Japanese Conjugation Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker: Kyuudori from Kawazapa
• Topic: Japanese Conjugation
• Focus: All conjugations except for the ta and te forms (to be discussed in another video)
• Reason for covering all at once: Japanese conjugation is logical and consistent.

Misconceptions in Textbooks

• European concept of conjugation vs. Japanese structure.
• Textbooks complicate the process:
  • Focus on changes in Roman sound system.
  • Actual structure is simpler when viewed through the Japanese sound system.

Master Chart of Japanese Kana

• Japanese verbs end with kana in the u-row: u, ku, su, tsu, nu, etc.
• Notable exceptions:
  • No verb ends in 'u'.
  • Only one verb ends in 'nu': shinu (to die).

Examples of Verb Endings

• Kau (buy)
• Kiku (hear)
• Hanasu (speak)
• Motsu (hold)
• Shinu (die)
• Tobu (fly)
• Nomu (drink)
• Toru (take)

Sticky Stems

• Different endings create sticky stems:

  • i-stem: Change u-row kana to i-row kana.
    • Examples:
      • Kau ➜ Kai
      • Kiku ➜ Kiki
      • Hanasu ➜ Hanashi
  • Attachments:
    • Helper verb: masu (formal)
    • Helper adjective: tai (want)
    • Change to noun: e.g., kai mono (buy thing - shopping).

• ru verbs (ichidan verbs):

  • Simply cut off 'ru' for sticky stems.
    • Example: Taberu ➜ Tabe
  • Attachments:
    • Tabemasu (formal)
    • Tabetai (want to eat)
    • Tabemono (food).

Exception in A-Sticky Stem

• U-ending verb exceptions:
  • Kau ➜ Kawa (easier to pronounce).
• Attachments:
  • Helper adjective: nai (not)
    • Examples:
      • Kau ➜ Kawanai (not buy)
      • Kiku ➜ Kikanai (not hear).

Causative and Passive Forms

• Causative:
  • Helper verb: seru-saseru.
    • Example:
      • Hanasu ➜ Hanasasuru (allow to speak).
• Passive:
  • Helper verb: veru-vareru.
    • Example:
      • Kawaru ➜ Kawa (get bored).

E-Sticky Stem

• Change u-row kana to e-row kana.
• Attachments:
  • Potential form: e.g.,
    • Kau ➜ Kaeru (can buy).

O-Sticky Stem

• Attach u to o-sticky stem:
  • Example:
    • Kau ➜ Kao (let's buy).

Volitional Form

• Ichidan form: add 'yo' to sticky stem.
  • Example:
    • Taberu ➜ Tabeyo (let's eat).
• Use of "mashou" for formal volitional:
  • Example:
    • Ikimashou (let's go).

Conclusion

• Key points to remember:
  • Japanese conjugation is not complex but rather systematic and logical.
  • Only two irregular verbs: tsuru (to catch) and kuru (to come).
• Recommended text: "Unlocking Japanese" available on Amazon.
• Thank you for attending!
• Class dismissed.