Japanese Grammar Overview

Overview

This lecture introduces major grammar points from Genki II Lesson 13, focusing on potential verb conjugation, giving multiple reasons with し (shi), "looks like" with そう (sou), "try to do" with てみる (te miru), conditional with なら (nara), expressing frequency, and making adverbs from adjectives.

Potential Verb Conjugation

• The potential form expresses "can do" or "be able to do" something.
• For godan verbs: change the verb ending to the 'e' column and add る (ru); e.g., 歩く (aruku) → 歩ける (arukeru).
• For ichidan verbs: drop る (ru) and add られる (rareru), but られる is often shortened to れる (reru) in conversation.
• Irregular verbs: する (suru) becomes できる (dekiru); 来る (kuru) becomes こられる (korareru).
• The object marker を (o) can sometimes be replaced with が (ga) in the potential form.
• Potential verbs conjugate as ichidan (る) verbs regardless of the original verb type.

Multiple Reasons with し (shi)

• し (shi) is used to list multiple reasons; attach it after each reason.
• Use short form of verbs/adjectives plus し (shi); for nouns and na-adjectives, add だ (da) before し.
• A sentence with only one し (shi) still implies there are more reasons.
• し (shi) clauses can be used in the same or separate sentences.

"Looks Like" with そう (sou)

• Attach そう (sou) to the stem of adjectives/verbs to say "looks like/seems like."
• For i-adjectives: drop い (i) and add そう; for na-adjectives: add そう directly.
• Negative form: conjugate adjective/verb to negative, drop い (i) in ない, and add さそう (sasou).
• Used with verbs to indicate "looks like (verb) will happen."

Try to Do with てみる (te miru)

• To say "try to do," use the te-form of a verb plus みる (miru).
• Example: 食べてみる (tabetemiru) = try to eat.
• みる (miru) conjugates as an ichidan verb.

Conditional with なら (nara)

• なら (nara) means "if (it is the case that)..." and is used when the condition is believed to be true.
• Attach なら after verbs, adjectives, or nouns (short form).
• Used to make suggestions or recommendations based on specific, known conditions.

Expressing Frequency

• Use a time period + に (ni) + frequency (number of times).
• Example: 一日に一回 (ichinichi ni ikkai) = once per day; 一週間に三回 (isshūkan ni sankai) = three times per week.
• Special readings for days 2-4, 7, 9 (e.g., 二日 (futsuka), 三日 (mikka), 四日 (yokka)).

Turning Adjectives into Adverbs (Bonus)

• For i-adjectives: drop い (i), add く (ku); for na-adjectives: add に (ni).
• Example: 速い (hayai, fast) → 速く (hayaku, quickly); きれい (kirei, clean/beautiful) → きれいに (kirei ni, cleanly).

Key Terms & Definitions

• Potential Form — Verb form expressing ability ("can do").
• し (shi) — Particle for listing multiple reasons.
• そう (sou) — Suffix meaning "seems/looks like."
• てみる (te miru) — "Try to do" something.
• なら (nara) — Conditional, "if (it is the case that)..."
• Adverb (副詞, fukushi) — Modifies a verb, often formed from adjectives.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Practice conjugating verbs into the potential form and using し, そう, てみる, なら in sentences.
• Review the vocabulary for days/times and adverb formation in the textbook or recommended resources.
• Answer journal questions: What can’t you eat? Why do you want to learn Japanese (using し)? What do you want to try? How often do you go out to eat?