datta/ Kantan de wa nasa sou datta

NOTES:
(1)Likely verb candidates for this pairing/use are verbs expressing a start, end, change in state such as:
(i) hajimaru
(ii) owaru
(iii) ~naru
(iv) fueru
(2) Verbs expressing speaker's will cannot be used with this formation, but the volitional form can.

GRAMMAR POINT 3: A more polite way to ask a question is to use the form "deshou ka?".

FORMATION:

~deshou ka (more polite than ~desu ka)
Is this ~?

EXAMPLE:

Moshi moshi, Inoue-san no otaku deshou ka?
Hello, is this the Inoue household?

GRAMMAR POINT 4: A formal way to say, "I'm sorry" or "Unfortunately" is with this
FORMATION:

ainiku~
Unfortunately/I'm sorry but~

EXAMPLE:

Ainiku mada kaette orimasen ga.
I'm sorry, but (he) is not back yet.

NOTES:
(1) This can be used when the LISTENER is inconvenienced.
(2) Also to be used when SPEAKER is inconvenienced to express disappointment.

GRAMMAR POINT 5: We learned a polite way to ask if the other party would convey a message for you to an absent party.

FORMATION:
~to tsutaete itadakitai (n desu ga...)
Would you mind telling/Please tell him that ~

EXAMPLE:

Katou-san ni doyoubi ni Toukyou e iku to tsutaete itadakitai n desu ga...
Would you mind telling Mr. Katou that I will come to Tokyo on Saturday?

Wakarimashita. Sono youni tsutaete okimasu.

Certianly, I will convey the message (to

GRAMMAR POINT 6: To confirm a message that you've taken from someone over the phone, you can use the following
FORMATION:

~to iu koto desu ne?
Your message is that~, right?

EXAMPLE:

Kondo no mokuyoubi ni shuuryoshiki de Toukyou e irassharu to iu koto desu ne?
You will come to Tokyo on Thursday to attend the Document Ceremony, right?

NOTES: You can also use this to confirm:
(i) a fact
(ii) something or action that you heard someone else do.

GRAMMAR POINT 7: When you want to say that not only A but also B exists or occurs, then you can use the following
FORMATION:

~(A phrase)dake de naku, ~(B phrase) mo
Not only ~(A phrase) but also ~(B phrase)

EXAMPLE:

Nihon no kuruma dake de naku, hoka no kuni no mo tenji sarete imasu.
Not only Japanese cars, but also other country's cars are also exhibited.

GRAMMAR POINT 8: This is another conditional formation clause to be used when the speaker is injecting his/her own thoughts based on other persons assertions.

FORMATION:

Moshi V(ru form) nara, ~(phrase)
If you V, ~(phrase)

EXAMPLE:

Moshi Mootaashoo ni ikareru nara, machiawase basho to jikan wo kimetai to omoimasu.
If you can go to the motor show, I would like to decide on a time and place to meet.

;

08.10.14 Chapter 6 Houmon Suru; Shoukai Suru; To Visit/Call on

08.10.14 Chapter 6 Houmon Suru & Shoukai Suru;
To make housecalls/visiting a Japanese home

GRAMMAR POINT 1: The following is an extremely polite way of telling someone in A-san's main circle (family, friends or co-workers) that they appreciate A-san's help/kindness. It is used as part of the "aitsu" or greeting when meeting someone for the first time.

A-san ha, Osewa ni natte orimasu.
A-san is always looking after me/taking good care of me.

RECALL 1: To make a generic negative statement, you use the FORMATION:

QUESTION WORD + mo + NEGATIVE VERB

Examples:
(1) Nani mo nai ===> There is nothing
(2) Dare mo shiranai ===> I don't know anyone
(3) Nani mo tabemasen ===> I didn't eat anything

GRAMMAR POINT 2: To stress the importance or illustrate the difference in something, you would say in English, " It is ~(phrase with V plain) that ~".

NIHONGO FORMATION:

~(phrase V plain) no ha ~(phrase)
~(na-adj or noun) na no ha ~ (phrase)
It is ~(phrase with V plain) that ~

EXAMPLE:

Watahsi wa, ima Shanhai sunde imasu. Demo, umareta no ha, Shanhai kara go jikan gurai no chiisai machi desu.
I live in Shanghai now, but I was born in a small town about 5 hours from Shanghai.

NOTE: That in the above Example, the stress is on the birthplace.

Review:
(1) that day's (08. 09.29) handout, chapter 38, page 91 front and back.
(2) Page 85, #2 questions

GRAMMAR POINT 3: In CASUAL SPEECH, you use the word "de" to mean "AND" when starting a 2nd sentence related to the first topic.

FORMATION:
~(sentence 1). DE, ~(sentence 2).
~(sentence 1). And, ~(sentence 2).

Example:

LEE: Watahsi wa, ima Shanhai sunde imasu. Demo, umareta no ha, Shanhai kara go jikan gurai no chiisai machi desu.
I live in Shanghai now, but I was born in a small town about 5 hours from Shanghai.
ITOU-san: ...Sou desu ka. De, itsu Shanhai ni utsurareta n desu ka?
I see. And when did you move to Shanghai?

Review page 86 #3, #4.

GRAMMAR POINT 4: One way to describe a thought on a topic is to use the following formation with the ne agreement seeking particle at the end.

FORMATION:
N tte, ~(phrase containing thought topic1) kedo, ~(opposing of thought 1) ne.
Regarding N, ~(thought topic 1) that (opposing thought 1).

Example:

Shanhai tte, telebi de mita n desu kedo, zuibun kakki no aru machi desu ne.
Speaking of Shanghai, I learned on TV that it is a surprisingly lively town, right?

Review page 87 #5 and #6.

GRAMMAR POINT 5: To express "to be like" or "to look like" or "to seem like", you would use the
FORMATION:

(1) ~N mitai ni~(phrase)
(2)~N mitai da/desu
Like ~

Example:

(1)Watashi mitai ni, daitokai ni dete kuru hito ga ooi n desu yo.
Like me, there are many people moving into big urban cities.

(2)Jiko ga atta mitai da.
It looks like there was an accident.
(3)Koshou mitai da.
It seems to be broken.

Review page 87 #7 and #8.

GRAMMAR POINT 6: There are other uses for the V(te) kuru formation:
(1) it describes the specific condition of an action
(2) it descrbes the action which is coming closer to the speaker.
FORMATION:

V(te form) kuru
Come V-ing

EXAMPLE OF USE 2:

(1)Watashi mitai ni, daitokai ni dete kuru hito ga ooi n desu yo.
Like me, there are many people moving into big urban cities.

(2)Watashi sengetsu Amerika kara kaete kimashita.
I returned from the US last month.

RECALL 2: The 1st use of above formation describes a specific condition of an action.
Example:
(1) Hashiru ===> hashite kuru ; to come running
(2) Aruku ===> aruite kuru: to come walking
(3) Noru ===> notte kuru; to come riding

GRAMMAR POINT 7: In FORMAL CONTEXT, OR IN WRITINGS, you can express that N(person, matter, action) can be used as a means for obtaining knowledge or gaining experience.

FORMATION:

N wo tooshite
Through N~

EXAMPLES:

(1)Nihon no kata to no buntsuu wo tooshite, nihonjin no kangaekata wo manabitai to omotte iru.
I would like to learn about the Japanese way of thinking by exchanging letters with a Japanese pen friend.

(2)Kodomo wa asobi wo tooshite, iroiro na koto wo mi ni tsukemase.
Children learn various things through play.

Review on page 90 yomou section #1 and #2.

08.10.15 Chapter 7: 症状を伝える, Conveying your Symptoms (to a Doctor)

GRAMMAR POINT 1: A more polite way to ask someone (like a customer) to do something is to use the form:

お動詞(masu stem)下さい
O V(-masu stem) kudasai
Eg: 順番が来たら、お呼びしますから、そちらでお待ち下さい。
Junban ga kitara, Oyobi shimasu kara, sochira de, Omachi kudasai.
When your turn/number comes, your name will be called, so please wait over there.

Other examples that we've seen in the text:
お入り下さい / OHairi Kudasai / Please come in.
~お止め下さい / ~OYame Kudasai / Please do not~
お出し下さい / ODashi Kudasai / Please take out or Please show

See page 99, #1 for review.

GRAMMAR POINT 2: There are various uses of the verb SURU, in this chapter we see Time Passing in Jikan Suru.

4, 5 日しても治らない場合は、また来てください。
4, 5 nichi shite mo naoranai baai ha, mata kite kudasai.
If it does not improve/get better in 4 or 5 days, please come back.

Formation:

時間+する /　Unit of Time + SURU

Eg: 1) 4, 5 日して
2) 8, 9 分すると、リーさんが来た。　
After 8 or 8 minutes, Lee-san arrived.

Alternate Formation with "mo" and "gurai" to indicate approximate time, stick "mo" or "gurai" between the unit of time and SURU conjugation.

時間+も/ぐらい+する 　
Unit of Time + mo/gurai +SURU

Other examples done verbally in class of use of "SURU" verb:
ネクタイをする / ネクタイを締める / Necktie wo shimeru / To fasten or do a Necktie
ハンバーグにする / ハンバーグに決める　/ To decide to order or to do a Hamburger
変な味がする　/ Hen na aji ga suru / To do a strange taste
臭いがする / Nioi ga suru / To do a strange smell

See page 100, #5 for review practise. See also page 101, #7 and #8 for more practise.

GRAMMAR POINT 3: To show that an action is done a number of times EACH TIME, you use ZUTSU. In this chapter where you take medicine, ZUTSU is used to show that you repeat the action on a regular basis.

FORMATION:

~ずつ~ / # Each #

この薬は食後に１カプセルずつ飲んで下さい。
Kono gusuri ha, shokugo ni ichi capuseru zutsu nonde kudasai.
As for this medicine, after ever meal, please take/drink one capsule.

Example on Page 104 Prescription example:

青い錠剤は毎食後１じょうずつ、白いカプセルは毎食前２カプセルずつ飲んで下さい。
Aoi jouzai ha, maishokugo ichi jou zutsu, shiroi capsule ha, mai shokuzen, ni capsule zutsu nonde kudasai.

Please take/drink one blue tablet after every meal and two white capsules before every meal.

Formation II: This zutsu can also be used to apply to the same amount or quantity being allocated to several people or objects.

e.g. 一人千円ずつ集めます。　Hitori sen en zutsu atsumemasu. (I) will collect 1000 yen from each person.

See page 102, #9 and #10 for review questions/practise.

GRAMMAR POINT 4: To say that you are doing something "just in case" or "by way of precaution", you use "nen no tame"

FORMATION:

~念のため~ / (Some phrase 1) nen no tame (some phrase 2) /
(Some phrase 1) just in case (some phrase 2)

Example:

骨には異常ないと思いますが念のためレントゲンを撮りましょう。
Hone ni ha ijou nai to omoimasu ga, nen no tame rentogen wo torimashou.
I don't think there's anything abnormal in your bones, but just in case, let's take an X-RAY.

For Review see page 100-101, #6.

GRAMMAR POINT 5: We learned some onomatopoeic words or MIMETIC words called 擬態語/kitaigo. There are a lot to describe illness/pain/sickness. These describe a state of being.

Examples:
- for a burn: ひりひり　する
- for a headache:　がんがん　する
- for a chill: ぞくぞく　する
- for an ache (tooth, leg, etc.): ずきずき　する

See page 100 #5 for review.

GRAMMAR POINT 6: We learned a useful phrase to express: "I was expecting that (some phrase 1 would happen), but (some phrase 2 happened instead)"

FORMATION:

そのうち~(Phrase 1)かと思って~(Phrase 2)んですが
Sono uchi ~(Phrase 1) ka to omotte ~(phrase 2) n desu ga.
I was expecting that (some phrase 1 would happen), but (some phrase 2 happened instead).

Example:

そのうち治ると思って様子を見てたんですが、治らないんです。
Sono uchi naoru to omotte yousu wo mite tan desu ga, naoranai n desu.

I was waiting to see if it would get better, but it didn't.

See page 100 #4 for review.

08.10.15 Goodbye Dinner Candid photos

Here's a few of the fun shots taken at the lunch after our class.

An overview of our food. Ironically, Mark's shirt says, "poison" but trust me it tasted nothing like poison.

Uemura-Sensei imagining Victor's description of something truly wonderful to get that dreamy look in her eye.

Suzuki-sensei listening in rapt attention to Mark-san's tales of his time in England.

Isono-sensei, looking skeptical at some of Mark-san's hyperboles when telling his tall-tales. ;-).

As we sit down to order, everyone else crowds around the other table. I, with my camera, am going the other way, closer to the wall so that I can fit everyone into the photo.

Mark-san's satisfaction is totally written all over his face; the food is really *THAT* GOOD.

Uemura-sensei has one of the most expressive faces; I couldn't resist adding this photo.

Victor-san needs clarification while Suzuki-sensei finds the curent tale somewhat amusing.

A scene found at any Japanese household... the pouring of (ice) tea.

08.10.15 Photos with 3rd instructor and all our Regular Sensei

Today was our last day of this course with the 3rd instructor, Isono-Sensei. This is our photos with her, just us, and all the sensei together.

08.10.14, onomatopoeia words

Today we learned a lot of words not derived from Kanji. Most of these words are repeated words. The words arose from chapter 7, going to the doctor, but we also got a list of onomatopoeic words for general use. Here are the list of words.

For going to the Doctor:
ぺこぺこ　pekopeko - hungry; e.g. "onaka ga peko peko".
がんがん　gangan - headache; refers to the sound of blood pounding in the veins of your forehead.
ひりひり　hirihiri - pain from being burnt/heat
ぞくぞく　zokuzoku - to have chills
むかむか　mukamuka - to feel nauseus; e.g. when you have too much to drink, you feel mukamuka
からから　karakara - to feel thirsty; e.g. when you've just run a marathon, "nodo ga karakara"
ずきずき　zukizuki -pain from teeth (but apparently can also be used for any other pain)

Other repeated words for everyday use:
わいわい　waiwai - sound of excited people
きょるきょる　kyorukyoru - to look around nervously
にこにこ　nikoniko - to smile
びしょびしょ　bishobisho - to be wet
いらいら　iraira - to be irrated/annoyed
どきどき　dokidoki - the sound of a heartbeat
わくわく　wakuwaku - to tremble with joy
がらがら　garagara - to be nearly empty; e.g. a car's gas tank is garagara if it sits in traffic a lot
ぴかぴか　pikapika - to shine/to be well polished
ごちゃごちゃ　gochagocha - to be in a mess; a messy state
くしゃくしゃ　kushakusha - to be crumpled
ぺらぺら　perapera - to chatter
ぎりぎり　girigiri - to be very close; on the verge; at the last minute

NOTE: I apologize that these posts are not as colourful as the past ones, but we do have a test on Thursday and not all lessons have been posted or summarized. As well, I haven't done today's homework yet.

Class in action

This is one where we are in the middle of a class... :-D

08.09.29 Class photo

We decided to take a class photo today. That's us with Akiyama-sensei and Suzuki-sensei. Today was the fun "charlie's angel"-like pose.

08.09.26 Chapter 6: TO VISIT/ to call on and TO INTRODUCE

08.09.26 第六か　訪問する　と　紹介する　(Houman suru to Shoukai suru)
08.09.26 Chapter 6: TO VISIT/ to call on and TO INTRODUCE
With Suzuki-sensei

For fun, we started with: "ippiki ookami", which is a lone wolf with no friends. For example, Mark is a lone wolf with no friends. (His own example).

GRAMMAR NOTE 1:

A　と B は、似ています。
A to B ha, nite imasu.
A and B look similar.

Where "nite" comes from the verb, "niru", to resemble or to look similar.
We diverged to this grammar note because Victor-san said:

フィリピン人とベネズエラ人は、似ていました。
Filipinjin to Venezuelajin ha, nite imashita.
Filipinos and Venezuelans used to look similar.
(Because Spain used to be the mother land)

Grammar POINT 1:
When meeting family, friends, or work circles of someone (A-san in this pont), you can use the following phrase. This is used as an "aisatsu" or "greeting phrase".

Aさんにお世話になっております。
A-san ni Osewa ni natte orimasu.
A-san is always taking good care of us.

NOTE: It can also be said to A-san in a letter or in person if wishing to thank A-san generally.

GRAMMAR POINT 2:
To make a negative phrase, you use the following form:

QUESION-Word + mo + NEGATIVE.
何もない。 There is nothing.
誰も知らない。 I don't know anyone.
何も食べません。 I didn't eat anything.
などなど　and so on...

;

08.09.25 Chapter5

08.09.25 第五課　誘う　と　断る
Chapter5: More sasou and kotowaru
With Uemura-sensei

GRAMMAR NOTE 1:
Recall that the plain/simple way to say "to give (some NOUN to ME)" is kureru.
The simple way to say I/ME/WE "receive (some NOUN)" is morau.

私は友達に貰いました。
Watashi wa tomodachi ni moraimashita.
I received (something) from my friend.

vs.

友達は私に呉れました。
Tomodachi wa watashi ni kuremashita.
My friend gave me (something).

NOTE: both VERBS take the PARTICLE NI, but the receiver (I/me) is marked by "wa" or "ni".

ADJective/ADVerb USAGE NOTES:
tagaru na NOUN ===> . Easy to get/access NOUN
tagaru ni VERB ===> Easy to do VERB
tagaru ===> v. to be easy

GRAMMAR NOTE2:
A simple way to say "Thanks to A(phrase or NOUN), V(past) is to use "no okage de".

ブログのおかげで、言葉の意味を習いました。
Blog NO OKAGEDE, kotoba no imi wo naraimashita.
THANKS TO the blog, I have learned word meanings.

GRAMMAR POINT:
To say: "In spite of A(phrase indicating some great effort), B(phrase indicating something else happened)", you use the FORM:

SEKKAKU ~A(phrase) noni, ~B(phrase).
せっかく　~A(phrase) のに、~B(phrase)。

In spite of ~A(phrase Vplain), ~B(phrase Vpast or Vplain)

WHERE: A(phrase) contains a VERB in plain form) and B(phrase) can contain a VERB in past or plain form.

NOTE: This gave us a lot of grief in class, because the in-book example's 2nd clause is not in past tense.

Examples:

せっかく郵便局に行ったのに、営業中もう終わっていました。
Sekkaku yuubinkyoku ni itta noni, eigyouchuu mou owatte imashita.
In spite of going to the post office, it was already closed for business.

GRAMMAR POINT2:
To formally convey your (positive) hopes and dreams to others, you can use this FORM.

V(plain past)+ら、{気持ち} と思っております。
V(plain past)+ra {some feeling/outcome} to omotte imasu/orimasu.

where, the positive feeling in curly brackets above can be omitted.
Example:

Oai dekitara {ureshii} to omotte orimasu.

I hope to meet (with you), {making me happy}.

Victor's Negative feeling example:

もし犬死んだら悲しいと思っています。
Moshi inu shindara kanashii to omotte imasu.
If my dog dies, I think I would be sad.

;

08.09.08 Chapter 1: tazuneru . tashikameru

08.09.08 Daiikka: tazuneru . tashikameru
08.09.08 Chapter 1: To inquire. To Verify
Suzuki-sensei no jyugyou desu

VERB COMPARISON:

kikimasu / kiku ===> to ask a question
tanomimasu / tanomu ===> to ask a FAVOUR
tazunemasu / tazuneru ===> to INQUIRE/ to MAKE AN INQUIRY;

GRAMMAR POINT 1: The intermediate way to ask for a word's meaning

A(phrase) ha, dou iu imi desu ka?

OR

A(phrase) to iu no ha, dou iu imi desu ka?

This 2nd form indicates that the asker is unfamiliar with the word/phrase

Example Sentences with the above forms:

Kono kotoba ha, dou iu imi desu ka?
Ue to iu no ha, dou iu imi desu ka?

GRAMMAR POINT 2: Responding to "What does this word/phrase mean?"
When answering someone's question about a meaning of a word, you follow the form:

(sentence/phrase/explanation), tte iu koto desu.

OR

(single NOUN) no koto desu.

Example Sentences with the above answer forms:

Sono kotoba ha, "jimushou de nagai ichinichi hataraite imasu" tte iu koto desu.
As for that word, it means "you spend long hours working at the office".
"Shita no hantai" no koto desu.

It's the "opposite of under".

GRAMMAR POINT 2: How to ask how to read a kanji/kanji compound & giving the response.
When asking how to read a kanji character, you point and use one of the "this/that" words and use the form:

(Kore/ Sore/ Are) ha nante yomu n desu ka?

When responding, the format to use is always: (fill in the parenthesis)

(Kore/ Sore/ Are) ha (the pronunciation/reading) desu.

GRAMMAR POINT 2a: When asking s/o how to read their name from Kanji

Kochira ha, nante yomu n desu ka?

NOTE: make sure you are pointing to a kanji name

OR

Onamae ha, nante yomu n desu ka?

GRAMMAR POINT 3: How to state a conditional problem/hypothetical situation and state a recommended action

The form is always in this form:

PROBLEM STATEMENT Verb(ta form, plain past) + ra ~ SOLUTION STATEMENT Verb(potential form) + ba ii desu.

Examples sentences:
a) Wasuremono wo shiTARA, asoko e IKEBA II DESU.
If you forgot something, going there would be good. (point to somewhere).
b) Tenki yohou ga shiranakaTTARA, 177 ni kiKEBA II DESU.
If you don't know the weather forecast, it is good to call 177.

GRAMMAR POINT 4: How to confirm the meaning of a word/phrase
When you are unsure of a meaning of a word or phrase, you can verify and confirm or check the meaning by asking a question in this format:

A(sentence/phrase/word) to iu no ha B(verification sentence) tte iu koto desu ka?

Does "SentenceA" mean "SentenceB"?

Example sentences:
a) Kitsuenjyo TO IU NO HA kinen seki no hantai TTE IU KOTO DESU KA?
Does Smoking place mean that it's the opposite of the no-smoking section?
:

08.09.22 Chapter 4: Kyoka wo Morau, Chapter 5: Sasou to Kotowaru

08.09.22 : Daiyokka: Kyoka wo Morau, Daigoka: Sasou to Kotowaru
Chapter 4: To get Permission
Chapter 5: To invite and To decline/to refuse
Suzuki-sensei no jyugyo desu.

GRAMMAR POINT 1: (from Chapter 4: Kyoka wo morau)

不可欠 fukaketsu (na) de aru === fukaketsu desu

Means: It's indispensable. It's essential.

RULE: When reading or writing a formal document/publication (i.e. not this blog), you would use "de aru" instead of "desu".
NOUN/na-adj. + "de aru".
Example with NOUN: Neko de aru.
Example with na-adj: Kirei de aru (no "na" used here).

i-adj. Example: Kawaii (does not take "de aru").

VERB(plain form/dictionary form). Example: Taberu (does not take "de aru").

Exercise 1 on Page 62 was to figure out which was the written and which was spoken. Spoken sentences do not take "de aru".
Numbers 1) and 3) were spoken. You could tell because:
in 1) "kudasai" is a request to someone else.
in 3) "Hajimemashite" is spoken only when meeting someone for the first time.

Here are the Romaji versions of sentences 1) and 3) from Page 62, Excercise 1:
1) Kono kigai wo tsukau toki ni ha jyuu pun ki wo tsukete kudasai. Machigaeru to kiken desu.
ENGLISH: Take care/Be careful to use this machine for 10 minutes at a time. If you make a mistake, it is dangerous.
3) Hajimemashite. Watashi ha chuugoku no Lee desu. Shanhai (Shanghai) kara mairimashita.
ENGLISH: Hello, I'm pleased to meat you. I am China's Lee. I came from Shanghai.

Here are the Romaji changed versions of sentences 2) and 4) from Page 62, Excercise 1:
(We are assuming that we need to write this to put into a formal document)
2) Genzai sekai de motto mo jinkou ga ooi kuni ha chuugoku de aru (from "desu). Tsugi ni Indo, Amerika to tsuzuku (from "tsuzukimasu").
ENGLISH: In the recent world, the country with the highest population is China. Next is India, America and so on.
4) ATC ha, zeihin no nana wari wo kaigai e yushutxu shite iru jidousha me-ka- de aru (from "desu"). Honsha ha Oosaka ni aru (from "arimasu").
ENGLISH: As for ATC, 70 percent of its products are exports to other countries' automotive manufacturers. The head office is in Osaka.

NOTE: 7割引 == 70 percent off, 3割引 == 30 percent discount

??? Then we had the following Example sentences that I now can't understand or put into context --- HELP!!! Tasukete Kudasai!!!
Watashi ni ikasete hoshii.
Mark-san ni itte hoshii.

What does the above mean? Need translation PLEASE>

GRAMMAR POINT 2: (from Chapter 5) A SENTENCE STRUCTURE TO INVITE S/O OUT
When inviting someone to something verbally, there are various levels of politeness forms:

casual: "Isshoni V(volitional)". E.g. Isshoni ikou! Let's go!
teinei: "Isshoni V(te) itadakenai deshou ka?". E.g. Isshoni itte itadakenai deshou ka? Won't you give me the pleasure of going with me?
neutral: "Isshoni V(masen) ka?" E.g. Isshoni ikimasen ka? Won't you go with me?

GRAMMAR POINT 3: Tashika, "tashika ni" ha "zettai" tte iu imi deshita ne?
POINT: The diff between "tashika NI" and just plain old "tashika"

tashika NI === zettai === for certain; absolutely sure
tashika === "If I remember correctly..."; must be used with a V(past form).

VERB: 空く aite iru (to have free time; to be open/available/vacant)
E.g. Aiteru === Are you free?
Aite nai === Aren't you free?

VERB: 楽しむ TANOSHIMU (to enjoy, to have fun)
Volitional Plain: Tanoshimashou!!
Volitional Polite: Tanoshimou!!

GRAMMAR POINT 4: 終助詞 SHUUJOSHI (Grammar particle that ends a sentence)
Teinei (polite) sentence ending particles. These must be used with "desu", or a "-masu" form VERB: (Where Person A is speaking to Person B, who is listening).

a) yo! ===> used for exclamation/confirm. A knows s/th but B does not yet know this info.
b) ne! ===> used to confirm. Both A and B knows the info, i.e. for "shared info"
c) yo ne! ===> A wants a confirmation from listener B.

Futsuu (plain) spoken sentence ending particles. These ones are used with plain form VERBS:

d) naa ===> To emphasize "I truly feel".
e) kana ===> Means "I wonder..."

In d) and e) above, the speaker may be thinking aloud to himself/herself.

08.09.24 Chapter 5: sasou to kotawaru; page 75 shukudai desu

shukudai: Chapter 5, page 75, Exercise 2:

REI) Otouto ha mae kara amerika dw benkyou shiTAGATTE IRU.
1) Imouto ha amaimono wo miru to, (a.) tabeTAGARU.
2) Tsuma ha mae kara nihon e (b.) kiTAGATTE IRU.
3) Lee-san ha natsuyasumi Hokkaidou e (b.) ikiTAGATTE IRU.
4) Watashi no kodomo ha omocha uriba e iku to, sugu iroiro (a.) hoshiGARU node, komaru.

TRANSLATION:
EXAMPLE) My younger brother wants to study before going to Amerika.
1) If my little sister sees sweets, she wants to eat them.
Answer is (a.), because this is habitual.
2) My wife wants to come to Japan from before.
Answer is (b.) because this is a state.
3) Lee-san wants to go to Hokkaidou for summer vacation.
Answer is (b.) because Lee-san wants this as a one time event.
4) If my child goes to a place where they sell "Omocha?", it causes (my child) to soon want various things, it is a problem.
Answer is (a.) because this is a habit.

08.09.24 Chapter 5: sasou to kotawaru; to invite and to refuse

08.09.24 Daigoka: sasou to kotawaru
Chapter 5: to invite and to refuse
Wednesday lesson with IsonoSensei.

I showed up late to the class today. Apparently PRICK-san was reallied worried and leapt with joy when TangoMaster arrived ahead of me.

Here's the Grammar Points from Today's class:

GRAMMAR POINT 1:
Ways to invite, without actually coming right out and asking, only thinking aloud to yourself...

Grammar Point 1A
V(plain form)~n da kedo, isshoni dou kana to omotte...?

OR

Grammar Point 1B
N de mo (isshoni) dou desu ka?

Examples for 1A and 1B
J-Liigu no kippu ga ni mai aru n da kedo, isshoni dou kana to omotte...

Shokuji de mo isshoni dou desu ka?

GRAMMAR POINT 2: How to say SOMEONE ELSE wantS to do some VERB
When you want to say that someone else wants to do some Verb, you use the form:

V(-masu stem) + TAGARU (conjugate like normal RU Type II verb).

RECALL, when saying I want to do something, you use:
V(-masu stem) + TAI (conjugate like any i-adj).

Examples:
Kodomo-tachi mo Lee-san ni totemo aiTAGATTE IMASU.
Watashi wa Lee-san ni totemo aiTAI desu.

Page 75, Yomou no renshuu, Exercise 1, Verbal class responses, written here:
1) Watashi ha hotel ni tomariTAI kedo, Haha ha ryoukan ni tomariTAGATTE IRU n da.
2) Boku ha chuuka ryouri ni shiTAI kedo, Ogawa-san ha Washoku ryouri ni shiTAGATTE IRU n da.
3) Boku ha inaka ni sumiTAI kedo, tsuma ha tokai ni sumiTAGATTE IRU n da.
4) Boku ha pasukon wo kaiTAI kedo, tsuma ha reisouko wo kaiTAGATTE IRU n da.

English translations:
1) I want to stay at a hotel but, my mom is wanting to stay at a ryoukan.
2) I want to make Chinese food, but Ogawa-san is wanting to make Japanese food.
3) I want to live in the country but my wife is wanting to live in the city.
4) I want to buy a computer, but my wife is wanting to buy a refridgerator.

REVIEW OF NARA CONDITIONAL:

MOSHI V(dictionary/plain form) NARA ~~ ===> If V(plain form), then~~

NOTE for IF'ing Nouns, the form to use is:
N NARA ~~~ ===> IF ~something~ THEN ~~~

08.09.22 何か書かせていただけないでしょうか。

Hello and こんにちは, I am VS, はじめまして。

For some reason -which is a mystery to me- I've been appointed as the lazy one in class and this blog as well; but the fact is that whenever I want to contribute with something, it has already been added...

We have a main blogger (Jojo -I'm sure you hate that-) and a vocab maestro (Mark) with probably too much time on their hands ; ) so due to a lack of open positions I've decided to declare myself the official "Proof-Reading Intermediate Course Kakikomu" (書き込む = fill in writing) or, as I'm sure some would prefer to call me from now on, "PRICK".

Hence, as the name states, my duties would be to go through the posts and point out what I would consider errors, mistakes, slips, lapses, etc. and add any extra or useful information. Since I'm not in a position to edit my peers' posts, I shall do this in the form of comments. This should be fun, at least for me :)

For now I will leave you with the latest homework:


宿題　（しゅくだい）

会話２　６８ページ　仕事の後、飲み屋の前で （しごとのあと、のみやのまえで）


遠慮する　「えんりょする」　－＞　Refrain. Similar to 断る　「ことわる」。 Decline an invitation.

ー軒　「いっけん」　「けん」　－＞ (Ken) Counter for door/house. (e.g. one house, Ikken)

飲みすぎなんで・・・　「のみすぎなんで」　－＞ Drank to much so/and... のみすぎ is the short form of 飲みすぎます. すぎます　or すぎ is added at the end of the pre-masu form of the verb to express excess. (e.g. 食べすぎました -ate to much- 大きすぎ、-too big). なんで・・・ is used to indicate a continuation or unfinished thought; same as (V)て　form.

機会　「きかい」　－＞ Opportunity, chance.

お先に　「おさきに」　－＞ Ahead. Varies by context. (e.g. お先にどうぞ　－go ahead-、 　お先に失礼(しつれい)します　-excuse me for leaving ahead (of you).


Maybe you guys knew these already, but since I don't know what the learning purpose of this homework is...

The last one, for example, I, and everyone else in the office, use it almost every day when leaving work while there are still people working.

So this is me for now.　With all my pains, please correct me if there was something wrong.

よろしくね～

Day 1 (08 Sept) Vocab List

Hello everyone, I'm Mark the vocab maestro.  I'm the go to guy whenever there's a word you don't understand.  Here are some of the key/useful words that we've learned the first day of class.  

Kanji Hiragana Romaji Definition

売る うる uru To sell

人口 じんこう jinkou Population

内容 ないよう naiyou Content

表示 ひょうじ hyouji Public Signs

賑やか にぎやか nigiyaka Lively, crowded

名字 みょうじ myouji Family Name

尋ねる たずねる tazuneru To inquire

看板 かんばん kanban Adverts, posters (Bic Camera, Nike, Sony, Coca-cola)

増える ふえる fueru To increase

減る へる heru To decrease

下りる おりる oriru Go down, step off

上る のぼる noboru Go up, step on.

協力 きょうりょく kyouryoku Cooperate

駆け込む かけこむ kakekomu Rush in

確かめる たしかめる tashikameru To confirm

準備中 じゅんびちゅう jyunbichuu In preparation

喫煙所 きつえんじょ kitsuenjyo Smoking Area

禁煙所 きんえんじょ kinenjyo Non Smoking Area

お手洗い おてあらい otearai Bathroom, Toilet

留守 るす rusu Absence, nobody in

立ち入り禁止 たちいりきんし tachiirikinshi Do not enter, no entry

定休日 ていきゅうび teikyuubi Holiday

土足厳禁 どそくげんきん dosokugenkin No shoes allowed

使用中 しようちゅう shiyouchuu In use

引っ越しする ひっこしする hikkoshisuru To move, relocate, (home, office)

役に立てばいいですが

中山　悠　Mark

08.09.19 Daiyokka: Kyoka wo morau

08.09.19 Daiyokka: Kyoka wo morau
08.09.19 Chapter 4 (continued): Getting Permission

fukushuu (review words):
soutai --- n. act of leaving early
chikoku --- n. tardiness; lateness
muri wo shimasu --- n. impossible to do
hakike ga shimasu --- n. the moment right before you hurl/puke
samuke --- n. to have chills
hidoi --- adj. awful; terrible
shinseijo --- n. an application form (piece of paper)

GRAMMAR POINT 1:
~REASON~ shieki form VERB(te form) itadakitai n desu ga ...
where "shieki form VERB(te form)" =

Group I verbs: ~asete
Group II verbs: ~sasete

Examples:
(from Mark)
kibun ga warui node koko de yasumasete itadakitai n desu ga ...

(from Vic)
gogo kara kaigi ga aru node kono heya wo tsuwasete itadakitai n desu ga ...

(from Jo)
??? Did I give an examle sentence?

GRAMMAR POINT NOTE:
... itadakitai n desu ga ...
... itadakENAI desu ka ? (more polite way to ask)
... itadakENAI deshou ka ? (Even more polite way to ask)

From Reading:
Sore wa ikan na. (only said by middle aged men ---- I would never say this, Mark and Vic will in other 10 to 15 years)
Sore wa ikemasen. (What a female might say)

GRAMMAR POINT 2:

VERB(plain form) no? = V n desu k?

Other ways to use "no" (possessive meaning my/mine or showing ownership):

NOUN or NA ADJ + na no?
I ADJI + i no?

Examples:
a. Kesa nani wo tabemashita ka?
b. Kesa nani wo tabetta n desu ka? <=== implies "tell me more", I want to hear more c. Kesa nani wo tabetta no? <=== casual form of b. above Examples from Polite to casual form using "no?":
1a) Doko ni hikkoshi suru n desu ka? (POLITE)
1b) Doko ni hikkoshi suru no? (CASUAL)
2a) Nani wo tsukutte iru n desu ka?
2b) Nani wo tsukutte iru no?
3a) Doko de katta n desu ka?
3b) Doko de katta no?

Examples from Polite to casual form using "no?", Handout, p.6:
1a) (POLITE) Natsu yasumi ha dou suru n desu ka?
KOBAYASHI: Natsu yasumi ha kuni e kaeru n desu ka?
TAWAPON: Iie, kaeritai desu ga ... Kobayashisan ha dou suru n desu ka?
1b) (CASUAL) Natusu yasumi ha dou suru no?
KOBAYASHI: Natsu yasumi ha kuni e kaeru no?
TAWAPON: Iie, kaeritai kedo ... Kobayashi-kun ha dou suru no?

2a) (POLITE) Paatii ha dou deshita ka?
WATANABE: Paatii ha dou deshita ka?
HAYASHI: Totemo tanoshikatta desu. Dou shite sanka shinakatta n desu ka?
WATANABE: Isogashikatta n desu.

2b) (POLITE) Paatii ha dou datta?
WATANABE: Paatii ha dou datta?
HAYASHI: Totemo tanoshikatta. Dou shite sanka shinakatta no?
WATANABE: Isogashikatta no.

GRAMMAR POINT 3:

Henka VERB(te form) kuru = to become/ to turn into some VERB

VERB LIST FOR V(te) kuru:
a. futorimasu <==> yasemasu
b. fuemasu <==> herimasu
c. naremasu
d. I-adj + KU narimasu
na-adj + NI narimasu

Usually, you will see some ADJECTIVE + V(te) kuru form used. Example adjectives often used with V(te) kuru verbs:

sukoshi zutsu --- gradually
dandan --- little by little
dondon --- quickly
yukkuri --- slowly

GRAMMAR POINT 4:

~ga suru === only 6 things take "GA SURU"
a) aji --- taste
b) oto --- sound
c) koe --- voices
d) samuke, hakike, memai --- sickness: cold, right before puke, dizziness

08.09.17 Suiyoubi no Lesson, Daisanka

08.09.17 Suiyoubi no Lesson, Daisanka
08.09.17 Wednesday's lesson, Chapter 3

I'm backfilling lessons now. So for now, I'm going to stop inputting Kanji and just use romajii because it's a lot faster to type.

Grammar Point: Format of conversation When asking for Permission (Kyouka wo morau):
A: Ima, Oisogashii deshou ka?
B: Nan desu ka.
A: Chotto, onegai ga aru n desu ga... ~~~ shite itadakenai deshou ka?
B+: Hai, yorokonde.
OR B-: un... chotto... tsugou ga warui desu.
A+: Aaa, yokatta. Arigatou gozaimashita.

Atarashii Tango (New Vocabulary Words, from book or from questions asked):
tategaki --- n. written in columns, right to left, top to bottom (as in Japanese newspapers)
yokogaki --- n. written in rows, left to write (as in western newspapers)
joshi --- n. a particle of grammar
renyouchuushikei --- n. stem form or root form of a verb
yushutsu --- n. export, SURU VERB
yunyuu --- n. import, SURU VERB
souko --- n. stock of paper

From book page 51,
3. irai no hagaki (a postcard with requests). Answers in LC.
Motte iru chisai jisho ha, yakunitattanai NODE, yoi jisho wo shoukai shite HOSHII TO IU NAIYOU.
4. orei no hagaki (a postcard expressing gratitude or gratefulness). Answers in LC.
Atarashii jisho wo motte aruiTE, YOKU HIITE IRU. tango ga takusan haite iru NODE, YAKUTATTE IRU TO IU NAIYOU.

Side note when using a Dictionary (Jisho or Jiten):
Jisho wo hiku --- to get (a word spelling/meaning) from a dictionary
jisho de shiraberu --- to search (for a word) in a dictionary
jisho de kakunin suru --- to check (the meaning of a word) in a dictionary

08.09.18 Mokuyoubi Lesson, daiyokka

08.09.18 Mokuyoubi Lesson, daiyokka: 許可をもらう
08.09.18 Wednesday Lesson, Chapter 4: Kyoka wo morau (To ask for Permission)

In today's lesson, all members of the 3 musketeers showed up. In contrast to yesterday's lesson when VS didn't show up due to a long running meeting --- or so he claims.

新しい単語/ atarashii tango: (new vocabulary --- means someone asked about the word)
求める. もとめる. motomeru --- v. to seek; to ask; to pursue
きちんと. kichin --- adj. neatly; precisely; accurately
許可. きょか. kyoka --- n. permission
申請書. しんせいしょ . shinseisho --- n. written application form (in class: permission paper or letter?)
遅刻 . ちこく . chikoku --- n. lateness; tardiness, SURU VERB
早退 . そうたい . soutai --- n. leave early, SURU VERB
文脈指示 . ぶんみゃくしじ　/ bunmyakushiji --- n. context + n. indicative (from abstract idea) ===> from context?
案内状 . あんないじょう . annaijou --- n. letter of invitation
産業 . さんぎょう . sangyou --- n. industry
役に立つ . やくにたつ. yakunitatsu --- v. to be useful; to be useful
両親 . りょうしん . ryoushin --- n. both mom and dad; both parents
慌てる . あわてる . awateru --- v. to be flustered; to be rushed; to be hurried
環境 . かんきょう . kankyou --- n. environment ; circumstance
目覚まし . めざまし . mezamashi --- n. alarm

かかります。かかって。 kakarimasu. kakatte --- v. to take (time/money)

Grammar point 1a:
~~ので~VERBてもいいですか?
~~node~VERBte mo ii desu ka?
~ node ~ (V-te form) mo yoroshii desu ka?

Rei bun/ Example sentences for Grammar Point 1:
Byouin iku NODE shitsurei shiTE MO II DESU KA?
Byouin iku NODE hayaku kaeTE MO II DESU KA?
kibun ga warui NODE soutai shiTE MO II DESU KA?

Grammar point 2: (refer to Questions on page 58, 1.)
are / ano - both speaker and listener are familiar with topic (person/place/thing) but CANNOT SEE it from where they are

sore / sono - the person unfamiliar with the thing that person 1 is talking about refers to the thing as THAT using sore/sono


Grammar point 3:
NOUN のところ/ NOUN no tokoro - somewhere near NOUN (contrast with NOUN ni)

Rei bun/ Example sentences for Grammar Point 2:
棚にあります。Tana ni arimasu. (It's) on the bookshelf.
棚のところにあります。 Tana no tokoro ni arimasu. (It's) near the bookshelf.

Grammar point 1b: (for requesting permission)
~~ので~VERB(さ)せていただきたいんですか?
~~node~VERB(sa)sete itadakitai n desu ka?

Grammar point 4:
VERB(-ます　stem)+なさい
VERB(-masu stem form) + nasai
When to use this verb form:
1. To use when telling someone to do something for their own good.
2. To say to someone when giving permission to do something.

Rei bun/ Example sentences for Grammar Point 4:
Benkyou shinasai. You should study (it's good for you).
From exercises on page 59, 4.
4) 試験を出す前に、もう一度チェックする。
===> Shiken wo dasu mae ni, mou ichido check shinasai