Lecture 2: Japanese Grammar - Sentence Construction

Introduction

• Focus on constructing sentences in Japanese.
• Comparison to English sentence structure.

English Sentence Structure

• SVO Pattern: Subject-Verb-Object
  • Examples:
    • "This is a strawberry"
    • "I am a teacher"
  • Subject → Verb → Object/Noun/Adjective

Japanese Sentence Structure

• SOV Pattern: Subject-Object-Verb
  • Examples:
    • "Kore wa ichigo desu" (This is a strawberry)
    • "Watashi wa sensei desu" (I am a teacher)
  • Structure: Subject → Object/Noun/Adjective → Verb

Sentence Components in Japanese

• Topic Marking Particle: "wa"
  • Written as 'ha' in Hiragana but pronounced 'wa'
  • Marks the topic of the sentence.
• Verb: Typically at the end of the sentence (e.g., "desu").

Pronouns

• Watashi: I
• Kare: He
• Kanojo: She
• Anohito: That person
• Anata: You

Common Occupations in Japanese

• Shougakusei: Elementary School Student
• Chuugakusei: Junior High Student
• Koukou-sei: High School Student
• Daigakusei: College Student
• Sensei: Teacher/Professional
• Keisatsu: Police Officer
• Kashu: Singer
• Haiyuu: Actor
• Joyuu: Actress
• Seiyuu: Voice Actor

Countries and Nationalities

• Japan: Nihon → Nihonjin (Japanese person) → Nihongo (Japanese language)
• Philippines: Firipin → Firipinjin (Filipino) → Firipinggo (Filipino language)
• USA: Amerika → Amerikajin (American) → Eigo (English)
• China: Chuugoku → Chuugokujin → Chuugokugo
• Korea: Kankoku → Kankokujin → Kankokugo
• France: Furansu → Furansujin → Furansugo
• Italy: Itaria → Itariajin → Itariago
• England: Igirisu → Igirisujin → Eigo

Adjectives

• Akai: Red
• Kiiroi: Yellow
• Aoi: Blue
• Kuroi: Black
• Samui: Cold (weather)
• Chiisai: Small
• Kirei: Pretty/Clean
• Genki: In good spirits
• Hen: Weird
• Yasashii: Kind
• Kakkoii: Cool/Good-looking
• Kawaii: Cute

Objects Vocabulary

• Pencil: Empitsu
• Eraser: Keshikomu
• Pen: Pen
• Blackboard: Kokuban
• Paper: Kami
• Book: Hon
• Dictionary: Jisho
• Textbook: Kyoukasho
• Light: Denki
• Telephone: Denwa
• TV: Terebi
• Clock: Tokei
• Desk: Tsukue
• Chair: Isu
• Window: Mado
• Door: Doa

Fruits and Vegetables Vocabulary

• Fruits: Kudamono
  • Apple: Ringo
  • Strawberry: Ichigo
  • Orange: Orenji
  • Grapes: Budou
  • Lemon: Remon
  • Banana: Banana
  • Watermelon: Suika
• Vegetables: Yasai
  • Tomato: Tomato
  • Onion: Tamanegi
  • Green Pepper: Piman
  • Eggplant: Nasubi
  • Potato: Jagaimo
  • Carrot: Ninjin

Drinks Vocabulary

• Drinks: Nomimono
  • Water: Mizu
  • Juice: Juusu
  • Green Tea: Ocha
  • Coffee: Kouhii
  • Alcohol: Osake
  • Cola: Kora

Example Sentences

• "Kanojo wa kawaii desu" (She is cute)
• "Kare wa amerikajin desu" (He is American)
• "Sore wa keitai desu" (That is a cellphone)

Asking Questions and Answers

• Convert statements to questions by adding "ka" at the end.
  • e.g., "Kore wa ichigo desu ka?" (Is this a strawberry?)
• Answering Questions:
  • "Hai, sou desu" (Yes, it is)
  • "Iie, chigaimasu" (No, it isn't)
  • Provide more information for clarity: "Iie, watashi wa firipinjin desu" (No, I am Filipino)

Conclusion

• Always use SOV pattern in Japanese.
• Remember sentence patterns and vocabulary for constructing sentences.
• Practice translating and forming questions.
• Next topic: Learning how to ask questions in Japanese.